DE2321936A1 - METHOD OF IGNITING A GAS AND DEVICE FOR CARRYING OUT THE METHOD - Google Patents

Description

DlPL-INO- DIETER JAN DER DR.-1NQ. MANFRED B ON INQ

Patent attorneys delivery address:

reply to:

8MoNCHtNBO (KOGENHAUSEN) 1 BERLIN 33 CDAWlEM)

KOLBtRGER STRASSE-21 HOTTENWEG 15

Telephone: O8T1 / 9827O4 ". Phone: 0311/8324066

Telegram ": Consideration Berlin

889 / 15.039 BE April 27, 1973

Patent application

of RONSON CORPORATION

1 Ronaon Road ¥ oodbridge, New Jersey V.St.A.

"Method of Igniting a" Gas and Apparatus to carry out the procedure "

The invention relates to a method for igniting a gas in an ignition chamber in which the gas is located in the ignition chamber Aluminum laboratory hydride is added.

Aluainiuaberhydrid Al (BH ₄ J ₃ Is a strong reducing agent, which is characterized by a high reactivity towards numerous materials. Ss ignites under

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JHPL.4NQ. BIDDER JAMBER BR-INQ. MANFRED BONINQ

PATENT Pending -

- ■ * - 232193a

if the conditions are right, spontaneously in the air and reacts explosively with water «The spontaneous ignition iron Al (BJL), in air can be used to advantage about fuels such as liquefied hydrocarbons (Butane, propane, etc.) to ignite »

Han has already used aluminum borohydride to ignite fuels in lighters. In the relevant lighters, the aluminum borohydride is stored separately from the liquefied hydrocarbon gas. _{Al (BIL 4} ) - is added to the fuel gas emerging from a fuel container through a burner valve in the area of the opening of the burner valve. The aluminum borohydride then ignites immediately and the fuel gas is also ignited (see patent specification Hr. 3 360 965).

Experience has shown that lighters with ignition devices which work with aluminum borohydride do not work if the relative humidity falls below 25 ^{° at about 21 °} C. and below 659 ° ^{at about 10 ° C.} If the temperature is lower than 4 _f 5 ° C, they will not even operate at 100% relative humidity. It is believed that the reason for the failure of such lighters at low temperatures is the reduced reactivity between aluminum borohydride and the oxygen in the air is due. The ignition of the aluminum borohydride in the air depends on the rapid release of energy that is produced by chemical reactions. This increases the reaction mass to a temperature at which flames develop. The faster the reaction rate and the greater the amount of energy released per unit of time, the more intense the flame, it being noted that the chemical reaction rate of. a specific speed "constant" and the concentration of the substances reacting with one another depends. Sine lowering the two

DIPL-INQ. DIETER JANDER DR.-INQ. MANFRED BoNINQ PATENT LAWYERS

- ³ - 232193Θ

Size is associated with a decrease in temperature.

Another cause of low temperature is 1st a decrease in the absolute water vapor concentration In the air even when the relative humidity is high. It has been shown that aluminum borohydride does not spontaneously ignite in absolutely dry air. the The reason for this is seen in the fact that there is initially a rapid reaction before igniting in the air another group, such as a hydroxyl group present in water. You don't know at the moment whether this reaction creates a reaction group, such as free radicals, which the subsequent reaction with accelerate the air, or whether the reaction is merely aimed at the Al (BH ^), to a higher temperature and in this way to increase the rate of reaction with the oxygen in the air.

A method for achieving spontaneous ignition bsti low temperature and low humidity consists in getting aluminum borohydride out of its container not in vapor form but in drop form. This is possible if the cartridge filled with liquid aluminum borohydride is not filled with an absorbent material such as kaowool, which is normally used in steam cartridges. However, this method and devices working according to it have four serious drawbacks. The submitted Smoldering amounts of substance form a considerable danger for people and things because they are extremely hot and The fabric and paper can ignite. The valve, which is used to regulate the liquid aluminum borohydride flow, is easily clogged by encrusted, partially oxidized aluminum borohydride and the valve is no longer operational after a short period of use. Often it happens also leakage of the valve due to the entrapment

309846/0489> 4 _

DIPL-INQ. DIETER JANDER DR.-INO- MANTRED B0NINQ

PATENT LAWYERS

232193Ö

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DIPL-FNQ. DIETER JANDER DR.-INQ. MANFRED BONINO PATENT LAWYERS

While it has been attempted to improve the ignition properties of aluminum borohydride by combining it with other reaction materials such as chloropropane, methyl acetate, propylamine and various alcohols, it has been found that only methanol and acetaldehyde are suitable for use in igniters for gas lighters. The last-mentioned substances seem to be even more suitable as an ignition aid than water. Chloropropane, Metfeyl & eetat w && Propylamine all have about the same volatility as methanol and all react with Al (BH ^) ₃ , but they do not support the ignition process. Ss is therefore likely that the active group which is formed during the reaction between Al (BH ^) _3, and a hydroxyl group ₅ represents an important "intermediate stage, wherein the further rapid reactions which lead to spontaneous ignition of the air.

