EP0913897B1 - Bougie d'allumage pourdispositif d'allumage à jet de plasma - Google Patents

Bougie d'allumage pourdispositif d'allumage à jet de plasma Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0913897B1
EP0913897B1 EP98117582A EP98117582A EP0913897B1 EP 0913897 B1 EP0913897 B1 EP 0913897B1 EP 98117582 A EP98117582 A EP 98117582A EP 98117582 A EP98117582 A EP 98117582A EP 0913897 B1 EP0913897 B1 EP 0913897B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
spark plug
section
field
plasma
focuses
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP98117582A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0913897A1 (fr
Inventor
Jürgen Dipl.-Ing. Gloger
Waldemar Dipl.-Ing. Krain
Manfred Prof. Dr.-Ing. Weniger
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Volkswagen AG
Original Assignee
Volkswagen AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Volkswagen AG filed Critical Volkswagen AG
Publication of EP0913897A1 publication Critical patent/EP0913897A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0913897B1 publication Critical patent/EP0913897B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01T—SPARK GAPS; OVERVOLTAGE ARRESTERS USING SPARK GAPS; SPARKING PLUGS; CORONA DEVICES; GENERATING IONS TO BE INTRODUCED INTO NON-ENCLOSED GASES
    • H01T13/00—Sparking plugs
    • H01T13/50—Sparking plugs having means for ionisation of gap

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a spark plug for a plasma jet ignition device according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • increasing Requirements for internal combustion engines due to environmental protection, such as reduced Pollutant emissions and better use of the fuel, above all, can be achieve that the engine is operated in the so-called lean area, that is in the area of a Reduction of the proportion of fuel in the air-fuel mixture.
  • the engine in stratified operation i.e. with an inhomogeneous mixture distribution.
  • One way of improving ignition behavior is to use a plurality of Arrange ignition electrodes in the combustion chamber at the same time and with the ignition voltage apply.
  • Such ignition systems form several flame cores at the same time and reach an ignition zone of greater extension, which is a safe ignition also allow problematic mixture systems. This is particularly disadvantageous high design effort to provide suitable spark plugs as well as the required Installation space on the engine itself.
  • Ignition methods for the ignition of fuel-air mixtures are also included Internal combustion engines are known in which with the help of plasma discharges thermal energy is introduced into the combustion chamber and the mixture is thereby ignited.
  • plasma ignitions one protrudes into a combustion chamber Electrode ignited the mixture located in the combustion chamber in that the mixture through a high-frequency field of sufficient energy to a reactive temperature is brought in by the gas introduced into the combustion chamber by the electrode High-frequency field enters the electrically conductive plasma state.
  • This is done at known devices such a plasma in the combustion chamber of a narrow Internal combustion engine generated and by varying the energy supplied or Frequency of the high-frequency field applied to the electrode the required Ignition temperature for the mixture in a determinable by the electrode geometry Room volume provided.
  • All known plasma jet ignition devices are included common that the formation of the plasma is spatially limited near the electrode takes place and therefore the spread of the flame front is not fundamentally different than in conventional spark plugs and therefore not fast for all engine operating states enough is done.
  • DE 40 28 869 A1 describes a spark plug for such a plasma jet ignition system proposed in order to achieve a sufficiently high energy density of the Plasmas the plasma discharge only in one in the electrode body Spark plug is arranged in the back arranged ignition chamber, creating a Affect a larger area of the mixture and thus an increase in Ignition reliability only indirectly by ejecting ionized particles from the Ignition chamber in the combustion chamber is possible.
  • the design of the electrode shape can can be varied, thereby the shape of the ignition chamber in terms of Ignition behavior should be optimized.
  • One can also on the electrodes heat-resistant electrical insulating layer can be provided, but only for Protection against sparking is used. Disadvantage of this proposed The main solution is that the fuel-air mixture to be ignited only in one small partial volume can be ignited by the plasma and also by the thermal load and pressure load due to expanding gases Ignition chamber electrodes are subject to high wear.
  • the spark plug according to the invention as claimed in claim 1 is used in particular a method for operating a plasma jet ignition device in Internal combustion engines, as in a parallel application by the same applicant is described.
  • This plasma jet ignition device has at least one area inside a Combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine arranged spark plug with at least an electrode.
  • This electrode is electrical with a high frequency generator connected, being in a fuel-air mixture in the combustion chamber by one of a high-frequency field provided to the high-frequency generator is generated.
  • the high-frequency field is regulated to a high voltage so that the Electrode in the fuel-air mixture simultaneously a plurality of high-resistance Form plasma threads of short duration.
  • Plasma discharges are a number of short-term and intense plasma threads formed, which lead to short-term, intense discharges of the plasma and many Flame cores in the fuel-air mixture cause, which is a special good ignition behavior of the fuel-air mixture can be achieved. It will High-frequency field operated such that the fuel-air mixture in the Combustion chamber-formed plasma is not thermally in equilibrium. It is due the high frequency achieved that short-term, local high-resistance plasma discharges in Form the form of plasma threads, the intense flame cores for igniting the fuel-air mixture cause.
  • plasma threads only work for a short time, but they do due to their number in the area adjacent to the electrode at high Potential differences are particularly intense.
  • a generic spark plug according to claim 1, preferably for use with a Such plasma jet ignition device is characterized in that the inner electrode its combustion chamber end an electrically conductive, the field lines of High-frequency field for forming locally high field strengths has a section from at least one tapered region towards the combustion chamber, which passes through the combustion chamber an insulator layer is covered.
  • the design of the electrode end by a the electrically conductive section that bundles the field lines of the high-frequency field calls the high-resistance plasma discharges, which reliably ignite fuel-air mixtures even further away from the electrode end within the combustion chamber favored.
  • this is subject to the field lines of the high-frequency field Section and in particular its fuel-air mixture tapered end normally a high load due to the high impedance Plasma discharges and combustion.
  • the field lines of the high-frequency field bundling section of the inner electrode has the shape of at least one facing the combustion chamber tapered tip area.
  • this top area are formed by the connected field line density from high local field strengths, which the electrical discharge enable and initiate the formation of flame nuclei.
  • leads advantageous taper not to disturb the field lines or the high-frequency field due to arcing, for example, due to interference radiation negatively on electronic Devices in the vicinity of the internal combustion engine could act.
  • the one that bundles the field lines of the high-frequency field Section of the inner electrode several, tapering to the combustion chamber, diverging have tip regions arranged to each other. This is due to the Radio frequency field is not just a single starting point for the emergence of a provided high-resistance plasma, but according to the number of such peaks can form a larger volume area with high-resistance plasma, which leads to a large-volume and thus improved ignition and combustion of the fuel-air mixture contributes.
  • At least the insulator layer in the area of the Field lines of the high-frequency field bundling section of the inner electrode from one material resistant to erosion and electrical erosion. This will make the Covering the section very resistant to stresses arising from operation the internal combustion engine and the formation of the plasma and the combustion in the combustion chamber.
  • Typical insulator materials can be used as the insulator material Find use that is used in spark plug construction or in electrical insulation construction become.
  • the covering insulator layer consists of a thin layer exists, which is easily enforceable by the field lines. This will create the Plasmas not hindered by the field lines of the radio frequency field, so that by the Covering this section does not affect the ignition properties of the Spark plug is caused.
  • the isolator and the covering Insulator layer made of an aluminum oxide, in another embodiment made of quartz glass (fused silica) exist.
  • the spark plug can be designed as a lifetime Internal combustion engine functional spark plug to be designed, whereby especially cost-intensive change and maintenance processes during the service life the internal combustion engine can be avoided.
  • spark plug according to claim 1 in lean-burn engines Stratified charge engines or diesel engines are used, as this causes the mixture to ignite these ignition-problematic engines can be significantly improved.
  • FIG Drawing A particularly advantageous embodiment of the spark plug according to the invention is shown in FIG Drawing.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an inventive Spark plug shown in a partial view in section.
  • the spark plug is only shown with its section facing the combustion chamber 7 since it otherwise the known spark plugs can correspond essentially and only that Design of the combustion chamber side section is important in the context of this invention.
  • the spark plug consists of one arranged here along the screw axis Inner conductor 1, which consists of an electrically conductive material and on the connection side the spark plug with a connection to an ignition cable or the like. in electrical connection stands.
  • the inner conductor 1 is surrounded by an insulator 2 made of a preferably ceramic material in the form of a thick-walled, essentially tubular component, in the Inner bore of the inner conductor 1 is used.
  • a ground-leading housing electrode 4 which is on its outside carries a thread 11 with which the spark plug in a manner not known in principle illustrated threaded hole z. B. an internal combustion engine and can be set.
  • the ground-leading housing electrode 4 and the inner electrode 1 form a pair of electrodes, as is also known in conventional spark plugs.
  • the thick-walled insulator 2 the two electrodes 1, 4 are separated from each other, so that maintain the electrical potential difference between the two electrodes 1, 4 remains.
  • the insulator 2 also has a profile 5 as protection against Leakage currents, which is also provided on conventional spark plugs.
  • the design of the spark plug according to the invention can be seen in the section here furthest into the combustion chamber 7 of the internal combustion engine.
  • the inner electrode 1 here forms an arrangement of z. B. three diverging and pointing in different directions of the combustion chamber 7 tips 3 that each from the node at which they are connected to the inner electrode 1 stand, taper towards the combustion chamber 7.
  • the inner electrode 1 three at the same electrical potential 3 peaks, at which this is in the Can generate fuel-air mixture plasma 6.
  • Spark plug according to the invention is that the electrode tips 3 of a thin layer 10 are coated from an insulator material, which the electrode tips 3 of the in Combustion chamber 7 located plasma 6 and the fuel-air mixture separates. hereby increases the life of the inner electrode 1 and thus the entire spark plug clearly so that the spark plug even during the entire life of the Internal combustion engine can remain functional.
  • the layer thickness of the the electrode tips 3 covering insulator 10 are chosen so that the formation of the Plasma 6 is not due to the high-frequency field that passes through the insulator layer 10 is hindered.
  • an insulator layer 10 which is also particularly resistant to Electroerosion and erosion occurs, the inner electrode 1 will continue to operate even after a long period of operation unchanged covered with the insulator 10 and thus protected against wear. Also is through the covering insulator layer 10 on which the field lines of the radio frequency field bundling section 9 prevents arcing in the thermally not in Form equilibrium plasma 6.
  • the insulator layer 10 covering the electrode tips 3 can, for example, consist of one Alumina or quartz glass exist.

