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US 9,793,688 B2Granted
Sparkplug having variable spark gap and ignition device for the same
AssigneeDENSO International America, Inc.
InventorsBlaise Friery, Nicholas Polcyn, Nicholas Lee
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A center electrode is electrically coupled with a main terminal. A ground electrode is opposed to the center electrode to form a gap therebetween. A piezo actuator changes in length on application of a voltage. The piezo actuator actuates one of the center electrode and the ground electrode to manipulate the gap.
Claims14
A sparkplug comprising:
- a main terminal;
- a center electrode electrically coupled with the main terminal;
- a ground electrode opposed to the center electrode to form a gap therebetween;
- and
- a piezo actuator configured to change in length on application of a voltage, wherein
- the piezo actuator is configured to actuate one of the center electrode and the ground electrode to manipulate the gap.
3 more elements
An ignition coil device comprising:
- a primary coil;
- a secondary coil magnetically coupled with the primary coil to boost primary voltage in the primary coil into a secondary voltage;
- a sparkplug electrically connected with the secondary coil to receive application of the secondary voltage;
- an igniter switch configured to cause a primary current in the primary coil to generate the primary voltage in the primary coil;
- and
- a piezo switch electrically connected with the sparkplug, wherein
- the sparkplug includes:
- a center electrode and a ground electrode forming a gap therebetween;
- and
- a piezo actuator configured to actuate one of the center electrode and the ground electrode to manipulate the gap, wherein
- the piezo switch is configured to apply voltage on the piezo actuator independently from the igniter switch.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.