Patent US4834051A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4834051A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Oxygen sensor and an air-fuel ratio control apparatus of an internal combustion engine using the same
Assignee: Mitsubishi Motors Corp
•
Filing: 1988-03-11
•
Granted: 1989-05-30
•
Expires: 2008-03-11
Abstract
Abstract An oxygen sensor having a detecting element for detecting the concentration of oxygen contained in a subject gas. The subject gas reaches the detecting element through a carrier carrying a substance which adsorbs or desorbs the oxygen in the subject gas in accordance with the partial pressure of the oxygen. Thus, the detecting element is prevented from being corrupted by O2 or CO. Even though the oxygen sensor is temporarily exposed to excessive O2 or CO, therefore, the responsiveness of oxygen concentration detection to be effected thereafter is improved. Cerium oxide or lanthanum oxide may be suitably used as the oxygen adsorbing or desorbing material. The carrier may be pellets surrounding the oxygen detecting element, or a protective layer or a buffer layer formed on the surface of the detecting element. Alternatively, the carrier may be formed independently of the oxygen sensor so as to be disposed in an exhaust passage on the upper-course side of the oxygen sensor. The oxygen sensor of the present invention is adapted for use in an air-fuel ratio control apparatus of an internal combustion engine.
Inventors
- 👤 Masahi Tanaka
- 👤 Shigekazu Yamauchi
- 👤 Masaru Mikita
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 17:44
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/26; F; F02; F02D; F02D41/00; F02D41/02; F02D41/14; F02D41/1438; F02D41/1473; F02D41/1475; G01N27/403; G01N27/406; G01N27/407; G01N27/4077; G01N1/00; G01N1/28; G01N1/40; G01N1/405
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
55 words
An oxygen sensor having a detecting element for detecting the concentration of oxygen contained in a subject gas, comprising: a carrier carrying a substance adapted to adsorb or desorb the oxygen in said subject gas in accordance with the partial pressure of the oxygen, whereby said subject gas reaches said detecting element through said carrier.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
55 words
An oxygen sensor having a detecting element for detecting the concentration of oxygen contained in a subject gas, comprising: a carrier carrying a substance adapted to adsorb or desorb the oxygen in said subject gas in accordance with the partial pressure of the oxygen, whereby said subject gas reaches said detecting element through said carrier.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
114 words
An oxygen sensor having a protector pipe, formed with a number of holes and adapted to be inserted into a subject gas, and a detecting element for detecting the concentration of oxygen contained in said subject gas, said detecting element being disposed in said protector pipe, comprising: a plurality of pellets filling a gap between the inner wall of said protector pipe and said detecting element and carrying a substance adapted to adsorb or desorb the oxygen in said subject gas in accordance with the partial pressure of the oxygen, each said pellet having a diameter larger than that of each said hole, whereby said subject gas reaches said detecting element through said pellets.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
114 words
An oxygen sensor having a protector pipe, formed with a number of holes and adapted to be inserted into a subject gas, and a detecting element for detecting the concentration of oxygen contained in said subject gas, said detecting element being disposed in said protector pipe, comprising: a plurality of pellets filling a gap between the inner wall of said protector pipe and said detecting element and carrying a substance adapted to adsorb or desorb the oxygen in said subject gas in accordance with the partial pressure of the oxygen, each said pellet having a diameter larger than that of each said hole, whereby said subject gas reaches said detecting element through said pellets.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The oxygen sensor according to claim 2, wherein said substance to adsorb or desorb the oxygen essentially consists of cerium oxide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The oxygen sensor according to claim 2, wherein said substance to adsorb or desorb the oxygen essentially consists of lanthanum oxide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The oxygen sensor according to claim 2, wherein the amount of said substance to adsorb or desorb the oxygen contained in said pellets ranges from 4 to 80 g/l as calculated in terms of a metal constituting said substance.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The oxygen sensor according to claim 5, wherein said amount of content preferably ranges from 8 to 40 g/l.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The oxygen sensor according to claim 2, wherein said detecting element includes an oxygen ion conducting solid electrolyte layer and a pair of electrodes holding said solid electrolyte layer therebetween.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
67 words
The oxygen sensor according to claim 2, wherein said detecting element includes an insulating supporter, a chip disposed on one side face of said supporter, and a pair of electrodes spaced at a predetermined distance from each other and connected to said chip, said chip being formed of a material adapted to change the electric resistance thereof in accordance with the concentration of oxygen in contact therewith.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The oxygen sensor according to claim 8, wherein said material whose electric resistance changes in accordance with the oxygen concentration essentially consists of titanium oxide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
94 words
An oxygen sensor adapted to detect the concentration of oxygen contained in a subject gas, and having an oxygen ion conducting solid electrolyte layer, a pair of electrodes holding said solid electrolyte layer therebetween, and a protective layer formed on the outer surface of the subject-side electrode, out of said pair of electrodes, comprising: a substance contained in said protective layer and adapted to adsorb or desorb the oxygen in said subject gas in accordance with the partial pressure of the oxygen, whereby said subject gas reaches said subject-side electrode through said protective layer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
94 words
An oxygen sensor adapted to detect the concentration of oxygen contained in a subject gas, and having an oxygen ion conducting solid electrolyte layer, a pair of electrodes holding said solid electrolyte layer therebetween, and a protective layer formed on the outer surface of the subject-side electrode, out of said pair of electrodes, comprising: a substance contained in said protective layer and adapted to adsorb or desorb the oxygen in said subject gas in accordance with the partial pressure of the oxygen, whereby said subject gas reaches said subject-side electrode through said protective layer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The oxygen sensor according to claim 10, wherein said substance to adsorb or desorb the oxygen essentially consists of cerium oxide.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The oxygen sensor according to claim 10, wherein said substance to adsorb or desorb the oxygen essentially consists of lanthanum oxide.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The oxygen sensor according to claim 10, wherein the ratio of said substance to adsorb or desorb the oxygen contained in said protective layer ranges from 0.8 to 16% by weight as calculated in terms of a metal constituting said substance.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The oxygen sensor according to claim 13, wherein said ratio of content preferably ranges from 1.6 to 8% by weight.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
90 words
An oxygen sensor adapted to detect the concentration of oxygen contained in a subject gas, and having an oxygen ion conducting solid electrolyte layer and a pair of electrodes holding said solid electrolyte layer therebetween, comprising: a buffer layer formed on the outer surface of the subject-side electrode, out of said pair of electrodes, and containing a substance adapted to adsorb or desorb the oxygen in said subject gas in accordance with the partial pressure of the oxygen, whereby said subject gas reaches said subject-side electrode through said buffer layer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
90 words
An oxygen sensor adapted to detect the concentration of oxygen contained in a subject gas, and having an oxygen ion conducting solid electrolyte layer and a pair of electrodes holding said solid electrolyte layer therebetween, comprising: a buffer layer formed on the outer surface of the subject-side electrode, out of said pair of electrodes, and containing a substance adapted to adsorb or desorb the oxygen in said subject gas in accordance with the partial pressure of the oxygen, whereby said subject gas reaches said subject-side electrode through said buffer layer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The oxygen sensor according to claim 15, wherein said substance to adsorb or desorb the oxygen essentially consists of cerium oxide.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The oxygen sensor according to claim 15, wherein said substance to adsorb or desorb the oxygen essentially consists of lanthanum oxide.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
41 words
The oxygen sensor according to claim 15, wherein the ratio of said substance to adsorb or desorb the oxygen contained in said buffer layer ranges from 0.8 to 16% by weight as calculated in terms of a metal constituting said substance.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The oxygen sensor according to claim 15, further comprising a protective layer interposed between said subject-side electrode and said buffer layer.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
118 words
An oxygen sensor adapted to detect the concentration of oxygen contained in a subject gas, and having an insulating supporter, a chip disposed on one side face of said supporter, and a pair of electrodes spaced at a predetermined distance from each other and connected to said chip, said chip being formed of a material adapted to change the electric resistance thereof in accordance with the concentration of oxygen in contact therewith, comprising: a porous layer covering the subject-side surface of said chip and containing a substance adapted to adsorb or desorb the oxygen in said subject gas in accordance with the partial pressure of the oxygen, whereby said subject gas reaches said chip through said porous layer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
118 words
An oxygen sensor adapted to detect the concentration of oxygen contained in a subject gas, and having an insulating supporter, a chip disposed on one side face of said supporter, and a pair of electrodes spaced at a predetermined distance from each other and connected to said chip, said chip being formed of a material adapted to change the electric resistance thereof in accordance with the concentration of oxygen in contact therewith, comprising: a porous layer covering the subject-side surface of said chip and containing a substance adapted to adsorb or desorb the oxygen in said subject gas in accordance with the partial pressure of the oxygen, whereby said subject gas reaches said chip through said porous layer.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The oxygen sensor according to claim 20, wherein said material whose electric resistance changes in accordance with the oxygen concentration essentially consists of titanium oxide.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The oxygen sensor according to claim 20, wherein said substance to adsorb or desorb the oxygen essentially consists of cerium oxide.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The oxygen sensor according to claim 20, wherein said substance to adsorb or desorb the oxygen essentially consists of lanthanum oxide.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
41 words
The oxygen sensor according to claim 20, wherein the ratio of said substance to adsorb or desorb the oxygen contained in said buffer layer ranges from 0.8 to 16% by weight as calculated in terms of a metal constituting said substance.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
32 words
The oxygen sensor according to claim 20, wherein said supporter has a recess formed in one side face thereof, and both said chip and said porous layer are disposed in said recess.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
102 words
The oxygen sensor according to claim 1, wherein said oxygen sensor is applied to an air-fuel ratio control apparatus of an internal combustion engine, and is disposed in an exhaust passage of said internal combustion engine, said oxygen sensor being adapted to detect the concentration of oxygen in exhaust gas and deliver a detection signal, said air-fuel ratio control apparatus including fuel supply means for supplying fuel to said engine, whereby a control signal used to vary the amount of fuel supply to said engine is delivered to said fuel supply means in accordance with said detection signal from said oxygen sensor.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
147 words
A air-fuel ratio control apparatus having an oxygen sensor, disposed in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine and adapted to detect the concentration of oxygen in exhaust gas and deliver a detection signal, and fuel supply means for supplying fuel to said engine, whereby a control signal used to vary the amount of fuel supply to said engine is delivered to said fuel supply means in accordance with said detection signal from said oxygen sensor, comprising: a carrier disposed in said exhaust passage on the upper-course side of said oxygen sensor, with respect to the flowing direction of said exhaust gas, and carrying a substance adapted to adsorb or desorb the oxygen in said exahust gas in accordance with the partial pressure of the oxygen, whereby said exhaust gas to be detected by means of said oxygen sensor reaches said oxygen sensor through said carrier.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
147 words
A air-fuel ratio control apparatus having an oxygen sensor, disposed in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine and adapted to detect the concentration of oxygen in exhaust gas and deliver a detection signal, and fuel supply means for supplying fuel to said engine, whereby a control signal used to vary the amount of fuel supply to said engine is delivered to said fuel supply means in accordance with said detection signal from said oxygen sensor, comprising: a carrier disposed in said exhaust passage on the upper-course side of said oxygen sensor, with respect to the flowing direction of said exhaust gas, and carrying a substance adapted to adsorb or desorb the oxygen in said exahust gas in accordance with the partial pressure of the oxygen, whereby said exhaust gas to be detected by means of said oxygen sensor reaches said oxygen sensor through said carrier.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
DE2341256A1
Cited
US4132615A
Cited
JPS5244689A
Cited
DE2738882A1
Cited
JPS5712002A
Cited
JPS5754854A
Cited
US4741817A
Cited
US4626338A
Cited
US4574042A
Cited
US4584086A
Cited
US4569748A
Cited
JPS60256045A
Cited
US4773376A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-05-29 | 1992-11-28 | 1993-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-05-29 | 1996-11-28 | 1997-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-05-29 | 2000-11-28 | 2001-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |