GB2277414A - Igniter and cable connector assembly terminals - Google Patents

Description

2277414 1 IGNITER AND CABLE CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY Th-'s invention relates to

gas turbine engine igniters and more particularly to an _4mproved igniter and cable connector assembly and to an improved terminal structure for an igniter and ign-4ter cable connector.

Igniters for use in aircraft turbine engines are typically formed with a =etal shell surrounding an insulator. The shell is threaded to engage a threaded igniter cpening in t.'L-.e engine. A high voltage ter--inal is recessed well within a free end of the insulator.

14gh voltage cab" 4nq mating.4- a connector has a project Insulatc- which supports a terminal. The connector 4nsula,:--r extends well nto the igniter insulator -aae establish a long flashover path between the high volt 4-;ed igniter shell. This .erminals and the ground 4 le for prior art const.n.-cz.4on results.1-4 a large profi.;gni4%--.cr and cable connec=.-r assemblies. When one c--=.-.n

2-0 prior art cable connectcr is secured %to an igniter, the - an' cable insu.'Lator projects 4nto the igniter insulato.

V - --he cable a spr4n 'n the cable ccnnector presses 4%- 4-44-er terminal to establish a terminal -against the V.high voltage connection. Typically, contact between the terminals takes place cn1v at a point or over a small I surface area. An appropriate annular seal is located between igniter and zhe cable connector to keep ccntaminants from entering the space between the ign4zar and c--n,-,eczor insulators. A separate spring may be provided --. the connectcr to compress the seal against the ignizar. Any ccnza=-,nants entering the terminal reaion =av result in ign--ter failure due to flashover. ideally, zhe seal also will prevent air from escaping from the space surround4n; the terminals when the I - :35 igniter Is operated at high altitude. As the air pressure across a gap decreases, the flashover voltage required to jump the cap also decreases.

1 2 There are many pro. resent il -lems with the design of p state of '%.-.he art igniters and igniter cable connect=rs. The large number of component parts in aviation engine igniters and igniter cable connectors results in a high manufacturing cost, a large profile and an excessive weight. There is difficulty in establishing and maintaining a good seal between the igniter and the connector and in maintaining a good electrical contact between the igniter and the connector terminals.

0Deratinz failures can occur at the seal and also at the contact point between t..e high voltage connector ter=inal and the igniter terminal. Any arcing between th the te=-4nals caused by poor surface contact will evenr-,,al'y lead to Igniter or cable failure.

- 5 T.te present inventlon'is directed to an improved gniteer and to an improved igniter and cable connectcr assembly for turbine ena_4nes. A threaded igniter adapter -'s secured to an igniter hole in the engine..he ignizer slides through a hole in the adapter toc 4- h posit n the spark gap cn t..e igniter at the proper 1 4 in the engine combustion chamber. An enlarged diameter 'head on the igniter is retained by the adapter. tioned on the igniter head %to ,n annular seal 4s pcsILtencircle a high voltage te=inal projecting from the Jgniter head. A spring loaded terminal on a cable connectcr extends tt2hrcugh the center of the seal and mressed -=aainst the igniter terminal when the cable c0nnectcr is aV.,ached tc the adaDter. 'mhen the cab'=.;0 cconnec=cr is secured ta the adapter, the seal is 4 CrS compressed between t.--_z connector and Igniter insulaz The cable connector =ay be secured to the adapter by, for exan.ple, either by a hinged clamp which engages conical surfaces on 4Che adapter and the cable connec--Or 35 or by a coupling nut cn the cable connector which is. hreaded onto the adapter or by a quick connect mechan-4s= on one of t-he connector or the adapter for c 3 releasably engaging an annular groove an the other of the connector or the adapter. in a modification of the invention, a quick connect mechanism on the igniter cable connector releasably engages an annular groove 5 formed on the igniter.

As the connector is secured to the adapter, the igniter terminal is pushed in an axial direction against the force of a spring in the cable connector. At the same t.4=e, threads between the connector insulator and terminal cause the connector terminal to rotate about its axis to establish a good electrical contact with the igniter terminal. Preferably, the igniter and connector terminals are formed with mating conical or spherical surfaces, one of which is an annular segment having a void in the center Ito all-ow any surface contaminants between the contacting surfaces to escape. The terminal shape provides a wide line or surface contact extending -'- 'erminals. This is an around the axis of Ve 46 improvement over point or small area contact produced by 0 many prior art "terminal designs where flat or convex surfaces meet. ter and cable connector assembly

The improved ignit has several advantages over prior art assemblies. The annular seal provides 4=proved flashover protection. The --otation of the connector terminal as it is pressed against the igniter ter=inal provides improved electrical contact. The igniter construction is less axnensive to manufacture and weighs less than prior art igniters since it requires less parts, has a smaller profille and is simpler to manufacture. Further, t..e ignil,-.er adapter whic.n. is secured to the engine need not be removed from the engine or replaced when replacing the igniter.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved igniter and cable connector assembly suitable for aviation engines.

4 other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of an igniter and cable connector asseMly according to a first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical cross sectional view through the igniter and cable connector assembly of Fig. 10 1; Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the turbine engine =ounting adapter from the assembly of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the igniter f rcm the assembly of Fig. C Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the igniter and Table connector clamp assembly in an open position; Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentan top plan view showing an exemplary Mch for securing the clamp assembly of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical cross secticnal view through an igniter and cable connectcr assembly according tc a =odified embodiment of the invenzicn; Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentan cross sectional ciew Mewing details of the igniter and cable connectcr zerminals according tc a modified eModiment of the inventicn; Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentan cross sectional view Mewing details zf the igniter and cable conneczcr te=inals according t= a further modified eModi=ent c:the invention; Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentan cross sectional view thrcugh an igniter and cable connector assembly according to a further =edified embodWent of the invention; and Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary cross secticnal view through an igniter and cable connector assembly is A according a still further modified embodiment of the invention.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, an -or assembly 10 is illustrated igniter and cable connect according to a first embodiment of the invention. M.e assembly 10 includes an igniter 11, an engine mounting adapter I"& and a high voltage exciter cable connector 13. A clamp 14 secures the connector 13 to the adapter 12. The clamp 14 has two halves 15 and 16 which are secured 4b-.c-,dether by a suitable latch 17. A wire or split ring 18 prevent accidental opening of the latch 17.

he adapter 12 is shown in detail in Figs. 2 and C: T Ilte adapter 12 is generally tubular, having an axial J. - t, - opening 19 extending between a lower end 20 and an upper end 21. The adapter 12 has exterior threads 22 for securing -%he adapter to a threaded igniter opening An an engine (nct shown). A hexagonal nut 23 is integrally the adapter 12 adjacent the no fo=ed cn the exterior c, upper end 21 for receiving a suitable wrench (not shown', when securling the adanzer to or removing the adapter from an engine. Either a conical surface 24 below the threads ^= or the lower adanter end 20 =ay be located t- seat against a mating surface in the engine to form a gas seal. Or, a suitable gasket =ay be placed c.n the surface 24. Between the threads 22 and the nut 23, a reduced dliameter gr-.--ve 25 is forr.ed around the adapter -':. The groove:5 has a conical upper surface ly.

---0 Z6 wh-,=.-. faces downward-ly and outward.

1 Z--zals of the ign-tar!l are s-c.wn in Figs. 2 and = - L.1.4 --- 4. The igniter 11 has a tubular shell or sheath 29 extend--nc between a lower or first end 30 and an upper or second end 31. At the upper end 31, the metal 'formina t..e sheath 29 fa--,s an enlarged diameter head 32. The sheath 29 has a diameter for a close sliding 10.4t in z.lbe adapter opening 19, while the head 32 abuts 6 against -.'.,.e upper adapter end 21. The sheath 29 has a stepped axial bore 33 for receiving a ceramic insulatcr 34. The insulator 34 has a tubular body portion 35 of a diameter for being received by the sheath bore 33. At a lower end 36, the insulator 34 is seated against the sheath end 30. The insulator 34 also has an enlarged diameter head 37 which abuts and overlays at least a mortion of the sheath head 32. If desired, the sheath. head 32 =ay wrap around at least a portion of the 10 perimeter of the insulator head 37 to protect the insulator head 37 from damage. A fused glass seal 38 -'s located between the heads 32 and 37 to retain the,nsulator 34 in "the sheath 29 and to prevent combustion aases from leaking between the insulator 34 and the is sheath 2-0.

