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US2360608A - Method of making electric igniters for gaseous fuel burners - Google Patents

Method of making electric igniters for gaseous fuel burners Download PDF

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Publication number
US2360608A
US2360608A US503392A US50339243A US2360608A US 2360608 A US2360608 A US 2360608A US 503392 A US503392 A US 503392A US 50339243 A US50339243 A US 50339243A US 2360608 A US2360608 A US 2360608A
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United States
Prior art keywords
coil
gas
ignition
burner
tube
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US503392A
Inventor
Lester S Kauffman
Bradley C Douglas
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American Stove Co
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American Stove Co
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Publication date
Priority claimed from US385178A external-priority patent/US2360607A/en
Application filed by American Stove Co filed Critical American Stove Co
Priority to US503392A priority Critical patent/US2360608A/en
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    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F23COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23QIGNITION; EXTINGUISHING-DEVICES
    • F23Q7/00Incandescent ignition; Igniters using electrically-produced heat, e.g. lighters for cigarettes; Electrically-heated glowing plugs
    • F23Q7/06Incandescent ignition; Igniters using electrically-produced heat, e.g. lighters for cigarettes; Electrically-heated glowing plugs structurally associated with fluid-fuel burners
    • F23Q7/10Incandescent ignition; Igniters using electrically-produced heat, e.g. lighters for cigarettes; Electrically-heated glowing plugs structurally associated with fluid-fuel burners for gaseous fuel, e.g. in welding appliances
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00Metal working
    • Y10T29/49Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/49002Electrical device making
    • Y10T29/49107Fuse making

Definitions

  • One of the primary objects of the invention is that of providing an igniter which is cheap and simple of manufacture yet highly efficient in operation and which has a long operating life.v
  • Another object of the invention is that of providng an igniter which can be quickly and readily applied to or removed from its proper position within the system and particularly with respect to the burner which it operates to ignite.
  • a still further object of the invention is the provision of an igniter which will operate satisfactorily on an extremelylow current voltage.
  • a still further object of the invention resides in vthe improved manner and method .of'constructing the igniter and its associated supporting construction, y
  • Fig. 1 is a horizontal cross sectional ⁇ view through arange having applied theretothe' present improved invention and-illustrates the same as incorporated into a fullyv automaticr electric ignition system for the oven burner of said range.
  • Fig. 2 is a front endview of the igniter and its carrier, the view being partly schematic in nature to illustrate other associated-parts.
  • Fig. 3 is a detail vertical ⁇ sectional 33ofFig.1. y H ,y Y
  • Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view through the ignition coil carrier.
  • Figs. 5 to 10 inclusive are vertical sectional views, partly schematic in nature, illustrating modified forms of the invention.
  • A is a conventional insulated gas cooking range oven adjacent to which is disposed a chamber B within which are usually disposed the burners for the cooking top portion of the range.
  • the chamber B is ordinarily referred to as the cooking top burner chamber, but no illustration of the burners therein is given as they form no part of the present invention and illustration of them would complicate the clearest illustration of the parts which actually compose the present invention.
  • An oven burner appears at C and this burner can be of varying constructions to best meet the particular desired requirements.
  • a main gas supply pipe or conduit l is disposed within the front end of the cooking top burner chamber behind the front panel or closure 2 thereof and a manually operable valve 3 is associated there- 4with and is manually operable from the front of the range by a suitable valve operating handle 4. This valve controls the flow of gas from the main supply pipe through a gas pipe 5 which has connection with a thermostatically operated oven temperature heat control mechanism and fuel control valve 6.
  • This oven temperature control device controls the flow of fuel from the main gas supply pipe to the oven burner.
  • a pipe 8 interconnects this oven temperature control with a safety valve designated as an entiretyat D.
  • the safety control valve can be Vconstructed in many ways well understood by those skilled in the art and is so constructed as to include a normally closed valve with some suitable bias which holds the valve in a closed position so as to prevent the passage of gas from the valve through the outlet pipe 9 which delivers gas into the air and gas inlet manifold I0 of the oven burner.
  • a by-pass so as to permit by-passing of a small amount of gas through the pipe I l which is connected to a pilot light or burner designated as an entirety by E.
  • pilot light burner E is closely associated with the main oven burner C. This close association is provided to enable the pilot burner to act as an igniter for the main burner.
  • the main burner in addition to having main burner ports I2 is provided with a series of chain lighter ports I3 in its side wall adjacent the 'pilot light.
  • the dames I5 of the pilot light burner perform the further function of heating a thermoresponsive element I Ii which through suitable connection, well understood by those in the art, operates when heated to Open the normally closed valve in the safety valve D and permit gas to flow through the vpipe 9 to the main oven burner.
  • the pilot light is provided in itsl side wall with a burner port II at which a iiame I8 can burn and which will when burning cause the ignition or operation of the pilot light flames I5.
  • a flash tube F is associated with the pilot burner and is in the form of an elongated open ended tube which is preferably, although not necessarily, disposed in a horizontal plane and extends in a direction away from the pilot burner as well as the main burner so as to put one of its ends substantially remote to both the pilot and the main burners.
  • the end I5 of this tube is in separated relationship to the pilot burner but has its open end in substantial axial alignment with the pilot light burner port I1 so that gas issuing from said port enters the ash tube and is projected therethrough all as is well understood by those skilled in the art.
  • an igniter which is in the form of a coil of wire G which coil at the DrOper time is brought to a temperature sumciently Ahigh to cause the ignition of the gas within the liash tube, as will hereinafter be more fully described.
  • the ignition coil G is mounted upon a carrier H, the exact construction of which is best illustrated in Figures 2 and 4 of the drawings.
  • the carrier H might be well termed a coil mounting block and must be made of some suitable dielectric material and we have found it desirable to utilize a ceramic block. Whatever the particular material used in the composition of the block or mounting H it should have a center opening 20 the size and configuration of which should be preferably substantially the same as that of the cross sectional size and configuration of the flash tube, or at least the end of the flash tube upon which itis mounted.
  • an ignition system of the present nature must operate at a low voltage and must be inexpensive. With a Ilow voltage it is essential to avoid any voltage drop due to poor electrical contact or connection between any of the current conducting parts. To prevent voltage drops and to provide a carrier which can be constructed cheaply and can be quickly assembled, we utilize an unique construction. Before describing 'the/ construction of the carrier the electric circuit will be referred to.
  • the sofurce of current supply can constitute the ordinary electric circuit found in homes or places of business and from this conventional source of current supply current is brought to the range over the lead-in wires 28 and 29 which are connected to a transformer 3U which can be positioned at the rear of the range or any other suitable convenient point.
  • is taken from one side of the transformer and includes a resistor 32 and this side of the circuit is suitably grounded to the range or otherwise as at 33.
  • the other side of the transformer has a lead-olf conductor 34 which is carried to a terminal block 35 positioned on the exterior side of the oven and Within the cooking top burner chamber. This terminal block is illustrated in detail in Fig.
  • the wire 34 is electrically connected to the binding post 36 on the terminal block and from this binding post a conductor 31 extends into the oven and has its inner end Welded or in some like manner secured as at 38 to a metallic lug or arm K which is mounted on the carrier block H in the specific manner hereinafter to be described.
  • This arm or lug is positioned at one side of the carrier block opening 20 while a similar arm L is positioned at the opposite side.
  • the ignition coil extends across the opening 20 and has its ends welded or similarly secured to these oppositely positioned metallic arms as indicated at 39 and 40 respectively.
  • has its end 42 welded to the metallic arm L and is connected to the second terminal post 43 on the terminal block 35.
  • a conductor 44 leads from the terminal post 43 to an electric switch designated as an entirety at M.
  • This switch is normally open and has one side or one of its terminals suitably grounded as at 45.
  • the switch functions to provide a predetermined time cycle of the closed condition of the normally open electric circuit which includes the ignition coil G.
  • the switch is associated with the operating handle 4 of the manually operable fuel control valve 3. 'I'he exact construction of the switch need not be given as it could be v'aried and it in itself forms no specific part of the present invention. It is sufficient to state that when the valve handle 4 is operated to open the valve 3 the electric switch is moved to a closed position to close the electric circuit and that after the circuit has remained closed for a predetermined time interval the switch willpautomatical-ly operate to break the circuit which cannot again be closed without manual manipulation of the gas valve handle 4.
  • the gas valve 3 When it is desired to utilize the oven the gas valve 3 is opened by manipulating the manual valve handle 4. Opening of the valve -permits gas to flow through the oven heat control mechanism 6 and to the safety valve D through the pipe 8. A portion of the gas delivered to the safety valve reaches the burner jet of the safety pilot valve E through the by-pass pipe II and is discharged through the burner orifices thereof with the result that gaseous fuel is projected into and through the flash tube F. Simultaneously with the opening of the gas valve 3 the electric circuit is closed through the electric switch M and current is delivered to the ignition coil G. Within a very short time this ignition coil reaches a temperature sufficient to ignite the combustible fuel mixture within the flash tube F with the.
  • the fuel within the burner travels to all the burnerorifices thereof including the chain lighter ports I3 and upon issuing from said ports the gas is ignited by the closely adjacent flames I of the pilot light burner and the flames 46 of the chain lighter cause the ignition of the gas issuing .from the main burner ports I2 so that the flames 41 burn thereat.
  • the cycle of the electric switch M is properly timed so that shortly after the main burner has been ignited the electric circuit is automatically broken and the system can be put through a similar cycle of operation only through again manually operating the gas valve handle 4.
  • the foregoing system has definite advantages.
  • the circuit is closed for only a very limited period of time thus reducing the time during which the coil remains in a heated condition. Additionally 'the system is cheap to operate because there-is no constant burning pilot light operating when the main burner is not in operation as is the case in many systems, and which when true of course increases fuel consumption which is a material item in many localities in the country. yAbsence of a constant burning pilot light is also vadvantageous in preventing increase of kitchen temperature which it is particularly desirable to avoid in hot climates of the country.
  • the arrangement also adds to the life of the ignition coil by removing it from any direct contact with the flames of either the pilot light or main burners and assuring that it is not subjected to the intense heat which exists immediately adjacent the flames burned by these burners.
  • This positioning of the ignition coil is of course accomplished by the provision of the flash tube which were it not utilized would necessitate the positoning of the ignition coil very closely adjacent the flames of either one of the burners.
  • the life of the ignition coil to some extent depends upon ambient temperature the separation of the ignition coil from the area closely adjacent the burners will add to the life of the coil.
  • pilot light burner could be dispensed with and the main burner directly ignited by the ignition coil in conjunction with a flash tube which would be associated with the main burner.
  • the arrangement is such that the y ignition coil can be quickly and easily applied to or removed from the flash tube and furthermore the coil, vits carrier' and associated parts are comparatively'cheap so that in the event of their failure they can be cheaplyreplaced.
  • attention is called to the fact that to obtain approval of the American Gas Association the ignition coil must have a life of 25,000 cycles of operation and that test has proven that our coil does vhave a life greater rthan that required for approval.
  • vthe openingjt'he flanges vformed by the elevated portions of the carrier do not meet so ras to provide an opening for the reception of vthe upper legs 5I of the metallic arms K and L.
