Spark plug with pressure sensor
AssigneeCooper Automotive Products, Inc.
InventorRobert S. Ingham
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A spark plug is installed in an internal combustion engine to monitor engine performance. The spark plug includes an outer shell having a central longitudinal axis and defining a first bore extending along the central longitudinal axis. The outer shell also includes a second bore that is offset from the central longitudinal axis. An insulative core is positioned in the first bore and defines a third bore concentric with the first bore. A first electrode is positioned in and has a firing end extending beyond the third bore. A second electrode including a firing surface is located adjacent to the firing end of the first electrode. A sensor is located within the third bore.
Claims15
A spark plug comprising:
- an outer shell having a central longitudinal axis and defining both a first bore extending along the central longitudinal axis and a second bore that is located internally within the outer shell, the second bore having an axis which is offset from the central longitudinal axis;
- an insulative core positioned in the first bore and defining a third bore concentric with the first bore;
- a first electrode positioned in and having a firing end extending beyond the third bore;
- a second electrode including a firing surface located adjacent to the firing end of the first electrode;
- and
- a sensor located within the second bore.
A method of installing a spark plug into a combustion engine to permit monitoring of the engine's performance, the method comprising:
- mounting a spark plug with a sensor in a combustion cylinder of the engine, wherein the spark plug is comprised of an outer shell, an insulative core, first and second electrodes, and a sensor, the outer shell having a central longitudinal axis and defining both a first bore extending along the central longitudinal axis and a second bore that is located internally within the outer shell, the second bore having an axis which is offset from the central longitudinal axis, the insulative core being positioned in the first bore and defining a third bore concentric with the first bore, the first electrode positioned in and having a firing and extending beyond the third bore, the second electrode including a firing surface located adjacent to the firing end of the first electrode, and the sensor located within the second bore;
- and
- connecting the sensor to a monitoring circuit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.