Abstract: Apparatus for igniting fuel in a combustor includes an injector having an electrostatic fuel atomization nozzle and an igniter. The injector produces an initial combustion process that ignites the main fuel supply from a fuel nozzle. Alternatively, a main fuel nozzle is provided which includes a plurality of electrostatic fuel nozzles disposed about a centrally located igniter. In one embodiment, the igniter is a laser igniter.

Abstract: Diagnostics apparatus for detecting operation of an exciter circuit connected to an igniter, includes means for detecting current discharged from the exciter circuit through the igniter, means for detecting current discharged from the exciter circuit other that through the igniter, and means for producing a single output that indicates the type of discharge from the exciter circuit.

Abstract: This invention relates to an article comprising a potted electrical component in a structure, wherein the electrical component is potted in a polyimide composition. The invention also relates to a method of potting electrical components comprising the steps of (1) adding a polyimide precursor to a structure including an electrical component, (2) curing the polyimide precursor to form a polyimide composition encapsulating the electrical component.

Abstract: Apparatus for igniting fuel in a combustor includes an injector having an electrostatic fuel atomization nozzle and an igniter. The injector produces an initial combustion process that ignites the main fuel supply from a fuel nozzle. Alternatively, a main fuel nozzle is provided which includes a plurality of electrostatic fuel nozzles disposed about a centrally located igniter. In one embodiment, the igniter is a laser igniter.

Abstract: In combination, a gas turbine engine ignition system exciter, an igniter, a conductor that connects the exciter to the igniter to form a discharge circuit, and a current pulse detector for detecting current pulses in the circuit, the detector comprising a wire disposed in close proximity to a current carrying element in the circuit so that a sense current is induced in the wire across a coreless gap; the detector further comprising a signal conditioning circuit for converting the sense current to an output that indicates occurrence of a spark discharge.

Abstract: A temperature sensor for detecting temperature of a heating element of an igniter such as a glow plug includes optic means disposable near the igniter for receiving at least a portion of electromagnetic energy emitted by the heating element and coupling the received electromagnetic energy to a circuit means for producing an output related to the temperature of the igniter in relation to a characteristic of the received electromagnetic energy. In one embodiment, the optic means comprises optic fibers that receive electromagnetic energy emitted by the heating element and couple that energy to a photosensitive detector.

Abstract: An exciter for an internal combustion engine igniter plug, comprises a continuous AC charging circuit and a discharge circuit. The discharge circuit is connectable to the plug and the charging circuit includes a transformer having a primary winding connectable to an AC power source and a secondary winding connected to the discharge circuit. The discharge circuit includes a storage capacitor connected to the transformer secondary winding such that current induced in the secondary charges the capacitor at a generally constant rate. A switching device is connected in series between the capacitor and the plug; and a trigger circuit triggers the switching device in response to charge on the capacitor; with the charging circuit and trigger circuit operating to maintain a generally constant spark rate. A current multiplier is also provided to substantially increase the peak currents delivered to the plug.

Abstract: Apparatus for igniting fuel in a combustor having at least one fuel nozzle that emits an atomized fuel spray into a primary zone of the combustion chamber comprising a laser energy source for producing infrared laser energy and optic fiber means for transmitting the laser energy from the laser source into the primary zone of the combustor to ignite the fuel spray. In one embodiment the laser igniter is disposed in a main fuel nozzle of the combustor.