Lower protective shield for an exhaust sensor and method for making the same
AssigneeDelphi Technologies, Inc.
InventorCharles Scott Nelson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The protective shield arrangement for an exhaust sensor and method of making and using the same is achieved by providing a protective shield for an exhaust gas sensor that comprises a porous mesh material formed as a cap for placement over an end portion of a sensing element. This is formed by a method that comprises providing a unitary piece of the mesh material, and folding the mesh material to form the cap. Thereby, gas passes through the tortuous pathway created by the mesh material to be sensed by the sensor.
Claims18
An exhaust gas sensor, comprising:
- a protective shield having a one piece structure of a porous mesh material configured to cap one end of the sensor;
- and
- a sensing element having a first end and a second end, whereby the second end extends into a cavity defined by the protective shield and is encased in the cavity, the second end of the sensing element in fluid communication with an external gas stream, fluid communication between the external gas stream and said sensor element consists of passage through said mesh material defining an exterior of at least a lower portion of the sensor in direct communication with the gas stream to the second end.
A method of making an exhaust gas sensor, comprising:
- forming a protective shield having a one piece structure of a porous mesh material configured to cap one end of the sensor;
- and
- disposing at least a sensing portion of a sensing element within the protective shield, fluid communication between an external gas stream and the sensing portion consists of passage through said mesh material defining an exterior of at least a lower portion of the sensor in direct communication with the gas stream to the second end.
A method of using an exhaust gas sensor, comprising:
- disposing the sensor within a gas stream, wherein the sensor comprises a protective shield having a one piece structure of a porous mesh material configured to cap one end of the sensor and a sensing element whereby a second end of the sensing element extends into a cavity defined by the protective shield and is encased in the cavity, the second end of the sensing element is fluid communication with an external gas, the fluid communication between the external gas stream and the sensing element consists of passage through said mesh material defining an exterior of at least a lower portion of the sensor in direct communication with the gas stream to the second end;
- passing the gas stream through the mesh material to the cavity of the protective shield;
- exposing the sensing element to the gas stream;
- and
- contacting at least one electrochemical cell within the sensing element with the gas steam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.