The 4 6nsulator 34 has an axial bore 39 in which a A center electrode.20 is secured by a fused class seal 41. '"he sea! 41 also prevents combustion gases from leaking. between the center electrode 40 and the insulator bore .O - 19. --!:e center eleczrode 40 has a lower end 42 which -s 9-0 spaced from the sheath end 3 0 to f or= a spark gap. The ter electrode 40 terminates at a upper end of the cent 6e=inal 43. The terminal 43 age igniter t high volt projects above a top surface 44 on t'afte insulator head 37. A's illustrated, the terminal 43 may have an upwardly and outwardly directed conical shape. From the above description, it w4J.-Il he apparent to those skilleed

4=4,er 11 is highly simpli.

n the art that the fied c.,er Prior art turbine enzine igniters. Typically, the p____

0 art, --aniters include a large shell manufactured fr---. =ultiple =arts and several different L-isulator components. The simplified construction significantly reduces the manufacturing cost for t.he igniter 11.

2 shows a cross section through an end of the igniter exciter cable connector 13. The connector 13 includes a shell 47, a ceramic insulator 48 and a high. voltage electrode 49 which terminates at a terminal 50.

7 The shell 47 has an enlarged diameter portion 51 terminating at an end 52 against which an enlarged diameter end 53 on the insulator 48 abuts. The enlarged diameter shell portion 51 has an upwardly and outwardly facing conical exterior surface 54 which is used to secure the connector 13 to the adapter 12, as will be discussed below. The electrode 49 is mounted in a bore 55 in the insulator 48 to reciprocate in an axial direction. A spring 56 located in the insulator bore 55 is compressed between a washer or pin 57 attached to the elect=de 49 and a stationary sleeve 58. The spring 56 presses downwardly on the electrode 49 to extend the terminal 50 from the insulator bore 55. When the connector 13 is secured to the adapter 12, the spring 56 presses the connector terminal 50 against the igniter terminal 43. As the connector 13 and the igniter 11 are brought -h.--gether, the electrode 49 moves in an axial directon into the insulator- bore 55, sliding in a contact 59 connected to a high voltage wire in an exciter cable (not shown). As is discussed below, the electrcde 49 preferably also is mounted in the insulatcr bore SE tz- be slightly rc- tated as it is reciprocated in an axial direction.

The clamp 14, which is shown in _Frigs. 2 and 5, secures the cable connector 13 to the adapter 12. A hinge 6-0 connects one edge of the clamD halves 15 and 16 h.ogether to pivot between an open position as shown In Fig. S and a closed z--s4&.z.4on as shown in Fig. 2. When the cla-,p 14 is clos-2d, z.-.e latch 17 secures together 0 omen edzes 61 and 62. of the clamp halves 15 and 16, respectively. T2he cia== '14 has a stepped axial bore having a lower end 64 '&c-- fitting into the adapter groove 25, a central portion 65 for enclosing the head end on the igniter 11 and the enlarged end on the connector 13, and an upper end 66 for passing the connector shell 47. A ccnical surface 67 is located between t..e lower bore end 64 and the central bore 4 8 1-9 portion 65 and a conical surface 68 is located between the central bore portion 65 and the upper bore end 66. The conical surface 67 is positioned and shaped to engage the conical adapter surface 26 and the conical surface 68 is positioned and shaped to engage the conical connector shell surface 54.

Details of an exemplary construction for the clamp latch:7 are shown in Fig. 6. The latch 17 has a f -4--st arm member 71 which is attached at an end 72 to a tab 73 on the clamp half 16 by a pivot pin 74. A second a= member 75 is pivotally attached near its center to an opposite end 76 of the member 71 by a pivot pin 77. The member 75 has a tapered and 78 which engages a bracket 79 on the clamD half 1-5. A free end 60 on the member 75serves as a lever for opening and closing the latch 17. When the latch 17 is closed, a bracket 81 on the cla=p half 15 extends throuch the member and a wire or a sDl-44' ring 82 is passed through a hole 83 in the bracket 01 to prevenz accidental oppening of Ithe latch 17. It will- '.-. e appreciated by those skilled in the art that other types of latches may be used f--r releasably securing together the edges 61 and 62 clamp halves 15 and 16.

