Plural Parallel Gaps (e.g., Main And Standby, Serrated Electrode) Patents (Class 313/140)
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Patent number: 11715935Abstract: An igniter having at least two electrodes spaced from each other by an insulating member having a substantially continuous surface along a path between the electrodes. The electrodes extend substantially parallel to each other for a distance both above and below said surface. The insulating member has a channel (recess) for receiving at least a portion of a length of at least one of said electrodes below and to said surface of the insulating member. The surface of the insulating member may preferably be augmented with a conductivity enhancing agent. The insulating member and electrodes are configured so that an electric field between the electrodes at said surface does not have abrupt field intensity changes, whereby when a potential is applied to the electrodes sufficient to cause breakdown to occur between the electrodes, discharge occurs at said surface of the insulating member to define a plasma initiation region.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2021Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: Knite, Inc.Inventor: Artur P. Suckewer
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Patent number: 11635017Abstract: A pre-chamber spark plug for a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine has a pre-chamber which has a plurality of openings and which is fluidically connectable to the combustion chamber via the openings. Two spark gaps are arranged in the pre-chamber via which respective sparks can be formed. The spark gaps are arranged symmetrically distributed in the pre-chamber and a first of the spark gaps is arranged further outwards than the second spark gap along a direction extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the pre-chamber spark plug.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2018Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: Daimler AGInventor: Dietmar Bertsch
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Patent number: 11476644Abstract: The spark plug includes a cylindrical insulator, a center electrode provided in the insulator, and a cylindrical metal shell provided around the insulator. A ledge portion of the metal shell has a frontward facing surface facing a front side, a rearward facing surface facing a rear side, and a connection surface connecting the rearward facing surface and the frontward facing surface. The rearward facing surface engages with a step portion of the insulator. The metal shell includes a front cylindrical portion connected to the front side of the ledge portion. The inner circumferential surface of the front cylindrical portion is connected to the frontward facing surface of the ledge portion via a chamfered surface or a rounded surface. A corner at which the connection surface and the frontward facing surface are connected is located on the front side with respect to a front end of the insulator.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2020Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.Inventors: Shunsuke Tsuga, Keiji Ozeki
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Patent number: 11437787Abstract: A spark plug housing. The spark plug housing includes an inner side, an outer side, and a longitudinal axis, which extends from an end of the spark plug housing facing toward the combustion chamber up to an end of the spark plug housing facing away from the combustion chamber. The spark plug housing includes a circumferential shoulder on its inner side, which is designed so that a spark plug insulator rests thereon, and a corrosion protection layer on its inner side, which is formed on a section of the inner side of the spark plug housing, the section extending from the end of the spark plug housing facing toward the combustion chamber to at least over the shoulder and along the inner circumference of the spark plug housing.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2020Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Bernhard Gries, Christoph Roland Hoelzl, Gabriel Petersen, Herbert Noelscher, Martina Bubrin, Milan Pilaski, Roland Kraus, Sabrina Rathgeber, Tim Bergmann, Tina Hirte
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Patent number: 10886710Abstract: A pre-chamber spark plug for an internal combustion engine having: a body with a passage in which an insulator is fastened and a center electrode protrudes; at least one ground electrode extending in a straight line forms a spark gap with the center electrode; a pre-chamber-forming cap which delimits a pre-chamber and shields the center and ground electrodes from a combustion chamber after the spark plug has been installed in the engine, wherein the cap has at least one opening which permits a gas exchange between the pre-chamber and the space outside the pre-chamber. The ground electrode includes a reinforcing component welded to an end surface of a supporting component, and the supporting component is either welded to an end surface of the body or is welded to a step that is formed on the end surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2018Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION GMBHInventors: Werner Niessner, Matthias Blankmeister