  • the lower legs 52 of the armsv lie in the' depression between the elevated portions 48 and 50 of the carrier as is likewise true of the interconnecting or intermediate leg portions Il of the arms. 'I'he result of this is that the arms K and L are countersunk within the carrier and fit quite snugly within their seats so that they can be sumciently securely fastened in place by a single bolt or rivet 54 one of which passes through each of the arms and through the carrier.
  • the flash tube is illustrated as substantially square in cross sectional configuration but by tests we have proven that the shape of the flash tube is in fact immaterial to a proper functioning of the system.
  • a rectangular tube is desirable in that it simplifies the construction of providing for quick detachable supporting connection between the tube and carrier but the same principle of connection could be easily and readily adapted to tubes having other cross sectional configurations such as rectangular, round or any other shape which might be for any specific reason desirable.
  • the ignition coil is illustrated as extending across the flash tube from side to side thereof which disposes it in a horizontal plane. Tests have proven that this particular disposition of the coil in respect to the tube is not essential to successful operation, as will more fully appear in ine hereinafter following description of Figures 5 to inclusive of the drawings. 'I'he coil can be disposed in a vertical plane or the coil can be disposed with its axis in parallel to the axis of the tube rather than transverse thereof without impairing the operation of the'system. In all installations however it is of course highly essential to avoid any possibility of short-circuiting of the electric current and it will be obvious that this is well provided for in the arrangement thus far described. y
  • the igniter must properly function irrespective of the exact nature of fuel used for the burners. Inv some portions of the country natural gas is used while in others manufactured gas is employed. Natural gas has a higher ignition temperature than most ⁇ other commercial gases and will under certain conditions ignite at about 1400 F. but we have found that the temperature of the ignition coil must be considerably higher than the ignition point or temperature of the gas to be ignited. To provide for variables of conditions which the igniter must I successfully meet we have provided for a coil temperature of approximately 2,000 F. and to obtain.
  • the voltage impressed upon the coil is approximately two and one-quarter volts. At this voltage the current has approximately three amperes.
  • the voltages and the amperages are of course variable in accordance with the size of wire used in the coil, the nature of the material of which the coil is composed and the size of the coil both as to diameter and length.
  • SII designates a flash tube upon which is mounted the ignition carrier or holder H with the ignition coil G. Interiorly the tube is provided with a pair of baille plates Il and 82 so positioned and arranged as to prevent excessive cooling of the ignition coil by the gas-air mixture delivered into the tube from the pilot light or other burner with which the tube is associated.
  • FIG. 6 of the drawings illustrates a further bailiing arrangement.
  • the ignition carrier H and ignition coil G are mounted on the end of a dash tube which interiorly is provided with a vertical fbaiile 64 which completely blocks oil' the interior ilash tube with the'exception of a small centrally positioned opening or orifice 0I for the passage of the air-gas mixture to the ignition coil.
  • FIG. 7 is a still further example of protecting the ignition coil G.
  • the flash tube is provided with an exterior end wall 81 and the bottom Il of the flash tube adjacent the front wall 11.
  • end wall is cut out or away to provide an opening 69 within which is positioned the ignition coil.
  • the opening is provided with an upstanding flange or baille 10 which protects the ignition coil against cooling by the air-gas ow mixture.
  • This baffle is provided with an opening or passageway 1I which permits the air-gas mixture to reach the coi1. The air-gas mixture can also reach the coil bypassing over the open end of the baille 10 and downwardly in the opening 69 within which the coil is positioned.
  • the ignition coil is disposed in a horizontal piane.
  • Figure 8 of the drawings we illustrate an ignition coil P disposed in a vertical plane in respect to a flash tube 12.
  • the coil carrier Q is provided with a suitable insulating material or medium 13 which telescopically receives one end of the flash tube and the tube adjacent the coil is provided with an opening 14.
  • FIGs 9 and l0 of the drawings are illustrative of constructions in which the ignition coils are disposed with their longitudinal axes in alignment or parallelism with the longitudinal axes of the iiash tubes.
  • the flash tube is designated at 15 and has a rear wall 16 anda The front wall is provided with an opening 18 through which enters the air-gas mixture which is to be ignited.
  • the ignition coil R extends throughout the length of the flash tube but is positioned above the front end opening 18 of the tube so that it is behind the front wall 11 of the tube so as to prevent the air-gas mixture from having a tendency to rapidly cool the coil.
  • the coil is mounted on a suitable carrier 19 which telescopes the tube and it is insulated therefrom by suitable insulating material 80.
  • the flash tube is designated at S and is of the type having not only open ends but an open bottom, that is to say, the tube is bottomless.
  • the ignition coil T is positioned within the flash tube and has its longitudinal axis in alignment with that of the tube.
  • the coil is supported by suitable supports 8
  • the resistor 32 is a very important element or feature in the present invention.
  • the ignition coil will reach a temperature sufficient to ignite the gas on the extremely small Voltage of one and
  • the major normal resistance in the circuit is the ignition coil the resistance of which is .extremely low, namely, about threequarter ohms.
  • the ignition system can be operated on a low voltage low resistance circuit but it has been found highly desirable to eliminate fluctuation in the resistance of the circuit as an increase in the normal resistance will cause a large variation in the current. It has been found that even with an extremely small increase in normal resistance the performance of the system will be adversely affected.
