Patents by Inventor Patrick M. Gfell

Patrick M. Gfell 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).

  • SPARK PLUG HAVING IMPROVED GROUND ELECTRODE ORIENTATION AND METHOD OF FORMING
    Publication number: 20160049772
    Abstract: A spark plug (20) for being threaded into a cylinder head (28) includes a shell (24) with threads (26) disposed at a predetermined angled relative to the ground electrode (34). The position of the threads (26) relative to the ground electrode (34) places the ground electrode (34) in a predetermined position in the combustion chamber (22) and relative to components of the engine, thus allowing the ground electrode (34) to provide a robust and reliable ignition. The threads (26) are formed by a thread forming apparatus (102) that includes an orientation tool (38) to position the ground electrode (34) relative to a thread forming apparatus (102), allowing the thread forming apparatus (102) to form the threads (26) at the desired angle (?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Patrick M. Gfell, Don R. Gregg, Kevin J. Kowalski
  • Spark plug having improved ground electrode orientation and method of forming
    Patent number: 9236713
    Abstract: A spark plug (20) for being threaded into a cylinder head (28) includes a shell (24) with threads (26) disposed at a predetermined angled relative to the ground electrode (34). The position of the threads (26) relative to the ground electrode (34) places the ground electrode (34) in a predetermined position in the combustion chamber (22) and relative to components of the engine, thus allowing the ground electrode (34) to provide a robust and reliable ignition. The threads (26) are formed by a thread forming apparatus (102) that includes an orientation tool (38) to position the ground electrode (34) relative to a thread forming apparatus (102), allowing the thread forming apparatus (102) to form the threads (26) at the desired angle (?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick M. Gfell, Don R. Gregg, Kevin J. Kowalski
  • SPARK PLUG HAVING IMPROVED GROUND ELECTRODE ORIENTATION AND METHOD OF FORMING
    Publication number: 20150091433
    Abstract: A spark plug (20) for being threaded into a cylinder head (28) includes a shell (24) with threads (26) disposed at a predetermined angled relative to the ground electrode (34). The position of the threads (26) relative to the ground electrode (34) places the ground electrode (34) in a predetermined position in the combustion chamber (22) and relative to components of the engine, thus allowing the ground electrode (34) to provide a robust and reliable ignition. The threads (26) are formed by a thread forming apparatus (102) that includes an orientation tool (38) to position the ground electrode (34) relative to a thread forming apparatus (102), allowing the thread forming apparatus (102) to form the threads (26) at the desired angle (?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Patrick M. Gfell, Don R. Gregg, Kevin J. Kowalski
  • Spark plug having improved ground electrode orientation and method of forming
    Patent number: 8866369
    Abstract: A spark plug (20) for being threaded into a cylinder head (28) includes a shell (24) with threads (26) disposed at a predetermined angled relative to the ground electrode (34). The position of the threads (26) relative to the ground electrode (34) places the ground electrode (34) in a predetermined position in the combustion chamber (22) and relative to components of the engine, thus allowing the ground electrode (34) to provide a robust and reliable ignition. The threads (26) are formed by a thread forming apparatus (102) that includes an orientation tool (38) to position the ground electrode (34) relative to a thread forming apparatus (102), allowing the thread forming apparatus (102) to form the threads (26) at the desired angle (?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Ignition Company
    Inventors: Patrick M. Gfell, Donald R. Gregg, Kevin J. Kowalski
  • SPARK PLUG HAVING IMPROVED GROUND ELECTRODE ORIENTATION AND METHOD OF FORMING
    Publication number: 20120274200
    Abstract: A spark plug (20) for being threaded into a cylinder head (28) includes a shell (24) with threads (26) disposed at a predetermined angled relative to the ground electrode (34). The position of the threads (26) relative to the ground electrode (34) places the ground electrode (34) in a predetermined position in the combustion chamber (22) and relative to components of the engine, thus allowing the ground electrode (34) to provide a robust and reliable ignition. The threads (26) are formed by a thread forming apparatus (102) that includes an orientation tool (38) to position the ground electrode (34) relative to a thread forming apparatus (102), allowing the thread forming apparatus (102) to form the threads (26) at the desired angle (?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: Patrick M. Gfell, Donald R. Gregg, Kevin J. Kowalski