Abstract: Disclosed are two types of ignition plugs for use in internal combustion engines of automobiles and the like, which are essentially characterized by the addition of ignition means to conventionally paired center and ground electrodes, and their location to the latters; that is, both the ignition plugs are designed to ignite gas mixture in the whole space of combustion chamber by firstly igniting gas mixture in an ignition groove on the ignition means; for this, the opening of the groove is located in such a place as to receive first ignition seeds appearing in a spark gap between center and ground electrodes as effectively as possible.

Abstract: The spark plug according to the invention comprises a shell (1), a central electrode (3) surrounded by an insulator (2) and a ground electrode (4) which, according to the invention, has a cross section (4a) such that the surface of the ground electrode (4) which is located nearest to the bottom end of the central electrode (3) is larger than the surface of the ground electrode (4) which is located farthest away from said bottom end of the central electrode (3). The ground electrode (4) may be provided with a copper core and its surface nearest to the bottom end of the central electrode (3) may be provided with a precious metal insert. The surface of the ground electrode which is farthest away from the bottom end of the central electrode (3) may be reduced to a line and the lateral surfaces of the ground electrode may be curved surfaces.

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: A spark plug having a metal shell accommodating a dielectric core through which an electrode extends and terminates at one end in a tip spaced by a spark gap from an overlying ground wire that is bent between its ends and joined to the shell. That surface of the ground wire which confronts the electrode is grooved to enlarge its area and enable the wire to react like a bimetallic element in response to changes in its temperature and vary the size of the spark gap.

Abstract: A spark plug for an automotive internal combustion engine providing improved ignition even when carbon is deposited on the insulator of the plug. A rich fuel-air ratio causes carbon to be deposited on spark plug insulators, thereby decreasing its effective insulation. By limiting the geometrical dimension of the plug's center electrode, ground electrode, and insulator the problem of carbon build-up is overcome. The sizes of these elements have certain allowable ranges that enhance the igniting effect of the plug.

Abstract: An ignition plug has a casing with a center electrode disposed therein. Adjacent and mutually spaced from the center electrode is a grounded electrode which is connected to the casing with at least one stay. A gas hole is provided on the grounded electrode opposite from the center electrode. The stay(s) are configured to swirl explosion gases to increase combustion speed. There are several embodiments of the grounded electrode, wherein each is provided with a gas re-entrant cavity on the piston side of the gas hole, wherein the cavity is shape configured for the purpose of accelerating the propagation speed of combustion gas.

Abstract: In a spark plug with center electrode and body electrode in which the cylindrical center electrode comprises in its end face a blind bore in which a pin-shaped small-volume noble metal insert is inserted and fixed by upsetting, it is provided that the front region (1a) of the center electrode (1), provided with end-side bore (2) and insert (3) disposed therein, is reduced radially over almost the entire length of the bore (2), the reduced region (1a) having a constant diameter, and that a further pin-shaped small-volume noble metal insert (5) is fixed in a bore (4) formed coaxially with the bore (2) in the body electrode (6). The production of the spark plug can proceed from commercially usual spark plug parts made on conventional production machines; the noble metal insert of the spark plug is securely attached in the center electrode and the body electrode part opposite the noble metal insert has a reduced burnup, thus increasing the life of the spark plug.

Abstract: An ignition system providing both spark ignition and a hot surface for surface ignition of a stratified fuel charge. The ignition system includes a novel hot surface spark plug designed to maximize heat retention in the center electrode and surrounding insulator for enabling surface ignition over a portion of the operating cycle of the engine. Ignition power is applied only when the center electrode temperature is below a threshold temperature. When the center electrode temperature is above a threshold temperature, ignition power is applied in inverse relation to the center electrode temperature.

Abstract: A spark plug in which a noble metal tip welded to the leading end face of a center electrode is in the form of a fine wire while a noble metal tip welded to the leading end face of a ground electrode is in the form of a wire or column; and when each of the noble metal tips is electrically welded to the leading end face of the center or ground electrode, the end of the noble metal tip in contact with the leading end face of the center or ground electrode is enlarged to form a flange. Therefore the strength between the welded joint between the noble metal tip and the center or ground electrode is satisfactorily increased.

Abstract: A small-sized spark plug for internal combustion engines is disclosed which is composed of a center electrode having a shaft portion surrounded by an insulator layer and a terminal end portion adapted to act as a spark generation portion; and an earthed electrode having a terminal end portion which is spaced apart from and is opposite to the terminal end portion of the center electrode so that a spark gap is defined along a surface of the insulator layer. The shortest distance .delta. (mm) between each end portion of the two electrodes and the surface of the insulation layer and the distance l between the forward end portions of the two electrodes have the following relationship:.delta..gtoreq.0.25 l, and 0.8 mm.ltoreq.l.ltoreq.2.0 mm.A recessed portion may be provided on the surface of the insulation layer.

Abstract: A spark plug is disclosed having central and ground electrodes made of a nickel-base alloy and a chip made of a platinum-nickel alloy having good bonding properties to the nickel-base alloy joined to the spark discharge surface of at least one of the central and ground electrodes. In another embodiment, the chip has an intermediate layer made of the platinum-nickel alloy and a top surface layer made of platinum or a platinum-base alloy having a higher spark wear resistance than the platinum-nickel alloy. Since the chip has good bonding properties to the nickel-base alloy, peeling of the chip from the central or ground electrode does not occur, and thus the spark plug has a high durability. If a chip having intermediate and top surface layers is used, since the top surface layer exhibits a higher spark wear resistance, the resulting spark plug is of higher durability.

Abstract: An arrangement for the ignition of ignitable mixtures, especially a spark plug for producing sparks in otto-engines, which is constructed according to high-frequency standpoints and in which at least one condenser arranged in the spark plug is adapted to be charged to a high voltage and is adapted to be discharged as much as possible exclusively in the breakdown phase of the starting phase of the ignition spark by way of a booster gap also arranged in the spark plug and a main gap formed by an ignition electrode with respect to a ground electrode, whereby the breakdown voltage of the booster is higher than the breakdown voltage at the main gap. In particular, for achieving a compact constructive form, satisfactory from a manufacturing point of view, and for optimizing the ignition and flame development, the condenser and the main gap are connected in a series circuit in a preferred embodiment of the invention, with respect to which the booster gap is connected in parallel.

Abstract: To increase the spark energy being transferred from a spark plug to a fuel-air mixture, so that the maximum energy transfer occurs during the initial breakdown phase and electrode deterioration at the spark plug is prevented upon occurrence of subsequent arc conduction and glow phases, an inductive circuit is connected in parallel to the spark gap which is so dimensioned that the inductance has a time constant which inhibits substantial current flow through the shunt circuit upon breakdown of the spark gap, but permits flow of current during an arc and glow phase of the spark at the spark gap through the shunt circuit so that energy is drained from the spark gap during the plasma and glow phase.

Abstract: A spark plug for an internal combustion engine including a center electrode, an earth electrode, a metal tip joined by welding to an ignition section of at least one of the center electrode and the earth electrode, and an alloy layer located at a welding portion between the metal tip and the at least one electrode. The metal tip is formed of material highly resistant to heat and wear which is distinct in the coefficient of thermal expansion from the material of the electrodes. The alloy layer is formed to have a thickness of at least about 10.mu., so as to avoid the rupture of the metal tip along the surface thereof adjacent to the welding portion.

Abstract: To increase the spark intensity delivered from a spark plug, an auxiliary spark gap (33) is serially connected with an auxiliary capacitor (37) and the main spark gap (42), the auxiliary capacitor being charged through a charging circuit including a resistor (45) connected in shunt to the auxiliary spark gap (33) and the auxiliary capacitor, and a further or second resistor (46) connected in shunt across the auxiliary capacitor and the ground or chassis electrode (15), and a shunt capacitor (51) is connected between the main spark plug terminal (27) and the ground or chassis or counter electrode (11, 15) so that, upon breakdown of the auxiliary spark gap, the main spark gap will have a voltage thereacross formed by the charge voltage of the main or shunt capacitor (51) and the additional voltage on the auxiliary capacitor (37) which had been charged through the resistors connected across the auxiliary capacitor and to the main spark plug terminal (27) and the ground terminal or electrode (15) respectively.

Abstract: A spark plug for internal-combustion engines has a spark discharge gap defined between at least two electrodes opposing to each other, and a platinum-containing wear-resistant discharging layer provided on one of the electrodes. The spark plug has a thermal stress relieving layer disposed between the discharging layer and the base metal constituting the one eletrode. The thermal stress relieving layer is made of a platinum base alloy containing nickel, which constitutes the base metal. The discharging layer may be made of a material consisting essentially of 70 to 90 wt % platinum and 30 to 10 wt % iridium. The thermal stress relieving layer may be made of a material consisting essentially of 5 to 95 wt % platinum and 95 to 5 wt % nickel. Another platinum-containing wear-resistant layer may be provided on the other electrode, the wear-resistant layer being made of a material consisting essentially of 5 to 60 wt % nickel and 95 to 40 wt % platinum.

Abstract: This sparking-plug for an internal combustion engine having a controlled ignition comprises a device for evacuating the heat of the earth electrode, the heat of the center electrode and the heat of the end of the nose of the insulator of the center electrode. This end of the nose of the insulator projects into the combustion chamber of the engine in which it is partly exposed to the flame front of the combustion and partly masked off by said device. The device constitutes a massive support for the earth electrode.

Abstract: An ignition plug of extended durability which reduces crack formation in noble metal layer on the center electrode and the ground electrode by joining a noblemental layer consisting of 85 to 70% by weight of Pt and 15 to 30% by weight of Ir to the spark discharge portion of the center electrode and also another noble metal layer consisting of 90 to 70% by weight of Pt and 10 to 30% by weight of Ni to the spark discharge portion of the ground electrode.

Abstract: An improved spark plug is provided wherein a part of a ground electrode facing an exposed end part of a central electrode is angled to the vertical and horizontal planes of the spark plug so as to deflect the movement of a flame front into a swirling movement.

Abstract: A spark plug for internal combustion engines has center and grounded electrodes having surfaces disposed adjacent to a spark gap between the electrodes and directed to but spaced from each other and also have side faces converging toward the spark gap. Each of the electrodes is provided with a piece of a noble metal secured to the surface directed to the other electrode. The noble metal pieces provided on both electrodes define the spark gap therebetween.

Abstract: An electrical self-purification ignition plug comprising a porcelain insulator ignition leg provided at its end surface opposed to a grounded electrode with a conical depression, and a center electrode exposed to the base surface of said conical depression and made integral with said porcelain insulator.

Abstract: A spark plug includes a body of dielectric substance mounted on one of central and earth electrodes and having polarization effects. A gap for capacitive discharge is defined between the body of dielectric substance and the other of the electrodes, and a gap for inductive discharge is defined between the electrodes, which gap for inductive discharge is larger in dimension than the gap for capacitive discharge. With the arrangement, capacitive discharge to be produced in the early stage of discharge is caused at low discharge breakdown voltage due to polarization effects of the body of dielectric substance, and inductive discharge taking the main part of discharge for ignition is produced by utilizing the capacitive discharge of low voltage as trigger, thereby lowering discharge breakdown voltage to improve ignition performance of the spark plug.

Abstract: A spark plug for internal combustion engines is provided with a ground electrode which terminates below the center electrode and is provided with one or more vertical openings to facilitate the passage of ignited gases from the area of the spark to the area of the piston. A single elongated opening may be provided or there may be one or more small openings spaced along the length of the electrode. The area adjacent the opening may be outwardly and downwardly tapered to concentrate and speed the flow of gases.

Abstract: A spark plug particularly suitable for use with internal combustion engines includes a center electrode comprising a composite body having a core of metal which has a high degree of corrosion resistance and resistance to arc erosion such as a nickel material metallurgically bonded to a sleeve of metal which has a high degree of thermal conductivity such as a copper material. Specific embodiments relate to difference electrode tip configurations including one in which the copper and nickel are coextensive and others in which the core extends beyond the sleeve. In certain embodiments the copper sleeve is shielded from the combustion chamber by disposing a layer of material, which may be of the same material as the core and may be made integrally therewith or attached thereto, contiguous to the copper material. Extra erosion and corrosion protection can be obtained by providing a thin coating of material around the copper sleeve.

Abstract: The combination of an igniter body and an outer target bracket that has a target electrode disposed in spaced relation to an igniter electrode carried by the igniter body to define a spark gap therewith and that has a mounting portion for securing the bracket to a frame adjacent the igniter body to provide the spark gap, the target bracket having holding tabs holding the igniter body therein to provide a self-contained assembly that can be subsequently secured as a single unit to the frame by the mounting portion of the target bracket. The target bracket has slots therethrough defining opposed surfaces of the target bracket and respectively receiving abutments of the igniter body therethrough, the tabs respectively being engageable with the abutments and defining one of the opposed surfaces of the bracket.

Abstract: A spark plug where parts of a center electrode on both sides of an outer electrode are projected toward the outer electrode and a groove is formed in the outer electrode by cutting or grinding the central portion of said end surface. Discharge gaps are formed between on the outer projecting surfaces and the outer electrode.

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 an internal combustion engine with both sides of a surface, on a center electrode side, of an outer electrode and/or both side portions, on the top surface of the center electrode, form wedge-shaped projections. At least one surface having the wedge-shaped projection has no plane surface but is arcuate.

Abstract: Spark plug for internal combustion engines with center and ground electrodes consisting of base metals, base metal alloys, or metallic composite materials, said center electrode or both electrodes being coated at least on their ignition areas with a metal or metal alloy having an average atomic weight of more than 100 and a melting point above 1500.degree. C. The metal coating is deposited by crystalline growth on the electrode surface in a thickness of 5 to 100 microns, preferably 15 to 60 microns using the vapor deposition technique or molten salt electrolysis. The cap-shaped coating is applied to the frustro-conical ignition area of the center electrode.

Abstract: A spark plug for providing an increase in the horsepower output of an internal combustion engine, at the same fuel consumption rate as with conventional plugs, which spark plug has a ground electrode spaced from a center electrode and an arcuate ring member spaced from and spanning the ground electrode.

Abstract: In a three electrode arc plasma flame ignition device, the first electrode surrounds the second electrode and the first and second electrodes define between them an annular gap across which the potential from a first source can be discharged, and the third electrode is surrounded by the second electrode and is so arranged that a higher potential applied to it discharges in series across a gap between the third electrode and the second electrode and radially across the annular gap between the second electrode and the first electrode.

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: 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 having multiple air gaps is described. The multiple gaps are defined by at least three electrode members defining at least two air gaps. A first electrode member is communicated to a ground potential while a second electrode member, the electrode member which is maximally spaced apart from the first electrode member, is communicated to a source of high voltage potential. The remaining electrode members are positioned intermediate the first and second electrode members and are arranged to be coupled by high resistance electrical means to either the ground or the high voltage potential. In a preferred embodiment, the high resistance means comprise a ladder type resistance network embedded within the ceramic body of the spark plug and electrically interconnecting the intermediate electrode members and the electrical connecting cap of the spark plug device. The air gaps so formed are broken down in sequence and share in the dissipation of the stored energy.

Abstract: Chromium plated corrosion oxidation resistant spark plug electrode.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine spark plug including an outer metal shell, a central electrode and a side electrode extending from the shell toward the central electrode to form a spark gap is provided with an open element formed of rigid metal wire resistant to the spark plug ambient use conditions, the member surrounding the spark gap and being spaced from the spark gap a distance at least equal to the width of the spark gap. Among the forms of the wire member are a pair of U-shaped wire members each having at least one leg secured to the shell and a horizontal linear cross leg parallel to and coplanar with the side electrode, two pair of such members arranged in quadrative with the cross legs forward of the side electrode, the members may have thinner wire wrapped about its legs, and an element including a pair of laterally spaced L-shaped wire members with the vertical legs connected to the shell and an intermediate L-shaped member formed of twisted wire with a horizontal leg underlying the side electrode.