Patents by Inventor Shuwei Ma
Shuwei Ma 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: 8766519Abstract: An electrode material for use with spark plugs and other ignition devices, where the electrode material includes ruthenium (Ru), plus one or more additional constituents like precious metals, refractory metals, active elements, metal oxides, or a combination thereof. In one example, the electrode material is a multi-phase material that has a matrix phase including ruthenium (Ru) and one or more precious metals, refractory metals and/or active elements, and a dispersed phase including a metal oxide. The metal oxide may be provided in particle form or fiber/whisker form, and is dispersed throughout the matrix phase. A powder metallurgy process for forming the electrode material into a spark plug electrode is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2012Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Federal-Mogul Ignition CompanyInventor: Shuwei Ma
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Patent number: 8760044Abstract: An electrode material may be used in spark plugs and other ignition devices including industrial plugs, aviation igniters, glow plugs, or any other device that is used to ignite an air/fuel mixture in an engine. In one embodiment, the electrode material has one or both of iridium (Ir) or ruthenium (Ru), and has rhenium (Re).Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2012Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Federal-Mogul Ignition CompanyInventor: Shuwei Ma
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Publication number: 20140103792Abstract: An electrode material that may be used in spark plugs and other ignition devices for igniting an air/fuel mixture in an engine. The electrode material has a metal ceramic composite structure and includes a particulate component embedded or dispersed within a matrix component such that the electrode material has a multi-phase microstructure. In an exemplary embodiment, the matrix component includes platinum (Pt) and one or more additive metals like nickel (Ni) or palladium (Pd), and the particulate component includes an electrically conductive ceramic, such as titanium diboride (TiB2). A liquid phase or a solid phase sintering process may be used, depending on the particular constituency of the electrode material.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2013Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION COMPANYInventor: Shuwei Ma
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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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Publication number: 20140015399Abstract: An electrode material for use with spark plugs and other ignition devices. The electrode material is a two-phase composite material that includes a matrix component and a dispersed component embedded in the matrix component. In a preferred embodiment, the matrix component is a precious-metal based material and the dispersed component includes a material that exhibits a high melting point and a low work function such as, for example, carbides, nitrides, and/or intermetallics. A process for forming the electrode material into a spark plug electrode is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2013Publication date: January 16, 2014Inventor: Shuwei Ma
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Publication number: 20130344765Abstract: A method of making an electrode material for use in spark plugs and other ignition devices including industrial plugs, aviation igniters, glow plugs, or any other device that is used to ignite an air/fuel mixture in an engine. The electrode material is a ruthenium-based material that includes ruthenium as the single largest constituent. The disclosed method includes hot-forming a layered structure that includes a ruthenium-based material core, an interlayer having a refractory metal disposed over the ruthenium-based material core, and a nickel-based cladding disposed over the interlayer.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2013Publication date: December 26, 2013Inventor: Shuwei Ma
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Publication number: 20130313961Abstract: A method of making an electrode material for use in a spark plug and other ignition devices including industrial plugs, aviation igniters, glow plugs, or any other device that is used to ignite an air/fuel mixture in an engine. The electrode material is a ruthenium-based material that includes a “fibrous” grain structure. The disclosed method includes hot-forming a ruthenium-based material into an elongated wire that includes the “fibrous” grain structure while intermittently annealing the ruthenium-based material as needed. The intermittent annealing is performed at a temperature that maintains the “fibrous” grain structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2013Publication date: November 28, 2013Inventor: Shuwei Ma
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Patent number: 8575829Abstract: A spark plug includes at least one electrode having a sparking end. The sparking end is formed of a high temperature performance alloy including chromium in an amount of 10.0 weight percent to 60.0 weight percent, palladium in an amount of 0.5 weight percent to 10.0 weight percent, and a balance substantially of at least one of molybdenum and tungsten. The sparking end presents a spark contact surface, and at a temperature of at least 500° C., such as during use of the spark plug in an internal combustion engine, a layer of chromium oxide (Cr2O3) forms at said spark contact surface. The layer of Cr2O3 protects the bulk of the sparking end from the extreme conditions of the combustion chamber and prevents erosion, corrosion, and balling.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2010Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Federal-Mogul Ignition CompanyInventors: Shuwei Ma, James D. Lykowski
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Patent number: 8575830Abstract: An electrode material that may be used in spark plugs and other ignition devices including industrial plugs, aviation igniters, glow plugs, or any other device that is used to ignite an air/fuel mixture in an engine. The electrode material is a metal composite and includes a particulate component embedded or dispersed within a matrix component such that the metal composite has a multi-phase microstructure. In one embodiment, the metal composite includes a matrix component that includes a precious metal and makes up about 2-80% wt of the overall composite and a particulate component that includes a ruthenium-based material and makes up about 20-98% wt of the overall composite.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2012Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Federal-Mogul Ignition CompanyInventor: Shuwei Ma
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Publication number: 20130285533Abstract: An electrode material that may be used in spark plugs and other ignition devices including industrial plugs, aviation igniters, glow plugs, or any other device that is used to ignite an air/fuel mixture in an engine. In one embodiment, the electrode material is a ruthenium-based material that includes ruthenium (Ru) as the single largest constituent on a wt % basis, and at least one of rhenium (Re) or tungsten (W). The electrode material may further include one or more precious metals and/or rare earth metals. The electrode material may be used to form the center electrode, the ground electrode, firing tips, or other firing tip components.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2013Publication date: October 31, 2013Inventor: Shuwei Ma
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Patent number: 8492963Abstract: A spark plug having one or more electrodes at least partially fabricated from an aluminum-containing Ni-based alloy. The alloy is a volume-stable alloy that includes a Ni3Al precipitate in a ??-phase distributed in a Ni matrix ?-phase. The precipitate is formed in the alloy prior to the alloy being used to fabricate electrodes and thus prevents additional Ni3Al precipitate from being formed in the alloy once in service in a high-temperature environment. This, in turn, prevents a volume decrease of the alloy that may lead to an increased spark gap and spark plug malfunction. The volume-stable alloy may be made by solution treatment, quenching, and heat aging of a Ni—Cr—Al—Fe alloy.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2010Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Federal-Mogul Ignition CompanyInventor: Shuwei Ma
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Patent number: 8482188Abstract: A spark plug 20 includes a center electrode 22 and a ground electrode 24 providing a spark gap 26 therebetween. At least one of the electrodes 22, 24, but preferably both electrodes 22, 24 include a clad surrounding a core. The clad includes at least one metal, such as nickel, iron, or cobalt. The core includes nanocarbon material embedded in a copper matrix 40 to increase the thermal conductivity and reduce the coefficient of thermal expansion of the core. The nanocarbon material includes a plurality of fibers 42, also referred to as particles, whisks, or tubes, each having a diameter of 1.0 to 150.0 nanometers and a length of 1 ?m to 100 ?m. The core includes the nanocarbon material in an amount of 0.1 to 10.0 wt. %.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2012Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Federal-Mogul Ignition CompanyInventor: Shuwei Ma
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Patent number: 8471451Abstract: A ruthenium-based electrode material for use with a spark plug. The electrode material comprises ruthenium (Ru) and a precious metal. The ruthenium (Ru) is the single largest constituent of the electrode material on a wt % basis. The electrode material may have a density that is less than or equal to about 15.5 g/cm3 and may include at least one other precious metal. The electrode material may be used in a spark plug that includes a metallic shell having an axial bore, an insulator having an axial bore and at least partially disposed within the axial bore of the metallic shell, a center electrode at least partially disposed within the axial bore of the insulator, and a ground electrode attached to a free end of the metallic shell. The center electrode, the ground electrode or both may be formed at least in part from the electrode alloy.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2012Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Federal-Mogul Ignition CompanyInventor: Shuwei Ma
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Patent number: 8436520Abstract: A spark plug for an internal combustion engine has a center electrode, a ground electrode or both that includes an electrode material that is a Pt-based alloy. The electrode material may include platinum (Pt), at least one active element like aluminum (Al) or silicon (Si), and at least one high-melting point element such as ruthenium (Ru), iridium (Ir), tungsten (W), molybdenum (Mo), rhenium (Re), tantalum (Ta), niobium (Nb), chromium (Cr), or a combination thereof. In at least some of the disclosed alloys, the aluminum (Al) and/or silicon (Si) contributes to the formation of a thin protective oxide layer on a surface of the electrode material.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2011Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: Federal-Mogul Ignition CompanyInventor: Shuwei Ma
