Abstract: The present invention provides a glow plug capable of preventing a deformation or eccentricity of the coil, thereby improving a durability of the coil and preventing a variation in temperature-rising characteristic. Also, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing the glow plug.

Abstract: A heater probe assembly, a metallic glow plug assembly therewith and method of constructing the heater probe assembly is provided. The metallic glow plug assembly includes a metal shell having a through bore and a metal sheath extending between a distal end and a terminal end. The terminal end of the metal sheath is fixed in the through bore of the shell. Further, an electrode is provided having an end with a heating element attached to thereto. The heating element and end of the electrode are received in the sheath. A packing powder is disposed in the sheath about the heating element. Further, a ceramic seal has an outer surface attached to the sheath by a braze joint and an inner surface attached to the electrode by a braze joint. The ceramic seal provides a hermetic seal between the packing powder and an environment external to the sheath.

Abstract: A ceramic heater in which a damage in a joining portion between a heating portion and a lead portion is suppressed and the reliability is excellent is provided. In a ceramic heater (1) including: a rod-shaped support (2) which is made from an insulative ceramic; and a resistor member (3) including a heating portion (31) embedded in a tip end part of the support (2), and a pair of lead portions (33) which extend from the heating portion (31) toward a rear end side of the support (2), the heating portion (31) and the lead portions (33) are made from the same conductive ceramic.

Abstract: A spark plug of the present invention includes a cylindrical metal shell, a cylindrical ceramic insulator retained in the metal shell, a center electrode retained in the ceramic insulator and extending in an axial direction, and a ground electrode formed into a bent shape and having a rear end portion fixed to the metal shell and a front end portion facing a front end portion of the center electrode with a gap left therebetween. The ground electrode contains a large thickness region formed on a rear end side thereof with a large thickness, a small thickness region formed on a front end side thereof with a smaller thickness than that of the large thickness region, a protruding region formed on the small thickness region and facing the center electrode and a thickness changing region formed between the large thickness region and the small thickness region and located at a different position from a position of a minimum curvature radius region of the bent shape of the ground electrode.

Abstract: A glow plug including a center pole extending along an axial direction; a heater including a heating element capable of generating heat upon energization, which heater is connected to a leading end portion of the center pole so as to constitute together with the center pole an integrated heater/center pole member in a mechanically rigid state; a metal shell as defined herein; and a vibration preventing member for preventing vibration of the center pole, the vibration preventing member being fixed on an outer peripheral surface of the center pole at an axial position corresponding to a portion where an inside diameter of the axial hole of the metal shell is constant.

Abstract: A glow plug has an annular metal shell and a heater assembly including a central electrode and a heater probe. The metal shell is configured to receive the heater assembly therein. The central electrode has an elongate body extending between a terminal end configured for electrical communication with a power source and an attachment end. The heater probe has an elongate body extending between a proximal end and a free distal end. Either the attachment end of the central electrode or the proximal end of the heater probe has a recessed pocket with a tapered inner surface converging axially extending axially therein. The other of the attachment end of the central electrode or the proximal end of the heater probe has a tapered outer surface configured for receipt in the recessed pocket.

Abstract: A glow plug (10) which includes an annular metal shell (12), thermally conductive tubular sheath (20), electrode (22), resistance heating element (24), and electrically insulating, thermally conductive powder (26). A metallic seal (28) is disposed in an open end of the sheath (20) in sealing engagement with the electrode (22). An insulating layer (54) is formed on the outer surface of the electrode (22) so as to prevent electrical conductivity between the metal seal (28) and the electrode (22). An optional secondary metal layer (56) may be disposed between the insulating layer (54) and the metal seal (28).

Abstract: New ceramic resistive igniter elements are provided that comprise a first conductive zone, a resistive hot zone, and a second conductive zone, all in electrical sequence. In preferred igniters, at least a substantial portion of the first conductive zone does not contact a ceramic insulator. Preferred igniters of the invention have a rounded cross-sectional shape for at least a portion of the igniter length.

