Spark plug construction for enhanced heat transfer
US6509676B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 23, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jan 21, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 23, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01T13/20
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A spark plug having enhanced heat transfer capabilities is provided. The spark plug comprises a tubular insulator body, a center electrode and a thermally conductive filler material. The tubular insulator body has an inner surface, and the center electrode has an outer surface. The center electrode is positioned within the tubular insulator body such that a gap is formed between at least a portion of the inner surface of the tubular insulator body and at least a portion of the outer surface of the center electrode. The thermally conductive filler material has a high heat transfer coefficient. It is positioned within at least a portion of the gap so as to intimately contact the inner surface of the tubular insulator body and the outer surface of the center electrode. Positioned accordingly in the gap, the thermally conductive filler material enhances the ability of the spark plug to transfer heat away from the firing tip and into the body of the spark plug. This enables a designer to employ performance-improving features in a spark plug without the compromises inherent in currently used spark plug designs.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.