Electric Igniter or Sparker for Gas, Oil, or Vapor Engines.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Dec., 1898-Accepted, 14th Jan., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Electric Igniter or Sparker for Gas, Oil, or Vapor Engines.
I, FRANK WHEELER CANFIELD, Gentleman, a citizen of the United States,
residing in Manistee, in the County of Manistee and State of Michigan, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
―
My invention relates to improvements is electric igniters or electric sparkers
as used for igniting or firing the charge of gas and air or atomized oil and air in
whatever proportion to one another is found best to produce an explosion in the
cylinder or firing chamber of a gas, oil or vapor engine for the purpose of
generating power.
The object of my invention is to produce a method of insulating the electrodes
of gas, oil, or vapor engines that will not foul injuriously, but be at all times
perfect and in good reliable working order, thus causing the electric current from
the generator to jump across the space between the points of the electrodes, and
thereby causing a spark to ignite the charge of gas or vapor in the cylinder or
firing chamber of a gas, oil, or vapor engine. It is a well known fact that up to
this time the fouling of the insulation of the electrodes of electric sparkers in
gas, oil, or vapor engines has been the greatest objection to the successful use
of an electric current intense enough (whether generated by induction or other-
wise) to pass between the points of stationary electrodes placed in the cylinders
or firing chambers of gas, oil, or vapor engines, said points not being in actual
contact with each other. It is an established fact that when the insulation of
the electrodes of a gas, oil, or vapor engine gets foul the intense current used
will not pass between the points of the electrodes and make the required firing
spark, but follows the fouling of the insulation without making a spark of
sufficient intensity to explode the charge of air and gas or other combustible as
required, thus causing the engine to stop; but when the insulations are not
fouled and in good working order the electric current will jump across the space:
between the points of electrodes and thereby cause an electric spark of sufficient
intensity to fire or explode the charge of vapor or mixture of gas and air in the
cylinder or firing chamber of a gas, oil, or vapor engine.
In the accompanying drawings like parts are represented by similar numerals.
Figures 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 show vertical sectional views of a cylinder head
with different forms of my device. Figures 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 show plan views
of same.
My improvement consists of a counterbore or recess around the electrode at
a point where it enters the cylinder of a gas, oil, or vapor engine of such size
and depth as will prevent the explosive mixture from cylinder or firing chamber
circulating into said cavity far enough to deposit the products of its combustion
onto the insulator at the deepest part of the counterbore or recess.
I find by
actual test that a counterbore or recess for a quarter inch diameter electrode
works satisfactorily by being half inch diameter by one and one quarter inches

page_text: deep; but a counterbore or recess half inch diameter by three inches deep is still
more satisfactory, for the reason that it more completely prevents circulation.
A counterbore or recess of larger diameter than its depth will not prevent circu-
lation and consequent fouling.
I accomplish the desired result in the following manner and as shown in the
accompanying drawings, of which Figs. 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 are vertical sections,
and Figs. 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 are plans of my improved igniter.
In all the different figures, 1 shows the upper part of a cylinder of a gas, oil,
or vapor engine, with the lower part removed.
2 shows cylinder head.
3 shows binding nuts for securing insulators to cylinder head.
4 shows electrodes.
5 shows nuts for securing electrodes to insulator.
6 shows point where electric current should form firing spark.
7 shows insulator.
8 shows deep small diameter counterbore or recess that prevents fouling of
insulator or insulators. In Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4 this counterbore or
recess is
shown as closely surrounding the electrode and having a depth of about three
times its diameter. In Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8 this counterbore or recess is formed
in the insulator and is annular, surrounding the electrode, but separated from
the electrode and cylinder head by a portion of the insulator. In Figs. 9 and 10
the counterbore or recess is made oblong with semicircular ends, and surrounds
both electrodes. In Figs. 11 and 12 the counterbore or recess is made annular,
with a central division which separates the two electrodes. I have thus shown
several ways of forming the counterbore or recess for my improved insulator;
but it is immaterial what shape or form the counterbore or recess is made in, so
that it surrounds the electrode and of such size and depth that it prevents the
circulation of the explosive mixture into the deepest part of same.
9 shows collars for holding electrodes in place.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
Claim 1. In a gas, oil, or vapor engine igniter or sparker a recess or counterbore
around the electrode or electrodes and above its or their sparking points when
said electrodes are used vertically, for the purpose of preventing an injurious
accumulation of the products of combustion or other fouled matter on the insula-
tion of said electrodes, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Claim.2. In a gas, oil, or vapor engine igniter or sparker a recess or counter-
bore of such size and depth as to prevent the explosive mixture used in the
cylinder from circulating into said counterbore or recess far enough to come in
contact with its deepest part around the electrode or electrodes at or near the
point where said electrode or electrodes leave the insulator to enter the cylinder or
firing chamber, for the purpose of preventing an injurious accumulation of the
products of combustion or other foul matter on the insulation of said electrodes,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 17th day of November 1898.
FRANK WHEELER CANFIELD.