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IPC Subclass
F23Q

IGNITION; EXTINGUISHING DEVICES

Introduced: September 1968

Classification Context

Section:
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
Class:
COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
Subclass:
IGNITION; EXTINGUISHING DEVICES

Description

Ignition and extinguishing devices for combustion apparatus, including spark plugs, igniters, pilot lights, and flame-initiation systems used in furnaces, boilers, engines, and other combustion equipment. Also covers fire suppression and extinguishing mechanisms integrated with combustion installations, as well as control systems for managing combustion startup and shutdown sequences. This subclass excludes general electrical ignition apparatus (covered in H05) and standalone fire-fighting equipment not directly associated with combustion apparatus.

Filing statistics

IPC subclass F23Q recorded 12,442 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 1,115 in 2013 to 1,212 in 2023 (+9%), peaking at 1,327 applications in 2020. The most active applicants in class F23 are GE (GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY) (2,124 applications), XIAN THERMAL POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE COMPANY (1,369 applications) and NINGBO FOTILE KITCHENWARE COMPANY (1,363 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

In class comparison

F23Q ranks 9th of 12 subclasses with filings in F23, with 12,442 applications between 2013 and 2023, 4.1% of the class. Annual filings grew 9% from 2013 to 2023, below the class as a whole (+76%).

Top 10 of 12 subclasses of class F23 by patent applications, 2013–2023
RankSubclassTitleApplicationsShare
1F23J, Removal or Treatment of Combustion Products or Combustion Residues; FluesRemoval or Treatment of Combustion Products or Combustion Residues; Flues62,84520.9%
2F23G, Cremation Furnaces; Consuming Waste or Low Grade Fuels by CombustionCremation Furnaces; Consuming Waste or Low Grade Fuels by Combustion62,60520.8%
3F23D, BurnersBurners48,00815.9%
4F23L, Supplying Air or Non-Combustible Liquids or Gases to Combustion Apparatus in General; Valves or Dampers Specially Adapted for Controlling Air Supply or Draught in Combustion Apparatus; Inducing Draught in Combustion Apparatus; Tops for Chimneys or Ventilating Shafts; Terminals for FluesSupplying Air or Non-Combustible Liquids or Gases to Combustion Apparatus in General; Valves or Dampers Specially Adapted for Controlling Air Supply or Draught in Combustion Apparatus; Inducing Draught in Combustion Apparatus; Tops for Chimneys or Ventilating Shafts; Terminals for Flues24,2798.1%
5F23C, Methods or Apparatus for Combustion Using Fluid Fuel or Solid Fuel Suspended in AirMethods or Apparatus for Combustion Using Fluid Fuel or Solid Fuel Suspended in Air19,3046.4%
6F23R, Generating Combustion Products of High Pressure or High Velocity, e.g. Gas-Turbine Combustion ChambersGenerating Combustion Products of High Pressure or High Velocity, e.g. Gas-Turbine Combustion Chambers17,4585.8%
7F23K, Feeding Fuel to Combustion ApparatusFeeding Fuel to Combustion Apparatus17,2285.7%
8F23N, Regulating or Controlling CombustionRegulating or Controlling Combustion15,4005.1%
9F23QIgnition; Extinguishing Devices12,4424.1%
10F23B, Methods or Apparatus for Combustion Using Only Solid FuelMethods or Apparatus for Combustion Using Only Solid Fuel9,9433.3%

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

Additional Content

Glossary

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.

Limiting references

Devices for igniting matches Hand fire extinguishers Chemical igniters, e.g. catalytic igniters Flints Matches Fire-lighters Candles with incorporated means (e.g. impregnated wicks) for self-extinguishing

Application references

Cigars or cigarettes with lighting devices Extinguishing devices for cigars or cigarettes , e.g. , Combinations of lighters and smokers requisites , e.g. , , Time-controlled igniting mechanisms for cooking-vessels Charcoal igniting devices for barbecues or the like Fire extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places Arrangements for igniting thermal or catalytic exhaust converters Ignition of light sources using charges of combustible material Arrangement or mounting of ignition devices in stoves or ranges for gaseous fuel Arrangement or mounting of ignition devices in stoves or ranges for liquid fuel

Related Keywords

lighters for CIGARETTE(S)IGNITING for combustion in generaligniters using INCANDESCENCEburnersLIGHTERS containing fuel, e.g. for cigarettesgas POKERSignition of combustion apparatus by SPARK(S)lighters for TOBACCOignition TORCH(ES)

11 direct subcodes

Child Classifications

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  • F23Q 21/00 Devices for effecting ignition from a remote location
  • F23Q 25/00 Extinguishing devices, e.g. for blowing-out or snuffing candle flames
  • F23Q 5/00 Make-and-break ignition, i.e. with spark generated between electrodes by breaking contact therebetween

Top Applicants

Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class F23, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

  1. GE (GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY) US 2,124
  2. XIAN THERMAL POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE COMPANY 1,369
  3. NINGBO FOTILE KITCHENWARE COMPANY 1,363
  4. SIEMENS DE 997
  5. UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION (UTC) US 937
  6. GE (GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY) 898
  7. VATTI 815
  8. CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 719
  9. RINNAI COMPANY 708
  10. MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS 670