The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 04, 2001
Filed:
Sep. 20, 1999
Shoichiro Ito, Gifui, JP;
Yoshihiro Matsubara, Mie, JP;
NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd., Aichi, JP;
Abstract
A spark plug includes a spark portion of an Ir-based metal and a resistor disposed between a center electrode and a metallic terminal and adapted to establish an electric resistance of not less than 10 k&OHgr;, preferably not less than 15 k&OHgr;, but not greater than 25 k&OHgr; as measured between the center electrode and the metallic terminal. Thus, even in a system in which an ignition coil is connected directly to the spark plug without use of a high tension cable, an electrical discharge with a relatively weak current, such as a glow discharge, can be maintained stably, so that even at high speed or heavy load operation, consumption of the spark portion caused by volatilization of Ir through oxidation can be suppressed, thereby extending spark plug life.