With Housing Casing Or Support Means For Igniter Unit Patents (Class 219/267)
  • Publication number: 20090255916
    Abstract: Elimination of sodium contamination at the negative terminal of an electrical stri resistance heater (1, FIGS. 2 and 4) for a gas sensor (3) can be accomplished by providing a grounding plane (-18?) electrically connected to system ground and located between the heater (1) and the sensor (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventors: James A. Katterman, David P. Wallace, II, David P. Wallace, SR., Linda L. Wallace
  • Publication number: 20090242540
    Abstract: A glow plug including a pressure sensor (830) and a heater (150). The glow plug includes a position-defining member which defines the positional relationship between the pressure sensor (830) and the heater (150) and has a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than that of the heater. The pressure sensor (830) is fixed at a predetermined sensor reference position relative to the position-defining member. The heater (150) is held by a heater-holding member (820) in such manner that an attachment position A of the heater-holding member to the heater can be displaced, with a change in external pressure, relative to a predetermined heater reference position defined by the position-defining member. A displacement transmission member (840) is arranged between the heater (150) and the pressure sensor (830) so as to transmit displacement of the heater (150) to the pressure sensor (830).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD
    Inventors: Shinsuke ITOH, Shunsuke Maeda, Masanori Suda, Toshiyuki Matsuoka
  • Publication number: 20090218331
    Abstract: A partition-type heating apparatus has advantageous effects in that a material to be heated, i.e., a reaction gas used in a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process, is pre-heated and the pre-heated reaction gas flows through a flow channel defined by the vertical and horizontal partitions so that the flowing reaction gas is heated by the transfer of heat generated from a hot wire during the flow of the reaction gas, thereby securing heating performance required for a small-sized heating apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: EUGENE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Pyung-yong Um
  • Publication number: 20090127244
    Abstract: A heater assembly is provided that includes a substrate having opposed end portions defining raised flanges, a slot extending between the opposed end portions, and opposed chamfered surfaces extending along the slot and across the raised flanges. In one form, a plurality of layers are disposed onto the substrate, along with a pair of terminal pads. A protective cover defining at least one aperture is disposed over the layers and is secured to the raised flanges and the opposed chamfered surfaces of the substrate, and the aperture is disposed proximate the terminal pads. A pair of lead wires is secured to the pair of terminal pads, and a lead cap assembly is disposed around the pair of lead wires and is secured to the protective cover. Methods of manufacturing the heater assembly are also provided in accordance with the present disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Elias Russegger, Gerhard Schefbanker, Gernot Antosch, Wolfgang Poeschl, Martin Wallinger, Kevin Ptasienski, Matt Kenchel, Kenneth Fennewald, Allen Boldt
  • Publication number: 20080149613
    Abstract: A glow plug has a heating coil made of an alloy of iron, chromium and aluminum, a control coil made of nickel and serially connected with the heating coil, a heater case made of an inconel material and accommodating the coils therein, and a current line through which an electric current adjusted at a duty ratio changeable based on a voltage of the current according to a pulse width modulation control is supplied to the coils. The alloy of the heating coil and nickel of the control coil are superior in durability at high temperature. The inconel material of the case is superior in heat resisting property. In response to the current, resistance of the control coil is heightened, and the heating coil is heated to a maximum temperature to heat an air-fuel mixture of a combustion chamber of a diesel engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Teiji Ishinada
  • Patent number: 7332690
    Abstract: A hot wire igniter for igniting a gaseous or atomized fuel is disclosed. The coil of the hot wire igniter is formed from a thin high temperature, iron, chromium, aluminum alloy having a center section that is tightly wound. The coil turns initially do not touch one another and each end of the coil is attached to a rod that is received within an insulator member. The rods are connected to a power source. The coil portion of the hot wire igniter is received within a gas collector box which is attached to the burner to be ignited. Application of the power source to the lead-in rods causes the coil of wire to reach a temperature in excess of the ignition temperature of the fuel mixture which surrounds same causing the ignition of the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Channel Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Schmiedlin, David J. Horvath
  • Patent number: 7193183
