Patent EP0638770A1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0638770A1
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Temperature detector and control for an igniter
Assignee: Simmonds Precision Engine Systems Inc
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Filing: 1994-08-03
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2014-08-03
Abstract
Abstract A temperature sensor (30) for detecting temperature of a heating element (20) of an igniter such as a glow plug includes optic means (32) disposable near the igniter for receiving at least a portion of electromagnetic energy emitted by the heating element (20). The received electromagnetic energy is coupled to circuit means (36) for producing an output related to the temperature of the igniter in relation to a characteristic of the received electromagnetic energy. In one embodiment, the optic means (32) comprises optic fibers that receive electromagnetic energy emitted by the heating element and couple that energy to a photosensitive detector.
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis Michael Defreitas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 08:45
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02C; F02C7/00; F02C7/26; F02C7/264; F02C7/266; F23; F23N; F23N5/00; F23N5/02; F23N5/08; F23N5/082; F23N2227/00; F23N2227/38; F23N2227/42; F23N5/24; F23N5/26; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T50/00; Y02T50/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
In combination with an igniter of the type that has a heating element that is heated to cause combustion: a temperature sensor that produces an output related to temperature of the igniter, said sensor comprising optic means disposable with respect to the igniter such that electromagnetic energy radiated from the igniter enters said optic means; and circuit means for producing said output based on said electromagnetic energy.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
12 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the igniter comprises a catalytic igniter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the igniter comprises an igniter used for initiating combustion in a gas turbine engine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination of claim 3 wherein said engine is a jet engine for aircraft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said circuit means comprises control means for changing energy delivered to the igniter as a function of said output.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein said control means adjusts power to the igniter when said output indicates the igniter has reached a predetermined temperature.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said optic means comprises optic fiber means disposed with one end near the heating element of the igniter such that said portion of radiated electromagnetic energy from the heating element enters said optic fiber means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
The combination of claim 7 wherein said optic fiber means comprises a rod that transmits electromagnetic energy, a first end of said rod being disposed near the igniter to collect radiation from the heating element, and a second end of said rod being optically coupled to an optic fiber bundle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination of claim 8 wherein said optic fiber bundle transmits radiation collected by said rod and couples it to a transducer means for converting said radiation to a transducer output that corresponds to the intensity of the radiation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination of claim 9 wherein said control means interrupts power to the igniter when said transducer output reaches a predetermined threshold level.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said output is used as an igniter temperature control for an ignition system in a gas turbine engine.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The temperature control apparatus of claim 9 wherein said rod comprises a sapphire rod.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The temperature control apparatus of claim 12 wherein said rod also functions to focus said radiation into said optic fiber.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for detecting temperature of an igniter of the type having a heating element used for combustion, comprising the steps of: a. supplying energy to the igniter to heat the element such that the element emits electromagnetic energy; b. detecting at least a portion of the emitted electromagnetic energy; and c. producing a signal related to temperature of the heating element based on a characteristic of the detected electromagnetic energy.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the step of detecting at least a portion of the emitted electromagnetic energy comprises the steps of using an optic fiber to transmit electromagnetic energy emitted by the heating element to a photosensitive detector.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of using said electrical signal to control the temperature of the heating element.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the step of controlling the temperature of the heating element is performed by changing the power applied to the igniter when the detected heating element temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 17 as used to detect the temperature of an igniter in a gas turbine engine.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
47 words
A temperature sensor for detecting temperature of an igniter, characterized by means for detecting at least a portion of electromagnetic energy emitted by the igniter, and circuit means for producing an output related to the temperature of the igniter based on a characteristic of the electromagnetic energy.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
38 words
The temperature sensor according to claim 19 wherein said circuit means comprises a device that converts said received electromagnetic energy into a control signal as a function of the intensity of the electromagnetic energy incident on the device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The temperature sensor according to claim 20 in combination with an igniter in a gas turbine engine ignition system.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination according to claim 21 wherein said detecting means comprises a light rod and said igniter comprises a heat element having a central bore adapted to receive one end of said rod.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination of claim 22 wherein said heat element comprises electrical resistance means for heating said element to a temperature sufficient to initiate combustion, said electrical resistance means being connectable to an electrical energy means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 23 wherein said electrical resistance means is integrally disposed on a surface of said element.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination of claim 24 wherein said control signal controls said energy means to control temperature of said igniter heat element.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The temperature sensor according to claim 21 wherein said electromagnetic energy is produced in a spectral band of 570 nanometers to 20,000 nanometers.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
45 words
The temperature sensor according to claim 19 in combination with a temperature control means for adjusting power to the igniter in response to said circuit means output; said circuit means comprises a signal conditioning circuit for interfacing the temperature sensor to said temperature control means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination of claim 27 wherein said temperature control means comprises means for detecting current flow to the igniter and adjusting current to the igniter in response to said circuit means output and said detected current.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination of claim 27 wherein said temperature control means comprises a digital processing circuit.
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