Abstract: In a spark plug, a metal shell has first and second open ends. A ground electrode is formed in integral with the metal shell, provided on the first open end of the metal shell. An insulator has an axial bore, held in the metal shell. A center electrode in the bore of the insulator has a front end extending beyond the insulator. At least one row of intermediary electrode strips is arranged intermittently in a circumferential direction around an end portion of the insulator so as to form a series of spark discharge gaps circumferentially around the end portion of the insulator, and disposed between the ground electrode and the end portion of the center electrode.

Abstract: A spark plug for an internal combustion engine that burns fuel from a fuel source, the engine including a block assembly with a piston cylinder, a fluid combustion chamber connected to the piston cylinder, and an air and fuel mixing area that communicates with the combustion chamber for delivering an air and fuel mixture to the combustion chamber. A fuel delivery system is connected to the block assembly, and the fuel delivery system has a fuel passage that communicates with the fuel mixing area. The fuel delivery system has a delivery nozzle connected to the fuel passage and being directed toward the fuel mixing area, and the delivery nozzle is sized to spray a selected amount of fuel into the mixing area for mixing with air therein to provide an air and fuel mixture having an air-to-fuel ratio in the range of 90:1 to 240:1. A fuel line is connected to the fuel source and the fuel delivery system to carry the fuel from the fuel tank to the fuel delivery system.

Abstract: A spark plug with improved wear resistance includes an outer conductive housing, a ceramic insulator positioned within the housing, and a central electrode inside the insulator. One or more ring-shaped auxiliary electrodes are positioned on the ceramic insulator between the central electrode and the outer conductive housing. The one or more ring-shaped auxiliary electrodes have a central portion and peripheral edges which are thickened with respect to the central portion. The spark plug provides a spark gap between the central electrode and the auxiliary electrode and between the auxiliary electrode and the conductive housing.

Abstract: A spark plug which realizes reliability against thermal stress even in a case where dissimilar noble metal materials are disposed on the tip portion of the center electrode opposing the ground electrode and which realizes improved productivity while assuring durable reliability. The spark plug includes a center electrode electrically insulated from a housing and having a small-diameter portion at a tip portion which has a diameter smaller than that of a main body of the center electrode and composed of similar kinds of material as the center electrode, and a round-shape material, which is formed into a cylindrical or a ring shape, composed of dissimilar metal material.

Abstract: A precombustion chamber ignition device for preferably lean fuel-air mixtures and having a precombustion chamber. This precombustion chamber contains a electrode carrier extending into the precombustion chamber and on it at least one ignition electrode is attached, which has at least one ignition portion, which cooperates with a internal wall surface of the precombustion chamber in defining at least one spark gap extending substantially athwart the longitudinal axis of the precombustion chamber. In this respect the internal wall surface acts as a ground electrode. The ignition portion of the at least one ignition electrode is offset in relation to the longitudinal axis of the precombustion chamber and is arranged essentially parallel to the wall surface, which is substantially cylindrical in the spark gap portion, of the precombustion chamber close to the wall surface.

Abstract: A spark plug for use in an internal combustion engine comprises an electrically nonconductive body member and a pair of electrodes formed of a material each having titanium diboride as its major component. Tests indicate that titanium diboride electrodes are extremely resistant to electrical erosion. The spark plugs embodying the present invention are particularly useful in continuous cycle or heavy duty cycle engines that have heretofore been the subject of severe electrode erosion.

Abstract: A high power high energy ignition system for internal combustion engines using an energy storage capacitor (4), resonating inductor (3) and one or more coils Ti with switches Si for each coil Ti. The system is designed and optimized according to the transient voltage doubling formulation and certain coil magnetic flux formulations to produce a very high power, very high energy, high efficiency ignition powered and controlled by a power converter (14) and controller (15) to produce an initial high frequency spark pulse followed by moderate firing longer duration spark pulses or continuously firing spark oscillations for delivery to the air-fuel mixture of an engine with total spark energy approximately independent of engine speed. The energy is delivered by means of a toroidal gapped spark plug (46) with extended electrodes (48a) to maximize ignition kernel size and minimize spark plug erosion and fouling.

Abstract: A spark plug for an internal combustion engine wherein a ring shaped ground electrode has a uniform annular hole with an internal diameter about 0.80 to 1.25 times the outer diameter of the center electrode. The ground electrode is vertically spaced below the center electrode and is concentric therewith. The ground electrode is connected to one or more mounting posts attached to a spark plug metal housing. Firing surfaces of the ground and center electrode have platinum alloy inserts laser welded in place. The spark from the center electrode to the ground electrode has multiple paths and results in a spark plug which improves fuel combustion, increases gasoline mileage and engine horsepower and torque and significantly reduces the smolder time or ignition delay time and consequently reduces environmental pollutants of nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide and other hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved spark plug and electrode arrangement therefor. A central electrode has a sparking end adjacently positioned to and mated with a spark-receiving end of an outer electrode. At least one of the electrode ends has a protrusion extending towards the other electrode, and the other electrode has a geometrically mated indentation. A relatively uniform spark gap having increased surface area is provided therebetween. Hemispherical or rounded and conical protrusions and mated indentations are preferred embodiments of the present invention. The present spark plug electrode arrangement provides increased area sparks, regulates sparks under varied conditions and decreases incidence of carbon build up.

Abstract: A spark plug for an internal combustion engine wherein a ring shaped ground electrode has a uniform annular hole with an internal diameter about 0.80 to 1.25 the outer diameter of the center electrode. The ground electrode is vertically spaced below the center electrode and is concentric therewith. The ground electrode is connected to one or more mounting posts attached to a spark plug metal housing. The spark from the center electrode to the ground electrode has multiple paths and results in a spark plug which improves fuel combustion, increases gasoline mileage and engine horsepower and significantly reduces the smolder or ignition delay time and environmental pollutants such as oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Disclosed is a spark plug for an internal combustion engine including an annular end portion with a central electrode having an end within the annular end portion. A ground electrode extends from the annular end portion and has a portion extending over and spaced a predetermined distance above the end of the central electrode. The improvement comprises the end of the central electrode having cross-grooves therein defining four end faces and the ground electrode having diverging prongs at its end over the central electrode, a portion of each prong being over two adjacent end faces of the central electrode. Improved ignition is provided without critical manufacturing problems of prior art spark plugs.

Abstract: A spark plug is disclosed having a metal body 18, a center electrode 16 and an insulator 14 surrounding the center electrode, the part of the insulator disposed within the combustion chamber being separated by an annular gap from the metal body of the spark plug. In order to reduce cycle to cycle variations, a filler 12 of very poor thermal conductivity is used to fill the gap between the insulator 14 and the body 18 to prevent gas movement in this gap, thereby preventing the gap from forming part of the combustion chamber.

Abstract: An ignition plug with a hollow cylindrical ground electrode, in which the center of a hollow cylindrical ground electrode is faced to the top of a center electrode, supported by a pair of stays, with a spark gap put in between so that the axial line of the center electrode and the axial line of a cylindrical hole of the ground electrode can fall on the same line and the sum of the center electrode's radius and the spark gap can be nearly equal to the radius of the cylindrical hole of the ground electrode. The model can be modified in various ways to increase the propagation speed of ignition and augment the power of expanding combustion gas.

Abstract: This invention concerns an ignition plug for internal combustion engines and a process for igniting gas mixture by the use thereof, which functionally speaking are characterized by utilizing the expansion of initial gas combustion following the formation of primary ignited gasses in a spark gap for the formation of secondary ignited gasses and the completion of combustion over the entire space of the ignition plug. For this, either the inside surface of a ground electrode opposed to a center electrode of the side surface of a center electrode opposed to a ground electrode is made flat in principle in order to drive primary ignited gasses from a spark gap to an ignition groove, which is to be provided to on the top of a center electrode or the other side of a ground electrode as to a center electrode, by the use of the initial combustion explosion in the spark gap so as to accelerate the growth and the multiplication of the ignited gasses there and lead them to complete instantaneous combustion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing radiant heat production of hydrocarbon fuel combustion systems are provided. In one aspect, the apparatus includes a pair of spaced electrodes through which a hydrocarbon fuel gas is flowed. An electrica arc is struck across the electrode gap to pyrolyze a portion of the hydrocarbon fuel gas, leading to the formation of carbonaceous heat radiative bodies which are entrained in the hydrocarbon fuel gas stream. In the presence of an oxidant gas such as air, a turbulent diffusion flame is created having an increased luminous radiant heat output, an improved turn-down ratio, increased flame stability, and reduced nitric oxide emissions. The method and apparatus are particularly adapted to increasing the luminous radiant output of hydrocarbon fuels having a low carbon-to-hydrogen ratio such as natural gas.