Abstract: In combustion chamber signal-based engine control in particular, a reliable and at the same time cost-effective option for detecting a combustion chamber pressure in compression-ignition internal combustion engines is required. A sheathed element glow plug is proposed, which has a glow plug module and a pressure measuring module connected to the glow plug module. The glow plug module has a heating element and a glow plug housing. The pressure measuring module has at least one force measuring element, which is integrated into the pressure measuring module. The at least one force measuring element is designed to generate an electrical signal as a function of a force. In the mounted state of the sheathed element glow plug, the at least one force measuring element is connected to the heating element in such a way that a force is transmittable to the at least one force measuring element via the heating element.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for controlling glow plugs in diesel engines by varying the effective electric voltage applied to the glow plugs between an initial value and a target value, which is obtained at the end of a cold start phase determined by an engine control unit and which is smaller than the initial value, wherein the increase in voltage, i.e. the voltage difference by which the effective voltage applied to the glow plugs in the cold start phase is higher than its target value, is reduced by steps from a maximum value to zero. The invention provides that the effective electric voltage is increased in the cold start phase of the engine over a predetermined period or time, which is determined by the time elapsed until a preselected number of revolutions of the engine is reached.

Abstract: Composite conductor comprising a metallic conductor and a ceramic conductor or non-conductor, at least one of them being elongate, the two being connected with each other in an electrically conductive manner. The ceramic conductor or non-conductor and the metallic conductor are hard-soldered to each other by a contact surface extending obliquely to the longitudinal direction of the at least one elongate conductor, and has one of the conductors tapers at its end and the other conductor has a matching tapering recess. The tapering end of the conductor is fitted into the tapering recess.

Abstract: A glow plug for a combustion chamber of a self-igniting internal combustion engine has a ceramic heating element designed as a sheathed-element glow plug, which is surrounded by a supporting tube. The ceramic heating element is sealed with respect to the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine by a seal in the supporting tube. The seal is designed as a sealing element made of an FeNi alloy having an Invar effect.

Abstract: A first center pole (8) is prepared in which an inserting portion (8c) capable of being inserted into an insertion receiving portion (5b) of a heating coil (5) has been formed at its distal end. In a first step, the inserting portion 8c of the first center pole (8) is inserted into the insertion receiving portion (5b) of the heating coil (5) to form an overlapping portion (10a), thereby obtaining a first glow plug intermediate body (10). Then, in a second step, as a current is applied across electrodes (81) and (82) while sandwiching the overlapping portion (10a) by the electrodes (81) and (82), the inserting portion (8c) of the first center pole (8) and the insertion receiving portion (5b) of the heating coil (5) are welded together so as to form a weld portion (10b).

Abstract: A glow plug includes a heater member; heater power lead wires which extend rearward along an axis and whose conductors electrically communicate with one and of a heater conductor for supply of power; a sensor, portion for detecting the combustion pressure of an internal combustion engine; a sensor connection line connected to the sensor portion and extending rearward along the axis; a housing; a sensor-portion-enclosing tube; and a grommet formed from an insulating rubber-like elastic material, having insertion holes through which the heater power lead wires and the sensor connection line are respectively inserted, the grommet liquid-tightly closing an end portion of the sensor-portion-enclosing tube and liquid-tightly holding the heater power lead wires and the sensor connection line.

Abstract: An igniter for igniting combustible gases in a hot zone, such as in a solid oxide fuel cell, comprising a subassembly including an electrical resistance heating tip comprising SiC, metal leadframe clips formed of a nickel-based superalloy and attached to the heating tip, wire leads formed of a nickel-chromium alloy and connected to the leadframe clips for supplying electric current to the heating tip, and a nickel-based braze alloy comprising palladium and cobalt for connecting the leadframe clips to the heating tip and to the wire leads; an alumina ceramic body for receiving the brazed subassembly; and a potting compound comprising zirconia for potting the subassembly into the alumina ceramic body.

Abstract: An improved ignitor plug for igniting fuel in a combustion chamber and a smart fuel supply system for ignitor plug applications.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a porous ceramic heating element wherein 0.08 to 1.00 wt % of a foaming agent is added in 99.00 to 99.92 wt % of a mixture of an inorganic material, a binder, a conductive material, a hardener, a bonding agent and a dispersion medium and mixed with the mixture. The bonding strength of porous foam formed in the ceramic heating element is increased, thereby providing an effect that the entire structure is hardened.

Abstract: A monolithic, multi-layer heating element forms the high temperature tip of a glow plug assembly. The heating element includes a conductive core which is surrounded by an insulator layer, which in turn supports a resistive layer. An optional conductive jacket can surround the resistive layer. These layered components are pre-formed in prior operations and then assembled one into the other to form a precursor structure. The precursor structure is transferred to a die, where it is compressed to form a so-called green part having dimensional attributes proportional to the finished heating element. The individual layers remain substantially intact, with some boundary layer mixing possible to enhance material-to-material bonding. The green part is sintered to bond to various materials together into an essentially solid mass. Various finishing operations may be required, following which the heating element is assembled to form a glow plug.