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Patent number: 10886706Abstract: Disclosed are a flame-ejecting spark plug, and an internal combustion engine and an automobile having same. On the basis of a conventional spark plug, a space near to an electrode is closed to form a cavity (10), an end face is provided with at least one first hole (11), and a side face is provided with at least one second hole (13). A mixture of air and fuel enters the cavity (10) through the first hole (11) and the second hole (13). Electric discharge between the electrodes produces a spark igniting the combustible gas within the cavity (10), and the flame extends in the cavity (10) and the temperature and pressure rise. The flame is ejected from the first hole (11) and the second hole (13) to form a plurality of columnar flames, and the flame penetrates the combustible gas in a combustion chamber and a cylinder to realize stereoscopic ignition, large-area ignition and high-energy ignition of the combustible gas in the combustion chamber.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2017Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: Zhou (Beijing) Automotive Technology Co., Ltd.Inventor: Xiangjin Zhou
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Patent number: 10811851Abstract: A spark plug includes: a center electrode; a ground electrode that is provided such that a gap for spark discharge is formed between the center electrode and the ground electrode; and a plug cover covering the center electrode and the ground electrode from a front side. The plug cover has a through hole, wherein the plug cover includes a diameter reduction portion formed in a range of 0.1 mm or less from an outer open end of the through hole in a direction along a central axis of the through hole and having a diameter gradually decreasing from the outer open end toward an inner open end of the through hole. A relationship of 0 mm<x?y<0.2 mm is satisfied, where x is a diameter at the outer open end, and y is a diameter at an inner end of the diameter reduction portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2020Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.Inventors: Tatsuya Gozawa, Kenji Ban
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Patent number: 10312668Abstract: A spark plug has a firing pad attached to a center electrode or to a ground electrode. The firing pad is attached via laser welding and has a sparking surface with an overall fused area and an unfused area. In one or more embodiments, the overall fused area is located in part or more inboard of a peripheral edge of the firing pad.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2017Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION COMPANYInventors: Kevin J. Kowalski, Frederick J. Quitmeyer, Nathan A. Thomson, Curtis W. Verhoff, Richard L. Keller
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Patent number: 9972979Abstract: A pre-chamber spark plug for igniting a fuel-air mixture in an internal combustion engine, in particular a gasoline engine, comprises a spark plug body (1) having a pre-chamber housing (2) and a cap (4) which at least partially closes the pre-chamber (3), and further comprises a ground electrode (11) in the spark plug body (1) as well as a central electrode (7) which protrudes into the pre-chamber (3); the ground electrode (11) has an annular shape and, on the inner surface thereof, includes at least one ignition area (17) designed as a cam (16) as well as a radially inward extending protrusion (18) as a baffle (19).Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2015Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: DKT Verwaltungs-GmbHInventor: Steffen Kuhnert
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Patent number: 9972977Abstract: A spark plug 5 for an internal combustion engine includes a center electrode 1, an insulator 2, and a housing 3. The insulator 2 includes a distal end side exposed part and an insulator enlarged diameter part 21. The housing 3 includes a lateral electrode 32, an engaging part 33, and a crimping portion 35. A buffer member 4 that restrains the distal end side exposed part 20 by pressing a part of the distal end side exposed part 20 toward the center and a part of the inner peripheral surface of the lateral electrode 32 in a radial direction at a distal end side of the engaging part 33 is disposed at a base end side of the gas pocket 230.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2015Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Aki Miyawaki, Atsushi Honda, Syoichi Takemoto, Akihiro Ando, Takanobu Aochi, Masamichi Shibata
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Patent number: 9923340Abstract: A workpiece having a first portion and a second portion is held. The first portion extends in the direction of a center axis of the workpiece, and a male thread is to be rolled on the first portion. The length of the second portion in a direction perpendicular to the center axis is longer than that of the first portion. The male thread is formed on the outer circumference of the first portion using two rolling dies through rolling. At least a first portion center axis that is a part of the center axis and corresponds to the first portion is separated in a prescribed direction from a first virtual plane containing the center axes of the two rolling dies. In the workpiece held, the first portion center axis is inclined such that its distance from the first virtual plane increases with distance from the second portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2015Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.Inventor: Reiji Wakazono
