GB747186A - Improvements relating to the cleaning of engine sparking plugs - Google Patents

Abstract

747,186. Cleaning sparking plugs. NATIONAL RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. July 19, 1954 [April 20, 1953], No. 10728/53 Class 7(4) In method of cleaning a sparking plug of deposits formed during use, a cleaning liquid, comprising a solvent for at least one constituent of the deposits, is caused to impinge upon the latter in the form of a jet and to swirl with respect to the plug so as to exert a mechanical as well as a dissolving effect upon the deposits; the inventin also relates to apparatus for carrying out the method of cleaning. GENERAL ARRANGEMENT. A casing comprises two cabinets 1a and 1b, Fig. 2, which are bolted together, the shorter front cabinet 1a containing the cleaning liquid such as a 13.5 per cent weight/volume solution of ammonium acetate in water; caustic alkalis e.g. sodium hydroxide, or salts of organic acids, e.g. ammonium oxalate may also be used. Above the level L of the liquid is a filter 25 through which the liquid' drains from the sparking plugs, and adjacent the top of the cabinet 1a is a system of nozzles 3 which are arranged below a detachable tray 4 that accommodates the sparking plugs. The rear cabinet 1b houses a motor, not shown, coupled to a pump 5 which draws the liquid from the front cabinet and delivers it to the nozzles 3 via a manifold 15. Below the level of the liquid is disposed an electric heater 21. which under the control of a thermostat 23, maintains the liquid at a temperature .of, say 80 ‹C. The front of the cabinet 1a is provided with a glass panel whilst the visible part of the front of the rear cabinet forms an instrument panel containing motor and heater switches and indicator lamps for the thermostat, pump and heater. By means of. handles 4a the tray may be lifted and inverted upon the top of the front cabinet to permit inspection of the plugs. In a modification the casing is a single unit divided by a partition into two compartments which serve the same purpose as previously described. The liquid may be steam or gas heated. ARRANGEMENTS OF PLUGS AND CLEANING-LIQUID NOZZLES. The tray 4, Fig. 3, supports thirty-six sparking plugs in four rows 12, each plug is in an aperture 13 fitted with a grommet 14 of acid proof and heat-resisting rubber or like material. The manifold 15 which extends across and near the underside of the tray embodies four nozzles whilst extending laterally from each side of the manifold are four pipes 17 each incorporation four nozzles. Each nozzle 3 lies in a plane XX. Fig. 2, which is inclined at 20 degrees to the vertical and is laterally and rearwardly offset from the centre lines of the sparking plugs; this disposition. is made possible since the tray and manifold are adjustable. In the modification, the liquid is supplied to a manifold at one side of the apparatus which feeds four laterally disposed pipes each incorporating nine nozzles, the four pipes being arranged in a plane which is at an angle to the horizontal.