Abstract: A spark ignition device includes a ceramic insulator with a metal shell surrounding at least a portion of the ceramic insulator. A ground electrode is attached to the shell. The ground electrode has a ground electrode sparking tip spaced from a central sparking tip by a spark gap. A first terminal is arranged in electrical communication with the central sparking tip and is configured for electrical connection with a power source. The device further includes a second terminal configured for electrical connection with the power source. The second terminal is spaced from the first terminal, with the second terminal being arranged in electrical communication with the first terminal. A heater element brings the first terminal in electrical communication with the second terminal and completes an electrical circuit. The heater element has a resistance greater than the first and second terminals thereby producing a significant source of heat.

Abstract: A spark ignition device includes a ceramic insulator with a metal shell surrounding at least a portion of the ceramic insulator. A ground electrode is attached to the shell. The ground electrode has a ground electrode sparking tip spaced from a central sparking tip by a spark gap. A first terminal is arranged in electrical communication with the central sparking tip and is configured for electrical connection with a power source. The device further includes a second terminal configured for electrical connection with the power source. The second terminal is spaced from the first terminal, with the second terminal being arranged in electrical communication with the first terminal. A heater element brings the first terminal in electrical communication with the second terminal and completes an electrical circuit. The heater element has a resistance greater than the first and second terminals thereby producing a significant source of heat.

Abstract: A spark plug having an integral gasoline combustion sensor is disclosed. The spark plug includes a center electrode assembly with a terminal stud at one end and a center electrode with a sparking surface at an opposite end; a generally tubular insulator surrounding the center electrode assembly; a shell surrounding the insulator and having along its length a turn-over on a first end, a barrel having an outer surface and barrel shoulder on a gasket flange thereof, a threaded portion, and a ground electrode; and a piezo sensor assembly located on the barrel shoulder proximate the outer surface of the barrel which includes a lower electrode contact, a piezo transducer, an upper electrode contact, an isolator having a convex upper surface, and an upper bushing which is attached to the barrel.

Abstract: A spark ignition device includes a ceramic insulator with a metal shell surrounding at least a portion of the ceramic insulator. A ground electrode is attached to the shell. The ground electrode has a ground electrode sparking tip spaced from a central sparking tip by a spark gap. A first terminal is arranged in electrical communication with the central sparking tip and is configured for electrical connection with a power source. The device further includes a second terminal configured for electrical connection with the power source. The second terminal is spaced from the first terminal, with the second terminal being arranged in electrical communication with the first terminal. A heater element brings the first terminal in electrical communication with the second terminal and completes an electrical circuit. The heater element has a resistance greater than the first and second terminals thereby producing a significant source of heat.

Abstract: A spark ignition device includes a ceramic insulator with a metal shell surrounding at least a portion of the ceramic insulator. A ground electrode is attached to the shell. The ground electrode has a ground electrode sparking tip spaced from a central sparking tip by a spark gap. A first terminal is arranged in electrical communication with the central sparking tip and is configured for electrical connection with a power source. The device further includes a second terminal configured for electrical connection with the power source. The second terminal is spaced from the first terminal, with the second terminal being arranged in electrical communication with the first terminal. A heater element brings the first terminal in electrical communication with the second terminal and completes an electrical circuit. The heater element has a resistance greater than the first and second terminals thereby producing a significant source of heat.

Abstract: A spark ignition device includes a ceramic insulator with a metal shell surrounding at least a portion of the ceramic insulator. A ground electrode is attached to the shell. The ground electrode has a ground electrode sparking tip spaced from a central sparking tip by a spark gap. A first terminal is arranged in electrical communication with the central sparking tip and is configured for electrical connection with a power source. The device further includes a second terminal configured for electrical connection with the power source. The second terminal is spaced from the first terminal, with the second terminal being arranged in electrical communication with the first terminal. A heater element brings the first terminal in electrical communication with the second terminal and completes an electrical circuit. The heater element has a resistance greater than the first and second terminals thereby producing a significant source of heat.

Abstract: A spark plug having an integral gasoline combustion sensor is disclosed. The spark plug includes a center electrode assembly with a terminal stud at one end and a center electrode with a sparking surface at an opposite end; a generally tubular insulator surrounding the center electrode assembly; a shell surrounding the insulator and having along its length a turn-over on a first end, a barrel having an outer surface and barrel shoulder on a gasket flange thereof, a threaded portion, and a ground electrode; and a piezo sensor assembly located on the barrel shoulder proximate the outer surface of the barrel which includes a lower electrode contact, a piezo transducer, an upper electrode contact, an isolator having a convex upper surface, and an upper bushing which is attached to the barrel.

Abstract: An electrical collector shoe assembly for a rail electrification system, including a metal holder member in the form of an elongate block body having spaced-apart gripping flanges projecting from its opposite sides upwardly and inwardly of the body, an elongate metal collector shoe extending along the top of the block body and having recessed surfaces in its opposite sides and in which the gripping flanges are disposed, and advanceable studs carried by the block body and engaged with the under portion of the collector shoe, applying an upward thrust to the shoe to cause the gripping flanges of the block body to be forcibly engaged with the recessed surfaces of the shoe. There is thus established a unitary electrical and mechanical connection between the shoe and holder member. Servicing and/or replacement of the shoe is greatly facilitated as a consequence of the simplicity of the assembly.

Abstract: A conductor rail and method for its production. The rail is constituted as a bimetallic, non-integral, unitary laminate assemblage of two formed, nesting dissimilar metal strips, for sliding engagement by an electrical collector shoe. The assemblage has a grooved track portion for receiving the shoe, and a suspension portion adapted to be clamped by suspender fittings. One of the metal strips is fully exterior to the other strip and is preferably constituted of steel, whereas the other metal strip is preferably copper, characterized by relatively higher electrical conductivity. The arrangement is such that the nested strips are in intimate, large-surface contact with each other. The rail thus enjoys the advantage of high strength and abrasion resistance, and improved electrical performance. The rail can be utilized in new equipment, or as a replacement for worn or damaged rail sections, essentially without modification of existing hanger or insulating hardware, or existing jacketing insulations.

Abstract: An electrical rail conductor assemblage for an insulated electrification system, including an elongate electrically-conducting rail having a longitudinal groove for receiving a cooperable collector shoe and for guiding it for travel along the rail. The rail has opposite wall portions which border the groove. The wall portions have thin wall sections with rounded longitudinal edges that constitute the mouth of the groove of the rail. The rail is covered by an essentially tubular, insulating, hollow, resilient and rigid cover member enveloping essentially all portions of the rail except for the mouth of the groove thereof. The cover member has a longitudinal cut which registers with the mouth of this groove, and curved, longitudinally-extending snap-on retainer portions that extend along the cut and are adapted to snap over the rounded longitudinal edges of the rail. These retainer portions extend in a circumferential direction through substantially a full semi-circle.

Abstract: To operate a rolling mill to roll metal strip with a satisfactory degree of flatness, signals from tension detecting means located downstream of the mill rolls are used continuously to determine the best symmetrical parabola which fits the shape of the strip and a parameter of the parabola is used to bring about an adjustment of the bending of the mill rolls in such a sense as to change the parameter substantially to zero. Signals from the detecting means may be used in addition to control the steer of the mill and adjust the temperature of the roll assemblies along their length.