The spark plug produces the spark that ignites the air-fuel mixture.
A spark plug is a part that, in internal combustion engines , generates the spark that ignites the air-fuel mixture in the cylinders. The spark plug, therefore, is a key element in the ignition system.
There are various theories about the etymological origin of this word. However, one of those that is considered the most accurate is the one that determines that it comes from the French bougie , which was what the wax candle was called. And the wax with which those candles were created came from the Algerian city of Bougie , which today is Bijaia .
History of the spark plug
Several scientists, at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century , worked on the development of the spark plug. Nikola Tesla was the first to obtain a patent, shortly before the creations of Robert Bosch , Richard Simms and Karl Benz .
The first high-voltage spark plug that was economically feasible and that promoted the rise of combustion engines was created by Gottlob Honold , who worked for the company of the aforementioned Robert Bosch .
Spark plugs are key parts in internal combustion engines.
Its operation
The essential functions of a spark plug are to ignite the gas mixture and dissipate the heat produced in the combustion chamber to direct it to the engine's cooling system. To carry out their work efficiently, the spark plugs must have resistance to electrical, mechanical and thermal stress and have stability to prevent the circulation of gases from inside the cylinder to the outside.
Specifically, the spark plug allows the electrical energy generated by the coil to be converted into a type of electric arc, which enables the expansion of the fuel and air mixture. This, in turn, produces mechanical work that is transmitted to the rotating plunger or piston.
Types of spark plug
There are different types of spark plugs based on different criteria:
- If the material is taken into account, we come across platinum spark plugs , which are expensive but have great resistance, and copper spark plugs . The latter are the most easily found.
- If you start from the criterion of resistance, there are three types of spark plugs. We are referring to protected resistance , naked resistance and antiparasitic resistance .
- If we take the fuel into consideration, we have to establish that there are diesel spark plugs and gas spark plugs , for example.
- Another classification of spark plugs is based on the size of the current arc. A criterion that indicates the existence of large opening spark plugs and normal opening spark plugs .
Other considerations
Another interesting fact about spark plugs is that it is necessary that, in order for them to work correctly and be in perfect condition, they maintain a stable temperature that oscillates between 500º and 900º.
According to the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ), the term spark plug is also used to name a unit that was used to measure the intensity of an artificial lighting source and to refer to a candle.