Electrodes Patents (Class 123/169EL)
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Patent number: 6152095Abstract: A two-piece spark plug includes an electrically conductive outer housing including a cylindrical member having an outer wall and an inner wall, the inner wall defining a passage through the outer housing, and a plug member releasably coupled within the outer housing and including an axial electrode and an electrically insulating insulator element encircling the axial electrode, the axial electrode having a first end for connection to an electrical source and a second end for connection within a combustion chamber, and the insulator element having a circumferential first groove and adapted to be positioned within the passage of the outer housing such that a gas-tight seal is formed between the insulator element and the inner wall of the outer housing.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 1999Date of Patent: November 28, 2000Assignee: Quik-Change Int'l., L.L.C.Inventors: Gordon R. Ripma, William P. Strait
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Patent number: 6142112Abstract: The present invention is for a new kind of sparking device. It is especially suitable for counterstroke engines in which two pistons are working against each other in a common cylinder bore. The invention is for a sparking device for combustion engines which makes it possible to change the distance between the electrodes of the sparking device both with a stopped engine and during operation. The invention also makes it possible to position the sparking device in the center of the cylinder bore and combustion space. The two electrodes are mounted separated from each other in the cylinder wall so that they are opposite to each other and have their centre axis essentially aligned with each other. A linear displacement of one of the electrodes thus means that the distance between the tips (14, 15) of the electrodes is changed.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 1999Date of Patent: November 7, 2000Assignee: Gul & Co Development ABInventor: Gunnar Leijonberg
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Patent number: 6104130Abstract: A spark plug having a center electrode with a cylindrical body with a tip at one end and a terminal near the other end with an insulator radially surrounding the center electrode. A ground shield surrounds the insulator and includes a ground electrode near one end, having a portion thereof with an annular opening disposed above and radially separated from the center electrode tip to form a radial spark gap, with a sealing portion disposed between the ground electrode and the other end of the ground shield for sealing the engine combustion chamber from the outside environment when the spark plug is installed. The ground shield can be formed from two parts which are deformed during manufacturing to be in mechanical engagement and securely holding the insulator in place. The spark plug can also have also have an integral or separate retainer for securing the spark plug to the engine.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1997Date of Patent: August 15, 2000Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.Inventor: Matthew B. Below
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Patent number: 6095124Abstract: A spark plug having a center electrode, a ground electrode, and an insulator. The ground electrode has a firing surface formed in a tip end side, and the firing surface is opposed to a side face of the center electrode. The insulator covers the outside of the center electrode and is placed such that a tip end portion is between the side face of the center electrode and the firing surface of the ground electrode. A discharge high voltage is applied across the center electrode and the ground electrode such that a polarity of the center electrode is positive and that of the ground electrode is negative. The high voltage causes a spark discharge to be generated between the firing surface of the ground electrode and a tip end portion of the center electrode.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 1998Date of Patent: August 1, 2000Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshihiro Matsubara, Kazumasa Yoshida, Akio Kokubo, Akira Suzuki, Makoto Yamaguchi
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Patent number: 6089201Abstract: A method of using a petroleum based fuel in an internal combustion gasoline engine. The fuel has a flash point of at least 100.degree. F. and the fuel is heated, within the engine, to a temperature above 100.degree. F. The heated fuel is introduced into the cylinders in the engine and ignited within the cylinder to start the engine. The heat source is removed after the engine has become warm. In an alternate embodiment, the electrodes of the spark plugs are continually energized until the electrodes are at a temperature above the flashpoint of the fuel. The electrodes of the spark plugs are then energized intermittently and the fuel is introduced into the heated cylinders to ignite the fuel in the cylinders in a selected sequence.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 1999Date of Patent: July 18, 2000Assignee: Nancy Burton-PrateleyInventor: William A. Hubbard
