| abstract |
A shield for introducing fluid, such as the gas within the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, to a sensing means such as a zirconium dioxide element of an oxygen concentration sensor. The shield forms a chamber which surrounds the element and contains a fluid diverter having a plurality of circumferential fluid receiving cavities adapted to divert a portion of fluid from a main stream of flow into a partially closed end of the chamber. The diverted fluid enters the chamber near the tip end of the zirconia element; the closely spaced chamber permits the fluid flow to be generally parallel to the surface of the element and directed from the tip end to the base or housing end of the element. The shield further contains an opening near the base of the element to permit fluid to exit the chamber. |