Control system with a sensor
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsGopichandra Surnilla, Richard E. Soltis, Jacobus H. Visser, Joseph Thomas, David Kubinski
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Abstract
An improved engine control system using a NOx sensor is disclosed. In one example, the NOx sensor structure and/or signals are modified to improve distance transmission of NOx sensor output signals so that at least some processing electronics can be relocated remote to the sensor and in an engine control unit, or other such control unit utilizing the NOx sensor signals, and controlling the NOx sensor heaters, if applicable.
Claims34
A system for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine, the system comprising:
- a sensor adapted to be coupled into an exhaust of the engine, said sensor outputting at least a first signal indicative of oxygen and a second signal indicative of NOx;
- a controller receiving at least said first and second signals directly from the sensor, said controller processing said first and second signal, and controlling said engine by adjusting an engine actuator based on at least one of said first and second processed signals, wherein said controller adjusts said actuator by sending a control signal directly from the controller to the actuator;
- and
- a transmission amplifier coupled to said sensor configured to amplify said second signal such that it can be transmitted directly to and received by said controller positioned a predetermined distance away from said exhaust.
A system for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine, the system comprising:
- a sensor adapted to be coupled into an exhaust of the engine, said sensor outputting at least a first signal indicative of oxygen and a second analog signal indicative of NOx;
- a controller receiving at least said first and second signals directly from the sensor, said controller processing said first and second signal and converting at least said second signal in an analog to digital converter, and controlling said engine by controlling an engine actuator based on at least one of said first and second processed signals, wherein said controller adjusts said actuator by sending a control signal directly from the controller to the actuator;
- and
- a transmission amplifier coupled to said sensor to amplify said second analog signal before it is transmitted to and received by said controller, said transmission amplifier amplifying said second analog signal such that it can be transmitted over a distance to said controller located in another portion of the vehicle away from said engine exhaust.
A system for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine, the system comprising:
- a sensor adapted to be coupled into an exhaust of the engine, where exhaust gas enters at least a first pumping cell that outputs at least a first signal indicative of oxygen, and then enters a second pumping cell through a passage, the second cell outputs at least a second signal indicative of NOx, and the passage configured to produce said second signal such that it can be amplified by an amplifier enough to overcome transmission losses over a distance of at least about 0.5 meters to a controller;
- said controller receiving at least said first and second signal, said controller processing said first and second signal, and controlling said engine by adjusting an engine actuator based on at least one of said first and second processed signals.
A system for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine, the system comprising:
- a sensor adapted to be coupled into an exhaust of the engine, said sensor outputting at least a first signal indicative of oxygen and a second signal indicative of an exhaust gas constituent having an oxygen-containing species;
- a controller receiving at least said first and second signal, said controller processing said first and second signal, and controlling said engine by adjusting an engine actuator based on at least one of said first and second processed signals, wherein said controller adjusts said actuator by sending a control signal directly from the controller to the actuator;
- and
- a transmission amplifier coupled to said sensor configured to amplify said second signal enough to be transmitted away from said exhaust to said controller.
A NOx sensor system for a vehicle having an exhaust passage, the system comprising:
- an engine control unit positioned at least about 0.5 meters remote from the exhaust passage;
- and
- a NOx sensor fluidly connected to the exhaust passage of the vehicle, the NOx sensor including:
- a NOx concentration measuring cell configured to produce an output signal indicative of a NOx concentration in an exhaust gas stream of the exhaust passage;
- and
- a transmission amplifier configured to receive the output signal from the NOx concentration measuring cell and amplify the signal sufficiently to overcome transmission losses during transmission to the remote engine control unit.
A method for controlling NOx emissions, comprising:
- at a NOx sensor, producing an output signal indicative of a NOx concentration in an exhaust gas;
- and
- at the NOx sensor, amplifying the output signal for transmission to a remote engine control unit, wherein the output signal is amplified sufficiently to transmit the signal a distance at least about 0.5 meters.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.