Abstract: A point-of-care system that can include a contact pad on a printed circuit board and a connector assembly for retaining a lead and positioning the lead in contact with the pad on the printed circuit board and with interfaces of a cuvette. The connector assembly can include a base component and a clamp component, where the base component can define at least one recessed track for receiving each lead. The clamp component can be secured to the base component to clamp the at least one lead between the base component and the clamp component without flux or solder. The connector assembly can be secured to the printed circuit board without flux or solder.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a holder includes a recessed portion and including an opening, and includes a contact exposed from part of a bottom surface of the recessed portion. A lid covers the holder from the recessed portion side, makes a space in the recessed portion airtight in an engaged state in which the opening of the recessed portion is closed, and includes an elastic member pushing down a contained object contained in the recessed portion. And a lock mechanism forms the engaged state between the lid and the holder.

Abstract: A board to board male connector includes a male insulator, a first male signal contact set, a second male signal contact set, and a first male holding contact. The male insulator includes a first side wall, a second side wall, a first erect wall, and second erect wall. The first side wall is opposite to the second side wall. The first erect wall is opposite to the second erect wall. The first male signal contact set is disposed on the first erect wall. The second male signal contact set is disposed on the second erect wall. The first male holding contact includes a first male holding body disposed on the first side wall, and at least one first embedding wing extending from at least one side of the first male holding body and embedding into the first side wall.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a linear edge connector assembly and corresponding bolster plate features for receiving and securing a linear edge connector assembly. Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to a linear edge connector assembly that includes a grooved and indented receiver that can receive a spring loaded ball on the bolster plate. In embodiments, the linear edge connector assembly can include a magnetic element to create a magnetic attraction to magnetic elements on the bolster plate, such as a press-fit ball or a U-shaped hardstop. In some embodiments, the linear edge connector assembly includes a screw or push pin that can be received by a receiver on the bolster plate. The receiver can include a thread or friction fit receiver.

Abstract: A layout method applied to a connector is provided. The connector is electrically connected between a flexible printed circuit (FPC) and a printed circuit board (PCB). The FPC includes M pairs of differential lines and X shield lines. The PCB includes M pairs of differential lines and Z shield lines. The layout method includes following steps. Firstly, M pairs of conductive lines are disposed on the connector. The M conductive lines are correspondingly electrically connected to the M differential lines of the FPC and the M differential lines of the PCB. Then; Y conductive lines are disposed on the connector, wherein Y is smaller than X. Furthermore, at least one of the Y conductive lines is electrically connected to at least one of the X shield lines and at least one of the Z shield lines.

Abstract: Connectors providing solderless contact between conductors and a plurality of contact pads disposed on a substrate are disclosed. Connectors accommodating cables including pairs of insulated conductors are disclosed. Connector assemblies including frames for reversibly mounting the connectors with substrates having a plurality of contact pads are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved connection apparatus that meets these and other needs includes, in one embodiment, an approximately J-shaped flexible conductor having at its end an opening that receives therethrough a portion of the shank for mechanical and electrical connection therebetween. The conductor further includes a hole formed therein at approximately its midpoint that receives therein, in a movable and non-contacting fashion, another portion of the elongated shank. In another pair of embodiments, another connection apparatus includes a flexible conductor that is co-formed with a rigid conductor to form a single piece unitary element. The free end of the flexible conductor is connected with the movable shank, and the rigid conductor is connectable with the primary conductor of the circuit. By providing the flexible conductor and the rigid conductor as a co-formed unit, a detachable fastener need not be employed to provide a connection therebetween, which reduces heat generation.

Abstract: A broadside coupled connector assembly has two sets of conductors, each separate planes. By providing the same path lengths, there is no skew between the conductors of the differential pair and the impedance of those conductors is identical. The conductor sets are formed by embedding the first set of conductors in an insulated housing having a top surface with channels. The second set of conductors is placed within the channels so that no air gaps form between the two sets of conductors. A second insulated housing is filled over the second set of conductors and into the channels to form a completed wafer. The ends of the conductors are received in a blade housing. Differential and ground pairs of blades have one end that extends through the bottom of the housing having a small footprint. An opposite end of the pairs of blades diverge to connect with the wafers.