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).

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for making nano structures such a nanoheater In one embodiment, the nanoheater element comprises a first reactive member and interlayer disposed in communication with at least a portion thereof. Preferably, contact between the first and second reactive members of the nanoheater element can yield at least one exothermic reaction. A nanoheater device of the invention can optionally comprise a substrate on which the first reactive member is positioned in combination with other components. The invention also provides a nanoheater system comprising a plurality of nanoheater elements. Exemplary nanoheater elements and systems can be used to perform a method of the invention in which heat is produced. Methods includes processes for fabricating nanostructures such as layered devices, nanorods and nanowires.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spark plug and method for manufacturing it, which spark plug has been manufactured from one electrically conductive element and one electrically non-conductive element, sintered composite ceramic material having been used for the manufacture. These spark plugs can preferably be used for stationary-mode heaters, operated with fuels, of motor vehicles. According to the object which is set, it should be possible to manufacture such spark plugs cost-effectively and flexibly and at the same time provide an extended service life and oxidation resistance. The conductive element here is to be embraced on two opposite sides by the electrically non-conductive element and it has an enlarged cross section in the distal region while a cross-sectional ratio of between 2.5 and 5 to 1 is maintained with respect to the cross section of the electrically conductive element.

Abstract: New heating systems are provided that include a mating block element that reliably encases a resistive igniter element. Preferred igniter systems can prevent undesired moisture and other materials from contacting electrical lead portions of the igniter element.

Abstract: Disclosed is a ceramic heater capable of preventing failures due to the thermal stress, such as cracks, and corrosion by a calcium component. The ceramic heater has a heating element including at least one substance selected from silicides, nitrides and carbides of molybdenum and silicides, nitrides and carbides of tungsten as a main component, and a base mainly containing silicon nitride in which the heating element is embedded, wherein the base includes: a rare earth element component in an amount from 4 to 25% by mass in terms of an oxide thereof; a silicide of chromium in an amount from 1 to 8% by mass in terms of chromium silicide; and an aluminum component in an amount from 0.02 to 1.0% by mass in terms of aluminum nitride.

Abstract: A glow plug which includes an annular metal shell, thermally conductive tubular sheath, central electrode; resistance heating element, and electrically insulating, thermally conductive powder includes a glass seal in sealing engagement with the sheath and the electrode to form a sealed cavity within the sheath. The glass seal may include silicate, borate and borosilicate glasses, and may include one or more transition metal oxides, such as oxides of chromium, cobalt, nickel, iron and copper. The glass may also include a filler, including a ceramic oxide, such as one selected from a group consisting of quartz, eucryptites, leucites, cordierites, beta-spodumene, glass-ceramics, low-expansion glass(CTE<5 ppm/° C.), mullite, zircon, zirconia and alumina. The sealed cavity may house a protective inert gas.

Abstract: A heating device which can prevent unused active chemical species from attaching to the bodies of various vacuum devices or depositing on the inner wall of their exhaust pipes to thereby be able to make the size of exhaust pipes smaller than before and make the exhaust pipe maintenance easier. The heating device comprises a heat resisting vacuum insulator (4) wound around the outer periphery of an electric heater (3) disposed along the outer wall of an exhaust pipe (1), wherein the electric heater (3) has a resistance heating element and a heat resisting electric insulator covering this resistance heating element, and the heat resisting vacuum insulator (4) comprises a hollow platy covering material air-tightly sealed thereinside by a metal seat (5) having a heat resisting temperature of at least 100° C., and a fibrous or granular filling material (6) filled in the hollow portion of this covering material and having a heat resisting temperature of at least 100° C.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a heating ribbon comprising a thin elongated electrically resistive sheet made from a crystalline metal alloy surrounded by at least two electrically insulating layers, wherein the heating ribbon further comprises internal ground means in the form of an electrically conducting foil which is interposed between said insulating layers.

Abstract: A glow plug includes a sleeve secured by press-fitting to a housing with a ceramic heater held therein. A lead wire exposed from the heater is electrically connected to an inside surface of the sleeve to form a joint portion. The joint portion and a press-fit portion formed between the sleeve and the housing are offset in position relative to each other along an axial direction of the housing. The joint portion is thus kept free from the influence of a load or pressure applied during press-fitting operation to form the press-fit portion. A method of producing such glow plug is also disclosed.

