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:
May. 30, 2006
Filed:
Nov. 05, 2004
Mark S. Mcmurray, Toledo, OH (US);
James D. Lykowski, Temperance, MI (US);
Mark S. McMurray, Toledo, OH (US);
James D. Lykowski, Temperance, MI (US);
Federal-Mogul Worldwide, Inc., Southfield, MI (US);
Abstract
An ignition and diagnostic system () for an internal combustion engine includes a sparking device () through which a low voltage diagnostic device () monitors a sensing feature, for example spark gap () conditions, during spark intervals and returns diagnostic feedback to an engine control module (). A coil () is electrically operatively connected to the sparking device () through a lead wire (). The lead wire () can be removed and reinstalled with respect to the sparking device () via a flexor joint () for installation and maintenance. The flexor joint () enables positive electrical contact during operation so that low voltage signals from the diagnostic device () are maintained even during severe vibration conditions. The flexor joint () includes in one embodiment a compression spring () which is fully compressed or over-compressed. In another embodiment, the flexor joint () comprises a tubular sleeve (') having cantilevered upper tangs (′) which resiliently engage the lead wire (), and lower tangs () which similarly engage the center wire () of the sparking device () in a resilient manner.