US3882338A - Igniter plug - Google Patents
Igniter plug Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3882338A US3882338A US433944A US43394474A US3882338A US 3882338 A US3882338 A US 3882338A US 433944 A US433944 A US 433944A US 43394474 A US43394474 A US 43394474A US 3882338 A US3882338 A US 3882338A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- insulator
- electrode
- shell
- elongated
- metal shell
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01T—SPARK GAPS; OVERVOLTAGE ARRESTERS USING SPARK GAPS; SPARKING PLUGS; CORONA DEVICES; GENERATING IONS TO BE INTRODUCED INTO NON-ENCLOSED GASES
- H01T13/00—Sparking plugs
- H01T13/20—Sparking plugs characterised by features of the electrodes or insulation
- H01T13/24—Sparking plugs characterised by features of the electrodes or insulation having movable electrodes
Definitions
- the igniter plug includes an internal [53] Field of Search 313/ 144 spring (100 or 200) that allows a forward insulator 313/126 127 123/169:- L (80) to move in response to thermal expansion and v a 1 1 contraction and to continually forwardly bias the insu later (80) against the front portion of the ground elec- [561 References Cited trode (20) so that the insulator (80) is always in pressure contact with the forward end of the ground elec- UNITED STATES PATENTS node (20) 1 525,4l5 2/1925 Seibert 1.
- Igniter plugs generally comprise a metal shell or body that has a flange or other mounting means for mounting the igniter plug in a turbine engine.
- the shell constituting one electrode of the igniter plug.
- a central electrode passes through the shell and is supported within the shell by an insulator which surrounds the central electrode and which is fitted into an opening in the metal shell.
- a copper packing ring or bushing is then provided between the insulator and the shell in order to seal the opening in the body, through which the insulator extends, against escape of gases.
- the rear end of the igniter plug is generally welded in or brazed in several places to assure that there is a pressure-tight seal through which pressurized gases will not pass.
- the front end of the igniter plug includes an insulator which surrounds the central electrode and which isolates the central electrode from the outer shell. In operation, when a proper operating voltage is applied to the igniter plug electrodes, an arc is struck between the forward portion of the inner electrode and the forward portion of the outer shell which is the ground electrode.
- the forward portion of the insulator separating the inner electrode from the outer electrode, is eroded away and causes the insulator to become loose (rattle around). This condition creates an air gap between the insulator and the outer electrode which requires a higher voltage be applied between the electrodes to establish a discharge.
- the power source supplying the voltage and the electrodes is inadequate to supply this additional voltage and the plug does not supply the necessary discharge to ignite fuel within an engine. For example, during certain operating modes of a jet aircraft, such as take-off, maximum climb and thrust reversal during landing.
- the firing end of the igniter plug is subject to high temperatures and pressures, which, together with an increased firing gap caused by spark erosion during service life, demand quite an increase in ionization voltage between the electrodes to maintain a discharge.
- the power supply which generally has a rated maximum voltage and power, is incapable of supplying the voltage between the electrodes necessary to maintain an electric discharge to ignite fuel within the engine.
- a further problem associated with existing igniter plugs is that the forward insulator, separating the inner electrode from the outer electrode. is rigidly mounted between the two electrodes so that thermal expansion and contraction during operation sets up stresses on the insulaator which eventually lead to the cracking of the insulator and the failure of the igniter plug.
- One example of an igniter plug having the aforementioned problems may be found in US. Pat. No. 3.745.400 entitled lgniter Plug" and issued July 10, l973 to Helmut P. Meyer.
- This invention provides an igniter plug for a turbine engine that has a spring biased insulator between the two electrodes of the igniter plug that compensates for thermal expansion and erosion of one of the electrodes.
- the invention is an improved igniter plug characterized by a spring 100 or 200 that applies an axial force on the insulator 80 that separates the inner electrodes from the outer electrode 20 so that the insulator 80 is always in contact with the electrodes 20 and 30.
- the improved igniter plug comprises: an inner elongated electrode 30 having a front portion and a rear portion; a forward elongated insulator 80 disposed around the forward portion of the electrode 30; an intermediate elongated insualtor disposed around at least the rear portion of the electrode 30, the intermediate insulator 40 hav ing a front portion and a rear portion; an outer elongated metal shell 20 disposed around the electrode 30 and electrically isolated therefrom by the forward and intermediate insulators 40 and 80, the metal shell 20 having a rear portion that has an opening therein and a front end portion 23 arranged to provide a spark gap with the end 32 of the front portion of the electrode 30; the rear portion of the elongated electrode 30, intermediate insulator 40 and shell 20 being completely welded and/or brazed to form a pressure-tight seal at the rear end of the igniter plug; and a spring 100 and/or 200 for axially biasing the forward insulator 80 against the forward portion 23 of the metal shell 20.
