Abstract: An improved spark plug, capable of suppressing radio-frequency electromagnetic interference from internal combustion engine ignition systems such as those commonly used in motor vehicles, is disclosed. The plug comprises a shell releasably engageable with an engine, an insulator mounted in the shell, a center electrode seated within the insulator and a ground electrode structurally integral with the shell and in spark gap relationship with the center electrode. The spark plug is further characterized in that at least a portion of its insulator has a dielectric constant sufficiently high that the effective dielectric constant of the insulator is at least 30, and the relationships among the elements of the spark plug and the effective value of the dielectric constant of the insulator are such that the spark plug has a capacitance of at least 20 picofarads. Preferably, the spark plug has a capacitance of from 20 to 100 picofarads, most desirably from 30 to 80 picofarads.

Abstract: A method for locking two surfaces relative to one another is disclosed. The surfaces can be gelatin, paper, glass, nylon, or other surfaces having hydroxyl or amine functionality. The method involves bringing the two surfaces together and irradiating the interface between the two with radiation at a wavelength which causes photopolymerization to occur to lock the surfaces relative to one another. The photopolymerization can be of a cross-linking monomer positioned between the two surfaces, can be of an acrylic monomer grafted to the two surfaces, or can be of a photoresist formed at the two surfaces; a photoinitiator is required in the first two cases.

Abstract: A ceramic composed of 1 to 15 percent of glass and 99 to 85 percent of a mixture of particulates is disclosed. The glass, present as a vitreous phase bonding the particulates into a dense, gas impervious structure, contains 45 to 80 percent of SiO.sub.2, 8 to 65 percent of CaO and MgO and not more than 15 percent of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3. The particulates, which are finer than 15 microns in ultimate particle size, include Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and at least one of ZrO.sub.2, HfO.sub.2 and solid solutions of the two. The ceramics are subject to microcracking, which can be cured by refiring, or prevented by including particulate Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 as a stabilizer.

Abstract: Magnesium alloys containing up to 12 percent of aluminum, up to 30 percent of zinc, up to 1.5 percent of silicon, not more than 0.15 percent of manganese, and from 0.0025 percent to 0.0125 percent of dissolved beryllium are disclosed. The alloys are resistant to oxidation when they are in a molten state. A method for die casting such alloys is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing a composite spark plug electrode is disclosed. The method comprises forming a first metal into a cup having an open end, a closed end and a wall surrounding a central opening which extends a distance z from the closed end to the open end. The method also comprises forming, from a second and different metal, a right circular cylindrical core sized to be received in the central opening in close fitting relationship with the wall therearound, and extending from the closed end toward the open end a distance less than z, and positioning the core in the central opening, thereby forming a composite billet having first and second ends corresponding, respectively, with the open and closed ends of the cup. Finally, a portion of the composite billet is extruded, second end first, through an extrusion orifice of a die with a force applied to the first end of the composite billet by an end of a tool.

Abstract: A carbon resistor and a method for producing the resistor are disclosed. The method preferably comprises the steps of preparing a uniform, finely-divided mixture by blending a glass frit with at least one temporary binder and substantially 1/4 to 4 percent of conductive carbon, pressing a longitudinally extending shape having opposed ends from the mixture, heating the shape to 450-550 degrees F. for about 30 minutes and cooling to ambient temperature, applying a silver paint containing a lead borosilicate frit composition to the cooled shape to provide electrical contacts, and firing the shape and contacts to vitrify the frit of the resistor. A preferred lead borosilicate frit composition, by weight, consists essentially of from 5 to 15 percent of AlPO.sub.4, from 1/4 to 3 percent of conductive carbon, from 15 to 30 percent of a phenyl lower alkyl silicone resin and from 65 to 80 percent of a lead borosilicate glass frit which consists essentially of substantially 20 percent SiO.sub.2, 15 percent B.sub.2 O.

Abstract: An improvement in a method for producing a glass article is disclosed. The method includes the steps of lubricating the walls of a mold cavity by igniting a gas therein, introducing a gob into the mold cavity, and pressing the gob to a desired shape. The improvement involves the use, as the gas ignited in the mold cavity, of a mixture of a methyl acetylene/propadiene gas and a hydrocarbon gas having an acetylenic triple bond. The proportion of the hydrocarbon having an acetylenic triple bond is controlled to one at which the flame which results from igniting the gas mixture is capable of penetrating an air lock in a deep mold cavity. Usually, the hydrocarbon gas having an acetylenic triple bond has from two to six carbon atoms and constitutes from 1 percent by volume to 10 percent by volume of the gas mixture.

Abstract: An alloy useful for producing massive spark plug center electrodes is disclosed. The alloy consists essentially of from 0.9 to 1.5 percent of ruthenium, from 0.9 to 1.5 percent of manganese, and from 97 to 98.2 percent of nickel. Preferably, the alloy additionally contains 1 percent of silicon. The optimum alloy consists essentially of substantially 1 percent of each of Ru, Mn, and Si, balance Ni.

Abstract: An improved steering lock is disclosed. It is of the type comprising a rotatable lock cylinder, a latch operable in a first position and inoperable in a second position to engage a recess in a steering shaft of an associated motor vehicle, and a rocking lever operable in a first position and inoperable in a second position to maintain the latch in its second position. During rotation of the lock cylinder in one direction, the latch is caused to move from its first position towards its second position. When the latch reaches its second position, a projection on the rocking lever engages a recess in the latch whereby it is maintained in its second position and the steering shaft is maintained in an unlocked condition. The steering lock includes means mounting the rocking lever for rotation in two different planes. The rocking lever is mounted for rotation in a first plane about an axle and, in a second plane, about one of its ends.

Abstract: A spark plug having an internal resistor and resistor-bore seal is disclosed. The spark plug comprises a shell, an insulator assembly carried by the shell and a ground electrode structurally integral with the shell. The insulator assembly comprises an insulator having a firing end and a terminal end, and a bore extending therethrough, and a center electrode within the bore of the insulator, and having a firing end firing in spark gap relationship with the ground electrode. The assembly also comprises a resistor positioned within the bore of the insulator and in electrical contact with the center electrode. The longitudinal position of the resistor in the bore of the insulator is radially inward of the shell. The assembly also includes an electrically nonconductive and substantially gas-impervious seal compacted between the walls of the bore of the insulator and longitudinally extending walls of the resistor. The electrically non-conductive material can be covered by an electrically conductive cup.

Abstract: Air conditioning apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus is a terminal of the mixing type, receiving primary conditioned air, and delivering that air or a mixture including that air and recirculated air as required, for air conditioning. The rate at which primary conditioned air is delivered to the zone is varied between a maximum and a predetermined lesser rate as the air conditioning load on the space varies between a maximum and an intermediate load. The apparatus also includes a blower, nozzle or the like for inducing a flow of air from outside, and for mixing the induced air with primary conditioned air, so that such mixture is delivered to the zone. According to preferred embodiments which are disclosed, the apparatus is effective to deliver to the zone such a mixture of primary conditioned air and induced air under all conditions of air conditioning load on the zone.

Abstract: A lead-free green ceramic body useful after firing as an electrical resistor, and a method for producing such a resistor, are disclosed. The method preferably comprises the steps of preparing a uniform, finely-divided mixture by blending, by weight, substantially 69 percent of a glass frit with substantially 8 percent of AlPO.sub.4, substantially 3 percent of conductive carbon and substantially 20 percent of a phenyl lower alkyl silicone resin which is curable to form a temporary binder for the conductive carbon and the glass frit. One preferred frit consists essentially of substantially 43 percent SiO.sub.2, 20 percent B.sub.2 O.sub.3, 21 percent Na.sub.2 O, 3 percent CaO, 8 percent BaO and 5 percent Li.sub.2 O. A shape is then pressed from the mixture; the shape is heated to 450-550 degrees F. for about 30 minutes and cooled to ambient temperature. Silver paint is then applied to the cooled shape and the painted shape is fired to vitrify the frit of the resistor.

Abstract: Signaling apparatus for a motor vehicle equipped with a key-operated ignition switch/steering lock assembly is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a first electrical switch movable between open and closed positions upon insertion and removal of the key, a power source such as a battery, an electric circuit comprising a resistor, a diode and a transistor and energized by the power source when the first switch is open, signaling means such as a light or buzzer energizable by the electric circuit, and a second electrical switch which can be operatively associated with a door of the vehicle so that when the second switch is in a closed position because the door is open, the signaling means is operable. Preferably, the first switch comprises a stationary contact and a movable contact; the movable contact can be a lever which is a part in the ignition switch/steering lock.

Abstract: An improved key-operated steering shaft locking device for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The device comprises a rotatable lock cylinder, a spring, and a latch movable between steering shaft locking and unlocking positions, the latch being operatively associated with the cylinder so that rotation of the latter causes axial movement of the former perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the cylinder from the locked to the unlocked position; the latch is also operatively associated so that the spring urges the latch toward the locked position. The improved device further comprises means including a rocker arm pinned for rotational movement between a first position wherein a portion of the arm extends into the key slot of the cylinder and the means is ineffective to lock the latch in the position where the shaft is unlocked, and a second position wherein the arm does not extend into the key slot and the means is effective to lock the latch in the position where the shaft is unlocked.

Abstract: An improved method for producing a ceramic resistor is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of charging ceramic batch into a longitudinally extending die, pressing the batch in the die between opposing plungers, removing one plunger from the die, ejecting the blank by moving the other plunger relative to the blank and firing the blank. The improvement constitutes imparting rotational motion to the removable plunger as applied pressure thereon is being released to remove the plunger from the die, whereby the surface of the plunger in contact with the blank separates therefrom without sticking.

Abstract: An antitheft device for the steering shaft of a motor vehicle is provided and has a resiliently urged locking or keying member (30) carried by an inner, non-rotatable tubular body (12). The locking or keying member (30) is deflected (32) in one direction to permit assembly of the inner tubular body (12) in an outer housing (10) of the device. The locking or keying member (30) is resiliently urged (32) into seating relationship in a radial opening (26) in the housing (10) when the inner tubular body (12) is in proper position in the housing (10). The locking or keying member (30) is deflected (32) in another direction to permit assembly of a cylinder lock (14) in said tubular body (12). The locking or keying member (30) is resiliently urged (32) into seating relationship in an aligned radial opening (28) in the cylinder lock (14) when the cylinder lock (14) is properly positioned in said inner tubular body (12).

Abstract: A plasma plug for use with an ignition system with improved plasma jet emmision is disclosed. The plasma plug comprises a threaded shell for engagement with an internal combustion engine, an annular ground electrode structurally integral with the shell, an insulator mounted therein, and a center electrode seated within the insulator. The center electrode and the insulator both have firing ends, the former of which is short of the latter and in spark gap relationship with the ground electrode. The insulator has a stepped cavity extending from the firing end of the electrode through the firing end of the insulator and having a cavity of relatively large cross-section adjacent the former and a cavity of smaller cross-section extending through the latter. The ratio of the volume of the large cavity to that of the smaller is from about 100:1 to about 1:1 and the ratio of the length of the large cavity to that of the smaller is from about 1:3 to about 1:1.

Abstract: A method for soldering aluminum or aluminum alloys is disclosed, together with an alloy useful in the method. The method includes heating, for example by using a torch, at least one aluminum piece to a temperature within the range of 90-150 degrees celsius, cleaning at least one heated surface thereof, for example by wire brushing, further heating the cleaned piece to a temperature within the range of 350-490 degrees celsius, and applying, for example by rub soldering, to the cleaned and further-heated piece a quantity sufficient to enable subsequent soldering, as required, of a tin/lead/zinc alloy consisting essentially of, by weight, from 1.7 to 2.2 percent aluminum, from 0.01 to 0.02 percent magnesium, from 45.9 to 50.4 percent zinc, from 14.2 to 34 percent tin, and from 16.6 to 36.7 percent lead.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying power to at least two heater filaments of two glow plugs in a diesel engine, or to a heater of one glow plug and a ballast load having substantially the same maximum rated voltage as the filament, is disclosed. The power source has a supply voltage greater than the maximum rated voltage of the filament and sufficiently high to cause an overheating temperature capable of burning out the filament under continuous operation. A switch is operable in a first position to prevent the application of the supply voltage to the apparatus, operable in a second position to apply the supply voltage to the apparatus, and operable in a third position to maintain the condition of the second position and to apply the supply voltage to the apparatus and to a starter for the engine.

Abstract: A method for recovering a magnesium carbonate of high purity from an aqueous magnesium hydroxide slurry is disclosed. The slurry contains at least 1 percent of magnesium hydroxide and consists of water, magnesium hydroxide and impurities normally associated with magnesium hydroxide slurries. The method involves carbonating the slurry with sufficient carbon dioxide to dissolve a substantial proportion of the magnesium hydroxide therein as magnesium bicarbonate, continuing carbonation until a solution saturated with magnesium bicarbonate is formed, a portion of the magnesium bicarbonate is converted to a crystalline magnesium carbonate and substantially all dissolved calcium is precipitated, so that the slurry contains dissolved magnesium bicarbonate, a crystalline magnesium carbonate precipitate and a calcium carbonate precipitate.