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Patent number: 9825432Abstract: A spark plug for an internal combustion engine is provided which includes a housing, a porcelain insulator, a center electrode, and an annular ground electrode. The housing has a small-diameter portion which has a smaller inner diameter and defines a front end thereof. The ground electrode is secured to a front end surface of the small-diameter portion and forms a spark gap between itself and an outer periphery of the center electrode. The ground electrode is smaller in outer diameter than the front end surface of the small-diameter portion. A annular weld which joints the ground electrode and the small-diameter portion is formed in an annular boundary through which the front end surface of the small-diameter portion and the base end surface of the ground electrode face each other. The annular weld continuously and fully extends in a circumferential direction of the ground electrode.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Masataka Deguchi, Kanechiyo Terada, Tetsuya Miwa, Yuuki Tsukamoto
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Patent number: 9660424Abstract: A spark plug 1 has a center electrode 4 and a ground electrode 5 opposed to each other and causes a spark discharge to occur through application of a voltage between the center electrode 4 and the ground electrode 5 . Moreover, the center electrode 4 has a columnar main chip 10 provided at a distal end thereof by welding via a fusion portion 12 and an annular auxiliary chip 11 surrounding the fusion portion 12. Consequently, when a spark discharge occurring from the center electrode 4 is blown to the downstream side by the influence of a gas flow in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, it is possible to suppress a cathode point from being formed in the fusion portion 12 since the fusion portion 12 is surrounded and thus protected by the auxiliary chip 11. As a result, it is possible to suppress wear of the center electrode 4, thereby extending the service life of the spark plug 1.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2015Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Kaori Doi, Masamichi Shibata, Yuuto Tamei
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Patent number: 9181918Abstract: An assembly includes an engine main body, a spark plug and a gasket. The spark plug is mounted to the engine main body by tightening a male-threaded portion of the spark plug into a female-threaded portion of the engine main body with the gasket elastically deformed between a seat surface of the engine main body and a seating surface of the spark plug. The gasket is made of a metallic material whose yield stress or 0.2% proof stress is not lower than 200 N/mm2. The gasket has first and second contact surfaces respectively in contact with the seating surface of the spark plug and the seat surface of the engine main body. The first and second contact surfaces of the gasket are each formed as a part of a curved surface that has a convex shape, and are offset from each other in a radial direction of the spark plug.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2012Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Nobuo Abe
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Patent number: 9130355Abstract: To provide a technology of improving the corrosion resistance of a spark plug. A spark plug having a metal shell on the outer surface of which a nickel plated layer is formed as a protective surface film. The nickel plated layer is such that when the atomic concentrations of constituent elements are measured in a depth direction by an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), the concentration of carbon atoms is 1.0% to 10.0% at a depth at which the atomic concentration of Ni elements is 80%.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2011Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.Inventors: Kazuhiro Kodama, Hiroaki Nasu
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Publication number: 20150145402Abstract: A spark plug includes a center electrode, a ground electrode, and a cylindrical metal shell. The ground electrode is welded to the metal shell via a weld portion. The weld portion is formed along the outer circumference end part of an annular part in the ground electrode. The weld portion has a plurality of melt extending parts extending toward the inner circumference side from the outer circumference end part of the annular part and aligned such that adjacent ones are connected to each other at the end part. The plurality of melt extending parts partially include smaller melt extending parts whose melting depth is smaller than others.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2014Publication date: May 28, 2015Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.Inventors: Yukinobu HASEGAWA, Kei TAKAHASHI
