US2253225A - Spark plug cleaner - Google Patents

Description

c. E; BOWES ETAL SPARK PLUG CLEANER Filed 001;. 4', 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 J/v 14w 70,95

CHARLES f. Boa/5 Aug. 19, 1941; c. BQWES ETAL I 2,253,225

SPARK PLUG CLEANER Filed Oct. 4, 1939 :s Sheets-Sheet s Patented Aug. 19, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SPARK PLUG CLEANER Charles E. Bowes, Paul G. Andre's, and Thomas W. Mullen, Indianapolis, Ind., assig'nors to Bow'es Seal Fast Corporation, Indianapolis, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Application October 4, 1939, Serial No. 297,804

8 Claims.

This invention relates to means for cleaning spark plugs of the type commonly employed upon internal coinbustion engines and has for a primary object the provision cf a very simple and yet effective structure wherein the plug may be applied thereto for cleaning and the abrasive cleaning material may be applied under air pressure and recovered, all without having to employ screens or the like to separate dust from the cleaning material.

A further primary object of the invention is to provide an unique structure permitting continuous use and reuse of the finely divided abrasive material without escape therefrom even though air pressure is applied in the step of carrying it against the sparkplug. In order to permit efiective use of air pressure as a means of feed ing the abrasive material against the spark plug, a flow of air must be had. In other words, where the end of the plug is presented within a closed vessel, there must be some means provided for escape of air from that vessel in order to permit the existence of the current of air as required. In the structures heretofore known, the discharge of air from the clcsed vessel has been such that the finely divided dust particles resulting fromthe abrasionfof the spark plug and its cleaning escape into the atmosphere, resulting in inconvenience and also being detrimental to the health of the operator. prevents this escape of dust and yet permits the escape of air, at the same time separately collecting the dust for reinoval so that the main body of abrasive material is retained in a condition free from this dust and foreign matter.

These and many other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those versed in the art in the following description which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a structure embodying the invention;

Fig. 2, a top plan view: I

Fig. 3, a central longitudinal, vertical section in part on the line 3- 3 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4, a horizontal transverse section on the line 4-4 in Fig. 3; I

Fig. 5, a similarsection at a higher elevation on the line 5-5 in Fig. 3; A

Fig. 6, a detail in horizontal transverse section on the line 6-6 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 7, a top plan view of the air directing nozzle; and t v Fig. 8, a vertical transverse section on the line 3-4 in Fig- 3.

Our invention Like characters of reference indicate like parts throughout the various views in the drawings.

Upon a suitable base I0, herein shown as made of sheet metal, is mounted a valve body II con sisting essentially of a cylindrical length of metal having a bore I2 entering from its top side. An air line I3 is connected to the body II incommunication with a passageway I l discharging laterally through a side of the bore I2.

In the bore I2 is inserted a cylindrical projection [5 from a disc I6 which has asufiiciently large diameter to rest over the topside of the body II. The projection I5 carries a circumferential groove I'I therea'round immediately under the disc part IS. The disc I6 and its projection I5 are made out of a resilient material such as rubber or preferably a synthetic rubberwhich will not deteriorate in the presence of oil and air Axially through the disc I5 and its projecti'on I5 extends a bore in which is revolvably carried a stern I8. A plate I9 fits over the top of the disc I6 and has a plurality of screws passing downwardly therethrough to engage in the body I I as a means of retaining the projec tion I5 within the bore I2.

The projection I5 has a transverse bore ZI, Fig. 4, entirely through the neck portion whereby a passageway is provided from the annular groove I! to discharge into the axial bore through the disc l6 and pro ection I5 and in which the stem I8 is positioned. The stem 18 is providedwith a pair of spaced apart passageways 22 and 23 respectively leading inwardly from its cylindrical face to communicate with cerresponding upwardly directed passageways 24 and 25 respectively. The iower' end of the stem I8 rests in direct contact with a metallic face presented by the body I I at the lower end of the bore through the projection I5. A passageway 26 is provided through the member I I fromtn central portion thereof immediately under the stem I8 to discharge externally of the member. U

