Deterioration detector system for catalyst in use for emission gas purifier

• US 4,884,066 A
• Filed: 11/17/1987
• Issued: 11/28/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NGK Spark PLUG Company Limited
• Original Assignee: NGK Spark PLUG Company Limited
• Inventors: Miyata, Shigeru, Sawada, Toshiki
• Primary Examiner(s): Orsino, Joseph A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): JACKSON, JILL
• Application Number:
  US07/121,455
• Time in Patent Office: 742 Days
• Field of Search: 123/198 D, 73/118.1, 340/632-634, 338/34, 364/431.06, 364/431.05
• US Class Current: 340/633
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 11/007 the diagnostic devices measuring oxygen or air concentration downstream of the exhaust apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 13/011 having two or more purifying devices arranged in parallel
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2550/02 Catalytic activity of catalytic converters
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1441 Plural sensors
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1456 with sensor output signal being linear or quasi-linear with the concentration of oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

Deterioration detector system for catalyst in use for emission gas purifier, comprising; an emission passageway through which exhaust gas from internal combustion engine, passes by way of catalyst to facilitate the reducing and oxidizing reaction among the toxicant component of hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide; a sensor placed at the emission passageway to position downstream of the catalyst against the exhaust gas flow so as to generate an output in direct proportion to air-fuel ratio in the exhaust gas; an annunciator arranged to activate in response to the output of more than the predetermined level generated from the air- fuel ratio sensor.

Claims

1. A deterioration detector system for catalyst used in an emission gas purifier comprising:

(a) a passageway through which exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine passes in contact with a catalyst to facilitate reducing and oxidizing reactions among gaseous components, hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide;

(b) a sensor placed in said passageway at a position downstream of said catalyst against a flow of said exhaust gas so as to generate an output substantially in direct proportion to air-fuel ratio of said exhaust gas, said sensor producing said output, the magnitude of which changes in a relationship with that of theoretical air-fuel ratio such that the greater the deterioration of said catalyst, the more removed the output of said sensor is from said theoretical air-fuel ratio; and

(c) an annunciator arranged including a switching module (210) to be activated when said output level of said sensor reaches at a predetermined level.

2. A deterioration detection system for a catalyst used in an emission gas purifier in accordance with claim 1 wherein said sensor is a linear sensor comprising:

(d) first and second solid electrolyte plates (A), (B) each arranged in opposed parallel spaced relationship so as to provice a chamber (109) therebetween;

(e) a ceramic spacer (108) interposed between first and second porous electrode layers (102), (104) of said solid electrolyte plates to maintain a space for said chamber (109);

(f) said first porous electrode layer (102) and a third porous electrode layer (101) each positioned to sandwich said first electrolyte plate (A), said third porous electrode layer (101) positioned opposite said chamber (109) being always in contact with reference oxygen gas (R);

(g) said second porous electrode layer (104) and a fourth porous electrode layer (105) each placed to sandwich said second electrolyte plate (B);

(h) said third porous electrode layer (101) being connected to a negative terminal of a comparator (OP3) through a first operational amplifier, said comparator (OP3) being connected at its positive terminal to ground through a battery and at its output terminal to said second porous electrode layer (104);

(i) a common point of said first porous electrode layer (102) connected to a positive terminal of a second operational amplifier (OP5); and

(j) said first porous electrode layer (102) connected to said fourth porous electrode layer (105) whereby said second and said fourth porous electrode layers (104), (105) act on said second electrolyte plate (B) to maintain a constant air-fuel ratio in said chamber (109), and difference between voltage across said first and said third porous electrode layers (102), (101) and voltage (Vc) of said battery is produced from an output terminal of said second operational amplifier (OP5) as a signal of air-fuel ratio in said exhaust gas.

3. In a system as recited in claim 1, said catalyst is made from precious metals, such as platinum, palladium and rhodium.

4. In a system as recited in claim 1, said catalyst is placed between an exhaust port and a muffler of an internal combustion engine.