    Abstract: A glow plug connector for a glow plug with built-in sensor, especially built-in pressure sensor, comprising a casing made of an electrically insulating material, which can be placed onto the glow plug. Provided centrally in the casing is a high-current connection which is connected to the high-current contact of the heating devices of the glow plug when the connector is placed thereon. Sensor contacts are provided on the casing insulated with respect to the high-current connection for contacting the sensor connections of the built-in sensor when the connector is placed thereon. For sealing an O-ring is provided on the outside of the casing whereas a locking mechanism serves to deliver the withdrawal force which must be overcome so that a coupling placed thereon can be removed from the glow plug connector. The connector is part of a system with a glow plug connector and glow plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignees: Beru AG, Hirschmann Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Haussner, Gerald List, Frank Pechhold, Hans Houben, Juergen Haefele, Werner Jaeger
  • Patent number: 7193182
    Abstract: A heating plug for an electric cigar lighter, in particular for a cigar lighter equipping a motor vehicle, has a plug body designed to be inserted axially in a complementary female socket body equipped with electrical connection terminals. A push button is mounted so as to be able to move axially with respect to the plug body, between a neutral position and a pushed-in position in which it causes closure of an electrical circuit for supplying electrical current to a heating element arranged in the plug. The heating element has a lighting face which is accessible from the outside of the plug when the plug is removed from the socket body. The lighting face of the element is roughly parallel to the insertion axis of the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Valco Vision
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Can, Patrick Refouni, Pascal Thibaut
  • Patent number: 7161119
    Abstract: A sheathed-element glow plug, in particular for internal combustion engines, includes a housing, a glow plug situated on the housing and having a heating and regulating filament situated in the glow tube, current being applicable to this heating and regulating filament via a terminal stud situated in the housing. The control filament r the heating filament or the heating and control filament are optionally multiple-coil filaments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Reissner, Vera Wein, Rainer Bach, Steffen Carbon
  • Patent number: 7121897
    Abstract: A cigar lighter including a mounting ring, and a socket insertable into the mounting ring. The socket has at least one cantilevered lance extending in a longitudinal direction of the socket and directed radially inwardly. The mounting ring has a cylindrical body with an inner surface. A rib is provided on the inner surface of the housing so as to extend in a longitudinal direction. The rib is arranged in a vicinity of the lance of the socket so as to limit outward radial travel of the lance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignees: Casco Products Corporation, Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Alex Beski, Susan Marie Verellen, Thomas D. Belanger, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7059288
    Abstract: An apparatus that may be utilized as a glow plug connector (1401) includes a retainer (1601) disposed between retainer flanges (2415), advantageously in a groove (2413). The retainer (1601) is capable of compressing to fit, for example, within a passage of a rocker carrier (820) of an internal combustion engine, and capable of subsequently expanding to prevent the connector (1401) from being dislodged from the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew D. Merrick, Franco Franchi
  • Patent number: 7060938
    Abstract: A double-element assembly for a cigar lighter, having a bimetallic disk, and a metal disk that is not bimetallic, the disks being riveted to one another in a center region of each disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Casco Products Corporation
    Inventor: Ralph Lauer
  • Patent number: 7020952
    Abstract: A green ceramic heater including a green heating resistor formed of an electrically conductive ceramic (e.g., silicide or carbide of a metal element such as W, Ta, or Nb) and an insulative ceramic (e.g., silicon nitride) and power supply leads (e.g., made of W), a first end of each power supply lead being connected to a corresponding end of the green heating resistor, the green heating resistor and the power supply leads buried in a green substrate formed of a material (e.g., silicon nitride) is fired, and subsequently, the resultant ceramic heater is heat-treated at 900 to 1,600° C., to thereby enhance flexural strength of the ceramic heater. The heat treatment is preferably carried out prior to forming a glass layer on an outer circumferential surface of the ceramic heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shindo Watanabe, Masahiro Konishi, Katsuhisa Yabuta
  • Publication number: 20040206742
    Abstract: A glow plug assembly is disclosed having a plug body for mounting the assembly into an engine. A sheath extends from the plug body and has a distal tip portion spaced from the plug body. A first heating element having a fixed resistance is disposed within the sheath and extends from the plug body into the tip portion. A second heating element having a variable resistance is located next adjacent the tip portion separated from the plug body by the first heating element and connected in series with the first heating element. A terminal extends outwardly from the plug body and a power supply is connected to the terminal. A controller between the power supply and the terminal intermittently applies voltage to the terminal for a predetermined time period to maintain an operating temperature. A sensor senses a combined resistance of the first heating element and the second heating element to maintain the combined resistance with the controller by intermittently applying the voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicant: Fleming Circle Associates, LLC
