Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Kaius K Polikarpus

Harold E Durling

Mark Ray McClanahan

Robert P Johnston

The invention includes a flat plate exhaust gas sensor having a plurality of layers of glass and steatite immediately surrounding a flat plate sensing element. A ceramic body surrounds each layer of solid-state, sintered glass and steatite and extends from each layer to a protective metal housing. A ceramic plunger presses the layers of glass and steatite. The plunger surrounds electrical connectors to the sensing element to prevent damage to the connector from heat.

Exhaust sensor having flat plate ceramic sensing element and a sealing

A torch jet spark plug is provided which is suitable for use in a torch jet-assisted spark ignition system for an internal combustion engine. The torch jet spark plug is configured to ignite an air/fuel mixture within a combustion prechamber formed integrally within the body of the spark plug, such that a jet emanates from the prechamber and projects into the main combustion chamber of the engine, so as to enhance the burning rate within the main chamber. More particularly, the spark plug is configured so as to be relatively unsusceptible to pre-ignition, and also substantially eliminates the occurrence of internal short circuits to ground due to deposits accumulating within the prechamber. The spark plug achieves each of the above objects while having a relatively uncomplicated structure, requiring a minimal number of discrete components so as to enhance its manufacturability.

Torch jet spark plug

A method is provided for forming a torch jet spark plug suitable for use in a torch jet-assisted spark ignition system for an internal combustion engine. The torch jet spark plug is configured to ignite a fuel mixture within a combustion prechamber formed integrally within the insulator body of the spark plug, such that a jet emanates from the prechamber and projects into the main combustion chamber of the engine, so as to increase the burning rate within the main chamber. More particularly, the method involves forming a tubular inner electrode on the internal surface of the combustion prechamber by integrating the molding process for the spark plug's insulator body with an inking process by which the inner electrode is formed.

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Davison, MI, United States of America

Kaius K Polikarpus