Patents by Inventor Mark S. McMurray
Mark S. McMurray has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 8680758Abstract: A spark plug and method of construction thereof is provided. The spark plug includes a metal shell having a through cavity, a lower insulator and a plastic upper insulator. The lower insulator is received in the through cavity and has a through passage with a center electrode received therein. A ground electrode is operatively attached to the shell in spaced relation from the ground electrode to provide a spark gap. The plastic upper insulator has a distal end received in the through cavity of the shell and a terminal end extending axially outwardly from the shell. The upper insulator has a through passage extending between the terminal end and the distal end. An elongate conductive member is received in the through passage of the upper insulator and is configured for electrical communication with the center electrode.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2009Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Federal-Mogul Ignition CompanyInventors: Kevin L. Miller, Richard L. Keller, William J. Walker, Jr., James D. Lykowski, Shuwei Ma, Matthew C. Ware, John W. Hoffman, Mark S. McMurray, Brian A. Bolduc, David Walker, Myron J. Schmenk, James L. May, Kevin J. Kowalski
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Patent number: 8643262Abstract: A spark ignition device, ground electrode therefor, and methods of construction thereof are provided. The spark ignition device includes a generally annular ceramic insulator with a metal shell surrounding at least a portion of the ceramic insulator. A center electrode is received at least in part in the ceramic insulator and a ground electrode extends from the shell to a free end portion. A firing tip is attached adjacent the free end portion of the ground electrode to provide a spark gap between the center electrode and the firing tip. The free end portion is at least partially bounded by at least one “as laser cut” peripheral side extending adjacent the firing tip.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2012Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Federal-Mogul Ignition CompanyInventors: Frederick J. Quitmeyer, Kevin J. Kowalski, Mark S. McMurray
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Patent number: 8641467Abstract: A spark ignition device, ground electrode therefor, and methods of construction thereof are provided. The spark ignition device includes a generally annular ceramic insulator with a metal shell surrounding at least a portion of the ceramic insulator. A center electrode is received at least in part in the ceramic insulator and a ground electrode extends from the shell to a free end portion. A firing tip is attached adjacent the free end portion of the ground electrode to provide a spark gap between the center electrode and the firing tip. The free end portion is at least partially bounded by at least one “as laser cut” peripheral side extending adjacent the firing tip.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2012Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Federal-Mogul Ignition CompanyInventors: Frederick J. Quitmeyer, Kevin J. Kowalski, Mark S. McMurray
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Publication number: 20130009539Abstract: A spark ignition device, ground electrode therefor, and methods of construction thereof are provided. The spark ignition device includes a generally annular ceramic insulator with a metal shell surrounding at least a portion of the ceramic insulator. A center electrode is received at least in part in the ceramic insulator and a ground electrode extends from the shell to a free end portion. A firing tip is attached adjacent the free end portion of the ground electrode to provide a spark gap between the center electrode and the firing tip. The free end portion is at least partially bounded by at least one “as laser cut” peripheral side extending adjacent the firing tip.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Inventors: Frederick J. Quitmeyer, Kevin J. Kowalski, Mark S. McMurray
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Publication number: 20130012094Abstract: A spark ignition device, ground electrode therefor, and methods of construction thereof are provided. The spark ignition device includes a generally annular ceramic insulator with a metal shell surrounding at least a portion of the ceramic insulator. A center electrode is received at least in part in the ceramic insulator and a ground electrode extends from the shell to a free end portion. A firing tip is attached adjacent the free end portion of the ground electrode to provide a spark gap between the center electrode and the firing tip. The free end portion is at least partially bounded by at least one “as laser cut” peripheral side extending adjacent the firing tip.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Inventors: Frederick J. Quitmeyer, Kevin J. Kowalski, Mark S. McMurray
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Patent number: 8288930Abstract: A spark ignition device, ground electrode therefor, and methods of construction thereof are provided. The spark ignition device includes a generally annular ceramic insulator with a metal shell surrounding at least a portion of the ceramic insulator. A center electrode is received at least in part in the ceramic insulator and a ground electrode extends from the shell to a free end portion. A firing tip is attached adjacent the free end portion of the ground electrode to provide a spark gap between the center electrode and the firing tip. The free end portion is at least partially bounded by at least one “as laser cut” peripheral side extending adjacent the firing tip.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2010Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Federal-Mogul Ignition CompanyInventors: Frederick J. Quitmeyer, Kevin J. Kowalski, Mark S. McMurray
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Publication number: 20110279009Abstract: A spark ignition device, ground electrode therefor, and methods of construction thereof are provided. The spark ignition device includes a generally annular ceramic insulator with a metal shell surrounding at least a portion of the ceramic insulator. A center electrode is received at least in part in the ceramic insulator and a ground electrode extends from the shell to a free end portion. A firing tip is attached adjacent the free end portion of the ground electrode to provide a spark gap between the center electrode and the firing tip. The free end portion is at least partially bounded by at least one “as laser cut” peripheral side extending adjacent the firing tip.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2010Publication date: November 17, 2011Inventors: Frederick J. Quitmeyer, Kevin J. Kowalski, Mark S. McMurray
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Patent number: 7795791Abstract: A spark plug for igniting gases in an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The spark plug has a center electrode, an insulator, a one-piece shell, and a terminal. The center electrode is in communication with an energy source. The insulator surrounds the center electrode. The one-piece shell surrounds and contacts the insulator for securing the insulator within the shell, wherein the shell has a plurality of threads near a first end and a ground electrode attached to the shell and aligned with a tip of the center electrode at a second end to define a spark gap. Further, a seat is formed in the shell between the plurality of threads and the ground electrode for sealing the shell against the engine. The terminal has a first end in communication with the center electrode and a second end which has a connector portion for connecting to the energy source.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2007Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: Federal-Mogul World Wide, Inc.Inventors: Michael S Joseph, Richard E. Callahan, Mark S. McMurray
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Publication number: 20100201245Abstract: A spark plug and method of construction thereof is provided. The spark plug includes a metal shell having a through cavity, a lower insulator and a plastic upper insulator. The lower insulator is received in the through cavity and has a through passage with a center electrode received therein. A ground electrode is operatively attached to the shell in spaced relation from the ground electrode to provide a spark gap. The plastic upper insulator has a distal end received in the through cavity of the shell and a terminal end extending axially outwardly from the shell. The upper insulator has a through passage extending between the terminal end and the distal end. An elongate conductive member is received in the through passage of the upper insulator and is configured for electrical communication with the center electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2009Publication date: August 12, 2010Inventors: Kevin L. Miller, Richard L. Keller, William J. Walker, JR., James D. Lykowski, Shuwei Ma, Matthew C. Ware, John W. Hoffman, Mark S. McMurray, Brian A. Bolduc, David Walker, Myron J. Schmenk, James L. May, Kevin J. Kowalski
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Publication number: 20080050264Abstract: An ignition device includes a ground electrode, center electrode, or both composed of a cobalt-based alloy including: Ni in an amount between about 20 and 24% by weight; Cr in an amount between about 20 and 24% by weight; W in an amount between about 10 and 16% by weight; and Co in an amount between about 32 and 47% by weight or alternately an iron-based alloy comprising: Cr in an amount between about 18 and 24% by weight; Al in an amount between about 4 and 7% by weight; and Fe in an amount between about 67 and 78% by weight. It is believed that the electrode alloys may also include Zr and B in an amount, by weight, of 0.005-0.5% Zr and 0.001-0.10% B. Center or ground electrodes of the invention may also include firing tips attached at a sparking end thereof. The firing tips may be formed of at least one of gold, a gold alloy, a platinum group metal or a tungsten alloy.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2007Publication date: February 28, 2008Applicant: FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE, INC.Inventors: James D. Lykowski, Mark S. McMurray
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Patent number: 7059926Abstract: A method of making an ignition device and center wire assembly that includes first, second and third electrode members, a conductive seal, and a noise suppressing seal. The method locates the first electrode member at an axial end of the center wire assembly near a spark gap and the third electrode member at an axial end of the center wire assembly such that it receives an electrical ignition pulse and a second electrode member between the first and third electrode members. Furthermore, the method locates the conductive seal between the first and second electrode members and the noise suppressing seal between the second and third electrode members.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2005Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Assignee: Federal Mogul World Wide, Inc.Inventors: Mark S McMurray, Lawrence W Geer, Thomas R Nohl
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Patent number: 7053623Abstract: An ignition and diagnostic system (10) for an internal combustion engine includes a sparking device (12) through which a low voltage diagnostic device (54) monitors a sensing feature, for example spark gap (30) conditions, during spark intervals and returns diagnostic feedback to an engine control module (56). A coil (44) is electrically operatively connected to the sparking device (12) through a lead wire (48). The lead wire (48) can be removed and reinstalled with respect to the sparking device (12) via a flexor joint (60) for installation and maintenance. The flexor joint (60) enables positive electrical contact during operation so that low voltage signals from the diagnostic device (54) are maintained even during severe vibration conditions. The flexor joint (60) includes in one embodiment a compression spring (62) which is fully compressed or over-compressed.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2004Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: Federal-Mogul Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Mark S. McMurray, James D. Lykowski
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Patent number: 7019448Abstract: A spark plug center wire assembly that includes a noise suppressing conductive seal with improved isolation of the seal from the heat generated at the firing end of the spark plug. The center wire assembly includes a firing electrode, a conductive glass seal, an intermediate electrode, the noise suppressing glass seal, and a terminal electrode. By locating the firing electrode, conductive seal and intermediate electrode between the noise suppressing seal and the spark gap, the center wire assembly is able to utilize the noise suppression attributes of the suppressive seal, while distancing the seal from the high temperatures created during the combustion process. A method of manufacturing the same is also disclosed in which the two glass seals are formed by sequential firing operations.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2003Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: Federal-Mogul World Wide, Inc.Inventors: Mark S. McMurray, Lawrence W. Geer, Thomas R. Nohl