Shielded spark plug extension for conventional spark plugs
AssigneeCummins Inc.
InventorsAlan C. Anderson, Irvin P. Rutan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A shielded ignition configuration is provided comprising a non-shield spark plug having an electrode, a spark plug extender having first end configured to mount to the spark plug such that a conductor of the extender makes electrical contact with the spark plug electrode, a second end having a cup configured for connection to a secondary lead such that the conductor makes electrical contact with the secondary lead, and a flange, and at least one retainer configured to engage the flange and cause a lower surface of the flange to engage an upper surface of a valve cover.
Claims21
A shielded ignition configuration, comprising:
- a non-shielded spark plug having an electrode;
- a spark plug extender having a first end configured to mount to the spark plug such that a conductor of the extender makes electrical contact with the spark plug electrode, a second end having a cup configured for connection to a secondary lead such that the conductor makes electrical contact with the secondary lead, and a flange;
- and
- at least one retainer configured to engage the flange and cause a lower surface of the flange to engage an upper surface of a valve cover.
A shielded spark plug extender, comprising:
- an elongate body having a first end and a second end;
- a receptacle disposed at the first end configured for coupling to a standard spark plug;
- a cup disposed at the second end, the second end having threads to engage corresponding threads on a secondary lead to retain the secondary lead in contact with the cup;
- a conductor extending between the receptacle and the cup, the conductor providing electrical connection between the spark plug and the cup;
- a flange extending outwardly from the body adjacent the second end, the flange having a lower surface for engaging an upper surface of a valve cover and the flange and the elongate body being formed of a single, unitary piece;
- and
- at least one retainer configured to engage the valve cover to retain the lower surface of the flange in engagement with the upper surface of the valve cover.
An engine, comprising:
- a cylinder head having at least one spark plug cavity formed therein;
- a valve cover mounted to the cylinder head, the valve cover having an upper surface;
- a spark plug mounted in the spark plug cavity;
- a coil mounted to the engine remotely of the valve cover;
- a secondary lead coupled to the coil;
- a spark plug tube extending between the cylinder head and the valve cover;
- and
- a shielded spark plug extender having
- an elongate body extending through the tube having a first end extending from the tube into the spark plug cavity and a second end extending from the tube and through the upper surface of the valve cover,
- a receptacle disposed at the first end configured for coupling to the spark plug, the receptacle having a contact for contacting an electrode of the spark plug,
- a cup disposed at the second end, the second end having threads to engage corresponding threads on the secondary lead to retain the secondary lead in contact with the cup,
- a conductor extending between the receptacle and the cup, the conductor providing electrical connection between the spark plug and the cup,
- a flange extending outwardly from the body adjacent the second end, the flange having a lower surface for engaging the upper surface of the valve cover, and
- at least one retainer configured to engage the valve cover to retain the lower surface of the flange in engagement with the upper surface of the valve cover.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.