Abstract: This invention provides an igniter plug, having a plurality of grooves within an outer surface of an annular ground electrode (2), the diameter of which is reduced to about 13 mm. Each groove (6) generally has a semi-circular shape in cross section to allow air flow along the grooves (6), with the number of the grooves (6) in the range from 4 to 16, and the width of each groove is to about 1.0 mm to 2.5 mm. The semi-circular cross section of the grooves (6) makes it possible to provide a large surface for the grooves without increasing the amount of machining, thus, enhancing cooling efficiency when the air flows along the grooves.

Abstract: The outer or side electrode of a spark plug is configured as a flat plate confronting the center electrode to define a gap, and fixed to the threaded shell or body of the plug by a plurality of spider legs. A plurality of holes are formed in the plate to improve the plug durability and retard any discharge voltage increases.

Abstract: An igniter plug comprising: a metallic shell having a diameter-reduced seat at one open end, the seat being tapered to progressively decrease its diameter as approaching at outside of the open end; a tubular insulator concentrically placed at an inner side of the metallic shell, and having a tapered end face to be in registration with the seat; a frusto-cone shaped insert ring made of oxidation and heat resistant material, a peripheral end and one entire surface of which are mounted on a surface of the seat by means of an electrical resistant welding, the insert ring permitting the tapered end face of the insulator to engage with an upper surface of the insert ring; a center electrode concentrically disposed in the insulator, one end of the electrode being terminated short of the tapered end face to allow a creeping discharge to occur along an inner surface of the insulator when a high voltage is applied across the electrode and the insert ring.

Abstract: A wear indicator for an igniter of the type having a center electrode, an annular ground electrode surrounding the center electrode, and a spark gap between the electrodes extending along a surface of a ceramic material. An annular wear indicating groove is formed in the ground electrode to indicate when the ground electrode is sufficiently eroded to necessitate replacement of the igniter. For a low voltage igniter the ceramic material at the spark gap is a semiconductor material which also is subject to erosion during use. A wear indicating groove also may be formed on the center electrode at a location which becomes exposed to indicate when the semiconductor material is sufficiently eroded to necessitate replacement of the igniter.

Abstract: A spark plug for an ignition system has a ring gap between two electrodes. A first electrode has a ring shape defining a central opening. A second electrode is positioned within the central opening of the first electrode. An insulating material is positioned between the first and second electrodes so as to provide a surface for a spark path between the first and second electrodes. The insulating material is spaced from the electrode so as to provide therebetween an air gap for increased sparking.

Abstract: A plasma jet ignition plug comprises an electric insulator formed with a discharge cavity and a plurality of electrodes communicating with the discharge cavity to form, within the discharge cavity, a spark gap. The plurality of electrodes include a central electrode connected to a high voltage electric source and a low voltage electric source, and a peripheral electrode which is grounded. The peripheral electrode substantially closes the discharge cavity and is formed with a jet opening. At least that part of at least one of the plurality of electrodes which communicates with the discharge cavity is made of a material selected from a group consisting of ferrite, a nickel alloy containing at least one of silicon, aluminum and magnesium, and electrically conductive ceramic.

Abstract: An ignition plug for an internal combustion engine is disclosed which comprises an elongate electrode means inserted at the center of a plug body, another cylindrical electrode means encircling the electrode means and an insulator means provided between the elongate and cylindrical electrode means and forming a small cavity which is in communication with a combustion chamber. A plasma gas is created in the cavity due to the generation of a spark between the elongate and cylindrical electrode means and is jetted into the combustion chamber to ignite the air-fuel mixture therein. A gap into which the burnt gas is introduced is formed between the insulator means and the cylindrical electrode means so as to warm the wall of the cavity and thereby avoid ignition misfiring.

Abstract: A spark plug comprises a center electrode fixed to a leg portion which is exposed into the combustion chamber of an engine and comprises a ground electrode which is bent so that its end opposes the forward end of the center electrode whereby discharge is produced between the ground electrode and the center electrode. The ground electrode includes a discharging surface not opposing a first side end portion of the center electrode which is near the bent portion, but opposing a second side end portion of the center electrode which is remote from the bent portion of the ground electrode. The discharging surface of the ground electrode may be provided by forming a projection or groove at the opposing end of the ground electrode.

Abstract: A spark plug for internal combustion engines includes a center electrode, a ground electrode which is bent so that its end portion opposes the forward end face of the center electrode, supporting means for exposing the electrodes into the combustion chamber of an engine, and a cut portion formed on one side of the center electrode end face opposing the ground electrode bend.

Abstract: A spark plug for internal combustion engines, both two-stroke and four-stroke cycle, in which the insulating core, the central electrode and the conductive metal casing which carries the insulating member and electrode together with the gasket or sealing structure are essentially identical to conventional spark plugs. The projecting portion of the central electrode and the "ground" electrode have a structural and functional relationship different from commercially available plugs. The central electrode projects from the inner end of the metal spark plug casing and the ground electrode, made from a thin flat strip of conventional ground electrode material, has a substantially greater length than that of normal plugs.

Abstract: A spark plug construction employing a non-eroding central electrode iridium tip in combination with a thermal conductor in intimate contact with the tip to act as a heat sink and maintain the tip below 1300.degree. F. (704.degree. C.).

Abstract: A spark plug having means for concentrating a portion of the fuel mixture in the spark gap during the compression cycle of an internal combustion engine and means for increasing the burn rate of the fuel mixture upon ignition, thereby providing positive ignition of a lean fuel mixture without decrease in the horsepower output of the engine, as otherwise would be the case.

Abstract: An ignitor for a liquid propellant gun having a center electrode supported nd surrounded by insulation so that only a planar or domed face is exposed. The assembly is firmly seated in the bolt nose of the gun and several outer electrode configurations with little or no precombustion area are disclosed.

Abstract: A spark plug for internal combustion engines having a center electrode, a ceramic insulator body and metal sleeve around the body. The sleeve defines an annular outside electrode around the center electrode with a concave depression in the insulator between the electrodes. The plug is operated at high current and voltage so that a high intensity spark will burn off any combustion residue on the relatively small insulator area between the electrodes. A process for removing combustion residues using this spark plug is also disclosed.

Abstract: A spark plug wherein corona discharge is employed to create a long arc and to determine, in part, the path of the arc, electrodes of the spark plug being shaped, oriented and positioned to create an arc of desired length, orientation and at a desired location as well as to effect electromagnetic interaction between electric current in the arc and the current in at least one of the electrodes to provide a force on the arc which acts in consort with the electrode shapes, positions and orientations to control its spatial behavior, the electrode configuration being further selected so that ionized species in the flame of ignited fuel are subjected to a high electric field over a substantial volume.

Abstract: An improved spark plug for use in internal combustion engines includes a center or first electrode positioned within a spark plug insulator member in a metal shell. An outer or second electrode extends from the metal shell and has a free end portion thereof spaced from a free end portion of the center electrode. An annular spark discharging surface is formed on said free end portion of the center electrode and an annular spark landing surface is formed on said free end portion of the outer electrode with the discharging and landing surfaces being in opposed or facing relation and cooperating to provide a spark in the form of a hollow column. A port is provided in the second electrode and is surrounded by the spark landing surface so that fuel on the opposite side of the outer electrode will be ignited.

Abstract: A discharge device for igniting a fuel-air mixture whereby fuel droplets in the mixture are electrically charged and, under the influence of an electric field, caused to congregate at a region thereby concentrating the mixture at said region, means being provided to create an arc at said region. A device of more general use is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved spark plug for use in internal combustion engines includes a center electrode positioned within the spark plug insulator member in a metal shell. The other electrode extends from the metal shell and has one end portion thereof spaced from one end portion of the center electrode. An annular spark discharging surface is formed on one end of the center electrode and an annular spark landing surface is formed on one end of the outer electrode with the discharging and landing surfaces being in opposed or facing relation and cooperating to provide a spark in the form of a hollow column.

Abstract: A spark plug wherein corona discharge is employed to create a long arc and to determine, in part, the path of the arc, electrodes of the spark plug being shaped, oriented and positioned to create an arc of desired length and at a desired location as well as to effect electromagnetic interaction between electric current in the arc and the electrodes to provide a force on the arc which acts to control its spatial behavior. The spark plug includes means to enhance the electromagnetic interaction.