Carbide torch igniter

1 . A start mechanism ignitor for a propulsion system combustor comprising:

a nozzle comprising a nozzle wall forming a nozzle interior; and

a torch ignitor attached to the nozzle wall and fluidly coupled with the nozzle interior;

a torch mixing zone fluidly coupled with a reaction source container upstream of the torch mixing zone; the torch mixing zone fluidly coupled with a torch outlet downstream of the torch mixing zone, the torch outlet fluidly coupled with the nozzle interior; wherein the torch ignitor comprises a chemical source material within the torch mixing zone and a reaction source material within the reaction source container, wherein the chemical source material is a calcium carbide and the reaction source material is water.

2 . The start mechanism ignitor for a propulsion system combustor according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a valve fluidly coupled between the torch mixing zone and the reaction source container.

3 . The start mechanism ignitor for a propulsion system combustor according to claim 1 , wherein the torch outlet is proximate an ignitor within the nozzle interior.

4 . The start mechanism ignitor for a propulsion system combustor according to claim 1 , wherein the chemical source material and the reaction source material remain inert prior to ignition and subsequently react within the torch mixing zone to produce a flammable gas emitted from the torch outlet.

5 . The start mechanism ignitor for a propulsion system combustor according to claim 1 , wherein the chemical source material within the torch mixing zone and a reaction source material within the reaction source container are configured consumable.

6 . The start mechanism ignitor for a propulsion system combustor according to claim 1 , wherein the torch ignitor is configured to produce a torch flame fueled by a flammable gas comprising acetylene from the reaction of the chemical source material within the torch mixing zone and a reaction source material within the torch mixing zone, the torch flame having energy to ignite a primary flame; and wherein the torch flame and primary flame produce energy to spool up a rotor fluidly coupled with the nozzle for an engine startup.

7 . A gas turbine engine having a start mechanism ignitor comprising:

a case supporting a combustion section having a combustor;

a nozzle attached to a combustor casing, the nozzle fluidly coupled to a fuel injector upstream from the nozzle;

a nozzle wall defining a nozzle interior; and

a torch ignitor attached to the nozzle wall and fluidly coupled with the nozzle interior; wherein the torch ignitor comprises a torch mixing zone fluidly coupled with a reaction source container upstream of the torch mixing zone; the torch mixing zone fluidly coupled with a torch outlet downstream of the torch mixing zone, the torch outlet fluidly coupled with the nozzle interior; wherein the torch ignitor comprises a chemical source material within the torch mixing zone and a reaction source material within the reaction source container, wherein the chemical source material is a calcium carbide and the reaction source material is water.

8 . The gas turbine engine having the start mechanism ignitor according to claim 7 , further comprising:

a valve fluidly coupled between the torch mixing zone and the reaction source container, the valve configured to control a flow of a reaction source material from the reaction source container to the torch mixing zone.

9 . The gas turbine engine having the start mechanism ignitor according to claim 7 , wherein the torch outlet is fluidly coupled with a fuel injector.

10 . The gas turbine engine having the start mechanism ignitor according to claim 7 , wherein the torch outlet is proximate an ignitor within the nozzle interior.

11 . The gas turbine engine having the start mechanism ignitor according to claim 7 , wherein the chemical source material and the reaction source material remain inert prior to ignition and subsequently react within the torch mixing zone to produce a flammable gas emitted from the torch outlet.

12 . The gas turbine engine having the start mechanism ignitor according to claim 7 , wherein the torch ignitor is configured to produce a torch flame fueled by a flammable gas comprising acetylene from the reaction of the chemical source material within the torch mixing zone and a reaction source material within the torch mixing zone, the torch flame having energy to ignite a primary flame; and wherein the torch flame and primary flame produce energy to spool up a rotor fluidly coupled with the nozzle for an engine startup.

13 . A process of forming a gas turbine engine having a start mechanism ignitor comprising:

forming a case supporting a combustion section having a combustor with a combustor casing;

attaching a nozzle to the combustor casing;

fluidly coupling the nozzle to a fuel injector upstream from the nozzle;

forming a nozzle wall defining a nozzle interior; and

attaching a torch ignitor to the nozzle wall;

fluidly coupling the torch ignitor with the nozzle interior;

fluidly coupling a torch mixing zone with a reaction source container upstream of the torch mixing zone;

fluidly coupling the torch mixing zone with a torch outlet downstream of the torch mixing zone;

fluidly coupling the torch outlet with the nozzle interior;

locating a chemical source material within the torch mixing zone; and

locating a reaction source material within the reaction source container, wherein the chemical source material is a calcium carbide and the reaction source material is water.

14 . The process of claim 13 , further comprising:

fluidly coupling a valve between the torch mixing zone and the reaction source container; configuring the valve to control a flow of a reaction source material from the reaction source container to the torch mixing zone.

15 . The process of claim 14 , further comprising:

fluidly coupling the torch outlet with a fuel injector.

16 . The process of claim 13 , further comprising:

locating the torch outlet proximate an ignitor within the nozzle interior.

17 . The process of claim 13 ,

wherein the chemical source material and the reaction source material remain inert prior to ignition and subsequently react within the torch mixing zone to produce a flammable gas emitted from the torch outlet.

18 . The process of claim 13 , further comprising:

configuring the torch ignitor to produce a torch flame fueled by a flammable gas comprising acetylene from the reaction of the chemical source material within the torch mixing zone and a reaction source material within the torch mixing zone, the torch flame having energy to ignite a primary flame; and wherein the torch flame and primary flame produce energy to spool up a rotor fluidly coupled with the nozzle for an engine startup.