EP1060546B1 - Spark plug providing improved operating characteristics - Google Patents

Spark plug providing improved operating characteristics Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1060546B1
EP1060546B1 EP99911035A EP99911035A EP1060546B1 EP 1060546 B1 EP1060546 B1 EP 1060546B1 EP 99911035 A EP99911035 A EP 99911035A EP 99911035 A EP99911035 A EP 99911035A EP 1060546 B1 EP1060546 B1 EP 1060546B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
edge
center electrode
electrode
spark plug
ground electrode
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
EP99911035A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1060546A1 (en
Inventor
Norman H. Garrett, Iii
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.)
Pyrotek Enterprises Inc
Original Assignee
Pyrotek Enterprises Inc
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 Pyrotek Enterprises Inc filed Critical Pyrotek Enterprises Inc
Priority to DK99911035T priority Critical patent/DK1060546T3/da
Publication of EP1060546A1 publication Critical patent/EP1060546A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1060546B1 publication Critical patent/EP1060546B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • H01T13/20—Sparking plugs characterised by features of the electrodes or insulation
    • H01T13/32—Sparking plugs characterised by features of the electrodes or insulation characterised by features of the earthed electrode

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to spark plugs for igniting the fuel charge in an internal combustion engine, and is particularly concerned with an improved spark plug construction which improves combustion pressure, fuel mileage and diminishes exhaust pollution as compared with known prior art plugs.
  • Prior art spark plugs are well known. Such spark plugs typically include a center electrode and a ground electrode spaced apart from the center electrode. When a sufficient electrical potential is provided across the gap, a spark jumps across the gap. This spark can be used to ignite an air-fuel mixture within an internal combustion engine.
  • the invention relies specifically on spark strike areas wherein "at least a portion of each said inner orthogonal sides is provided with a concave surface having a curvature complimenting the axial face of the center electrode".
  • a spark plug which comprises a metal shell having a threaded portion fitting an engine, a center electrode protruding towards an engine combustion chamber from an insulator on an open end of said threaded portion; a ground electrode bending and extending to make a spark gap and having branches around the end portion, wherein each branch of the ground electrode has an inner corner of the end disposed at a position opposite to a peripheral edge of the center electrode end.
  • the present invention relates to the use of a spark plug providing edge corners in a tangential relationship with the central electrode.
  • the present invention is directed towards the use of a spark plug having a conventional center electrode and one or more ground electrodes, each of which defines at least one lower corner edge which is substantially tangentially oriented relative to the periphery of the substantially round electrode below.
  • a “box” plug shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
  • the “box” plug uses an electrode that is substantially in the shape of a square that appears to "encircle” the spark plug's center electrode, when viewed from above. However, in fact, as shown in Fig. 2, the box does not encircle the spark plug's center electrode, as there is a gap 0.635 mm (0.025 inches) in the case of one test) defined between the upper round end surface of the center electrode and the plane in which the downwardly-directed lower surfaces of the split prong members lie.
  • the electrode 30 includes two end prongs 32 which initially diverge but then eventually converge.
  • the two end prongs 32 each include two segments 34 of substantially equal length. Two of these segments could be considered as the "diverging” segments 34, and the other two could be considered as the “converging” segments 34. This would mean that each prong includes one "diverging” segment and one "converging” segment.
  • elbow could be considered as connecting the diverging segment of a particular segment to its corresponding converging segment.
  • Such elbows are shown as being substantially in a vertical plane extending through the central longitudinal axis of the center prong.
  • the ground electrode could be considered to have three vertexes, a main vertex 40 and two elbow inner vertexes 41.
  • transverse cross sections of the segments 34 are substantially rectangular, being in one configuration 1.27 mm (0.050 inches) wide and 1.27mm (0.050 inches) thick.
  • Such a cross section provides four outwardly-directed, substantially linear (at least not near the bends) corner edges, (also shown in Fig. 14). It is believe that the relationship of at least the inner lower corner edges relative to the center electrode provides improved performance. Such a relationship will be referred to as a tangential relationship, with four tangential relationships provided in the Fig. 1 configuration, one for each segment 34.
  • center electrode as shown in Fig. 2 shall be referenced in this application as an "upwardly"-extending center electrode. However, this is for reference purposes only and should not be understood as limiting. In operation such an electrode can be oriented in many different directions while in use.
  • ground electrode embodiments are contemplated under the present invention.
  • a one or more straight edges in a tangential relationship with the circular (a.k.a "round") upper edge of the ground electrode.
  • This will be referred to as a "straight edge tangential relationship" in that the straight edge defined by the ground electrode presents one or more straight edges such that each edge is in a tangential relationship to the center electrode's circumferential projection.
  • Figs. 1, 3, 4, 9, and 10 Such is shown in, for example only, Figs. 1, 3, 4, 9, and 10, although many others are shown).
  • the spark will connect between the center electrode and the closest ground.
  • the actual placement of the ground electrode's prongs may be anywhere adjacent to or outside the peripheral (which need not necessarily be round) projection of the center electrode, at a chosen height at or above the center electrode's tip.
  • Figs. 26 illustrate the "Zone" concept, in which any of the positions shown expose the lower edge of the ground electrode to the center electrode's outer edge (a.k.a. its “upper peripheral edge", which could be circular).
  • edges that are presented or exposed to each other are not necessarily tangential, but they do present themselves to each other such that the edges are the closest parts of the two electrodes to each other, or are at least as close as any other two parts of the electrodes, within the region of spark. It is believed that the "unshielding" of the top of the center electrode by placing the ground electrode outside the periphery is an advantageous concept above and separate from the tangential and/or vertex concepts. Again, it is believed that placing the lowest portion of the ground electrode's "active edge" at or above the center electrode allows the intake charge gases to flow more easily into the spark zone.
  • the simple shapes of the ground electrodes described in this application can be created by a secondary and subsequent operations on the standard wire-fed electrode currently in use in the industry.
  • a mandrel of specific design can be used to form the various segments of each electrode.
  • a stamped electrode can be made using a die to create the specific configuration. The stamped electrode could then be welded to the spark plug base per usual practice.
  • the electrode shape could be created by laser cutting, water jet cutting, chemical etching, forging, casting, powdered metal forming, etc. Any electrodes using these methods would then be welded to the spark plug base at the appropriate position.
  • these electrode configurations can be created with little change to the current wire-feed arrangement.
  • the offset with respect to the center electrode can be created in the basic wire feed machine set up, or by the use of a secondary operation that creates the specific alignment of the conventional sidewire.
  • the thickness of the ground electrodes, including the end portions (including their segments), is as known in the art, or approximately 1.27 mm (0.050 inches), although the thickness can be 1.016-1.651 mm (0.040-0.065 inches), although it could be 0.254-3.81 mm (0.010-0.150 inches), or other similar dimensions.
  • the width of the "stem" can be 1.905-3.175 mm (0.075-0.125 inches), although it could be 0.254-3.81 mm (0.010-0.150 inches), or other similar dimensions.
  • the width of the prongs is not critical, but the sharpness of the edge(s) is important.
  • the prongs are 1.27mm (0.050 inches) wide and 1.27mm (0.050 inches) thick, although each of these dimensions could be 0.254-1.27mm (0.010-0.150 inches), or other similar dimensions.
  • ground electrode be square or rectangular, as long as it includes a sharp corner which presents the lower corner edge to the center electrode as shown in Fig. 14 or 26.
  • the center electrode diameter can be 0.254-3.81 mm (0.010-0.150 inches).
  • the thickness of the electrode “stem”, where applicable, can be 1.016-1.651 mm (0.040-0.065 inches), although it could be 0.254-3.81 mm (0.010-0.150 inches), or other similar dimensions.
  • the materials used throughout are such as known in the art, including presently-used "premium” materials (e.g., platinum).
  • the striking surface for the spark on the ground electrode has been shaped in an open concave curve, a straight line, or even a convex curve in order to clear the way for the flame kernel to expand away from the sparking point. This occurs at a microscopic level such that any hint of a concentric radius on the striking surface has a negative effect on flame kernel growth.
  • ground electrode spacing in the '651 patent is always spaced away from the center electrode by a gap.
  • tangential relationships are useful due to the open nature of the striking surface. Any concentric radius imparted to the striking surface in a tangential relationship would severely constrain the flame kernel generation.
  • the '651 patent incorporates two mounting stems which have a certain amount of shielding effect on the flame kernel, particularly when compared to the single stem of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Landscapes

  • Spark Plugs (AREA)
  • Ignition Installations For Internal Combustion Engines (AREA)
  • Separation By Low-Temperature Treatments (AREA)
  • Fats And Perfumes (AREA)
  • Combustion Methods Of Internal-Combustion Engines (AREA)
  • Discharge Lamp (AREA)
EP99911035A 1998-03-02 1999-03-02 Spark plug providing improved operating characteristics Expired - Lifetime EP1060546B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DK99911035T DK1060546T3 (da) 1998-03-02 1999-03-02 Tændrör med forbedrede operationelle karakteristika

Applications Claiming Priority (11)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US7666998P 1998-03-02 1998-03-02
US76669P 1998-03-02
US8949998P 1998-06-16 1998-06-16
US8949198P 1998-06-16 1998-06-16
US8945898P 1998-06-16 1998-06-16
US89499P 1998-06-16
US89491P 1998-06-16
US89458P 1998-06-16
US11443998P 1998-12-31 1998-12-31
US114439P 1998-12-31
PCT/US1999/004552 WO1999045615A1 (en) 1998-03-02 1999-03-02 Spark plug providing improved operating characteristics