Abstract: New ceramic heating elements are provided that have a recessed portion for receiving an electrical lead. Such ceramic heating elements can provide a reduced cross-sectional dimension across element regions that interface with electrical lead(s) as well as a more secure engagement of an electrical lead. Heating elements can be highly useful in a variety of application, including e.g. for fuel ignition for gas cooking appliances as well as vehicular glow plugs.

Abstract: A sheathed-element glow plug is used to be situated in a chamber in an internal combustion engine. The sheathed-element glow plug has a housing, a pin-shaped heating element, which extends partially from the housing and a pressure sensor which is situated in an inner chamber of the housing. A prestressing sleeve is provided, in this context, which applies a prestressing to the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A backup water heater for a solar water heater operates by means of an electronic card that initiates the operation of the heater in response to temperature and flow signals. A burner is lit gradually by an electrical spark emitted by a spark plug connected to the electronic card, which controls gas feed to the burner. As soon as the burner is lit, the electric current generated by the first spark plug is transformed by the ionization effect, changing the polarization of the current, which is detected by another spark plug that emits the change signal to the electronic card for further control of the water heater.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprising at least one cylinder provided with at least one glow plug adapted to heat a variable volume combustion chamber within the cylinder, and an electronic control unit which in turn comprises an estimation module adapted to estimate the temperature of the glow plug within the combustion chamber and a control module which is adapted to drive the glow plug as a function of the estimated temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the creation, placement and control of an area of electrical ionization within an internal combustion engine combustion chamber or a fuel burner for a furnace is disclosed. A furnace includes a fuel source, a fuel burner, a plasma nozzle and igniter assembly, and the associated housing and flue structures. The plasma nozzle and igniter assembly is arranged so that the fuel sprayed out from the nozzle into the combustion area passes through or in close proximity to the area of plasma ionization. A fuel burner equipped with this electrical ionization device has its fuel efficiency enhanced by the complete and immediate combustion of substantially all of the fuel that passes through the area of plasma ionization. Exhaust gas recirculation using this system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sheath heater for a glow plug comprises a sheath tube having a closed front end portion, and an open rear end portion. An insulating powder is charged into a gap between the sheath tube and a heat-generating resistor disposed within the sheath tube. A seal member includes an expanded portion extending radially outwardly from an outer circumference of the seal member, and a non-expanded portion of a smaller outside diameter than the expanded portion and formed on the outer circumference of the seal member at least at a leading end of the seal member. The seal member is fitted into the open rear end portion of the sheath tube such that the leading end enters the sheath tube first. The sheath tube is deformed radially inwardly around the seal member for sealing the heat-generating resistor and the insulating powder contained in the sheath tube.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for operating glow plugs in a diesel engine that comprises a housing and a heater element projecting beyond that housing which interacts with an engine control unit and a glow plug control unit which, following a preheating phase, controls the electric power supplied to the glow plugs in dependence on an input received from the engine control unit. According to the invention it is provided that the engine control unit determines a value representative of a temperature that is to be reached at the heater element and the engine control unit transmits that value as target value to the glow plug control unit which converts that target value using an algorithm stored in the glow plug control unit and taking into account the characteristic values stored in the glow plug control unit.

Abstract: An improved glow plug for igniting fuel in a combustion chamber as well as a smart fuel supply system for glow plug applications.

Abstract: Ceramic igniters are provided that comprise at least three zones of differing electrical resistance, preferably in sequence a first conductive zone of relatively low resistance, a power booster or enhancement zone of intermediate resistance, and a further hot or ignition zone of high resistance. Igniters of the invention can provide extremely high speeds (low time-to-temperature).

Abstract: The protrusion 16 is formed on one end face of the ceramic member 11, and the positive electrode lead-out section 13a which is electrically connected to the heat generating member 12 is drawn out and exposed on the side face of the protrusion 16 at several positions, while the terminal 14 of the positive electrode lead-out fixture can be connected to each of the exposed portions.

Abstract: A glow plug and related manufacturing method are disclosed. The glow plug includes a heating section for heating a combustion chamber of an engine for promoting an ignition. The heating section includes a ceramic heating element developing a heat when applied with electric power, a ceramic insulating support body embedded with the heating element, and a pair of lead wires connected to the heating element and having terminal portions exposed to a surface of the insulating body. The heating element has a positive temperature coefficient of resistance and includes: (a) initial resistance R20 equal to or greater than 0.3? and equal to or less than 0.65?; (b) heating resistance R1200 equal to or greater than 0.7? and equal to or less than 1.3?; and (c) temperature coefficient of resistance R1200/R20 equal to or greater than 2.0 and equal to or less than 4.0.

Abstract: An object is to provide a glow plug in which a gap can be prevented from being generated between a ceramic heater and a cylindrical member even at the time of use in an internal combustion engine, etc. so that electrical conduction of the glow plug can be prevented from being lowered. A glow plug includes: a rod-shaped ceramic heater 2; a rod-shaped center pole 5 extending axially so as to electrically connect to the outside; and a cylindrical member 100 having a front end portion 101 bonded to an outer circumferential surface 2a of a rear end side of the ceramic heater 2, and a rear end portion 102 bonded to an outer circumferential surface of a front end side of the center pole 5, the cylindrical member 100 being made by a metal material for electrically connecting one of a pair of lead portions and the center pole 5 to each other, the glow plug characterized in that the cylindrical member 100 has a Vickers hardness of not lower than 200 HV at 25° C.

Abstract: High sparking initiator compositions with a controlled amount of power are disclosed. The initiator compositions comprise a metal containing oxidizing agent, at least one metal reducing agent, and a non-explosive binder. Low voltage igniters that provide bidirectional plumes upon ignition are also disclosed. These igniters have a electrically resistive element positioned across a hole in a support which directs the plume. These igniters and compositions are useful in the actuation of solid fuel heating unit, in particular, sealed heating units.

Abstract: An igniter includes an insulative body, and a resistive conductor positioned within the insulative body. The insulative body of the igniter can be made of a ceramic. In another embodiment, the insulative body is made from a non water absorbing material.

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.

Abstract: A glow plug including a center pole extending along an axial direction; a heater including a heating element capable of generating heat upon energization, which heater is connected to a leading end portion of the center pole so as to constitute together with the center pole an integrated heater/center pole member in a mechanically rigid state; a metal shell as defined herein; and a vibration preventing member for preventing vibration of the center pole, the vibration preventing member being fixed on an outer peripheral surface of the center pole at an axial position corresponding to a portion where an inside diameter of the axial hole of the metal shell is constant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrical resistance element of the molybdenum silicide type that includes two terminals (1, 2) for the supply of electric current and at least one leg (3) which extends between the terminals and which includes a glow zone. The invention is characterized in that the glow zone has different diameters along different sections (6-11, 14-17) of the leg (3; 4, 5).

Abstract: The invention provides new methods for manufacture ceramic resistive heating elements that include forming a heating element body comprising comprises two or more regions of differing resistivity, and processing a portion of the element body to form a heating element. Heating elements such as igniters and glow plugs also are provided obtainable from fabrication methods of the invention.

Abstract: Radiation module for thermal or UV irradiation processing procedures with a large number of radiation sources essentially adjacent and parallel to one another for electromagnetic radiation whose main effective range is in the UV spectrum, visible spectrum, and/or near infrared (NIR) part of the spectrum, particularly at wavelengths between 250 nm and 1.5 ?m, whereby each of the radiation sources possesses an elongated central section, two bent ends, and two bent sections connecting the ends with the central section, and a reflector and cooler body bearing the radiation sources, whereby the reflector and cooler body possesses two end reflector sections assigned to the bent sections of the radiation source from the straight elongated main section to the ends formed as one piece.

Abstract: The invention relates to a glow plug with integrated pressure sensor for measuring pressure in the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, where the shell of the glow plug has a section of reduced diameter on the side next to the combustion chamber and following a sealing cone, which section houses a glow coil and ends in a tip extending into the combustion chamber, and where the pressure sensor is positioned without cooling in the section of the glow plug next to combustion chamber. According to the invention the pressure sensor is subjected to pressure in radial direction, the glow coil of the glow plug or the electrical leads of the glow coil being guided towards the tip of the glow plug either by bypassing the pressure sensor or going through the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A method for producing a ceramic heater. Firing is conducted such that an element green body in which at least a portion containing a conductive ceramic that is to become a heating element after firing is held on a powder or green body of an insulating ceramic that is to become a substrate after firing. The ceramic heater includes the substrate and the heating element. The method includes a molding step, a holding step, and a firing step as defined herein.

Abstract: A ceramic heating element arrangement in which a ceramic heating element made of SiC having electrical NTC (negative temperature coefficient) properties is provided for a circuit. At least one segment is provided in the circuit, whose resistance saturates at least quasi-asymptotically at the current flow required for a desired heat development.