# US 10,481,066 B2 · Soot sensor

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- Number: US 10,481,066 B2
- Document ID: US10481066B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/525,692
- Filed: 2015-11-10
- Published: 2017-11-02
- Granted: 2019-11-19
- Earliest claimed: 2014-11-10
- Assignees: Continental Automotive GmbH
- Applicants: Continental Automotive GmbH
- Inventors: Eckart Garneyer; Sebastian Reiss; Patrick Eber-Neumaier; Alexander Waha
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10481066B2

## CPC

- G01N 15/0656: {using electric, e.g. electrostatic methods or magnetic methods (by investigating individual particles G01N15/1031, G01N15/12)}
- F01N 11/007: {the diagnostic devices measuring oxygen or air concentration downstream of the exhaust apparatus}
- G01N 27/60: by investigating electrostatic variables {, e.g. electrographic flaw testing (G01N27/007 takes precedence)}
- F01N 2560/05: the means being a particulate sensor
- G01N 2015/0046: {in gas, e.g. smoke}
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)
- F01N: GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES (arrangements in connection with gas exhaust of propulsion units in vehicles B60K13/00; combustion-air intake silencers specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines F02M35/00; protecting against, or damping, noise in general G10K11/16)

## Abstract

The present disclosure relates to exhaust gas emissions in motor vehicles. The teachings thereof may be embodied in soot sensors. For example, a soot sensor may include: a first electrode; a second electrode; an insulation body between the first electrode and the second electrode configured to allow soot particles to pass with a gas flow into a space defined between the first electrode and the second electrode; a meter evaluating a current between the first electrode and the second electrode resulting from an electrical voltage applied between the first electrode and the second electrode; and elements concentrating the electric field strength formed on at least one of a surface of the first electrode or a surface of the second electrode.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A soot sensor comprising:
a first electrode;
a second electrode defining an internal cavity having a longitudinal extent and radially surrounded by material of the second electrode;
wherein the first electrode is disposed at least partially within the internal cavity of the second electrode;
an insulation body electrically separating the first electrode and the second electrode from one another, the insulation body in physical contact with both the first electrode and the second electrode, projecting into the internal cavity, and configured to allow soot particles to pass with a gas flow into the internal cavity between the first electrode and the second electrode;
a meter evaluating a current between the first electrode and the second electrode resulting from an electrical voltage applied between the first electrode and the second electrode; and
elements concentrating the electric field strength formed on at least one of a surface of the first electrode or a surface of the second electrode.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The soot sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first electrode comprises a rod shape.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The soot sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second electrode comprises a cylindrical shape.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The soot sensor as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second electrode comprises a cylindrical shape arranged concentrically around the rod-shaped first electrode.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The soot sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elements comprise spike-like tips.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The soot sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elements comprise triangular tips.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The soot sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elements comprise nanostructures on the surface of the first electrode or the surface of the second electrode.