Abstract: The invention is directed to a circuit arrangement for operating an exhaust-gas probe including a NOx double chamber sensor. The exhaust-gas probe includes: a heatable solid-state electrolyte body having first and second pump chambers and diffusion barriers for separating the chambers from each other and from the exhaust gas. A third chamber communicates with the atmosphere. An external pump electrode is exposed to the exhaust gas and a first oxygen pump electrode is disposed in the first pump chamber. A second oxygen pump electrode is disposed in at least one of the first and second pump chambers and a nitrogen oxide pump electrode is disposed in the second pump chamber. An air reference electrode is disposed in the third chamber. Only one pump voltage generating circuit unit is provided and a switching device switches the pump voltage generating circuit unit between respective ones of the pump electrodes.

Abstract: An electric contact coupling for connection of a first group of electric conductors to a second group of electric conductors, and especially for use in the coupling of rail and other vehicles with one another, comprises a first plug contact carrier and a second socket contact carrier which are movable into assembly with one another to bring the plug contact elements of the first contact carrier into electric contact with the socket contact elements of the second contact carrier. The two contact carriers are arranged in respectively associated contact carrier housings. The first contact carrier is movable by a positioning mechanism axially relative to its housing to bring its contacts into engagement with the contacts of the second carrier after the two carrier housings have been brought into engagement with one another. Transversely movable closure members seal the carrier housings against the penetration of dirt and moisture when the carrier housings are uncoupled from one another.

Abstract: For the reduction of internal stresses and formation of cracks caused thereby, an exhaust gas probe includes two measuring electrodes separated by a solid electrolyte layer made substantially of ZrO2 and a circuit-board conductor layer for electrically heating the solid electrolyte layer. The circuit-board conductor layer is firmly connected to the solid electrolyte layer via a first sealingly sintered insulating layer made of an Al2O3-containing material. A pore-forming material is added to the Al2O3-containing material before. sintering.

Abstract: A sensor for the monitoring of an NOx catalyst having a storage material for the adsorption of NOx, the storage material forming the sensitive element of the sensor. As a result, it is possible to measure the instantaneous degree of charging of the storage material, and a quasi-linear control for the storage of NOx is made possible. The ability to precisely monitor the degree of charging of the storage material makes it possible to better utilize the storage capacity, and the catalyst can be dimensioned in a more cost-effective manner. The conversion phase of the rich side can be predicted more precisely and consequently be integrated more favorably into the driving cycle. The sensor for the monitoring of an NOx catalyst is especially suitable for installation in the exhaust path of an internal combustion engine with direct gasoline injection or of a diesel engine.

Abstract: An electrochemical gas sensor for determining the concentration of gas components in a gas mixture, in particular for determining NOx and HC. The gas sensor includes a first measuring gas space which is connected to the measuring gas, and a second measuring gas space which is connected to the first measuring gas space by a connecting channel. Furthermore, a first electrode and a second electrode, arranged in the first measuring gas space, and at least one third electrode arranged in the second measuring gas space, and at least one fourth electrode are provided. The two measuring gas spaces are arranged in layer planes on top of one another and are separated from one another by at least one oxygen ion conducting layer, the connecting channel passing through the oxygen ion conducting layer.

Abstract: A method for operating a sensor element (10) for determining at least one gas component of a gas, in particular of an exhaust gas of a combustion engine, is proposed. A measured gas space (35) that is in communication with the gas located outside the sensor element (10) is introduced into the sensor element (10). A first electrode (31) and a second electrode (32) are provided in the measured gas space (35) on an oxygen-ion-conducting solid electrolyte (21), and a third electrode (33) is provided outside the measured gas space (35). The second electrode (32) is electrically connected by the solid electrolyte (21) to the third electrode (33), so that oxygen is pumpable by application of a voltage between the second electrode (32) and the third electrode (33).

Abstract: An internal combustion engine (1), in particular for a motor vehicle, is described; it is equipped with a catalytic converter (12) which may be exposed to nitrogen oxides. A lambda probe (13) is provided for measuring the oxygen concentration downstream from the catalytic converter (12). The nitrogen oxides supplied to the catalytic converter (12) are increased by a controller (18), and the conversion capacity of the catalytic converter (12) is concluded from the increase in oxygen concentration downstream from the catalytic converter (12).

Abstract: A solid electrolyte-based sensor element of a gas sensor for determining a gas component in a gas mixture is described, in particular for determining the concentration of oxygen and/or nitrogen oxides in exhaust gases of internal combustion engines. The sensor element has an electrochemical cell that includes a first and a second electrode, both electrodes being located in internal gas spaces of the sensor element. The internal gas space in which the first electrode is located is largely in the same layer plane of the sensor element as at least one other internal gas space of the sensor element in which the second electrode or a reference electrode are located.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine (1), especially for a motor vehicle, is described, which has a three-way catalytic converter (12″) and a storage catalytic converter (12′) which can be loaded with and unloaded of nitrogen oxides. A diagnosis of the storage catalytic converter (12′) is carried out by a control apparatus (18) below a temperature at which the three-way catalytic converter (12″) does not yet operate.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for monitoring the function and/or regeneration of a gas probe. The invention includes a measurement of first and second pump currents of the gas probe and a determination of a difference between the first and second pump currents (&Dgr;I). If &Dgr;I exceeds a pregiven value, then a saturation pump voltage is applied and the difference between a resulting pump current and a previously stored minimum pump current (&Dgr;I plus) is determined. If &Dgr;I plus exceeds a pregiven value, then a regeneration voltage is applied.

