Abstract: A fluid mixing apparatus for association with an air atomizing spray gun is disclosed. The fluid mixing apparatus comprises a fluid manifold adapted for attachment to the handle of an air atomizing spray gun and includes static mixer means interconnecting the fluid manifold with the spray fluid inlet of the air atomizing spray gun. The fluid manifold comprises a fluid passage means interconnecting a plurality of inlet ports and communicating with an exit port which is connected to the static mixture means. The individual components of a multiple component sprayable fluid are separately introduced into the manifold through individual ones of the manifold inlet passages and are flowed through the manifold passage to be intimately intermixed by the static mixer means prior to being introduced into the sprayable fluid inlet port of the air atomizing spray gun.

Abstract: A spark plug having multiple air gaps is described. The multiple gaps are defined by at least three electrode members defining at least two air gaps. A first electrode member is communicated to a ground potential while a second electrode member, the electrode member which is maximally spaced apart from the first electrode member, is communicated to a source of high voltage potential. The remaining electrode members are positioned intermediate the first and second electrode members and are arranged to be coupled by high resistance electrical means to either the ground or the high voltage potential. In a preferred embodiment, the high resistance means comprise a ladder type resistance network embedded within the ceramic body of the spark plug and electrically interconnecting the intermediate electrode members and the electrical connecting cap of the spark plug device. The air gaps so formed are broken down in sequence and share in the dissipation of the stored energy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sensor which is operative to sense the partial pressure of oxygen in the exhaust gases of combustion processes having air/fuel combustion mixture ratios in excess of the stoichiometric ratio. The sensor according to the present invention relies upon the direct and generally linear change in the logarithm of the resistance of cobalt monoxide ceramic material as a function of the partial pressure of oxygen in the environment of the sensor element at elevated temperatures for partial pressures of oxygen which coincide with the partial pressures of oxygen in the exhaust gases of fuel-lean combustion mixtures. The present invention provides a generally cylindrical cobalt monoxide ceramic sensor element, supported within a housing formed of a compatible ceramic material such as alumina, and arranged so that the change in the electrical resistance between the ends of the cylinder of the sensing element may be measured.

Abstract: A stoichiometric air/fuel ratio exhaust gas sensor construction particularly useful with variable resistance partial pressure of oxygen responsive sensor material is disclosed. A generally cylindrical mounting body, formed of corrosion resistant material, is arranged for receipt within the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine and is provided with a two-part ceramic insert member for support of a wafer of variable resistance sensor material. The ceramic insert member is comprised of a first portion having a slotted tip for receipt and support of the wafer of partial pressure of oxygen responsive ceramic sensor material. The ceramic insert member is arranged to position the wafer within a perforated shield member at a remote free end of the cylindrical housing body. The wafer includes a pair of extending high temperature resistant electrical conductors which are received within bores provided therefor in the ceramic insert member.

Abstract: A chemiluminescence detector is comprised of a gaseous reaction chamber having a light transmitting element mounted to define one wall of the reaction space. A light responsive device, for example a photomultiplier, is arranged to receive light generated by a chemiluminescent reaction within the reaction chamber and transmitted through the light transmitting element. A thermoelectric heat pump means is situated in proximity to the reaction chamber and to the photomultiplier. The heat pump means is arranged to provide for cooling of the photomultiplier by extracting heat therefrom while simultaneously heating the reaction chamber. The thermoelectric heat pump is comprised of at least one mounting gasket means arranged to have a first surface in contact with the housing of the reaction chamber and a second surface in contact with a portion of the housing of the light sensing means.

Abstract: A velocity rate change sensitive fluid valve wherein the valve is comprised of a pendulum member pivotally supported in a reservoir of fluid. The pendulum member is arranged to intercommunicate an input port and an output port with the fluid reservoir upon pendulous movement. The pendulum is supported by a fixed shaft which is ported along its axis to define fluid input and output passages. The pendulum member includes an intercommunicating passage which, upon displacement of the pendulum by a predetermined amount of rotation, as for example by an acceleration or deceleration, will intercommunicate the input and output passages of the support shaft. Fluid flow or fluid pressure may then be communicated through the valve as an acceleration or deceleration indicative signal.

Abstract: A stoichiometric air/fuel ratio exhaust gas sensor construction particularly useful with variable resistance partial pressure of oxygen responsive sensor material is disclosed. A generally cylindrical mounting body, formed of corrosion resistant material, is arranged for receipt within the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine and is provided with a ceramic insert member for support of a wafer of variable resistance sensor material. The ceramic insert member is comprised of an extending first portion having a hollow slotted tip for receipt and support of the wafer of partial pressure of oxygen responsive ceramic sensor material. The extending first portion of the ceramic insert member is arranged to position the wafer within, and extending from, a remote free end of the cylindrical housing body. The wafer includes a pair of extending high temperature resistant electrical conductors which are received within bores provided therefor in the extending first portion of the ceramic insert member.

