Fram Group IP LLC

Alliedsignal Inc.

Honeywell International Inc.

Farm Group IP LLC

Fran Group IP LLC

Matthew Brian Below

Jeffrey T Boehler

Corey Eiden

Jing Zheng

J Braden Richards

Jerry Williams Reeves, Jr

Timothy J Smith

Jayme R Eastman

Michael L Rhodes

Gregory Edward Stewart

Brian C Krafthefer

Eric Passman

Palani Thanigachalam

Steven J Magee

Jim Cook

Philip P Treier

Jeff Boehler

Timothy M Frech

Steven M Brickner

Edward A VanDyne

Ashutosh Kumar Pandey

Tim Erickson

Ovidio Bocanegra

Mike Rhodes

Tom Adkins

Jerry William Reeves, Jr

Jonathon Barricklow

Jerry W Reeves Jr

A spark plug is provided that includes an improved jamb nut configuration, which provides improved torque transfer and prevents inadvertent separation of the jamb nut from the remaining components of the spark plug, particularly during removal from the engine head. The spark plug is configured for axial insertion into the plug hole, and may have a non-axisymmetric ground shield that fits into the plug hole, wherein the plug hole is also provided with a complementary non-axisymmetric shape. The spark plug includes a central insulator, which has an inner end surrounding a central electrode and supporting the ground shield, which is mounted on the insulator to support a ground strap adjacent the electrode for forming a spark therebetween. The insulator and ground shield are axially slidable into the plug hole, and the jamb nut is rotatable to fix the spark plug in position in a predefined orientation. The insulator includes a retaining clip outwardly of the jamb nut that permits rotation of the jamb nut relative to the insulator but prevents axial separation of the jamb nut during removal of the spark plug from the engine head. An improved tool is also provided which better distributes torque transfer to the jamb nut and includes a catch to facilitate pulling of the spark plug from the engine head.

High thread jamb nut with retaining clip

A spark plug is provided that ensures that a ground electrode is positioned in a predefined, precise orientation when installed in a spark plug hole of an engine head. The spark plug is configured for axial insertion into the plug hole, and has a non-axisymmetric ground shield that fits into the plug hole, wherein the ground shield has an outer shield surface with a non-axisymmetric shape and the plug hole is also provided with a complementary non-axisymmetric shape. The spark plug includes a central insulator, which has an inner end surrounding a central electrode and supporting the ground shield, which is mounted on the insulator to support a ground strap adjacent the electrode for forming a spark therebetween. The insulator and ground shield are axially slidable into the plug hole, and the spark plug includes a jamb nut which is rotatable to fix the spark plug in position in a predefined orientation. Preferably, an outer surface of the insulator and an inner surface of the ground shield have complementary shapes wherein the ground shield fits closely on the insulator. For example, the outer insulator surface and the inner shield surface may have a complementary axisymmetric shape, such as cylindrical, or a non-axisymmetric shape, which may conform to the non-axisymmetric shape of the outer shield surface.

High thread spark plug with non-axisymmetric ground shield for precise ground strap orientation

A system for testing an insulative material for a spark plug comprises a test spark plug having at least a center electrode and an insulator comprised of an insulative material surrounding at least a portion of the center electrode, wherein the insulator has an end that is closed, whereby the closed end of the insulator encloses an end of the center electrode. The system may further include a test engine that simulates engine conditions, wherein a conventional spark plug is installed in a first ignition port of the test engine and the test spark plug is installed in a second ignition portion of the test engine and a control system for controlling ignition signals to the test spark plug and the conventional spark plug.

System and method for testing breakdown voltage/dielectric strength of spark plug insulators

A system for testing an insulative material for a spark plug comprises a test spark plug having at least a center electrode and an insulator comprised of an insulative material surrounding at least a portion of the center electrode, wherein the insulator has an end that is closed, whereby the closed end of the insulator encloses an end of the center electrode. The system further includes a test engine that simulates engine conditions, wherein a conventional spark plug is installed in a first ignition port of the test engine and the test spark plug is installed in a second ignition portion of the test engine and a control system for controlling ignition signals to the test spark plug and the conventional spark plug.

An igniter for an internal combustion engine includes a center electrode, an insulator disposed about the center electrode, and a ground shield or a threaded portion disposed about the insulator, wherein the insulator includes a tip portion extending past an end portion of the ground shield and a tip portion of the center electrode extending through and away from the tip portion of the insulator. The igniter further includes a cap secured to the center electrode, wherein the cap extends past and covers a distal end of the tip portion of the center electrode and a distal end of the tip portion of the insulator. A spark gap is disposed between a peripheral edge of the cap and the end portion of the ground shield or threaded portion wherein the peripheral edge of the cap is spaced away from a surface of the tip portion of the insulator.