Abstract: A high speed connector assembly is disclosed in this invention, which includes a receptacle connector and a plug connector. Each differential signal terminal of the receptacle connector has an L-type body, a front mating portion and a bottom mounting portion. The front mating portion includes two L-type arms having unequal length. A front end of each L-type arm disposes a resilient contact finger being perpendicular to a vertical plane. The resilient contact fingers of the two L-type arms can respectively and electrically contact with two opposite sides of one plug terminal of the plug connector, thereby forming double-sided contact. The present invention can suppress the short pile effect and reduce signal crosstalk and signal loss during transmitting the high speed signal by this double contact.

Abstract: An electrical contact is provided. The electrical contact includes a mating segment configured to engage another contact. The mating segment extends a length to a contact end of the mating segment. The mating segment includes a first mating zone that is located a distance from the contact end along the length of the mating segment. The first mating zone is configured to intimately engage the other contact in a first plane for electrical communication between the electrical contact and the other contact. The mating segment includes a second mating zone that is offset from the first mating zone along the length of the mating segment in a direction toward the contact end. The second mating zone is configured to intimately engage the other contact in a second plane that extends approximately perpendicular to the first plane for electrical communication between the electrical contact and the other contact.

Abstract: A wire harness includes at least two sub-harnesses having a plurality of electric wires whose one terminal portions are led out from a plurality of connector portions connected to a plurality of electric devices respectively. The other end portions of the electric wires to establish direct connection between the connector portions are electrically connected to each other by a connection mechanism.

Abstract: A protective cover is provided for a connector that is mounted to a host structure. The cover includes a metal shell having a body defined by at least one shell segment that includes a base and a support wall that extends outward from the base. The support wall includes an interior side that defines a connector pocket configured to receive a corresponding sub-segment of a cantilevered connector segment of the connector. The base of the shell segment is configured to be mounted to the host structure with the support wall extending outward from the host structure over the corresponding sub-segment of the cantilevered connector segment such that the body of the metal shell is cantilevered from the host structure around at least a portion of a circumference and along at least a portion of a length of the cantilevered connector segment to provide a metal barrier that covers at least a portion of the cantilevered connector segment.

Abstract: An electrical connector can include a male blade terminal protector that protects one or more male blade terminals from external objects before, during, and after coupling of the male connector to a female connector. The male blade terminal protector can be slidably disposed within a housing of the male connector and configured to retract when the female connector is coupled to the male connector and extend when the female connector is decoupled from the male connector. The male blade terminal protector is moveable from an extended position to a retracted position when a ledge is disengage from a catch by a ramped surface of a female housing and a retraction tab of the female housing is configured to move the male blade terminal protector from the retracted position to the extended position as the female connector is disengaged from the male connector.

Abstract: A grommet-equipped connector includes a connector and a grommet. The connector includes a panel engagement portion configured to be engaged with an attachment hole of a panel and an annular flange configured to face an edge portion of the attachment hole. The grommet includes a panel contact portion configured to be fitted so as to cover the flange and intimately contact the edge portion. A flange fitting groove in which the flange is inserted over an entire perimeter is formed inside the panel contact portion. The flange has a flange protrusion portion protruding outward and guided by the flange fitting groove.

Abstract: In the waterproof connector, a receptacle is provided with a first housing and first contacts, and a plug is provided with a second housing and second contacts. The first housing has a header at one end portion side and a quadrangular shaped waterproof ring mounted to allow close contact with an outer perimeter of the header. The second housing has in its interior a second contact housing chamber into which the header can be introduced, and has a shell which surrounds a periphery of the plurality of second contacts. The waterproof ring has a first pucker, formed with an undulating shape at an outer perimeter of the front portion, and which can closely contact at an inner wall of the shell, and a second pucker, formed with an undulating shape at an outer perimeter of the rear portion, and which can closely contact at an inner wall of a first frame.

Abstract: Provided are a module assembly, a connector, and an electronic device, the module assembly including a first module that includes a pin configured to selectively protrude from a side thereof, a pin installation portion in which the pin is installed to be movable, and a first magnet configured to attract the pin into the pin installation portion, a second module to be coupled to the first module, the second module including a pin receiver configured to receive the pin when the pin protrudes from the first module, and a second magnet configured to attract the pin into the pin receiver, wherein the second magnet is configured to apply, to the pin, a greater magnitude of magnetic force than the first magnet in a case in which a distance between the first module and the second module is less than a preset distance.

