In essence, the flame is constantly reignited by the coil.
An electric spark starts the initial flame, and soon after the coil is hot enough to sustain a catalytic reaction and cause the fuel/air mixture to burn on contact. The difference is that windproof lighters mix the fuel with air, and may also pass the butane/air mixture through a catalytic coil. Windproof lighters use the same fuel (butane) as standard lighters, and therefore develop the same vapour pressure. Contrary to common misconception, the windproof capabilities are not achieved from "higher pressure" fuel. Such lighters are often far hotter than normal lighters (those that use a "soft flame") and can burn in excess of 1100 ☌. Some dedicated models double as synthetic rope cutters.
Specialized "windproof" butane lighters are manufactured for demanding conditions such as shipboard, high altitude, and wet climates. The high energy jet in butane lighters allows mixing to be accomplished by using Bernoulli's principle, so that the air hole(s) in this type tend to be much smaller and farther from the flame. The spark ignites the flammable gas causing a flame to come out of the lighter which continues until either the top is closed (naphtha type), or the valve is released (butane type).Ī metal enclosure with air holes generally surrounds the flame, and is designed to allow mixing of fuel and air while making the lighter less sensitive to wind. Butane lighters combine the striking action with the opening of the valve to release gas. In naphtha lighters, the liquid is sufficiently volatile, and flammable vapour is present as soon as the top of the lighter is opened. Butane lighters have a valved orifice that meters the butane gas as it escapes.Ī spark is created by striking metal against a flint, or by pressing a button that compresses a piezoelectric crystal ( piezo ignition), generating an electric arc. They employ an enclosed top to prevent the volatile liquid from evaporating, and to conveniently extinguish the flame. Naphtha (very similar to gasoline) based lighters employ a saturated cloth wick and fibre packing to absorb the fluid and prevent it from leaking. This also led to the use of piezoelectric spark, which replaced the need for a flint wheel in some lighters and was used in many Ronson lighters. In the 1950s there was a switch in fuel choice from naphtha to butane, as butane allows for a controllable flame and has less odour. Most early Zippos used naphtha as a fuel source. The Zippo was noted for its reliability, "Life Time Warranty" and marketing as "Wind-Proof". The Zippo lighter and company were invented and founded by George G. In 1910 Ronson released the first Pist-O-Liter and in 1913 the company developed its first lighter, called the "Wonderlite", which was a permanent match style of lighter. Using Carl Auer von Welsbach's flint, companies like Ronson were able to develop practical and easy to use lighters. When scratched, it produces a large spark which is responsible for lighting the fuel of many lighters, and is suitably inexpensive for use in disposable items. The patenting of ferrocerium (often misidentified as flint) by Carl Auer von Welsbach in 1903 has made modern lighters possible. The device was very large and highly dangerous and fell out of production by the end of the 19th century. This lighter worked by a reaction of hydrogen to platinum sponge, which gave off a great amount of heat. One of the first lighters was invented by the German chemist named Johann Wolfgang Döbereiner in 1823 and was often called Döbereiner's lamp. The first lighters were invented in the 16th century and were converted flintlock pistols that used gunpowder.