US 11,988,149 B1
Coil-on plug exciter
Keith Coulson, Houston, TX (US); Joseph W. Studak, Houston, TX (US); Eric A. Hurlbert, Houston, TX (US); and Matthew J. Atwell, Houston, TX (US)
Assigned to United States of America as represented by the Administrator of NASA, Washington, DC (US)
Filed by United States of America as represented by the Administrator of NASA, Washington, DC (US)
Filed on Sep. 14, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/932,166.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/243,957, filed on Sep. 14, 2021.
Int. Cl. H01T 13/38 (2006.01); F02C 7/264 (2006.01); F02K 9/42 (2006.01)
CPC F02C 7/264 (2013.01) [F02K 9/425 (2013.01); H01T 13/38 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A coil-on-plug (COP) exciter, comprising:
a COP;
a housing configured to be coupled to and positioned at least partially between the COP and an engine;
an electrode core positioned at least partially within the housing, wherein the electrode core has a first end and a second end, and wherein the first end is configured to be coupled to the COP;
an insulator positioned at least partially within the housing, wherein the insulator comprises a non-conductive polymer, and wherein the insulator is configured to provide electrical insulation between the housing and the electrode core;
a seal positioned at least partially within the housing, wherein the seal is configured to isolate pressure between the electrode core and the insulator; and
an electrode tip configured to be coupled to the second end of the electrode core, wherein a voltage is conducted from the COP, through the electrode core, and to the electrode tip, which generates a spark that is configured to energize a first propellant to start the engine.