Ignition device having an induction welded and laser weld reinforced firing tip and method of construction

A center electrode for an ignition device, comprising:

• an elongate electrode body having an outer surface extending to a free end;
• a firing tip bonded to said free end;
• and
• a continuous bead of overlapping first laser weld pools bonding said firing tip to said free end of said center electrode and a continuous bead of overlapping second laser weld pools radially outwardly from said first laser weld pools forming an annular exposed outer rounded surface extending from said first laser weld pools to said outer surface of said center electrode, wherein said first laser weld pools are formed substantially from melted material of the firing tip and said second overlapping second laser weld pools are formed substantially from melted material of said center electrode.

A method of construction for a center electrode, comprising:

• providing an electrode body having an outer surface extending to a free end;
• providing a firing tip material;
• resistance welding said firing tip material to said free end;
• laser welding a continuous bead of overlapping first laser weld pools substantially from material of the firing tip about said firing tip material;
• and
• after laser welding the continuous bead of overlapping first laser weld pools, laser welding a continuous bead of overlapping second laser weld pools substantially from material of said center electrode radially outwardly from said first laser weld pools forming an annular exposed outer rounded surface extending from said first laser weld pools to said outer surface of said electrode body.

A method of construction for a center electrode, comprising:

• providing an electrode body having an outer surface extending to a free end;
• providing a firing tip material;
• resistance welding said firing tip material to said free end;
• laser welding a continuous bead of overlapping first laser weld pools about said firing tip material;
• laser welding a continuous bead of overlapping second weld pools radially outwardly from said first laser weld pools forming an annular rounded surface extending from said first laser weld pools to said outer surface of said electrode body;
• and further including forming said first weld pools with a laser beam moving circumferentially about said firing tip, moving said laser beam radially outwardly from said first laser weld pools, and forming said second weld pools with said laser beam moving circumferentially about said first laser weld pools.