- an object of this invention to provide an improved igniter plug that includes an axially biased internal insulator that moves in response to thermal expansion, contraction and/or wear.
- FIGURE is a cross-sectional diagrammatic view of an igniter plug that incorporates the principles of this invention.
- the igniter plug comprises an elongated central electrode 30; a ceramic insulator 40; a first metal dia phragm an outer metal shell 20, which forms the second electrode; a second diaphragm 10 concentrically arranged between the insulator 40 and the shell 20; a forward insulator and a bushing 60.
- the central electrode 30 is generally comprised of an electrically conducting material so that when the cen tral electrode 30 is in electrical circuit relationship with the front portion 23 of the outer shell electrode 20, an arch discharge may be formed between the tip 32 of the electrode 30 and the surrounding portion 22 of the shell electrode 20.
- the forward end portion of electrode 30 from which the spark discharge occurs includes a cylindrically shaped end portion 32 that is of a much larger diameter than the rest of the electrode and which contains therein one or more passages 31 for the passage of gas to cool the tip 32 of the electrode 30 during operation.
- a ceramic insulator 40 Surrounding most of the central electrode 30 is a ceramic insulator 40 which electrically isolates the central electrode 30 from the outer shell electrode 20. To prevent any gases from escaping through the bore 41 of the insulator 40, a first diaphragm 50 connects (brazed) and seals in fluid-tight relationship the insulator 40 and the center electrode 30.
- the first diaphragm 50 is generally comprised of a metallic material that is brazed to form a continuous 360 bond 51 between the first diaphragm 50 and a portion of the inside of the insulator 40. To assure a fluid-tight seal between the first diaphragm 50 and the center electrode 30, first diaphragm 50 is brazed to the center electrode to form a continuous 360 bond 52.
- a cylindrical copper wedge 60 is located between the outer shell 20 and the intermediate insulator 40.
- the outer shell 20 includes a mounting flange 9 for mounting the igniter plug in a turbine engine; intake and exhaust ports 24, 26, 27, 28 for allowing the entrance and exit of engine gases in the igniter plug to cool the electrode 30; and a forward shell portion or cap 23, that is welded to the shell 20 at point 29 to form the entire outer electrode 20.
- the front portion of the shell cap 23 includes an opening 22 that forms the discharge surface of shell electrode 20 that, together with the discharge surface 32 of the control electrode 30, forms the discharge gap.
- the second diaphragm 10 is preferably a metallic material such as a nickel-iron alloy chosen for its resilient features over a wide range of temperatures to 700F.) and is concentrically arranged around the intermediate insulator 40.
- the forward portion of the diaphragm is brazed at 11 to the insulator 40 to form a continuous 360 bond between the insulator 40 and the second diaphragm 10.
- the opposite end of the diaphrgm is welded at 12 to the shell to form a continuous 360 bond between the diaphragm l and the shell 20.
- the weld 12, connecting the diaphragm 10 to the shell 20, functions as a hinge to compensate for an increase in the radial distance, together with the rear end portion 2 of the diaphragm 10, between the outside of the insulator 40 and the inside of the shell 20.
- a second forward ceramic insulator 80 having a shoulder 81 is also positioned within the shell 20 to prevent radial and axial movement of the control electrode that might result in contact between the control electrode 30 and the shell electrode 20; hence, preventing electrical short circuits.
- the forward ceramic insulator includes a rearwardly facing shoulder that together with a forwardly facing internal shoulder 25 of the outer shell 20 captivates spring which axially and resiliently biases the forward insulator 80 in the forward direction.
- the spring 100 biasing the insulator 80 allows thermal contraction of the outer electrode 20 without cracking the insulator 80.
- the spring 100 applies an axial force to the insulator 80 so that the insulator 80 will always be in presure contact with a portion of the surface 21 of the outer electrode.
- This continuous contact of the insulator 80 with a portion of the surface 21 pervents an air gap from occurring between the insulator 80 and the outer electrode 20 which results in improper operation of the igniter plug and/or failure of the igniter plug to ignite fuel in a turbine engine.
- a second spring 200 may be compressedly captivated around the intermediate electrode 40 and between the bushing 60 and one end 86 of the forward insulator 80 to provide an axial force on the forward insulator 80 in the direction of the end 32 of the inner electrode 30.
