Spark plug having horizontal discharge
US5502352A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 16, 1994 |
| Grant date | Mar 26, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 16, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01T13/467
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
According to the present invention, a spark plug for an internal combustion engine includes a center electrode, a ground electrode so as to form a spark gap with the center electrode, and a tip electrode composed of a material having a superior consumable resistance as compared to the center electrode and disposed on an end face of the center electrode so as to form a spark gap with the ground electrode. An axial length of the discharge portion of the ground electrode where spark discharge occurs is substantially larger than an axial length of the tip electrode where spark discharge occurs. When used for an internal combustion engine, a spark discharge is mainly generated between the peripheral surface of the center electrode and the ground electrode during early operation. Consequently, as the center electrode has been consumed, the spark discharge is mainly generated between the tip electrode and the ground electrode. Therefore, the frequency of the spark discharge with the center electrode is lowered, and a low required voltage is maintained.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.