Ref erri 4", the igniter 11 is I ng again to Fig. instal -'ed in an engine and the cable connector 13 is attach.ed by first installing the adapter 12 in a t threaded igniter opening in the engine. The igniter is than slid into the adapter opening 1-9 until the sheat.",. Insad 32 abuts the adapter end 21. Next, an annular resilient seall S4 is positioned around the head 10 of the ---iter 11. The seal 84 has a tubular lower end %.44 '=..

S5 wh--=.-. surrounds at least the periphery of the igni=ar L, insulator head 37 and =av also surround the periphery of the sheath head 32. An integral flange 86 on the seal 84 extends radially inwardly over a portion of the top insulator surface 44 to surround the terminal 43. The seal 84 also has a tubular upper end 87 which receives and engages the periphery of at least the connector 1\ 9 insulator end 53 and may also extend around a portion of the enlarged connector shell portion 51. The seal 84 is formed from a suitable high temperature resilient rubber like material. In the past, igniter connector seals have been constructed from a silicon rubber which Is capable of withstanding operating temperatures of up to 4500F. However, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the seal is made from Kalrez (M) manufactured and sold- -^,i E. I. Dupont de Nemours & Cc. whic.n. can function at up to 6000F.

After the seal 24 is positioned over the igniter h insulator head 37, the connector 13 is positioned 1 with the insulator end 53 with adjacent the igniter 1 h-in t hhe upper tubular seal end 87 and the connector ter=inal 50 contacting the igniter terminal 43. The open clamp 14 is positioned around the adapter 12 and connector 13 N.o extend into the adamter groove 25 and over the conical connector surface 54. As the clamp 14 is closed, t..lie conical clamp surface 67 engages the conical -he conical clamp surface 68 2 0 adaDter surface 26 and engages the conical connector surface 54. The conical surfaces press the connector 13 axially toward the igniter 1.1 as the clamp 14 is closed. At the same time, the seal flange 86 is cc=pressed between the connector insulator end 53 and the top surface 44 on the igniter insulator 37 to for= a zight seal surrounding the te=inals 43 and 50. The lower seal end 85 also is h- compressed between the periphery of Ithe igniter insulator head 37 and the wall of 4-2he central portion 65 of t.he clamp bare 63 and the upper seal end 87 is ccmm--essed between the periphery of t.',.e connector insulator end 53 and t_he wall of the central portion 65 of tte clamp bore 63. Thus, three separate annular seali.ng areas are produced when the clamp 14 is closed.

The latch 17 is engaged to complete closure of the clamp 14 and t..e split ring 1S is installed to hold the clamp 17 closed.

-5 Referring now to Fig. 7, an igniter and cable connector assembly 90 is illustrated according to a modified embodiment of the invention. The assembly 90 includes an adapter 91 for securing to an engine (not shown), an igniter 92 mounted in the adapter 91, and a connector 93 for attaching an exciter ignition cable (not shown) to the igniter P2. The adapter 91 has an externally threaded lower end 94 which is sized to engage a conventional threaded igniter opening in an engine. A hexagonal section 95 is formed on the adapter above "...a threaded end 94 to receive a suitable wrench when securing the adapter 91 to or removing it' fron the engine. Adjacent an up-per end 96, the adapter 91 has an externally threaded section 97 for receiving a coupling nut 98 on the connector 93. The adapter 0.1 is tubular shaped and has a stepped axial bore 99 having a larger diameter upper section 100 and a smaller diameter lower section 101.

The -4-niter 92 =av be of similar construction to :.0 -the igniter 11 -4'--'ustrated in Figs. 2 and 4. The igniter 92 has a body Cl having an exterior diameter - L_ for into and c!--sely engaging the walls of the 'ower adapter bore section 101. At a lower end 103, the Jgniter defines a recessed spark gap. At an opposite upper and, the ianil"er 92 has an enlarged diameter lead 104 i.ncluding a fiance _25 which abuts an end wall 106 of the adaDter bore section 100 to retain the igniter 92 4n 1-2he adaDter bore 99. A high voltage terminal 107:--rojeczs above an -insulaz--r section 108 which overlays -at least a portion zhe flange 105.

