Methods and systems for increasing particulate matter deposition in an exhaust particulate matter sensor
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorDavid John Kubinski
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods are described for increasing the sensitivity of particulate matter detection in an exhaust system of a vehicle. An example particulate matter sensor assembly comprises a pair of planar interdigitated electrode structures held at a voltage bias with respect to each other. An alternate embodiment may comprise a planar interdigitated electrode pair, and a conducting plate assembly again held at a voltage bias with respect to the planar interdigitated electrode pair. The bias may overlay an additional electric field drive, which improves the capture of soot particles on the sensor assembly surface thereby increasing sensitivity of particulate matter sensors.
Claims20
A method for an exhaust particulate matter (PM) sensor, comprising:
- generating a first electric field via a planar interdigitated electrode pair, wherein the planar interdigitated electrode pair is coupled to a first voltage source;
- and
- generating a second electric field via the planar interdigitated electrode pair and a second planar element parallel with the planar interdigitated electrode pair, wherein the second planar element is coupled to a second voltage source, the second voltage source comprising a different voltage than the first voltage source.
A particulate matter sensor system, comprising:
- a first voltage source producing a first voltage;
- a first planar interdigitated electrode pair having a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode electrically coupled to a positive terminal of the first voltage source, the second electrode electrically coupled to a negative terminal of the first voltage source;
- a second voltage source producing a second voltage higher than the first voltage;
- a second planar element positioned parallel to the first planar interdigitated electrode pair and electrically coupled to the second voltage source.
A method for an exhaust particulate matter (PM) sensor, comprising:
- generating a first electric field at a planar interdigitated electrode pair by coupling two electrodes of the planar interdigitated electrode pair to a first voltage source;
- and
- generating a second electric field by coupling a second planar element to a second voltage source, wherein the second voltage source comprises a different voltage than the first voltage source.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.