Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Delphi Technologies, Inc.

Frederick L Kennard

Paul C Kikuchi

Carlos Augusto Valdes

Terry J Gold

Ralph V Wilhelm, Jr

Da Yu Wang

Raymond Leo Bloink

Paul Casey Kikuchi

Mark Ray McClanahan

Earl Wayne Lankheet

Eric J Detwiler

Morris Berg

Lone-Wen F Tai

David B Quinn

Lora Younkman

Bruce R Dinger

Slater William Hawes

Walter J Symons

A gas sensor for sensing NO having electrochemical cells wherein dielectric material surrounds electrolytes except where electrodes are attached. Thereby, the exhaust gas is effectively prevented from contacting the electrolytes of the sensor's electrochemical cells. With the use of this technique, signal cross talk is minimized while enhancing NOx sensing sensitivity. Further, the total number electrodes needed are reduced which allows for more complex sensors structures.

Exhaust species sensing method and device

The invention includes the use of a pre-equilibration zone on an exhaust gas sensor to provide catalytic site to catalyze non-reacted components of the exhaust gas prior to the gas sample reaching the sensor's outer electrode. The pre-equilibration zone preferably includes a precious metal on the surface of a porous carrier. The invention also includes a method of making an exhaust sensor including a pre-equilibration zone, and a method of sampling an exhaust gas by passing the same through a pre-equilibration zone.

Lean shift correction of potentiometric oxygen sensors

Generally, the instant invention includes a method of using a sensor having an outer electrode including a gold-containing layer to diagnose the efficiency and useful life of a catalytic converter. The sensor having a gold-containing layer is positioned in an exhaust gas, combustion engine downstream from both the engine and the catalytic converter used to clean the exhaust. The sensor produces an voltage output responsive to the combustibles concentration in the exhaust gas. The voltage output from the sensor is measured and compared to a predetermined threshold correlated to a desirable combustibles concentrations in the exhaust stream or to a threshold output indicative of an inefficiently operating catalytic converter. An electrical output is then provided which is responsive to the comparison. The electrical output may be an indicator light, gauge or other devices for instructing the operator of a vehicle that the catalytic converter requires maintenance. The gold-containing layer of the sensor may be a gold alloy containing at least 28 percent by weight gold. The gold-containing layer may be the sole outer electrode of the sensor, or the gold-containing layer may be formed on a conventional platinum electrode of the sensor.

Catalytic converter diagnostic sensor

A spark plug grinding machine is equipped with force sensors to measure grinding forces and other forces attendant to a grinding operation. Ceramic spark plug insulators are carried by spindles on a Ferris wheel into a grinding station. A control wheel engages and spins each part as a grinding wheel grinds the surface of the insulator. A three axis transducer on one of the spindles measures force components along the axis of the spindle, parallel to a tangent of the grinding wheel and in a radial direction. A torque sensor on the control wheel measures the torque as the wheel rotates each insulator. Either or both of the sensors may be used. They are coupled through slip rings to a recorder.

Apparatus for measuring grinding forces on ceramic parts

A method of sputtering a palladium or palladium-platinum exhaust gas electrode onto a vitrified zirconia thimble for an electrochemical-type exhaust gas oxygen sensor. Porous high surface area films are deposited that have more consistent properties. A sputtering target is spaced about 3.0-4.5 cm from the thimble and more than 6 cm from the sputtering anode. A pressure of about 10-20 millitorr is used during sputtering at a DC power of about 13-22 watts/cm.sup.2 of target area.

Exhaust electrode process for exhaust gas oxygen sensor

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a method of making a solid electrolyte electrochemical-type exhaust gas oxygen sensor. A platinum exhaust electrode is sputtered onto a zirconia body and the body then heated in nitrogen at 700.degree.-900.degree. C. for at least 30 minutes to reduce rich-to-lean switching time response.

Aging treatment for exhaust gas oxygen sensor

A method of sputtering a platinum exhaust gas electrode onto a vitrified zirconia thimble for an electrochemical-type exhaust gas oxygen sensor. Porous high surface area platinum films are deposited that have more consistent properties. A platinum target is spaced about 3.0-4.5 cm from the thimble and more than 6 cm from the sputtering anode. A pressure of about 10-20 millitorr is used during sputtering at a DC power of about 13-22 watts/cm.sup.2 of target area.

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Holly, MI, United States of America

Frederick L Kennard