  • the method of manufacturing an electric igniter for use in an electric ignition system for a gaseous fuel burner comprising, placing a wire composed of a material which will act as a catalyst in the presence of natural or manufactured gas in an electric circuit, intermittently closing and opening said electric circuit ⁇ for several thousand cycles of operation, delivering natural 6 asoooa closing and opening said circuit for several thousand cycles of operation. delivering natural or manufactured gas to said wire during those periods when the electric circuit to the wire is closed to cause a catalytic action, whereby said wire can thereafter be used for ignition purposes in an electric circuit having a lower amperage strength than that utilized during the manufaco turing and perfecting Period oi the wire.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Feeding And Controlling Fuel (AREA)

Description

L. s. KAUFFMAN ETAL 2,360,608
METHOD 0F MAKING ELECTRIC IGNITERS FOR GASEUS FUEL BURNERS oct. 17, 1944.
original Filed March 25, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Brwentor 'rm Cttomeg s Oct. 17,1944. L s. KAUFFMAN ET AL 2,360,608
METHOD OF MAKING ELECTRIC IGNITERS FOR GASEOUS FUEL BURNERS Original Filed March 25, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Srwentor Patented Oct.- 17, 1944 METHOD OF MAKING ELECTRIC IGNITERS FOR GASEOUS FUEL BURNERS Lester S. Kauiman and Bradley C. Douglas, St.
Louis, Mo.,
pany, St. Louis, Mo.,
Jersey assignors to American Stove Coma corporation of New Original application March 25, 1941, Serial No.
Divided. and this application September 22, 1943, Serial No. 503,392
A 4 claims. (ci. 21e- 32) This invention is a division of our pending patent application Serial No, 385,178 for Electric igniter for gaseous fuel burners and the method of making the same, filed March 25, 1941, and pertains to an electric igniter for inclusion in an electric ignition system for gaseous fuel burners. The present igniter is particularly well suitedfor use in a system utilized for igniting the gas' burner in the oven of a gas cooking range. Its use however need not be so specifically limited and the particular system in which it ls incorporated can be widely varied. The system might be manual or it might be fully or semi-automatic in nature. In the accompanying drawings we have illustrated the invention in combination with a fully automatic system applied to a gas cooking range for ignitinglthe oven burner thereof.
f One of the primary objects of the invention is that of providing an igniter which is cheap and simple of manufacture yet highly efficient in operation and which has a long operating life.v
Another object of the invention is that of providng an igniter which can be quickly and readily applied to or removed from its proper position within the system and particularly with respect to the burner which it operates to ignite.
A still further object of the invention is the provision of an igniter which will operate satisfactorily on an extremelylow current voltage.
A still further object of the invention resides in vthe improved manner and method .of'constructing the igniter and its associated supporting construction, y
Other objects as well as improved results of the invention are obtainedffrom the` provision of an igniter having the aforestated broad objects, and a full understanding of these will appear in detail from a reading of the following description in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.
In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is a horizontal cross sectional `view through arange having applied theretothe' present improved invention and-illustrates the same as incorporated into a fullyv automaticr electric ignition system for the oven burner of said range.
Fig. 2 is a front endview of the igniter and its carrier, the view being partly schematic in nature to illustrate other associated-parts.
Fig. 3 is a detail vertical `sectional 33ofFig.1. y H ,y Y
Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view through the ignition coil carrier. n
Figs. 5 to 10 inclusive are vertical sectional views, partly schematic in nature, illustrating modified forms of the invention.
viewon line Referring now to Figures 1 to 4 inclusive of the drawings, A is a conventional insulated gas cooking range oven adjacent to which is disposed a chamber B within which are usually disposed the burners for the cooking top portion of the range. The chamber B is ordinarily referred to as the cooking top burner chamber, but no illustration of the burners therein is given as they form no part of the present invention and illustration of them would complicate the clearest illustration of the parts which actually compose the present invention.
An oven burner appears at C and this burner can be of varying constructions to best meet the particular desired requirements. A main gas supply pipe or conduit l is disposed within the front end of the cooking top burner chamber behind the front panel or closure 2 thereof and a manually operable valve 3 is associated there- 4with and is manually operable from the front of the range by a suitable valve operating handle 4. This valve controls the flow of gas from the main supply pipe through a gas pipe 5 which has connection with a thermostatically operated oven temperature heat control mechanism and fuel control valve 6. Such controls are in common use today and the nature of their constructions and mode of operation is well understood by those skilled in the art so that no specific description cf it is deemed necessary further than to say that this device operates in response to the temperature within the oven A to maintain the same at any specific degree at which the device is set. Exteriorly of the front of the range the device is provided with' a temperature setting handle and dial indicator designated as an entirety at 1,
This oven temperature control device, as mentioned, controls the flow of fuel from the main gas supply pipe to the oven burner.. A pipe 8 interconnects this oven temperature control with a safety valve designated as an entiretyat D. The safety control valve can be Vconstructed in many ways well understood by those skilled in the art and is so constructed as to include a normally closed valve with some suitable bias which holds the valve in a closed position so as to prevent the passage of gas from the valve through the outlet pipe 9 which delivers gas into the air and gas inlet manifold I0 of the oven burner.
Around the safety valve D there is provided a by-pass so as to permit by-passing of a small amount of gas through the pipe I l which is connected to a pilot light or burner designated as an entirety by E.
Referring to Figure 3 of the drawings which best illustrates its construction, it will be seen that the pilot light burner E is closely associated with the main oven burner C. This close association is provided to enable the pilot burner to act as an igniter for the main burner. The main burner in addition to having main burner ports I2 is provided with a series of chain lighter ports I3 in its side wall adjacent the 'pilot light.
The dames I5 of the pilot light burner perform the further function of heating a thermoresponsive element I Ii which through suitable connection, well understood by those in the art, operates when heated to Open the normally closed valve in the safety valve D and permit gas to flow through the vpipe 9 to the main oven burner.