Landscapes

  • Ignition Installations For Internal Combustion Engines (AREA)
  • Spark Plugs (AREA)

Claims (11)

  1. Bougie d'allumage par faisceau plasma, qui présente sur au moins une partie de sa partie (8) disposée dans une chambre de combustion (7) d'un moteur à combustion interne une couche d'isolation (2) qui sépare une électrode intérieure (1) électriquement conductrice d'une électrode de boítier (4) raccordée à la masse, un champ à haute fréquence et à haute tension pouvant être appliqué sur la bougie d'allumage et formant dans la chambre de combustion (7) un plasma (6) qui allume un mélange de carburant et d'air situé dans la chambre de combustion (7), caractérisée en ce que l'électrode intérieure (1), qui est constituée d'au moins une région de pointe (3) qui se rétrécit en direction de la chambre de combustion (7) et qui est recouverte d'une couche (10) qui l'isole par rapport à la chambre de combustion (7), présente à son extrémité située du côté de la chambre combustion au moins une partie (9) électriquement conductrice qui rassemble les lignes du champ à haute fréquence pour former localement des champs d'intensité plus élevée.
  2. Bougie d'allumage selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que la partie (9) de l'électrode intérieure (1) qui rassemble les lignes du champ à haute fréquence présente plusieurs régions en pointe (3) qui se rétrécissent en direction de la chambre de combustion (7) et qui sont disposées de manière à diverger les unes des autres.
  3. Bougie d'allumage selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce qu'au moins la couche d'isolation (10) qui recouvre la région de la partie (9) de l'électrode intérieure (1) qui rassemble les lignes du champ à haute fréquence est constituée d'un matériau capable de résister à la combustion et à l'électro-érosion.
  4. Bougie d'allumage selon la revendication 3, caractérisée en ce que la couche d'isolation (10) qui recouvre au moins la région de la partie (9) qui rassemble les lignes du champ à haute fréquence est constituée d'une couche mince qui est aisément traversée par les lignes de champ.
  5. Bougie d'allumage selon l'une des revendications 3 ou 4, caractérisée en ce que la couche d'isolation (10) qui recouvre au moins la région de la partie (9) qui rassemble les lignes du champ à haute fréquence est constituée d'un oxyde d'aluminium.
  6. Bougie d'allumage selon l'une des revendications 3 ou 4, caractérisée en ce que la couche d'isolation (10) qui recouvre au moins la région de la partie (9) qui rassemble les lignes du champ à haute fréquence est constituée de verre au quartz (silice fondue).
  7. Bougie d'allumage selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que la bougie d'allumage et conçue comme bougie d'allumage apte à fonctionner pendant toute la durée de vie du moteur à combustion interne.
  8. Bougie d'allumage selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que sur la partie (9) qui rassemble les lignes du champ à haute fréquence, la bougie d'allumage forme dans le dispositif d'allumage par faisceau plasma des décharges en aigrettes d'un plasma (6) qui n'est pas un équilibre thermique.
  9. Bougie d'allumage selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le plasma (6) est formé par des décharges corona et/ou à dards sur la partie (9) qui rassemble les lignes du champ à haute fréquence.
  10. Bougie d'allumage selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que la couche d'isolation (10) qui recouvre la partie (9) qui rassemble les lignes du champ à haute fréquence empêche des décharges par arc dans le plasma (6) qui ne se trouve pas en équilibre thermique.
  11. Utilisation de la bougie d'allumage selon la revendication 1 dans des moteurs à carburant pauvre, des moteurs à charge stratifiée ou des moteurs diesel.
EP98117582A 1997-10-29 1998-09-16 Bougie d'allumage pourdispositif d'allumage à jet de plasma Expired - Lifetime EP0913897B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19747700 1997-10-29
DE19747700A DE19747700C2 (de) 1997-10-29 1997-10-29 Zündeinrichtung mit einer Zündelektrode