It is assumed that the reaction of Al (BK ^) ₃ with water proceeds gradually as follows

J ₃ + 3HOH - ~ »Al (OH) ₃ * 3BH ₃ . + 3H ₂ . + 9HOH -—- ~ * 3B (OH) ₃ + 9H ₂

When using Methane®! may · you reaction proceed as follows »

A1 (BH ₄ ) ₃ + CH ₃ OH - * A1 (OCH ₃ ) ₃ + 5BH ^ + 3H ₂ 3BH _{3 #} + 9GH ₃ OH - ¥ 3B (OCH ₃ ) ₃ +

The BH ₃ radical has often been suggested as an active intermediate in the oxidation of Behrhydridtn. His presence therefore knows how to influence the rate of oxidation.

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DIPL-FNC /. DTETER JANDER DR.-INQ. MANFRED BDNWQ PATENT LAWYERS

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The invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of two exemplary embodiments

1 shows a section through an ignition device for a lighter in a coaxial design

Fig. 2 shows a lighter with a Doppelßtromzünßvorrichtimg in the rest position

"Fig. 3 shows the lighter according to FIG. 2 in an intermediate position 4 shows the lighter according to FIG. 2 in the ignition position

5 shows the lighter according to FIG. 2 with the actuating member returned to the open position

Fig. 6 is a partially sectioned plan view of the lighter according to FIG. 2, in which two arranged side by side Cartridges are recognizable and

7 shows a detailed view of the lighter according to FIG. 2, showing the arrangement of a laitbleehe opposite two cartridges.

In Fig. 1 an ignition device is shown _f which has two chambers 11 and 12 has for Aluminiumberhydrid or an ignition assistance. Both chambers are located in an outer cartridge 13 which is preferably cylindrical in shape. In the front wall of the outer cartridge 13 there is a conical external opening 14. In the outer cartridge 13, an inner cartridge 15 is movable back and forth with coaxial play. The swls © & ®m ami both cartridges 13 and 15 formed © Ringratim 16 has a width of about 5 hundredths of a mm. The inner F & tren © 15 is on the band by an end cap 17 g @ sole © iiSina _o Bim Bi ^ M-tungshalter 18, which is a piece with the outer SMdlsapp © If Milia

303846/0489

DIPU-INODIETER JANDER DR.-INQ. MANFRED BONINQ PATENT LAWYERS

can, holds a seal 19 in the form of tines O-ring. the Seal 19 prevents the leakage of. Liquid out the inner cartridge © 15 or the penetration of liquid into this cartridge. The seal is rolled into the metal wall of the cartridge «

A spring 20 designed as a helical spring rests with its one end against the seal holder 18 and with its other end against a piston 21. The piston has an enlarged front part and a rear part with a smaller diameter. Sr forms an annular collar 22, against which the end of the spring 20 rests »The piston is hollow and in it there is a 4b» © rpt ± osisaaterial 23, which can consist of cheesecloth @tifi? & i · line front cap 24 s & hlieSt the front fur on the ! olbens 21 · In the front cap 24 there is a conical socket pin 27 with "isioa socket 26" in the PreB seat. Soft stick 2? Fits into an AmelaSäffmang 13 a des ⁵ isaaräea cartridge 15 and serves to keep the AiaslsSUffiiimg on the s © KL ± 9flen A thin sealing ring 37 prevents aifi® Stvtimsg dias * © h the annular space 16 from the opening 14 of the iMöeraa JFatr © me 13.

The outer cartridge 13 is at its rear end in the The same way as the inner® cartridge 15 by an end cap 28 and a seal 29 formed by an O-ring locked. A stop 30 formed by a length rod is attached to a die holder 31. A cylinder preferably filled with absorbent material 32 is with an ignition aid, i.e. either methanol or Acetaldehyde, soaked. A spring 33 rests with one end against the wire holder 31 and with the other bath against the end cap 17 of the inner *! Cartridge 15 on.

