FLUID INSULATED INJECTOR-IGNITER
A system for transferring and igniting a fuel comprising a fuel supply and a cryogenic fuel processor connected to the fuel supply and operative to remove impurities from the fuel. The system includes a power supply and an injector-igniter. The injector-igniter includes an injector housing connected to the power supply and having a fuel inlet connected to the fuel processor. An actuator body is disposed in the housing and a conductor sleeve is connected to the power supply and supported between the actuator body and injector housing with a first annular gap between the injector housing and the conductor sleeve. There is also a second annular gap between the actuator body and conductor sleeve, wherein the first and second annular gaps are in fluid communication with the fuel inlet, whereby fuel provides a dielectric between the conductor sleeve and the injector housing.
1 - 20 . (canceled)
21 . A fuel injector-igniter, comprising:
an injector housing;
an actuator body connected to the housing;
a conductor supported in the injector housing with a gap between the injector housing and the conductor; and
wherein the gap is in fluid communication with a fuel inlet, whereby fuel provides a dielectric between the conductor and the injector housing.
22 . The fuel injector-igniter according to claim 21 , wherein the injector-igniter is adapted to use compressed natural gas.
23 . The fuel injector-igniter according to claim 21 , further comprising an outwardly opening valve.
24 . The fuel injector-igniter according to claim 23 , further comprising a piezoelectric actuator and a hydraulic stroke amplifier disposed in the actuator body and operatively connected to the outwardly opening valve.
25 . The fuel injector-igniter according to claim 24 , wherein the conductor comprises a sleeve supported between the actuator body and the injector housing.
26 . The fuel injector-igniter according to claim 25 , further comprising a first electrode electrically connected to the conductor sleeve and a second electrode electrically connected to the housing.
27 . A system for transferring and igniting a fuel, comprising:
a fuel supply;
a power supply; and
an injector-igniter, including:
an injector housing connected to the power supply and having a fuel inlet connected to the fuel supply;
an actuator body disposed in the housing;
a conductor sleeve connected to the power supply and supported between the actuator body and injector housing with a first annular gap between the injector housing and the conductor sleeve; and
a second annular gap between the actuator body and conductor sleeve;
wherein the first and second annular gaps are in fluid communication with the fuel inlet, whereby fuel provides a dielectric between the conductor sleeve and the injector housing; and
a first electrode electrically connected to the conductor sleeve and a second electrode electrically connected to the housing.
28 . The system according to claim 27 , wherein fuel provides a dielectric between the conductor sleeve and actuator body.
29 . The system according to claim 27 , wherein the injector-igniter is adapted to use compressed natural gas.
30 . The system according to claim 27 , further comprising a piezoelectric actuator disposed in the actuator body.
31 . The system according to claim 30 , further comprising an outwardly opening valve.
32 . The system according to claim 31 , further comprising a hydraulic stroke amplifier disposed in the actuator body and operatively connected between the piezoelectric actuator and the outwardly opening valve.
33 . A method for transferring and igniting a fuel, comprising:
providing a fuel supply;
providing a power supply;
connecting an injector housing of an injector to the power supply;
connecting an inlet of the injector to the fuel supply;
connecting the power supply to a conductor that is supported inside the injector housing;
insulating the conductor with the fuel to provide a dielectric between the conductor and the injector housing; and
connecting a first electrode to the conductor and a second electrode to the injector housing.
34 . The method according to claim 33 , further comprising activating the power supply whereby a spark is formed between the first electrode and the second electrode to ignite the fuel.
35 . The method according to claim 33 , further comprising removing impurities from the fuel.
36 . The method according to claim 35 , where removing impurities from the fuel comprises cooling the fuel to a cryogenic temperature.
37 . The method according to claim 36 , further comprising collecting the impurities.