Patents by Inventor Eric L. Ker

Eric L. Ker 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).

  • Patent number: 7069770
    Abstract: A sensor element can comprise a co-fired heater section, a sensing section, and a third insulating layer disposed between the electrode portion and the temperature sensor. The heater section can comprise a heater, a shield, and a temperature sensor, with a first insulating layer disposed between the heater and the shield, and a second insulating layer disposed between the shield and the temperature sensor. The sensing section can comprise an electrode portion and a sensing portion, wherein the sensing portion is disposed on a side of the electrode portion opposite the heater section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Chen, Raymond L. Bloink, Carlos A. Valdes, Eric L. Ker, Jinping Zhang
  • Patent number: 5219228
    Abstract: An exhaust gas temperature measuring system for an internal combustion engine derives temperature from an oxygen sensor having a temperature dependent internal resistance disposed in an exhaust gas stream. The oxygen sensor produces an intrinsic voltage which is divided between the internal resistance and an external resistive load. An approximation of the oxygen sensor internal resistance is made from the value of the resistive load providing a value of the loaded sensor voltage having a predetermined relationship to the unloaded sensor voltage; and the internal resistance indicates the exhaust gas temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Eric L. Ker, Philip R. Peterson
  • Patent number: 4980044
    Abstract: An oxygen sensing device is proposed which has a unique sensing element. The sensing element is substantially flat and comprises a solid electrolyte material, preferably yttria stabilized zirconia. The sensing element has a measuring electrode which contacts the external gas to be measured and a reference electrode which contacts a known concentration of gas. A positive resistance heater element may also be provided on the solid electrolyte body of the sensing element.A unique feature of the flat sensing element is that the sides of the solid electrolyte body converge at an apex located between the two ends of the body, so that the width of the body is greatest at the apex and tapers from the apex toward the two ends. The tapers facilitate secure and rigid retention of the sensing element within a housing. The sensing element is fixtured within the housing by packing the sensing element in a pressure media between two bushings located on either side of the apex, and crimping the two bushings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Eric L. Ker
  • Patent number: 4900412
    Abstract: A readily manufacturable heated solid electrolyte oxygen sensor. A heater subassembly readily adaptable to unheated oxygen sensor technology, provides a greater reference oxygen gas source to the reference electrode of the solid electrolyte body, in addition to being positioned and rigidly secured within the oxygen sensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Eric L. Ker, Theodore R. Vasilow
  • Patent number: 4824550
    Abstract: A readily manufacturable heated solid electrolyte oxygen sensor. A heater subassembly readily adaptable to unheated oxygen sensor technology, provides the means for positioning and rigidly securing the heater element within the oxygen sensing device, while also providing the means for electrically coupling the galvanic output signal to the external combustion control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Eric L. Ker, Joseph R. Griffin