309846/0489

PATENT LAWYERS

When operating the igniter "causes a sharp Strike the front of the outer cartridge 13 im Area of the opening 14 or a sharp acceleration and subsequent braking of the cartridge 13 to the rear a backward movement of the piston 21 and the inner cartridge 15. The inner cartridge 15 continues to move against the action of the spring 33 until the end cap 17 hits the stop 30, which prevents the movement of the inner Cartridge 15 limited. The backward movement of the inner cartridge 15 creates a gap between the inner cartridge 15 and the sealing ring 34. The vaporous ignition aid escapes from the absorption material 32 into the annular space 16 and from there to the outlet opening 14. As soon as the inner cartridge 15 the At the end of its path, the piston continues to move backwards in the direction of its inertia onto the end cap 17. The conical locking pin 27, which is attached to the piston 21, thereby moves away easily from the outlet opening 13 a in the front wall of the cartridge 15 and this outlet opening is opened. A small amount of aluminum borohydride enters outlet port 14 which forms an ignition zone. In this Zone, the aluminum borohydride reacts with the ignition aid, which promotes the spontaneous combustion of the aluminum borohydride.

In FIGS. 2 to 7, a lighter with two cartridges arranged next to one another is shown. The one shown Ignition device is referred to below as a double-current ignition device. The lighter has a housing 35 »which can consist of metal or some other suitable material. An actuator 36 is located on the housing rotatably mounted on a pin 37. A return spring 38 formed by a coil spring is with her

309846/0489

DIPL-INQ. DIETER JANDER DR.-INQ. MANFRED BÖNINQ PATENT LAWYERS

one end fixed in a recess 39. At the other A piston 40 is arranged at the end of the spring 38 and lies in the path of movement of the actuating member 36. In a recess in the actuator is a hit taker 41 mounted pivotably on a pin 42. A stop runs transversely to the recess for the driver 44. The stop 44 limits the rotation of the driver 41 about the pin 42, which is caused by the force of the spring 43 is effected. The spring 43 is held by a projection 45 of the driver 41. The end face 46 of the Driver 41 is inclined from the front to the rear.

A pair of juxtaposed cartridges 47 and 48 (see Fig. 6) are movable in a pair of elongated ones Openings 49 and 50 of the housing 35 supported. Each cartridge is surrounded by a spring 51 and 52, respectively. An end to the said Springs bears against the housing while the other end bears against end caps 53 and 54 of the cartridges 47 and 48 is supported. The springs 51 and 52 press the cartridges backwards against a stop pin 55? which is attached to the housing 35 and extends transversely to the elongated openings 49 and 50.

If you press the actuator 36 against the action of the Spring 38 inward, pushes the driver 41 against the cartridges 47 and 48 and moves them forward. The cartridges pivot the driver clockwise around the pin until its lower arm 46 is pivoted further through the stop 44 is prevented. After the cartridges have been taken a certain piece by the carrier, a point is reached where springs 51 and 52 are compressed and end caps 53 and 54 are at their point Can slip past the end of the driver. At this moment the cartridges are pushed outwards by the springs.

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DIPL.4NC /. 01ETER JANDER DR.-rNQ. MANFRED BDNINC / PATENT LAWYERS

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hurls and hits the stop pin vigorously

For details of the structure of the cartridges 47 and 48 can can be omitted here, as this is in the U.S. patent 3,535,065. One of the cartridges contains aluminum borohydride and the other an ignition aid. Both cartridges give a very small amount of their contents at the same time in the direction of a baffle 57. The guide plate 57 is formed by a V-shaped plate (cf. Fig. 7). The bow of the baffle is slightly opposite the Center line between the two cartridges offset by one to generate turbulent flow. The offset is preferably between 1.8 and 2.2 mm.

Particularly good results are achieved when one of the end faces 57 a and 57 ο is slightly larger than the other. The center line between the cartridges intersects the larger face 57 b. The cartridge with the aluminum borohydride is axially aligned with the smaller end face 57 a. For example The dimensions of the smaller area 57 a can be about 5 x 5 mm and the dimensions of the larger area 57 b are about 7 x 5 mm. The guide plate 57 is held by a holding wire which is fastened to the housing 35 with the aid of a fastening element 59. It focuses the aluminum borohydride and the ignition aid in the ignition zone, where spontaneous combustion takes place. The baffle 57 can be moved in relation to the outlet openings of the cartridges 47 and 48 in order to select an optimal location.

