Patent US3581141A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3581141A
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US
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Surface gap spark plug
Assignee: Ethyl Corp
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Filing: 1969-04-07
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Granted: 1971-05-25
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Expires: 1989-04-07
Abstract
Abstract A surface gap spark plug having improved resistance to fouling is described. A method of operating an internal combustion engine and other devices, which utilize a fuel containing an organometallic additive is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard C Beaubier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:05
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01T; H01T13/00; H01T13/52
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
A surface gap spark plug suitable for supplying a spark to ignite fuel in a combustion chamber which comprises a. a center electrode, b. an insulator having a central passageway, running longitudinally through said insulator, to receive and having a cross-sectional size and shape substantially equal to said center electrode, c. a metal shell enclosing a portion of said insulator, said shell serving as a ground electrode, the lower end of said shell having an opening which corresponds substantially in shape to and is in substantial register with the distal end of said passageway, said opening being larger in size than said passageway, d. said center electrode extending into said passageway to a point short of said opening in said shell, thus providing a surface gap which runs from said center electrode continuously along said insulator first in a direction substantially parallel to said center electrode and finally in a direction substantially perpendicular to said center electrode, a total distance of from 0.03 to 0.08 inches, to said outer shell for a spark to be generated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
A surface gap spark plug suitable for supplying a spark to ignite fuel in a combustion chamber which comprises a. a center electrode, b. an insulator having a central passageway, running longitudinally through said insulator, to receive and having a cross-sectional size and shape substantially equal to said center electrode, c. a metal shell enclosing a portion of said insulator, said shell serving as a ground electrode, the lower end of said shell having an opening which corresponds substantially in shape to and is in substantial register with the distal end of said passageway, said opening being larger in size than said passageway, d. said center electrode extending into said passageway to a point short of said opening in said shell, thus providing a surface gap which runs from said center electrode continuously along said insulator first in a direction substantially parallel to said center electrode and finally in a direction substantially perpendicular to said center electrode, a total distance of from 0.03 to 0.08 inches, to said outer shell for a spark to be generated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The spark plug of claim 1 in wherein said center electrode has at least one additional spark gap in series with said surface gap.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The spark plug of claim 1 in which said center electrode and said passageway are cylindrical.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The spark plug of claim 3 wherein the diameter of said center electrode is from about 0.05 to about 0.15 inches.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The spark plug of claim 3 wherein said surface gap ranges from about 0.035 to about 0.055 inches and said center electrode diameter is about 0.08 inches.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The spark plug of claim 2 wherein said metal shell has a thickness at said opening such that the ratio of said thickness to said surface gap length is from about 1:5 up to about 5:1.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The spark plug of claim 6 wherein said center electrode, said passageway and said opening are cylindrical and substantially concentric, and said opening has a diameter at least 0.01 inches greater than the diameter of said passageway.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The spark plug of claim 7 wherein said ratio is from abut 1:1 to about 4:1.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The spark plug of claim 8 wherein said surface gap length is from about 0.03 to about 0.055 inches.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The spark plug of claim 9 wherein said ratio is from about 2:1 to about 4:1.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The spark plug of claim 10 wherein said surface gap length is from about 0.03 to about 0.05 inches and said ratio is from about 3:1 to about 4:1.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The spark plug of claim 1 wherein said metal shell has a thickness at said opening such that the ratio of said thickness to said surface gap length is from about 1:5 up to about 5:1.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The spark plug of claim 12 wherein said center electrode said passageway and said opening are cylindrical and substantially concentric and said opening has a diameter at least 0.01 inches greater than the diameter of said passageway.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The spark plug of claim 13 wherein said ratio is from about 1:1 to about 4:1.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The spark plug of claim 14 wherein said surface gap length is from about 0.03 to about 0.055 inches.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The spark plug of claim 15 whErein said ratio is from about 2:1 to about 4:1.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The spark plug of claim 16 wherein said surface gap length is from about 0.03 to about 0.05 inches and said ratio is from about 3:1 to about 4:1.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3133223A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-24 | 1974-11-23 | 1975-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-24 | 1978-11-23 | 1979-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-24 | 1982-11-23 | 1983-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |