A corona igniter assembly which is designed to reduce the amount of air gaps between insulating components and thus reduce electrical fields concentrated in those air gaps and the associated unwanted corona discharge. The assembly includes a high voltage center electrode surrounded by a ceramic insulator and a high voltage insulator. A dielectric compliant insulator is disposed between the ceramic insulator and the high voltage insulator. A layer of metal is applied to at least one of the insulators, for example the ceramic insulator. A compliant collet formed of a partially resistive material covers a sharp edge of the layer of metal to reduce the electric field and smooth the electric field distribution at the sharp edge of the metal layer.

A corona igniter assembly which is designed to reduce the amount of air gaps between insulating components and thus reduce electrical fields concentrated in those air gaps and the associated unwanted corona discharge. The assembly includes a high voltage center electrode surrounded by a ceramic insulator and a high voltage insulator. A dielectric compliant insulator is disposed between the ceramic insulator and the high voltage insulator. A layer of metal is applied to at least one of the insulators, for example the ceramic insulator. A compliant collet formed of a partially resistive material covers a sharp edge of the layer of metal to reduce the electric field and smooth the electric field distribution at the sharp edge of the metal layer.

In order to test a semiconductor spark plug, a test method comprises a step consisting of depositing water on the head of the spark plug, between the two electrodes of same, so that the water forms a water meniscus covering the semiconductor element of the head, a step consisting of applying, between the first terminal and the second terminal of the spark plug, a voltage equal to the operating voltage of the spark plug, a step consisting of identifying at least a first characteristic of electric arcs induced between the electrodes during the application of the voltage, and a step consisting of determining the operational or defective character of the spark plug according to the first characteristic of the electric arcs. This test method is particularly reliable and does not require constraining provisions in order to ensure the safety of the operators implementing the method.

A spark plug and method of manufacturing, where the spark plug meets particular geometric relationships to maintain and potentially improve dielectric performance while downsizing other plug dimensions. The spark plug includes an insulator that can withstand higher voltages while having areas with a reduced cross-sectional thickness. In some embodiments, the insulator has a dielectric strength of 42 kV/mm or more with a radial thickness at the internal seal of 1.5 to 1.6 mm, inclusive, and a radial thickness at a gasket of 0.6 to 0.9 mm, inclusive.

A spark plug and method of manufacturing, where the spark plug meets particular geometric relationships to maintain and potentially improve dielectric performance while downsizing other plug dimensions. The spark plug includes an insulator that can withstand higher voltages while having areas with a reduced cross-sectional thickness. In some embodiments, the insulator has a dielectric strength of 42 kV/mm or more with a radial thickness at the internal seal of 1.5 to 1.6 mm, inclusive, and a radial thickness at a gasket of 0.6 to 0.9 mm, inclusive.

A high temperature article, for example an igniter for a combustor is presented. The igniter includes a central electrode having a discharge end, an insulator sleeve surrounding the central electrode and a tubular electrode shell surrounding the insulator sleeve. The tubular electrode shell has a forward end projecting beyond the discharge end. The tubular electrode shell includes an iron-based alloy. The igniter further includes a protective coating including alumina disposed on a surface of the forward end. A combustor of a turbine engine, including the igniter is also presented.

A high temperature article, for example an igniter for a combustor is presented. The igniter includes a central electrode having a discharge end, an insulator sleeve surrounding the central electrode and a tubular electrode shell surrounding the insulator sleeve. The tubular electrode shell has a forward end projecting beyond the discharge end. The tubular electrode shell includes an iron-based alloy. The igniter further includes a protective coating including alumina disposed on a surface of the forward end. A combustor of a turbine engine, including the igniter is also presented.

In a spark plug for an internal combustion engine, an insulator is held inside a housing such that a proximal end thereof projects in an axial direction. A center electrode is held inside the insulator such that a distal end thereof projects. A terminal fitting is connected to the proximal end of the insulator and provided such that electricity is conducted between the center electrode and the terminal fitting. A ground electrode forms a spark discharge gap between the distal end of the center electrode and the ground electrode. A first gap is formed between the proximal end of the insulator and the terminal fitting, a second gap is formed between a proximal end of the housing and the insulator, and at least one of the first gap and the second gap is filled with a filler.

In a spark plug for an internal combustion engine, an insulator is held inside a housing such that a proximal end thereof projects in an axial direction. A center electrode is held inside the insulator such that a distal end thereof projects. A terminal fitting is connected to the proximal end of the insulator and provided such that electricity is conducted between the center electrode and the terminal fitting. A ground electrode forms a spark discharge gap between the distal end of the center electrode and the ground electrode. A first gap is formed between the proximal end of the insulator and the terminal fitting, a second gap is formed between a proximal end of the housing and the insulator, and at least one of the first gap and the second gap is filled with a filler.

The invention relates to a semiconductor body revolving around a main axis (A) for a spark plug of a turbine engine, the semiconductor body comprising a baseplate and an upper portion extending from the baseplate along the main axis, the baseplate comprising a bottom surface substantially defined in a plane perpendicular to the main axis and a first conical surface intended to cooperate by form-fitting at least partially with a contact surface of an outer electrode of the spark plug. According to the invention, the upper portion comprises an interface located opposite the bottom surface along the main axis (A) and featuring a profile that is at least partially corrugated.