Pre-Chamber Spark Plug
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorJohn R. Brubaker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A spark plug for an internal combustion engine includes a body that includes a terminal post, a central electrode, and a mounting sleeve that includes a threaded portion. A precombustion cavity is defined within the body. A free end of the central electrode extends into the precombustion cavity, and a plurality of posts is disposed through the mounting sleeve at the threaded portion, each of the plurality of posts protruding at least partially into the chamber by a predetermined distance (d). An electrode having one or more limbs is connected to the free end of the central electrode. A cap is disposed to close an open end of the precombustion cavity.
Claims20
A spark plug for an internal combustion engine, comprising:
- a body that includes a terminal post adapted for connection to a source of electrical potential;
- a central electrode that is electrically connected to the terminal post;
- a mounting sleeve that includes a threaded portion, wherein the central electrode extends at least partially through the mounting sleeve;
- an internal insulator disposed between at least a portion of the central electrode and the mounting sleeve;
- a precombustion cavity defined partially within the body and between the mounting sleeve and the threaded portion, wherein a free end of the central electrode extends into the precombustion cavity;
- a plurality of posts disposed through the mounting sleeve at the threaded portion, each of the plurality of posts protruding at least partially into the chamber by a predetermined distance (d);
- an electrode having one or more limbs connected to the free end of the central electrode, each of the one or more limbs extending into the precombustion cavity and being disposed at a respective gap from a corresponding one of the plurality of posts, each respective gap having a predetermined length (D);
- and
- a cap disposed to close an open end of the precombustion cavity, the cap being connected to the threaded portion and having a cupped end forming one or more openings.
A spark plug for an internal combustion engine, the spark plug comprising:
- a body having a centerline extending along an axial direction, the body including a terminal post adapted for connection to a source of electrical potential;
- a central electrode that is electrically connected to the terminal post;
- a threaded portion connected to the terminal post via a mounting sleeve, the threaded portion forming a bore having an open end opposite the terminal post in the axial direction;
- a precombustion cavity defined in the body in an area opposite the terminal post, the precombustion cavity defined within and occupying the bore in the threaded portion;
- a cap connected to the threaded portion and closing the open end;
- wherein a free end of the central electrode extends into the precombustion cavity and is connected to an electrode having one or more limbs, each of the one or more limbs extending into the precombustion cavity;
- a plurality of posts disposed through the threaded portion and protruding into the chamber by a predetermined distance (d);
- wherein each of the plurality of posts is disposed at a respective gap from a corresponding one of the one or more limbs, each respective gap having a predetermined length (D).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.