US 12,359,609 B1
Extended-life prechamber sparkplug for engine system and engine system operating method
James Jay Cress, West Lafayette, IN (US); Andrew G. Hockett, Austin, TX (US); and Sean J. Moser, Bellingham, WA (US)
Assigned to Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed by Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed on May 31, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/679,767.
Int. Cl. F02B 19/02 (2006.01); F02B 19/12 (2006.01); F02B 19/18 (2006.01); F02M 21/02 (2006.01)
CPC F02B 19/02 (2013.01) [F02B 19/12 (2013.01); F02B 19/18 (2013.01); F02M 21/023 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A prechamber spark plug comprising:
a spark plug housing including an outer housing surface, and an inner housing surface forming a prechamber;
an electrode within the prechamber, and defining a spark gap with the spark plug housing;
the spark plug housing further forming at least one fluid conduit extending between the inner housing surface and the outer housing surface;
a valvular element at least partially within the at least one fluid conduit and structured to preferentially permit ejection of fluids from the prechamber over admission of fluids to the prechamber via the at least one fluid conduit; and
the spark plug housing forms a plurality of always-open fluid conduits extending between the inner housing surface and the outer housing surface and fluidly connected to the prechamber.