(19)
(11) EP 0 989 370 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
20.04.2005 Bulletin 2005/16

(43) Date of publication A2:
29.03.2000 Bulletin 2000/13

(21) Application number: 99203034.6

(22) Date of filing: 17.09.1999
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: F23Q 7/00
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE
Designated Extension States:
AL LT LV MK RO SI

(30) Priority: 25.09.1998 US 160398

(71) Applicant: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
Troy, MI 48007 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Chiu, Randolph Kwok-kin
    Davison, Michigan 48423 (US)
  • Oakley, Charles Dale
    Davison, Michigan 48423 (US)
  • McClanahan, Mark Ray
    Goodrich, Michigan 48438 (US)
  • Mann, Gambur Singh
    Grand Blanc, Michigan 48439 (US)
  • Polikarpus, Kaius Kiiren
    Grand Blanc, Michigan 48439 (US)
  • Leptich, Joseph Michael
    Clarkston, Michigan 48346 (US)
  • Chen, David Kwo-Shyong
    Rochester Hills, Michigan 48309 (US)

(74) Representative: Denton, Michael John 
Delphi European Headquarters, 64 avenue de la Plaine de France, Paris Nord II, BP 60059, Tremblay-en-France
95972 Roissy Charles de Gaulle Cédex
95972 Roissy Charles de Gaulle Cédex (FR)

   


(54) Glow sensor-metal tip


(57) A glow sensor (10, 60, 100, 130, 140, 154) provides functions of both a diesel engine glow plug and an ion sensor for sensing engine combustion initiation and characteristics. The sensor includes a tubular metal sheath (14, 64) supported by various embodiments of electrical insulating and retaining means in a metal shell (12, 62) mountable in an engine cylinder head. The metal sheath (14, 64) includes a heating element (24) in a glow tip (22) at an inner end of the sheath (14, 64) which, in use, extends into an engine combustion chamber or pre-chamber and is connected by a conductor with a source of electric voltage. In use, the voltage produces a current carried by electrons generated by ionization of the combustion chamber gases during combustion. The current varies with the degree of ionization and the amount of electrons generated during various phases of the combustion event. The resulting information is usable in controlling engine operation or evaluating its operation for test purposes. Various construction features of disclosed embodiments include isolated or non-isolated heating coils for electric heaters (24) within the glow tip (22) with various arrangements for internally connecting and grounding the electrical elements in the glow sensor (10, 60, 100, 130, 140, 154).






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