    Inventor: David E. Duba
  • Patent number: 6784403
    Abstract: A car cigarette lighter includes a lighter main body, a cylindrical socket body, and a cylindrical case. The lighter main body is selectively inserted into the socket body. An ash disposal hole is formed in the socket body for discharging ash from inside the socket body to the outside of the socket body. The case covers the socket body. A discharge hole is formed in the case for discharging liquid from inside the case to the outside of the case. This prevents ash from being discharged outside the cigarette lighter and lets liquid that has entered inside the cigarette lighter, to be discharged outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Kenichi Abe, Tetsuo Yamamoto, Kenji Nakatani, Hiroshi Fujimoto, Hiroharu Tsutaki, Hiroshi Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 6777650
    Abstract: An igniter for use in industrial and domestic gas burning appliances is disclosed. One embodiment of the igniter includes an igniter element disposed on the longitudinal axis of a tubular shield. The shield includes at least one open slot formed therethrough for providing a passageway through which gas and air can flow, thereby forming one or more open spiral patterns in the tubular shield. Another embodiment of the igniter includes an igniter element disposed on the longitudinal axis of a spiral coil. Still another embodiment of the igniter includes an igniter element disposed on the longitudinal axis of a ceramic, cylindrical sleeve. The sleeve includes at least one hole formed therethrough for optimally exposing the igniter element to a gas flow. The tubular shield, the spiral coil, and the ceramic sleeve protect the igniter element from accidental damage or breakage, and allow an optimal flow of gas and air to the igniter element, thereby facilitating subsequent ignition of the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Saint-Gobtain Industrial Ceramics, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott M. Hamel
  • Publication number: 20040107972
    Abstract: A car cigarette lighter with a light indicator includes a power socket and a cigarette lighter. The car cigarette lighter is characterized in attaching an external sleeve to a bottom tube of a handle, and installing a circuit board in electric connection with a circuit of the car cigarette lighter in the external tube. The circuit board has at least one light emitting diode located at a bottom of the transparent handle. A switch in electric connection with the car cigarette lighter is further mounted on the external sleeve. By plugging the car cigarette lighter into the power socket and pushing the handle, the circuit board is conducted, and the light emitting diode is switched on. By the switch of the external sleeve, the electro-thermal winding film is conducted and heated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventor: Lighter Sheen
  • Patent number: 6744015
    Abstract: The present invention provides an inexpensive heater exhibiting good gas-tightness, as well as a method for manufacturing the same. The heater includes a cylindrical metallic shell having a through-hole with a heating element disposed in the through-hole such that a portion projects from one end of the shell. The heater is adapted to generate heat upon application of electricity thereto. A rod-like axial member has a coil lead for electrically connecting a portion of the axial member and the heating element. A gas-tight seal member formed of an insulating polymeric material is interposed between the axial member and the inner surface of the through-hole in such a manner to surround the outer circumferential surface of the axial member. A crimped portion of the metallic shell brings the gas-tight seal member into close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the axial member and the inner wall surface of the through-hole form a gas tight seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Tanaka, Masakazu Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 6695136
    Abstract: An automobile cigarette case with electrical lighter for dispensing lit cigarettes to the driver of an automobile, having a substantially rectangular case housing which is selectively mountable on the dashboard of an automobile. The case housing contains an electric lighter having an electrical cord which terminates in a lighter adaptor which may be plugged into a standard cigarette lighter outlet for powering of the electric lighter. The case with electrical lighter has a cigarette passageway which holds a plurality of cigarettes and directs and biases the cigarettes toward the electric lighter whereupon they are ignited. After the cigarette has been ignited, a coiled lighter spring is allowed to expand, and thereby raises the unlit end of the cigarette so that it partially protrudes from an opening on top of the case housing, where it may be easily grasped by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Inventor: Ernesto Torres
  • Publication number: 20040004067