1 -51 is positioned over the ignizer .n annular seal - Z head l.4. The seal 1G.9 has a stepped bore 110 which confo=s to at least the -insulator section 107 and surrounds the terminal 138. The seal bore 110 also conf o=s to a lower end 1-15 of an insulator ill and to a tage terminal 11: on the connector 93. The seal high volt may be =ade from any suizable resilient material whic.h 11 1 C, will resist the operating temperatures present between on the igniter 92 and the connector 93. such as a silic. rubber or. preferably, Kalrez (TM).

The connector 93 has a tubular shell 113 with a bore 114 in which the insulator 111 Is mounted. Either the insulator 111 and the terminal 112 are mounted to reciprocate together in an axial direction relative to the shell 113 or, pref erably. the terminal 112 Is mounted to axially reciprocate in the insulator 111. as ils known in the prior art. As is discussed below. t..e terminal 112 is preferably mounted to rotate as it reciprocates in the insulator 111. Adjacent the lower end 11.5 of the insulator Ill, the shell bore 114 has an enlarged diameter section 116. The seal 109 is compressed to fill the chamber between the shell bore seczion 116, the insulator end 115, the terminals 108 and '12 and the igniter head 104.

The connector shell 113 has an enlarged diameter flange 117 whic.n. retains the coupling nut 98.

,.ad-4al - The cCupling nut 98 has an internally threaded section 118 which engages the threaded section 97 on the adarter 91. An exterior surface 119 on the coupling nut 98 may be shamed to receive a wrench (not shown) for securing the cc-upling nut 98 't-c- and removing it from the adapter 91. When the connect---- 93 is inserted into the adaDter 91 and the coupling nut 98 is tightened, an end 12,10 on the shell 11-3 presses against the igniter flange 1.105 to tight t- ly hold the igniter 92 in the adapter 91 and the cc-nnectc.- terminal - '-!2 is pressed firmly against the ---0 igni-ar terminal!OS.

F-4a. 27. 1.11ustrates an igniter 11 having a te=inal 1, wardly and outwardly facing c-ne 43 in t..e shape of an upand a c=nector having a terminal 50 with an end surface in the fa= of a conical segment which makes a ring 35 contact around the axis of the igniter terminal 43. Figs. 0 and 9 illustrate additional preferred embodll=ents of the c.-nf-guration of the igniter and 12 connector terminals. Fig. 8 shows a fragmentary portion of an igniter 123 having a terminal 124 and a fragmentary portion of a connector 125 having a terminal 126. The connector te=inal 126 is mounted to reciprocate in an insulator 127 against the force of a spring 128. According to the invention, one or more mating threads 129 are formed between the insulator 127 and the terminal 126. The threads 129 are coarsely formed to impart a limited amount of rotation to the terminal 126 as it is reciprocated in the insulator 127.

This rotation produces a wiping action between the terminals 126 and 124 as the connector 125 is secured to the engine adapter and the terminal 126 is pressed into the insulator 127. The wiping action establishes a mcre !5 positive electrical contact between the terminals 124 and 126. Only slight rotation of the terminal 126 is effective, for example, a rotation of less than 90' is effective. It should he appreciated that the te=inal 50 in Fig. 2 may be =cunted to rotate in a similar manner as it is reciprocated.

Me mating surfaces of the te=inals 124 and 126 are pzeferably conical. The igniter terminal 124 has a contact surface 130 in the form of an upwardly and inwardly facing conical segment with an open center 131. The connector terminal 126 has a contact surface 122 in the fc= of a downwardly and outwardly facing conical segment and has a flat center 133. When the te=inals 124 and 126 are pressed together, the surfaces 130 and 132 abut around the axis of the igniter 123 and connector 125 to fc--- a continuous contact around a conical segment defined by the surface 130. Rotati=n cf the connector terminal 126 as contact is established between the terminals 124 and 126 causes any minor surface contaminants such as small particles of dirt either to escape into the center opening 131 or to =ove outwardly from the contacting surfaces. This effectively provides a greater and more positive 13 is electr4cal contact area than is achieved in prior art igniter and cable connector assemblies. in many pricr art connectors, contact is achieved at only a point cr over a small area. Surface dirt may prevent direct surface contact, which will initially result in small arcing between the adjacent surfaces. Any such arcing may lead to eventual &failure of the igniter.

