Electromagnetic fuel ram-injector and improved ignitor

• US 6,722,339 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2002
• Issued: 04/20/2004
• 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): VO, HIEU T
• Application Number:
  US10/097,196
• Publication Number:
  US 20020185103A1
• Time in Patent Office: 770 Days
• Field of Search: 123/297, 123/143.R, 123/145.A, 123/145.R, 123/169.V, 123/298
• 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 improved ignitor.

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 gas chamber configured to mix said fuel with a gaseous fluid including oxygen to provide an oxygen/fuel mixture within said localized gas chamber;

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

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

4. 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 gas chamber spaced from said combustion chamber, said localized gas chamber having a gaseous fluid including oxygen therein such that said fuel is mixed with oxygen to provide an oxygen/fuel mixture;

c) an ignitor apparatus portion for directing said oxygen/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 gas chamber and said second end in communication with said combustion chamber, such that said oxygen/fuel mixture passes from said localized gas 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 oxygen-fuel mixture is ignited within said throat and said combustion chamber.

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

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, further comprising an ignitor apparatus passageway-defining portion which allows said gaseous fluid to communicate between said localized gas chamber and said combustion chamber, such that said said gaseous fluid can mix with said fuel from said inlet port within said localized gas chamber.

7. 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 gas chamber spaced from said combustion chamber, said localized gas chamber having a gaseous fluid including oxygen therein such that said fuel is mixed with oxygen to provide oxygen/fuel mixture;

c) directing said oxygen/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 gas chamber and said second end in communication with said combustion chamber, such that said oxygen/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 oxygen-fuel mixture is ignited within said throat and is also ignited within said combustion chamber.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said heating of said ignitor apparatus throat-defining portion is done by the use of electrical resistance heating.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein in step “

b”

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