    Abstract: A combination cigarette lighter and a casing in which the cigarette lighter is carried to be attached to the existing framework of a motorcycle without requiring any structural changes thereto. The casing is located on the motorcycle within easy reach so that riders may conveniently light their cigarettes while on the go away from home. An end cap is pivotally connected to the casing and rotated between a closed configuration at which to cover the cigarette lighter and an open configuration at which the cigarette lighter is removed from or returned to the casing. A ball and detent locking feature is provided by which to retain the end cap in either of the closed or open configurations relative to the casing so as to prevent the end cap from flapping back and forth and possibly disturbing the operator of the motorcycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventor: Brian C. Scaccia
  • Patent number: 6664514
    Abstract: Featured is a method for securing an ignition device to a support. The securing method includes disposing a shock mounting pad between the ignition device and the support, the shock mounting pad being configured so as to reduce external loads to the ignition device, more particularly to reduce external loads being applied in one of directions transverse to a long axis of a heating element of the ignition device and more specifically, to reduce external impact loads. The shock mounting pad is made of a material having a thickness and firmness so as to be capable of reducing external loads being applied in one of a horizontal or vertical direction with respect to a long axis of a heating element forming a part of the ignition device. In this way, the structure formed by the combination of the ignition device, shock mounting pad and the support is more resistant to applied external loads than a case in which the ignition device is secured without the shock mounting pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan E. Marshall
  • Publication number: 20030155342
    Abstract: A car cigarette lighter includes a lighter main body, a cylindrical socket body, and a cylindrical case. The lighter main body is selectively inserted into the socket body. An ash disposal hole is formed in the socket body for discharging ash from inside the socket body to the outside of the socket body. The case covers the socket body. A discharge hole is formed in the case for discharging liquid from inside the case to the outside of the case. This prevents ash from being discharged outside the cigarette lighter and lets liquid that has entered inside the cigarette lighter, to be discharged outside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Kenichi Abe, Tetsuo Yamamoto, Kenji Nakatani, Hiroshi Fujimoto, Hiroharu Tsutaki, Hiroshi Miyazaki
  • Publication number: 20030141297
    Abstract: Low-odor microwaveable mineral-filled polypropylene food contact articles are disclosed. The articles are prepared by low temperature processing and typically include odor-suppressing basic organic or inorganic compounds. Preferably, the articles are substantially free from C8 and C9 organic ketones associated with undesirable odors. Further improvements to the articles include crack-resistant embodiments with synergistic amounts of polyethylene and titanium dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Donald C. McCarthy, Ronald L. Cochran, Mark B. Littlejohn, Cristian M. Neculescu, Robert Patterson, Anthony J. Swiontek
  • Publication number: 20030106885
    Abstract: A sheath heater in a sheathed-type glow plug for diesel engines is described, having at least one generally internal insulation layer and at least one generally external conductive layer, both layers making up a ceramic composite structure. The sheath heater has a generally uniform overall cross-section, generally over its entire length, and, in the area of a tip of the sheath heater, the proportion of the insulation layer in the overall cross-section increases, whereas the proportion of the conductive layer in the overall cross-section decreases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventors: Gert Lindemann, Wilfried Aichele, Andreas Reissner, Friedericke Lindner, Christof Rau, Guenter Knoll
  • Patent number: 6563088
    Abstract: An electrical plug-like connector, in particular a socket or cigar(ette) lighter in motor vehicles having a sleeve-like guide part for axially accepting a cigar(ette) lighter or a connector plug of an electrical device. A first fixed contact is arranged in the sleeve base region on an insulation carrier. The fixed first contact is acted upon by a counter contact, and the electrically conductive guide part forms a second fixed contact that acts upon other counter contacts. Thermal overload protection is also provided. Parallel to the thermal overload protection and at a distance from the insulation carrier, a sheet metal insert is provided, extending in the sleeve base section. On the underside of the sheet metal insert, an electrically-conductive bimetal-switch spring is fixed such that such that in the non-operative condition the bimetal switch spring acts upon the first fixed contact or upon a side contact connected with the side contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Inter Control Hermann Kohler Elektrik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Roland Wolf
  • Patent number: 6538236
    Abstract: A motor vehicle cigar lighter of the luminous type comprises a lighter body which is a receptacle for a luminous and removable heating plug which consists of a fixed part and a moving part. The moving part is displaceable axially in the fixed part. The moving part includes a push button and a light guide for propagating light received by it from an external light source when the plug is in position in the body. The light guide is an element of the fixed part of the heating plug, and surrounds the push button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Philippe Rostan
  • Publication number: 20030029855
    Abstract: A sheathed element glow plug having an ionic current sensor and a method of operating such a sheathed element glow plug are provided. The sheathed element glow plug includes a housing and a rod-shaped heating element arranged in a concentric bore in the housing. The heating element has at least one insulation layer, a first feeder layer, and a second feeder layer, the first feeder layer and the second feeder layer being connected by a web on the combustion chamber-side end of the heating element, the first and second feeder layers and the web being made of an electrically conducting ceramic material, and the insulation layer being made of an electrically insulating ceramic material. The heating element has at least one ionic current detection electrode made of an electrically conducting ceramic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Christoph Haluschka, Juergen Arnold, Christoph Kern
  • Patent number: 6476359
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cigar lighter, especially for a motor vehicle, comprising a heating body and a knob intended to be engaged in the heating body, this knob including a heating resistance element located in a cup and able to be supplied with electricity via a supply bimetallic strip in contact with the cup when the knob is pushed in into a heating position, and a safety device maintaining electrical contact with the cup, whatever the shape of the supply bimetallic strip, in order to continue to supply the heating resistance element as long as the knob is pushed in into the heating body in heating position, in which the electrical contact between the safety device and the cup is formed on the flank of the outer face of the cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Philippe Rostan
  • Patent number: 6444953
    Abstract: An automatic cigarette lighter comprises a thermal resistance element mounted in a sealed case and powered by a switch activated power supply. Operation of the thermal resistance element is controlled by a timer to heat for a predetermined time after activation of the switch and then to remain off for a predetermined period of time before reactivation is possible. The automatic cigarette lighter finds particular advantage in situations where naked flame is unsafe or undesirable. It is also useful in secure establishments, such as prisons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Ladwyn Pty Limited
    Inventor: Ronald George Leishman
  • Patent number: 6414272
    Abstract: A control device with several stable positions, has a cam and a finger, the finger traveling along a cam track around the cam, when the finger and the cam are moved with respect to one another in translation. The cam track has curvature about an axis of rotation parallel to the axis of the translation to move the finger and the cam in rotation with respect to one another. The finger and the cam each are a cylindrical ring, these two rings being coaxial and capable of a rotational movement with respect to one another, along the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Philippe Rostan
  • Patent number: 6385507
    Abstract: An illumination module (20) for illuminating an object (10) comprises a number of illumination rings (62, 64, 66) each comprising a number of radiation-generating elements (50) which are all arranged on a flat plate (42). For each ring, a light guide (72, 82, 84) is provided for guiding the radiation from the ring to the exit window (60) where the radiation exits at a range of angles which are specific to said ring. The rings can be switched on individually, so that different kinds of illumination can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Antonius Gerardus Johannes Wilhelmina Maria Buijtels
  • Patent number: 6307183
    Abstract: An ignition device of an electronic lighter comprises a ceramic seat, electric heating wires, conductive wires, and a circuit board; the ceramic seat having a pair of through holes. The conductive wires pass through the through holes. A lower end of each conductive wire is connected to a bottom of a circuit board. An upper end of each conductive wire is bent to be connected to the electric heating wires. A top of the ceramic seat is formed with a hemispherical groove so that the electric heating wires do not contact the ceramic seat. Thus, it is avoided that ash seals the groove, and thus, the joint of the circuit board is directly connected to wires of power source. Therefore, the present invention only occupies a small space. The ceramic seat is formed by combining a primary seat and a secondary seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Inventor: Wei Ou-Yang
  • Publication number: 20010019047
    Abstract: A control device with several stable positions, has a cam and a finger, the finger traveling along a cam track around the cam, when the finger and the cam are moved with respect to one another in translation. The cam track has curvature about an axis of rotation parallel to the axis of the translation to move the finger and the cam in rotation with respect to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Publication date: September 6, 2001
    Inventor: Philippe Rostan
  • Patent number: 6051814
    Abstract: An electric cigar lighter includes a receptacle for receiving and energizing an igniting unit of an automatic electric cigar lighter, the receptacle having a pair of circuits having respectively a grounding contact and a polarizing contact both of which are engageable with the igniting unit to carry current thereto, and a heat-responsive device comprising a solid state positive temperature coefficient resistor disposed in series in one of the circuits, the resistor being adapted to receive heat from the igniting unit for limiting the current in the one circuit when the resistor attains a predetermined high temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Casco Products Corporation
    Inventor: Ali El-Haj
  • Patent number: 6040519
    Abstract: The present invention provides a unit sheath adaptable to a glow plug or a thermocouple, which is improved in durability by the protection from burn-out of the conductive filament. The unit sheath is preferably adapted to a glow plug 10. A protective envelope 1 of ceramics high in density includes a metallic filament 4 of any one of pure tungsten, molybdenum or alloy thereof. A high-density sealant 3 hermetically closes the envelope 1 at its opened end 5. Filler 2 of non-conductive, unburned material is packed in the space around the metallic filament 4 in the envelope 1. The filler contains therein an additive 7 that may be subjected to the oxidation at the temperature lower than that of the metallic filament 4. The additive 7 is composed of at least any one of a free oxygen absorber selected from the group of carbon, titanium, boron, aluminum and nitride thereof, or the mixture thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Isuzu Ceramics Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Kita, Hideo Kawamura
  • Patent number: 6002107
    Abstract: This invention relates to the use of a continuously energized ceramic igniter in providing a "relight" function in stovetop cooking applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Industrial Ceramics, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig A. Willkens, Linda S. Bateman, Dean Croucher
  • Patent number: 5998764
    Abstract: The illuminating sleeve has at least one fastening tongue which is extended towards its front collar portion, so as to pass through the aperture in the fixed wall to which the illuminating sleeve is fastened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Daniel Mathieu
  • Patent number: 5942141
    Abstract: A heating plug has a shroud containing a heating resistance of spiral form. The base of the shroud has engagement lugs for contact with the outer end of the resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Bertrand Neyret
  • Patent number: 5928539
    Abstract: A motor vehicle cigar lighter has an illuminating sleeve carrying an illuminating module which includes a light source and which surrounds the lighter socket or body. A connecting module is fixed to the rear of the lighter body. Temporary locking means, comprising tongues, are interposed between the connecting module and the illuminating sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Gilles Thivet
  • Patent number: 5900172
    Abstract: The lighter body comprises a lighter socket, a masking socket, surrounding the lighter socket and an illuminant ring surrounding the masking socket. The ring has at least one attachment lug of a fixed wall and bears a lighting source. An attachment structure also acts between the ring and the masking socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Gilles Thivet
  • Patent number: 5892201
    Abstract: The present invention relates a ceramic igniter comprising:a) a pair of electrically conductive portions, each portion having a first end,b) a hot zone disposed between and in electrical connection with each of the first ends of the electrically conductive portions, the hot zone having an electrical path length of less than 0.5 cm, andc) an electrically non-conductive heat sink material contacting the hot zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Industrial Ceramics, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean Croucher, Craig A. Willkens, Linda S. Bateman
  • Patent number: 5883360
    Abstract: A ceramic heater includes a silicon nitride ceramic and a heating element embedded in the ceramic. The heating element is formed through use of, as a main component, a silicide, carbide, or nitride of at least one element selected from the group consisting of W, Ta, Nb, Ti, Mo, Zr, Hf, V, and Cr. The ceramic includes, as sintering aids, 1 to 20% by weight of at least one rare earth element calculated as an oxide thereof; 0.5 to 8% by weight of V (vanadium) calculated as V.sub.2 O.sub.5, and, 0.5 to 8% by weight of at least one Va/VIa group element selected from the group consisting of Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, and W calculated as an oxide thereof. The proportion in total of vanadium and the Va/VIa element is 1 to 10% by weight calculated as oxides. The ceramic heater has excellent high-temperature strength and acid resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuho Tatematsu, Masahiro Konishi
  • Patent number: 5883359
    Abstract: The heating plug has a shroud containing a heating resistance of spiral form. The base of the shroud has embossed annular sectors for contact with the outer end of the resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Bertrand Neyret
  • Patent number: 5856651