- the springs 100,200 are preferably made of material which has the capability to maintain a high yield strength when exposed to the hot operational environment of the igniter tip. Suitable materials include nickel base alloys such as inconel X-750 which exhibits a high yield strength at temperatures approaching l,O00F. or even higher,
- the axial force applied to the forward insulator 80 may be applied by only one spring 100 or 200 or by using both springs. Further, the axial force applied to the insulator may be accomplished by curved or wavy washers, although springs 100 or 200 are preferred. Accordingly, it is intended that the illustrative and descriptive materials herein be used to illustrate the principles of the invention and not to limit the scope thereof.
- a spark plug of the type having an inner elongated electrode having a front portion and a rear portion; a forward elongated insulator dis posed around the forward portion of said electrode, an intermediate elongated insulator disposed around at least the rear portion of said electrode, said intermediate insulator having a front portion and a rear portion; an outer elongated metal shell disposed around the electrode and electrically isolated therefrom by the forward and intermediate insulators, said metal shell having a rear portion that has an opening therein and a front end portion arranged to provide a spark gap with the end of the front portion of said electrode, said forward elongated insulator having its forward end immediately adjacent the spark gap, a first forward portion in contact with a portion of the front end of said outer elongated metal shell, and a second forward portion in contact with a portion of the front end of the inner elongated electrode whereby said forward elongated insulator extends adjacent said spark gap between said metal shell and inner electrode; and a metal sle
- means for slidably mounting said forward insulator including means for axially and resiliently biasing said forward insulator against said front end portion of said shell.
- said means for biasing said forward insulator includes a spring compressedly captivated between the rear end of said forward insulator and stop means located in said metal shell.
- said means for biasing said forward insulator includes a spring disposed within said shell that applies an axial force to said forward insulator in the direction of the front portion of said shell.
- a spark plug of the type having an inner elongated electrode having a front portion and a rear portion; an elongated insulator means disposed around at least a portion of the electrode, said insulator means having a front portion and a rear portion; an outer elongated metal shell disposed around the electrode and electrically isolated therefrom by said insulator means, said metal shell having a rear portion and a front portion arranged to provide a spark gap with the end of the front portion of said electrode; the front end of said insulator means having a surface, disposed adjacent the spark gap, that extends from the front portion of said metal shell to the front portion of said inner elongated electrode; and means for providing an annular pressure-tight seal between the rear portions of said center electrode, said insulator and said shell, the improvement comprising:
- cluding means for axially biasing said elongated insulator means against said front end portion of said metal shell.
Landscapes
- Spark Plugs (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (8)
Priority Applications (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US433944A US3882338A (en) | 1974-01-16 | 1974-01-16 | Igniter plug |
FR7500629A FR2258023B1 (en) | 1974-01-16 | 1975-01-10 | |
GB156975A GB1466808A (en) | 1974-01-16 | 1975-01-14 | Igniter plugs |
IT19276/75A IT1028374B (en) | 1974-01-16 | 1975-01-15 | SPARK PLUGS IN PARTICULAR FOR TURBINE ENGINES |
DE19752501612 DE2501612A1 (en) | 1974-01-16 | 1975-01-16 | SPARK PLUG |
JP50006493A JPS5757830B2 (en) | 1974-01-16 | 1975-01-16 |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US433944A US3882338A (en) | 1974-01-16 | 1974-01-16 | Igniter plug |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US3882338A true US3882338A (en) | 1975-05-06 |
Family
ID=23722191
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US433944A Expired - Lifetime US3882338A (en) | 1974-01-16 | 1974-01-16 | Igniter plug |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US3882338A (en) |
JP (1) | JPS5757830B2 (en) |
DE (1) | DE2501612A1 (en) |
FR (1) | FR2258023B1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB1466808A (en) |
IT (1) | IT1028374B (en) |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4172439A (en) * | 1976-11-23 | 1979-10-30 | Lacrex Brevetti, S.A. | Break ignition plug |
US4182009A (en) * | 1977-03-11 | 1980-01-08 | Smiths Industries Limited | Electrical igniters |
US4764703A (en) * | 1987-08-19 | 1988-08-16 | Allied-Signal Inc. | Igniter plug with vibration damping means |
USRE34152E (en) * | 1987-08-19 | 1992-12-29 | Unison Industries Limited Partnership | Igniter plug with vibration damping means |
US5434741A (en) * | 1993-11-16 | 1995-07-18 | Unison Industries Limited Partnership | Consumable semiconductor igniter plug |
US6597088B1 (en) * | 1999-08-05 | 2003-07-22 | Avb List Gmbh | Spark plug with pressure measuring device |
CN112377310A (en) * | 2020-11-13 | 2021-02-19 | 四川泛华航空仪表电器有限公司 | Aeroengine ignition electric nozzle device of selfreparing |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS6299229U (en) * | 1985-12-11 | 1987-06-24 | ||
JPH03205775A (en) * | 1989-12-29 | 1991-09-09 | Ngk Spark Plug Co Ltd | Ignitor plug |
JP6548610B2 (en) * | 2016-06-21 | 2019-07-24 | 日本特殊陶業株式会社 | Plasma jet plug |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1525415A (en) * | 1922-07-21 | 1925-02-03 | Jr George Seibert | Self-cleaning spark plug |
US2025914A (en) * | 1932-12-29 | 1935-12-31 | Lewis J Tetlow | Spark plug |
US2459286A (en) * | 1944-05-27 | 1949-01-18 | Gen Motors Corp | Combination spark plug and fuel injector |
US3745400A (en) * | 1972-03-23 | 1973-07-10 | Bendix Corp | Igniter plug |
-
1974
- 1974-01-16 US US433944A patent/US3882338A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1975
- 1975-01-10 FR FR7500629A patent/FR2258023B1/fr not_active Expired
- 1975-01-14 GB GB156975A patent/GB1466808A/en not_active Expired
- 1975-01-15 IT IT19276/75A patent/IT1028374B/en active
- 1975-01-16 JP JP50006493A patent/JPS5757830B2/ja not_active Expired
- 1975-01-16 DE DE19752501612 patent/DE2501612A1/en not_active Ceased
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1525415A (en) * | 1922-07-21 | 1925-02-03 | Jr George Seibert | Self-cleaning spark plug |
US2025914A (en) * | 1932-12-29 | 1935-12-31 | Lewis J Tetlow | Spark plug |
US2459286A (en) * | 1944-05-27 | 1949-01-18 | Gen Motors Corp | Combination spark plug and fuel injector |
US3745400A (en) * | 1972-03-23 | 1973-07-10 | Bendix Corp | Igniter plug |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4172439A (en) * | 1976-11-23 | 1979-10-30 | Lacrex Brevetti, S.A. | Break ignition plug |
US4182009A (en) * | 1977-03-11 | 1980-01-08 | Smiths Industries Limited | Electrical igniters |
US4764703A (en) * | 1987-08-19 | 1988-08-16 | Allied-Signal Inc. | Igniter plug with vibration damping means |
USRE34152E (en) * | 1987-08-19 | 1992-12-29 | Unison Industries Limited Partnership | Igniter plug with vibration damping means |
US5434741A (en) * | 1993-11-16 | 1995-07-18 | Unison Industries Limited Partnership | Consumable semiconductor igniter plug |
US6597088B1 (en) * | 1999-08-05 | 2003-07-22 | Avb List Gmbh | Spark plug with pressure measuring device |
CN112377310A (en) * | 2020-11-13 | 2021-02-19 | 四川泛华航空仪表电器有限公司 | Aeroengine ignition electric nozzle device of selfreparing |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
FR2258023B1 (en) | 1976-12-31 |
DE2501612A1 (en) | 1975-07-17 |
IT1028374B (en) | 1979-01-30 |
JPS50101739A (en) | 1975-08-12 |
GB1466808A (en) | 1977-03-09 |
FR2258023A1 (en) | 1975-08-08 |
JPS5757830B2 (en) | 1982-12-07 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: HOUSEHOLD COMMERCIAL FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:UNISON INDUSTRIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP;REEL/FRAME:005012/0090 Effective date: 19890106 Owner name: IGNITION PRODUCTS CORPORATION Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:ALLIED-SIGNAL INC.;REEL/FRAME:005012/0079 Effective date: 19881231 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: UNISON INDUSTRIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, 530 BLACKHA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:IGNITION PRODUCTS CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:005164/0245 Effective date: 19890106 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: ALLIED CORPORATION, A CORP. OF NY Free format text: MERGER;ASSIGNOR:BENDIX CORPORATION, THE, A DE CORP.;REEL/FRAME:005320/0593 Effective date: 19890609 Owner name: UNISON INDUSTRIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, A DE LIMITE Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:ALLIED-SIGNAL INC.;REEL/FRAME:005320/0613 Effective date: 19900416 Owner name: ALLIED-SIGNAL INC., A DE CORP. Free format text: MERGER;ASSIGNOR:ALLIED CORPORATION, A DE CORP.;REEL/FRAME:005320/0603 Effective date: 19870930 |