System for an engine having a particulate matter sensor
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsGarry Anthony Zawacki, Robert F. Novak, Roberto Teran, Jr., Dave Charles Weber, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Michael Hopka, William Charles Ruona
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Abstract
A system for improving operation of an engine having a particulate matter sensor is presented. The system may be used to improve engine operation during cold starts especially under conditions where water vapor or entrained water droplets are present in vehicle exhaust gases. In one embodiment, an engine controller that activates a heater of an exhaust gas sensor after an output of a particulate matter sensor exceeds a threshold value after an engine is started.
Claims20
A system for activating an exhaust sensor, comprising:
- an engine;
- an exhaust gas sensor;
- a particulate matter sensor;
- and
- a controller that activates a heater of said exhaust gas sensor after an output of said particulate matter sensor exceeds a threshold value after said engine is started.
A method for activating a heater of a particulate matter sensor, comprising:
- starting an engine;
- and
- activating a heater of an exhaust gas sensor in response to an output of a particulate matter sensor exceeding a threshold value.
A method for activating a heater of a particulate matter sensor, comprising:
- starting an engine during a first condition;
- activating a heater of an exhaust gas sensor at a first time since engine start in response to an output of a particulate matter sensor exceeding a threshold value;
- and
- starting the engine during a second condition and activating a heater of an exhaust gas sensor at a second time since engine start, the second time an earlier time since engine start than the first time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.