'I'he jet I4 0f the pilot light is provided in itsl side wall with a burner port II at which a iiame I8 can burn and which will when burning cause the ignition or operation of the pilot light flames I5.
A flash tube F is associated with the pilot burner and is in the form of an elongated open ended tube which is preferably, although not necessarily, disposed in a horizontal plane and extends in a direction away from the pilot burner as well as the main burner so as to put one of its ends substantially remote to both the pilot and the main burners. The end I5 of this tube is in separated relationship to the pilot burner but has its open end in substantial axial alignment with the pilot light burner port I1 so that gas issuing from said port enters the ash tube and is projected therethrough all as is well understood by those skilled in the art. It is further well understood by those skilled in this art that if igniting means is applied to the gas issuing from the remote open end of the ash tube ignition will occur and flash back through the tube to ignite the gas at the port I'I and cause the burning of the flame I8 thereat.
To accomplish the aforementioned well understood iiash ignition we provide at the remote open end of the tube an igniter which is in the form of a coil of wire G which coil at the DrOper time is brought to a temperature sumciently Ahigh to cause the ignition of the gas within the liash tube, as will hereinafter be more fully described.
The ignition coil G is mounted upon a carrier H, the exact construction of which is best illustrated in Figures 2 and 4 of the drawings.
The carrier H might be well termed a coil mounting block and must be made of some suitable dielectric material and we have found it desirable to utilize a ceramic block. Whatever the particular material used in the composition of the block or mounting H it should have a center opening 20 the size and configuration of which should be preferably substantially the same as that of the cross sectional size and configuration of the flash tube, or at least the end of the flash tube upon which itis mounted. It is highly desirable to provide for quick and`easy installation and removal of the coil mounting or carrier block H on the flash tube and this we have provided for by extending the -ends 2l and 22 of the top and bottom respectively of the flash tube bevond the ends 23 of the side walls 24 of the flash tube and providing the block H at the top`and bottom of its center opening 2li with suitably sized and shaped passages or openings 25 for telescopically receiving said flash tube and extensions 2l and 22.
Although it is not absolutely necessary we have provided against accidental displacement o i' the carrier H from the end of the flash tube by having the ash tube ends 2| and 22 extend through and beyond the block and then bending their outer ends upwardly and downwardly respectively as indicated at 26 and 21.
To be practical an ignition system of the present nature must operate at a low voltage and must be inexpensive. With a Ilow voltage it is essential to avoid any voltage drop due to poor electrical contact or connection between any of the current conducting parts. To prevent voltage drops and to provide a carrier which can be constructed cheaply and can be quickly assembled, we utilize an unique construction. Before describing 'the/ construction of the carrier the electric circuit will be referred to. The sofurce of current supply can constitute the ordinary electric circuit found in homes or places of business and from this conventional source of current supply current is brought to the range over the lead-in wires 28 and 29 which are connected to a transformer 3U which can be positioned at the rear of the range or any other suitable convenient point. The current supply will ordinarily be at volts or thereabout and the transformer 30 will reduce this to the voltage which has been found adequate for heating the ignition coil C to the necessary temperature to cause ignition of the gas which flows to or over it. A lead-off 3| is taken from one side of the transformer and includes a resistor 32 and this side of the circuit is suitably grounded to the range or otherwise as at 33. The other side of the transformer has a lead-olf conductor 34 which is carried to a terminal block 35 positioned on the exterior side of the oven and Within the cooking top burner chamber. This terminal block is illustrated in detail in Fig. 2 of the drawings.y The wire 34 is electrically connected to the binding post 36 on the terminal block and from this binding post a conductor 31 extends into the oven and has its inner end Welded or in some like manner secured as at 38 to a metallic lug or arm K which is mounted on the carrier block H in the specific manner hereinafter to be described. This arm or lug is positioned at one side of the carrier block opening 20 while a similar arm L is positioned at the opposite side. The ignition coil extends across the opening 20 and has its ends welded or similarly secured to these oppositely positioned metallic arms as indicated at 39 and 40 respectively. A conductor 4| has its end 42 welded to the metallic arm L and is connected to the second terminal post 43 on the terminal block 35. A conductor 44 leads from the terminal post 43 to an electric switch designated as an entirety at M.
This switch is normally open and has one side or one of its terminals suitably grounded as at 45. The switch functions to provide a predetermined time cycle of the closed condition of the normally open electric circuit which includes the ignition coil G. The switch is associated with the operating handle 4 of the manually operable fuel control valve 3. 'I'he exact construction of the switch need not be given as it could be v'aried and it in itself forms no specific part of the present invention. It is sufficient to state that when the valve handle 4 is operated to open the valve 3 the electric switch is moved to a closed position to close the electric circuit and that after the circuit has remained closed for a predetermined time interval the switch willpautomatical-ly operate to break the circuit which cannot again be closed without manual manipulation of the gas valve handle 4.
From the foregoing description a description of aicycle of operation of the system should be clearly understandable. Attention is directed -to the fact that so far as a cycle of operation is concerned it will be identical in respect to the modified forms of the invention hereinafter specifically described.
When it is desired to utilize the oven the gas valve 3 is opened by manipulating the manual valve handle 4. Opening of the valve -permits gas to flow through the oven heat control mechanism 6 and to the safety valve D through the pipe 8. A portion of the gas delivered to the safety valve reaches the burner jet of the safety pilot valve E through the by-pass pipe II and is discharged through the burner orifices thereof with the result that gaseous fuel is projected into and through the flash tube F. Simultaneously with the opening of the gas valve 3 the electric circuit is closed through the electric switch M and current is delivered to the ignition coil G. Within a very short time this ignition coil reaches a temperature sufficient to ignite the combustible fuel mixture within the flash tube F with the.
result that an explosion occurs, as is well understood by those familiar with this type of flash lighter, and the ignited mixture flashes back through the open end I9 of the flash tube 'adjacent the pilot light burner and causes ignition at the burner orifices thereof and brings about the burning of the flames I5 and I8. The flames I5 play upon and about the thermo-responsive element I6 and within a very short time interval the response of this member to the heat of these flames causes it to open the safety valve D against its bias which permits an immediate flow of gas to the main burner C through the pipe 9 and the intake manifold I of said burner. The fuel within the burner travels to all the burnerorifices thereof including the chain lighter ports I3 and upon issuing from said ports the gas is ignited by the closely adjacent flames I of the pilot light burner and the flames 46 of the chain lighter cause the ignition of the gas issuing .from the main burner ports I2 so that the flames 41 burn thereat. The cycle of the electric switch M is properly timed so that shortly after the main burner has been ignited the electric circuit is automatically broken and the system can be put through a similar cycle of operation only through again manually operating the gas valve handle 4.
The foregoing system has definite advantages. The circuit is closed for only a very limited period of time thus reducing the time during which the coil remains in a heated condition. Additionally 'the system is cheap to operate because there-is no constant burning pilot light operating when the main burner is not in operation as is the case in many systems, and which when true of course increases fuel consumption which is a material item in many localities in the country. yAbsence of a constant burning pilot light is also vadvantageous in preventing increase of kitchen temperature which it is particularly desirable to avoid in hot climates of the country.
The arrangement also adds to the life of the ignition coil by removing it from any direct contact with the flames of either the pilot light or main burners and assuring that it is not subjected to the intense heat which exists immediately adjacent the flames burned by these burners. This positioning of the ignition coil is of course accomplished by the provision of the flash tube which were it not utilized would necessitate the positoning of the ignition coil very closely adjacent the flames of either one of the burners. As the life of the ignition coil to some extent depends upon ambient temperature the separation of the ignition coil from the area closely adjacent the burners will add to the life of the coil.
Attention is also directed to the fact at this y time that the exact system illustrated in the drawings and hereinbefore described does not have to be followed or adopted. Changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. As an example, the pilot light burner could be dispensed with and the main burner directly ignited by the ignition coil in conjunction with a flash tube which would be associated with the main burner.
To further add to the life of the system it is adv'sable to utilize some heat resistant electric current conductingl material for the wires or conductors 31 and 4I, which are within and subjected to the high temperatureswhich at times prevail in the oven chamber A. Nickel or nickel chromium have been found suitable material. As for the igrition coil itself .it is also highly essential that the samebe composed of a material which will not quicklybreak down under the ambient temperatures to -which itwill vbe subjected and in this sense a material 'which is heat resistant. We have found platinumto have the desired character'stics although thisof course is not the only metal which would functionV satisfactorily inthe formof a'coil.
As mentioned, the arrangement is such that the y ignition coil can be quickly and easily applied to or removed from the flash tube and furthermore the coil, vits carrier' and associated parts are comparatively'cheap so that in the event of their failure they can be cheaplyreplaced. On the scoreof the necessity of replacement, attention is called to the fact that to obtain approval of the American Gas Association the ignition coil must have a life of 25,000 cycles of operation and that test has proven that our coil does vhave a life greater rthan that required for approval.
The ease of fabrication and assembly of the ignter will appear by reference specifically to Figures 2 and 4 of the drawings. I'he holder or carrier H cooperates to simplify the mounting or application thereon of the metallic arms or lugs K and L upon which is mounted the ignition coil G.
' sides of vthe openingjt'he flanges vformed by the elevated portions of the carrier do not meet so ras to provide an opening for the reception of vthe upper legs 5I of the metallic arms K and L. The lower legs 52 of the armsv lie in the' depression between the elevated portions 48 and 50 of the carrier as is likewise true of the interconnecting or intermediate leg portions Il of the arms. 'I'he result of this is that the arms K and L are countersunk within the carrier and fit quite snugly within their seats so that they can be sumciently securely fastened in place by a single bolt or rivet 54 one of which passes through each of the arms and through the carrier.
From the foregoing it will be evident that by merelydisconnecting the conductors'l and 4i from the terminal posts 36 and 43 a new ignition unit can be quickly and easily placed upon the flash tube. In the drawings the flash tube is illustrated as substantially square in cross sectional configuration but by tests we have proven that the shape of the flash tube is in fact immaterial to a proper functioning of the system. A rectangular tube is desirable in that it simplifies the construction of providing for quick detachable supporting connection between the tube and carrier but the same principle of connection could be easily and readily adapted to tubes having other cross sectional configurations such as rectangular, round or any other shape which might be for any specific reason desirable.
The ignition coil is illustrated as extending across the flash tube from side to side thereof which disposes it in a horizontal plane. Tests have proven that this particular disposition of the coil in respect to the tube is not essential to successful operation, as will more fully appear in ine hereinafter following description of Figures 5 to inclusive of the drawings. 'I'he coil can be disposed in a vertical plane or the coil can be disposed with its axis in parallel to the axis of the tube rather than transverse thereof without impairing the operation of the'system. In all installations however it is of course highly essential to avoid any possibility of short-circuiting of the electric current and it will be obvious that this is well provided for in the arrangement thus far described. y
It is to be recognized that the igniter must properly function irrespective of the exact nature of fuel used for the burners. Inv some portions of the country natural gas is used while in others manufactured gas is employed. Natural gas has a higher ignition temperature than most` other commercial gases and will under certain conditions ignite at about 1400 F. but we have found that the temperature of the ignition coil must be considerably higher than the ignition point or temperature of the gas to be ignited. To provide for variables of conditions which the igniter must I successfully meet we have provided for a coil temperature of approximately 2,000 F. and to obtain.
this temperature the voltage impressed upon the coil is approximately two and one-quarter volts. At this voltage the current has approximately three amperes. The voltages and the amperages are of course variable in accordance with the size of wire used in the coil, the nature of the material of which the coil is composed and the size of the coil both as to diameter and length.
