Abstract: A ceramic article is disclosed. The article is composed of from 6 to 50 percent of particulate ZrO.sub.2 having an ultimate particle size less than 2 .mu.m, from 50 to 94 percent of particulate Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, from 1/4 to 3 percent of MnO.sub.2 and from 1/4 to 3 percent of TiO.sub.2.

Abstract: A semi-conducting ceramic is disclosed. The ceramic consists essentially of from 50 percent to 72 percent of silicon carbide particles, from 25 percent to 47 percent of silicon nitride particles and a modified silicon oxynitride glass bonded to the silicon carbide particles and bonding the silicon nitride particles together.An improvement in a method for producing an article which comprises silicon carbide particles dispersed in a matrix is also disclosed. The method includes the step of firing or sintering the article to convert the matrix to a densified ceramic with the formation of a liquid phase. The improvement involves embedding the article, prior to firing, in a cover material which contains powdered silicon and maintaining a nitrogen or an inert atmosphere in contact with the cover material during firing. The amount of silicon in the cover material and the composition of the atmosphere are such that the silicon carbide particles are protected against oxidation.

Abstract: An improved high voltage igniter connector for aircraft applications. An insulator projecting from the cable connector extends into a tubular insulator in the igniter. An electrical contact at the free end of the connector insulator is urged into contact with a center electrode terminal in the igniter. A resilient annular first seal is formed between the connector and an end of the igniter insulator. A resilient annular second seal is located between the connector insulator and the interior wall of the igniter insulator near the free end of the connector insulator to increase resistance to flashover at the connector.

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: A glow plug including a shell provided with an axially extending bore and a tubular sheath partially located in the bore and partially projecting from the shell. At least a first electrical resistance is located in the portion of the sheath extending outside the shell. The tubular sheath is filled with two different powders. Both powders have good electrical insulating characteristics. The first powder is located in the free closed end of the sheath and has good thermal conductivity characteristics. The second powder is located in the portion of the sheath located in the shell bore and has good thermal insulating characteristics. The interface between the two powders can be varied with the design of the glow plug and the type of resistance located in the sheath.

Abstract: The connector according to the invention comprises a body 2 provided with a generally hook-shaped lateral recess 7a, 7c and a laterally removable element 3 having the same shape as said recess 7a, 7c. For mounting the connector onto a hook-end or onto a straight-end wiper arm said arm (4) is first inserted into said recess 7a, 7c and the laterally removable element 3 is then screwed onto the body 2 of the connector. When the screw 13 of the element 3 is screwed into the portin 8 of the body 2 it pushes upwards, against the wiper arm 4, the hinged portion 10 of the body 2 of the connector and thus locks the wiper arm 4 in the connector.

Abstract: The connector 1 is made in one piece out of a plastic material. It comprises a first portion 1a rigidly secured to the wiper arm extension 5, a second portion 1b rotatably secured at 9, 9a to a wiper blade (not shown) and a resilient intermediate portion 1c. The connector 1 is part of a wiper system wherein it is indispensable that the wiper blade can rotate with respect to the wiper arm extension 5 about an axis substantially perpendicular to the surface to be wiped and passing through the connector.

Abstract: The wiper blade comprises a superstructure 1 provided with a claw 1a, a pressure distributing rod 2, a wiping element 3 and a retention means 4. A recess provided on the bottom portion of the pressure distributing rod 2 and a recess provided on the top portion of the wiping element 3 define a transverse opening wherein is inserted the retention means 4 which prevents any longitudinal displacement of the pressure distributing rod 2 with respect to the claw 1a and 3 with respect to the pressure distributing rod of the wiping element 2. Locking means are provided for preventing the transverse displacement of the retention means 4 with respect to the wiper blade.

Abstract: The wiper arm assembly according to the invention comprises a mounting head (1) rigidly secured to a drive shaft (A-B), a channel (2) rotatably connected to the mounting head (1), spring means (4) capable of biasing the channel (2) towards the surface to be wiped, a sliding element (9) located inside the channel (2) and provided with an arm extension (3) for attaching thereto (3a) a wiper blade (not shown), and a rod (12) articulated at one of its ends (11)to the sliding element (9) and, at the other of its ends (11a), to the vehicle body (14) at a certain distance from the drive shaft (A-B). When the channel (2) is oscillating about the drive shaft (A-B) said rod (12) imports a back and forth movement to the sliding element (9) and thus to the arm extension (3) and to the wiper blade (not shown). Solid anti-friction means are provided between the sliding element (9) and the channel (2). The solid anti-friction means may consist of a plastic sheath (13), or of a ball bearing, or of a roller bearing, etc.

Abstract: A method for producing a sintered reaction bonded silicon nitride ceramic reinforced with silicon carbide whiskers is disclosed. The method comprises mixing powdered silicon having an average particle size not greater than 5 .mu.m with from 3 to 7 percent each of MgO and CeO.sub.2 and from 10 to 35 percent of silicon carbide whiskers, from 15 to 50 percent of silicon nitride or from 10 to 35 percent of silicon carbide whiskers and from 15 to 50 percent of silicon nitride, pressing a shape from the resulting mixture, and heating the shape in a nitrogen atmosphere at a pressure of about 1 atmosphere absolute. The MgO and CeO.sub.2 serve as sintering aids. Other suitable sintering aids include 2 to 8 percent of Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, 6 percent of Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 and 2 percent of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, 2 to 8 percent of MgO, BeO, HfO.sub.2 or ZrO.sub.2 and 1 to 5 percent of CaO.

Abstract: Electrically semi-conducting and conducting open celled ceramic networks and methods for producing them are disclosed. The ceramic network is formed by impregnating an organic foam material with a semi-conducting or conducting ceramic composition, and firing the impregnated material to burn out the foam and to vitrify the ceramic. The semi-conducting or conducting ceramic composition may comprise, on a solids basis, from 45 to 80 percent of a lead-free ceramic frit, from 5 to 15 percent of mono aluminum phosphate, from 6 to 45 percent of a silicone resin, from 0.2 to 13.2 percent of a conducting carbon compound, and an organic solvent or water in an amount sufficient to form a dispersion having a viscosity ranging from 300 to 3000 centipoises, and, in the latter case, from 0.5 to 7 percent of a detergent.

Abstract: A ceramic consisting essentially of from 1 to 15 percent of glass and 99 to 85 percent of a mixture of particulate Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and particulate ZrO.sub.2 is disclosed. ZrO.sub.2 is present in a sufficient amount usually from 1/4 to 6 percent base on the of the ZrO.sub.2 and Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, to strengthen the ceramic significantly, by comparison with an otherwise identical ceramic where the particulate ZrO.sub.2 is replaced either by the glass or by particulate Al.sub.2 O.sub.3. The glass constitutes a vitreous phase bonding the particulates into a dense, gas impervious structure, and can be a calcium magnesium silicate glass containing from 45 to 80 percent of SiO.sub.2, from 8 to 55 percent of CaO and MgO, and not more than 15 percent of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wiper arm assembly for motor vehicles, comprising an oscillating mounting head (1), a rod (2) rigidly secured to the mounting head (1), a slidable element (3) pivotally (12) secured to a channel (4) and arm extension (7) and capable of sliding on said rod (2). Inside the channel (4) spring means are provided which are capable of biasing the arm extension (7) towards the surface to be wiped. A stationary bar (8) is rigidly attached to the vehicle body and a movable bar (9) is pivotally secured (10) to the stationary bar (8) at one of its ends and pivotally secured (11) to the slidable element (3) at the other of its ends. When the mounting head (1) and said rod (2) are oscillating the movable bar (9) oscillates too and imparts a back and forth movement to the slidable element (3), to the channel (4) and to the arm extension ( 7). A radial movement is thus superimposed on the oscillating movement.

Abstract: An improved method for manufacturing a spark plug electrode having a substrate formed from a first metal and a spark gap surface area formed from a second metal, such as a precious metal. The spark gap surface area is formed by heating the portion of the first metal at which the spark gap surface is to be formed with a plasma arc and applying the second metal as a consumable welding electrode, cooling the first metal and the applied second metal, and, optionally, shaping the second metal to form a desired surface configuration.

Abstract: A ceramic consisting essentially of from 1 to 15 percent of glass and 99 to 85 percent of a mixture of particulate Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and particulate ZrO.sub.2 is disclosed. ZrO.sub.2 is present in a sufficient amount, usually from 1/4 to 6 percent based on the weight of the ZrO.sub.2 and Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, to strengthen the ceramic significantly, by comparison with an otherwise identical ceramic where the particulate ZrO.sub.2 is replaced either by the glass or by particulate Al.sub.2 O.sub.3. The glass constitutes a vitreous phase bonding the particulates into a dense, gas impervious structure, and can be a calcium magnesium silicate glass containing from 45 to 80 percent of SiO.sub.2, from 8 to 55 percent of CaO and MgO, and not more than 15 percent of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.