Knite, Inc. has five issued patents in the US and eight issued patents in the rest of the world.  An additional patent has been allowed in the US and will be issued soon. There are five additional patents filed, with applications pending worldwide.

Traveling spark ignition system
US Pat. No. 5,704,321

This is the original Princeton University patent. It addresses the core technology of utilizing Lorentz force and thermal force to generate a large moving ignition kernel that increases the ignition kernel volume by two orders of magnitude without significantly increasing energy input.

A plasma injector for an internal combustion engine, in one embodiment, includes two spaced apart and parallel donut shaped disk electrodes, between which a horizontally outward moving plasma is formed via a high voltage applied across the electrodes. The present invention is characterized by its efficient use of input electrical energy via electronic circuitry for driving the plasma injector. An ignition source provides an ignition plasma kernel which is several orders of magnitude larger than that produced by conventional spark plugs. Use of very lean combustible mixtures, in which the dilution of the mixture is achieved by use of exhaust gas recirculation, is made possible by the present ignition system. Considerable improvement in engine efficiency and a major reduction in NOX exhaust gas pollutants are obtained via the present ignition.

High efficiency traveling spark ignition system and ignitor thereof
US Pat. No. 6,131,542

A high efficiency low energy ignitor and associated electrical systems for creating larger plasma ignition kernels to ignite a gaseous mixture of air fuel in a combustion engine is described. The apparatus has at least two spaced apart electrodes having a discharge gap between them. When a sufficiently high first potential is applied between the electrodes a plasma is formed from the air fuel. The volume of this plasma is increased by the application of a second voltage that creates a current through the plasma. The location where the current travels through the plasma is swept outward along with the plasma, due to the interaction of Lorentz and thermal expansion forces. This leads to a larger volume of plasma being created and thereby increases the efficiency of the burn cycle of the combustion engine. Also described are dimensioning characteristics related to the electrodes and the space between them that achieve optimal plasma formation and expulsion.

Traveling spark ignition system and ignitor thereof
US Pat. No. 6,321,733

A plasma ignitor, or plasma source, for igniting a combustible mixture in an internal combustion engine. The ignitor includes at least two spaced apart electrodes dimensioned and arranged such that an outwardly moving plasma is formed when a voltage is applied across the electrodes. The present invention is characterized by its efficient use of input electrical energy for driving the plasma ignitor and by an ignition plasma kernel which is several orders of magnitude larger than that produced by conventional spark plugs. Outward motion and expansion of the plasma kernel is produced by a combination of Lorentz and thermal forces. Use of very lean combustible mixtures, in which the dilution of the mixture is achieved by use of exhaust gas recirculation, is made possible by the present ignition system. Improvement in engine efficiency and a major reduction in exhaust gas pollutants are obtained.

Long life traveling spark ignitor and associated firing circuit
US Pat. No. 6,474,321

An ignitor and associated electronics for igniting a combustible mixture in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine are described. The ignitor includes at least two spaced-apart electrodes that define a discharge gap. The space between the electrodes is substantially filled with a dielectric material. The dielectric material is spaced-apart from at least one of the electrodes to provide an air gap over which an initial voltage breakdown between the electrodes will occur. The air gap serves to vary the location of the initial breakdown and as a barrier to a short circuit between the electrodes due to carbon and/or metal deposit buildup on the dielectric material. The associated electronics provide a first potential between the electrodes that generates a plasma between the electrodes. Then the volume of the plasma is increased by the application of a second potential that creates a current through the plasma. The plasma, as well as the current passing through, is swept outward due to the interaction of Lorentz and thermal expansion forces with the plasma. Also described are relative orientations of the electrodes that lead to greater plasma formation.

Electronic circuit for plasma generating devices
US Pat. No. <Allowed>

The invention is directed to the firing electronics which are used to provide electrical energy to a spark plug. For most ignition systems having dual energy electronics, the shape secondary discharge is not particularly important. In a Lorentz force ignition system operating in a wide range of pressures the shape of the discharge is important. The electronic circuit requires a specific pulse shape with relatively high current initially to establish the discharge and move it from the discharge initiation region. This patent defines the characteristics required to accomplish this type of discharge for ignition applications.

Dual mode ignition system utilizing traveling spark ignitor
US Pat. No. 6,553,981

This invention addresses means of adjusting the KSI system and the secondary energy of the dual energy electronics according to the ignition requirements.

In many engine applications a standard ignition system is sufficient for at least a portion of the operating range. The present invention relates to a system that delivers the benefits of TSI under difficult engine operating conditions (i.e., in homogeneous fuel/air mixtures) and at the same time conserves energy and extends its own life through dual modes of operation which allow the ignitor to function either as a TSI or conventional ignition device, depending on the operating regime of the engine. In addition to providing this function for original equipment manufacturer engines (where the ignition is installed at the factory), the invention is well suited to manufacturing add-on modules mounted by end users for the aftermarket.