Air/fuel ratio detector

Patent · Tue Mar 25 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:5901687

Yamada, T; Hirate, S

This patent describes an air/fuel ratio dectector. This detector consists of: a solid-electrolyte oxygen-concentration-difference-actuated electrochemical cell sensor element which has a porous electrode formed on both sides of an oxygen-ion-conductive solid electrolyte, a solid-electrolyte oxygen pump element which also has a porous electrode formed on both sides of an oxygen-ion-conductive solid electrolyte, and an oxygen reference element having a metal oxide semiconductor layer formed on one side of a substrate which is made of an air-impermeable member. The electrochemical cell sensor element and the pump element are disposed to face each other with a small gap therebetween. An air compartment which is open to the atmosphere is formed between that side of the pump element which is opposite the side facing the small gap and that of the reference element which is opposite the side having the metal oxide semiconductor layer. The air/fuel ratio is detected both by a change in electrical properties as provided by the oxygen reference element and by an output signal as provided by at least one of the electromotive force of the electrochemical cell sensor element and a pump current flowing through the pump element.

• Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co.
• Patent Number(s): US 4578172
• OSTI ID: 5901687
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

25 ENERGY STORAGE
250903* -- Energy Storage-- Batteries-- Materials
Components
& Auxiliaries
AIR FLOW
CHALCOGENIDES
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTRODES
ELECTROLYTES
ELECTROMOTIVE FORCE
ELEMENTS
FLUID FLOW
FUEL-AIR RATIO
GAS FLOW
MATERIALS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
METALS
METERS
NONMETALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN METERS
POROSITY
PUMPS
SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS
SOLID ELECTROLYTES
SUBSTRATES