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Patent number: 6069434Abstract: A spark electrode assembly and method of assembling same is disclosed. A ceramic housing having a cylindrical passage provides clearance for a conductive metal electrode. The electrode has a tubular body with rod shaped wires inserted at each end, the wires extending outwardly from the tubular body at each of its ends colinearly. During assembly, the wires are crimped into the tubular body in such a manner that the tubular body is deformed outwardly forming bosses. The bosses are of such a size as to cause an interference fit between the tubular body and the housing passage so that the electrode is captured within the housing. An impact force on the electrode forces the tubular body to expand radially outwardly, thereby further engaging the ceramic housing for holding the electrode in the housing. That part of the electrode body that is not in contact with the housing still has ample room to expand within the housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 1997Date of Patent: May 30, 2000Inventor: Gerald R. Clifford
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Patent number: 6064143Abstract: In order to provide a multielectrode spark plug which is excellent in resistance to fouling and in which the voltage required for producing a spark can be lowered, the tip portion of at least one of plural ground electrodes is positioned by the side of an annular front end face of an insulator to form a semi-creeping spark discharging gap elongating along the surface of the insulator with the tip portion of a center electrode, and the tip portions of the ground other electrodes form aerial spark discharging gaps with the tip portion of the center electrode.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1996Date of Patent: May 16, 2000Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventor: Junichi Kagawa
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Patent number: 6060821Abstract: A heater-equipped spark plug comprises an insulator having an insulator nose which holds thereon a center electrode in the vicinity of a free end of an axial bore, a lead wire arranged along a surface of the insulator, a heater formed on the insulator nose by baking a metal paste and connected to the lead wire; and a high softening-point glass layer covering and holding the heater in place with an alumina layer interposed between the high softening-point glass and the heater. Preferably, the alumina layer can have a thickness of 20-200 .mu.m and the high softening-point glass layer can have a thickness of 30-500 .mu.m.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 1995Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takahiro Suzuki, Yukihiko Ito
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Patent number: 6019077Abstract: A spark plug is described incorporating a metal hydride in one of its electrodes thereby being able to generate plasma or ionization in the spark gap for ignition of the fuel mixture in the engine.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1998Date of Patent: February 1, 2000Inventor: Vladimir I. Gorokhovsky
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Patent number: 5967122Abstract: An internal combustion engine that burns fuel from a fuel source, and an engine including a block assembly with a piston cylinder, a combustion chamber connected to the piston cylinder, and an air/fuel mixing area that communicates with the combustion chamber for delivering an air/fuel mixture to the combustion chamber. A fuel delivery system is connected to the block assembly, and the fuel delivery system is adapted to deliver a selected amount of fuel into the mixing area for mixing with air therein to provide an air/fuel mixture having an air-to-fuel ratio in the range of approximately 20:1 to 45:1, inclusive. A spark plug is connected to the block assembly and positioned to generate a spark in the combustion chamber to detonate the air/fuel mixture. The spark plug has a center electrode and a ground electrode axially spaced apart from each other by a spark gap in the range of approximately 1.8 mm to 3.0 mm.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 1997Date of Patent: October 19, 1999Assignee: Bisnes Mauleg, Inc.Inventors: Henry P. Muntzer, Everett P. Lamprecht, Erhan Kunt
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Patent number: 5962957Abstract: By heating a glass sealing material, a center electrode is sealed and fixed within an axial bore of an insulator. Formation of a groove in a head portion of the center electrode makes it possible to protect the head portion of the center electrode from deformation under a pressure which is applied upon filling the glass sealing material in a powder form in the axial bore. The glass sealing material is therefore assured to flow to a peripheral side wall of a flange portion of the center electrode, thereby enhancing mechanical engagement between the center electrode and the insulator, that is, uniting strength for them. A spark plug is hence obtained with improved impact resistance and accordingly, with sufficient durability.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 1997Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yutaka Tanaka, Minoru Ando, Mitsutaka Yoshida
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Patent number: 5950584Abstract: A spark plug for forming a spark that jumps between two electrodes has an insulating body surrounded by a housing with a ground electrode. The insulating body has a center electrode therein, which projects beyond the ground electrode in the axial direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 1997Date of Patent: September 14, 1999Assignee: Daimler-Benz AktiengesellschaftInventor: Guenther Bubeck
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Patent number: 5947093Abstract: An improved high energy high efficiency hybrid capacitive/inductive ignition system with one or coils Ti for internal combustion engines employing one or more energy storage capacitor means (4) shunted by diode means (9), with high leakage inductor means (3a) of coils Ti with which have their primary (1a) and secondary (1b) windings wound side-by-side on a single segmented bobbin 72, unidirectional switches Si for each coil Ti which are preferably IGBTs, and high efficiency shunt diode/switch means SDi for each coil Ti shunting the primary winding of each coil Ti, so that, following production of an initial quarter cycle capacitive spark with peak current in the 0.2 to 3 amp arc discharge range, there is a decaying inductive unidirectional flow-resistant spark flowing through shunt switch means SDi.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1997Date of Patent: September 7, 1999Assignee: Ignition Systems International, LLC.Inventor: Michael A. V. Ward
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Patent number: 5898257Abstract: The electron emitting cathode of an initiator (spark plug or ignitor) comprises a small button of high temperature, preferably austenitic, stainless steel powder welded to a support conductor. The stainless steel powder has distributed through it a dopant powder consisting of a minor portion of a highly stable oxide of an element having a low work function. The dopant powder has a much smaller mesh size than the stainless steel powder (1/5or less). Rare earth lanthanides are preferred that have a low work function, preferably under 3.0 eV and are not radioactive. Cerium, in the form of CeO.sub.2 is most preferred. The compositions of the low work function stainless steel electrodes and methods of making the same are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1995Date of Patent: April 27, 1999Inventors: Richard Isaac Sequerra, Michael Albert DeLuca
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Patent number: 5894186Abstract: A spark plug includes a central electrode, an insulator exterior to the central electrode, a metallic shell exterior to the insulator and having the central electrode protrude from one end of the metallic shell, a ground electrode having one end coupled to the metallic shell and having another end facing the central electrode, and an igniting portion secured to either the central electrode or to the ground electrode or to both for forming a spark discharge gap, wherein the igniting portion comprises a chip including a metal-oxide composite material including at least 10 wt % of Ir, an alloy having at least one element selected from a group consisting of Rh, Mo, Nb and Pt in a total amount in a range of 0.5 to 88.4 wt %, and a rare earth oxide in an amount ranging from 1.6 to 15 wt %.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 1997Date of Patent: April 13, 1999Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Wataru Matsutani, Koji Okazaki
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Patent number: 5873338Abstract: A spark plug has a cylindrical metal shell, a ground electrode and an insulator fixedly supported within the metal shell with a front end of the insulator extended beyond a front end of the metal shell. The insulator has an axial bore in which a center electrode is placed to form a spark gap with the ground electrode. The front end of the metal shell is generally flush with or somewhat recessed into an inner wall of a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine when the spark plug is mounted on a cylinder head of the engine. The front end of the insulator extends at least 4.0 mm from the front end of the metal shell.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1997Date of Patent: February 23, 1999Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshihiro Matsubara, Tetsushi Suzuki, Yuuji Hirano, Kazuya Iwata
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Patent number: 5828161Abstract: A cambered shape of an external negative electrode (11) of an internal combustion engine's spark plug so that a spark bridging the plug's spark gap (17) impinges first at the base region (14) and travels outward and around to initiate burn of almost 100% of available fuel. The cambered shape culminates with an end section (16) that is 1/4 of a sphere and has symmetry to the radial edge of a center electrode (13).Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 1996Date of Patent: October 27, 1998Assignee: TLR Innovations, Inc.Inventor: Ronald L. Palyu
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Patent number: 5797383Abstract: In a dual polarity type ignition system for a spark plug group, a cylindrical metal shell is provided in which an insulator is provided. The insulator has an axial bore in which a center electrode is provided whose front end has a first noble metal tip. A ground electrode extends from a front end of the metal shell and having a second noble metal tip to form a spark discharge gap between the first noble metal tip and the second noble metal tip. The group of the spark plugs is divided into two groups, one is a positive polarity spark plug group in which a positive high voltage is applied to the center electrode, and the other group is a negative polarity spark plug group in which a negative high voltage is applied to the center electrode. The first noble metal tip of the center electrode of the positive polarity spark plug group is dimensionally smaller than the first noble metal tip of the center electrode of the negative polarity spark plug group.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 1997Date of Patent: August 25, 1998Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshihiro Matsubara, Katsutoshi Nakayama
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Patent number: 5791320Abstract: An engine ignition system includes spark plugs having two high voltage electrodes connected to separate high voltage sources. Should one voltage source fail, the engine will continue to fire with sparks generated by the other high voltage source. The invention has special applicability to single engine aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 1997Date of Patent: August 11, 1998Inventor: Eugene Haban
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Patent number: 5751096Abstract: An improved spark plug having multiple ground electrodes (10) placed around a center electrode (12). Standing vertical ground electrodes are joined at top base of a metal jacket (18). Ground electrodes (10) and center electrode (12) are made of a rigid material.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 1997Date of Patent: May 12, 1998Inventor: Albert Lahens
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Patent number: 5720252Abstract: A spark ignition system of an internal combustion engine has a first electrode and a second electrode spaced from each other operating at high voltages to produce a spark in a combustion zone of the engine. The construction of the system permits the formation of long length sparks with a train of electrical pulses having a shortened total burst duration having higher power while using lower energy.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 1996Date of Patent: February 24, 1998Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Rodney G. Blodgett, Anthony K. Chan, George Codina, Teala D. Lavell
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Patent number: 5705892Abstract: A spark ignition system and spark plug for utilization in an internal combustion engine combusting an ultra lean fuel/air mixture has capacitors and rectifiers built within the spark plug and the system is constructed to be compact and capable of delivering a controlled spark that has the physical properties of providing a very fast, high power pulse or train of pulses greater than conventional spark plugs.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1997Date of Patent: January 6, 1998Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: George Codina, James M. Schultz, J. Thomas Vachon
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Patent number: 5598816Abstract: A carburetor metering system is provided comprising a fuel valve including a valve member movable with respect to a valve seat to vary the fuel flow, the valve member and the valve seat having substantially parallel inclined surfaces and which define therebetween a passage for the flow of fuel having a width corresponding to the distance apart of the surfaces and a length. A wick for use a carburetor metering system is also provided for absorbing liquid for vaporization into an air flow, comprising a cloth of woven strands and means for suspending said cloth in the air flow. There is also provided a spark plug for use in a fuel combustion system.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 1994Date of Patent: February 4, 1997Inventor: John R. C. Pedersen
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Patent number: 5577471Abstract: An improved anti-fouling controlled erosion long life spark plug (36) for high current arc type spark discharges with low heat absorbing large circular gap (31) electrode structure comprised of a conical section center electrode (26) and low mass ring ground electrode (21) supported by three legs (24) defining flow-through slots (25) behind the ring which extends into the combustion chamber and an insulator end (13a) recessed with respect to the flow-through slots to prevent its fouling, the plug end electrode structure minimizing flow obstruction, flame quenching, and heat absorption from the combusting air-fuel mixture.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 1995Date of Patent: November 26, 1996Inventor: Michael A. V. Ward
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Patent number: 5564403Abstract: A spark ignition system and spark plug for utilization in an internal combustion engine combusting an ultra lean fuel/air mixture has capacitors and rectifiers built within the spark plug and the system is constructed to be compact and capable of delivering a controlled spark that has the physical properties of providing a very fast, high power pulse or train of pulses greater than conventional spark plugs.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 1995Date of Patent: October 15, 1996Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: George Codina, James M. Schultz, J. Thomas Vachon
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Patent number: 5517961Abstract: An improved spark ignition engine system producing a large continuous, centrally directed, flow coupled ignition spark discharge through combustion chamber (1), piston (4), inlet system (28/29), spark plug (5), and ignition spark discharge (26) design, and through the location and orientation, with respect to the mixture flow field, of a special design firing end and gap (7/9) of a spark plug fired with a spark discharge of hundreds of watts of power for hundreds of microseconds without spark segmentation or spark break-up by the flow field of up to about 20 m/sec flow velocity, with bulk flow occurring at the spark plug site at most engine speeds including low speeds to produce a very large centrally directed spark-initial flame front kernel which allows for substantial dilution of the mixture and significant reduction in engine cycle-to-cycle variation under most operating conditions of the engine including low speed light load.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 1995Date of Patent: May 21, 1996Assignee: Combustion Electromagnetics, Inc.Inventor: Michael A. V. Ward
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Patent number: 5502352Abstract: According to the present invention, a spark plug for an internal combustion engine includes a center electrode, a ground electrode so as to form a spark gap with the center electrode, and a tip electrode composed of a material having a superior consumable resistance as compared to the center electrode and disposed on an end face of the center electrode so as to form a spark gap with the ground electrode. An axial length of the discharge portion of the ground electrode where spark discharge occurs is substantially larger than an axial length of the tip electrode where spark discharge occurs. When used for an internal combustion engine, a spark discharge is mainly generated between the peripheral surface of the center electrode and the ground electrode during early operation. Consequently, as the center electrode has been consumed, the spark discharge is mainly generated between the tip electrode and the ground electrode.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 1994Date of Patent: March 26, 1996Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.Inventors: Akio Katoh, Kozo Takamura
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Patent number: 5493171Abstract: A spark plug for use in an internal combustion engine comprises an electrically nonconductive body member and a pair of electrodes formed of a material each having titanium diboride as its major component. Tests indicate that titanium diboride electrodes are extremely resistant to electrical erosion. The spark plugs embodying the present invention are particularly useful in continuous cycle or heavy duty cycle engines that have heretofore been the subject of severe electrode erosion.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 1994Date of Patent: February 20, 1996Assignee: Southwest Research InstituteInventors: Charles D. Wood, III, James Lankford, Jr., Cheryl R. Blanchard, James J. Cole, Gerald S. McAlwee
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Patent number: 5461275Abstract: In a spark plug having a nickel-based electrode whose front end has a firing tip made from a ruthenium- or iridium-based metal in which an oxide of a rare earth metal group is dispersed, the firing tip is welded to the electrode by a solidified alloy layer having a component of the electrode and a component of the firing tip. The firing tip contains the oxide of the rare earth metal group in a range of 5.about.15% by volume (V), and an average grain size (D) of the oxide is in a range of 0.05.about.3.0 .mu.m with a quantitative relationship as D.ltoreq.-0.34V+5.1.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 1994Date of Patent: October 24, 1995Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takafumi Oshima
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Patent number: 5456241Abstract: A high power high energy ignition system for internal combustion engines using an energy storage capacitor (4), resonating inductor (3) and one or more coils Ti with switches Si for each coil Ti. The system is designed and optimized according to the transient voltage doubling formulation and certain coil magnetic flux formulations to produce a very high power, very high energy, high efficiency ignition powered and controlled by a power converter (14) and controller (15) to produce an initial high frequency spark pulse followed by moderate firing longer duration spark pulses or continuously firing spark oscillations for delivery to the air-fuel mixture of an engine with total spark energy approximately independent of engine speed. The energy is delivered by means of a toroidal gapped spark plug (46) with extended electrodes (48a) to maximize ignition kernel size and minimize spark plug erosion and fouling.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 1993Date of Patent: October 10, 1995Assignee: Combustion Electromagnetics, Inc.Inventor: Michael A. V. Ward
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Patent number: 5449966Abstract: A Double Sliding Spark Plug as a Volume Ignition System for Internal Combustion Engines causes ignition processes of the air-fuel mixture by two simultaneously conical or cylindrical sliding discharges between a conical or cylindrical high voltage electrode (1) located inside two solid insulation parts (4) and (5) and two circular low voltage electrodes (2) and (3). Those sliding discharges are on outer large conical or cylindrical surfaces of insulation parts (4) and (5) with high diameters. The outside low voltage electrode (2) is connected to a metallic body of this spark plug and to the outer conical or cylindrical surface of the outside insulation part (4). The inside cylindrical or conical low voltage electrode (3) is connected to the inner conical or cylindrical surface of the inside insulation part (5).Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 1991Date of Patent: September 12, 1995Assignee: Wojciech Marian TurkowskiInventor: Wojciech M. Turkowski
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Patent number: 5435278Abstract: A cylinder head and spark plug assembly for mounting on an engine block to create a combustion chamber for burning fuel and method for assembling the same are disclosed. A cylinder head has an end wall with an exterior surface and an interior surface and a spark plug bore extending downstream from the exterior surface to the interior surface. The spark plug bore has a seal surface adjacent the interior surface and external threads disposed upstream from the seal surface. A spark plug includes a body terminating in an end portion having a seal surface thereon, a nut and external threads disposed between the nut and the seal surface. The external threads of the spark plug are threadedly retained within the internal threads of the spark plug bore with the spark plug seal surface cooperating with the cylinder head seal surface in an interference fit eliminating any crevice between the end portion of the body and the spark plug bore downstream of the interference fit.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 1994Date of Patent: July 25, 1995Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventor: Larry Van Reatherford
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Patent number: 5408961Abstract: An ignition plug having a center electrode tip and a substantially aerodynamically shaped ground electrode mounted coaxial to the center electrode tip. This construction substantially eliminates shielding and increases the ignition presentation and the aerodynamic flow of fuel in the gap and tip area. This provides greater power, increased gas mileage and reduced pollution. A circular ignition presentation is achieved by positioning the ground electrode around the center electrode forming a substantially uniform gap. Sparks will be emitted from the ground electrode to the center electrode throughout the gap. This provides a greater region of ignition thereby igniting more fuel. Conductive coatings are applied selectively to the inner surface of the ground electrode to control the distribution of electron flow about the gap to improve ignition uniformity. The electrode and insulator in the plug tip have decreased abrupt surface contour discontinuities to allow for aerodynamic flow of fuel.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 1993Date of Patent: April 25, 1995Assignee: Innovative Automative Technologies Int. Ltd.Inventor: Charles E. Smith
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Patent number: 5406166Abstract: There is disclosed a spark plug which can maintain a low spark voltage for a long period of time even if a noble metal tip is used in a small amount. A discharge gap is formed between a central electrode and an earth electrode. The noble metal tip is formed on that end face of the central electrode facing the earth electrode. A cross-shaped groove is formed in that end face of the noble metal tip joined to the central electrode. The cross-shaped groove is exposed when the noble metal tip is consumed by a discharge developing in the discharge gap.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 1992Date of Patent: April 11, 1995Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.Inventors: Nobuo Abe, Kozo Takamura, Akio Katoh
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Patent number: 5373214Abstract: The present invention provides an improved spark plug and electrode arrangement therefor. A central electrode has a sparking end adjacently positioned to and mated with a spark-receiving end of an outer electrode. At least one of the electrode ends has a protrusion extending towards the other electrode, and the other electrode has a geometrically mated indentation. A relatively uniform spark gap having increased surface area is provided therebetween. Hemispherical or rounded and conical protrusions and mated indentations are preferred embodiments of the present invention. The present spark plug electrode arrangement provides increased area sparks, regulates sparks under varied conditions and decreases incidence of carbon build up.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 1992Date of Patent: December 13, 1994Inventor: David F. McCready
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Patent number: 5297510Abstract: A volume ignition system for internal combustion engines causes ignition processes of fuel by location of a high voltage electrode (1) of a spark plug inside an engine's cylinder. Electrical discharges are created basically from the high voltage electrode (1), during movement of a piston (6) with a connected ring (5), as low voltage electrodes, around the high voltage electrode (1), and to a low voltage electrode (2), connected to the spark plug's metallic body, as sliding discharges. Sliding discharges are created over an insulator (3) along metallization (4), with an extremely large surface area. Discharge plasma is injected into a combustion chamber with flames from inside of the ring (5) and a hollow (7).Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 1991Date of Patent: March 29, 1994Assignee: Wojciech M. TurkowskiInventor: Wojciech M. Turkowski
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Patent number: 5204059Abstract: An Ni base alloy for use in spark plug electrodes for internal combustion engines which consists essentially of, on a weight percent basis,0.1 to 1.5% Si,0.1 to 0.65% Mn,3.1 to 5% Al,0 to 2% Cr,0 to 0.5% of one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Y and rare earth elements,0 to 5% Co,0 to 0.5% of Hf and/or Re, andthe remainder Ni and incidental impurities.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1991Date of Patent: April 20, 1993Assignee: Mitsubishi Metal CorporationInventors: Kensho Sahira, Hideo Kitamura, Akira Mimura, Nobuyoshi Kurauchi
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Patent number: 5133328Abstract: An ignition system has a series-gap discharge-bulb through which a high voltage is supplied to a center electrode of an ignition plug. A short-circuit element is made of a material that reversibly deforms when it is heated to a predetermined temperature when an engine is operated in a steady state. The short-circuit element is electrically connected to the plug such that two discharging electrodes are short-circuited by the short-circuit element when the short-circuit element is heated to thermally deform. The discharging electrodes may be made of a reversibly deformable material so that the electrodes deform into contact with each other when they are heated to a predetermined temperature.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 1991Date of Patent: July 28, 1992Assignee: Yazaki CorporationInventors: Takashi Sato, Hiromitsu Tsuchiya, Tetsuya Mitani
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Patent number: 5113806Abstract: An improved combustion igniter for internal combustion engines is disclosed, comprising a conventional spark plug improved through the addition of (a) an upwardly facing generally vertical wire element secured to the negative cathode of the spark plug and spaced apart from the positive electrode anode of the spark plug, (b) a catalyst material proximate the vertical wire element and either secured to the spark plug body or applied to the cylinder head; and (c) an injected steam source for facilitating catalytic breakdown of vapors in the combination chamber. Preferably the wire element comprises wire of pure platinum approximately 0.018" in diameter and 1/8" in length, and the catalyst is either (1) a nickel coating disposed on the cylinder head, (2) nickel wire with platinum segments disposed thereon secured to the park plug body, or (3) sheet nickel formed in a coil and disposed in the cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 1991Date of Patent: May 19, 1992Inventor: George H. Rodart
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Patent number: 5090373Abstract: Two fundamental types of auxiliary devices for increasing the fuel efficiency of a conventional spark plug without reforming any part of the spark plug. Each type has a pair of opposing tongues having parallel grooves on their opposing inside faces and flat portions bridging the tongues with which the device is attached to either the top of metal housing and/or ground electrode or the top of center electrode by welding or caulking.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 1991Date of Patent: February 25, 1992Inventors: Ryohei Kashiwara, Hideaki Kashiwara, Hidehiko Noguchi, Takeaki Kashiwara
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Patent number: 5080083Abstract: A discharge device of the present invention including a pair of electrodes opposingly disposed in a sealed tube is characterized by the provision of a conductive member surrounding one of the electrodes in the sealed tube. An ignition system with a series gap has a built-in discharge device provided with a series gap, with one end connected to the center electrode side of the spark plug and with the other end connected to the high-tension cable side extending from the high-voltage distribution side. In this ignition system, a discharge device has a conductive member which surrounds one of the electrodes of the sealed tube, and one of the electrodes enclosed with the conductive member of this discharge device works as a cathode.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 1990Date of Patent: January 14, 1992Assignee: Yazaki CorporationInventors: Takashi Sato, Tetsuya Mitani, Mikio Hanzawa
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Patent number: 5017826Abstract: A rapid heat-dissipating type spark plug has a metallic shell which is made of material having a tensile stress of more than 40 Kg/mm.sup.2 with a thermal conductivity of more than 60 W/m.multidot.k.In another embodiment, there is provided a ground electrode which is made of nickel or nickel alloy.The ground electrode is connected to the metallic shell through a metallic ring which is made of different metal from the metallic shell such as steel, stainless steel or nickel alloy.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 1989Date of Patent: May 21, 1991Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takafumi Oshima, Kozuka Kazuhiko
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Patent number: 5014656Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder head and a permanent ground electrode and replaceable center electrode element received in a cylinder head bore. The permanent ground electrode is affixed to the cylinder head at the inner wall thereof and protrudes into the combustion chamber. The ground electrode preferably has a cup-like configuration defining an electrode-receiving hollow in the combustion chamber in registry with the bore. The center electrode element comprises a center electrode and an insulator body having a shoulder for engaging a seat in the bore. The insulator body shoulder is clamped against the seat by an annular retainer nut. When the center electrode element is so clamped, the center electrode is received in the electrode-receiving hollow defined by the ground electrode in the combustion chamber so as to cooperate with the ground electrode in defining a spark gap therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 1990Date of Patent: May 14, 1991Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Joseph M. Leptich, Keith A. Penney, Steve F. Lowe
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Patent number: 5007389Abstract: This invention concerns an ignition plug for internal combustion engines and a process for igniting gas mixture by the use thereof, which functionally speaking are characterized by utilizing the expansion of initial gas combustion following the formation of primary ignited gasses in a spark gap for the formation of secondary ignited gasses and the completion of combustion over the entire space of the ignition plug. For this, either the inside surface of a ground electrode opposed to a center electrode of the side surface of a center electrode opposed to a ground electrode is made flat in principle in order to drive primary ignited gasses from a spark gap to an ignition groove, which is to be provided to on the top of a center electrode or the other side of a ground electrode as to a center electrode, by the use of the initial combustion explosion in the spark gap so as to accelerate the growth and the multiplication of the ignited gasses there and lead them to complete instantaneous combustion.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 1988Date of Patent: April 16, 1991Inventors: Ryohei Kashiwara, Hideaki Kashiwara, Hidehiko Noguchi, Takeaki Kashiwara
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Patent number: 4989557Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder head and a spark plug assembly adapted to be received in a cylinder head bore. The spark plug assembly includes a metal ground electrode element having an annulus disposed on a transverse annular seat of the cylinder head bore and a ground side electrode extending from the annulus. The ground side electrode is received in an axial slot of the cylinder head bore between the seat and a cylinder head inner wall and protrudes into the combustion chamber. The orientation of the ground electrode relative to the cylinder head, and thus to the geometry of the combustion chamber, is established by the circumferential location of the axial slot relative to the bore. The spark plug assembly also includes a center electrode element having a center electrode and surrounding insulator body.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 1990Date of Patent: February 5, 1991Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: Keith A. Penney
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Patent number: 4972811Abstract: An ignition system comprising one of a glow plug, spark plug and glow attachment having metal or ceramic surfaces which are exposed to a fuel/air mixtuer, and are at least partially covered with a coating comprising at least one complex metal oxide obtained as a result of a reaction of a basic oxide selected from a group comprising oxides of Si, Y, La and Ce and mixed oxides of the above-mentioned oxides with Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, with at least one further oxide selected from a group comprising oxides of alkali and alkali earth metals.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 1989Date of Patent: November 27, 1990Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Detlef Baresel, Gerhard Huth, Anton Kling
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Patent number: 4930473Abstract: A swirl chamber and spark plug assembly comprises a unitary generally cup-shaped cylindrical member having external threads for removably installing it in the spark plug receiving hole of an internal combustion engine and a reduced diameter lower portion at the opposite end. The interior of the swirl chamber member has a central bore with internal threads at the top end and a stepped cylindrical swirl chamber defined by a lower cylindrical chamber and an upper cylindrical chamber of larger diameter for swirling gas in relation thereto. A spark plug having elongated electrodes is threadedly received in the top end of the swirl chamber with the spark plug gap at the juncture between the upper and lower chambers.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1988Date of Patent: June 5, 1990Assignee: Texas Ignitors Company, Inc.Inventor: Rainer Dietrich
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Patent number: 4926087Abstract: An electrical igniter has an outer metal shell within which extends a semiconductive tubular pellet that provides a cylindrical cavity which opens through an orifice formed by an inturned lip of the shell which forms a first electrode of the igniter. The diameter of the cavity and the diameter of the orifice are in the ratio of about 5 to 6. A second electrode extends axially within the shell into the rear end of the pellet with which it makes electrical contact. Discharge between the first and second electrodes causes a plasma of discharge products produced in the cavity to be ejected through the orifice.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 1988Date of Patent: May 15, 1990Assignee: Smiths Industries Public Limited CompanyInventors: Chandra M. Kler, Jagdevinder S. Hanspal
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Patent number: 4901688Abstract: An ignition plug of this invention is characterized in that a ground electrode thereof has a recess that faces the side surface of a single center electrode; more particularly, in the case of an L-shaped ground electrode whose free end is opposed to the center electrode with a spark gas in between, the recess is provided to on the free end of the ground electrode so that it can hold plentiful gas mixture to ignite near the spark gap by increasing its capacity with the increase of distance from the side surface of the center electrode; thus, the farther the igntion proceeds into the recess, the more intensively gas mixture is ignited, whereby instantaneous combustion can be caused in the entire space of a combustion chamber.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 1989Date of Patent: February 20, 1990Inventors: Ryohei Kashiwara, Hideaki Kashiwara, Hidehiko Noguchi, Takeaki Kashiwara
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Patent number: 4851732Abstract: A spark plug is provided with a plurality a flame deflecting plates depending from the housing of the plug to define a combustion chamber proximate to the electrodes of the spark plug. The plates may be radially disposed to direct combustion gases radially outward or angled to provide a spiralling motion to the combustion gases. An alternative embodiment provides a sleeve having the flame deflector plates depending axially therefrom in a similar fashion. A spark plug is threaded to internal threads of the sleeve such that the deflector plates are proximate to the electrodes of the spark plug.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1987Date of Patent: July 25, 1989Inventors: Takeaki Kashiwara, Ryohei Kashiwara, Hideaki Kashiwara