METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR EXHAUST PARTICULATE MATTER SENSING
First Claim
1. A method for an exhaust particulate matter (PM) sensor, comprising:
- generating a first electric field via a planar interdigitated electrode pair; and
generating a second electric field via the planar interdigitated electrode pair and a second planar element parallel with the planar interdigitated electrode pair.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
19 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method for an exhaust particulate matter (PM) sensor, comprising:
-
generating a first electric field via a planar interdigitated electrode pair; and generating a second electric field via the planar interdigitated electrode pair and a second planar element parallel with the planar interdigitated electrode pair. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A method for an engine, comprising:
regenerating an exhaust particulate filter responsive to a voltage difference between electrodes of a first planar interdigitated electrode pair, the first electrode pair positioned parallel to a second planar element, the second planar element held at a voltage that is biased with relation to a voltage of at least one of the electrodes of the first pair, wherein a first major surface of the first planar pair and a second major surface of the second planar element face one another such that a center of the first major surface is aligned with a center of the second major surface. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
-
17. 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. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
-
Specification