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0913897A1 EP0913897A1 (fr) 1999-05-06
EP0913897B1 true EP0913897B1 (fr) 2002-06-26

Family

ID=7846950

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98117582A Expired - Lifetime EP0913897B1 (fr) 1997-10-29 1998-09-16 Bougie d'allumage pourdispositif d'allumage à jet de plasma

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0913897B1 (fr)
DE (2) DE19747700C2 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8074620B2 (en) 2007-07-25 2011-12-13 Gerald Filipek Spark to flame conversion unit, such as employed with an existing spark plug or heat source supplied glow plug for accomplishing more efficient piston combustion
CN102460868A (zh) * 2009-05-04 2012-05-16 费德罗-莫格尔点火公司 电晕尖端绝缘体

Families Citing this family (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10061673A1 (de) * 2000-12-12 2002-06-13 Volkswagen Ag Element und Vorrichtung zur Energieeinkopplung in einen mit einem bestimmten Medium gefüllten Raum
NL1019448C2 (nl) 2001-11-29 2003-06-03 Simon Lucas Goede Verbrandingsmotor en ontstekingscircuit voor een verbrandingsmotor.
FR2858024B1 (fr) * 2003-07-25 2007-11-16 Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa Dispositif d'allumage d'un melange air/carburant
FR2859831B1 (fr) * 2003-09-12 2009-01-16 Renault Sa Bougie de generation de plasma.
DE102004039406A1 (de) 2004-08-13 2006-02-23 Siemens Ag Plasma-Zünd-Verfahren und -Vorrichtung zur Zündung von Kraftstoff/Luft-Gemischen in Verbrennungskraftmaschinen
DE102006005792B4 (de) 2006-02-07 2018-04-26 Fachhochschule Aachen Hochfrequenzzündanlage für Kraftfahrzeuge
DE102010045171B4 (de) 2010-06-04 2019-05-23 Borgwarner Ludwigsburg Gmbh Zünder zum Zünden eines Brennstoff-Luft-Gemisches in einer Verbrennungskammer, insbesondere in einem Verbrennungsmotor, durch Erzeugen einer Korona-Entladung
DE102011102016A1 (de) 2011-05-19 2012-11-22 Borgwarner Beru Systems Gmbh Korona-Zündeinrichtung und Verfahren zu ihrer Herstellung
US8217560B2 (en) 2010-09-04 2012-07-10 Borgwarner Beru Systems Gmbh Corona ignition device and method for its manufacture
DE102010045175B4 (de) * 2010-09-04 2014-03-27 Borgwarner Beru Systems Gmbh Zünder zum Zünden eines Brennstoff-Luft-Gemisches mittels einer HF-Korona-Entladung und Motor mit solchen Zündern
DE102010045170B3 (de) * 2010-09-04 2012-01-26 Borgwarner Beru Systems Gmbh Korona-Zündeinrichtung und Verfahren zu ihrer Herstellung
CN103189638B (zh) 2010-10-28 2015-07-08 费德罗-莫格尔点火公司 非热等离子体点火灭弧装置
WO2012091920A1 (fr) 2010-12-14 2012-07-05 Federal-Mogul Ignition Company Igniteur à effet couronne ayant un isolateur conformé
DE102014112674A1 (de) 2013-10-24 2015-05-13 Borgwarner Ludwigsburg Gmbh Korona-Zündeinrichtung
DE112015000466B4 (de) * 2014-02-26 2022-08-04 GM Global Technology Operations LLC Zünder und verfahren zur erzeugung einer plasmaentladungsstrahlung
DE102014222925B4 (de) * 2014-11-11 2023-05-04 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Dielektrisch behinderte Vorkammerzündung

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5512275A (en) * 1978-07-13 1980-01-28 Tokai T R W Kk Attraction method and attraction electrode plug for lean mixture in engine
JPS57186066A (en) * 1981-05-13 1982-11-16 Hirose Seisakusho:Kk Discharge ignition method and discharge spark plug of internal combustion engine
DE3527041A1 (de) * 1985-07-27 1987-02-05 Bernd Holz Verfahren zur einbringung thermischer energie in einen mit einem medium gefuellten raum und einrichtung hierzu
DE4028869A1 (de) * 1990-09-12 1992-03-19 Fev Motorentech Gmbh & Co Kg Plasmastrahl-zuendsystem
US5469013A (en) * 1993-03-31 1995-11-21 The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy Large discharge-volume, silent discharge spark plug
US5423306A (en) * 1993-10-22 1995-06-13 Trigger, Deceased; Vernon A. Internal plasma-combustion engine system

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8074620B2 (en) 2007-07-25 2011-12-13 Gerald Filipek Spark to flame conversion unit, such as employed with an existing spark plug or heat source supplied glow plug for accomplishing more efficient piston combustion
CN102460868A (zh) * 2009-05-04 2012-05-16 费德罗-莫格尔点火公司 电晕尖端绝缘体
CN102460868B (zh) * 2009-05-04 2013-09-25 费德罗-莫格尔点火公司 电晕尖端绝缘体

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE19747700A1 (de) 1999-05-12
EP0913897A1 (fr) 1999-05-06
DE19747700C2 (de) 2000-06-29
DE59804568D1 (de) 2002-08-01

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0913897B1 (fr) Bougie d'allumage pourdispositif d'allumage à jet de plasma
DE102014111897B4 (de) Zündeinrichtung zum Zünden von Brennstoff-Luft-Gemischen in einer Brennkammer eines Verbrennungsmotors durch eine Korona-Entladung
DE19701752C2 (de) Plasmazündvorrichtung und Zündkerze mit einer Magnetfeldeinrichtung zur Erzeugung eines Lichtbogens veränderlicher Länge
EP0675272B1 (fr) Dispositif d'allumage à préchambre
DE112015000466B4 (de) Zünder und verfahren zur erzeugung einer plasmaentladungsstrahlung
EP3465849B1 (fr) Bougie d'allumage pour système d'allumage à haute fréquence
EP0238520B1 (fr) Bougie d'allumage a etincelle glissante
DE2535960A1 (de) Brennkraftmaschinen-zuendanlage
EP1644637A1 (fr) Bougie d'allumage par jet de plasma
DE2709303A1 (de) Zuendkerze
DE102020100827A1 (de) Vorkammersystem, Verbrennungsmotor mit Vorkammersystem sowie Verfahren zur Zündung eines Kraftstoff-Luft-Gemisches
DE69932685T2 (de) Glühsensor - keramische flache Platte
DE19645385C2 (de) Anordnung einer Zündkerze zur Ausbildung eines zwischen zwei Elektroden überspringenden Zündfunkens im Zylinder einer direkteinspritzenden Otto-Brennkraftmaschine
DE2810159B2 (de) Einrichtung zur Zündung brennfähiger Gemische
EP0475288B1 (fr) Dispositif d'allumage à jet de plasma
DE2739413A1 (de) Zuendkerze
DE19747701C2 (de) Plasmastrahl-Zündung für Verbrennungskraftmaschinen
DE102006037039B4 (de) Hochfrequenz-Zündvorrichtung
DE102005037420A1 (de) Verfahren zum Betrieb eines Zündsystems zur Selbstreinigung von Zündkerzen
EP1215392A2 (fr) Elément et dispositif pour coupler de l'énergie à un espace rempli avec un milieu déterminé
DE3500189C2 (de) Gleitfunkenzündvorrichtung
DE10143194B4 (de) Hochfrequenzzündung für Verbrennungskraftmaschinen
WO2017108389A1 (fr) Dispositif d'allumage pour allumer un mélange carburant air
EP0229303A1 (fr) Eclateur, en particulier pour application de prééclateur de bougie d'allumage pour moteur à combustion interne
EP1553671B1 (fr) Bougie d'allumage

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): DE ES FR GB SE

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19991108

AKX Designation fees paid

Free format text: DE ES FR GB SE

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20000313

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE ES FR GB SE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 59804568

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20020801

GBT Gb: translation of ep patent filed (gb section 77(6)(a)/1977)

Effective date: 20020808

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20020926

ET Fr: translation filed
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20021220

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20030327

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20070822

Year of fee payment: 10

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20070904

Year of fee payment: 10

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20080916

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20090529

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20080930

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20080916

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20140930

Year of fee payment: 17

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 59804568

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20160401