US 6,650,121 B2 · Sensor for the monitoring of an NOx catalyst

Abstract

A sensor for the monitoring of an NOx catalyst having a storage material for the adsorption of NOx, the storage material forming the sensitive element of the sensor. As a result, it is possible to measure the instantaneous degree of charging of the storage material, and a quasi-linear control for the storage of NOx is made possible. The ability to precisely monitor the degree of charging of the storage material makes it possible to better utilize the storage capacity, and the catalyst can be dimensioned in a more cost-effective manner. The conversion phase of the rich side can be predicted more precisely and consequently be integrated more favorably into the driving cycle. The sensor for the monitoring of an NOx catalyst is especially suitable for installation in the exhaust path of an internal combustion engine with direct gasoline injection or of a diesel engine.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A planar sensor for monitoring an NOx catalyst, comprising:

a planar ceramic carrier;
a heater layer;
a cover layer for the heater layer;
a bottom electrode layer having a first supply lead;
a storage material layer containing a NOx storage material;
a cover electrode layer having a second supply lead;
and
a supply lead coupled to the first supply lead and the second supply lead;
wherein:
the heater layer;
the bottom electrode layer, the storage material layer and the cover electrode layer are applied in vertically arranged layers to the planar ceramic carrier;
and
changes in at least one of an electrical and an electromagnetic characteristic of the storage material layer correspond to the amount of NOx in the storage material layer.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Sensor for the monitoring of an NOx catalyst

Life of this patent

Sensor for the monitoring of an NOx catalyst

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19