Fig. 9 shows a further modification in which a terminal 134 is mounted to axially reciprocate and to rotate in a connector insulator 135 and a terminal 136 is mounted on an igniter 137. The connector terminal 134 is provided with a convex spherical end surface l28 which contacts a concave spherical end surface 139 c.n. the igniter ter=inal 136. An opening 140 is provided in the center of the concave igniter terminal surface 129,Eace d-4--t-and contaminants to escape to allow any sur. from the contact area. The terminals 134 and 136 are shamed to obtain electrical contact over a spherical 17 and segment extending arcund the axes of the igniter 1. 4:

..he connector ross sec-4- 114a. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary c. ---nal view showing a further =odif-4ed embodiment of an igniter and cable connector asseriDly 143 according to the Jnventicn. in the asse=bly 143, a quick release mechan-4s= 144 is used tC secure an exciter cable connect--145 to an adapter 146. The quick release mechanis= 144 may be located either on the connector or on Ithe adapter 146, although it is shown on the adapter 146 in Fig. 10. The cruick release mechanism 144 can be c:- a cons-l---uct-.cn si-milar to cruick release hose connecz--rs and per=itS easy attachment and removal c-0 the connector 145 wit.-,cuz the need for tools. The Waick release =echanism 144 is strong and reliable.

The adapter 146 ',-.as an externally threaded lower end 147 adapted to engage a threaded igniter opening in an engi.ne (not shown). 1^ hexagonal section 148 is formed above the threaded end 147 for engagement wit.h a i 14 i5 suitable wrench when Installing the adapter 146 in cr when removing the adapter 146 from an engine. A stepped bore 149 extends axially through the adapter 146. The bore 149 has a smaller diameter lower end 150 for passing the body 151 of an igniter 152 and an enlarged diameter upper end 153 for retaining a head end 154 on the igniter 152.

Adjacent an upper end 155, the adapter 146 has a predetermined diameter exterior section 156. The adapter 1-46 has a slig.htly larger diameter exterior sect-4-.n 157 between section 156 and the hexagonal sect4on 148. At least three tapered holes 158 are formed -.n the adapter section 156 to lie in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the upper bore end 153. A ball 1-15-90 is located in each hole 158. Each ball 159 a diamneter greater than t-he wall thickness of the -he balls 159 and holes 158 a- adaDter section 10,6. -e sized such that the.-a.l-',s 159 may extend through C.e holes ISS Into the bore end 153 while they are resttrained from passina totally through the holes 1-53 4nto the bore end 151. A spring loaded tubular sleeve Is positioned tC on the adaDter 146. The sleeve 160 has an -in-,-er-4or section 161 which slides the exterior adamter section 156 and an interior section I- 'c 7.A 162 which slides on z..e exterior adacter section!spring 163 is located in a chamber 164 between the he adaDter section 156. '" sleeve section 162 and z., Lhe spring 163 presses the sleeve 160 in an upward axial di.-keczi--n against a reta-Iner ring 165 which engages -1.-.e -10 adapter exterior sect. cn 156 between he tapered hc"es 1SS and the adaDter end -155. While the sleeve 160. s 4- held in ilts normal up cc-sit-4on against the retainer r.&g 4-n 161 on the sleeve 160 is 165. the interior sect. positioned over the ball's 1-59 to hold the balls 159 in a 35 position wherein they extend into the adapter bare sect4cn!53. The sleeve 160 may be moved downwardly in an ax-al direction against the spring 163 by manually is grasping and pushing on a knurled exterior surface 166 until a sleeve end 167 abuts a stop 168 on the adapter 146. In this position, an enlarged interior diameter area 169 in the sleeve 160 permits the balls 159 to From the bore section 153 into the holes 158.

retract The connector 1-45 is attached to a free end of a high voltage cable 170 from an exciter (not shown). The connector 145 includes a shell 171 having an exterior diameter for sliding in an axial direction into and for 10 closely engaging the walls of the upper adapter bore sec".1on 153. An annular aroove 172 is formed in the shell 171 at a locat-;on for receiving the balls 159 when is secured to the adapter 146. The %-he c--..nector 145 connect-cr 145 is secured, to the adapter 146 by moving 2. 5 the sleeve 160 against the spring 163 until the balls 159 can retract from th.e upper bore adapter end 153, insert4nq the connector 145 into the upper adapter bo-re end.153 and releasing the sleeve 160 to force the hall:: 159 into the connectcr croove 172. The balls 159 retain Ithe ccnnector 145 4;..n the adapter 146 until the sleeve is =cved to allow the balls 159 to retract fron the .60 groove 1272.