Igniter for an internal combustion engine

A spark plug includes an insulator having a first end, the insulator having a center axis and a center electrode coupled to the insulator and having a center electrode tip extending beyond the first end of the insulator. The spark plug further includes a ground electrode having an end spaced from an end of the center electrode, the ground electrode having a first portion extending substantially parallel to the center axis and a second portion extending at an angle from the first portion and relative to the center axis. A ground electrode tip is disposed on the second portion of the ground electrode, wherein the ground electrode tip is spaced from the center electrode tip. A ring member is operatively connected to the center electrode proximate the center electrode tip.

Spark plug with ring member coupled to center electrode thereof

A ground electrode is provided having a ground electrode body, the ground electrode body having an anchored end and a non-anchored end opposite the anchored end. The ground electrode includes a plateau extending from a surface of the ground electrode body adjacent the non-anchored end. In illustrative embodiments, the plateau is formed by removing a portion of the ground electrode body near the non-anchored end. The plateau is configured to be exposed around its periphery. A noble metal tip is fixably attached to the plateau.

Spark plug with ground electrode plateau and method of making the same

An electrode for a spark plug includes an electrode tip end. A first weld affixes at least a portion of the noble metal tip to the tip end of the electrode. The noble metal tip has a fold around its periphery. A second weld joins the fold of the noble metal tip to the tip end of the electrode and creates a seal over the first weld.

Laser welded spark plug electrode and method of forming the same

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.

Spark plug assembly for enhanced ignitability

A spark plug for an internal combustion engine, the spark plug having: an elongated center electrode having a center electrode tip at one end and a terminal proximate the other end; an insulator substantially surrounding the center electrode, the insulator having a channel formed in an exterior surface of the insulator; an outer shell surrounding the insulator having: a jamb nut portion with a distal end extending thereform, the distal end being aligned with the channel such that the distal end of the outer shell is received within and engages the channel; a motor seat portion proximate to the jamb nut portion; and a threaded portion proximate to the motor seat portion, wherein the jamb nut portion, the motor seat portion, and the threaded portion are all integrally formed with the outer shell as a single component.

Spark plug with undercut insulator and one piece shell

A spark plug for an internal combustion engine, the spark plug having: an elongated center electrode having a center electrode tip at one end and a terminal proximate the other end; an insulator substantially surrounding the center electrode, the insulator having a channel formed in an exterior surface of the insulator; and an outer shell surrounding the insulator, the outer shell having a jamb nut portion and a distal end extending from the jamb nut portion, the distal end of the outer shell is aligned with the channel such that the distal end of the outer shell is received in and engages the channel of the outer shell.

Spark plug with undercut insulator

An assembly for a spark plug, the assembly having: an insulator, the insulator having a channel formed in an exterior surface of the insulator; and a jamb nut surrounding the insulator, the jamb nut being aligned with the channel such that a distal end of the jamb nut does not contact the insulator.

High thread spark plug with undercut insulator

A method of manufacturing a center electrode for a spark plug, the method including the steps of: resistance welding a sphere of a noble metal to a center electrode of a spark plug to provide a center electrode with an electrode tip that has a tip portion of a first configuration, the first configuration having a first height and a first width; and shaping the tip portion after the sphere is welded to the center electrode by a process wherein the tip portion will have a second configuration having a second height and a second width, the second height being greater than the first height and the second width being less than the first width wherein a peripheral edge of the noble metal is flush with a peripheral edge of the material it is secured to.

Spark plug electrode and method of making

A spark plug is provided providing resistance to fouling. The spark plug includes a metal shell having a first end, a second end and an intermediate portion that collectively define a central cavity. The spark plug also includes an insulator that extends through the central cavity of the metal shell. The insulator includes a first end portion extending through an intermediate portion to a stepped tip portion having a first length. The stepped tip portion includes a first section and a substantially straight second section having a second length. The substantially straight second section includes a segment that extends beyond the second end of the metal shell to a third length. The second length of substantially straight portion is based upon at least one of the first length and the third length.

Cold foul resistant spark plug

A spark plug casing includes a single-piece shell having a nut portion, first and second tubular portions and a converging shell portion, which are configured to be removed from a cylinder head as an integral device. The first tubular portion extends from the nut portion and has a first cross-sectional size. The second tubular portion has a second cross-sectional size less than the first cross-sectional size. The converging shell portion is coupled between the first and second tubular portions. The casing further includes a ground strap having a third cross-sectional size less than the second cross-sectional size. The ground strap is received within an end portion of the second tubular portion opposite the converging shell portion, such that the ground strap and the cylinder head are in a spaced relationship with respect to each other for preventing carbon buildup from binding the ground strap to the cylinder head.

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Findlay, OH, United States of America

Matthew Brian Below