Secured to the stem I8 above theplate" I9 is a metallic receptacle 21. In the form herein shown, this receptacle 21 has a lower cylindrical portion, the under side of which is conically formed to terminate with an intuined flange 2t gripped between a pair of lock nuts 29 and 30 screw threadedly engaging about the stem I8. A major bore 3| is provided in the upper end of the stern I8 and a tube 311s engaged therein by any suitable means, such as by screw threads. A shell 33 in the nature of a tube of greater diameter than that of the tube}: is engaged over the upper end of the stem I8 by any snitable means, such as by screw-threads, to extend upwardly in telescoping relation spaced from and along the tube 32. The upper end of the shell 33 is closed over against the inner tube 32 a short distance below the upper end of the tube 32. A plurality of openings 34, herein shown as three in number, Fig. '7, are provided in the upper closed end of the shell 33 immediately adjacent the tube 32. Transversely through the stem I3 are a number of upwardly inclined transverse passageways 35, herein shown as two in number, discharging into the central bore 3| to communicate with the bore through the tube 32.

The upper end of the receptacle 21 flares outwardly into a turned up flange 36. An inverted cup 31 is frictionally engaged within the flange 36 and has its upper end spaced a distance above the discharge end of the tube 32 sufiicient to permit clearance of the lower end of the spark plug (not shown) when inserted through the flexible throat 38 centrally positioned in the upper end of the cup. This throat 38 consists essentially of an elastic material, such as rubber but preferably synthetic rubber, formed in the nature of a grommet to have an annular groove about its periphery receiving the edge 39 of an opening in the top of the cup 31. The central part of the member 38 is provided with a hole 43 therethrough smaller in diameter than the threaded portion of the spark plug to be tested. This central portion is in the nature of a diaphragm, being much thinner in cross section than the external peripheral portion which carries the groove therearound.

It is to be noted that the upper end of the cup 31 is provided with a central circular boss 4| extending upwardly. This boss 4| serves as a pilot by extending with a running fit through a hole provided in a cover 42 which is supported by the base I5, here shown as indirectly by an intermediate base portion 51, the exact means of support and connection between the base I!) and the cover 42 being immaterial to the present invention.

The cup 31 has a side outlet 43 passing through a nipple around which is clamped a hose 44 integrally extending from a bag 45, The bag 45 is detachably secured to the nipple by means of the clamp 46 so that it may be removed for emptying.

A cylindrical metal sleeve 55 is carried within the cup 31 suspended from the top thereof. In the present form, the sleeve 55 fits within the upwardly extending cup boss 4| and is welded thereto. The sleeve 55 is axially aligned with the cup 31 and extends downwardly'in spaced relation around the tube 33 to terminate well down therealong, terminating in the present illustration on a level with the underside of the cup 31. While the sleeve 55 may be made of two parts to achieve the desired length, it may be made in one length, the number of pieces depending upon mechanical expediency in forming.

On th side of the sleeve 55 diametrically opposite the outlet 43 in the cup 31, is provided a discharge hole 56 at an elevation above the top of the tubes 32 and 33.

In operation, air is supplied under pressure from any suitable source, such as from the usual tire pump supply. This supply is controlled through a valve 41 to flow through the pipe I3 and around the groove l1. The pressur thus applied serves to press the projection l inwardly to form an air-tight fit about the lower end of the stem l8, and also serves to press downwardly to sealthe lower face of the projection l5 against the end of the bore in the member Any air that might escape around and under the projection l5 discharges under the stem I8 and is immediately conducted outwardly through the passageway 26 without being permitted to build up pressure under the stem l8. Therefore, no pressure can be exerted even if leakage exists that would tend to lift the stem I8 upwardly. A lever 48 is fixed to the receptacle 21 and extends outwardly through a slot in the cover 42. The passageways 22 and 23 are arranged in relation to the transverse passageway 2| in the rubber projection l5 and to the position of the lever 48 to have the passageway 2| intermediate of the passageways 22 and 23 when the handle 48 is in the central position as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, this being the position Where no air is admitted to either passageway 22 or 23 from the groove H. The lever 48 is then shifted to the right, Figs. 1 and 2, to shift the stem 8 to bring the passageway 23 into register with the passageway 2| and thereby permit air to be discharged through the tube 32. As the air travels up this tube 32 under suitable pressure (generally between 75 and 125 pounds) abrasive material (not shown) carried in the receptacle 21 is drawn inwardly through the passageways 35 and carried upwardly in this current of air to be directed against the lower end of the spark plug which is positioned through the hole 43 in the grommet 38, the idea being to shoot this abrasive material against the insulating member and within the bore of the plug shell around the insulating member so as to clean out all of the carbon and foreign matter and leave the porcelain in a clean condition. This abrasive material is of the usual type in fine granular form so it will flow freely through the passageways 35 under the ejector action of the blast of air through the tube 32.