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Patent number: 9041274Abstract: A spark plug has a shell, an insulator, a center electrode, a ground electrode, and a firing pad. The firing pad is made of a precious metal material and is attached to the ground electrode. The firing pad has a side surface at a peripheral edge that can be flush or nearly flush with a free end surface of the ground electrode. This construction can help improve ignitability and flame kernel growth of the spark plug during a sparking event, and can provide better thermal management at the attached ground electrode and firing pad.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2014Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: Federal-Mogul Ignition CompanyInventors: Kevin J. Kowalski, Frederick J. Quitmeyer, Nathan A. Thomson, Curtis W. Verhoff, Richard L. Keller
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Patent number: 9016253Abstract: There is provided a spark plug for an internal combustion engine, including: a center electrode extending in the direction of an axis of the spark plug and having a core of higher thermal expansion coefficient than that of a front end thereof, the center electrode including a flanged portion radially outwardly protruding on a rear side thereof and a cylindrical portion located closer to a front end of the spark plug than the flanged portion and being smaller in diameter than the flanged portion; an insulator having an axial hole in the direction of the axis to retain the flanged portion in the axial hole with the cylindrical portion held in a loose-fit state in the axial hole; and a metal shell accommodating the insulator, wherein the spark plug satisfies the following condition: Cb<Cf where Cb is a difference between an inner diameter of the axial hole and an outer diameter of the cylindrical portion at an arbitrary axial position B in the direction of the axis; and Cf is a difference between the inner diType: GrantFiled: May 29, 2008Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kaori Kishimoto, Katsutoshi Nakayama, Hiroyuki Kameda, Tomoaki Aoki
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Patent number: 9000658Abstract: A spark plug in which a front end portion of a ground electrode is positioned outside of a virtual outer circumferential face that is formed by extending a front and outer circumferential face of a center electrode in the axis direction, and positioned on a front end side in the axis direction with respect to a virtual face including a front end face of the center electrode. Further, the equation 1.1?b/a?1.6 is satisfied, where “a” (mm) represents a first minimal distance between the front end portion of the center electrode and the front end portion of the ground electrode and, where “b” (mm) represents a second minimal distance between the front end portion of a ceramic insulator and the front end portion of the ground electrode.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2009Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Iwao Kunitomo, Kenji Ban
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Patent number: 8981633Abstract: A technique of reducing occurrence of multiple discharge in a spark plug. The spark plug has a main ground electrode and three auxiliary ground electrodes. The position at which first auxiliary ground electrode is joined to a metallic shell is located opposite the position at which main ground electrode is joined to the metallic shell, with respect to a center electrode. The positions at which second and third auxiliary ground electrodes are joined to the metallic shell are located opposite to each other with respect to the center electrode. When the width of first auxiliary ground electrode is represented by W, the shortest distance between second auxiliary ground electrode and third auxiliary ground electrode is represented by T, and a distance which is a component of the shortest distance T in a direction orthogonal to first auxiliary ground electrode is represented by Tp, a relation W?Tp is satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yasushi Sakakura, Yuichi Matsunaga
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Patent number: 8937427Abstract: A method of manufacturing a spark plug that includes a metallic shell, an insulator, a center electrode, a ground electrode, and a firing pad. The method may include the steps of: applying a first laser beam to attach the firing pad to the ground electrode, and then using a second laser beam from the same laser beam welder to attach the ground electrode to the metallic shell. The laser beam welder may include a high energy density fiber laser for forming key-hole laser welds, as well as a programmable focusing optic (PFO) assembly for redirecting laser beams from one welding site to the other.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2014Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: Federal-Mogul Ignition CompanyInventor: Frederick J. Quitmeyer
