Newell Companies, Inc.

John M Nelson

Robert M Kahute

A spark igniter circuit is provided for igniting a flammable gas mixture in devices such as gas torches, lanterns, stoves and the like. A piezoelectric spark generator imposes a voltage on an electrically conductive circuit which is discontinuous in two locations for creating a pair of spark gaps in the circuit. The first spark gap eliminates the need of stripping insulation from a pair of wires and providing a connector therebetween and possibly enhances the effectiveness of a spark at the second spark gap for igniting the gas mixture.

Spark igniter system

A portable, low-pressure propane gas torch including an internal spark igniter is characterized by the absence of the heretofore conventional venturi. Particular ratios of the inside diameters of the orifice member outlet and the burner tube provide an optimum mixture of flammable gas and aspirated air.

Low pressure gas torch burner

Housing for self-igniting gas torch

A gas appliance, preferably a torch, is provided with an orifice tube stationary with respect to its housing and receptive of combustible gas and an orifice gas-tightly mounted in the orifice tube for movement along the longitudinal axis of the orifice tube. A burner tube in communication with the orifice tube via the orifice is mounted for slidable movement along the longitudinal axis of the orifice tube in conjunction with the orifice to maintain the relative position of the orifice and burner tube during movement along the orifice tube. A valve in the orifice tube is actuatable in response to the movement of the orifice means in one direction to permit gas to pass into the orifice means and in response to the movement of the orifice means in the opposite direction into a rest position to prevent the flow of gas into the orifice means. An igniter is also responsive to the movement of the orifice to effect a spark in the burner tube to ignite gas permitted to pass by the valve.

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Brockport, NY, United States of America

John M Nelson