Abstract: Systems and methods for connecting power cables to downhole equipment such as ESPs using side-exit (radial) connections. In one embodiment, a system includes an electric drive coupled by a power cable to an ESP. The electric drive is positioned at the surface of a well with the power cable coupled to it. The power cable extends into the well bore and is coupled to the downhole equipment which is positioned in the well bore. The power cable has a connector with a first set of radially oriented terminals (the terminals are perpendicular to the conductors of the power cable). These terminals engage a second set of terminals that are installed in the downhole equipment. The radial orientation of the terminals of the connector and downhole equipment allow the power cable to remain axially oriented, thereby facilitating engagement of the terminals and requiring less annular space in the well bore.

Abstract: A connector is adapted to be attached to a case of an electronic device unit. The connector includes a connector assembly adapted to be accommodated in the case through an opening provided in the case, an escutcheon adapted to be attached to the case to close the opening, and an elastic member arranged at a position to be interposed between the connector assembly and the escutcheon when the escutcheon is attached to the case in a state in which the connector assembly is accommodated in the case. The connector assembly includes a terminal, a housing holding the terminal, and a circuit board connected to the terminal. The elastic member is configured to bias the connector assembly toward the case such that the circuit board is pressed against the case to position the connector assembly with respect to the case.

Abstract: A conductor terminal having an insulating material housing and having at least one spring-loaded clamping connection in the insulating material housing and also having at least one actuation element, which is pivotably accommodated in the insulating material housing and is designed to open in each case at least one associated spring-loaded clamping connection, is described. The actuation element has two side wall portions which are spaced from one another and at least partially enter the insulating material housing with a pivot bearing region and, opposite said pivot bearing region, are connected to each other by a transverse web to form a lever arm. The pivot bearing regions of the mutually distanced side wall portions of an actuation element form an axis of rotation, about which the actuation element is pivotably mounted in the insulating material housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a connector (1) for data connections, in particular of the RJ type, with a latch element (6) for securing a connection to a counter-connector. In order to simplify a disconnection of the connector (1) and the counter-connector, even when the connection is secured by the latch connection, the invention provides that the connector (1) is provided with a gripping end (5, 5?) that is adapted to transfer the latch element (6) from its latch position (L) and to disconnect the connector (1) from the counter-connector by a single movement.

Abstract: A connector connecting structure of an electronic control unit includes: a first connector arranged on a radially inner side of a cylinder portion protruding from a casing of an electronic control unit; and a lever member including a pivoting portion mounted to the cylinder portion so as to be rotatable about an axial line of the cylinder portion without changing a position of the pivoting portion with respect to the cylinder portion, and an operation lever portion that extends from the pivoting portion. The first connector includes a connector connecting portion, exposed outward from an opening in the cylinder portion and electrically connected to a connector connecting portion of a second connector protruding from a mounting target for the casing in a manner that the connector connecting portion is accommodated inside the cylinder portion. A bayonet mechanism is provided between the pivoting portion and a housing of the second connector.

Abstract: A push-push fixing structure includes a base, a guiding element, a flexible element and a locating element. The guiding element is disposed on the base, includes a first guiding groove, a second guiding groove and a locating portion. The first guiding groove is connected to the second guiding groove, the locating portion is located at a junction of the first guiding groove and the second guiding groove. The flexible element is disposed on the base and pressed against the guiding element. The locating element has a first end portion and second end portion opposite to each other. The first end portion is disposed on the base. The second end portion is slidably disposed in the first guiding groove and the second guiding groove of the guiding element. When the guiding element is moved by push force, the second end portion of the locating element slides along the first guiding groove and the second guiding groove, and locates at the locating portion.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to communication connectors, and methods of manufacture thereof and their components. In some embodiments, the methods focus on reducing the net effect on electrical performance of communication connectors from variation in manufacturing, where the connectors include multiple stages of capacitive coupling.

Abstract: A cable connector assembly (100) adapted for mating with a mating connector includes a connector (200) connected with a cable (300). The connector includes a mating member (1), a metal shell (4) disposed at an outer side of the mating member and the cable, and an outer shell (5) enclosing the metal shell. The metal shell defines an opening (43) adjacent to a soldered portion of the cable soldered with the connector to prevent the soldered portion from shorting with the metal shell.

Abstract: A receptacle assembly includes communication connectors secured together as a communication module each having a contact array arranged within a shroud for mating with a pluggable module. A gasket plate is coupled to the communication module between the communication module and the pluggable modules. The gasket plate has a plurality of openings receiving corresponding shrouds and pluggable module interfaces around each of the openings for interfacing with mating ends of the pluggable modules. The receptacle assembly includes a receptacle housing having a plurality of panels dividing a housing cavity into module cavities. The gasket plate is coupled to the communication module to define a connector module assembly. The connector module assembly is loaded into the housing cavity prior to mounting to the circuit board such that the connector module assembly and the receptacle housing are configured to be mounted to the circuit board as a unit.