We have discovered a further peculiarity in respect tothe platinum wire igniter. It was found that when the igniter was first put into use it was necessary to use three amperes of current in order in obtain ignition, but that after the same coll had been operated for a few thousand cycles the amperage could be reduced. This proved to be true irrespective of whether or not the igniter was used in connection with natural or manufactured gas. Upon careful examination it was found this was due to the platinum becoming a more active catalyst. As respects natural gas this v perature from 2000 F:to approximately 1800 F.
Upon examination of the coil it was further found that the surface of the wire composing the coil had been etched or eroded and this had materially increased the surface area of the wire, and we believe this fact may have helped to increase the catalytic action which resulted in the possibility of employing. after a few thousand cycles of operation, a lower amperage than was necessary when the coil was ilrst put into' service.
The foregoing knowledge and discoveries led us to operate the coil for from ten to twenty minutes with a circuit of four amper current and we then foundthat a coil so operated or treated would operate to cause satisfactory ignition of the air-gas mixture at a lower amperage current on the coil than would otherwise be required. Itis believed that the higher current value caused the surface to erode more rapidly and thus speed up the catalytic action. Accordingly by so treating the coils prior to their installation in an/ignition system they will operate satisfactorily over a wider range of voltage variation and this will assure more efficient operation as satisfactory operation will occur even should the amperage across the ignition coil drop for any reason.
Hereinbefore it has been mentioned that the igniter will operate satisfactorily even though it be disposed in respect to the flash tube in a manner different from that illustrated in Figures l to 4 of the drawings, and this notwithstanding the fact that we discovered that under some conditions the air-gas mixture or stream in the flash tube had a tendency to cool the ignition coil. 'I'he fact that this did occur led'us to the conception and production of several flash tubes provided with bafiiing means designed to prevent this cooling of the ignition coil and also the production of flash tubes in which the ignition coil is positioned in various ways.
Having reference to Figure 5 of the drawings, SII designates a flash tube upon which is mounted the ignition carrier or holder H with the ignition coil G. Interiorly the tube is provided with a pair of baille plates Il and 82 so positioned and arranged as to prevent excessive cooling of the ignition coil by the gas-air mixture delivered into the tube from the pilot light or other burner with which the tube is associated.
Figure 6 of the drawings illustrates a further bailiing arrangement. Here again the ignition carrier H and ignition coil G are mounted on the end of a dash tube which interiorly is provided with a vertical fbaiile 64 which completely blocks oil' the interior ilash tube with the'exception of a small centrally positioned opening or orifice 0I for the passage of the air-gas mixture to the ignition coil.
Figure 7 is a still further example of protecting the ignition coil G. In this instance the flash tube is provided with an exterior end wall 81 and the bottom Il of the flash tube adjacent the front wall 11.
one-quarter volts.
end wall is cut out or away to provide an opening 69 within which is positioned the ignition coil. At its front side the opening is provided with an upstanding flange or baille 10 which protects the ignition coil against cooling by the air-gas ow mixture. This baffle is provided with an opening or passageway 1I which permits the air-gas mixture to reach the coi1. The air-gas mixture can also reach the coil bypassing over the open end of the baille 10 and downwardly in the opening 69 within which the coil is positioned. l
In the forms of the invention appearing in Figures 5 to '1 inclusive the ignition coil is disposed in a horizontal piane. In Figure 8 of the drawings we illustrate an ignition coil P disposed in a vertical plane in respect to a flash tube 12. In thisI instance the coil carrier Q is provided with a suitable insulating material or medium 13 which telescopically receives one end of the flash tube and the tube adjacent the coil is provided with an opening 14.
Figures 9 and l0 of the drawings are illustrative of constructions in which the ignition coils are disposed with their longitudinal axes in alignment or parallelism with the longitudinal axes of the iiash tubes. In Figure 9 the flash tube is designated at 15 and has a rear wall 16 anda The front wall is provided with an opening 18 through which enters the air-gas mixture which is to be ignited. The ignition coil R extends throughout the length of the flash tube but is positioned above the front end opening 18 of the tube so that it is behind the front wall 11 of the tube so as to prevent the air-gas mixture from having a tendency to rapidly cool the coil. The coil is mounted on a suitable carrier 19 which telescopes the tube and it is insulated therefrom by suitable insulating material 80.
In Figure of the drawings the flash tube is designated at S and is of the type having not only open ends but an open bottom, that is to say, the tube is bottomless. The ignition coil T is positioned within the flash tube and has its longitudinal axis in alignment with that of the tube. The coil is supported by suitable supports 8| kand 82 which will of course be suitably electrically insulated away from the flash tube.
It is to be noted the modified forms of the invention the desirable feature of the quick application to and removal from the ash tube of the ignition coil is not obtained and for this reason these forms of the invention are not considered to beras desirable as the preferred form notwithstanding the fact that they will operate satisfactorily and with adequate eiiiciency.
The resistor 32 is a very important element or feature in the present invention. The ignition coil will reach a temperature sufficient to ignite the gas on the extremely small Voltage of one and The major normal resistance in the circuit is the ignition coil the resistance of which is .extremely low, namely, about threequarter ohms. Thus the ignition system can be operated on a low voltage low resistance circuit but it has been found highly desirable to eliminate fluctuation in the resistance of the circuit as an increase in the normal resistance will cause a large variation in the current. It has been found that even with an extremely small increase in normal resistance the performance of the system will be adversely affected.
