IPC Definitions - January 01, 2012

F23Q - Definition fr

Definition statement

This subclass covers:

Apparatus or methods specially adapted for providing the heat, spark or flame required to start combustion of a fuel. Such apparatus can itself be a combustion apparatus (e.g. a cigarette lighter or a pilot flame) that is provided with ignition arrangements of its own.

Pilot flame igniters with interlock to main fuel supply.

Arrangement of catalytic igniters in combustion apparatus.

Arrangements for effecting ignition from a location that is remote from the combustion apparatus to be ignited, e.g. for combustion apparatus that is difficult or dangerous to access.

Testing of ignition installations.

Devices for extinguishing flames, e.g. for blowing-out or snuffing candle flames.

Relationship between large subject matter areas

This subclass is primarily intended for classification of ignition devices or extinguishing devices per se.

In relation to other subclasses that cover combustion apparatus (e.g. F23BF23C, F23DF23G, F23RF24B and F24C) this subclass is a detail place. This means that classification is made in this subclass if an ignition or extinguishing device is novel or non-obvious in itself. The incorporation or arrangement of an ignition or extinguishing device in a combustion apparatus is normally classified in the place for the combustion apparatus as a whole, e.g. in F23C or F24C. In such cases the type of ignition apparatus can be indicated by additional information classification in this subclass, if it is of interest for searching. The exception to this principle is the arrangement of catalytic igniters in combustion apparatus, which is classified in group F23Q 11/00 of this subclass.

Main group F23Q 2/00 of this subclass covers "lighters containing fuel". These lighters can themselves in most cases be regarded as combustion apparatus. Features of such lighters that are of general interest for different types of combustion apparatus should be classified in relevant general places, such as F23D.

This subclass covers devices or systems where ignition is directly initiated by the start of fuel supply to a combustion apparatus. Systems or methods for starting or stopping combustion that involve manipulation of fuel and air feed in connection with the operation of an ignition or extinguishing device, or that are responsive to a sensed condition of a combustion apparatus, are normally classified in F23N. The exception to this principle is pilot flame igniters with interlock to main fuel supply, which are classified in group F23Q 9/08 of this subclass.

This subclass covers glowing plugs for compression-ignition (e.g. diesel) engines. Other ignition for internal combustion engines is covered by subclass F02P.

References relevant to classification in this subclass

This subclass does not cover:

Devices for igniting matches

A24F 29/00

Hand fire extinguishers

A62C 11/00-A62C 25/00

Chemical igniters, e.g. catalytic igniters

C06C 9/00

Flints

C06C 15/00

Matches

C06F 5/00

Fire-lighters

C10L 11/00

Candles with incorporated means (e.g. impregnated wicks) for self-extinguishing

C11C 5/00
Examples of places where the subject matter of this class is covered when specially adapted, used for a particular purpose, or incorporated in a larger system:

Cigars or cigarettes with lighting devices

A24D 1/08

Extinguishing devices for cigars or cigarettes

A24F, A24F 13/18, A24F 19/14

Combinations of lighters and smokers requisites

A24F, A24F 15/10, A24F 15/18, A24F 19/10

Time-controlled igniting mechanisms for cooking-vessels

A47J 36/32

Charcoal igniting devices for barbecues or the like

A47J 37/07

Fire extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places

A62C 3/00

Arrangements for igniting thermal or catalytic exhaust converters

F01N 3/38

Ignition of light sources using charges of combustible material

F21K 5/12

Arrangement or mounting of ignition devices in stoves or ranges for gaseous fuel

F24C 3/10

Arrangement or mounting of ignition devices in stoves or ranges for liquid fuel

F24C 5/14

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Fire-fighting

A62C

Fire-extinguishing compositions; Use of chemical substances in extinguishing fires

A62D 1/00

Explosive or thermic compositions

C06B

Detonating or priming devices; Fuses

C06C

Pyrophoric compositions

C06C 15/00

Ignition of internal-combustion engines in general

F02P

Gas burners with provision for a retention flame

F23D 14/26

Details for lighting devices

F21V

Methods or apparatus for combustion using only solid fuel

F23B

Methods or apparatus for combustion using fluent fuel

F23C

Burners

F23D

Cremation furnaces; Consuming waste by combustion

F23G

Safety arrangements for combustion chambers

F23M 11/00

Regulating or controlling combustion

F23N

Generating combustion products of high pressure or high velocity, e.g. gas turbine combustion chambers

F23R

Domestic stoves or ranges for solid fuels; Implements for use in connection with stoves or ranges

F24B

Stoves or ranges for gaseous or liquid fuels

F24C

Ignition arrangements for blasting

F42D 1/04

Spark gaps; Sparking plugs

H01T

Electric heating, e.g. ohmic resistance heating

H05B, H05B 3/00

Glossary of terms

In this subclass, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Pilot flame

A small flame that is lit or kept alight in order to provide ignition to a more powerful burner.

Retention flame

A small flame that is kept alight in order to maintain the uninterrupted operation of a more powerful burner.

Fire lighter

An element that either consists of combustible material or absorbs liquid fuel, and is intended for use in a fire-place or the like for simplifying the ignition of solid fuel.