IP Library Granted Patent US 9,178,336
Granted Patent B2
US 9,178,336 · App. 14/157,251 · Granted Nov 3, 2015

Spark plug

Inventors: Jing Zheng (Findlay, OH); Jeffrey T. Boehler (Holland, OH)
Assignee: Fram Group IP, LLC
H01T21/02H01T13/41
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,178,336
App. No.
14/157,251
Granted
Nov 3, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A spark plug is provided having a resistor. The resistor is made from resistor glass material containing an alkali free barium alumino-silicate glass mixed with mullite. In one embodiment, the resistor is a 15 to 30 wt % alkali free barium alumino-silicate glass and 10 to 25 wt % mullite. The resistor material provides for a greater processing kiln temperature range with reduced resistor variability and improved durability performance.

Claims (40)

1. A method of fabricating a sparkplug comprising:

mixing carbon and ceramic powder to make a carbon slurry;

adding the carbon slurry to a glass mixture, wherein the carbon slurry-glass mixture comprises from 15 to 30% by weight of an alkali free barium alumino-silicate glass, from 10 to 25% by weight Mullite, and the balance being comprised of the ceramic powder, carbon, borate glass, and organic binders;

drying the carbon slurry-glass mixture;

forming a carbon resistor glass;

loading the carbon resistor glass into a sparkplug insulator to form an insulator-carbon resistor glass assembly; and

heating the insulator-carbon resistor glass assembly to transform the carbon resistor glass into a semi-melt condition.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising screening the carbon slurry-glass mixture after drying.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the screening is performed with a # 20 mesh.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising mixing the carbon slurry-glass mixture containing the alkali free barium alumino-silicate glass, the Mullite and the carbon slurry for a first predetermined amount of time.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the first predetermined amount of time is seven minutes.

6. The method of claim 4 further comprising mixing ice with the carbon slurry-glass mixture containing the alkali free barium alumino-silicate glass, the Mullite and the carbon slurry for a second predetermined amount of time.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the second predetermined amount of time is ten minutes.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising pressing a terminal stud into said insulator-carbon resistor glass assembly when the carbon resistor glass is in a semi-melt condition.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the alkali free barium alumino-silicate glass is comprised of MgO 2.0 wt %-Al 2 O 3 11.3 wt %-SiO 2 53.5 wt %-CaO-12.0 wt %-BaO-20.5 wt % in composition.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the heating of the insulator-carbon resistor glass assembly is performed in a kiln at a processing temperature between 1650° F. and 1850° F.

11. A method of fabricating a sparkplug comprising:

mixing carbon and ceramic powder to make carbon slurry;

adding the carbon slurry to a glass mixture,

wherein the carbon slurry-glass mixture comprises from 15 to 30% by weight of an alkali free barium alumino-silicate glass and from 10 to 25% by weight Mullite;

drying the carbon slurry-glass mixture;

screening the carbon slurry-glass mixture after drying with a #20 mesh;

forming a carbon resistor glass;

loading the carbon resistor glass into a sparkplug insulator to form an insulator-carbon resistor glass assembly; and

heating the insulator-carbon resistor glass assembly to transform the carbon resistor glass into a semi-melt condition.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising mixing the glass mixture containing an alkali free barium alumino-silicate glass, Mullite and carbon slurry for a first predetermined amount of time.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the first predetermined amount of time is seven minutes.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising mixing ice with the glass mixture containing an alkali free barium alumino-silicate glass, Mullite and carbon slurry for a second predetermined amount of time.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the second predetermined amount of time is ten minutes.

16. The method of claim 11 further comprising pressing a terminal stud into said insulator-carbon resistor glass assembly when the carbon resistor glass is in a semi-melt condition.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein the heating of the insulator-carbon resistor glass assembly is performed in a kiln at a processing temperature between 1650° F. and 1850° F.

