Abstract: A first gas sensing element is provided in a first position to measure a concentration of a gas continuously, and a second sensing element is provided in a second position to measure the concentration of the gas intermittently. The second position is in close proximity to the first position. A deterioration determination unit is connected with the first and second sensing elements to make a determination as to whether the first sensing element becomes deteriorated, by comparing output values from the first and second sensing elements. A power controller is configured to supply the second sensing element with electric power throughout waiting periods during which the second sensing element stops measuring the concentration of the gas, and an amount of the electric power supplied throughout waiting periods is smaller than that supplied throughout operating periods during which the second sensing element continuously measures the concentration of the gas.

Abstract: The gas detecting system of the present invention is equipped with a catalytic combustion type gas sensor 1a and a semiconductor type gas sensor 1b, in a gas detecting system 1 having an operating sate in which generation of electricity is performed, and an idling state, at the time of the operating state, detection of the detection target gas is performed by the catalytic combustion type gas sensor 1a, whereas at the time of the idling state, detection of the detection target gas is performed by the semiconductor type gas sensor 1b.

Abstract: A gas sensor disposed on a wall of a gas passage, the gas sensor including: a gas detector detecting a target gas contained in the gas flowing in the gas passage; a detector which houses therein the gas detector and has a gas chamber into which the gas is introduced; and a cutoff valve controlling the introducing of the gas into the gas chamber from the gas passage.

Abstract: A gas sensor which includes walls delimiting a gas detection chamber, and having an introduction port (or an inlet) through which an observed gas is introduced into the gas detection chamber, a measuring element disposed in the gas detection chamber and measuring concentration of a subject gas contained in the observed gas, and a heater constituting at least a portion of the walls, the portion facing the gas detection chamber.

Abstract: A control device determines whether or not the detected value of a unit conducting current output from a current sensor at least plural times is equal to or greater than a predetermined upper limit current at time of the start of the actuation of a gas sensor, and furthermore, determines that each of the units of the gas sensor is set in an abnormal state if a duration for a state in which it is determined that the detected value of the unit conducting current is equal to or greater than the predetermined upper limit current is equal to or longer than a predetermined upper limit time.

Abstract: When the ignition switch of a vehicle is turned OFF, a purging process for increasing the flow of an off-gas fluidizing in each of the outlet side pipings of a fuel cell and discharging water remaining in a fuel cell system to an outside is started to be executed, and the amount of current conductance to the heater of the gas sensor is increased synchronously with the start of the execution of the purging process. With the completion of the purging process, the fluidization of the off-gas in each of the outlet side pipings stops, and the amount of current conductance to each of the units of the gas sensor (for example, an electrifying voltage) is gradually decreased depending on a predetermined current conductance reducing amount which is preset, thereby stopping the current conductance to each of the units and the amount of current conductance to the heater is gradually decreased, thereby stopping the current conductance to the heater.

Abstract: A first gas sensing element is provided in a first position to measure a concentration of a gas continuously, and a second sensing element is provided in a second position to measure the concentration of the gas intermittently. The second position is in close proximity to the first position. A deterioration determination unit is connected with the first and second sensing elements to make a determination as to whether the first sensing element becomes deteriorated, by comparing output values from the first and second sensing elements. A power controller is configured to supply the second sensing element with electric power throughout waiting periods during which the second sensing element stops measuring the concentration of the gas, and an amount of the electric power supplied throughout waiting periods is smaller than that supplied throughout operating periods during which the second sensing element continuously measures the concentration of the gas.

Abstract: A gas detection chamber in which a gas sensing element is provided to detect a component of a gas allowed into the gas detection chamber is heated by a heater, and an output of the heater is regulated by a heater regulator. The heater regulator is adapted to cause the heater to continue to heat the gas detection chamber (preferably but not necessarily, the output of the heater is caused to lower) when an anomaly detection device detects an anomaly of the gas sensing element.

Abstract: A gas sensor includes a gas detection chamber into which a detection gas is introduced, a detecting element and a compensating element each disposed in the gas detection chamber, a detection device which detects the concentration of a detection target gas contained in the detection gas, in accordance with a difference in electrical resistance values between the detecting element and the compensating element, and a dehumidifying element which is provided in the gas detection chamber, and reversibly absorbs water contained in the detection gas and drains off the water absorbed in the dehumidifying element.

