Federal-Mogul Powertrain has announced the introduction of a new industrial spark plug, which it claims has unprecedented mechanical and electrical strength, thanks to a new ‘u-shaped’ core nose on the insulator. The Pokal spark plug is said to also offer an increased robustness for use in new engine applications with high peak cylinder pressures, while also enabling the use of larger electrodes, providing increased service life and enhanced performance.
“The geometric constraints of a 14mm plug make it more difficult to meet the levels of robustness and durability possible with an 18mm product, but we have achieved this with our new Pokal spark plug,” said Gian Maria Olivetti, chief technology officer, Federal-Mogul Powertrain. “The unique shape of the insulator core nose increases its resistance to mechanical pressure waves, allowing OEMs to use more aggressive combustion strategies for improved engine efficiency without reducing spark plug life.”
Conventional insulators have a conical nose, the shape of which defines the heat range of the plug and ultimately limits the thermal extraction and electrical properties. The nose of the Pokal spark plug incorporates a cup-shaped cavity around the centre electrode, improving both the electrical and mechanical strength. This shape allows the plug to better withstand increased voltage demand requirements, in addition to a more aggressive combustion setting with higher peak cylinder pressures.
The Pokal spark plug has been released for use in engines rated between 135ps and 815ps, and has been in production since 2016. Its first application is with a major European industrial engine manufacturer, but the technology is of interest worldwide for marine, off-highway and stationary industrial engines using gaseous fuels, including natural gas, landfill gas and bio-gas.
“There is significant market demand for cost-effective plugs wrapped in M14 packaging, but they must be technically capable in order to meet increasing efficiency and service life requirements of current and future engine applications,” explained Andrew Stamper, director, Global Sales and Engineering, Industrial Ignition, Federal-Mogul Powertrain. “Federal-Mogul Powertrain’s Pokal spark plug brings a new, higher level of capability and robustness offering to this important market sector.”