Abstract: A shield connector includes an inner housing provided with a first terminal receiving chamber and a second terminal receiving chamber which are configured to respectively receive inner terminals attached to ends of a plurality of wires bundled into a shielded electric wire, and a shield terminal incorporating the inner housing therein. The first terminal receiving chamber is provided with an opening which is opened to a side opposite to a side where the second terminal receiving chamber is placed. The opening is opened, from one end of the first terminal receiving chamber at a side of a terminal insertion port of the second terminal receiving chamber through which one of the inner terminals is inserted, to a wall at the other end of the first terminal receiving chamber, so that another one of the inner terminals is received in the first terminal receiving chamber through the opening.

Abstract: Connector receptacles, examples of which comprise a housing having a first plurality of slots in a top side and a second plurality of slots in a bottom side, a top row of contacts positioned in the first plurality of slots in the housing, a bottom row of contacts positioned in the second plurality of slots in the housing, a top shell portion over the top of the housing, the top shell portion comprising first and second electromagnetic contacts extending from a front of the top shell and passing through openings in the top side of the housing, and a bottom shell portion under the bottom of the housing, the bottom shell portion comprising third and fourth electromagnetic contacts extending from a front of the bottom shell and passing through openings in the bottom side of the housing.

Abstract: A power cable connector assembly includes: an electrical connector including an insulative housing, a number of contacts retained in the insulative housing, and an outer case enclosing the insulative housing; a cable electrically connecting with the electrical connector, the cable including a number of core wires connected with corresponding contacts and a number of control wires; and a sensor enclosed by the outer case, the sensor including a number of conductive wires connected with corresponding control wires and a mounting portion, the mounting portion having a through hole for fixing the sensor to the insulative housing.

Abstract: Provided is a protective plate for at least one plug connector attached to a mounting rail, said protective plate having a substantially U-shaped basic form with a closed main surface and side surfaces angled at approximately 90° to the main surface, wherein a securing region is angled at approximately 90° to the side surfaces, said securing region having at least one hole, and wherein an abutting region is angled at approximately 90° to the side surfaces, said securing region and the corresponding abutting region being positioned approximately perpendicular to one another. The system, formed by protective plate, a mounting rail and at least one plug connector, is optimally coordinated.

Abstract: A signal cable for transmitting the signal between a transmitter (5) and a receiver (6), wherein the first plug (1) is intended for connection to the signal transmitter (5), and the second plug (2) is intended for connection to the signal receiver (6), and is electrically connected by a connecting portion, wherein the connecting portion includes a graphene layer (4) disposed on a polymer layer, which graphene layer (4) provides an electrical connection between the first plug (1) and the second plug (2).

Abstract: A wall plate apparatus including a plate having a rear side and a front side. A power adapter housing can extend from the front side of the plate, the power adapter housing including an internal cavity having an adapter opening oriented towards the rear side of the plate. A cable opening can be defined in the power adapter housing, the cable opening communicating the front side of the plate with the internal cavity of the power adapter housing. The apparatus can include a power adapter having a converter module received within the power adapter housing and a cable connected to the converter module, the cable extending through the cable opening in the power adapter module.

Abstract: An adapter casing module for installing a power socket includes a first casing and a second casing engaged correspondingly with the first casing, and the first casing has a fixed base, and the second casing has an opening disposed opposite to the fixed base, and the fixed base includes two elastic walls protruded from the first casing, and the two elastic walls are arranged with an interval apart and opposite to each other for installing the power socket between the elastic walls, and a first limit structure is disposed on a side of the two elastic walls, and a second limit structure is disposed on the other side of the two elastic walls, and the first and second limit structures are provided for limiting the power socket to be situated in the fixed base and configured to be corresponsive to the opening of the second casing.

Abstract: A composite connector includes an insulative base having a seat and a tongue plate extended forward from the seat, a first insulative board attached onto the seat and arranged in parallel to the tongue and on one side of the first surface, a plurality of first conductive terminal pieces located on an outer side of the first insulative board and away from the tongue, a second insulative board attached onto the base and arranged in parallel to the tongue plate and on one side of the second surface, a plurality of second conductive terminal pieces located on an outer side of the second insulative board and away from the tongue plate, and a plurality of first elastic connecting terminals arranged between the first surface and the first insulative board. Accordingly, the technical effect of transmission for multiple transmission interfaces is achieved.

