US1517368A - Spark plug - Google Patents

Description

W. E. LYONS SPARK PLUG Filed April 11. 1921 Patented Dec. 2, 1924.

UNITED STATES WILLARD E. LYONS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SPARK PLUG.

Application filed April 11, 1921. Serial No. 460,232.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VILLARD E. LYoNs, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Spark Plug; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the numerals of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to a spark plug and particularly to a spark plug which is provided with an auxiliary spark gap which is automatically set in operation when the engine is running and which is cut out of operation when the engine is stopped.

The provision of an auxiliary spark gap has the effect of increasing the intensity of the spark produced at the electrodes in the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, and consequently adds to the efficiency of operation thereof. In order to facilitate starting of the engine it is desirable that the auxiliary spark gap be initially cut out of operation so that even a comparatively weak ignition current will be transmitted directly to the sparking electrodes.

It is also desirable that the auxiliary spark gap be initially short-circuited and subsequently intermittently short-circulted to prevent injury to the coil by the extremely high voltage current which is present in the ignition system as a result of the auxiliary spark gap. 7

It is an object therefore of the present invention to provide a spark plug including an auxiliary spark gap which is automatically short-circuited prior to the starting of the engine on which the spark plug is mounted.

It is another object of this invention to provide a spark intensifying means adapted to be set in operation by the vibration of an internal combustion engine or of a vehicle on which the engine is mounted.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a spark plug including an intensifying spark gap adapted to be set in operation automatically by vibration regardless of the position of the spark plug.

It is an important object of this invention to provide spark intensifying means which Figure 2 is a fragmentary central vertical section showing the construction of the auxiliary spark gap.

Figure 3 is a section on the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 1 is a section similar to Figure 2 showing the spark gap cut out of operation.

Figure 5 is a section similar to Figure 2 showing a preferred construction for a hori zontal spark plug.

Figure 6 is a section on the line 66 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a section similar to Figure 5 showing the spark gap cut out of operation.

As shown on the drawings:

The spark intensifying means of this invention are adapted to be used in connection with any standard spark plug and are preferably an integral part of the spark plug construction.

The spark plug which is shown herein for purposes of illustration, comprises the usual metallic shell 1 which is adapted to be engaged in a threaded aperture leading into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine and which is provided with the usual sparking electrode 2. Se-

' cured axially in said shell 1 by means of the usual locking sleeve 3 is an insulator 4: which is constructed of porcelain or other suitable material and which has axially mounted therein a central sparking electrode 5 which extends downwardly through said insulator and through the interior of the shell 1 to a position opposite the sparking electrode 2 as shown in Figure 1. Said electrode 5 extends to the level of the upper surface of the insulator 4t and mounted on the upper end of said insulator is a metallic cap 6 which is provided with an integral upwardly extending threaded terminal post 7 adapted to receive a usual binding nut 9. Said cap 6 is preferably secured by crimping or spinning the lower edge of said cap in a peripheral groove formed near the upper end of the insulator 4, and the interior of said cap is cut away to afford a recess 9 which separates the cap from the end of the electrode 5 and affords an auxiliary or intensifying spark gap. Extending upwardly from said recess 9 is a recess 10 which is formed in the cap 6 directly above the electrode 5 and which is adapted loosely to receive a metallic ball 11 of greater diameter than the depth of the recess 9.

It is apparent from this construction that when the engine on which the spark plug is mounted is not in operation the ball 11 will remain seated on the upper end of the electrode 5 thus completing the circuit between said electrode and the cap 6 and short-circuiting the auxiliary spark gap afforded by the recess 9. After the engine is started the vibration thereof, and in case of use on motor vehicles the vibration of the vehicle, will cause the ball 11 to be thrown into the chamber 10 in the position shown in Figure 2 and the auxiliary intensifying spark gap will consequently be put in operation.

In the construction shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7, the interior of the cap 6 is cut away to form. a frustro-conical chamber '2 instead of the cylindrical chamber 10 so that when the engine is not in operation the ball 11 will move by gravity to the position indicated in Figure 7, and consequently short-circuit the auxiliary spark gap.

It will accordingly be observed that this invention provides means affording an in tensifying spark gap which is inherent in the spark plug itself and which is automatically short-circuited or cut out of operation when the engine is not running, so that the starting of the engine is facilitated.

When the engine is running the vibration thereof tends to move the ball 11 away from the end of the electrode and thus creates the auxiliary intensifying spark gap which adds greatly to the efliciency of the engine on which the spark plug is mounted.

It is, of course, understood that this in.- vention is not limited to constructions wherein. the intensifying spark gap assem bly is inherent in the spark plug, but that many details of construction may be varied through a wide range, and it is therefore not purposed to limit the patent otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a spark plug, an insulator, an electrode extending to the outer end thereof, a terminal cap from the insulator separated from the electrode to afford an auxiliary spark gap, and a metallic sphere movably retained within said cap and adapted in certain positions to sii'nultaneously contact both the electrode and the cap, and in other positions to be out of contact with one of them.

2. In a spark plug, an electrode, a con ducting member spaced away from said electrode, to afford an auxiliary spark gap, said member including guiding means, and a gravity operated device cooperating with said guiding means to bridge said spark gap when in the position to which it is moved by gravity.

In a spark plug, a body of insulation, an electrode extending theretln'ough, a cap spaced away from one surface of said body, and a loose conductor between said body and said cap, the distance that the cap is spaced away from said surface being in general smaller than the dimensions of said con ductor, said distance increasing at a point adjacent said electrode whereby at such point suflicient room is afforded for said conductor.

l. In a spark plug, a body of insulation, an electrode extending therethrough and terminating at one end flush. with one end surface thereof, a cap secured over said end, loose connecting means normally held by gravity in contact with said electrode end, and means for keeping said loose connecting means near said electrode end. whereby when said loose means is moved against gravity a spark gap will be provided at said electrode end.

In a spark plug, a central electrode having a plurality of spark gaps, and a member normally closing one of said gaps and susceptible of movement by vibration forces to open said gap.

6. In a spark plug, an insulated electrode having air gaps at each end, and a movable member normally closing one of said gaps and adapted intermittently to vary said gap.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two suoscribing witnesses.

IVILLARD E. LYONS.

itnesses CHARLES IV. Hints, Jr, CARLTON HILL.

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