Method and apparatus for monitoring the activity of catalytic reactors

US3969932A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Robert Bosch GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Franz Rieger · Aalen, DE
• Ernst Linder · Mühlacker, DE
• Peter Schmidt · Schwieberdingen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 13, 1975
• Grant date: Jul 20, 1976
• Expiry date: Aug 13, 1995

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02T10/40
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The inlet and outlet ends of a catalytic reactor are instrumented with oxygen sensors. A change of the fuel-air concentration of the combustible mixture is indicated by a jump in the output voltage of the sensors; the voltage of the inlet sensor changes before that of the outlet sensor and the greater the time difference between these changes, the higher is the catalytic activity of the reactor. When a repeatable and constant engine condition is reached, the fuel-air mixture is abruptly changed and an electronic circuit enables a logical circuit which controls a signal lamp. If, during a predetermined time interval, the outlet sensor also changes its output voltage, indicating a time difference which is too short, the warning signal is energized and the operator is alerted to the insufficient level of reactor activity.