A spark plug heat up method via transient control of the spark discharge current. The high temperature plasma channel is used to heat up the central electrode, and the temperature and energy of the plasma channel are realized via transient control of the discharge current. The heating up process takes place before firing the engine, using discharge current to actively heat up the spark plug from inside. By monitoring the discharge current amplitude and discharge duration, the temperature change of the central electrode and the ceramic insulator can be carefully measured and controlled within a proper window. This method can be used to measure the heating range of the spark plug, and to prevent or remove the carbon deposit on the central electrode and the ceramic insulator generated under various engine operation conditions, such as engine cold start, full load operation, and heavy EGR condition, as well as realize self-cleaning.

A spark plug heat up method via transient control of the spark discharge current. The high temperature plasma channel is used to heat up the central electrode, and the temperature and energy of the plasma channel are realized via transient control of the discharge current. The heating up process takes place before firing the engine, using discharge current to actively heat up the spark plug from inside. By monitoring the discharge current amplitude and discharge duration, the temperature change of the central electrode and the ceramic insulator can be carefully measured and controlled within a proper window. This method can be used to measure the heating range of the spark plug, and to prevent or remove the carbon deposit on the central electrode and the ceramic insulator generated under various engine operation conditions, such as engine cold start, full load operation, and heavy EGR condition, as well as realize self-cleaning.

In an ignition device having an ignition plug for igniting a fuel mixture gas introduced in a combustion chamber, a super hydrophilic membrane is formed on a surface at the combustion chamber side of a plug forming member of the ignition plug. The super hydrophilic membrane contains super hydrophilic particles and thermal excitation catalyst particles, and satisfies a relationship of θ.sub.W2<θ.sub.W1, where θ.sub.W1 indicates a water contact angle between water and the plug forming member on which no super hydrophilic membrane is formed, and θ.sub.W2 indicates a water contact angle between water and the plug forming member on which the super hydrophilic membrane is formed.

In an ignition device having an ignition plug for igniting a fuel mixture gas introduced in a combustion chamber, a super hydrophilic membrane is formed on a surface at the combustion chamber side of a plug forming member of the ignition plug. The super hydrophilic membrane contains super hydrophilic particles and thermal excitation catalyst particles, and satisfies a relationship of θ.sub.W2<θ.sub.W1, where θ.sub.W1 indicates a water contact angle between water and the plug forming member on which no super hydrophilic membrane is formed, and θ.sub.W2 indicates a water contact angle between water and the plug forming member on which the super hydrophilic membrane is formed.

The present disclosure relates to an ignition plug for initiating combustion in a cylinder of a combustion engine, wherein the cylinder can be operated in an active mode and in a deactivated mode. The ignition plug comprises a housing that can be connected to the cylinder, an insulator is fastened to the housing and comprises an axial bore hole and a middle electrode is arranged in the axial bore hole to form an annular gap between the middle electrode and the insulator. The ignition plug comprises a sealing element that can be activated in dependence upon the mode of the cylinder so as to seal the gap preventing any seepage of oil during cylinder deactivation.

A spark plug heat up method via transient control of the spark discharge current. The high temperature plasma channel is used to heat up the central electrode, and the temperature and energy of the plasma channel are realized via transient control of the discharge current. The heating up process takes place before firing the engine, using discharge current to actively heat up the spark plug from inside. By monitoring the discharge current amplitude and discharge duration, the temperature change of the central electrode and the ceramic insulator can be carefully measured and controlled within a proper window. This method can be used to measure the heating range of the spark plug, and to prevent or remove the carbon deposit on the central electrode and the ceramic insulator generated under various engine operation conditions, such as engine cold start, full load operation, and heavy EGR condition, as well as realize self-cleaning.

A spark plug heat up method via transient control of the spark discharge current. The high temperature plasma channel is used to heat up the central electrode, and the temperature and energy of the plasma channel are realized via transient control of the discharge current. The heating up process takes place before firing the engine, using discharge current to actively heat up the spark plug from inside. By monitoring the discharge current amplitude and discharge duration, the temperature change of the central electrode and the ceramic insulator can be carefully measured and controlled within a proper window. This method can be used to measure the heating range of the spark plug, and to prevent or remove the carbon deposit on the central electrode and the ceramic insulator generated under various engine operation conditions, such as engine cold start, full load operation, and heavy EGR condition, as well as realize self-cleaning.

A device that includes a window, a catalyzed layer, and a laser source is disclosed. The window may include a first surface and a second surface. The catalyzed layer may be disposed on the first surface of the window. The catalyzed layer may include a compound having a threshold transmittance, and be configured to cause a reaction with soot in one or more of a combustion chamber or a pre-combustion chamber of a combustion engine at an activation temperature to reduce accumulation of soot on the window. The laser source may be disposed relative to the second surface of the window, and configured to emit a laser beam through the window and the catalyzed layer. The laser beam may be configured to cause ignition of an intake charge of one or more of the combustion chamber or the pre-combustion chamber.

A device that includes a window, a catalyzed layer, and a laser source is disclosed. The window may include a first surface and a second surface. The catalyzed layer may be disposed on the first surface of the window. The catalyzed layer may include a compound having a threshold transmittance, and be configured to cause a reaction with soot in one or more of a combustion chamber or a pre-combustion chamber of a combustion engine at an activation temperature to reduce accumulation of soot on the window. The laser source may be disposed relative to the second surface of the window, and configured to emit a laser beam through the window and the catalyzed layer. The laser beam may be configured to cause ignition of an intake charge of one or more of the combustion chamber or the pre-combustion chamber.

A spark plug for an automotive engine includes a shell housing, and an insulator within the shell housing but extending axially beyond the shell housing. A terminal, referred to herein as a cup post terminal, is fixed to the proximal end of the insulator. The cup post terminal includes an engagement surface configured to engage an ignition coil spring for energy transfer to initiate a spark. The cup post terminal includes a sidewall extending axially from the engagement surface. The sidewall cooperates with the engagement surface to define a pocket for the ignition coil spring. The sidewall can have drainage openings to allow oil or contaminants to escape the pocket and drain away from the engagement between the engagement surface and the ignition coil spring. The engagement surface can also be sloped to facilitate the drainage toward the drainage openings.