Abstract: An O-ring for a glow plug has a transverse cross section of an elliptical contour and is disposed between a tapered surface of an axial hole of a metallic shell and a sealing portion of a center shaft. The O-ring is pressed on from the rear by an end surface of a press member. Because the longer side surfaces of the O-ring, as viewed in cross section, contact the tapered surface and the outer circumferential surface of the sealing portion, the contact areas between the O-ring and the tapered surface and the outer circumferential surface of the seal portion are increased. In addition, because the amount of deformation is small, internal stress is controlled, and the degree of contact is increased, so that the axial hole is reliably maintained airtight.

Abstract: Appliance control with ground reference compensation is provided. Ground reference compensation can be desirable when a device or component of an appliance is powered by a higher power source, and is controlled by a controller that is powered by a lower power source. In such a situation, a voltage difference can develop between the ground references of the higher and lower power sources, which can affect accurate control of the device or component. In some cases, a measure related to the voltage difference between the ground references is first determined, and then the power/voltage that is ultimately delivered to the device or component is adjusted or compensated based, at least in part, on the determined difference.

Abstract: There is provided a control device for a glow plug, capable of controlling the energization of a resistance heater of the glow plug by a resistance control process while attaining good resistance control response under cooling of the heater by fuel injection and combustion gas and thereby stably controlling the amount of heat generated by the heater. The resistance heater includes a resistive heating element having a ratio of electrical resistance R1000 at 1000° C. to electrical resistance R20 at 20° C. of 6 or larger, and the glow plug is mounted with at least part of the resistive heating element being protrudingly located in an engine combustion chamber. Under such a condition, the control device controls energization of the resistance heater in a steady control mode to adjust electrical power supplied to the resistance heater in such a manner as to keep a resistance of the heater within a predetermined range.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ceramic heater which is capable of preventing an electric conduction defect of a heat-generating resistor from being caused by a supplied current, thus being excellent in voltage endurance, and a glow plug containing the ceramic heater. The ceramic heater 2 contained in the glow plug 1 has an insulative ceramic base material 21 and the heat-generating resistor 22 embedded in the insulative ceramic base material. The heat-generating resistor 22 has, as main components, an electrically conductive compound, silicon nitride and a grain boundary amorphous glass phase. The amount of the rare earth element contained in the heat-generating resistor is less than 2% by volume in terms of its oxide and, further, a molar ratio R=(A/A+B) of the mol number A of the amount of the rare earth element in terms of its oxide to a total of the mol number A and a mol number B, which is the amount of excess oxygen in terms of silicon dioxide, is 0.3 or less.

Abstract: A heating plug for an electric cigar lighter, in particular for a cigar lighter equipping a motor vehicle, has a plug body designed to be inserted axially in a complementary female socket body equipped with electrical connection terminals. A push button is mounted so as to be able to move axially with respect to the plug body, between a neutral position and a pushed-in position in which it causes closure of an electrical circuit for supplying electrical current to a heating element arranged in the plug. The heating element has a lighting face which is accessible from the outside of the plug when the plug is removed from the socket body. The lighting face of the element is roughly parallel to the insertion axis of the plug.

Abstract: A car cigarette lighter with a light indicator includes a power socket and a cigarette lighter. The car cigarette lighter is characterized in attaching an external sleeve to a bottom tube of a handle, and installing a circuit board in electric connection with a circuit of the car cigarette lighter in the external tube. The circuit board has at least one light emitting diode located at a bottom of the transparent handle. A switch in electric connection with the car cigarette lighter is further mounted on the external sleeve. By plugging the car cigarette lighter into the power socket and pushing the handle, the circuit board is conducted, and the light emitting diode is switched on. By the switch of the external sleeve, the electro-thermal winding film is conducted and heated.

Abstract: An igniter having an igniter element, a bushing, adhesive and sealant is provided. The igniter element has a polarizing key for generating heat at a high temperature. The bushing is inserted on an outside of one end of the igniter element. The adhesive is placed in a bushing cavity for bonding the bushing with the igniter element. The sealant covers both the bushing and the adhesive placed in the cavity of the bushing thereby joining the bushing and adhesive and improving joining structures of components.

Abstract: Robust ceramic igniters are provided that include an improved sealing system which can significantly enhance operational life of the igniter. Preferred igniters comprise a conductive cold zone and hot zone with higher resisitivity. A hermetic sealant material covers one or more electrical connections on the of each cold zone, thus shielding the electrical connections from environmental exposure, and thereby avoiding igniter failure resulting from electrical shorts and/or undesired oxidation.

Abstract: To provide a glow plug capable of speedily increasing the temperature, a glow plug mounting structure, and a process for manufacturing the glow plug.

Abstract: An electrically heatable glow plug (1) and a method for manufacturing an electrically heatable glow plug (1) are proposed that enable a protection of a heating coil (10) of the glow plug (1) against nitridation and evaporation of the aluminum from the heating conductor alloy. The glow plug (1) includes a glow tube (5) that is closed at the end, into which the electrically conductive heating coil (10) is inserted, the heating coil (10) being formed at least partially of aluminum, in particular of an aluminum-iron-chromium alloy. In the glow tube (5), oxygen donors are provided in order to form an aluminum oxide layer on the surface of the heating coil (10) before or during the heating of the heating coil (10).

Abstract: An electrically heatable glow plug and a method of manufacturing an electrically heatable glow plug allow better decoupling between a heating coil and a combustion-chamber-side end of a glow tube. The electrically heatable glow plug for internal combustion engines includes a metallic glow tube, sealed on the combustion-chamber side, into which an electrically conductive heating coil is introduced, the heating coil being connected in an electrically conductive manner to the glow tube in the region of the sealed combustion-chamber-side end of the glow tube. A sealing arrangement is provided which seals the glow tube on the combustion-chamber side and supports the heating coil and only protrudes into the heating coil if the heating coil is connected to the sealing arrangement via an inner side of the heating coil, for which purpose the sealing arrangement is in contact with the inner side of the heating coil essentially over the entire length protruding into the heating coil.

Abstract: A pin heater (1) in a sheathed-element glow plug (5) and a sheathed-element glow plug (5) for internal combustion engines, which have improved electrical and mechanical properties, are described. The pin heater (1) has at least one essentially internal insulating layer (10) and one essentially external first conductive layer (15, 16), both layers (10; 15, 16) including ceramic composite structures. The pin heater (1) includes a second conductive layer (20), which also includes a ceramic composite structure. The second conductive layer (20) is bonded to the first conductive layer (15, 16) in the region of a combustion chamber side tip (40) of the pin heater (1). The second conductive layer (20) runs inside the insulating layer (10).

Abstract: An electrically heating smoking system wherein tobacco smoke is generated by heating a portion of a cigarette with an electrical resistance heating element powered by lithium ion battery cells. The lithium ion battery cells supply current to the electrical resistance heating element with current up to 20 times greater than the recommended discharge rate. To prevent damage to the lithium ion battery cells under such high discharge conditions, the smoking system includes a controller which provides modulated pulses of electrical power from the battery cells to the resistance heating element during smoking of the cigarette.

Abstract: A semiconductor transistor which is burned in by a burn-in signal having a burn-in frequency higher than a thermal transient response frequency of a transistor used at an operating frequency in the microwave region, and supplying the burn-in signal to the transistor, wherein the burn-in signal has a frequency lower than the operating frequency of the transistor and higher than a response frequency of impurities included in the transistor, and the operating frequency is higher than 1 GHz.

Abstract: A resistance element comprising at least a resistance element body comprised of a ceramic including &bgr;-SIALON of a composition expressed by Si6−zAlzOzN8−z (where, in the formula, z=0.3 to 1.0) and an internal conductor embedded inside the resistance element body, wherein the internal conductor includes a conductor material containing tungsten and carbon and having an atomic ratio of carbon to tungsten of 0.4 to 1.1 and an insulator material and the volume ratio of the insulator material to the conductor material is 0.25 to 1.5. Such a resistance element can be used over a long time under a high temperature environment, has little fluctuation in resistance even with repeated rises and falls between room temperature and a high temperature, can withstand oxidation at a high temperature, and is otherwise superior in durability.

Abstract: The heater sealed with a carbon wire heating element of the present invention has a carbon wire heating element sealed within a quartz glass member, said carbon wire being prepared by knitting carbon single fibers into a knitted cord or a braid, each wire having a crystal structure with a interlayer spacing d (002) thereof being 0.343 or less and a crystallite size Lc (002) thereof being 4.0 nm or more.

Abstract: An ignition device of an electronic lighter comprises a ceramic seat, electric heating wires, conductive wires, and a circuit board; the ceramic seat having a pair of through holes. The conductive wires pass through the through holes. A lower end of each conductive wire is connected to a bottom of a circuit board. An upper end of each conductive wire is bent to be connected to the electric heating wires. A top of the ceramic seat is formed with a hemispherical groove so that the electric heating wires do not contact the ceramic seat. Thus, it is avoided that ash seals the groove, and thus, the joint of the circuit board is directly connected to wires of power source. Therefore, the present invention only occupies a small space. The ceramic seat is formed by combining a primary seat and a secondary seat.

Abstract: Ceramic igniters are provided that comprise two cold zones with an interposed hot zone, the hot zone having an electrical path length of from 0.51 cm to about 2 cm. Igniters of the invention can effectively diffuse power density throughout the igniter hot zone region, without producing isolated temperature gradients which can lead to premature igniter degradation and failure. The invention also provides new methods for forming ceramic igniters.

Abstract: An apparatus for ink-jet printing on a recording medium is provided which includes the steps of jetting aqueous ink drops on paper in the form of an image. The aqueous ink used is a slow-drying (high-surface tension) ink which does not penetrate the paper/paper fibers for a relatively long time. Prior to penetration of the paper/paper fibers, the water in the droplet is quickly evaporated from the ink while still resident on the paper surface. The evaporation process is substantially completed prior to an additional liquid ink being jetted onto the same or adjoining location of the recording medium. The evaporation is rapid enough to prevent the resident ink from substantially migrating/wicking to any adjacent location or into the recording medium. Further the drying energy is transferred to the resident ink spots from the same direction as the printheads ensuring less energy requirement.

Abstract: A method of assembling an igniter (24) for a gas generating composition (18) comprises providing a pair of spaced apart electrodes (40 and 42) and providing a heat ignitable material (46). A heating element (44) is spot electrical resistance welded to the electrodes (40 and 42). The heating element (44) has flattened portions (110 and 112) at the spot welds (102 and 104) and a central portion between the spot welds (102 and 104) adapted for contact with the heat ignitable material (46). A test level of electric current is directed between the electrodes (40 and 42) and through the heating element (44) and the spot welds (102 and 104) at a level effective to heat the heating element (44) and the spot welds (102 and 104). The level infrared radiation emitted by the heating element (44) and the spot welds (102 and 104) is sensed, throughout a scanned field which fully encompasses the heating element and the welds, under the influence of the test level of electric current.

Abstract: Ignition cables which contain a layer of a melt-extruded conductive polymer. The conductive polymer is preferably the sole current-carrying component of the cable. The polymeric component in the conductive polymer is a fluoropolymer, preferably a vinylidene fluoride copolymer having a crystallinity index of 10 to 23% and/or a DSC heat of melting of 4.7 to 9.5 J/g. Preferably, the sole conductive filler in the conductive polymer is a carbon black.

Abstract: A glow plug for a diesel engine includes a heat generating coil, a control coil, a sheath, an electrode rod, and a housing. The heat generating coil serves as a heater element. The control coil is connected in series with the heat generating coil and serves as a controller for controlling power supply to the heat generating coil. The control coil has a positive temperature coefficient of resistance larger than that of the heat generating coil. The sheath accommodates the heat generating coil and the control coil to be embedded in a heat-resistant insulating powder. The sheath has an elongated small-diameter portion on a distal end side thereof and a large-diameter portion on a rear end side thereof. The heat generating coil is connected to an inner wall of a distal end of the small-diameter portion of the sheath. The electrode rod has a distal end portion to which one end of the control coil is connected.

Abstract: This invention relates to a support zone for a hairpin-style ceramic igniter, the support zone comprising AlN and SiC, and preferably alumina.

Abstract: A thermal head producing method in which dispersion of resistance values of heating resistors in each thermal head and dispersion of the resistance values of the heating resistors per dot unit are made uniform to improve printing quality. A glaze layer is formed on a substrate and a heating resistor composed of a thin film resistor material of a mixed composition of a high melting point metal and an insulating material is formed on the glaze layer. First and second pattern conductors for providing common and separate electrodes are formed on the heating resistor and, after a protective film is formed to cover the first and second pattern conductors and the heating resistor, the heating resistor is heated so as to be a higher temperature than a dot temperature required for a printing operation.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of a continuously energized ceramic igniter in providing a "relight" function in stovetop cooking applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dielectric materials which may be used in the manufacture of, e.g., low profile heaters. Such dielectric materials comprise at least about 50% of a glass composition having about 35-50% SiO.sub.2, about 30-40% of an alkaline earth metal oxide selected from the group consisting of CaO, MgO, and SrO, about 13--22% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, and about 0-10% B.sub.2 O.sub.3, the percentages being weight percentages based on the weight of the total glass composition. Certain dielectric compositions of the disclosure have a linear thermal expansion coefficient in the range of about 6.0 to 9.0 ppm/.degree. C.

Abstract: A novel electrical smoking system and method of establishing resistance to draw upon a cigarette while smoking a cigarette in an electrical smoking system comprising the step of operatively interposing a frit between a source of ambient air and the cigarette.

Abstract: The present invention relates a ceramic igniter comprising:a) a pair of electrically conductive portions, each portion having a first end,b) a hot zone disposed between and in electrical connection with each of the first ends of the electrically conductive portions, the hot zone having an electrical path length of less than 0.5 cm, andc) an electrically non-conductive heat sink material contacting the hot zone.

Abstract: A sealer for the adhesive-containing seam of a tubular wrapper surrounding a running filler of tobacco or filter material for tobacco smoke has an at least partially ceramic heating device which contacts the moving seam and contains an electric conductor of ceramic material. The temperature of the heating device can be regulated to decrease, either stepwise or gradually, in the direction of movement of the seam. The heating device can consist of or contain silicon nitride and can be doped with titanium nitride to enhance its heat conductivity.

Abstract: An ignitor assembly includes a hot surface ignitor of a resistance material and a super alloy shield surrounding the ignitor. The shield comprises a longitudinally extending cylindrically shaped super alloy sheet having a plurality of first and second alternating transverse strips. The strips are formed by making a plurality of transverse slits or cuts in a flat sheet of super alloy material. The first alternating strips are bowed outwardly in a first direction and the second alternating strips are bowed outwardly in an opposite direction to thereby form a cage like cylindrical structure which forms a part of the ignitor assembly. The ignitor generally includes a base portion and is inserted into the cage like structure.

Abstract: A ceramic igniter comprising:a) a pair of electrically conductive portions, each portion having a first end,b) a hot zone disposed between and in electrical connection with each of the first ends of the electrically conductive portions, the hot zone having an electrical path length of less than 0.5 cm, andc) an electrically non-conductive heat sink material contacting the hot zone.

Abstract: An ejection system is provided which has a mechanism such as a plunger which is positioned to eject at least a portion of a cigarette from the lighter cavity upon actuation by a smoker. The plunger is also positionable to occlude the lighter opening to protect the lighter cavity from dust, moisture, etc. The plunger is shaped, located and arranged to apply a force on the cigarette end inserted into the lighter. Further, an icon based indicator informs the smoker of the status of a cigarette inserted into the lighter.

Abstract: A device for reducing odors in the interior of a motor vehicle comprises a hollow body of polymer material adapted to contain the extractable cigarette-lighter. The heating of the latter results in the emission of active anti-odor substances contained in the body of polymer material.

Abstract: A vehicle cigarette lighter comprises a casing ball-jointed to a plug member which is removably insertable into and thus electrically connectable with a lighter socket formed on the dashboard of a vehicle. A lighting unit comprising a heating device is disposed within the casing to receive and light a cigarette therein. Warning circuits are provided to send off aural and visual signals when the cigarette is inserted into the cigarette lighter. A control circuit is provided to shut off power supplied thereto if the cigarette has been deposited in the cigarette lighter for a given period or the temperature of the heating device has reached a pre-determined level. The plug member has mounted on one end thereof a ring member which has several outward deflected resilient tabs formed by punching or pressing to provide a more secure contact with the lighter socket of vehicle dashboard.

Abstract: An igniter for electric ignition systems is made up of intergrally formed terminals and heating elements of metal thin film. Therefore, it maintains its stable ignition performance, high safety, and high reliability over a long period of time even in a severe environment. The heating element is covered with a protective coating film made of an inorganic material to ensure good heat conduction and to maintain the initial performance over a long period of time.

Abstract: A gas burner control system includes an electrical resistance igniter, gas valve means, and a microcomputer and related circuitry. The microcomputer and related circuitry control energizing of the igniter in such a manner so that the igniter, after successive ignition attempts, will eventually, in response to a learning routine, be heated to a desired ignition temperature. The microcomputer and related circuitry also control operation of a circulator blower in response to burner flame and provide for numerous checks on the integrity of system components.

Abstract: A scent-emitting electric cigar lighter having an igniting unit with a plug body containing an electric heating element at its inner end, a metal conductor stud connected to the heating element in heat-exchanging relation therewith and extending forwardly through the plug body, and a heat transfer flange at the forward end of the stud. A slab of scent-emitting material, adapted to release aromas in response to heating, is carried in a removable cartridge which is disposed adjacent the heat-transfer flange. Mounted at the front of the plug body is a knob which receives the cartridge and scent-emitting slab.

Abstract: An aroma-generating cigarette lighter insertable into a dashboard socket having terminals connected to the vehicle battery. The lighter includes a cylindrical case that fits into the socket. Telescoped within the case is a spring-biased hollow plunger that has a heater unit attached to its front end and a center bore at its rear end. When the lighter is inactive, the heater unit lies within the case; but when the lighter is activated by pressing in the plunger, the heater unit is advanced from the case and its contacts then engage the socket terminals to effect energization of the unit. A hollow cylindrical cartridge whose diameter is less than the internal diameter of the case is coupled to the rear end of the plunger, the front end of the cartridge being provided with a hollow plug that is threadably received in the end bore of the plunger. Supported within the cartridge is a porous wafer impregnated with a volatile liquid fragrance.

Abstract: A cigarette lighter adapted to function also as an aroma generator. The lighter is insertable into a socket in the dashboard of an automobile, the socket having terminals connected to the vehicle battery. The lighter includes a case that fits into the socket and a spring-biased hollow plunger that is telescoped in the case. The plunger is formed from a cylindrical shell having a cage projecting from its open rear end and terminating in a ring serving as the plunger knob. Attached to the front end of the shell is a heater unit which, in the inactive state of the plunger, lies within the case. To activate the lighter, the user presses in the plunger to advance the heater unit until its contacts are engaged by the socket terminals, one of which is a latching bi-metallic element, thereby energizing the unit.

Abstract: A self-temperature control type glow plug includes a rod heater held at a front end of a hollow metal holder and having one end extending outside the hollow metal holder. The rod heater includes a heating section made of a conductive ceramic material with a small positive temperature coefficient and a control section made of a conductive ceramic material with a positive temperature coefficient larger than that of the heating section. The heating section is formed integrally with the control section.

Abstract: A glow plug for preheating the combustion chamber of a diesel engine includes a tubular metal sheath (5) closed at an end to define a tip and in which an electric heating element spiral (7) is embedded within a powder (6) of an electrically insulating material. The spiral (7) is connected by one end to the sheath tip and and at its other end to a current feeder (4). The filament (8) of the spiral (7) is advantageously made of a Fe-Cr-Al alloy and is coated for an initial length (L.sub.1) of the spiral (7), from the connection location thereof with the current feeder (4), with a high electrical conductivity material (9), preferably nickel (Ni) having a very high positive temperature coefficient of resistance with respect to that of the filament (8). The uncoated end length (L.sub.2) of the spiral (7) acts as a heating element while the initial coated length (L.sub.1) acts as a control resistance element for the supply current upon increase in the sheath temperature.

Abstract: An automobile cigarette lighter adapted to generate an aromatic vapor, the lighter being releasably retained within a dashboard socket having terminals therein connected to the battery of the vehicle. The lighter is constituted by a cylindrical shell having telescoped therein a spring-biased plunger. A disc-shaped heater element attached to the front end of the plunger is normally disposed at a position spaced from the socket terminals. A knob attached to the rear of the plunger projects beyond the rear end of the shell. When the knob is pressed in by a user, the plunger is advanced relative to the shell to cause the heater contact to engage the socket terminals and to be latched thereto by a bimetallic element, thereby activating the heater. When the heat generated thereby reaches a level causing the bimetallic element to bend, it releases the plunger which then returns to its normal inactive position.

Abstract: A ceramic heater comprises a heat generator made of a conductive ceramic sintered body, a supporter made of an insulating ceramic sintered body for supporting the heat generator, and a metallic wire for supplying an electric current from an electrode to the heat generator. The heat generator is integrally covered with an unporous covering layer made of an insulating ceramic sintered body. The covering layer prevents the heat generator from being directly exposed to oil and water. The covering layer is made of, for example Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 or glass containing SiO.sub.2 as a main constituent into a thickness of not more than 1mm.

Abstract: A ceramic heating element is held in a metal housing to be mounted on an internal combustion engine, so that the heating element is operated as a glow plug for igniting an air-fuel mixture. The ceramic heating element is formed of an electrode section housed in the housing and a heat generating section extending out of the housing, whereby the heat generating section is exposed to the mixture in an engine cylinder. The electrode and heat generating sections are divided into two portions, respectively, and both forward ends of divided heat generating portions are connected with each other, so that electric current flows from one of the electrode portions through the divided heat generating portions to the other electrode portion.

Abstract: A glow plug for preheating the combustion chamber of a diesel engine. The glow plug has a heat generating portion and a mounting portion. The heat generating portion is provided with a ceramic central electrode made of an electrically insulating material and provided with at least one spiral screw-thread groove formed in the outer peripheral surface thereof. A ceramic electric resistor serving as a heat generating member is disposed in the groove. The electric resistor is made of TiC or SiC with or without addition of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.

Abstract: A sheathed electric heater especially of the type used as diesel engine glow plugs has a dual coil heating element including separate tip heater and PTC body control coils thermally isolated by a low resistance connector section made from interengaging small diameter coiled connector portions integral with the tip and body coils and preferably welded together. Preferred material and dimensional specifications and pertinent design considerations are also included.

Abstract: A coherent shape or element of a composition characterized by having a core bonded by regrowth of silicon carbide is produced by heating particulate silicon carbide which may be mixed with a minor amount of modifying agent, by means of an uncharged beam of energy, to a temperature above 3000.degree. F. and below 5500.degree. F. and subsequently cooling the resultant coherent shape below 3000.degree. F., both steps being completed within a period of ten minutes. In the preferred method, unconsolidated particulate silicon carbide is exposed to the energy of a laser beam and the particulate silicon carbide has a particle size within the range of magnitude of ten to three hundred microns. Upon its initial formation, the shape or element has a core and a distinctly delineated rind which is attached to the core. The core has a relatively low resistivity as compared with the rind.

Abstract: A fast response ceramic ignitor which is particularly adapted for use with household current as a replacement for gas pilot lights, the ignitor being formed from pure lanthanum chromite, or lanthanum chromite which has been doped with combinations of niobium, magnesium, or strontium ions in quantities sufficient to provide desired electrical resistivity characteristics.

Abstract: To prevent damage to the heating wire of an electrically heated glow plug due to non-uniform expansion of materials within the glow plug upon heating thereof, and particularly due to excessive expansion of filler material surrounding a spiraled heating wire, the filler material is made in two sections, one being located within the spiral of the heater wire and comprising a material of a thermal conductivity of expansion approximately matching that of the heater wire, typically high-temperature annealed aluminum oxide, magnesium aluminum spinel, silicon nitride, boron nitride, silicon carbide, or the like, the outer section between the heater wire and the inner wall of the glow tube being of a material of good heat conductivity, such as magnesium oxide.