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1060546A1 EP1060546A1 (en) 2000-12-20
EP1060546B1 true EP1060546B1 (en) 2004-11-10

Family

ID=27536099

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99911035A Expired - Lifetime EP1060546B1 (en) 1998-03-02 1999-03-02 Spark plug providing improved operating characteristics

Country Status (18)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1060546B1 (ko)
JP (1) JP4451984B2 (ko)
KR (1) KR100701370B1 (ko)
CN (1) CN100355167C (ko)
AT (1) ATE282253T1 (ko)
AU (1) AU754005B2 (ko)
BR (1) BRPI9908448B1 (ko)
CA (1) CA2321616C (ko)
CZ (1) CZ300538B6 (ko)
DE (1) DE69921784T2 (ko)
DK (1) DK1060546T3 (ko)
ES (1) ES2232118T3 (ko)
ID (1) ID26507A (ko)
MX (1) MXPA00008609A (ko)
NZ (1) NZ506965A (ko)
PL (1) PL195775B1 (ko)
PT (1) PT1060546E (ko)
WO (1) WO1999045615A1 (ko)

Families Citing this family (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP3988426B2 (ja) 2001-01-18 2007-10-10 株式会社デンソー スパークプラグ
JP4125060B2 (ja) * 2002-07-16 2008-07-23 日本特殊陶業株式会社 スパークプラグ
JP4699918B2 (ja) * 2006-03-03 2011-06-15 日本特殊陶業株式会社 スパークプラグ
TWM378559U (en) * 2009-11-16 2010-04-11 Top 1 Green Dev Co Ltd Spark plug
JP5593236B2 (ja) * 2010-02-09 2014-09-17 株式会社デンソー 内燃機関用のスパークプラグ
US8288930B2 (en) * 2010-05-14 2012-10-16 Federal-Mogul Ignition Company Spark ignition device and ground electrode therefor and methods of construction thereof
CN102611005B (zh) * 2012-04-16 2015-08-26 张蝶儿 一种火花塞及其接地电极
JP5862498B2 (ja) * 2012-07-18 2016-02-16 株式会社デンソー 内燃機関用のスパークプラグ
CN103247937A (zh) * 2013-05-02 2013-08-14 株洲湘火炬火花塞有限责任公司 一种火花塞侧电极及其制作方法
US9484717B2 (en) * 2013-12-26 2016-11-01 Chentronics, Llc High energy ignition spark igniter

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4268774A (en) * 1977-01-28 1981-05-19 Forkum Jr Maston Spark plug with ground electrode having diverging prongs
US5051651A (en) * 1988-11-24 1991-09-24 Tadaharu Fujiwara Ignition plug with a hollow cylindrical ground electrode and an ignition process by the use thereof
DE3935165A1 (de) * 1989-10-21 1991-04-25 Hermsdorf Keramik Veb Zuendkerze
US5264754A (en) * 1992-01-24 1993-11-23 Santoso Hanitijo Spark plug
DE9403943U1 (de) * 1994-03-04 1994-06-09 Zuran, Dietmar, 12355 Berlin Elektrodenform und Elektrodenanordnung für eine Mehrfunken-Zündkerze
JP3849159B2 (ja) * 1995-09-22 2006-11-22 保 仲野 スパークプラグ

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2977299A (en) 1999-09-20
PL342728A1 (en) 2001-07-02
CA2321616C (en) 2008-02-05
CN1292161A (zh) 2001-04-18
CZ300538B6 (cs) 2009-06-10
WO1999045615A1 (en) 1999-09-10
NZ506965A (en) 2003-07-25
DE69921784T2 (de) 2005-12-22
BR9908448A (pt) 2004-06-15
BRPI9908448B1 (pt) 2015-06-09
MXPA00008609A (es) 2003-07-14
ES2232118T3 (es) 2005-05-16
JP4451984B2 (ja) 2010-04-14
AU754005B2 (en) 2002-10-31
ATE282253T1 (de) 2004-11-15
CA2321616A1 (en) 1999-09-10
PL195775B1 (pl) 2007-10-31
EP1060546A1 (en) 2000-12-20
DK1060546T3 (da) 2005-02-14
ID26507A (id) 2001-01-11
KR20010034551A (ko) 2001-04-25
KR100701370B1 (ko) 2007-03-28
CZ20003201A3 (cs) 2001-01-17
CN100355167C (zh) 2007-12-12
JP2002506278A (ja) 2002-02-26
PT1060546E (pt) 2005-02-28
DE69921784D1 (de) 2004-12-16

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