Contact-breaking ignition plug and method of generating a spark therewith

A break ignition plug for installation in an electrically conductive machine member, comprising:

• a magnet core of magnetic material containing a cavity and defining a longitudinal axis of the break ignition plug;
• an elastic support rod having a first end and a second end;
• said elastic support rod being formed of resilient and electrically conductive material and being anchored at said first end in said magnet core and extending substantially along said longitudinal axis in said cavity;
• an armature piece of magnetic material attached to said second end of said elastic support rod and extending externally of said magnet core;
• a magnet coil surrounding said magnet core;
• said magnet coil having an input side and an output side;
• first electrical conductor means connected to said input side of said magnet coil for supplying an electrical ignition pulse to said magnet coil;
• second electrical conductor means connecting said output side of said magnet coil to said elastic support rod;
• a mobile contact electrode carried by said armature piece;
• said armature piece, in response to said electrical ignition pulse, conjointly with said mobile contact electrode carried by said armature piece, being magnetically deflected in a direction substantially transverse to said longitudinal axis of the break ignition plug;
• electrical insulation means;
• support means for supporting said electrical insulation means relative to the electrically conductive machine member and for establishing electrical ground contact with the electrically conductive machine member;
• a stationary contact electrode carried by said support means;
• and
• said armature piece having an idle position in which said mobile contact electrode completes an electrical circuit with said stationary contact electrode and a magnetically deflected position in which said electrical circuit is interrupted when said electrical ignition pulse is supplied to said magnet coil.

A method of generating an ignition spark with a break ignition plug having a longitudinal axis, comprising the steps of:

• transmitting an electrical ignition pulse to the break ignition plug;
• conducting the electrical ignition pulse through an electromagnet of the break ignition plug for establishing a magnetic field for attracting a resiliently supported armature piece of magnetic material;
• conducting said electrical ignition pulse from said electromagnet through an electrically conductive resilient support member and through said armature piece and thereby magnetically deflecting said armature piece substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis of the break ignition plug and the direction of compression pressure acting upon the break ignition plug;
• conducting said electrical ignition pulse from a mobile contact electrode supported by said armature piece to an electrically grounded stationary contact electrode for completing an electrical circuit;
• and
• during said step of magnetically deflecting said armature piece, deflecting conjointly therewith said mobile contact electrode in a direction transverse to said longitudinal axis of the break ignition plug and said direction of compression pressure such that said mobile contact electrode is displaced away from said stationary contact electrode for interrupting said electrical circuit and thereby inducing the ignition spark.