US1194474A - Combined spark-plug and spark-gap - Google Patents

Description

APPLICATION FILED FEB 7.1916.

Patented Aug. 15, 1916.

71 MW W bit WILLIAM C. BRUNKE AND HARRY D. CLARKE, OF OMAHA, NEBRASKA.

COMBINED SPARK-PLUG AND SPARK-GAP.

JlJlEPddt-at.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 115, M116.

Application filed February 7, 1916. Serial No. 76,531.

plug and spark gap, and has for its principal. object to provide such a construction that vibration of parts usually caused by jolting of the vehicle and action of the engine, and the formation of short circuits, may be avoided. v

The invention also has reference to the provision of. parts which, when assembled, will form a compact structure tooccupy a limited space in the engine bonnet, and will permit stresses to be applied to advantage when connecting the parts to prevent breakage of the fianges,.threads or projections of the cylindrical fiber block employed.

With the foregoing objects in view and others to be hereinafter mentioned, the invention presents a novel construction, combination and arrangement of. parts as time scribed herein and claimed, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein,

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a combined spark plug and 'spark gap embodying our invention, the wall of anengine cylinder beingshown in section. Fig, is a view of the device in longitudinal section. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the metallic cylindrical jacket, taken at right angles to the view thereof shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a side View of a cylindrical insulating block. Fig. 5 is a view in longitudinal section of an insulating sleeve taken at right angles to thevview thereof shown in Fig. 2. Referring now to the drawing for a nioi'e particular description, numeral 6 indicates the cylindrical housing or ground electrode of a spark plug,-the conventional insulating core 7 in which the conductor 8 is mounted, being securely held in said housing 6 by means of the coupling 9 which is, threaded in the housing and bearing on the packing ring 10.

The spark gap consists, in part, of a cylindrical, metallic jacket 11 having its top 12 provided with a central aperture 13, and

"end of the insulating core 4 provided at the junction of its top and side wall with an annular ridge 14, a comparatively large aperture 15 being formed in one of its sides and extending near to its bottom from the ridge 14;.

Numeral 16 indicates a cylindrical insulatmg block traversed centrally by the conductor 8, the conductor extending outwardly or above the block a considerable distance, comparatively, to provide one of the conductors or electrodes of the spark gap. Said member 16 is provided at its lower end with an annular flange 17, its upper end being provided, to open thereon, with an annular groove 18, and, as indicated at 19, said member has a threaded part to provide a mounting thereon of the cylindrical jacket 11.

Numeral 20 indicates an insulating sleeve provided at its upper end with an annular groove or recess 21, and preferably, has apertures 22 formed in its opposed sides, midway between itsends. At 23 is indicated an electrode which, preferably is threaded in a washer 24, and a nut 25 is provided for compressing the conductor 26 therebetween, the inner end of the electrode 23 preferably being tapered and disposed adjacent to the upper end of the conductor 8 and in line with apertures 22.

The cylindrical insulating block 16 is preferably-constructed of fiber and is of such a diameterthat it will provide an adequate support for the parts of the spark gap while its flat, lower end abuts upon the fiat upper of the spark plug. When the parts are assembled, the flange 17 of the cylindrical insulating block is disposed inwardly of the flange 27 of the coupling 9. and by means of the nut 28 which is threaded on the outer end of the conductor 8; the block 16 may be pressed firmly upon the end of member 7 and on this account the flange 17 will be practically relieved of all transverse stresses, which. otherwise might tend to cause its fracture.

The insulating sleeve 20 is adapted to be disposed loosely in the cylindrical jacket 11, its grooves 21, however. receiving the annular ridge 14 of the metallic jacket in such a manner that these parts are in contact to thereby prevent any independent movement or vibration of this sleeve with reference to said jacket, and the lower end of this sleeve is mounted in the annular groove 18 of the insulating block 16, its engagement therein being such that it will sustain no vibration independently of said block.

Since the inner end of the metallic jacket is threaded in the fiber block 16 it is obvious that the parts may be conveniently connected or disconnected, also that the electrode 23 may be adjusted longitudinally to be disposed at a greater or lesser distance from the conductor 8, for increasing or decreasing the intensity of the spark, as may be required, also the metallic jacket may be so disposed that its aperture 15 will be at the front of either of the apertures 22 of the insulating sleeve 20, as may be desired, the opposite aperture 22 of said sleeve being covered by the jacket to protect the parts from injury.

Among some of the advantages to be derived by use of the invention, it maybe stated that since the parts which provide the spark gap are practically a part of the spark plug, the expense attending the provision of detached devices for intensifying the spark, may be avoided. The device is arranged for convenient use and is not obtrusive, and on account of the' insulation and the mounting of parts as described, short circuits and vibrations will be practically eliminated.

Having fully explained construction, a further description relating to operation is not necessary. While details have been shown, and, their functions pointed out, it will be understood that many of these details may be changed,and the size, form and proportion of parts may be changed, the scope of the invention being determined by thexclaim.

We claim:

A spark-plug, including an electrode, an insulating plug or member with said electrode extending therethrough, a second insulating member also having said electrode extending through it, one of said insulating members fitting squarely upon the other insulating member, means adapted to provide for exerting pressure from said electrode upon one insulating member and through said insulating member, upon the other insulating member, a. third insulating member superposing one of the aforesaid insulating members, a housing for the first-referred to insulating member, a coupling between said housing and the second insulating member, the latter having a flange engaged by said coupling, a jacket having a. viewable opening therein, for said third insulating member adjustablyconnected to said second insulating member, said third insulating member having a reduced upper end engaged by an inner ridge of said jacket, the second insulating member having an upper reduced end forming a seat for the lower end oi said third insulating member, a second electrode mounted in the upper end of said jacket, for positioning with respect to the first-referred to electrode, and means for adjustably supporting said second electrode in said acket.

In testimony whereof, we have atlixed our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM (J. BRUNKEi HARRY D. CLARKE.

Witnesses:

HIRAM A. STURGES, ARTHUR M. Srouense

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