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
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
11 direct subcodes
Child Classifications
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- F23Q 1/00 Mechanical ignition
- F23Q 11/00 Arrangement of catalytic igniters
- F23Q 13/00 Ignition not otherwise provided for
- F23Q 2/00 Lighters containing fuel, e.g. for cigarettes
- F23Q 21/00 Devices for effecting ignition from a remote location
- F23Q 23/00 Testing of ignition installations
- F23Q 25/00 Extinguishing devices, e.g. for blowing-out or snuffing candle flames
- F23Q 3/00 Ignition using electrically-produced sparks
- F23Q 5/00 Make-and-break ignition, i.e. with spark generated between electrodes by breaking contact therebetween
- F23Q 7/00 Incandescent ignition; Ignition using electrically-produced heat, e.g. lighters for cigarettes; Electrically-heated glowing plugs
- F23Q 9/00 Ignition by a pilot flame
Top Applicants
Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class F23, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- GE (GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY) US 2,124
- XIAN THERMAL POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE COMPANY 1,369
- NINGBO FOTILE KITCHENWARE COMPANY 1,363
- SIEMENS DE 997
- UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION (UTC) US 937
- GE (GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY) 898
- VATTI 815
- CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 719
- RINNAI COMPANY 708
- MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS 670