Abstract: A piston and method of construction are provided. The piston has a piston body with an insert forming at least a portion of an upper combustion surface. The piston body is constructed from a first material having a first thermal conductivity and the insert is constructed from a second material having a second thermal conductivity. The first thermal conductivity is less than the second thermal conductivity. The piston body has an upper crown and a pair of pin bosses depending from the upper crown with the pin bosses presenting pin bores aligned with one another along a pin bore axis. The upper crown includes a recess in which the insert is fixed.

Abstract: A piston and method of construction are provided. The piston has a piston body with an insert forming at least a portion of an upper combustion surface. The piston body is constructed from a first material having a first thermal conductivity and the insert is constructed from a second material having a second thermal conductivity. The first thermal conductivity is less than the second thermal conductivity. The piston body has an upper crown and a pair of pin bosses depending from the upper crown with the pin bosses presenting pin bores aligned with one another along a pin bore axis. The upper crown includes a recess in which the insert is fixed.

Abstract: A spark plug for igniting gases in an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The spark plug has a center electrode, an insulator, a one-piece shell, and a terminal. The center electrode is in communication with an energy source. The insulator surrounds the center electrode. The one-piece shell surrounds and contacts the insulator for securing the insulator within the shell, wherein the shell has a plurality of threads near a first end and a ground electrode attached to the shell and aligned with a tip of the center electrode at a second end to define a spark gap. Further, a seat is formed in the shell between the plurality of threads and the ground electrode for sealing the shell against the engine. The terminal has a first end in communication with the center electrode and a second end which has a connector portion for connecting to the energy source.

Abstract: A method of making an ignition device and center wire assembly that includes first, second and third electrode members, a conductive seal, and a noise suppressing seal. The method locates the first electrode member at an axial end of the center wire assembly near a spark gap and the third electrode member at an axial end of the center wire assembly such that it receives an electrical ignition pulse and a second electrode member between the first and third electrode members. Furthermore, the method locates the conductive seal between the first and second electrode members and the noise suppressing seal between the second and third electrode members.

Abstract: An ignition and diagnostic system (10) for an internal combustion engine includes a sparking device (12) through which a low voltage diagnostic device (54) monitors a sensing feature, for example spark gap (30) conditions, during spark intervals and returns diagnostic feedback to an engine control module (56). A coil (44) is electrically operatively connected to the sparking device (12) through a lead wire (48). The lead wire (48) can be removed and reinstalled with respect to the sparking device (12) via a flexor joint (60) for installation and maintenance. The flexor joint (60) enables positive electrical contact during operation so that low voltage signals from the diagnostic device (54) are maintained even during severe vibration conditions. The flexor joint (60) comprises in one embodiment a compression spring (62) which is fully compressed or over-compressed.

Abstract: A spark plug center wire assembly that includes a noise suppressing conductive seal with improved isolation of the seal from the heat generated at the firing end of the spark plug. The center wire assembly includes a firing electrode, a conductive glass seal, an intermediate electrode, the noise suppressing glass seal, and a terminal electrode. By locating the firing electrode, conductive seal and intermediate electrode between the noise suppressing seal and the spark gap, the center wire assembly is able to utilize the noise suppression attributes of the suppressive seal, while distancing the seal from the high temperatures created during the combustion process. A method of manufacturing the same is also disclosed in which the two glass seals are formed by sequential firing operations.