Patents by Inventor Eric J. Detwiler
Eric J. Detwiler has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 6797138Abstract: A gas sensor comprises a first electrode and a reference electrode with an electrolyte disposed therebetween, wherein the first electrode and said reference electrode are in ionic conmmunication, wherein the reference electrode has a surface on a side of the reference electrode opposite the electrolyte and the surface has a surface area. The gas sensor also comprises a reference gas channel in fluid communication with the reference electrode, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the reference electrode physically contacts at least a portion of the reference gas channel, and wherein the portion of the reference electrode in physical contact with the reference gas channel is less than about 90% of the surface area.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2002Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Eric J. Detwiler, Jeffrey T. Coha, Da Yu Wang
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Patent number: 6746584Abstract: A wide range oxygen sensor comprising a first oxygen pump cell, the first pump cell comprising: a first and a second electrode, with a first communication zone therebetween, the first electrode being exposed to exhaust gas, the second electrode being exposed to a heat source; and wherein at least one element of said first pump cell incorporates a gas-diffusion limiting characteristic; a second oxygen pump cell, operating at opposite polarity from said first oxygen pump cell, electrically isolated from said first oxygen pump cell, and disposed within a sensor substrate, the second cell comprising: a third and a fourth electrode, with a second communication zone therebetween, the third electrode being exposed to exhaust gas, the fourth electrode being exposed to a heat source; and wherein at least one element of said second pump cell incorporates a gas-diffusion limiting characteristic; at least one heating element for providing heat to said second electrode and said fourth electrode; and an electrical circuitType: GrantFiled: December 15, 1999Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Da Yu Wang, Paul Casey Kikuchi, Lone-Wen F. Tai, David Sturge Eddy, Raymond Leo Bloink, Eric J. Detwiler, Larry Max Oberdier
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Patent number: 6723217Abstract: A gas sensor is created comprising an electrochemical cell having a solid electrolyte layer disposed between an exhaust gas electrode and a reference electrode. A resistor is disposed in electrical communication with a heater and the reference electrode. The resistor can be disposed on a side of the gas sensor; on a side of the gas sensor such that the resistor is electrically connected through a via hole; over at least a portion of at least two sides of the gas sensor; or disposed in a void extending at least from the heater to the pump electrode, such that the void extends to at least a surface of the gas sensor, extends to at least partially through the gas sensor, or extends completely through the gas sensor. A method for using this gas sensor comprises applying a voltage to the heater within the gas sensor. A current is directed through the resistor to the reference electrode to pump oxygen into the reference electrode.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Richard W. Duce, Paul C. Kikuchi, Wayne M. Chadwick, Eric J. Detwiler, Jeffrey T. Coha, Carlos A. Valdes, Scott T. Sanford, Richard C. Kuisell
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Patent number: 6709558Abstract: Disclosed herein is a gas sensor and a method of making a gas sensor comprising disposing a reference electrode on an inner surface of an electrolyte; sputtering a sensing electrode on an outer surface of the electrolyte; sputtering a zirconia layer on a side of the sensing electrode opposite the electrolyte, wherein the zirconia layer has a thickness of about 20 nanometers to about 1 micrometer, and disposing a protective layer on a side of the zirconia layer opposite the sensing electrode.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2002Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: William J. LaBarge, Eric J. Detwiler, Paul C. Kikuchi, Richard F. Beckmeyer
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Publication number: 20030209433Abstract: Disclosed herein is a gas sensor and a method of making a gas sensor comprising disposing a reference electrode on an inner surface of an electrolyte; sputtering a sensing electrode on an outer surface of the electrolyte; sputtering a zirconia layer on a side of the sensing electrode opposite the electrolyte, wherein the zirconia layer has a thickness of about 20 nanometers to about 1 micrometer, and disposing a protective layer on a side of the zirconia layer opposite the sensing electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2002Publication date: November 13, 2003Inventors: William J. LaBarge, Eric J. Detwiler, Paul C. Kikuchi, Richard F. Beckmeyer
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Patent number: 6638405Abstract: One embodiment of a method for producing a gas sensor, comprises: disposing said gas sensor in a basic agent solution comprising a basic agent comprises a hydroxide of a metal selected from the group consisting of Group IA of the Periodic Table of Elements; Group IIA of the Periodic Table of Elements, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing basic agents, wherein said gas sensor comprises an electrolyte disposed between and in ionic communication with a first electrode and a second electrode; and disposing said gas sensor in an acidic agent solution.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kailash C. Jain, Da Yu Wang, Eric J. Detwiler, Paul Kikuchi
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Patent number: 6616820Abstract: A gas sensor for sensing NOx 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.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2000Date of Patent: September 9, 2003Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Da Yu Wang, Raymond L. Bloink, Frederick L. Kennard, Lone-Wen F. Tai, Eric J. Detwiler, Walter J. Symons, Paul C. Kikuchi, Lora Younkman
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Publication number: 20030047452Abstract: One embodiment of a method for producing a gas sensor, comprises: disposing said gas sensor in a basic agent solution comprising a basic agent comprises a hydroxide of a metal selected from the group consisting of Group IA of the Periodic Table of Elements; Group IIA of the Periodic Table of Elements, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing basic agents, wherein said gas sensor comprises an electrolyte disposed between and in ionic communication with a first electrode and a second electrode; and disposing said gas sensor in an acidic agent solution.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2001Publication date: March 13, 2003Inventors: Kailash C. Jain, Da Yu Wang, Eric J. Detwiler, Paul Kikuchi
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Patent number: 6482310Abstract: A method for applying and controlling current applied to an air reference oxygen sensor included in a vehicle exhaust system is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the method includes measuring an output voltage across the oxygen sensor when the exhaust system is initially activated and applying a current through the oxygen sensor when the output voltage reaches a value determinative of light off of a catalyst within the exhaust system. The magnitude of the applied current corresponds to a predefined purge value.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2000Date of Patent: November 19, 2002Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Eric J. Detwiler, Richard C. Kuisell, Joseph V. Bonadies
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Publication number: 20020106306Abstract: A gas sensor for sensing NOx 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2000Publication date: August 8, 2002Inventors: Da Yu Wang, Raymond L. Bloink, Frederick L. Kennard, Lone-Wen F. Tai, Eric J. Detwiler, Walter J. Symons, Paul C. Kikuchi, Lora Younkman
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Publication number: 20020100698Abstract: A method for controlling current applied to an air reference oxygen sensor included in a vehicle exhaust system. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the method includes measuring an output voltage across the oxygen sensor when the exhaust system is initially activated and applying a current through the oxygen sensor when the output voltage reaches a predetermined light off value. The magnitude of the applied current corresponds to a predefined purge value.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2000Publication date: August 1, 2002Inventors: Eric J. Detwiler, Richard C. Kuisell, Joseph V. Bonadies
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Publication number: 20020100688Abstract: A gas sensor comprises: an electrochemical cell comprising an electrolyte disposed in ionic communication with a sensing electrode and a reference electrode, wherein the reference electrode comprises an inhibitor that reduces a first catalytic activity with selected sensing gas constituents without substantially affecting a second catalytic activity with oxygen; a heater disposed in thermal communication with the electrochemical cell; and at least one insulating layer disposed in contact with the heater. Methods for making and using the gas sensor with a selective reference electrode comprising an inhibitor are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2001Publication date: August 1, 2002Inventors: Eric J. Detwiler, Carlos A. Valdes