Following the initial blasting action as just indicated, the lever 48 is then shifted to the lefthand position. In this position, the passageway 23 is then closed ofi and the passageway 22 is registered with the passageway 2| to have the air fiow then through the space within the shell 33 outside of the tube 32. Air discharges from this space through the orifices 34 to blow away any remaining particles of the abrasive material that may be adhering to the spark plug and also to remove any of the dust and lighter foreign particles therefrom.

In order that both the blasting and cleaning operations may be successfully performed, it is necessary to permit escape of air from the enclosing cup 31. It is to be noted that th diameter of this cup 31 is considerable in relation to the diameters of the tube 32 and the shell 33. This relatively large volume of the cup 31 is purposely employed to permit a quick reduction in pressure of the air within the cup so that the heavy particles carried upwardly in the blast from the tube 32 will tend to drop downwardly within the receptacle 31, at least following paths that would be below the level of the discharge opening 43. The pressure within the cup 31 is relieved by escape of air through the opening 43.

It is to be noted that direct discharge of the air from the tubes 32 and 33 is not into the cup 31 but immediately into the sleeve 55 which is open at the lower end to permit a quick reduction in pressure within the sleeve. The air blast from the tube 32 is within the sleeve 55 and the abrasiveparticles strike the sleeve wall in part upon dropping downwardly from the air current, and

such xparticles return "by gravity to the supply in the receptacle 21.. The dust particles, however,

of such fineness as not to .be hnmediatelyafiected by the pull of gravity within the sleeve 55 tend to be carried out through the upper discharge hole 56 in the current of air escaping therefrom.

As indicated by the above description of the structure, the air discharging through the hole :56 is directed toward the wall of the cup 31 to a side opposite the cup outlet 43. This means that the air current is reduced in velocity by reason of expansion of the air intothe larger cup 31. Also, the air current is given a swirling action upon being reversed in direction and turned around by the cup wall and directed thereby toward the outlet 43 to escape into the filter bag 45. During this reduction in velocity and change in direction of flow, the heavier abrasive particles carried along by the current through the sleeve hole 56, are dropped from the air current'under the constant downward pull of gravity, the change in flow direction particularly aiding in throwing the particles out of the air stream.

Hence by the time the air reaches the cup outlet 43, the heavierusable particles of the abrasive are separated from the air and returned to the receptacle 2'! for re-use, and at the same time, the fine dust is carried out of the cleaner to the bag 45, and the bag is kept free of the heavy particles. the fabric bag 45 where is is retained as the air escapes through the fabric in the same manner as the dust is separated .in the usual collecting bag on a vacuum carpet sweeper. It is understood that the bag 45 is of sufficient close mesh that the dust will be retained but air will be permitted to escape therefrom.

Thus it is to be seen that the invention provides a structure that is exceedingly simple to manufacture and yet very effective in its operation and action. By providing the boss 4| to serve as a top pilot bearing, the stem l8 may be oscillated in its valve-like structure at the lower end without having to provide any other type of bearing, particularly since the disc I6 and its projection are resilient in nature and maintained in sealing contact with thestem If! by the pressure of the air itself. The cover 42 prevents any accidental lifting of the stem 18 and its carried parts. It is to be noted that the cover 42 is secured in its seated position by screws 49, the under member 51 being likewise secured by the screws .50 to thebase t0.

