Electromagnetic fuel ram-injector and improved ignitor

• US 6,378,485 B2
• Filed: 02/06/2001
• Issued: 04/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Estate Of Nadine J. Elliott
• Original Assignee: George D. Elliott
• Inventors: Elliott, George D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kwon, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vo, Hieu T.
• Application Number:
  US09/778,343
• Publication Number:
  US 20010027770A1
• Time in Patent Office: 448 Days
• Field of Search: 123/297, 123/143.R, 123/169.V, 123/298, 123/145.R, 123/145.A
• US Class Current: 123/297
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 51/04 Pumps peculiar thereto
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 53/06 with fuel-heating means, e.g. for vaporising
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 57/00 Fuel-injectors combined or associated with other devices
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 57/027 electric
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 61/08 the valves opening in direction of fuel flow F02M61/047 takes precedence

Abstract

An electromagnetic fuel ram-injector and an improved fuel ignitor are disclosed for independent as well as cooperative use. The injector includes the use of two opposing radially slotted disc armatures attached to a single tubular ram rod to supply fuel to the injector. The ignitor includes the use of heated wire in conjunction with ceramic to provide an ignition source.

Claims

1. An ignitor apparatus for igniting fuel as said fuel enters a combustion chamber, said fuel being supplied from a supply port, said ignitor apparatus comprising:

an ignitor apparatus portion defining an inlet port for accepting fuel from said supply port;

an ignitor apparatus portion defining a localized air chamber configured to mix said fuel with air to provide an air/fuel mixture within said localized air chamber;

an ignitor apparatus throat-defining portion defining a throat in communication with said localized air chamber for containing said air/fuel mixture, said throat also configured to be in communication with said combustion chamber, such that said air/fuel mixture can pass from said localized air chamber through said throat and to said combustion chamber; and

an electrical heating device configured to heat said ignitor apparatus throat-defining portion such that said air/fuel mixture is at least eventually ignited within said combustion chamber.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said ignitor apparatus throat-defining portion is tubular and said heating device is electrical resistance wire.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an ignitor apparatus passageway-defining portion which allows air to communicate between said localized air chamber and said combustion chamber, such that said air can mix with said fuel from said inlet port within said localized air chamber.

3. An apparatus for igniting fuel supplied from a supply port such that said fuel combusts within a combustion chamber, said apparatus comprising:

a) an ignitor apparatus portion defining an inlet port for accepting said fuel from said supply port;

b) an ignitor apparatus portion for directing said fuel through a localized air chamber spaced from said combustion chamber, said localized air chamber having air therein such that said fuel is mixed with air to provide an air/fuel mixture;

c) an ignitor apparatus portion for directing said air/fuel mixture through an ignitor apparatus throat-defining portion defining a throat having opposing first and second ends, said first end in communication with said localized air chamber and said second end in communication with said combustion chamber, such that said air/fuel mixture passes from said localized air chamber into said throat and at least partially into said combustion chamber; and

d) an electrical heater for heating said ignitor apparatus throat-defining portion such that said air-fuel mixture is ignited within said throat and said combustion chamber.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said ignitor apparatus throat-defining portion is tubular and said heating device is electrical resistance wire.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, further comprising an ignitor apparatus passageway-defining portion which allows air to communicate between said localized air chamber and said combustion chamber, such that said air can mix with said fuel from said inlet port within said localized air chamber.

5. A method of igniting fuel supplied from a supply port such that said fuel combusts within a combination chamber, said method comprising the steps of:

a) accepting said fuel from said supply port;

b) directing said fuel through a localized air chamber spaced from said combustion chamber, said localized air chamber having air therein such that said fuel is mixed with air to provide an air/fuel mixture;

c) directing said air/fuel mixture through an ignitor apparatus throat-defining portion defining a throat having opposing first and second ends, said first end in communication with said localized air chamber and said second end in communication with said combustion chamber, such that said air/fuel mixture passes into said throat and at least partially into said combustion chamber; and

d) heating said ignitor apparatus throat-defining portion such that said air-fuel mixture is ignited within said throat and is also ignited within said combustion chamber.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said heating of said ignitor apparatus throat-defining portion is done by the use of electrical resistance heating.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein in step “

b”

, said air is taken from at least one passageway in communication with said combustion chamber.