Torch igniter

A method for forming a torch igniter, comprising:

• providing a housing having a generally circumferential combustion chamber therein, the combustion chamber having an upstream area and a downstream area;
• forming a plurality of first independent paths in said housing spaced radially around said housing and communicating with said combustion chamber, for supplying a fuel into said combustion chamber;
• forming a plurality of second independent paths in said housing spaced radially around said housing and communicating with said combustion chamber, for supplying an oxidizer into said combustion chamber,
• further disposing the independent fuel and oxidizer paths to each open into the combustion chamber at an intermediate point along a length of the combustion chamber to create a first recirculation zone upstream of said paths, relative to a direction of flow within said combustion chamber, and a second recirculation zone downstream of said paths, the 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 to an output end thereof.

A method of igniting a fuel/oxidizer mixture comprising:

• injecting a fuel into a combustion chamber within a housing at a point intermediate first and second ends of said combustion chamber;
• injecting an oxidizer into said combustion chamber within a housing at point intermediate said first and second ends;
• forming an upstream recirculation zone in said combustion chamber for a portion of fuel and a portion of oxidizer injected into said combustion chamber at an area upstream, relative to a direction of flow through said combustion chamber, where said fuel and oxidizer is injected into said combustion chamber;
• and
• forming a downstream recirculation zone in said combustion chamber downstream of said upstream recirculation zone;
• and
• using said upstream and downstream recirculation zones to cooperatively pilot and stabilize combustion of intermixed fuel and oxidizer within said combustion chamber when said intermixed fuel and oxidizer is ignited by an igniter.