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Patent number: 8890396Abstract: The invention relates to a spark plug for a gas-fired internal combustion engine, and Includes a metallic body, with an insulator fastened in the body. A central electrode, leads through the insulator and includes a protruding end of a precious metal alloy. An annular ground electrode is fastened to the body and surrounds the end of the central electrode which, at the inside thereof facing the central electrode is provided with a precious metal or with a precious metal alloy. The mutually facing surfaces of the central electrode and ground electrode formed by the precious metal or the precious metal alloy are coaxially disposed cylinder surfaces. A cap is provided and attached to the body and which, after installation of the spark plug into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine, shields the central electrode and the ground electrode from the combustion chamber.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2010Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Federal-Mogul Ignition GmbHInventors: Anko Ernst, Udo Sander, Mario Dittmann, Werner Niessner, Alexander Schenk
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Patent number: 8878425Abstract: Disclosed is an improved spark plug having an electrode extending from an insulator tip into a piston chamber in use. The improvement comprises a shell defining: a cavity; a cavity opening which couples the cavity with said piston chamber in use; a conduit extending from the cavity and into which the electrode extends in spaced relation to the shell; and, with the tip, a chamber surrounding the tip in spaced relation and coupled to the cavity by the conduit. The cavity includes: a concave portion presenting towards the opening such that the cavity narrows as it extends towards the conduit; and a cylindrical portion extending from the concave portion towards the opening. The chamber includes a cylindrical portion surrounding the tip in spaced relation and a frustoconical portion coupling the cylindrical portion to the conduit such that the chamber narrows as it extends from its cylindrical portion to the conduit.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2011Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Inventor: Oleksandr Burmenko
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Publication number: 20140196684Abstract: The invention relates to a spark plug for an internal combustion engine, in particular a gas engine. The spark plug includes a middle electrode and at least one earth electrode group, each comprising one or more earth electrode platelets. The middle electrode includes at least one middle electrode platelet having a middle electrode surface, and the middle electrode surface is inclined in a range from 0° to 50°, preferably to at most 45°, to a cross-sectional plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the spark plug. Each earth electrode platelet of an earth electrode group has an earth electrode surface facing towards the middle electrode surface, spaced apart from the earth electrode surface and running substantially parallel to the earth electrode surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2014Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: GE Jenbacher GmbH & Co OGInventors: Markus KRAUS, Sean JENKINS
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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: 8742653Abstract: An adhesion of a nickel plating layer to a metal shell is improved, and an effect of improving a corrosion resistance by providing the nickel plating layer is sufficiently exerted. A spark plug 1 includes a cylindrical metal shell 3 that extends in an axial CL1 direction, and a nickel plating layer 31 that is made of metal containing nickel as a main component and covers an outer surface of the metal shell. In a monochrome image of 256 gradations where black is 0 and white is 255, which is obtained by observing a cross-section perpendicular to an outer surface of the nickel plating layer by a transmission electron microscope with an acceleration voltage of 200 kV, an average value in 256 gradations of the monochrome image is 170 or larger and 230 or smaller.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2011Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuhiro Kodama, Hiroaki Nasu
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Patent number: 8659216Abstract: A spark plug is provided having an insulator with a center axis. A center electrode is coupled to the insulator and has a second end extending from an end of the insulator, the center electrode having a first tip member. A ground electrode is spaced apart from the center electrode, wherein the ground electrode has a first portion extending substantially parallel to the center axis and a second portion extending on an angle from the first portion and relative to the center axis. A second tip member is disposed on the second portion of the ground electrode such that the first tip member and the second tip member cooperate to form a gap.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2012Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Fram Group IP LLCInventors: Matthew Brian Below, Steven M. Brickner, Jerry William Reeves, Jr.
