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US 2014/0150406 A1Published application
Methods and systems for a particulate matter sensor
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorWilliam Russell Goodwin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Various systems and methods are described for a particulate matter sensor coupled to an exhaust system of an engine. One example method comprises, during a measurement mode, generating a particulate flow rate based on the sensor and adjusting one or more engine operating parameters based on the flow rate. The method further includes, during a reduced contamination mode, heating the sensor to repel particulate from the sensor, and not adjusting the one or more operating parameters based on the sensor.
Claims20
A method for a particulate matter sensor, comprising:
- generating an indication of particulate flow rate through a particulate filter based on particulate accumulation on a sensing element of the sensor, and diagnosing the sensor based on the flow rate;
- and
- after diagnosing of the sensor is completed, heating a sensing element of the sensor to repel particulate from the sensing element.
A method, comprising:
- during a drive cycle of an engine:
- during a measurement mode, generating a particulate flow rate through a particulate filter based on particulate accumulation on a sensing element of a particulate matter sensor, and adjusting one or more engine operating parameters based on the sensor;
- and
- during a reduced contamination mode, increasing a sensor temperature to a temperature greater than an exhaust gas temperature to repel particulate from the sensing element, and not adjusting the engine operating parameters based on the sensor.
1 more element
A system, comprising:
- an engine with an exhaust system;
- a particulate matter sensor disposed downstream of a particulate filter in the exhaust system, the particulate matter sensor including a heater, and a sensing element exposed to an exhaust gas stream;
- a control system in communication with the particulate matter sensor, the control system including non-transitory instructions to, during a measurement mode, generate a particulate flow rate through the particulate filter based on the particulate matter sensor, and adjust one or more engine operating parameters based on the particulate flow rate;
- and, during a reduced contamination mode, initiate operation of the heater to increase a sensor temperature to repel particulate matter from the sensing element, and not adjust the engine operating parameters based on the sensor.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.