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System and method for controlling a self-heated gas sensor based on sensor impedance

  • US 6,409,969 B1
  • Filed: 06/01/1999
  • Issued: 06/25/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/01/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A gas sensor system for use in an internal combustion engine, comprising:

  • a gas sensor having a sensing element for detecting a gas and operable to generate a gas level signal at an output of said sensor;

    a heating element adjacent said gas sensor operable to generate a continuously variable amount of heat for warming said sensing element in response to variable power applied to said heating element;

    an impedance sensor connected to said output of said sensing element and having circuitry generating an impedance signal as a function of the impedance of said sensor element; and

    control means, connected between said impedance sensor and said heating element, for continuously varying the power applied to said heating element as a function of said impedance signal.

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