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Publication number: 20140015398Abstract: A technique of reducing occurrence of multiple discharge in a spark plug provided. The spark plug has a main ground electrode and three auxiliary ground electrodes. The position at which first auxiliary ground electrode is joined to a metallic shell is located opposite the position at which main ground electrode is joined to the metallic shell, with respect to a center electrode. The positions at which second and third auxiliary ground electrodes are joined to the metallic shell are located opposite to each other with respect to the center electrode. When the width of first auxiliary ground electrode is represented by W, the shortest distance between second auxiliary ground electrode and third auxiliary ground electrode is represented by T, and a distance which is a component of the shortest distance T in a direction orthogonal to first auxiliary ground electrode is represented by Tp, a relation W?Tp is satisfied.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2012Publication date: January 16, 2014Inventors: Yasushi Sakakura, Yuichi Matsunaga
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Publication number: 20130313960Abstract: The invention relates to a spark plug of an internal combustion engine, preferably for spark-ignition gas engines, comprising a spark plug housing that surrounds an insulating body and comprising a center electrode and at least one ground electrode supported by a ground electrode carrier, wherein the ignition surface of the center electrode and the ignition surface of the ground electrode are surrounded by a wall, which forms a chamber open on the combustion chamber side. According to the invention, the ground electrode carrier, as viewed perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis (A) of the spark plug, is spaced further apart from the center electrode than the outer surface of the wall of the chamber therefrom and supports at least one finger-shaped ground electrode, which extends into the chamber through an opening in the wall, wherein the ignition surface of the ground electrode lies at the same height as the ignition surface of the center electrode in the chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2012Publication date: November 28, 2013Inventor: Christian Francesconi
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Patent number: 8536769Abstract: The invention refers to a prechamber spark plug comprising an ignition electrode with several electrode arms. The ignition electrode is made of a cross-shaped blank that is cut out of sheet metal and then the electrode arms are set upright by bending. The sheet metal is made of iridium or an iridium-based alloy by rolling in a rolling direction and the ignition electrode blank is cut out in such a way that an angle of 50° or less is present between each of the electrode arms and the rolling direction (W).Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2011Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: DKT Verwaltungs-GmbHInventors: Dieter Kuhnert, Georg Maul, Uwe Sailer
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Patent number: 8517786Abstract: To provide a method of producing a spark plug in which a spark discharge gap with a suitable distance can easily be obtained without bending to deform a ground electrode in a direction in which the ground electrode moves towards or away from a metal tip of a center electrode, in the method of producing a spark plug, when a metal tip (a noble metal tip) 21 is welded to a front end portion 13a of a center electrode 13, the metal tip 21 is welded to the front end portion 13a of the center electrode 13 after a state is established in which the metal tip 21 alone is positioned in a radial direction where a predetermined spark discharge gap g is formed relative to a distal end portion 14b of a ground electrode 14 which is joined to a metal shell 11 at a proximal end portion 14a thereof.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2009Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Mamoru Musasa, Akira Suzuki
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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: 8432092Abstract: A sparkplug includes an insulator having an axial hole, a center electrode of which a front end is placed further forwards than a front end of the insulator, and a shell. The center electrode has a shoulder portion and a main body portion and is made up of an outer layer and an inner layer. A front end face, which is connected to an outer circumferential surface of the insulator and the axial hole and slopes towards the rear end side, is formed at a front end portion of the insulator, and the front end of the insulator is placed further forwards than a boundary between the shoulder portion and the main body portion. A front end portion of the inner layer is placed further forwards than the boundary between the shoulder portion and the main body portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2010Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kiyoteru Mori
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Publication number: 20130099652Abstract: A spark plug is provided having an insulator with a center axis. A center electrode is coupled to the insulator and has a second end extending from an end of the insulator, the center electrode having a first tip member. A ground electrode is spaced apart from the center electrode, wherein the ground electrode has a first portion extending substantially parallel to the center axis and a second portion extending on an angle from the first portion and relative to the center axis. A second tip member is disposed on the second portion of the ground electrode such that the first tip member and the second tip member cooperate to form a gap.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2012Publication date: April 25, 2013Applicant: FRAM GROUP IP LLCInventor: FRAM GROUP IP LLC
