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Federal-mogul Ignition (uk) Limited

Johnson Matthey Public Limited Company

Gurdev Orjela

Paul Tinwell

Duncan Roy Coupland

Robin Hyde

An ignition device such as a spark plug having ground and center electrodes, at least one of which includes a firing tip formed from an alloy containing iridium, rhodium, tungsten, and zirconium. With the inclusion of tungsten and zirconium in the alloy, the percentage of rhodium can be kept relatively low without sacrificing the erosion resistance or reduced sparking voltage of the firing tip. In one embodiment, the firing tip contains 2% rhodium, 0.3% tungsten, 0.02% zirconium, and the balance iridium.

Ignition device having an electrode tip formed from an iridium-based alloy

A noble metal tipfor attachment to a spark plug center electrodeand/or a ground electrode. Noble metal tipis a generally cylindrical component that includes a firing end, an attachment end, and one or more retention featuresand. The retention features are generally conically shaped holes or recesses formed in the side of the noble metal tip, and are designed to receive molten material during a laser attachment process. Once the molten material has solidified in the retention features, a fusion layer is formed and acts as a mechanical bond or interlock between the noble metal tip and the electrode. Methods of manufacturing and attaching the noble metal tips are also provided.

Noble metal tip for spark plug electrode and method of making same

A spark plug for an internal combustion engine comprising a centre electrode and an earth electrode serving as a spark discharge section, as well as a noble metallic chip, which is inserted into one end of at least one of said electrodes along part of its length and which is subsequently welded thereto by irradiation with energy-condensing light, characterized in that said noble metallic chip is provided with a profile for holding said noble metallic chip onto said at least one electrode on at least part of the outer periphery of said part of its length, wherein a fusion layer extending between said profile and an inner region of the end of said at least one electrode locks said noble metallic chip onto said at least one electrode.

Spark plug for an internal combustion engine

An ignition device such as a spark plug having ground and center electrodes, at least one of which includes a firing tip formed from an alloy containing iridium, rhodium, tungsten, and zirconium. With the inclusion of tungsten and zirconium in the alloy, the percentage of rhodium can be kept relatively low without sacrificing the erosion resistance or reduced sparking voltage of the firing tip. In one embodiment, the firing tip contains 2.5% rhodium, 0.3% tungsten, 0.07% zirconium, and the balance iridium.

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Autelbas Barnich, Belgium

Gurdev Orjela