IP Library Granted Patent US 8,438,831
Granted Patent B2
US 8,438,831 · App. 12/472,326 · Granted May 14, 2013

Piezo-resonance igniter and ignition method for propellant liquid rocket engine

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,438,831
App. No.
12/472,326
Granted
May 14, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

An ignition system for a combustor includes a resonance system which generates an oscillation pressure force by a resonant flow interaction between two parallel interconnected flow passages which carry an incompressible flow. A piezoelectric system driven by said resonance system. An igniter powered by said piezoelectric system.

Claims (10)

1. An ignition system for a combustor comprising:

a resonance system which generates an oscillation pressure force by a resonant flow interaction between two parallel interconnected flow passages are separated by a split leg resonator which carry an incompressible flow;

a piezoelectric system driven by the oscillation pressure force of said resonance system; and

an igniter powered by said piezoelectric system.

2. The ignition system as recited in claim 1 , wherein said split leg resonator having a first leg and a second leg which form a generally triangular relationship.

3. The ignition system as recited in claim 2 , wherein a gas resonance tube is in communication with said first leg of said split leg resonator to generate said oscillating pressure force within said gas resonance tube.

4. The ignition system as recited in claim 3 , wherein said gas resonance tube is sealed with a force transmission diaphragm, a force transfer member in contact with said force transmission diaphragm.

5. The ignition system as recited in claim 4 , wherein said force transfer member includes a force transfer rod and a force transfer platen, said force transfer platen in contact with said force transmission diaphragm.

6. The ignition system as recited in claim 5 , wherein said force transfer platen is of a larger diameter than said force transfer rod and the force transfer diaphragm is of larger diameter than said resonance tube.

7. The ignition system as recited in claim 6 wherein said force transfer rod is in contact with a piezoelectric crystal stack of said piezoelectric system.

Assignments (8)
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jul 28, 2023
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT (AS SUCCESSOR AGENT TO WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO WACHOVIA BANK, N.A.), AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: AEROJET ROCKETDYNE OF DE, INC. (F/K/A PRATT & WHITNEY ROCKETDYNE, INC.)
Reel/Frame 064424/0050 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 5, 2016
From: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: AEROJET ROCKETDYNE OF DE, INC. (F/K/A PRATT & WHITNEY ROCKETDYNE, INC.)
Reel/Frame 039597/0890 →
NOTICE OF SUCCESSION OF AGENCY (INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY) Recorded Jun 20, 2016
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS THE RESIGNING AGENT
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS THE SUCCESSOR AGENT
Reel/Frame 039079/0857 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 16, 2016
From: HORN, MARK D; WALCZUK, THOMAS M
To: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 038602/0262 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 15, 2016
From: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
To: PRATT & WHITNEY ROCKETDYNE, INC.
Reel/Frame 038707/0543 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 8, 2014
From: PRATT & WHITNEY ROCKETDYNE, INC.
To: AEROJET ROCKETDYNE OF DE, INC.
Reel/Frame 032845/0909 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 21, 2013
From: PRATT & WHITNEY ROCKETDYNE, INC.
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 030656/0615 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 17, 2013
From: PRATT & WHITNEY ROCKETDYNE, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 030628/0408 →