US1620341A - Spark plug - Google Patents

Description

March 8 1927' G. w. GARDNER srARK PLUG Filed Feb.1. 1926 Patented Mar. 8, 1927. i

UNITED STATES GEORGE W. GARDNER, Oli" FLINT, MICHIGAN.

SPARK PLUG.

Application filed February This invention has relation to spark plugs for internal combustion engines, and more particularly to the formation and construction of the points or electrodes thereof.

The main object of the invention, is the provision of a spark plug which shall bc quite simple and inexpensive to manufacture, or repair, should any of its parts become broken or injured, of assemblage and application, as well as, of such construction, arrangement and formation of certain of its parts, as to afford a more highly efficient device of this character or class, than has heretofore been in common or general use, especially, with regard to the characteristics of the sparks produced and the cleanliness of the points or electrodes, or the prevention or elimination of carbon thereon or therefrom.

More specifically speaking, the invention contemplates as another of its objects, a spark plug in which the primary and secondary electrodes or points thereof, each has its adjacent end to the other electrode split, or provided with a reversed substantially V-shaped recess in register with one another, thereby forming a substantially diamond shaped opening between the adjacent ends of the electrodes for increasing their sparking capacity and causing the electric current to spread and jump all through the split portions of the electrodes.

The invention also has as one of its features, the provision of the adjacent walls of said recesses each with an edge formed substantially, knife edged in shape, whereby the current will be caused to be condensed in its act of jumping or passing from the side walls of one of the recesses to the other side walls of the same recess, and from thence through the adjacent faces of the split electrodes, which faces are spaced the required distance apart and provide the `requisite sparking gap between them. Also, this forf mation of the walls of each recess serves to .make them self-cleaning, or reduces to a minimum the accumulation of carbon or oil at the tips or adjacent faces of the electrodes, thereby causing them to effect a stronger, more positive or certain sparking action.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and explanation.

The invention consists in certain peculiarities, of the construction, novel combina- 1, 1926. Serial No. 85,177.

tion and arrangement of the various parts thereof, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth and specifically claimed.

in the accompanying drawing, which serves to `illustrate an embodiment of the invcntion:

Figure l. is a view in elevation of a spark plug embodying my invention showing the parts thereof in about the positions they will occupy when the device is ready for use.

Figure 2 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation, showing the` sides of the electrodes, and

Figure 3 is a similar view, but showing face views of parts of the electrodes.

Similar numerals of reference designate like parts throughout the different views of l 1 the drawing. Y

The spark plug is shown in the present instance, of the separable type for the convenience of repairing the same, but it will be understood that the illustration is for the purpose of eXemplifioation only, and that other types, or the standard makes, maybe employed; without a departure from the spirit of my invention, so long as they employ electrodes of the construction covered by the appended claim.

By reference to the drawing, it will be understood that the spark plug is made up of a centrally hollow plug 4, which has its lower portion screw threaded as at 5, to engage an opening in the cylinder of an internal combustion engine, and its upper portion formed with an angular head 6, which can be engaged by a wrench used for attaching said plug in place, and a porcelain, or an insulator core 7, having a central bore eX- tended longitudinally therethrough. The member 7, is fitted in the hollow ofpthe plug 4, and held in place by means of a surrounding nut 8, engaging the screw threaded portion of the upper part of said plug.

Extended through the bore of the core 7, is the primary electrode 9, the lower end of which projects slightly beyond the lower ex'- tremity of the member 4, as shown, and has said end split as will be presently explained. The upper end of the electrode 9, extends through the upper end of the core 7, and has thereon a nut 10, used for fastening it to one of the current wires of an ignition system (not shown).

Fixed in a suitable opening in the lower edge of the member 4, is the upper end of the secondary electrode 1l, the opposite portion ot' which is curved inwardly and upwardly so that its said vertical part aligns with the lower portion of the primary electrode. As shown, the adjacent extremity ot each otthe electrodes is split, or pi'o\\'ided each with a pair ot diverging prongs 12, and 13, which are spaced apart, but i. ith their tip ends i registry with one another to provide the requisite sparking gap. The tips or faces of the ends ot the prongs are preferably ilat and the inner surface of each ot the prongs l2, and 18, are usually ot a knife-edge structure, as shown.

t is apparent that by employing a spark plug,` embodying,v iny inuiroveinents, the points of tl s, electrodes can be tornied by the use ot suitable dies, are preferably niade ot basic wire ot suitable sii/ie, and that the sparking),l e'liiciency oi the plug;` will be increased, inore reliable and the sparks stronger or more intense in heat.

It is further obvious, that by reason of the divergjen-iiry ot the prongs 12, and 13, or rather, by reason et the divergency of the inner surfaces oit each pair ot said prongs, and by reason ot the 'fact that the end oij each electrode is split, the inner surfaces vwill be shielded by the outer portions of each split or recess, as well as the tips and thus prevent the accumulation ot' foreign matter thereon. f

llaving thus tuliy described the. invention, what it claini as new and desire to Secure by Letters Patent is;

in a spark plug, the combination with a plug` having;` means to secure it to a cylinder ot an engine, ot priniary and secondary electrodes mounted thereon and l'iafingv one ot' their ends in juxtaposition and substair tial. ali gnnient with each other, each ot said adjacent ends ot said electrodes having a )air ot' divereent )roues havin@ their or C C D tions adjacent their tips reduced.

GEURGE lV. GARDNER.

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