18. The method of claim 11 wherein the alkali free barium alumino-silicate glass is comprised of MgO 2.0 wt %-Al 2 O 3 11.3 wt %-SiO 2 53.5 wt %-CaO-12.0 wt %-BaO-20.5 wt % in composition.

19. A method of fabricating a sparkplug comprising:

mixing carbon and ceramic powder to make a carbon slurry;

adding the carbon slurry to a glass mixture, wherein the carbon slurry-glass mixture comprises an alkali free barium alumino-silicate glass;

drying the carbon slurry-glass mixture;

forming a carbon resistor glass;

loading the carbon resistor glass into a sparkplug insulator to form an insulator-carbon resistor glass assembly; and

heating the insulator-carbon resistor glass assembly to transform the carbon resistor glass into a semi-melt condition;

wherein the alkali free barium alumino-silicate glass is comprised of MgO 2.0 wt %-Al 2 O 3 11.3 wt %-SiO 2 53.5 wt %-CaO-12.0 wt %-BaO-20.5 wt % in composition.

Assignments (17)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 2, 2026
From: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB
To: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC
Reel/Frame 075891/0705 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 12, 2026
From: PGI NORTHSTAR LLC
To: FIRST HORIZON BANK
Reel/Frame 075410/0391 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 4, 2026
From: FIRST BRANDS GROUP HOLDINGS, LLC; FIRST BRANDS GROUP INTERMEDIATE, LLC; FIRST BRANDS GROUP, LLC; CHAMPION LABORATORIES, INC.; FRAM GROUP IP LLC; PYLON MANUFACTURING CORP.; HEATHERTON HOLDINGS, LLC; TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION; STRONGARM, LLC
To: PGI NORTHSTAR LLC
Reel/Frame 075584/0001 →
LIEN Recorded Dec 8, 2025
From: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC
To: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB
Reel/Frame 073892/0154 →
FIRST LIEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 18, 2025
From: AIRTEX INDUSTRIES, LLC; AIRTEX PRODUCTS, LP; APC INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, LLC; APC PARENT, LLC; ASC INDUSTRIES, INC.; AUTOLITE OPERATIONS LLC; AVM EXPORT, INC.; BPI ACQUISITION COMPANY, LLC; BPI EC, LLC; BPI HOLDINGS INTERNATIONAL, LLC; BRAKE PARTS INC CHINA LLC; BRAKE PARTS INC INDIA LLC; BRAKE PARTS INC LLC; CARDONE INDUSTRIES, INC.; CARRAND COMPANIES, INC.; CARTER CARBURETOR HOLDINGS, LLC; CARTER CARBURETOR, LLC; CARTER FUEL EXPORT, INC.; CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS, LLC; CHAMPION LABORATORIES, INC.; CWD HOLDING, LLC; CWD INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS I, LLC; CWD INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS II, LLC; CWD, LLC; DALTON CORPORATION; DALTON CORPORATION, KENDALLVILLE; MANUFACTURING FACILITY DALTON CORPORATION, ASHLAND; MANUFACTURING FACILITY DALTON CORPORATION, STRYKER MACHINING FACILITY CO.; DALTON CORPORATION, WARSAW MANUFACTURING FACILITY; EAGLE CASTING, LLC; EAGLE MACHINING, LLC; FIRST BRANDS GROUP INTERMEDIATE, LLC; FIRST BRANDS GROUP, LLC; FRAM GROUP IP LLC; FRAM GROUP OPERATIONS LLC; FRAMAUTO HOLDINGS, LLC; FUEL FILTER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; GLOBAL REMAN VENTURES, LLC; HEATHERTON HOLDINGS, LLC; HOPKINS ACQUISITION, INC.; HOPKINS MANUFACTURING CORPORATION; HORIZON EURO FINANCE LLC; HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.; HORIZON GLOBAL COMPANY LLC; HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION; HORIZON INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LLC; IBI INTERNATIONAL HOLDING COMPANY, INC.; INTERNATIONAL BRAKE INDUSTRIES, INC.; JASPER ACQUISITION CORP.; JASPER RUBBER PRODUCTS, INC.; KTRI HOLDINGS, INC.; KTRI OFFSHORE HOLDINGS, LLC; LONGMAN ENTERPRISES, INC.; PHNX ACQUISITION CORP.; PREMIER MARKETING GROUP, LLC; PYLON MANUFACTURING CORP.; PYLON SOUTH BEND, INC.; QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE, L.L.C.; QUALIS ENTERPRISES, LLC; QUALITOR ACQUISITION INC.; QUALITOR AUTOMOTIVE, LLC; QUALITOR SUBSIDIARY H, INC.; QUALITOR SUBSIDIARY S, INC.; QUALITOR, INC.; REMAN MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL LLC; SDC TX, LLC; SMART CHOICE, LLC; SPECIALTY PUMPS GROUP, INC.; STRONGARM, LLC; TAE BRAKES, LLC; TAE CHINA HOLDINGS, INC.; TMD INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LLC; TMD MEXICO LLC; TOLEDO MOLDING & DIE, LLC; TRANSPORTATION AFTERMARKET ENTERPRISE, LLC; TRICO HOLDING CORPORATION; TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION; TRICO TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; TRIDONEX USA LLC; UCI ACQUISITION HOLDINGS (NO. 4) LLC; UCI INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS PARENT, INC.; UCI INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; UCI INTERNATIONAL, LLC; UCI PENNSYLVANIA, INC.; UCI-AIRTEX HOLDINGS, INC.; UNITED COMPONENTS, LLC; UNIVERSAL AUTO FILTER LLC; VIPER ACQUISITION I, INC.; VIPER ACQUISITION, INC.; WALBRO LLC; WALBRO MIDCO LLC; WEM US CO.
To: GLAS USA LLC
Reel/Frame 071674/0688 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE THE PATENT APPLICATION NUMBERS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 053377 FRAME: 0596. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Dec 19, 2022
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC
Reel/Frame 062584/0429 →
ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2020
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC
Reel/Frame 053377/0596 →
RELEASE OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 25, 2020
From: ACQUIOM AGENCY SERVICES LLC
To: ASC INDUSTRIES, INC.; CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS, LLC; FRAM GROUP IP LLC; STRONGARM, LLC; TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION; TRICO GROUP, LLC; TRICO GROUP HOLDINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 053313/0812 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 23, 2020
From: FRAM GROUP IP LLC
To: ACQUIOM AGENCY SERVICES LLC
Reel/Frame 052481/0586 →
ABL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 1, 2019
From: FRAM GROUP IP LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 048479/0639 →
RELEASE OF ABL PATENT SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 27, 2019
From: BMO HARRIS BANK N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: FRAM GROUP IP LLC
Reel/Frame 048455/0808 →
RELEASE OF TERM LOAN PATENT SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 27, 2019
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: FRAM GROUP IP LLC
Reel/Frame 048455/0869 →
SECOND LIEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 27, 2019
From: ASC INDUSTRIES, INC.; CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS, LLC; FRAM GROUP IP LLC; HEATHERTON HOLDINGS, LLC; STRONGARM, LLC; TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 048887/0495 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 16, 2017
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS RESIGNING COLLATERAL AGENT
To: BMO HARRIS BANK, N.A., AS SUCCESSOR COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 041739/0040 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 27, 2016
From: FRAM GROUP IP LLC
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 041190/0278 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 27, 2016
From: FRAM GROUP IP LLC
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 041190/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 28, 2014
From: ZHENG, JING; BOEHLER, JEFFREY T.
To: FRAM GROUP IP, LLC
Reel/Frame 032066/0905 →
Continuity (3)
Division 13444098 · Apr 11, 2012
Provisional Application 61492868 · Jun 3, 2011
Related Publication 20140134912A1 · May 15, 2014