Patent ID: 6912857

Claim:
A method for forming a torch igniter, comprising: providing a torch igniter housing having a combustion chamber therein, the combustion chamber having an upstream area and a downstream area; forming a first independent path in said housing for supplying a fuel radially into said combustion chamber; forming a second independent path in said housing for supplying an oxidizer into said combustion chamber, the combustion chamber being of sufficient volume to permit a degree of mixing of said fuel and oxidizer within said combustion chamber; and further disposing the independent paths relative to the combustion chamber to create first and second recirculation zones within said combustion chamber on opposite longitudinal sides of said first independent path, with at least one of the first and second recirculation zones being in said upstream area, said recirculation zones operating to pilot combustion of said fuel and oxidizer within said combustion chamber, when said mixture is ignited, such that a mixture of said fuel and oxidizer flows through said combustion chamber.