Spark plug electrode and process for making
US7795790B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 2, 2007 |
| Grant date | Sep 14, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 11, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01T21/02
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A spark plug and method for making. The spark plug comprises a center electrode, an insulator surrounding the center electrode, and a metallic shell surrounding the insulator. The spark plug also includes a ground electrode engaged with the metallic shell. The ground electrode has a first surface facing the center electrode for defining a spark gap and a second surface opposite the first surface. A cross-section of the ground electrode between the first and second surfaces includes a first zone of a non-noble metallic base material extending a distance from the second surface toward the first surface and a second zone of a blend of the non-noble base material and a noble metallic material extending from the first zone to the first surface. A method of making the spark plug includes the step of disposing a quantity of noble metallic material on an electrode blank formed of a non-noble metallic base material. The method also includes the step of at least partially melting the quantity of noble metal with a beam emitted by a laser. The method also includes the step of sequentially moving the laser along the electrode blank in first and second opposite directions to enhance the distrib…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.