Abstract: There may be provided a laser unit including a display configured to display one or both of electric power consumed by the laser unit and electric energy consumed by the laser unit.

Abstract: A laser-oscillation cooling device includes a laser excitation unit that excites a laser beam and locally emits heat, a storage tank that is capable of storing a cryogenic liquid at an atmospheric pressure and discharge the cryogenic liquid which is evaporated, a pressurization and supply unit that pressurizes the cryogenic liquid stored in the storage tank and supplies the pressurized cryogenic liquid to the laser excitation unit, and a decompression and return unit that decompresses the cryogenic liquid which is supplied to the laser excitation unit and used to cool the laser excitation unit and returns the cryogenic liquid to the storage tank.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure describes a fiber laser system for the generation and delivery of femtosecond (fs) pulses in multiple wavelength ranges. For improved versatility in multi-photon microscopy, an example of a dual wavelength fiber system based on Nd fiber source providing gain at 920 and 1060 nm is described. An example of a three-wavelength system is included providing outputs at 780 nm, 940 nm, and 1050 nm. The systems include dispersion compensation so that high quality fs pulses are provided for applications in microscopy, for example in multiphoton microscope (MPM) systems.

Abstract: This image display apparatus includes a plurality of laser beam source portions outputting laser beams of a plurality of color components different from each other, a synthesized beam generation portion synthesizing the laser beams of the plurality of color components, a control portion controlling the outputs of the laser beam source portions, and a driving current correction portion estimating a variation in the threshold current of each of the laser beam source portions and correcting a driving current on the basis of the estimated variation in the threshold current.

Abstract: Provided is a single pulse laser apparatus. The apparatus including a resonator having a first mirror, a second mirror, a gain medium, and electro-optic modulators (EOMs) which perform each mode-locking and Q-switching, the apparatus includes a photodiode which measures laser light that oscillates from the resonator, a synchronizer which converts an electrical signal generated by measuring the laser light into a transistor-transistor logic (TTL) signal, a delay unit which sets a latency determined in order to synchronize a mode-locked pulse with a Q-switched pulse to the TTL signal, and outputs a trigger TTL signal according to the latency, and a Q-driver which inputs the trigger TTL signal to the EOM which performs Q-switching, and causes the EOM to operates.

Abstract: An optic-microwave frequency discriminator includes: a fiber coupler receives and combines a first laser and a second laser, than the fiber coupler respectively generates and outputs a first light signal and a second light signal; a photodiode module respectively receives the first light signal and the second light signal, and converts the first light signal into a first microwave signal and converts the second light signal into a second microwave signal; a microwave phase shifter generates a shifted microwave signal by introducing a phase shift to the second microwave signal; a 90° microwave bridge combines the first microwave signal and the shifted microwave signal for generating a first bridge signal and a second bridge signal; a normalized balanced detection module generates an error signal; and a control module generates a controlling voltage signal according to the error signal for tuning a frequency of the second laser.

Abstract: A laser-frequency stabilizer includes: a light detector that converts a laser beam passing through an iodine cell to an optical output signal, an actuator that changes a resonator length in accordance with a received output voltage, and a control unit that controls the output voltage applied to the actuator. The control unit searches for a target saturated absorption line based on the optical output signal and, when the output voltage when the target saturated absorption line is found is within a normal voltage range that is predetermined corresponding to the target saturated absorption line, locks a oscillation frequency of the laser beam to the target saturated absorption line.

Abstract: An object is to provide an optical device capable of relaxing a manufacturing condition for an optical waveguide used in the optical device. An optical device 500 is provided with an optical waveguide 200 including a core and a cladding optically joined together, and a temperature controller 600 that controls temperature of the optical waveguide, wherein the optical waveguide includes the core and the cladding formed such that a normalized frequency specified for light propagating through the optical waveguide changes across a cutoff frequency of a guided mode determined from a structure of the optical waveguide in a temperature range in which a refractive index of the core is higher than a refractive index of the clad. The temperature controller controls the temperature of the optical waveguide over a temperature range across temperature at which the normalized frequency equals to the cutoff frequency.

Abstract: Optoelectronic apparatus includes a substrate, such as a semiconductor die and a monolithic array of light-emitting elements formed on the semiconductor die in a grid pattern comprising multiple columns. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a cylindrical lens, having a cylinder axis that is angled relative to the columns of the grid pattern of the light-emitting elements. A diffractive optical element (DOE) is mounted on the substrate and configured to project the light emitted by the elements so as to generate a pattern of stripes corresponding to the columns of the grid pattern.

