Adsorption amount sensor and coking sensor for internal combustion engine

Abstract

There are provided an adsorption amount sensor which is capable of accurately detecting an amount of hydrocarbons or water adsorbed by a zeolite of a hydrocarbon adsorber, even during operation of an engine, as well as a coking sensor which is capable of accurately detecting an amount of coke deposition on inner surfaces of a pipe of an internal combustion engine, even during operation of an engine. The adsorption amount sensor has a plurality of electrodes arranged in the vicinity of the hydrocarbon adsorber in a manner opposed to each other and each carrying a zeolite thereon. The amount of hydrocarbons adsorbed is detected by using a parameter indicative of changes in at least one of a resistance value between the electrodes and an electrical capacitance between the electrodes. The coking sensor has a plurality of electrodes arranged within the pipe of the engine in a manner opposed to each other and each having a surface thereof coated with an insulating material. The amount of coke deposition is detected by using a parameter indicative of changes in at least one of a resistance value between the electrodes and an electrical capacitance between the electrodes.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.