While we have herein shown and described our invention in the one best form as now known to us, it is obvious that structural changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and we, therefore, do not desire to be limited to that precise for-m beyond the limitations as may be imposed by the following claims.

We claim:

1. In a spark plug cleaning device, a stem, an abrasive carrying receptacle carried by the stem, an abrasive ejector nozzle in the receptacle extending from said stem, valve means associated with saidstem for controlling flow of air through said nozzle, an expansion chamber into which said nozzle discharges and having a pressure discharge opening, a dust filter bag fixed over said opening, and a spark plug carrying flexible throat carried by said chamber in substantial axial alignment with said nozzle, said stem being rockably connected with said valve means, and means for rocking said stem to effect said air control, said stem having a peripheral orifice This dust-laden air passes into communicating with a passageway through the stem from said nozzle to said orifice, and said valve means comprising a resilient, stem encircling thimble mounted within a cup and sealed thereover, and air conducting means through said cup, said thimble having an annular, external passageway therearound into which said air means discharges to press said thimble around said stem, and a passageway through said thimble selectively registrable with said stem orifice upon said rocking of the stem.

2. In a spark plug cleaning device, a stem, an abrasive carrying receptacle carried by the stem, an abrasive ejector nozzle in the receptacle extending from said stem, valve means associated with said stem for controlling flow of air through said nozzle, an expansion chamber into which said nozzle discharges and having a pressure discharge opening, a dust filter bag fixed over said opening, and a spark plug carrying flexible throat carried by said chamber in substantial axial alignment with said nozzle, said receptacle being substantially funnel shaped, said chamber comprising an inverted cap telescopically fitting with said receptacle, and said nozzle being axially aligned with the receptacle axis extending upwardly from thebase thereof and having a plurality of abrasive inlet gholes near the junction of the nozzle and the receptacle, and a tubular envelope surrounding said nozzle sealed off from flow of abrasive therein and having at least one air discharge orifice at its upper end, and air passage means from said valve means through said stem into said envelope.

3. In a spark plug cleaning device, .a stem, an abrasive carrying receptacle carried by the stem, an abrasive ejector nozzle in the receptacle extending from said stem, valve means associated with said stem for controlling flow of air through said nozzle, an expansion chamber into which said nozzle discharges and having a pressure discharge opening, a dust filter bag fixed over said opening, and a spark plug carrying flexible throat carried by said chamber in substantial axial alignment with said nozzle, said stem being rockably connected with and forming a part of said valve means, and means for rocking said stem to effect said air control, said chamber being carried by said receptacle and shiftable therewith upon rocking of said stem.

4. In a spark plug cleaning device, a valve having a central vertical bore, a stem entered in said bore and bearing by one end against an end of the bore, an abrasive carrying receptacle fixed on the stem above said valve, said stem having air passageways with inlet orifices selectively registrable with an orifice in said valve within said bore, a nozzle tube extending upwardly from said stem in said receptacle and having one of said stem passageways discharging therein, said tube having at least one inlet passageway near its basefrom said receptacle into the tube, a closure over said receptacle forming an expansion chamber with top and side walls spaced from said nozzle, said closure having a discharge opening in its side wall near its top, said chamber being of sufficient diameter to permit nozzle ejected abrasive particles to fall by gravity between the nozzle and the chamber side wall to cause separation of those particles from an air flow through said discharge opening, a dust filter receptacle connecting with said discharge opening, a resilient spark plug holder in a wall of said closure toward which holder said nozzle is directed, an air conductor leading from the other of said stem passageways also discharging toward said holder, and means for shifting said stem in said valve.

