More and more European auto-manufacturers are focusing on the cleaner, convenient and lower cost technology for new generation diesel engine. The desired technology involves the use of GPPS (Glow Plug Pressure Sensor) in the diesel engines.

Use of GPPS in diesel engines can reduce the emission of nitro oxide to great extent. It is believed that GPPS will be widely used in the diesel engine in 2007. Also, it is anticipated that GPPS can be used extensively in the post-treatment system of nitro oxides.

Currently, many companies including Beru, Siemens VDO and Federal-Mogul etc are developing GPPS. The success of GPPS technology can be a key threshold to satisfy the stringent European Emission Standards for many auto-manufacturers in the US and Europe. An expert of diesel engine, Wise Back, has mentioned that the main motivation to develop the technology relies on the U. S. market.  The Emission Standard can be satisfied if the technology of GPPS can be used and the engine life can be prolonged to 120,000 kilometers or 10 years.

For the past 30 years, gasoline engines have been using oxygen sensor to monitor the characteristics of gas fuel and the ignition of engine so that it can supply the engine control system a true data. However, till now no similar system could be used in the diesel engine system. This necessitates the use of a suitable control system in the diesel engine so as to supervise the combustion situation in the diesel engine.

The GPPS is scheduled by Siemens VDO to be available in 2008. And Beru will launch out a similar product in 2007 as well. The person in charge of cold starting system of Beru said that the engine with GPPS system can rectify the error when the emission system ages and it lights up new combustion concept. 
                                         From: www.cnautonews.com


P.S. In the past two year, Le-Mark's ceramic heating elements were applied in the GPPS of Siemens VDO & Federal-Mogul.

Please check
http://www.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/pdfs/deer_2005/session1/2005_deer_troy.pdf to get more detailed characteristics of this technology.

At present, Le-Mark has assisted Optrand (http://www.optrand.com) to develop PSCGP (Pressure Sensor Ceramic Glow Plug). Please link to the following SAE report to get more information.
High Accuracy Glow Plug-Integrated Cylinder Pressure Sensor for Closed Loop Engine Control