Abstract: A plug extender for an igniter for a gas turbine engine combustor includes a coupling head for connecting the plug extender to an engine boss mounted in a wall of a turbine combustor and a terminal shell that connects to a cable of an electrical power source. The plug extender clinches and retains the igniter in the head portion in contact with electrical contact means, which facilitates the installation and removal of the igniter without disassembly of the turbine engine covers. The plug extender also acts as a plug adaptor, allowing different electrical connectors to be used at the igniter contact head portion and the cable connect terminal shell suitable for the particular environment.

Abstract: An improved igniter and cable connector assembly for turbine engines. An igniter mounting adapter is secured to the engine. The igniter slides into a hole through the adapter and is retained by an enlarged head on the igniter. An annular seal is positioned around a high voltage terminal on the igniter head and a terminal on the cable connector is positioned against the igniter terminal. The cable connector is secured to the adapter, for example, by either a clamp assembly or a coupling nut or a quick release connector. As the cable connector is secured to the adapter, the seal is compressed between the igniter and connector insulators and, optionally, the connector terminal is rotated and pressed against the igniter terminal to establish a reliable electrical contact. The connector and igniter terminals preferably have mating conical or spherical surfaces, one of which may be an annular segment to provide an increased electrical contact area.

Abstract: An improved seal for a high voltage igniter cable connector for aircraft applications. An insulator projecting from the cable connector extends into a tubular insulator in the igniter. An electrical contact at the free end of the connector insulator is urged into contact with a terminal in the igniter. A resilient annular seal is located between an annular shoulder or step on the connector insulator, the interior and end surfaces on the igniter insulator, the igniter shell and a spring cap or retainer. The spring retainer is shaped to force the resilient seal both against the connector insulator shoulder or step and against the end of the igniter insulator. Above the insulator shoulder or step, the compressed seal expands to form a radial seal between the igniter and connector insulators. Above the igniter insulator end, the compressed seal expands to form a seal between the igniter insulator end and the connector insulator and, preferably, also to the igniter shell.

Abstract: An improved turbine engine igniter exciter circuit. An oscillator circuit drives the primary winding of a transformer for charging a capacitor to a predetermined voltage greater than the voltage required to sustain a spark discharge at an igniter but less than the voltage required to establish a spark discharge at the igniter. A timing circuit periodically triggers an SCR to discharge a portion of the energy stored in the capacitor through the primary winding of a step up transformer to create a short duration high voltage ignition pulse for establishing the spark discharge. The remaining lower voltage energy in the capacitor sustains the spark discharge for a predetermined time.