5. In a spark plug cleaning device, a valve having a central vertical bore, a stem entered in said bore and bearing by one end against an end of the bore, an abrasive carrying receptacle fixed on the stem above said valve, said stem having air passageways with inlet orifices selectively registrable with an orifice in said valve within said bore, a nozzle tube extending upwardly from said stem in said receptacle and having one of said stem passageways discharging therein, said tube having at least one inlet passageway near its base from said receptacle into the tube, a closure over said receptacle forming an expansion chamber with top and side walls spaced from said nozzle, said closure having a discharge opening in its side wall near its top, said chamber being of suflicient diameter to permit nozzle ejected abrasive particles to fall by gravity between the nozzle and the chamber side wall to cause separation of those particles from an air flow through said discharge opening, a dust filter receptacle connecting with said discharge opening, a resilient spark plug holder in 4 a wall of said closure toward which holder said nozzle is directed, an air conductor leading from the other of said stem passageways also discharging toward said holder, and means for shifting said stem in said valve, said shifting means consisting of a lever extending from said receptacle, and a housing stationary in respect to said stem and the receptacle and closure carried thereon, said housing having guide means cooperating with said closure for maintaining said stem in alignment with said valve.

6. In a spark plug cleaning device, a valve having a central vertical bore, a stem entered in said bore and bearing by one end against an end of the bore, an abrasive carrying receptacle fixed L on the stem above said valve, said stem having air passageways with inlet orifices selectively registrable with an orifice in said valve within said bore, a nozzle tube extending upwardly from said stem in said receptacle and having one of said stem passageways discharging therein, said tube having at least one inlet passageway near its base from said receptacle into the tube, a closure over said receptacle forming an expansion chamber with top and side walls spaced from said nozzle, said closure having a discharge opening in its side wall near its top, said chamber being of sufficient diameter to permit nozzle ejected abrasive particles to fall by gravity between the nozzle and the chamber side wall to cause separation of those particles from an air flow through said discharge opening, a dust filter receptacle connecting with said discharge opening, a resilient spark plug holder in a wall of said closure toward which holder said nozzle is directed, an air conductor leading from the other of said stem passageways also discharging toward said holder, and means for shifting said stem in said valve, said shifting means consisting of a lever extending from said receptacle, and a housing stationary in respect to said stem and the receptacle and closure carried thereon, said housing having guide means cooperating with said closure for maintaining said stem in alignment with said valve, said guide means consisting of a hole through the housing and a part at least of said closure revolvably entering the housing hole.

7. In a spark plug cleaning device, a valve having a central vertical bore, a stem entered in said bore and hearing by one end against an end of the bore, an abrasive carrying receptacle fixed on the stem above said valve, said stem having air passageways with inlet orifices selectively registrable with an orifice in said valve within said bore, a nozzle tube extending upwardly from said stem in said receptacle and having one of said stem passageways discharging therein, said tube having at least one inlet passageway near its base from said receptacle into the tube, a closure over said receptacle forming an expansion chamber with top and side walls spaced from said nozzle, said closure having a discharge opening in its side wall near its top, said chamber being of sufiicient diameter to permit nozzle ejected abrasive particles to fall by gravity between the nozzle and the chamber side wall to cause separation of those particles from an air flow through said discharge opening, a dust filter receptacle connecting with said discharge opening, a resilient spark plug holder in a wall of said closure toward which holder said nozzle is directed, an air conductor leading from the other of said stem passageways also discharging toward said holder, and means for shifting said stem in said valve, said shifting means consisting of a lever extending from said receptacle, and a housing stationary in respect to said stem and the receptacle and closure carried thereon, said housing having guide means cooperating with said closure for maintaining said stem in alignment with said valve, said guide means consisting of a hole through the housing and a part at least of said closure revolvably entering the housing hole, said housing hole being smaller in diameter than the diameter of said closure, and said closure part consisting of a boss entering said housing hole.

8. In a spark plug cleaning device, a vertically directed stem, an abrasive carrying receptacle carried by the stem, an abrasive ejector nozzle in the receptacle extending vertically from said stem, valve means associated with said stem for controlling flow of air through said nozzle, an expansion chamber into which said nozzle discharges and having a pressure laterally discharging opening, a dust collecting filter bag fixed over said opening and extending therebelow, and a spark plug carrying flexible throat carried by said chamber in substantial axial alignment with said nozzle, and a cylindrical wall surrounding said nozzle spaced both from the nozzle and the wall of said chamber and opening across its lower end into said chamber, said cylindrical wall having a lateral discharge opening directed oppositely from said chambe opening.

CHARLES E. BOWES. PAUL G. ANDRES. THOMAS W. MULLEN.

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