US3865539A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Piezoelectric voltage generator
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corp
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Filing: 1973-09-04
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Granted: 1975-02-11
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Expires: 1993-09-04
Abstract
Abstract A piezoelectric device is fitted with a hydraulic piston for exerting a loading thereon. The piston is periodically driven by a fluidic actuator thereby to repeatedly stress the piezoelectric crystal and produce an electrical voltage which may be used in a spark ignition circuit. The piezoelectric device, in combination with an internal combustion engine provides for automatic ignition and re-ignition in the event of an interrupted combustion process.
Inventors
- 👤 Jr Harland L Burge
- 👤 Richard J Salvinski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 23:25
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02N; H02N2/00; H02N2/18; F; F42; F42C; F42C11/00; F42C11/02; F42C15/00; F42C15/28; F42C15/29
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
A combustion system of the type having a reactant injector, a source of a reactant at a high pressure, means for supplying the reactant to the injector and a spark ignition device in communication with the combustion zone, and comprising: a housing; a piston moveably mounted within said housing, said housing, and one end surface of said piston defining a first chamber therebetween; a piezoelectric device mounted within said housing and positioned in engageable relationship with the other end surface of said piston for producing an electrical potential when subjected to mechanical stresses induced therein upon movement of said piston toward said device, said device including electrode terminals coupled to the combustion system ignition device; and a fluidic oscillator coupled to said chamber and to the reactant source, the one surface area off said piston being greater than the area of engagement of the other surface with said piezoelectric device by a factor of at least ten whereby reactant, when supplied under pressure to said oscillator, is periodically introduced into and relieved from said chamber for actuating periodic movement of said piston and producing an alternating voltage across said terminals and to the ignition device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
195 words
A combustion system of the type having a reactant injector, a source of a reactant at a high pressure, means for supplying the reactant to the injector and a spark ignition device in communication with the combustion zone, and comprising: a housing; a piston moveably mounted within said housing, said housing, and one end surface of said piston defining a first chamber therebetween; a piezoelectric device mounted within said housing and positioned in engageable relationship with the other end surface of said piston for producing an electrical potential when subjected to mechanical stresses induced therein upon movement of said piston toward said device, said device including electrode terminals coupled to the combustion system ignition device; and a fluidic oscillator coupled to said chamber and to the reactant source, the one surface area off said piston being greater than the area of engagement of the other surface with said piezoelectric device by a factor of at least ten whereby reactant, when supplied under pressure to said oscillator, is periodically introduced into and relieved from said chamber for actuating periodic movement of said piston and producing an alternating voltage across said terminals and to the ignition device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
114 words
A piezoelectric voltage generator comprising: a housing; a piston moveably mounted within said housing, said housing and said piston defining first and second chambers therebetween; a first piezoelectric device mounted within said first chamber and having electrode terminals for outputing a voltage therefrom; a second piezoelectric device mounted within said second chamber and having electrode terminals for outputing a voltage therefrom, each of said piezoelectric devices positioned to have stresses induced therein upon movement of said piston; a fluidic oscillator coupled to said first chamber whereby fluid, when supplied under pressure to said oscillator, is periodically introduced into said first chamber for actuating movement of said piston and producing a voltage across said terminals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
114 words
A piezoelectric voltage generator comprising: a housing; a piston moveably mounted within said housing, said housing and said piston defining first and second chambers therebetween; a first piezoelectric device mounted within said first chamber and having electrode terminals for outputing a voltage therefrom; a second piezoelectric device mounted within said second chamber and having electrode terminals for outputing a voltage therefrom, each of said piezoelectric devices positioned to have stresses induced therein upon movement of said piston; a fluidic oscillator coupled to said first chamber whereby fluid, when supplied under pressure to said oscillator, is periodically introduced into said first chamber for actuating movement of said piston and producing a voltage across said terminals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The piezoelectric voltage generator of claim 2 further comprising: a flexure member interconnecting said piston and said housing for permitting movement of said piston.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The piezoelectric voltage generator of claim 2 further comprising: means coupling said second chamber and said fluidic oscillator circuit and alternatingly pressuring said chambers when fluid is supplied under pressure to said fluidic oscillator.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-02-10 | 1978-08-12 | 1979-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-10 | 1982-08-12 | 1983-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-10 | 1986-08-12 | 1987-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |