Linear air/fuel sensor

Details Linear air/fuel sensor Linear air/fuel sensor

1991-02-19

1992-04-21

Niebling, John

Chemistry: electrical and wave energy

Apparatus

Electrolytic

G01N 2627

Patent

active

051064812

ABSTRACT:
A method and apparatus for linearly determining the air/fuel ratio of an internal combustion engine by measuring the oxygen concentration of the exhaust gases provides a linear air/fuel output signal from a single sensor. The sensor is time shared between a current driving or oxygen pumping mode in which a current is applied to the sensor to pump oxygen through the sensor toward one or the other surface, and a voltage sensing mode in which the voltage across the sensor is monitored. A time share circuit switches between the two modes of operation. During the current mode, the oxygen concentration is changed at the sensor surface by the passage of oxygen ion current through the sensor. During the voltage mode, the sensor voltage is measured. Feedback provides necessary current during the current mode to hold the bias voltage substantially constant. The resulting current is a linear measure of the air/fuel ratio of the internal combustion engine as engine operation departs from stoichiometry. The sensor current can be positive or negative and hence will indicate both rich and lean mixtures.

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