Gas sensor control apparatus
US9964513B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 8, 2014 |
| Grant date | May 8, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 24, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF02D2250/36
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A catalytic conversion characteristic of a catalyst, which indicates a relationship between an air-to-fuel ratio and a catalytic conversion efficiency of the catalyst, includes a second air-to-fuel ratio point, which is a point of starting an outflow of NOx from the catalyst and is located on a rich side of a first air-to-fuel ratio point that forms an equilibrium point for a rich component and oxygen. A constant current circuit, which induces a flow of an electric current from an exhaust side electrode to an atmosphere side electrode through a solid electrolyte layer in a sensor element, is connected to the sensor element. A microcomputer controls a current value of the electric current, which is induced by the constant current circuit, based on a difference between the first air-to-fuel ratio point and the second air-to-fuel ratio point at the catalyst.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.