Abstract: An optical module includes a bench part and a cap on the bench part. The bench part includes a bench, an electrode, a semiconductor optical device and a lens. The electrode is disposed on the first and second areas of the bench. The semiconductor optical device is disposed on the electrode in the first area. The cap includes a base, a pad electrode, a conductor, a ceiling, a front wall, and a rear wall. The pad electrode is disposed on the base. The conductor is disposed on the base and connected to the pad electrode. The electrode is electrically connected to the conductor on the second area. The ceiling extends along a first plane. The front wall has a front outer face extending along a second plane intersecting the first plane. The rear wall extends from the ceiling in a direction from the cap to the bench.

Abstract: An optical module providing a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA), and a process to assembly the optical module are disclosed. The optical module provides front and rear coupling units each optically coupled with the SOA and fixed to the housing enclosing the SOA. The housing has a slim wall fixing a lens holder soldered to the slim wall. The front and/or rear coupling unit is fixed to the lens holder by YAG laser welding after the active alignment by using a spontaneous emission of the SOA, and amplified emission of externally provided test beam.

Abstract: In various embodiments, passivation layers are deposited on internal surfaces of cooling channels defined within heat sinks for electronic devices such as laser beam emitters, the passivation layers retarding or substantially preventing erosion and/or corrosion of the heat sinks.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, systems, and apparatuses to utilize a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) comprising a silicon layer including a silicon waveguide, a non-silicon layer disposed on the silicon layer and including a non-silicon waveguide, first and second mode transition region comprising tapers in the silicon waveguide and/or the non-silicon waveguide for exchanging light between the waveguide, and a plurality of regions disposed between the first and second mode transition regions comprising different cross-sectional areas of the silicon waveguide and the non-silicon waveguide such that confinement factors for the non-silicon waveguide in each of the plurality of regions differ.

Abstract: A method for producing a quantum cascade laser includes the steps of growing a stacked semiconductor layer including a core layer; forming an insulating mask on the stacked semiconductor layer; forming a mesa structure including the core layer by etching the stacked semiconductor layer through the insulating mask; growing a buried layer on a side surface of the mesa structure using the insulating mask by supplying a halogen-based substance and a gas containing a raw material, the buried layer having a thickness larger than a height of the mesa structure; producing a substrate product including the mesa structure and a buried region by processing of the buried layer using a chemical-mechanical polishing method; and after removal of the insulating mask, producing a distributed reflection structure by etching the mesa structure and the buried region of the substrate product using a mask.

Abstract: An ignition device includes a center electrode, a center dielectric covering the center electrode, a ground electrode disposed so as to form a discharge space with the center dielectric, and a high energy source for applying an AC voltage between the center electrode and the ground electrode to generate a streamer discharge. A distal end portion of the center electrode projects beyond a distal end of the ground electrode to an inside of the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine to make a dielectric discharge portion. The ground electrode is formed with an airflow inlet and en airflow outlet at a lateral portion thereof for enabling an in-cylinder airflow to be introduced into the discharge space. A distal end portion of the ground electrode projects radially inward to make a ground electrode projecting portion so that a discharge space narrow portion is formed with the dielectric discharge portion.

Abstract: A spark plug for an internal combustion engine is provided which includes a housing, a porcelain insulator, a center electrode, and an annular ground electrode. The housing has a small-diameter portion which has a smaller inner diameter and defines a front end thereof. The ground electrode is secured to a front end surface of the small-diameter portion and forms a spark gap between itself and an outer periphery of the center electrode. The ground electrode is smaller in outer diameter than the front end surface of the small-diameter portion. A annular weld which joints the ground electrode and the small-diameter portion is formed in an annular boundary through which the front end surface of the small-diameter portion and the base end surface of the ground electrode face each other. The annular weld continuously and fully extends in a circumferential direction of the ground electrode.

Abstract: An ignition plug wire for an internal combustion engine has an elongated conductor with a programmable capacitor module disposed in-line with the elongated conductor. The programmable capacitor module is configured to step up or convert the ignition voltage normally supplied by an ignition coil to a plasma voltage. An inventive ignition plug if configured such that the anode enclosed within the insulator includes or is replaced by a voltage converting module designed to convert the ignition voltage into a plasma voltage. The voltage converting module consists of a semiconductor circuit, a composite semiconductor material, or a capacitor.