Abstract: An alternator rectifier assembly for rectifying the output of a poly-phase AC alternator and its method of assembly are disclosed. The alternator assembly comprises a pair of heat sinking DC terminal plate members having a plurality of diode containing recesses with a generally U-shaped circuit board member. The circuit board member is riveted to each of the heat sinking terminal plate members to form a unitary composite body.The generally U-shaped circuit board member is comprised of a plurality of mutually insulated conductive strips embedded within a plastic material. The ends of the conductors within the circuit board member are exposed for contact with terminals of the diode elements. A plurality of alternator terminal members may be situated within suitably formed recesses or voids within the circuit board member so as to be in contact with the conductive strips and all electrical connections may be soldered by a single pass through a soldering oven.

Abstract: A multiple air gap spark plug is provided with an unobstructed air gap spark generating region between the primary electrodes. The high voltage or primary electrodes are arranged to be in confronting relation for spark generation with the intermediate or secondary electrodes arranged to be on either side of the straight line path between the high voltage electrodes. The resulting sparks generated in each air gap between adjacent electrodes will coalesce into a single spark kernel existing between the primary electrodes and laterally bounded by the secondary electrodes.

Abstract: A system for controlling the application of heat energy to a ceramic exhaust gas sensor and for linearizing the output signal from the sensor is disclosed. The system compares, electrically, the resistance of a conductive heater winding against a fixed reference and permits a flow of electrical current through the heater whenever the comparison indicates that the temperature of the heater is below the desired level. By periodically establishing a flow of electrical energy through the heater and terminating that flow whenever the heater temperature reaches the desired level, the temperature of the heater may be held at the desired level with great accuracy. In order to periodically reestablish the flow of electrical energy through the heater, the system further provides an oscillator arranged to reestablish current flow through the heater a fixed time period following termination of current flow through the heater.

Abstract: An exhaust gas sensor probe and its method of manufacture are disclosed. A tube of ceramic material is arranged to support a resistive type ceramic exhaust gas sensor within the cup-shaped cavity in the end portion of the tube. The tube is also provided with a generally continuous groove around the exterior of the cup-shaped end portion to support a heater wire in close heat conductive relation to the sensor ceramic wafer. The ceramaic tube is fixedly received within a housing which may include for example sufficient electrical connective means in the form of electrical terminals to electrically communicate the sensor and the heater wire to an external source of electrical energy and/or a utilization means. The present invention also provides a heat retaining end cap member having an infrared reflective coating for assisting in the retention of heat for those resistive type sensor ceramics which require an operating temperature substantially higher than the temperature of their normal environment.

Abstract: The present invention provides electrical connector assembly block apparatus comprising a pair of matable connector block parts which are provided with mutually engagable overcenter locking or latching means. The over-center locking means are comprised of at least one pair of lever arm members located on one connector block part which are pivotal about and deflectable along two orthogonal axes and are engageable with a double ramp portion on the matable connector block part to provide overcenter locking. The lever arm members are provided with means for forcibly rotating the lever arm members about the one of the two orthogonal axes which is perpendicular to the connector block to separate the end portions thereby permitting easy disengagement of the end portions with the double ramp member. The rear surface of the ramp member is provided with a shaped notch which is matable with corresponding projections of the lever arm members to provide a locked position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sensor which is operative to sense the partial pressure of oxygen in the exhaust gases of combustion processes having air/fuel combustion mixture ratios in excess of the stoichiometric ratio. The sensor according to the present invention relies upon the direct and generally linear change in the logarithm of the resistance of cobalt monoxide ceramic material as a function of the partial pressure of oxygen in the environment of the sensor element at elevated temperatures for partial pressures of oxygen which coincide with the partial pressures of oxygen in the exhaust gases of fuel-lean combustion mixtures. The present invention provides a generally cylindrical cobalt monoxide ceramic sensor element, supported within a housing formed of a compatible ceramic material such as alumina, and arranged so that the change in the electrical resistance between the ends of the cylinder of the sensing element may be measured.

Abstract: A gas sensor, and its method of manufacture, particularly useful as an exhaust gas sensor for an internal combustion engine air/fuel ratio system, is disclosed. The sensor is comprised of a sintered ceramic body of transition metal oxide, such as titania, and includes a pair of spacedapart electrodes. As the partial pressure of oxygen in the gas being sensed varies in response to variations in the inlet air/fuel mixture ratio, the resistance of the ceramic material varies. The active portion of the sensor body is a substantially uniform body of porous ceramic material having a density of less than about 85% of theoretical density and a modulus of rupture in excess of 11,000 psi. The sensor is fabricated from a very pure transition metal oxide powder having a very fine and highly uniform particle size. The transitional metal oxide is selected so that the operating temperature of the resulting device is less than about 75% and preferably less than about 50% of the melting temperature of the metal oxide.