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Publication number: 20130063017Abstract: A spark plug (20) includes a center electrode (24) and a ground electrode (22). The electrodes (22, 24) include a core (26) formed of a copper (Cu) alloy and a clad (28) formed of a nickel (Ni) alloy enrobing the core (26). The Cu alloy includes Cu in an amount of at least 98.5 weight percent, and at least one of Zr and Cr in an amount of at least 0.05 weight percent. The Cu alloy includes a matrix of the Cu and precipitates of the Zr and Cu dispersed in the Cu matrix. The Ni alloy of the clad (28) includes Ni in an amount of at least 90.0 weight percent. The Ni alloy also includes at least one of a Group 3 element, a Group 4 element, a Group 13 element, chromium (Cr), silicon (Si), and manganese (Mn) in a total amount sufficient to affect the strength of the Ni alloy.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: March 14, 2013Inventors: Shuwei Ma, James D. Lykowski
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Publication number: 20130002121Abstract: An electrode material for use with spark plugs and other ignition devices, where the electrode material includes ruthenium (Ru), plus one or more additional constituents like precious metals, refractory metals, active elements, metal oxides, or a combination thereof. In one example, the electrode material is a multi-phase material that has a matrix phase including ruthenium (Ru) and one or more precious metals, refractory metals and/or active elements, and a dispersed phase including a metal oxide. The metal oxide may be provided in particle form or fiber/whisker form, and is dispersed throughout the matrix phase. A powder metallurgy process for forming the electrode material into a spark plug electrode is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2012Publication date: January 3, 2013Applicant: FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION COMPANYInventor: Shuwei Ma
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Patent number: 8288927Abstract: A spark plug (20) includes a center electrode (24) and a ground electrode (22). The electrodes (22, 24) include a core (26) formed of a copper (Cu) alloy and a clad (28) formed of a nickel (Ni) alloy enrobing the core (26). The Cu alloy includes Cu in an amount of at least 98.5 weight percent, and at least one of Zr and Cr in an amount of at least 0.05 weight percent. The Cu alloy includes a matrix of the Cu and precipitates of the Zr and Cu dispersed in the Cu matrix. The Ni alloy of the clad (28) includes Ni in an amount of at least 90.0 weight percent. The Ni alloy also includes at least one of a Group 3 element, a Group 4 element, a Group 13 element, chromium (Cr), silicon (Si), and manganese (Mn) in a total amount sufficient to affect the strength of the Ni alloy.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2010Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Federal-Mogul Ignition CompanyInventors: Shuwei Ma, James D. Lykowski
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Patent number: 8274203Abstract: A spark plug electrode material that may be used in spark plugs and other ignition devices including industrial plugs, aviation igniters, glow plugs, or any other device that is used to ignite an air/fuel mixture in an engine. According to an exemplary embodiment, the electrode material includes a refractory metal (for example, tungsten (W), molybdenum (Mo), rhenium (Re), ruthenium (Ru) and/or chromium (Cr)) and a precious metal (for example, rhodium (Rh), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd) and/or iridium (Ir)), where the refractory metal is present in an amount that is greater than that of the precious metal. This includes, but is certainly not limited to, electrode materials including tungsten-based alloys such as W—Rh and ruthenium-based alloys such as Ru—Rh. Other combinations and embodiments are also possible.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2010Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: Federal-Mogul Ignition CompanyInventors: Shuwei Ma, James D. Lykowski
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Patent number: 8274204Abstract: A spark plug for an internal combustion engine has one or more electrodes with an electrode material of a platinum (Pt) based alloy. The alloy includes aluminum (Al) and one or more refractory metals selected from the group containing nickel (Ni), rhenium (Re), ruthenium (Ru), tantalum (Ta), molybdenum (Mo), and tungsten (W). In at least some of the disclosed alloys, the aluminum contributes to the formation of an aluminum oxide (Al2O3) layer on a surface of the electrode material.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2010Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: Federal-Mogul Ignition CompanyInventor: Shuwei Ma
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Publication number: 20120212119Abstract: An electrode material may be used in spark plugs and other ignition devices including industrial plugs, aviation igniters, glow plugs, or any other device that is used to ignite an air/fuel mixture in an engine. In one embodiment, the electrode material has one or both of iridium (Ir) or ruthenium (Ru), and has rhenium (Re).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2012Publication date: August 23, 2012Applicant: FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION COMPANYInventor: Shuwei Ma