Cummins Engine Company, Inc.

Michael W Alstrin

C Edward Morris, Jr

Lawrence P Tracy

Daniel L Morin

Norman L Jones

Jonathan L Umsted

Bryan E Hansome

A vented, unitary sealing grommet for establishing a first liquid-tight interface between a ignition coil and a spark plug adapter tube and a second liquid-tight interface between the ignition coil and a valve cover includes a hollow main body portion having a substantially cylindrical shape with a longitudinal axis and including a pair of annular sealing ribs, a planar flange portion which is disposed within a geometric plane which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the main body portion being designed to fit between the ignition coil and the spark plug adapter tube such that the annular sealing ribs are compressed due to the interference fit. The planar flange portion is designed to fit between ignition coil and the valve cover. The vented capability is created in the sealing grommet by means of a pair of oppositely disposed vent channels defined by the inside surface of the main body portion and in cooperation therewith by means of a pair of oppositely disposed second vent channels defined by an upper surface of the planar flange portion, each vent channel defined by the main body portion is in flow communication with a corresponding vent channel defined by the upper surface. The main body portion includes two relief notches which serve to keep the vent channels in the main body portion open.

Self-venting grommet for coil-on-plug

An improved sealing boot for a spark plug assembly is provided which includes a sealing and venting feature capable of preventing pressurized contaminants from reaching the spark plug by effectively sealing the spark plug mounting bore while permitting pressurized gas accumulating in the plug well to be vented to the engine overhead. The sealing and venting feature includes at least one annular sealing rib formed on the outer surface of the boot. The radial length and width of the sealing rib, and the resiliency of the material forming the rib, are selected to cause the rib to deflected outwardly an optimal degree, when the assembly is positioned in the bore, and to engage the bore wall with a sealing force so as to permit the desired sealing and venting. The optimal deflection causes the creation of an additional sealing force due to the pressure of fluid against the deflected portion of the rib thereby ensuring sealing.

Spark plug boot with ventable seal

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Indianapolis, IN, United States of America

Michael W Alstrin