It will be obvious that an increase in resistance in the circuit can arise from many causes such that in respect to certain of` as for instance corroded contacts; variations in the length of wires constituting the circuit or loose or poor connections` which can be caused by expansion and contraction Vwhich will take place during the heating andy cooling of those connections which are subjected to the heat generated'by the gas burner C.
We have endeavored to guard against variations in the resistance by providing welded connections and avoiding as many connections in the circuit as possible in the heat zone of the gas burner. Mainly however the resistance is maintained constant, or substantially so, by the provision of the resistor. 32 taken together with the fact that a voltage higher than that necessary to operate the ignition coil is used in the circuit. The voltage is however still quite low and is not sufilclently strong to injure or unpleasantly affect the operator of the range should for some reason the circuit become short-circuited and the operator receive an electric shock.
With a higher voltage than is required by the ignition coil and the provision of the resistor 32 the entire voltage of the circuit is present at the switch M when the switch is closed and this higher voltage will break or carry through any dirt or surface film or poor contact at the switch much more readily than would th'e extremely low voltage which could be utilized to operate the ignition coil were the resistor eliminated. Immediately after the switch is closed however the very low voltage exists and is impressed upon the ignition coil and the closed electric circuit.
Thus it is possible to utilize successfully a low voltage ignition coil and a circuit normally having an extremely low resistance. y
We claim: 1. The method of manufacturing an electric v igniter for use in an electric ignition system for a gas to saidA coil gaseous fuel burner comprising, bending into the form of a coil a wire composed of a material which will act as a catalyst in the presence of natural or manufactured gas, placing said coil in an electric circuit, intermittently closing and opening said circuit for several thousand cycles of operation, delivering natural or manufactured during those periods when the electric circuit to the coil is closed to cause a catalytic action, whereby said coil can thereafter be used for ignition purposes in an electric circuit having a lower amperage strength than that utilized during the manufacturing and perfecting period of the coil.
2. The method of manufacturing an electric igniter for use in an electric ignition system for a gaseous fuel burner comprising, bending a platinum wire into the form of a coil, placing said coil in an electric circuit, intermittently closing and opening said circuit for several thousand cycles of operation, delivering natural or manufactured gas to said coil during those periods when the electric circuit to the coil is closed to cause a catalytic action, whereby said coil can thereafter be used for' ignition purposes in an electric circuit having a lower amperage strength than that utilized during the manufacturing and perfecting period of the coil.
3. The method of manufacturing an electric igniter for use in an electric ignition system for a gaseous fuel burner comprising, placing a wire composed of a material which will act as a catalyst in the presence of natural or manufactured gas in an electric circuit, intermittently closing and opening said electric circuit` for several thousand cycles of operation, delivering natural 6 asoooa closing and opening said circuit for several thousand cycles of operation. delivering natural or manufactured gas to said wire during those periods when the electric circuit to the wire is closed to cause a catalytic action, whereby said wire can thereafter be used for ignition purposes in an electric circuit having a lower amperage strength than that utilized during the manufaco turing and perfecting Period oi the wire.
LEB'IER S. KAUFFMAN. BRADLEY C. DOUGLAS.
US503392A 1941-03-25 1943-09-22 Method of making electric igniters for gaseous fuel burners Expired - Lifetime US2360608A (en)

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Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2487754A (en) * 1948-11-26 1949-11-08 Baker & Co Inc Fuel igniter
US2487753A (en) * 1947-12-19 1949-11-08 Baker & Co Inc Fuel igniter
US2487752A (en) * 1947-12-19 1949-11-08 Baker & Co Inc Method of igniting organic fuels
US2666657A (en) * 1950-02-17 1954-01-19 Pyle National Co Corrosion-resisting flexible connector
US2747143A (en) * 1950-11-22 1956-05-22 Baker & Co Inc Catalytic fuel igniters
US2907100A (en) * 1954-10-11 1959-10-06 Bofors Ab Method of manufacturing electric igniters and an electric igniter made by said method
US3938944A (en) * 1974-05-14 1976-02-17 Robertshaw Controls Company Electric ignition assembly
US20080289619A1 (en) * 2003-02-21 2008-11-27 Middleby Corporation Charbroiler
US10024548B2 (en) 2003-02-21 2018-07-17 The Middleby Corporation Self-cleaning oven

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2487753A (en) * 1947-12-19 1949-11-08 Baker & Co Inc Fuel igniter
US2487752A (en) * 1947-12-19 1949-11-08 Baker & Co Inc Method of igniting organic fuels
US2487754A (en) * 1948-11-26 1949-11-08 Baker & Co Inc Fuel igniter
US2666657A (en) * 1950-02-17 1954-01-19 Pyle National Co Corrosion-resisting flexible connector
US2747143A (en) * 1950-11-22 1956-05-22 Baker & Co Inc Catalytic fuel igniters
US2907100A (en) * 1954-10-11 1959-10-06 Bofors Ab Method of manufacturing electric igniters and an electric igniter made by said method
US3938944A (en) * 1974-05-14 1976-02-17 Robertshaw Controls Company Electric ignition assembly
US20080289619A1 (en) * 2003-02-21 2008-11-27 Middleby Corporation Charbroiler
US10024548B2 (en) 2003-02-21 2018-07-17 The Middleby Corporation Self-cleaning oven
US10036558B2 (en) 2003-02-21 2018-07-31 The Middleby Corporation Self-cleaning oven

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