US5440445A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High-energy ignition generator in particular for a gas turbine
Assignee: Sagem SA
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Filing: 1993-09-03
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Granted: 1995-08-08
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Expires: 2013-09-03
Abstract
Abstract A low-energy circuit and a high-energy circuit are operatively coupled in parallel between an energy source and an igniter. The low-energy circuit is for igniting the igniter to generate sparks between electrodes of the igniter, and the high-energy circuit is for characterizing an energy of the sparks generated between the electrodes of the igniter. A spark detector detects a presence of a spark between the electrodes of the igniter, and a control circuit enables an operation of the high-energy circuit only upon detection of the presence of a spark between the electrodes of the igniter by the spark detector.
Inventors
- 👤 Patrick G. A. Balland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 23:59
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02P; F02P3/00; F02P3/06; F02P3/08; F02P3/0807; F02P3/0838; F02C; F02C7/00; F02C7/26; F02C7/264; F02C7/266; F02P15/00; F02P15/001; F02P15/003; F02P17/00; F02P17/12; F02P7/00; F02P7/02; F02P7/03; F02P7/035; F02P9/00; F02P9/002; F02P9/007; F02P2017/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A high-energy ignition generator comprising: an energy source; an igniter having electrodes; a low-energy circuit, operatively coupled to said energy source and said igniter, for igniting said igniter so as to generate sparks between said electrodes of said igniter; a high-energy circuit, operatively coupled to said energy source and said igniter, for characterizing an energy of the sparks generated between said electrodes of said igniter; spark detection means for detecting a presence of a spark between said electrodes of said igniter; a control circuit, operatively coupled to said high-energy circuit and said spark detection means, for enabling an operation of said high-energy circuit only upon detection of the presence of a spark between said electrodes of said igniter by said spark detection means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
A high-energy ignition generator comprising: an energy source; an igniter having electrodes; a low-energy circuit, operatively coupled to said energy source and said igniter, for igniting said igniter so as to generate sparks between said electrodes of said igniter; a high-energy circuit, operatively coupled to said energy source and said igniter, for characterizing an energy of the sparks generated between said electrodes of said igniter; spark detection means for detecting a presence of a spark between said electrodes of said igniter; a control circuit, operatively coupled to said high-energy circuit and said spark detection means, for enabling an operation of said high-energy circuit only upon detection of the presence of a spark between said electrodes of said igniter by said spark detection means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
A high-energy generator as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said low-energy circuit and said high-energy circuit includes a series circuit of an energy storage capacitor and an inductor coupled between said energy source and one electrode of said igniter, and wherein each further includes a freewheel diode, a discharge resistor and a short-circuiting device coupled to said series circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A high-energy generator as claimed in claim 2, wherein said discharge resistor of said high-energy circuit is coupled to said series circuit of said low-energy circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A high-energy generator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spark detecting means comprises a current measuring device which measures a current flow in said series circuit of said low-energy circuit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A high-energy generator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spark detecting means comprises a current measuring device which measures a current flow in said freewheel diode of said low-energy circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A high-energy generator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spark detecting means comprises a current measuring device which measures a current flow in said discharge resistor of said low-energy circuit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR1493392A
Cited
DE1808737A1
Cited
US4739185A
Cited
US5138622A
Cited
FR2636678A1
Cited
US4983886A
Cited
EP0463800A2
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-08-07 | 1999-02-06 | 1999-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-08-07 | 2003-02-06 | 2003-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-08-07 | 2007-02-06 | 2007-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |