Movable Electrode (e.g., For Cleaning, Adjustable) Patents (Class 313/125)
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Patent number: 11552456Abstract: A pre-chamber spark plug includes a shell extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising an inner surface. The pre-chamber spark plug further includes an insulator including an outer surface. The pre-chamber spark plug further includes a pre-chamber cap connected to the shell. The pre-chamber cap and the shell together forms a pre-chamber. The pre-chamber spark plug further includes an annular reservoir defined between the outer surface of the insulator and the inner surface of the shell. The annular reservoir is spaced apart from the pre-chamber with respect to the longitudinal axis. The pre-chamber spark plug further includes a plurality of projections disposed between the annular reservoir and the pre-chamber with respect to the longitudinal axis. The plurality of projections at least partially define a plurality of flow passages therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2022Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION LLCInventor: James D. Lykowski
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Patent number: 10823077Abstract: An igniter assembly for an engine, including a gas turbine engine, includes a shell comprising a tip end defining an opening and a sidewall extending away from the tip end where the sidewall surrounds a cavity within the shell and a tip insert assembly operably coupled to the tip end within the opening and having an insert body and a set of pins recessed within the insert body.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2016Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Inventors: Frederick Martin Van Assche, Philip Nose Alberti, Michael Thomas Kenworthy
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Patent number: 9869244Abstract: An ignition source for initiating combustion is provided. The ignition source includes an electrical delivery conductor mounted in a delivery conductor mounting structure. An electrical ground conductor is mounted in a ground conductor mounting structure and extends from the ground conductor mounting structure to a point proximate the delivery conductor to define an ignition spark gap between the delivery conductor and the ground conductor. At least one of the delivery conductor and the ground conductor is mounted so as to be positionable with respect to the other one of the delivery conductor and the ground conductor to selectively adjust a width of the ignition spark gap.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2008Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: Warren Engine Company, Inc.Inventors: James C. Warren, Dennis K. Scheer
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Patent number: 9391430Abstract: An adjustable ignition plug, with one or more variable electrodes, and a method to adjust the electrode gap spacing based on various engine operating parameters. This better enables the reliable ignition of the air-fuel mixture in a cylinder of a direct-injection internal combustion engine under various engine operating conditions.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2014Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Oliver Berkemeier, Klemens Grieser
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Patent number: 9341380Abstract: System for attaching the flame igniter electrode to a burner for gas hobs, boilers or the like. The system comprises a deformable seal of substantially annular shape mounted in a groove in the electrode which makes it possible to attach the electrode reversibly to a seat attached to the body of the burner. Attachment takes place through the application of an axial force inserting the electrode into the seat.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2011Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventor: Stefano Vaglica
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Patent number: 8957571Abstract: Ionizing electrode with a cleaning mechanism including a solenoid with a bushing, a magnetic conductor, a coil housing a core having first and second ends, a return spring and a terminal for high voltage supply mounted on its body. The ionizing electrode is mounted inside the bushing and is configured so that an ionizing end and a non-ionizing end of the electrode protrude from the bushing, the non-ionizing end being fastened to the first end of the solenoid core.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2013Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Filt Air Ltd.Inventor: Yefim Riskin
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Publication number: 20150028737Abstract: A spark plug includes: a center electrode having at least one first spark surface and extending along a longitudinal axis of the spark plug; and a ground electrode having at least one second spark surface, the first spark surface being situated diametrically opposed to the second spark surface, so that an ignition spark may be generated between the first and second spark surfaces, the center electrode being rotatable coaxially to the longitudinal axis with respect to the ground electrode, and the first and second spark surfaces being inclined in such a way that rotating the center electrode with respect to the ground electrode makes it possible to set a distance between the first and second spark surfaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2013Publication date: January 29, 2015Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Jorge Diaz Alfonso, Hermann Kersting
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Patent number: 8939808Abstract: A spark plug includes a ceramic insulator extending in the direction of an axis (CL1) and a metallic shell provided around the ceramic insulator. Talc is pressed charged between the ceramic insulator and the metallic shell and a crimp portion is formed for fixing the metallic shell and the ceramic insulator while the metallic shell having the ceramic insulator inserted thereinto is supported by a tubular receiving member. The receiving member is made movable in relation to a pressing jig in its radial direction. Thus, at the time of pressing of the talc, etc., the eccentricity between the center axis (CL2), (CL3) of the pressing jig and the axis (CL1) in the radial direction can be reduced, whereby the misalignment between the axis (CL1) and the center axis of the metallic shell or the like assembly error can be suppressed.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2011Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jiro Kyuno, Keiji Ozeki, Tomoaki Kato, Akiko Maruno
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Patent number: 8810117Abstract: A spark plug includes a center electrode and a ground electrode. The center electrode is arranged relative to the ground electrode in such a way that the spark gap extends between the ground electrode and the center electrode. The spark gap is surrounded by a wall, wherein the wall has a recess or hole, which is designed in such a way that a feeler gauge can be inserted between the center electrode and the ground electrode.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2012Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: GE Jenbacher GmbH & Co OHGInventors: Jochen Fuchs, Markus Kraus
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Patent number: 8716923Abstract: A spark plug assembly has a spark plug with an inner conductor, an outer conductor and an intervening insulator. A quick-change adapter is receivable in the spark plug hole of an internal combustion engine, and the spark plug is removably received in the adapter. Gas seal rings may be provided about the spark plug outer surface. Indexing marks may be provided on the adapter and the spark plug to angularly align the spark plug conductor gap to a desired angular position. The spark plug may be formed with an extension.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2011Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Inventor: Shannon S. K. Mahon
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Patent number: 8104445Abstract: A spark plug comprises a spark plug body, which carries two electrodes bordering a spark gap at one end, and exhibits a nut with external thread that can rotate around the spark plug body. A cylinder head exhibits a rotational coding complementary to the rotational coding of the spark plug body.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2008Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Peter Seeger
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Patent number: 8036808Abstract: An object of the present invention is to enable the convergence of the discharge path length of an ignition plug to a target value irrespective of the condition in a cylinder in an ignition control system for an internal combustion engine equipped the ignition plug that can change the discharge path length. To achieve the object, in the present invention, in an ignition control system for an internal combustion engine equipped with a changing device that changes the path length (or discharge path length) of a spark discharge occurring in the discharge gap of the ignition plug, an actual discharge path length or the path length of a spark discharge that actually occurs in the discharge gap is detected, and the changing device is controlled in such a way that the detected actual discharge path length converges to a target discharge path length.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2010Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Sachio Mori
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Patent number: 7896822Abstract: A universal spark gap electrode with inner conductor formed as an elongate rod, an insulative sheath fit over the inner conductor, and an inner electrode tip soldered or brazed into the inner conductor. The inner conductor passes through an adapter and into an annular base with a spark gap cage and second electrode tip mounted thereon. The adapter is equipped with a molded annular jacket-type adapter mounted exteriorly thereon for engagement with the connecting receptacle of a lithotripsy machine. The annular base has a double-threaded collar that couples over the insulative sheath, and the adapter body screw-couples over the threaded collar of the annular base. This, the annular base, adapter body and insulative sheath are screw-coupled together in a coaxial configuration.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2007Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Inventors: Jose P. Scoseria, Anthony Lavigna
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Patent number: 7707717Abstract: A method of repairing a used electrode device 1 is disclosed wherein the method has the steps of providing a used electrode assembly 1 having an inner conductor 9 with an integral electrode tip 3 encapsulated in an insulator body 8 having an outer conductor 10 and an outer electrode tip 4C; and pressing the inner conductor 9 with integral electrode tip 3 while holding or restraining the insulator body 8 to apply an force sufficient to overcome at least partially the adhesion forces at the mating surfaces of the inner conductor 9 and the insulator body 8. Thereafter by grasping an end 9A of the inner conductor 9 opposite the tip 3 while holding the insulator body 8 and withdrawing the inner conductor 9 from the insulator body 8 the parts can be separated.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2006Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Healthtronics, Inc.Inventor: Earnest Pringle
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Publication number: 20090107438Abstract: An igniter for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The igniter may have a body, and a pre-combustion chamber integral with the body and having at least one orifice. The igniter may also have at least one electrode extending into the pre-combustion chamber. The at least one electrode may be configured to direct an arc to an annular side wall of the pre-combustion chamber, and may be movable to adjust an arc termination location on the annular side wall of the pre-combustion chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2007Publication date: April 30, 2009Inventors: Darryl D. Baldwin, James M. Schultz
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Patent number: 7513234Abstract: An igniter for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The igniter may have a body, and a pre-combustion chamber integral with the body and having at least one orifice. The igniter may also have at least one electrode extending into the pre-combustion chamber. The at least one electrode may be configured to direct an arc to an annular side wall of the pre-combustion chamber, and may be movable to adjust an arc termination location on the annular side wall of the pre-combustion chamber.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: April 7, 2009Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Darryl D. Baldwin, James M. Schultz
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Patent number: 6930441Abstract: An arc gage (30) includes a non-electrically conductive housing (42) and a first electrically conductive pin (44) that is disposed therein. The first pin (44) has a first end (44A) disposed within the housing (42) and a second end (44B) disposed outside the housing (42). A second electrically conductive pin (46) that has a third end (46A) within the housing (42) and spaced apart from the first end (44A) forms a gap (52) therebetween. A fourth end (46B) of the second electrically conductive pin (46) is disposed outside the housing (42). The arc gage (30) may be a stand alone device or used as part of a spark checking device that includes a device housing a voltage generator and a wand (26) that is electrically coupled to the power terminal of a voltage generator (34) disposed within the device housing (28).Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2002Date of Patent: August 16, 2005Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Rex H. Allen, Kevin J. Steen
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Patent number: 6882092Abstract: A spark plug having a ground electrode in the shape of a horn nozzle defined by an enlarged mouth and a reduced throat joined together, a conical inner wall tapered from the mouth to the throat. An ignitor electrode terminates at its distal end in a spherical tip disposed in the throat in spaced-apart relationship with respect to the tapered inner wall. An insulative body supports the ignitor electrode with a conductive body supporting the ground electrode. The horn nozzle is joined with the conductive body by a pair of posts so as to define a pair of slots for venting exhaust gasses from the ignition site.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2003Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Inventor: Bill Nguyen
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Patent number: 6849994Abstract: An electrode assembly has an inner conductor removably connected to an insulating layer. The inner electrode is removable so that the discharge tip may be replaced without destroying the insulating layer and thus reused. In the preferred embodiment external threads on the inner conductor cooperate with internal threads in a bore of the insulating layer to fixably secure the insulating layer in a desired position relative to the inner conductor and discharge electrode tip. The discharge electrode is located colinearly with a grounded electrode tip spaced by a spark gap. The grounded electrode tip is also configured to be easily removed from the electrode assembly for replacement when degraded.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2003Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Assignee: HealthTronics Surgical Services, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. White, Jeff T. McCain, David M. Loch
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Patent number: 6586865Abstract: A spark plug for igniting an air/fuel mixture in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine includes a spark gap having a variable distance defined between a central electrode and a ground electrode portion of a ground terminal. The ground terminal is formed using either a bimetallic layer arrangement wherein one of the metallic materials has a different coefficient of thermal expansion than the other metallic material, or is formed using a strut or by thickening the metal where the ground terminal is connected to a metal housing of the spark plug. The ground terminal deflects away from the central electrode when subjected to an increased temperature, such as may occur when the engine warms up during operation.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2000Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Goro Tamai
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Patent number: 6006711Abstract: A spark plug and an engine valve member are integrally combined in the same structure by forming an ignition gap between a first electrode rod which is the center electrode incorporated in an engine valve body and a second electrode portion which is the grounding electrode formed to be integral with or incorporated in the engine valve body. The resulting structure has the features of both a spark plug and an engine valve and is advantageously compact and applicable to gasoline engines in general.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1998Date of Patent: December 28, 1999Assignee: Nittan Valve Company, LimitedInventors: Akira Watanabe, Shoji Hasegawa
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Patent number: 5831376Abstract: An electro magnetic controlled platinum infrared filament ignitor has a screw nut, a top pin, an electro magnetic induction coil, a magnetic permeable bolt, a metal wrapped cylinder and a platinum filament. Heat produced by current flowing in the platinum filament actuates the ignitor. The magnetic force set up by the energized coil, and spring force drives the adjustable top pin to the position of the platinum filament. The ignitor is simple in construction with endurable long life and efficient for ignition in most gas turbines, reciprocating engines and gas burners.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 1996Date of Patent: November 3, 1998Assignee: Industrial Technology Research InstituteInventors: Wu-Chi Ho, Chii Ron Kuo, Bor Rong Jong, Tseng Wuu Wey, Chung Yen Chang
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Patent number: 5531199Abstract: An internal combustion engine in which each cylinder is connected to sources both of air and of fuel held as a gas under pressure and in which the compression stroke, during which a full charge of air is drawn and compressed, is substantially completed before the fuel charge is then admitted and the mixture ignited to start the subsequent power stroke. The fuel may be admitted through a unit doubling as admission valve and igniter, and conventional diesel or gasoline-fuelled engines may be converted by designing that unit to fit into the conventional injector or spark plug holes. The compressed gaseous fuel may be methane, or other natural gas. The invention includes both stationary and mobile engines, especially automobile engines, and methods of operating them.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1994Date of Patent: July 2, 1996Assignee: United Fuels LimitedInventors: Peter J. Bryant, Jacob Epstein
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Patent number: 5463267Abstract: In spark ignited engine configurations, it is common to provide a spark plug that has a spark gap that has dimension that will accommodate good starting capabilities for the engine. In some cases, this spark gap is larger than required for the engine to run efficiently, especially at high loads. As a result, the voltage required to bridge the gap when the engine is running at high loads is much higher than necessary and causes erosion of the electrode and a build up of deposits on the ground strap. Ultimately, this greatly reduces the life of the spark plug. The present invention provides a spark plug that utilizes an adjusting means that is connected to the electrode of the spark plug and functions to move the electrode with respect to the ground strap to adjust the gap therebetween. The adjusting means is responsive to the temperature of the spark plug which will vary with engine loads or an increase in pressure within the combustion chamber.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 1995Date of Patent: October 31, 1995Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Scott R. Conway
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Patent number: 4970427Abstract: An electrode arrangement for establishing a sustained electrical arc with a low voltage in which a pair of electrodes are initially brought together and then separated while a current is applied. The sustained arc is adapted to activate fuel flowing past the arc, and the flow is vortical so that the arc is caused to migrate around an annular arc gap space. Several geometric configurations of the electrodes include opposing cylindrical shapes having endwise alligned cavities and a generally tapered portions of one electrode received in a generally tapered opening in the other electrode.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 1988Date of Patent: November 13, 1990Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: David H. Scharnweber, Lyle O. Hoppie, Donald R. Haefner
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Patent number: 4850316Abstract: A contact-breaking ignition plug comprises a magnet coil arranged in a housing and surrounding a magnet core. The magnet core comprises an enlarged end portion with lateral surfaces extending conically in relation thereto and also comprises a cavity in which an armature is movably arranged. The armature is mounted on a rod in asymmetrical relation to a longitudinal center plane of the cavity and in transverse relation to the direction of compression pressure propagation. These features induce a concentration of the magnetic effect in the armature region and cause the contact-breaking motion to be augmented by the compression pressure. Respective contact electrodes are exchangeably mounted at each of the free end of the armature and a nose of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 1987Date of Patent: July 25, 1989Assignee: Lacrex Brevetti SAInventor: Max Pasbrig
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Patent number: 4639635Abstract: The invention relates to a spark plug (1) comprising at least two insulated electrodes (5) and (6), an earthed electrode (7) and a chamber (4) so arranged with respect to one another that when a voltage is applied arcs are struck in series between electrodes (7) and (6) and (6) and (5) to provide a continuous plasma jet expelled from the chamber (4) at low energies (<100 mJ) and which can be used for combustion of a lean air/fuel mixture.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1984Date of Patent: January 27, 1987Assignee: National Research Development CorporationInventor: Anthony J. J. Lee
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Patent number: 4553927Abstract: An ignitor probe assembly (10) for the ignition of fossil fuel burners comprises in combination an ignitor (11) having a tip (70) activated by electrical energy and producing a temperature sufficient to ignite a fossil fuel, pipe means (12) for positioning the ignitor into the burner, means for carrying electrical power (13) to the ignitor passing through the pipe means adapter means (14) carried by the pipe means for the removable assembly of the ignitor thereto, and refractory insulator means (15) engageable with the means for carrying electrical power and interposed substantially concentrically within the adapter means for maintaining the means for carrying electrical power separate therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 1984Date of Patent: November 19, 1985Inventor: Raymond L. Collins, Jr.
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Patent number: 4472152Abstract: The combination of a frame and an igniter body secured in an opening passing through opposed sides of the frame so that an igniter electrode carried by the igniter body projects beyond one of the sides of the frame and a lead of the igniter electrode extends beyond the other of the sides of the frame. The igniter body is a one-piece member having an integral medial shoulder abutting against the other side of the frame. A fastening member engages the one side of the frame and is operatively interconnected to the ingniter body to hold the shoulder thereof against the other side of the frame.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 1982Date of Patent: September 18, 1984Assignee: Robertshaw Controls CompanyInventor: Harvey J. Shopsky
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Patent number: 4046127Abstract: The invention comprises a spark booster for use in the ignition system of an internal combustion engine. Two embodiments of the invention are disclosed. Each embodiment comprises two electrically conductive members which are spaced from each other to define a spark gap, a bi-metal disk for varying the size of the gap in response to variations in engine temperature, manual adjustment for adjusting the spark gap independently of temperature, and an inspection window for visually observing the spark gap. In addition to the foregoing features, one embodiment also includes apparatus for varying the size of the gap in response to the load on the engine and its speed.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 1976Date of Patent: September 6, 1977Inventors: Edgar Almquist, Richard Almquist
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Patent number: 3970053Abstract: An internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder, a combustion chamber externally of the cylinder and communicating with the cylinder, and spark ignition means, which preferably comprises a first electrode supported in a central region of the combustion chamber and a spark plug having a single electrode extending into the combustion chamber and defining with the first electrode a spark gap, for initiating from said central region of the combustion chamber combustion of a fuel/air mixture in the combustion chamber.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1974Date of Patent: July 20, 1976Assignee: Fiat Societa per AzioniInventor: Charles Lindsay Goodacre
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Patent number: 3940649Abstract: The spark plug has been designed so as to, be capable of being disassembled for cleaning, have a substantially full shield for the spark gap end of the center electrode portion, enable the center electrode to be readily replaced, if desired, enable partial cleaning of the spark plug gap area without removal of the spark plug from an associated engine, and have a substantially full gas seal defined between the base of the spark plug and the spark plug insulative sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1974Date of Patent: February 24, 1976Inventor: Francis E. Berstler