A fuel container 60 is either attached to the housing 35 or forms a unit with it. It is closed and is used to hold a liquefied hydrocarbon gas such as butane, which is under increased pressure is liquid, but at atmospheric pressure it changes into the vaporous * state. On the fuel container, © is in «·

30S846 / 0489-

DIPL-INQ. DIETER JANDEK DR.-INQ. MANFRED BONINQ PATENT LAWYERS

release valve 61 of that described in U.S. Patent 3,085,601 Design arranged to enable refilling of the fuel tank «Enters the ignition zone the gas via a line 63 which connects the fuel tank 60 to a burner valve 62, such as it is described in U.S. Patent 2,620,643. It is also possible to use a burner valve 62 of a modified design, which can be opened by a fork. Such a burner valve is disclosed in U.S. Patent 2,571,435. If the aluminum borohydride ignites spontaneously in the reaction zone, it ignites that at the same time gas flowing out of the burner valve 62.

The advantages that can be achieved when applying the teaching according to the invention are illustrated below with the aid of some test data explained »

Example I - Methanol as an ignition aid

Five cartridges of coaxial design with different ones were examined Temperature and Relative Humidity (R.F.). When using methanol as an ignition aid the results summarized in Table I were obtained.

Panel I.

3-4 16-33 Number of ignition
try number of
Ignitions Firing frequently
speed Ignition behavior when using methanol as ignition
tools 5 23 150 136 91 Cartridge temperature
Number ( ⁰ C) RF # 2-3 24-54 180 158 87 1 1-3 15-50 300 281 94 2 2-3 52-65 440 415 94 3 110 71 64 4th VJl

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DIPL.-INQ. DIETER JANDER DR.-INQ. MANFRED BONINO

PATENT LAWYERS

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Compared to the above resulting sneezing ignites a cartridge containing no ignition aid, not at Temperattaren below 4 ° C or below 1O ⁰ C when the relativ® humidity is less than 65 #.

Example 2 - chloropropane as ignition aid smittgl

The cartridge No. 1 was used according to Table I. The chamber 12 of the cartridge was filled with chloropropane instead of methanol. The results obtained are shown in Table IIs

Table II

Ignition behavior when using Ghl © rpi »© p © n as an ignition aid

Ignition frequency (96)

temperature F. (96) Number of ignition number of (C J R. 18th try Ignitions 4th 24 50 0 5 25th 20th 0 5 40 0

O O O

The chloropropane was then replaced by methanol and an ignition frequency of 8796 at 5 ° C. and was achieved relative humidity.

Example 3 - Methvlacetat as an ignition aid

Cartridge No. 1 (see Table I) was used again. Chamber 12 was filled with methyl acetate. The scored The results are given in Table III.

Table III

Ignition behavior when using methyl acetate as ignition aid

Temperature Number of ignition number of ignition frequency (#) (C j RF (%) attempted ignitions

1-3 28 40 O O

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DIPL.-INQ. DIETER JANDER DR.-INQ. MANFRED BDNINQ

PATENT LAWYERS

The methyl acetate was then replaced by methanol. An ignition frequency of 6536 at 1 ° C and 50Ji was achieved relative humidity.

Example 4 - Use of acetaldehyde as a starting aid

In another test with a dual-current igniter with an acetaldehyde cartridge and an aluminum borohydride cartridge were those in the following Table IV given results achieved:

Table IV

Ignition behavior when using acetaldehyde as ignition aid

Temperature Number of Number of Zündhäufigkeit (%) (° C) RF (%) ignition attempts ignitions

2-6 26-65 1310 1230 94

The above overviews make it clear that the successful Ignition is dependent on the presence of methanol and acetaldehyde and that the disclosed ignition aids the guarantee of reliable ignition of aluminum borohydride even at low humidity and temperature Offer.

It is understood that numerous changes have been made to those described Devices are possible. In particular, the position of the cartridges relative to one another and within the ignition device vary.

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309846/0489

Claims (17)

DlPL-INQ. DIETER JANDER DR.-INQ. MANFRED BÖNINQ PATENTANWÄLTE. P a t e η t a η s ρ r ü ehe: 1. A method for igniting a gas in an ignition chamber in which the gas in the ignition chamber is aluminum borohydride is added, k e.nze rejects by using an ignition aid containing methanol or acetaldehyde to form a reactive one Ignition mixture. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that methanol is used as ignition aid will. 3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that acetaldehyde is used as the ignition aid is used. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized characterized in that the aluminum borohydride located in the ignition chamber is in vapor form. 5. Device for performing the method according to claim 1 to 4, characterized in that that they each have a sealed container for the aluminum borohydride and the ignition aid has and means for transferring in each case a subset of the Aluminum borohydrides and the ignition aid is provided in the ignition chamber. 6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the container of cartridges (13, 15) are formed by taking advantage of inertial forces have actuatable outlet openings (13a, 14). - 15 -309846/0489 DIPL-INq. DIETER JANDER DR-INQ. MANFRED BONINQ PATENT LAWYERS -15- 2321938 7 * Device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the container of a outer cartridge (13) with an outlet opening (14) the front wall and an inner cartridge (15) are formed that the inner cartridge (15) in the front Part of the outer cartridge (13) is arranged and held by a spring (20) against the inside of the front wall the outer cartridge (13) is pressed that the inner cartridge (15) on its front wall in the area of the outlet opening (14) of the outer cartridge (13) is also provided with an outlet opening (13a) through a a sealing element having a piston (21) under the action of a spring (20) can be closed that in the inner cartridge (15) aluminum borohydride and in a chamber bounded by the rear end of the inner cartridge (15) and the rear end of the outer cartridge (13) (12) the ignition aid is located and that the outlet openings (13a, 14) with the ignition space for the to be ignited Related to gas. 8. Ignition device according to claim 7, characterized in that the the inner cartridge (15) against the inside of the front wall of the outer cartridge (13) pressing spring (33) in the chamber (12) for the ignition aid arranged and under the action of inertial force en is compressible before the spring (20) is compressed, which the piston (21) of the inner Cartridge (15) against the outlet opening (13a) in the front wall presses. 9. Ignition device according to claim 8, characterized in that in the chamber (12) for the ignition aid a stop (30) is arranged to limit the rearward movement of the inner cartridge (15). - 16 309846/0489 DIPL-INQ. DIETER JANDER DR.-iNQ. MANFRED PATENT LAWYERS 10. Ignition device according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the inner Cartridge (15) and the rear chamber (12) of the outer Cartridge (13) contain an absorption material (23,32) for the aluminum borohydride or the ignition aid. 11. Ignition device according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the piston (21) is arranged axially displaceably in the inner cartridge (15) is and has an annular collar (22) against which one end of the spring (20) tensioning it rests, while its other end is supported against the rear wall of the inner cartridge (15). 12. Ignition device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that it has a housing (35), a first cartridge (47) arranged on the housing for receiving the aluminum borohydride with one in an ignition chamber opening, which can be closed by means movable under the action of inertial forces, a second cartridge (48) arranged on the housing for receiving the ignition aid with a cartridge opening into the ignition chamber, by means that can also be closed under the action of inertial forces and a pivotable opening has arranged on the housing spring-loaded actuating member (36) which is used to actuate the two cartridges serves to dispense part of its contents into the ignition chamber filled with flammable gas. 13 · Ignition device according to claim 12, characterized in that it is η η shows that the cartridges (47,48) are arranged side by side. - 17 - 309846/048 $ DlPL-iNQ. DIETER JANDER DR.-INQ. MANFRED BÖNINQ PATENT LAWYERS - 17 - ' 14. Ignition device according to claim 13, characterized in that opposite the outlet openings a V-shaped guide plate (57) with its concave side facing the outlet openings is arranged is, with the bow of the V laterally offset from the center line between the spaced apart arranged cartridges (47,48) is arranged. 15. Ignition device according to claim 14, characterized in that the cartridges (47,48) below the preload of springs (51,52) arranged in the housing * are and the actuating member (36) a spring-loaded pivotably mounted finger piece belongs to the one below Has spring-loaded pivotable driver (41), by which the cartridges (47, 48) can initially be moved against the action of the springs (51, 52) holding them back and after further pivoting for the purpose of releasing part of their content are released to abruptly against to be moved back one stop. 16. Ignition device according to claim 12, characterized in that the cartridges (47,48) in arranged on a vertical plane wind. 17. Lighter with an ignition device according to one of claims 5 to 16 in combination with a container (60) for a liquefied hydrocarbon gas and one provided with a burner valve (62) from the container to the Ignition chamber leading line (63). MB: BD 309846/0489