Abstract: A sensor for determining gas components and concentrations in a gas mixture that is particularly suitable for analyzing HC, NOx and CO in exhaust gases of internal combustion engines in the sensor, an outer electrode, that is separated from an MOx electrode by an electrolyte layer, is applied on a substrate. In this context, the outer electrode and the MOx electrode are in communication with the gas mixture to be analyzed. In addition, the outer electrode contains a region that is in contact with a gas-permeable tunnel layer which in turn contains a region that is directly exposed to the gas mixture to be analyzed, so that the gas to be analyzed can be supplied to the outer electrode via the gas-permeable tunnel layer.

Abstract: An electrical pressure contact includes a housing sleeve with an end facing the contact and an end facing away from the contact, a contact pin axially slidably supported in the housing sleeve, which pin extends out of the housing sleeve at the side facing the contact, which pin is a pushable into the housing sleeve against the biasing force of the a biasing element arranged in the housing sleeve, and through the conductive body of which pin the electrical contact is made, a terminal piece for fastening to an electrical supply conductor at the end of the housing facing away from the contact, and an axially flexible electrical conductor arranged in the housing sleeve between the terminal piece and the contact pin. The flexible electrical conductor is at its end facing the contact clamped into an axial bore formed in the end of the contact pin facing away from the contact and at its end facing away from the contact is clamped in an axial bore formed in the end of the terminal piece facing the contact.

Abstract: A sensor for the monitoring of an NOx catalyst having a storage material for the adsorption of NOx, the storage material forming the sensitive element of the sensor. As a result, it is possible to measure the instantaneous degree of charging of the storage material, and a quasi-linear control for the storage of NOx is made possible. The ability to precisely monitor the degree of charging of the storage material makes it possible to better utilize the storage capacity, and the catalyst can be dimensioned in a more cost-effective manner. The conversion phase of the rich side can be predicted more precisely and consequently be integrated more favorably into the driving cycle. The sensor for the monitoring of an NOx catalyst is especially suitable for installation in the exhaust path of an internal combustion engine with direct gasoline injection or of a diesel engine.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a circuit arrangement for operating an exhaust-gas probe including a NOx double chamber sensor. The exhaust-gas probe includes: a heatable solid-state electrolyte body having first and second pump chambers and diffusion barriers for separating the chambers from each other and from the exhaust gas. A third chamber communicates with the atmosphere. An external pump electrode is exposed to the exhaust gas and a first oxygen pump electrode is disposed in the first pump chamber. A second oxygen pump electrode is disposed in at least one of the first and second pump chambers and a nitrogen oxide pump electrode is disposed in the second pump chamber. An air reference electrode is disposed in the third chamber. Only one pump voltage generating circuit unit is provided and a switching device switches the pump voltage generating circuit unit between respective ones of the pump electrodes.

Abstract: An electrode system, particularly for installation in an exhaust line, has a holding body made of an insulating material, on which at least one operating electrode is positioned. The holding body has a heating device for facilitating easy cleaning in the installed position.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine (1), especially for a motor vehicle, is described, which has a catalytic converter (12) which can be loaded with and unloaded of nitrogen oxides. An NOx sensor (14) is provided with which NOx emissions can be measured downstream of the catalytic converter (12). The catalytic converter (12) can be only partially loaded by a control apparatus (18). An increased NOx emission can be generated forward of or in the catalytic converter (12) by the control apparatus (18). A conclusion can be drawn as to the operability of the catalytic converter (12) by the control apparatus (18) from NOx emissions measured downstream.

Abstract: Method for operating a sensor for determining the concentration of oxidizing gases in gas mixtures, especially of the nitrogen oxide concentration in exhaust gases of internal combustion engines, wherein the sensor includes: at least one chamber (1; 2) mounted in a solid state electrolyte (20), the chamber being connected to the gas mixture via a first diffusion barrier (4); a second chamber (3) arranged in the solid state electrolyte (20) and the chamber having a pregivable constant oxygen partial pressure; on the solid state electrolyte, an oxygen pump electrode (9) subjected to the exhaust gas; a further oxygen pump electrode (7; 8) as well as an NO pump electrode (10) in the at least one chamber (1; 2); and an oxygen reference electrode (6) arranged in the second chamber (3); and at least a voltage is made available at the electrodes and at least a pump current is evaluated as a measurement signal, is characterized in that the voltages (U_IPE; U_O2; U_NO), which are applied to the electrodes, are changed

Abstract: An internal combustion engine (1), especially for a motor vehicle, is described, which has a catalytic converter (12) which can be loaded with and unloaded of nitrogen oxides. An NOx sensor (14) is provided with which NOx emissions can be measured downstream of the catalytic converter (12). The catalytic converter (12) can be only partially loaded by a control apparatus (18). An increased NOx emission can be generated forward of or in the catalytic converter (12) by the control apparatus (18). A conclusion can be drawn as to the operability of the catalytic converter (12) by the control apparatus (18) from NOx emissions measured downstream.

Abstract: A temperature sensor, in particular for a gas sensor, has at least one printed conductor, where a temperature-dependent change in a resistance of the printed conductor is detected and analyzed. The printed conductor has at least one section made of a solid electrolyte.

Abstract: A gas sensor and a method for its manufacture are described. The gas sensor has a solid electrolyte having at least one measuring electrode and one porous protective coating. The measuring electrode has an electrically conductive base layer and a further layer, the further layer god being deposited in the pores of the porous protective coating adjacent to the base layer via galvanic deposition. In order to deposit the further layer via galvanic deposition, the basic body, which has been fused with the base layer and the protective coating via vitrification, is immersed in a galvanizing bath, the base layer being connected as the cathode.