GB1249101A - Improvements relating to ignition devices - Google Patents

Abstract

1,249,101. Igniters. L. A. GUENIN. 10 Oct., 1968 [11 July, 1967], No. 31919/67. Heading F4F. A cartridge in an igniter suitable for e.g. a smoker's lighter, has a perforated drum 6 containing pyrophoric or hypergolic material e.g. aluminium borohydride, held in fibrous material e.g. glass fibre 5, inside a case 1, the case having a discharge orifice normally closed by the head 10 of an obturator 8 under the action of a spring 9 and containing an inertial member 11 movable therein towards the obturator to momentarily open the discharge orifice by virtue only of its inertia, without requiring mechanical connection with any element external of the case via the passage of an operating member through the case wall, before being returned to its rest position by a spring 12. A screw cap 4 and resilient washer 3 secure the cartridge normally against a shoulder 2a in a tubular holder 2 which is also provided with a hammer 18 normally held by a spring bar 20. On depressing a button 15 in the holder 2 against a return spring 16 and a spring 19 acting between the button 15 and hammer 18, a rim 17 on the button bears on an inclined surface 21 On the claw 20 to free the hammer which strikes the cartridge. The cartridge moves against the washer 3 and the inertial member 11 is displaced relative to the cartridge to hit the obturator and open the orifice. A saucer shaped washer 22 is secured to one face of the member 11 and acts as a one-way valve for passage of the pyrophoric material. In a modification, Fig. 2 (not shown), the spring 19 acts directly on the base of the cartridge which is contained within a sleeve releasable from a spring claw by actuation of the button, so that both cartridge and sleeve move towards the orifice until checked by engagement of a rim of the sleeve with a shoulder in the holder and the member 11 continues until it strikes the obturator. In a further modification, Fig. 3 (not shown) the obturator is combined with the inertial member and the movement of the cartridge is so arranged that on checking it suddenly the obturator moves inwards of the orifice. In another embodiment, Fig 4, the actuator 39 has a magnetic coupler 36 movable on shafts 37 against springs 38 and partly surrounding the cartridge. The coupler 36 and member 11 are of ferromagnetic material, one or both being a permanent magnet and the cartridge case 1 is of non-magnetic material e.g. aluminium. Depression of the coupler 36 moves member 11 against a spring 40 until the force of the latter overcomes the magnetic force between the member and coupler when the member is propelled towards, and strikes, the obturator 8. In yet another embodiment, Fig. 7 (not shown), the drum containing the pyrophoric material is free to move inside the cartridge case against a spring. One end of the drum includes an integral obturator, the other end has a projection engaged in a diaphragm for guiding the drum, and the entire drum acts as the inertial member.