Fuel systems for torch ignition devices

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023392552-A1
Application number	US-202318123764-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 20, 2023
Priority date	Nov 18, 2020
Publication date	Dec 7, 2023
Grant date	—

Abstract

A torch igniter system for a combustor of a gas turbine engine includes a housing defining a combustion chamber, an ignition source disposed at least partially in the combustion chamber, a fuel injector, a first fluid path connecting a first fuel source to the fuel injector, a second fluid path connecting an air source to the fuel injector, and a third fluid path connecting a second fuel source to the combustion chamber. The fuel injector is configured to inject fuel, air, or a mixture of fuel and air into the combustion chamber and to impinge on the ignition source.

First claim

1 . A torch igniter system for a combustor of a gas turbine engine, the torch igniter system comprising:
a housing defining a combustion chamber; an ignition source disposed at least partially in the combustion chamber; a fuel injector configured to inject at least one of fuel and air into the combustion chamber and to impinge on the ignition source; a first fluid path connecting a first fuel source to the fuel injector; a second fluid path connecting an air source to the fuel injector; a third fluid path connecting a second fuel source to the combustion chamber.

2 . The torch igniter system of claim 1 , wherein the housing is annular and extends along an axis.

3 . The torch igniter system of claim 2 , further comprising:
an annular channel embedded within the housing and centered on the axis, wherein the annular channel is fluidly connected to the second fuel source and the third fluid path includes the annular channel; and an aperture extending through an inner wall of the housing that connects the annular channel to the combustion chamber, wherein the aperture extends transverse to the axis and the third fluid path includes the aperture.

4 . The torch igniter system of claim 2 , further comprising:
a cap formed by the housing disposed at an axial end of the torch igniter, wherein the cap receives the fuel injector; and an annular channel embedded within the cap and centered on the axis, wherein the annular channel is fluidly connected to the second fuel source and the third fluid path includes the annular channel; and an aperture extending through an inner wall of the housing that connects the annular channel to the combustion chamber, wherein the aperture is embedded in the cap and the third fluid path includes the aperture.

5 . The torch igniter system of claim 1 , wherein the ignition source is a glow plug.

6 . The torch igniter system of claim 1 , further comprising a controller to control flow from the first fuel source, flow from the second fuel source, and flow from the air source.

7 . The torch igniter system of claim 6 , wherein the controller is configured to:
deliver fuel from the second fuel source to the combustion chamber; detect an interruption in the delivery of the fuel from the second fuel source; and deliver fuel from the first fuel source and air from the air source to the combustion chamber after detecting the interruption.

8 . A torch igniter for a combustor of a gas turbine engine, the torch igniter comprising:
a housing defining a combustion chamber; an ignition source disposed at least partially in the combustion chamber; a fuel injector configured to inject a first fluid into the combustion chamber to impinge on the ignition source; a first fluid channel connected to the fuel injector; an aperture extending at least partially through the housing and configured to inject a second fluid into the combustion chamber to impinge on the ignition source; a second fluid channel connected to the aperture.

9 . The torch igniter of claim 8 , wherein the housing is annular and extends along an axis.

10 . The torch igniter of claim 9 , wherein the second channel includes an annular portion embedded within the housing and centered on the axis, the annular portion is directly fluidly connected to the aperture, and the aperture extends transverse to the axis.

11 . The torch igniter of claim 9 , further comprising a cap formed by the housing disposed at an axial end of the torch igniter, wherein:
the fuel injector is received at the cap; the second channel includes an annular portion embedded within the cap and centered on the axis; and the annular portion is directly fluidly connected to the aperture.

12 . The torch igniter of claim 8 , wherein the ignition source is a glow plug.

Assignees

• Collins Engine Nozzles Inc

Inventors

• Ryon Jason A
• Prociw Lev Alexander
• Williams Brandon P

Classifications

• F23R3/36

  Supply of different fuels · CPC title

• F02C7/264 Primary

  Ignition · CPC title

• F02P21/00

  Direct use of flames or burners for ignition · CPC title

• F02C7/266

  Electric (sparking plugs H01T) · CPC title

• F23Q9/00

  Pilot flame igniters · CPC title