    Abstract: An ignitor assembly includes a hot surface ignitor of a resistance material and a super alloy shield surrounding the ignitor. The shield comprises a longitudinally extending cylindrically shaped super alloy sheet having a plurality of first and second alternating transverse strips. The strips are formed by making a plurality of transverse slits or cuts in a flat sheet of super alloy material. The first alternating strips are bowed outwardly in a first direction and the second alternating strips are bowed outwardly in an opposite direction to thereby form a cage like cylindrical structure which forms a part of the ignitor assembly. The ignitor generally includes a base portion and is inserted into the cage like structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Surface Igniter Corporation
    Inventor: Peter T. B. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 5831246
    Abstract: A lighter body (10) having a sleeve (11) with a base portion (12), a first electrical supply member (4), a safety element (1) with a safety tongue (9), a second electrical supply member (7), and a second electrical insulating member (3), whereby the safety element (1) is in contact with the second electrical supply member (7). The second electrical supply member (7) and the safety element (1) are interposed between the base portion (12) of the sleeve (11) and the second electrical insulating member (3). The safety tongue (9) is adapted to cooperate with a contact portion (8) which is electrically connected to the first electrical supply member (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventor: Gilles Thivet
  • Patent number: 5796073
    Abstract: A cigar lighter receptacle construction includes a well part and a separate safety connector cartridge part adapted to be disconnectably carried at the rear of the well part. The parts have electrical connector structures forming engageable pairs of contactors. At least one pair of contactors is in the form of telescopic cup-like formations. There is further provided a bimetallic finger carried by the cartridge part, adapted to shunt the connector structures of the cartridge part in response to overheating of the well part. The arrangement is such that both the well part and the cartridge part are relatively simple sub-assemblies which can be manufactured at greatly reduced expense by virtue of the various assembly steps being carried out largely by automated equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Casco Products Corporation
    Inventors: Donald J. Mattis, Ali El-Haj
  • Patent number: 5780813
    Abstract: A lighter body (10) having a sleeve (11) carrying, on the inside, a bimetallic device (5) provided with axially oriented blades (51). The sleeve is locally pressed outwards in line with the blades (51) to form axially oriented protuberances forming a space allowing movement of the blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: VALEO
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Sire, Gilles Thivet, Gilles Logeais
  • Patent number: 5750958
    Abstract: A ceramic heater for a DC power source comprising an insulating ceramic sintered body, a heating resistor composed of at least two separate layers of heating resistor made of an inorganic conductive material, leads made of high-melting point metal wires and connected to each end of the layers, and electrodes made of an inorganic conductive material, each formed in a single layer or divided into a plurality of pieces and connected to the leads, the heating resistor, leads and electrodes being embedded in the ceramic sintered body.The present invention further includes six related inventions closely related with one another in regard to the above-mentioned ceramic heater and ceramic glow plugs embodied by using the ceramic heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Norio Okuda, Hiroyuki Arima, Kyouji Uchiyama, Michio Ohno, Hiroaki Ohyama, Jun Fukuda, Makoto Niina
  • Patent number: 5726421
    Abstract: An ejection system is provided which has a mechanism such as a plunger which is positioned to eject at least a portion of a cigarette from the lighter cavity upon actuation by a smoker. The plunger is also positionable to occlude the lighter opening to protect the lighter cavity from dust, moisture, etc. The plunger is shaped, located and arranged to apply a force on the cigarette end inserted into the lighter. Further, an icon based indicator informs the smoker of the status of a cigarette inserted into the lighter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Philip Morris Incorporated
    Inventors: Grier S. Fleischhauer, Patrick H. Hayes, Charles T. Higgins, Richard E. Jones, Robert L. Ripley, T. Paul Beane, J. Robert Nelson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5710406
    Abstract: A deodorizing cigarette lighter is disclosed for use in a motor vehicle. A cigarette igniting unit having a standard conventional structure is used to store a heat responsive, nonflammable deodorizing agent that emits a fragrant vapor into the vehicle interior upon energization of an electric heating element associated with the lighter. The cigarette lighter includes a tubular plug body having a chamber formed therein that is used to retain the deodorizing agent. A slotted cap is attached to one end of the plug body, and a knob is attached to the cap. The lighter also includes a contact cup at the other end of the plug body that houses the heating coil. One end of the heating element is maintained in thermal communication with the contact cup, and the other end of the heating element is connected to a thermally conductive rivet. The rivet is maintained in a heat transfer relationship with the plug body. The deodorizing agent emits a fragrant vapor upon energization of the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Inventors: Louie G. Garris, Jerry J. Garris