The remaining internal construction of the connect.-r 145 may be si=ilar to the construction of 41.2he connector 93 described above. The connector 145 has.an internal insulator!7.7 which mounts a high voltage terminal 1774 for axial and preferably also for rotat4-nal movement W,'L-.en '-heconnector 145 is secured zo t d the adacter 146. The ccnnector te=inal 174 is pressed 20 aaainsz a center electrcde terminal 175 projecting from 'h the ign4ter head 1311. '..e terminals 174 and 175 preferably have a c-nst---,ction as shown for the terminals in any of Figs. 2, 8 or 9. A resilient annular seal 176 extends around the terminals 174 and 175 and is compressed between the igniter head 154 and the connector insulator 173, between the igniter head 16 1 c:

154 and the adapter bore end 153, and between the connector insulator 173' and the adapter bore end 153.

Fig. 11 shows an 4jgniter and cable connector assembly 179 according to a further embodiment of the invention including a quick release exciter cable connector 180 secured directly to an igniter 181. No adapter is used with the assembly 179. The igniter 181 has a shell 182 forming a lower end 183 for projecting into an engine combust-4.-n chamber, a threaded section 184 for engaging a threaded igniter opening in the engine and a hexagonal section 185 for engagement by a wrench (not shown). AbOve the hexagonal section 185, 4'he igniter shell!82 has an enlarged diameter upper section 11.36 which includes an annular groove 187.,%.n insulator 188 and a center electrode terminal 189 extend coaxially from the upper sfection 186.

The connector 180 includes a shell 190 having a bore 191 sized to Slide coaxially over and closely engaging the upper sect-4--n 186 of the igniter shell -"82.

22, 0 An insulator 192 mou4ntinq a high voltage terminal 1103 is mounted in the she!! -for contacting the igniter ±er.minal " 4s secured to the d.89 when the ccnnector 180 igniter 1S1. A resil4ent annular seal 194 fills the chamber around the ter=i.nals 189 and 193 between t&',e connector 180 and the -'aniter 1181. The connector 180 has a cruick release mechanism 195 which functions in a manner identical to t.-.e cuick release mechanism 144 illustrated in Fig. The mechanism includes a plural-44CY of balls 196 zcsitioned in tapered holes 1-97 0;..n t-he cOnnector shel: and a sleeve 198 for retaining the balls in zhee holes 197. The balls are positioned to engage the igniter shell groove 187 when the connector 180 is attached to the igniter 181. The sleeve 193 is normally =aintained in a locked position by a spring 199 which =ushes the sleeve 198 against a retainer ring 200. Manually moving the sleeve 198 against the spring 199 a:lows the balls to move into the 17 - CZ d - holes 1-97 to install the connector 180 on and to remove the connector 180 fro= the igniter 181.

The above described embodiments of an igniter and cable connector assembly have several advantages over prior art assemblies. The assemblies are less expensive to manufacture, have a smaller profile and weigh less than prior art assemblies. Except for the igniter 181, there are no threaded connections on the igniter. once the adapter is attached to the engine, the igniter =ay !0 be inserted and later replaced without removing or changing the threaded adapter. For the igniter and cable connector assemblies illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 10, no tools are requi-red to replace the igniter. No gaskets are required for installing the igniter adapter ha past, the threads on the igniters 15 on the engine. In t. were silver plated to prevent seizure. No silver plating is required on the igniters of Figs. If 2 and 10 since there are no threads on the igniters. Further, the c--nstruction of the seal is more simplified and =are "0 effective at preventing flashover than seals in many prior art assemblies.