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Publication number: 20130099653Abstract: A pre-chamber sparkplug is suggested with a central electrode, with at least one ground electrode, which is distanced from the central electrode forming a spark gap, and with at least one transfer bore in a pre-chamber cap. The ground electrode comprises an internal circumferential area, which faces the central electrode, and an external circumferential area, which faces away from the central electrode. The internal circumferential area of the ground electrode shows a concave progression in the longitudinal direction of the pre-chamber sparkplug, subjected to a tensile force, and the external circumferential area shows a convex progression in the longitudinal direction of the pre-chamber sparkplug, subjected to a pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2011Publication date: April 25, 2013Applicant: MTU Friedrichshafen GmbHInventor: Anko Ernst
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Patent number: 8388396Abstract: Provided is a manufacturing method for manufacturing a spark plug which produces a spark plug which mitigates misfire and improves gas mileage, peak engine performance, horsepower, and increases the RPM range of the host vehicle. The improved performance of the spark plug is, at least in part, attributable to the spacing between an electrode body and an electrode cage. In particular, the electrode cage extends over the electrode body such that the arcuate members of the electrode cage are equidistantly spaced from the bulbous or spherical electrode body. The manufacturing method described herein results in a spark plug having the above-described configuration, while being formed and assembled at an economical cost.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2010Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: HKA Investments, LLCInventor: Albert Sam Hill
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Patent number: 8328333Abstract: One of an electric wiring substrate and a retaining member includes a section having an absorptance with respect to a laser beam, and the other one of the electric wiring substrate and the retaining member includes a section having a transmittance with respect to the laser beam. The electric wiring substrate and the retaining member are welded to each other by irradiation with a laser beam. At this time, the electric wiring substrate and the retaining member are welded to each other at least at a part of an outer peripheral section of the electric wiring substrate.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2010Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Satoshi Oikawa
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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: 8274202Abstract: A spark plug include an insulator, a central electrode, which is in the form of a bar received in the insulator, a metal case, which surrounds the insulator and is grounded, and a ground elbow fixed to the metal case. The central electrode includes a discharge terminal exposed outside the insulator and defining an extension line as an imaginary line extending from the discharge terminal along a central axis of the central electrode. The ground elbow has a connection end and an opposite, sharp-tip-like receiving end. The connection end is fixed to the metal case. The receiving end is set close to but spaced from the discharge terminal and is locate by one side of the extension line.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2010Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: Top 1 Green Development Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jen-Chun Poe
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Patent number: 8264132Abstract: An ignition plug that maintains excellent ignition performance over a long period of time through effective prevention of channeling. The ignition plug includes an insulator having an axial bore, a center electrode inserted into the axial bore, a metallic shell disposed externally of the outer circumference of the insulator, and a ground electrode fixed to a front end portion of the metallic shell. A cavity is defined by the wall surface of the axial bore and the front end surface of the center electrode. The ground electrode includes a body whose distal end portion is disposed away from the front end of the insulator, and a protrusion protruding from the body.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2011Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroyuki Kameda, Naofumi Yamamura, Daisuke Kasahara
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Patent number: 8203258Abstract: A spark plug having an electrode, an insulator, a metallic shell, a main ground electrode, and at least two auxiliary ground electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2009Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroyuki Kameda, Tomoaki Kato
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Patent number: 8143773Abstract: When an insulator of a spark plug receives an external force in a bending direction perpendicular to an axis at a rear end side body portion, a position C where the insulator is supported by a crimping portion via a packing acts as a fulcrum, and a stress is applied between the position C and a position B where the insulator is supported by a ledge portion via a packing. When an insulator is designed in which the balance of size and modulus of section is adjusted so that ?A which denotes a proof strength against bending between a rear end position A of the insulator and the position C and ?B which denotes a proof strength against bending between the position B and the position C satisfy 0.71??A/?B?1.27, cracks can be prevented.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2009Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Akira Suzuki, Tomoaki Kato, Mamoru Musasa
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Publication number: 20120025689Abstract: The invention refers to a prechamber spark plug comprising an ignition electrode with several electrode arms. The ignition electrode is made of a cross-shaped blank that is cut out of sheet metal and then the electrode arms are set upright by bending. The sheet metal is made of iridium or an iridium-based alloy by rolling in a rolling direction and the ignition electrode blank is cut out in such a way that an angle of 50° or less is present between each of the electrode arms and the rolling direction (W).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2011Publication date: February 2, 2012Inventors: Dieter KUHNERT, Georg MAUL, Uwe SAILER