Abstract: The gas detecting system of the present invention is equipped with a catalytic combustion type gas sensor 1a and a semiconductor type gas sensor 1b, in a gas detecting system 1 having an operating sate in which generation of electricity is performed, and an idling state, at the time of the operating state, detection of the detection target gas is performed by the catalytic combustion type gas sensor 1a, whereas at the time of the idling state, detection of the detection target gas is performed by the semiconductor type gas sensor 1b.

Abstract: When the ignition switch of a vehicle is turned OFF, a purging process for increasing the flow of an off-gas fluidizing in each of the outlet side pipings of a fuel cell and discharging water remaining in a fuel cell system to an outside is started to be executed, and the amount of current conductance to the heater of the gas sensor is increased synchronously with the start of the execution of the purging process. With the completion of the purging process, the fluidization of the off-gas in each of the outlet side pipings stops, and the amount of current conductance to each of the units of the gas sensor (for example, an electrifying voltage) is gradually decreased depending on a predetermined current conductance reducing amount which is preset, thereby stopping the current conductance to each of the units and the amount of current conductance to the heater is gradually decreased, thereby stopping the current conductance to the heater.

Abstract: A control device determines whether or not the detected value of a unit conducting current output from a current sensor at least plural times is equal to or greater than a predetermined upper limit current at time of the start of the actuation of a gas sensor, and furthermore, determines that each of the units of the gas sensor is set in an abnormal state if a duration for a state in which it is determined that the detected value of the unit conducting current is equal to or greater than the predetermined upper limit current is equal to or longer than a predetermined upper limit time.

Abstract: An ignition apparatus is provided for internal combustion engines to obtain higher reliability for the solder bonding parts. The ignition apparatus includes a molded case having an input-output terminal formed on the molded case, a semiconductor switching device, a control circuit board, and a heat sink. As such, the molded case provides a single body for containing the input-output terminal, the semiconductor switching device, the control circuit board and the heat sink. On the heat sink, one or more laminated structures are used, including the semiconductor switching devices with beryllia as an electric insulation plate.

Abstract: Provided is an ignition apparatus for internal combustion engines with higher reliability for the solder bonding parts.

Abstract: In order to reduce the bulk and weight of the upper igniter case division of the armor case, and to lower the center of gravity of the total apparatus so as to provide an igniter which is tough to oscillate, the igniter for the internal combustion engine has the armor case equipped with the coil department and igniter unit therein, and said armor case has the igniter case having the coil department case and the connector department. Furthermore, the coil department case is inserted in the plug hole of the internal combustion engine. The igniter unit is mounted in the igniter case. Furthermore, the igniter unit has a semiconductor device of a simple substance silicon chip having integrated therein a semi-conductor for switching and a current limiting circuitry. The semi-conductor for switching consists of an insulated bipolar transistor (IGBT) or a power transistor.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an exhaust circulation control valve having a simple structure and having both high-precision low-flow control characteristics and responsive large-flow control characteristics. In an exhaust circulation control valve 1, there are disposed an exhaust gas inlet port 6 for letting in exhaust gas from an exhaust gas path 2 of an engine E and an exhaust gas feed port 7 feeding the exhaust gas to an inlet path 3. Exhaust gas inlet port 6 and feed port 7 are made continuous with each other via coaxially disposed first and second openings 11, 12. First and second valve bodies 15, 16 are disposed on openings 11, 12 respectively in order to open and close the openings. First valve 15 is controlled by a drive mechanism 17 based on the operating state of engine E. Second valve 15 is kept in a closed state by a spring 19. Thus, when the lift on first valve 15 is small, exhaust gas flows only through first opening 11.

Abstract: In order to reduce the bulk and weight of the upper igniter case division of an armor case, and to lower the center of gravity of the total apparatus so as to provide an igniter which is tough to oscillate, the igniter for the internal combustion engine has the armor case equipped with a coil compartment and igniter unit. The armor case has the igniter case having the coil case and connector. Furthermore, the coil compartment case is inserted in the plug hole of the internal combustion engine. The igniter unit is mounted in the igniter case. Furthermore, the igniter unit has a semiconductor device of a single substance silicon chip having integrated therein a semi-conductor for switching and a current limiting circuitry. The semi-conductor for switching consists of an insulated bipolar transistor (IGBT) or a power transistor.