Glow Plug Igniter With Fins For Gas Turbine Reliability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Spark plugs in gas turbine engines face reliability issues in wet conditions and low temperatures, and are costly, necessitating an alternative ignition solution that can maintain performance across varying conditions.

Innovation Solution

A glow plug igniter system with a heater rod and circumferentially arranged fins, designed to ignite air-fuel mixtures by heating the tip to above ignition temperature, using an off-the-shelf glow plug with an adapter to fit existing spark plug apertures and enhance ignition performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If spark plugs are used for ignition, then the engine can operate, but reliability deteriorates in wet conditions and low temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveignition reliabilityVSAvoidperformance degradation in wet and cold conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the spark plug (electrical ignition system) with a glow plug (thermal ignition system). The glow plug heats a ceramic element to incandescent temperatures to ignite the air-fuel mixture, eliminating the electrical components that fail in wet and cold conditions. This substitution of ignition mechanism fundamentally resolves the reliability issue in adverse environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the ignition parameter from electrical discharge (spark) to thermal energy (glow). By heating the ceramic element to temperatures above 1000°C, the system creates a sustained thermal source that is not affected by moisture or temperature variations, thereby improving ignition reliability under all operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If spark plugs are used, then ignition function is provided, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecost-effectivenessVSAvoidignition performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs an off-the-shelf glow plug design that is simpler and less expensive to manufacture than specialized spark plugs. The glow plug consists of basic components (heater element, ceramic housing, electrical connector) that are easier and cheaper to produce, while maintaining reliable ignition performance through thermal rather than electrical ignition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Temperature

If fins are added to the glow plug heater rod, then heat transfer improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds fins to the glow plug heater rod, extending the heat transfer surface from a one-dimensional rod into a three-dimensional structure with increased surface area. The fins project radially outward from the rod, creating additional heat transfer paths to the air-fuel mixture without significantly complicating the overall device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The heater rod is segmented into a core rod structure with attached fin elements. This segmentation allows the heat transfer surface to be expanded through additive fin structures rather than redesigning the entire rod, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while improving thermal performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The glow plug igniter system provides reliable ignition across a range of conditions, including wet and cold environments, while being cost-effective by utilizing an off-the-shelf design adapted with additional features for improved performance.

Implementation Method 1

a glow plug igniter system with a heater rod and circumferentially arranged fins, designed to ignite air-fuel mixtures by heating the tip to above ignition temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResistive heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

receiving a mixture of air and fuel to be ignited in a flow circulation area around a heating section of a glow plug heater rod, the flow circulation area including gaps between a plurality of fins circumferentially interspaced around the heater rod

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS11454173B2Igniter for gas turbine engine

Publication Date: 2022.09.27 PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP

AI summary

There is disclosed an igniter for a gas turbine engine including: a base, a glow plug heater rod extending from the base along an axis and terminating in a rod end, and a plurality of fins disposed circumferentially around the glow plug heater rod, the fins extending axially along at least a portion of the glow plug heater rod. A gas turbine engine including such an igniter is further disclosed.