Abstract: A control apparatus (100) controls a diesel engine (10). A glow plug (32) which can detect cylinder pressure is provided on the engine (10). An ECU (70) computes a parameter related to a change in cylinder pressure obtained from the glow plug (32). The ECU (70) controls fuel injection timing such that the parameter falls within a target range when combustion in the engine (10) is switched from premixed combustion to diffusion combustion.

Abstract: A ceramic glow plug equipped with a pressure sensor including a ceramic heater, a holding device, a housing sleeve, a housing, a movable member and a pressure sensor. A heat-generating main portion P whose resistance is 75% of the total resistance of the ceramic heater is located forward of the forward end of the holding sleeve.

Abstract: A control apparatus (100) controls a diesel engine (10). A glow plug (32) which can detect cylinder pressure is provided on the engine (10). An ECU (70) computes a parameter related to a change in cylinder pressure obtained from the glow plug (32). The ECU (70) controls fuel injection timing such that the parameter falls within a target range when combustion in the engine (10) is switched from premixed combustion to diffusion combustion.

Abstract: A diesel engine control apparatus for controlling combustion in a diesel engine, including a cylinder heater and a control unit which controls the heating of the interior of the cylinder by the cylinder heater, and which performs at least fuel injection timing control for the diesel engine at least at one of a time when the EGR ratio is changed and at a time when the diesel engine is switched to premixed combustion. Also disclosed is a method for controlling combustion in a diesel engine and a method for designing a control apparatus for controlling combustion in a diesel engine.

Abstract: A diesel engine control apparatus and method for controlling fuel injection timing of a diesel engine, the apparatus including a cylinder pressure sensor, a parameter computation unit and a control unit. The cylinder pressure of a diesel engine is detected, and a parameter relating to a change in cylinder pressure of the diesel engine is computed based on the detected cylinder pressure. The fuel injection timing at the time when combustion in the diesel engine is switched to premixed combustion is controlled such that the parameter falls within a target range.

Abstract: A ceramic glow plug equipped with a pressure sensor including a ceramic heater, a holding device, a housing sleeve, a housing, a movable member and a pressure sensor. A heat-generating main portion P whose resistance is 75% of the total resistance of the ceramic heater is located forward of the forward end of the holding sleeve.

Abstract: An electric current supply control apparatus for a glow plug, and glow plug and the electric current supply control apparatus connected to the glow plug. In a transition state in which the load acting on an engine increases such as at the time of acceleration (S14: YES), an instruction signal which instructs increasing of an EGR amount is transmitted to an ECU (S18). Further, electric current is supplied to a heat generation resistor of a glow plug through resistance PI control (S20), whereby the temperature of the heat generation resistor is stably maintained at a target temperature, and stability of combustion is enhanced. Thus, even at the time of acceleration, generation of NOX can be suppressed effectively by increasing the EGR amount without lowering the engine output.

Abstract: An electric current supply control apparatus for a glow plug, and glow plug and the electric current supply control apparatus connected to the glow plug. In a transition state in which the load acting on an engine increases such as at the time of acceleration (S14: YES), an instruction signal which instructs increasing of an EGR amount is transmitted to an ECU (S18). Further, electric current is supplied to a heat generation resistor of a glow plug through resistance PI control (S20), whereby the temperature of the heat generation resistor is stably maintained at a target temperature, and stability of combustion is enhanced. Thus, even at the time of acceleration, generation of NOX can be suppressed effectively by increasing the EGR amount without lowering the engine output.

Abstract: A joint structure which does not exhibit impaired joining strength induced by exposure to heat cycles and the occurrence of migration, in a ceramic heater for a glow plug or like device. A heating element 6 is embedded in a silicon nitride ceramic substrate 5. Lead wires 15 are joined to corresponding lead wire connection terminals 11, which are connected to the heating element 6 while electrical continuity is established therebetween, by use of a brazing metal 20 which contains a predominant amount of copper. The brazing metal 20 used for joining assumes the form of a brazing metal layer having a thickness of 30-400 &mgr;m.

Abstract: To provide a ceramic heater which is better in the durability of an ion current detecting electrode portion and which can be manufactured at a low cost. A ceramic heater 1 is provided with: an insulating ceramic substrate 13; a resistance heating element 10 buried in the insulating ceramic substrate; and an ion current detecting electrode portion 14 formed integrally with the resistance heating element in the insulating ceramic substrate and having its own surface portion exposed as an ion current detecting face to the surface of the insulating ceramic substrate. The ion current detecting electrode portion 14 is constructed, at its portion including at least a portion of the ion current detecting face 15, of a conductive ceramic phase which is composed mainly of non-metallic conductive ceramic having a cation component made of a nonmetallic element, such as silicon carbide.

Abstract: To provide a ceramic heater which is better in the durability of an ion current detecting electrode portion and which can be manufactured at a low cost.

Abstract: A joint structure which does not exhibit impaired joining strength induced by exposure to heat cycles and the occurrence of migration, in a ceramic heater for a glow plug or like device. A heating element 6 is embedded in a silicon nitride ceramic substrate 5. Lead wires 15 are joined to corresponding lead wire connection terminals 11, which are connected to the heating element 6 while electrical continuity is established therebetween, by use of a brazing metal 20 which contains a predominant amount of copper. The brazing metal 20 used for joining assumes the form of a brazing metal layer having a thickness of 30-400 &mgr;m.