Abstract: The invention includes an automotive exhaust gas sensor including an inside belleville design, wherein a belleville spring is located inside a middle shell sub-assembly and below an upper insulator. The design provides for improved interior loading pressures with improved resiliency for a self-contained air reference source exhaust gas sensors.

Abstract: A spark plug has a center electrode and a side electrode made of an iron-base, heat resistant (iron, chromium, aluminum, rare earth) alloy. Each electrode has a precious metal insert of a composition that thermally matches the base alloy of the electrodes. The electrodes are made by a method which coats the electrodes with a protective coating to reduce operational oxidation and lead/oil deposit degradation of the interface between such iron based heat resistant alloys and an insert button in the center and side electrodes so as to extend the spark plug's life.

Abstract: A system for controlling emissions of particulates and heavy organic vapors in the exhaust gases of diesel engines includes, in a preferred embodiment, a heat exchanger for cooling the engine exhaust gases below the condensation temperature of the organic vapors and their resultant adsorption onto the entrained particulates, and a particulate trap connected to receive the cooled gases from the heat exchanger and collect therefrom entrained particulates and heavy organic vapors adsorbed thereon. A bypass system is provided to direct high temperature exhaust gases around the filtration device to avoid desorption of condensed vapors from the collected particulates and other auxiliary filter and control means are included.

Abstract: A diesel particulate trapping and incineration system including a porous wall monolithic ceramic filter element having dual open-ended inlet passages separated from adjacent exhaust passages by particulate filtering porous walls. A balancing system for the distribution and incineration of particulates is provided including dual inlet ducts feeding exhaust gases to both ends of the inlet passages and valve means for controlling the amount of inlet gas flow entering the open opposite ends of the inlet ducts. In this way control is obtained of distribution of particulates over the length of the inlet duct walls as well as of the incineration of particulates upon heating of the exhaust gases to incineration temperature.

Abstract: A sheathed electric heater for use as an engine glow plug or the like is formed by providing a closed end metal sheath, installing a centered electric heating element that approaches the sheath closed end, adding a small amount of sinterable metal powder covering the end of the heating element at the closed end of the sheath, filling the remaining volume around the element with granular electrical insulating material, swaging the assembly to reduce its diameter, extend its length and compact the insulation, and sintering the metal powder by passing electric current therethrough to provide a low resistance electrical connection between the heating coil and the closed end of the sheath.

Abstract: A fibrous filter element for trapping diesel engine exhaust particulates comprises a mass of coiled wire of flattened cross section compacted into a small passage gas pervious body. The base wire is made of high temperature resistant metal, preferably an iron chromium aluminum alloy. The wire is coated with a particulate collection-enhancing coating of titanate ceramic.

Abstract: Related arrangements of diesel exhaust particulate traps are disclosed wherein particulate filter elements are formed from porous ceramic monoliths made of high temperature ceramic and containing passage defining micronic pores intercepted by high temperature ceramic fibers retained in the ceramic substrate and extending into the passages to provide surfaces for separating particulates from the gases passed through the element.

Abstract: A readily manufacturable heated solid electrolyte oxygen responsive exhaust gas sensor. An elongated heater is insulatingly supported in subassembly with a tubular reference electrode terminal in desired predetermined disposition relative to the solid electrolyte. The heater has an enlargement intermediate its ends. The heater is coaxially nested within a pair of ceramic sleeves, with the sleeves axially spaced by the enlargement. The sleeves are in turn coaxially disposed within the electrode terminal, and clamped together by inward electrode terminal shoulders, one of which is preferably formed by crimping. The heater enlargement is preferably integrally formed. No special inlet need be provided in the sensor for admission of air when air reference is used.

Abstract: A variable capacitor includes a metal diaphragm arranged to flex in response to an applied pressure differential serving as a movable capacitor plate and a fixed capacitor plate closely spaced from the diaphragm. At least one of the two capacitor plates has an insulating layer of metal oxide formed thereon to prevent electrical contact therebetween. By making the capacitor plate of an iron-chrome-aluminum alloy and heating the capacitor plate, an aluminum oxide layer is formed thereon. The fixed capacitor plate is formed in a hat-shaped configuration with the brim portion spaced far from the diaphragm by an insulating spacer to minimize the fixed capacitance around the edge of the capacitor assembly.

Abstract: A readily manufacturable heated solid electrolyte oxygen sensor having an elongated heater supported in subassembly with a tubular terminal for a reference electrode of the sensor. The heater is coaxial with the electrode terminal for predetermined disposition with respect to the sensor solid electrolyte member. The heater includes a rod coaxially in a ceramic tube and a resistance heating coil and crimped outer connector around the ceramic tube. Fused glass, directly bonded to the ceramic tube, supports the heater in the electrode terminal.

Abstract: A sheathed electric heater for use as an engine glow plug or the like is formed by providing a closed end metal sheath with a diameter larger than the finished diameter, Installing in the sheath a centered electric heating element having an enlarged diameter portion that engages the sheath adjacent to its closed end, the sheath and heating element being formed of compatible metals capable of being welded together by cold working, filling the sheath interior around the element with granular electrical insulating material, and swaging the assembly to reduce its diameter, extend its length, compact the insulation and cold work the engaged end portions of the sheath and heating coil so as to increase their engagement pressure and thereby establish a low resistance electrical connection between them.