Multi-Electrode Spark Plug
OwnerLaurian Petru Chirilainventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multi-electrode spark plug having a large spark target volume is disclosed. The spark plugs have a plurality of ground electrode rods which extend from the base of the spark plug and are twisted around center electrode to provide a plurality of substantially equidistant spark points relative to the center electrode. The spark points are formed in parallel and around the elongated axis of the spark plug. This configuration enables the spark to be created where the localized concentration of fuel to air is richer, such as that which may exist when the engine is operating with lower revolutions per minute. Test results indicate that automobiles equipped with the multi-electrode spark plugs exhibit improved fuel economy, and substantially reduced emissions and air pollution.
Claims21
1-20. (canceled)
A spark plug comprising:
- an insulating body having an open bore;
- a tubular conductive shell surrounding at least a portion of the insulating body;
- a cylindrical center electrode positioned within the bore of the insulating body, the center electrode having a central longitudinal axis, the center electrode protruding from the insulating body forming a terminal end portion adapted to act as a spark generating portion;
- and,
- a plurality of ground electrodes surrounding the center, each ground electrode having a base end coupled to the conductive shell and an elongated upper portion that extends from the base end to a distal end that is longitudinally spaced from the base end and that also curves around the central longitudinal axis to form a generally curved path and provide an elongated inner surface having a radial spark gap distance from the spark generating portion of the center electrode.
A spark plug comprising:
- an insulating body having an open bore;
- a tubular conductive shell surrounding at least a portion of the insulating body;
- a cylindrical center electrode positioned within the bore of the insulating body, the center electrode having a central longitudinal axis, the center electrode protruding from the insulating body forming a terminal end portion adapted to act as a spark generating portion;
- and,
- a plurality of cylindrical ground electrodes surrounding the center electrode, each ground electrode having a base end coupled to the conductive shell and an elongated upper portion that extends from the base end to a distal end that is longitudinally spaced from the base and that also curves around the central longitudinal axis to form a generally curved path and provide an elongated inner surface having a radial spark gap distance from the spark generating portion of the center electrode, the plurality of ground electrodes having a first set of ground electrodes and a second set of ground electrodes, the first set of ground electrodes having a first radial spark distance, the second set of ground electrodes having a second radial spark distance, the first radial spark distance differing the from the second spark distance.
A spark plug comprising:
- a cylindrical center electrode having a central longitudinal axis, the center electrode forming a terminal end portion adapted to act as a spark generating portion;
- and,
- a plurality of ground electrodes surrounding the center electrode, each ground electrode having a base and an elongated upper portion that extends from the base end to a distal end that is longitudinally spaced from the base end and that also curves around the central longitudinal axis to form a generally curved path and provide an elongated inner surface having a radial spark gap distance from the center electrode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.