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US 7,696,679 B2Granted
Spark plug with optical sensor
AssigneeKistler Holding AG
InventorsDieter Karst, Kurt Vollenweider, Paul Furter
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A spark plug has an optical window for sensing combustion processes in an Otto engine. The optical window is located in the central electrode of the spark plug and has at least one lens exposed to the combustion chamber, as well as at least one flexible optical fiber which can conduct light through the spark plug from the lens to an analysis system.
Claims12
A spark plug for sensing combustion processes in the combustion chamber of an Otto engine being monitored by an analysis system, comprising:
- a body defining a spark plug axis and including a central electrode and an optical window, wherein the optical window is located in the central electrode of the spark plug and wherein the optical window has at least one lens exposed to the combustion chamber and defining a lens axis extending in the same direction as the axis of the spark plug,
- at least one flexible optical fiber which conducts light from the lens through the spark plug so that the light can be provided to the analysis system, and
- wherein the lens is adapted to redirect by 90° within the lens before exiting the lens, light which enters the lens from a direction perpendicular to the lens axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.