..e design of 4%-.',.e igniter also has several advantages over prior art igniters. The insulator and sheath designs are considerably simplified over prior art igniters. No internal tamped seals are requirea between a shell and the insulator or between the insulator and the center electrode. Nor is seal reaming recuired since there are no tamped seals. The ceramic,nsulat--r is considerably simplified. Further, no :30 assembly gaging of the various components is reaui-red as in t!:e cast.

iated by those skilled in the art t will be apprecthat various modifications and changes may be made in the above described preferred embodiments of the igniter 35 and exciter cable connector assembly and in the design -1, of the igniter without departing from the scope of t"e fon-swing claims. --xample, it will be is appreciated that the conical and spherical terminal constructions shown in Figs. 2, 8 and 9 and the means for rotating the connector terminals shown in Figs. 8 and 9 may be readily adapted to other igniter and connector designs. The quick release cable connectors shown in Figs. 10 and 11 also may be adapted to other connector and igniter designs.

The parent applications (9103707.7& 9401307.5) of this divisional application are directed to an igniter and cable connector assembly comprising an adaptor and an igniter cable connector with a rotatable connector terminal, respectively. There are also corresponding divisional applications directed to an igniter construction and an igniter and cable connector assembly with a ball arrangement connecting the igniter and cable connector, respectively.

P ct,/9/M5 19 1. In an igniter and cable connector assembly including a first high voltage terminal on an igniter and a second high voltage terminal on a cable connector, and a spring arranged in said connector to press said second terminal against said first terminal when said connector is secured to said igniter, improved first and second terminals characterized by one of said first and second terminals having a conical first surface area extending about an axis, and the other of said first and second terminals having an annular portion terminating at a conical segment second surface area oriented to contact said first surface area about said axis when said c--nnector is secured to said igniter.

2. Improved high voltage terminals for an igniter and a cable connector, as set forth in claim 1 and further Including means in said connector for causing said connector terminal to rotate relative to said igniter terminal when said connector is secured to said Igniter.

3. In an igniter and cable connector assembly including a first high voltage terminal on an igniter and a second high voltage terminal on a cable connector.

and a spring arranged in said connector to press said second terminal against said first terminal when said connector is secured tc said igniter, improved first and second terminals characzerized by one of said first and second terminals having a convex spherical first surface area extending about an axis, and the other of said first and second te=inals having an annular portion terminating at a concave spherical segment second surface area oriented t- -- contact said first surface area about said axis when said connector is secured to said igniter.

2 0 -5 I.; 4. I=proved high voltage terminals f or an igniter and a ca---'e connector, as set forth.,.n claim 3 and further including means in said connector for causina o rotate relat.

said connector terminal t 4ve to said igniter terminal when said connector is secured to said igniter.

7 1 Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. In an igniter and cable connector assembly including a f irst high voltage terminal on an igniter and a second high voltage terminal on a cable connector, and a spring arranged in said connector to press said second terminal against said first terminal when said connector is secured to said igniter, improved first and second terminals characterized by one of said f irst and second terminals having a conical f irst surface area extending about an axis, and the other of said f irst and second terminals having an annular portion terminating at a conical segment second surface area oriented to contact said first surface area about said axis when said connector is secured to said igniter, to provide a conical contact area between said first and second surfaces.

2. Improved high voltage terminals for an igniter and a cable connector, as set forth in claim 1 and further including means in said connector for causing said connector terminal to rotate relative to said igniter terminal when said connector is secured to said igniter.

3. In an igniter and cable connector assembly including a f irst high voltage terminal on an igniter and a second high voltage terminal on a cable connector, and a spring arranged in said connector to press said second terminal against said first terminal when said connector is secured to said igniter, improved f irst and second terminals characterized by one of said f irst and second terminals having a convex spherical f irst surface area extending about an axis, and the other of said f irst and second terminals having an annular portion terminating at a concave spherical segment second surface area oriented to contact said first surface area about said axis when said connector is secured to said igniter, to provided a spherical contact area between said f irst and second surfaces.

22- 4. Improved high voltage terminals for an igniter and cable connector, as set forth in claim 3 and further including means in said connector for causing said connector terminal to rotate relative to said igniter terminal when said connector is secured to said igniter.

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