# US 12,003,077 B2 · Method for installing spark plugs on a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine, and internal combustion engine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,003,077 B2 - Document ID: US12003077B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/238,576 - Filed: 2023-08-28 - Published: 2024-02-29 - Granted: 2024-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2022-08-29 - Assignees: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft - Applicants: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft - Inventors: Karsten Michels; Reinhard Strich - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12003077B2 ## CPC - H01T 13/08: Mounting, fixing or sealing of sparking plugs, e.g. in combustion chamber - F02F 1/242: {Arrangement of spark plugs or injectors} - H01T: SPARK GAPS; OVERVOLTAGE ARRESTERS USING SPARK GAPS; SPARKING PLUGS; CORONA DEVICES; GENERATING IONS TO BE INTRODUCED INTO NON-ENCLOSED GASES (overvoltage protection circuits H02H) - F02F: CYLINDERS, PISTONS OR CASINGS, FOR COMBUSTION ENGINES; ARRANGEMENTS OF SEALINGS IN COMBUSTION ENGINES ## Abstract A method for installing spark plugs on a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine. An oriented thread is incorporated in the spark plug and a corresponding internal thread is incorporated in a hole for receiving a spark plug in the cylinder head of the internal combustion engine. A sealing element is arranged between a contact surface on the cylinder head and a shoulder on the spark plug. The spark plug is inserted in the hole in the cylinder head and the thread of the spark plug is screwed into the internal thread of the hole. A fine alignment of the spark plug is performed in terms of a position with respect to angle of rotation relative to the combustion chamber, wherein the sealing element is pressed together during the fine alignment until a final angular position of the spark plug is reached. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for installing a spark plug on a cylinder head of a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, the method comprising: incorporating an oriented thread on the spark plug and a corresponding internal thread in a hole in the cylinder head of the internal combustion engine for receiving the spark plug; arranging a sealing element between a contact surface of the cylinder head and a shoulder of the spark plug; inserting the spark plug in the hole in the cylinder head and screwing the thread of the spark plug into the internal thread of the hole; and finely aligning the spark plug in terms of a position with respect to an angle of rotation relative to the combustion chamber, wherein the sealing element is pressed during the fine alignment until a final angular position of the spark plug is reached, wherein a check is made once the final angular position is reached as to whether a predetermined threshold value for a minimum installation torque has been reached, and if it has not been reached, then the spark plug is rotated further by 360°. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method for installing the spark plug according to claim 1, wherein a first orientation mark is provided on the spark plug, and wherein the final angular position is adjusted on the basis of a position of the orientation mark. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method for installing the spark plug according to claim 2, wherein a second orientation mark is provided, the second orientation mark being formed on the cylinder head, wherein the final angular position of the spark plug is reached when the first orientation mark and the second orientation mark are brought into superposition. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method for installing the spark plug according to claim 1, wherein a recess or a projection is formed on a wrench flat of the spark plug, wherein a tool for installing the spark plug produces a positive-locking connection with the recess or the projection. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method for installing the spark plug according to claim 1, wherein a fine-pitch thread is formed on both the spark plug and the cylinder head, and/or wherein the threads have a reduced thread pitch as compared to a standard thread. ### Claim 6 A method for installing a spark plug on a cylinder head of a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, the method comprising: incorporating an oriented thread on the spark plug and a corresponding internal thread in a hole in the cylinder head of the internal combustion engine for receiving the spark plug; arranging a sealing element between a contact surface of the cylinder head and a shoulder of the spark plug; inserting the spark plug in the hole in the cylinder head and screwing the thread of the spark plug into the internal thread of the hole; and finely aligning the spark plug in terms of a position with respect to an angle of rotation relative to the combustion chamber, wherein the sealing element is pressed during the fine alignment until a final angular position of the spark plug is reached, wherein a coarse alignment of the rotation angle position of the spark plug, when it is being screwed into the cylinder head, is carried out under torque control and the fine alignment of the spark plug is carried out under control of the angle of rotation. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An internal combustion engine having at least one combustion chamber and one cylinder head with at least one hole for receiving a spark plug, wherein the spark plug is installed according to the method of claim 1. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The internal combustion engine according to claim 7, wherein the spark plug is a prechamber spark plug. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The internal combustion engine according to claim 7, wherein the spark plug is a hook spark plug.