Protective element for a measuring probe and corresponding measuring probe, honeycomb body and motor vehicle

• US 7,537,383 B2
• Filed: 05/07/2007
• Issued: 05/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Emitec Gesellschaft für Emissionstechnologie mbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Emitec Gesellschaft für Emissionstechnologie mbH (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Bruck, Rolf, Althofer, Kait
• Primary Examiner(s): VERBITSKY, GAIL KAPLAN
• Application Number:
  US11/800,534
• Publication Number:
  US 20070242728A1
• Time in Patent Office: 750 Days
• Field of Search: 123/65.PE, 123/676, 731/140.1, 731/143.4, 731/146.9, 7311471-11474, 731/147.7, 73/73, 73/233.1, 738/665, 374/163, 374/164, 374/183, 374/185, 374/179, 374/16
• US Class Current: 374/144
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 13/008 Mounting or arrangement of exhaust sensors in or on exhaust apparatus sensor arrangements for engine control F02D41/1439
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2560/02 the means being an exhaust gas sensor
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/4077 Means for protecting the electrolyte or the electrodes

Abstract

A protective element for a measuring probe, in particular a measuring probe for use in the exhaust system of a motor vehicle, includes at least one temporarily water-binding layer which binds water chemically and/or physically in a first operating state and releases the bound water in a second operating state. A corresponding measuring probe, honeycomb body and motor vehicle are also provided.

Claims

1. In an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine having a measuring probe with a measuring sensor therein, a protective element comprising:

at least one temporarily water-binding layer disposed in a vicinity of the measuring probe and the measuring sensor, said layer binding water at least one of chemically or physically in a first operating state and releasing the bound water in a second operating state.

2. The protective element according to claim 1, wherein the protective element has a substantially closed shape with an inner surface and an outer surface.

3. The protective element according to claim 2, wherein said substantially closed shape is a ring or a circular ring.

4. The protective element according to claim 1, wherein the protective element is formed of an at least partially compressible or elastic material.

5. The protective element according to claim 1, wherein at least said temporarily water-binding layer is porous.

6. The protective element according to claim 1, wherein at least said temporarily water-binding layer has a porosity of at least 40%.

7. The protective element according to claim 1, wherein at least said temporarily water-binding layer has a porosity of more than 70%.

8. The protective element according to claim 1, wherein the protective element is formed of at least one of the following materials:

a). mica;

b). aluminum oxide;

or

c). zeolite.

9. The protective element according to claim 8, wherein said aluminum oxide is y-aluminum oxide.

10. The protective element according to claim 8, wherein said zeolite is at least one material selected from the group consisting of zeolite A, X, Y and faujasite.

11. The protective element according to claim 1, wherein said water-binding layer includes at least one of the following materials:

a). mica;

b). aluminum oxide;

or

c). zeolite.

12. The protective element according to claim 11, wherein said aluminum oxide is y-aluminum oxide.

13. The protective element according to claim 11, wherein said zeolite is at least one material selected from the group consisting of zeolite A, X, Y and faujasite.

14. The protective element according to claim 1, wherein the protective element is temperature-resistant at temperatures up to 500°

C.

15. The protective element according to claim 1, wherein the protective element is temperature-resistant at temperatures up to 750°

C.

16. The protective element according to claim 1, wherein the protective element is temperature-resistant at temperatures up to 1,000°

C.

17. The protective element according to claim 1, wherein said first operating state and said second operating state differ in operating temperature.

18. The protective element according to claim 17, wherein said first operating state is present substantially at temperatures below a limiting temperature, and said second operating state is present substantially at temperatures above said limiting temperature.

19. The protective element according to claim 18, wherein said limiting temperature is a desorption temperature.

20. The protective element according to claim 18, wherein said limiting temperature is higher than the boiling temperature of water.

21. The protective element according to claim 1, which further comprises a surface of the protective element, said water-binding layer being located at least partially on said surface.

22. The protective element according to claim 21, which further comprises a surface of the protective element disposed at least partially outwardly relative to the measuring probe, said water-binding layer being formed at least partially on said surface.

23. The protective element according to claim 21, wherein a surface of the protective element is configured to be disposed at least partially outwardly relative to at least one of the measuring probe or said measuring sensor, said water-binding layer being formed at least partially on said surface.

24. The protective element according to claim 1, wherein the protective element is configured for substantially gas-tight abutment against an outer surface of the measuring probe.

25. The protective element according to claim 1, wherein the protective element is configured for substantially gas-tight abutment against one of an outer surface of the measuring probe or an outer surface of the measuring sensor.

26. The protective element according to claim 1, wherein the protective element is configured for substantially gas-tight abutment against an inner surface of a measuring probe bore.

27. The protective element according to claim 1, which further comprises a heater.

28. The protective element according to claim 1, wherein the measuring probe is at least one probe selected from the group consisting of a lambda probe, a temperature sensor and a gas concentration sensor.

29. The protective element according to claim 1, wherein said at least one temporarily water-binding layer has at least an inner surface abutting at least partially against an outer surface of at least one of the measuring probe or of the measuring sensor.

30. The protective element according to claim 1, wherein said at least one temporarily water-binding layer has at least an inner surface disposed at least partially opposite an outer surface of at least one of the measuring probe or the measuring sensor.

31. The protective element according to claim 1, wherein said at least one temporarily water-binding layer has at least an inner surface abutting at least partially against and being disposed at least partially opposite an outer surface of at least one of the measuring probe or of the measuring sensor.

32. The protective element according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the measuring probe or the measuring sensor has an outer surface spaced apart from an inner surface of said temporarily water-binding layer to define a gap therebetween, at least in certain areas.

33. The protective element according to claim 1, wherein said temporarily water-binding layer is at least one of integrally formed on or materially connected to at least one of the measuring probe or of the measuring sensor.

34. The protective element according to claim 1, wherein said temporarily water-binding layer is at least one of force-lockingly or form-lockingly connected to at least one of the measuring probe or of the measuring sensor.

35. The protective element according to claim 1, which further comprises a protective cap, said temporarily water-binding layer is disposed between said protective cap and the measuring sensor.

36. A honeycomb body, comprising cavities through which a fluid can flow, and at least one protective element according to claim 1.

37. The honeycomb body according to claim 36, wherein the honeycomb body is at least one of a catalyst carrier body or a filter body.

38. The honeycomb body according to claim 36, wherein said water-binding layer at least partially includes a surface of said protective element to be placed in fluid mechanical contact with said cavities.

39. A motor vehicle, comprising at least one honeycomb body according to claim 36.

40. The motor vehicle according to claim 39, wherein the motor vehicle is selected from the group consisting of an automobile, a motorcycle, an aircraft and a boat.