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Patent number: 8087961Abstract: For producing a spark plug that has a high dimensional accuracy in the spark gap, a method is disclosed which comprises (a) preparing a semi-finished spark plug unit (100b) which comprises a center electrode (20) that has a leading end portion (22), a metal shell (50) that holds therein through an insulator (10) the center electrode (20) except the leading end portion (22) and a ground electrode (30) fixed to a leading end of the metal shell (50), (b) bending the ground electrode (30) so that a bent front portion (31) of the ground electrode (30) projects toward the leading end portion (22) of the center electrode (20), (c) putting an electrode tip (95) on a given part of the bent front portion (31) of the ground electrode (30) in such a manner that a front portion of the electrode tip (95) projects from the bent front portion (31) toward the leading end portion (22) of the center electrode (20) and (d) welding the electrode tip (95) to the given part of the bent front portion (31) of the ground electrode (30Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2009Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroyuki Kameda, Tomoaki Kato
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Patent number: 8044560Abstract: The invention is a spark plug having multiple precise spark gaps (G} with a donut shaped electrode (20) attached to the firing end of the central electrode (32), as well as a cylindrical ground sleeve (40) that is pressed on to the primary shell (36) of the spark plug. The electrode donut (20) is generally flat and laded out in a radial direction towards the ground prongs (42) that protrude up towards the firing end from the ground sleeve (40). In conjunction with their structure, allow for the generation of a spark from every single ground prong (42) on the ground sleeve (40). This is spark potential area (G). Such multiple spark potential area along with the electrode donut (20) and ground sleeve (40) relation provides a more rapid and complete combustion of the air-fuel mixture within the internal combustion engine, which, in turn, results in more torque and more horse power.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2008Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Inventors: Robert Lee Steigleman, Jr., Jimmy Robert Allen, II
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Patent number: 7952263Abstract: A spark plug for use with an internal combustion vehicle engine preferably includes a housing having a single primary electrode and a single grounding electrode located subjacent to the single primary electrode. The single primary and grounding electrodes are spaced apart and thereby define a gap therebetween. A present invention further includes a mechanism for separately inducing a plurality of electric sparks between the single primary electrode and the single grounding electrode, respectively. Each of the electric sparks preferably has a separate and mutually exclusive firing point initiating from the single primary electrode and terminating at the single grounding electrode.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2009Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Inventor: Verner R. Ireland
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Publication number: 20110115361Abstract: A spark plug include an insulator, a central electrode, which is in the form of a bar received in the insulator, a metal case, which surrounds the insulator and is grounded, and a ground elbow fixed to the metal case. The central electrode includes a discharge terminal exposed outside the insulator and defining an extension line as an imaginary line extending from the discharge terminal along a central axis of the central electrode. The ground elbow has a connection end and an opposite, sharp-tip-like receiving end. The connection end is fixed to the metal case. The receiving end is set close to but spaced from the discharge terminal and is locate by one side of the extension line.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2010Publication date: May 19, 2011Inventor: JEN-CHUN POE
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Patent number: 7936117Abstract: Disclosed is a park plug, which has a conductive plate constituting a side electrode, and a slot is defined through the conductive plate, so that no dead zone is present around the spark plug for a fuel injection system and thereby achieving more complete combustion. The spark plug is threadingly fit into a combustion chamber of an engine and employs a high-voltage electric current to generate spark for ignition and thus enabling combustion and explosion to generate power for driving movement of cylinders. Thus, by providing a slot in the conductive plate of the side electrode, a mixture gas of fuel and air inside the combustion chamber can be completely spread around the spark plug to thereby enhance combustion efficiency. This not only reduces fuel consumption and enhances horsepower, but also eliminates jamming of an injection engine due to less carbon deposition.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2009Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Inventor: Chien-Kuo Huang
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Patent number: 7812509Abstract: A spark plug (10) includes a plug body (51), a center electrode (52), a ground electrode (53) and injection control side poles (61, 62, 63). The ground electrode has an end portion (53a) opposing the end of the center electrode in a direction indicated by arrow A parallel to the axis of the plug body. A tip (53b) of the ground electrode and a tip (60a) of the injection control side poles (61, 62, 63) are positioned in substantially the same plane (71) perpendicular to the axis (C). The ground electrode (53) and the injection control side poles (61, 62, 63) are arranged at substantially regular intervals around the center electrode (52).Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2006Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Dai Tanaka, Keisuke Nagakura, Shigeo Yamamoto