Description:This patent application embodies the renewed interest in using oxygen and methane propellants for propulsion.Current engine ignition systems require too much power or consume too much propellant, which decreases the overall efficiency of the system. This invention contains a coaxial swirl torch igniter that can reliably ignite in a large range of inlet conditions and operates under a wide temperature range. This ignition system operates using methane and oxygen as propellants.
Abstract:A torch igniter and a method of igniting a torch flame. An example embodiment includes a body including an oxidizer inlet configured to facilitate oxidizer flow through the body toward an output end of the body. The body includes a group of fuel inlet passages configured to distribute fuel in a direction tangential to the oxidizer flow through the body to create a swirling fuel-oxidizer mixture. A sparking element can be mounted on the body to produce a spark in the path of the swirling fuel-oxidizer mixture to ignite the mixture. The output end of the body is configured to emit a torch flame when the fuel-oxidizer mixture is ignited. Thus, a swirl torch igniter is configured for oxidizer and fuel flow through the igniter body to create an internal swirling fuel-oxidizer mixture to be ignited by a sparking element.
Issue Date: 11/03/2020
Application Date: 05/31/2017
Post Date: 05/15/2018
UTEP Docket No: 2016-028
