Method and device for regulating the fuel/air ratio of a combustion process

US8141345B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Robert Bosch GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Eberhard Schnaibel · Hemmingen, DE
• Kersten Wehmeier · Ludwigsburg, DE
• Klaus Hirschmann · Leonberg, DE
• Richard Hotzel · Stuttgart, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 28, 2009
• Grant date: Mar 27, 2012
• Expiry date: Jun 1, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F02D2250/36
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A method for regulating the fuel/air ratio of a combustion process which is operated alternatingly with excess air and air deficiency, and having at least one catalyst volume in the exhaust gas of the combustion process which stores oxygen when there is excess oxygen in the exhaust gas and gives it off when there is oxygen deficiency, in which method the oxygen charges into the catalyst volume taking place when there is excess air, and the oxygen discharges from the catalyst volume taking place when there is air deficiency determined, and in which the fuel/air ratio is regulated in a first control loop such that the sum of the oxygen charges and oxygen discharges determined in a predefined interval takes on a predetermined value, wherein the combustion process is operated using oxygen excess or oxygen deficiency, respectively, at least until these appear at an oxygen-sensitive Nernst probe downstream from the catalyst volume.