Tangential Erosion-Resistant Pin for Spark Igniter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spark igniter electrodes in gas turbine engines, typically made from Inconel or nickel alloys, suffer from electrode erosion, limiting their service life in certain environments and duty cycles.
Innovation Solution
The igniter assembly features a shell with a tangentially oriented erosion-resistant pin, often made from materials like Iridium, Tungsten, Platinum, Rhodium, Ruthenium, or Osmium, embedded in the tip surface, surrounded by a shell bore, which increases the life of the igniter components by reducing wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional Inconel or nickel alloy electrodes are used, then cost is reduced, but electrode erosion increases and service life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using erosion-resistant pins (made of materials like Iridium, Tungsten, Platinum, Rhodium, Ruthenium, or Osmium) only at the specific location where erosion occurs most severely - the tip surface of the igniter assembly. The rest of the igniter body continues to use conventional Inconel or nickel alloy materials. This selective application of expensive erosion-resistant materials at critical locations extends service life while controlling overall cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining conventional Inconel or nickel alloy base materials with erosion-resistant pin materials (Iridium, Tungsten, Platinum, Rhodium, Ruthenium, or Osmium) at the tip surface. This composite structure allows the igniter to benefit from both the cost-effectiveness and electrical properties of conventional alloys and the extreme erosion resistance of precious metals, resolving the contradiction between cost and service life.
2Reliability
If erosion-resistant pins are embedded tangentially, then service life is extended, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the electrode structure into distinct functional components: the conventional Inconel or nickel alloy body and the separate erosion-resistant pins embedded at the tip surface. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the body for cost and electrical performance, and the pins for erosion resistance - while simplifying the overall design compared to attempting to create a fully erosion-resistant complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The erosion-resistant pins act as intermediaries between the conventional electrode body and the harsh combustion environment. These pins are embedded into the tip surface to provide a protective interface that resists erosion from hot gases and combustion byproducts, extending service life without requiring complete redesign of the entire igniter structure.
3Reliability
If expensive erosion-resistant materials like Iridium or Tungsten are used, then electrode erosion is reduced, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using erosion-resistant pins (made of materials like Iridium, Tungsten, Platinum, Rhodium, Ruthenium, or Osmium) only at the specific location where erosion occurs most severely - the tip surface of the igniter assembly. The rest of the igniter body continues to use conventional Inconel or nickel alloy materials. This selective application of expensive erosion-resistant materials at critical locations extends service life while controlling overall cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the material composition parameter at the erosion-critical tip surface region. Instead of using uniform expensive materials throughout, the invention changes the material parameter locally at the pin embeddings to provide erosion resistance only where needed, optimizing the balance between erosion resistance and manufacturing cost.
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 solution effectively extends the service life of igniter components, reducing maintenance needs and increasing the time between maintenance activities while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
at least one erosion-resistant pin coupled to the tip surface in a substantially tangential orientation with respect to the bore
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and assembly for an igniter is provided. The igniter includes a shell comprising a base, a tip surface, and a sidewall extending therebetween wherein the sidewall surrounds a cavity within the shell. The igniter also includes a shell bore extending from the tip surface to the cavity and a pin embedded into the tip surface extending substantially tangentially with respect to the bore.