Abstract: A particulate matter detection device of the present invention includes a plate-like element base material, and a pair of measurement electrodes arranged in the element base material, each of the measurement electrodes is a combteeth-like electrode including a plurality of planarly arranged combteeth portions, and a comb spine portion which connects the plurality of combteeth portions of each of the measurement electrodes to one another at one end of each of the plurality of combteeth portions, the combteeth portions of the measurement electrodes are arranged to engage with each other with a space being left therebetween, and the comb spine portion of at least one of the measurement electrodes is covered with a comb spine covering portion made of a dielectric material.

Abstract: The apparatus is provided with an abnormality determination means for determining abnormality of the apparatus where two different combinations of two electrodes are selected from the three electrodes, an alternating-current voltage is applied to an electrode in one combination by the voltage-applying portion to measure a value of a current flowing to the other electrode via the dielectric body by electrostatic coupling, an alternating-current voltage is applied to an electrode in another combination out of the at least two different combinations by the voltage-applying portion to measure a value of a current flowing to the other electrode via the dielectric body by electrostatic coupling, and an abnormality of the apparatus is determined from the current values measured.

Abstract: A particulate matter detection device includes a plate-like element base material including, on one surface thereof, a formed recess portion to collect a particulate matter; a pair of measurement electrodes arranged on the bottom surface side of the recess portion of the element base material; and a high-voltage dust collection electrode embedded in a wall which forms the recess portion of the element base material on the one surface side of the element base material from a position where the pair of measurement electrodes are arranged. An electric field is generated from the high-voltage dust collection electrode to the pair of measurement electrodes, to collect, on the bottom surface side of the recess portion, the particulate matter flowing along the element base material, and a change of electric characteristics between the pair of measurement electrodes is measured to detect the particulate matter collected on the recess portion.

Abstract: The particulate matter detection device of the present invention is a particulate matter detection device 100 including an electrode portion 21 and detection means 23 for detecting an electrical characteristic of the electrode portion 21, whereby a particulate matter 36 contained in an exhaust gas 32 is detected on the basis of a change of the electrical characteristic due to the particulate matter 36 attached to the electrode portion 21. The particulate matter detection device i00 further includes removal means 25 and abnormality judgment means 26 for comparing an initial electrical characteristic in a use initial state of the device with the electrical characteristic measured in a state where the particulate matter 36 attached to the surface of the electrode portion 21 is removed by the removal means 25, to judge whether or not the particulate matter detection device i00 has an abnormality.

Abstract: A PM sensor is provided having high responsiveness and capable of long term detection. A PM sensor includes a sensor element that has particulate collection electrodes to which a particulate collection voltage for causing particulate matter contained in exhaust to adhere to a sensor element is applied, and measurement electrodes to which a measurement voltage for measuring an electrical characteristic of the sensor element is applied, in which, after a particulate collection voltage is applied to the particulate collection electrodes application of the particulate collection voltage is stopped in response to a predetermined condition being satisfied, the measurement voltage is applied to the measurement electrodes and the electrical characteristic of the sensor element is measured.

Abstract: A particulate matter detection device 100 includes a first electrode 1 whose one surface is covered with an inter-electrode dielectric material 4; a second electrode 2 disposed on the side of the one surface of the first electrode 1, to perform the discharge of electricity by a voltage applied between the first electrode 1 and the second electrode; and a pair of measurement electrodes 5, 15 disposed on the surface of the inter-electrode dielectric material 4 so as to face each other; characteristic measurement means 3 for measuring electric characteristics between the pair of measurement electrodes 5 and 15; and particulate matter amount calculation means 13 for obtaining the amount of the particulate matter 11 collected by the surface of the inter-electrode dielectric material 4, based on the change amount of the electric characteristics.

Abstract: A particulate matter detection device includes a plate-like element base material including, on one surface thereof, a formed recess portion to collect a particulate matter; a pair of measurement electrodes arranged on the bottom surface side of the recess portion of the element base material; and a high-voltage dust collection electrode embedded in a wall which forms the recess portion of the element base material on the one surface side of the element base material from a position where the pair of measurement electrodes are arranged. An electric field is generated from the high-voltage dust collection electrode to the pair of measurement electrodes, to collect, on the bottom surface side of the recess portion, the particulate matter flowing along the element base material, and a change of electric characteristics between the pair of measurement electrodes is measured to detect the particulate matter collected on the recess portion.

Abstract: A particulate matter detection device of the present invention includes a plate-like element base material, and a pair of measurement electrodes arranged in the element base material, each of the measurement electrodes is a combteeth-like electrode including a plurality of planarly arranged combteeth portions, and a comb spine portion which connects the plurality of combteeth portions of each of the measurement electrodes to one another at one end of each of the plurality of combteeth portions, the combteeth portions of the measurement electrodes are arranged to engage with each other with a space being left therebetween, and the comb spine portion of at least one of the measurement electrodes is covered with a comb spine covering portion made of a dielectric material.

Abstract: Provided is a DPF failure detection device not only capable of a quick detection but also having less erroneous and a small power consumption. The DPF failure detection device, after starting applying a dust collecting voltage to a dust collecting electrode, applies a measuring voltage to a measuring electrode while the dust collection voltage is being applied, thereby measuring the capacitance of a sensor device. The DPF failure detection device also stops applying the dust collecting voltage to the dust collecting electrode in response to the fact that the measured value (CCOL) of this capacitance exceeds a completion criterion (CCOL—TH). Further, the DPF failure detection device applies the measuring voltage to the measuring electrode, thereby measuring the capacitance of the sensor device and obtaining a measured value (CPM), on the basis of which a DPF failure is determined.

Abstract: The apparatus 100 is provided with an abnormality determination means 32 for determining abnormality of the apparatus 100 where two different combinations of two electrodes are selected from the three electrodes 22a, 22b, and 22c, an alternating-current voltage is applied to an electrode in one combination by the voltage-applying portion 31 to measure a value of a current flowing to the other electrode via the dielectric body 21a by electrostatic coupling, an alternating-current voltage is applied to an electrode in another combination out of the at least two different combinations by the voltage-applying portion 31 to measure a value of a current flowing to the other electrode via the dielectric body 21a by electrostatic coupling, and an abnormality of the apparatus 100 is determined from the current values measured.

Abstract: The particulate matter detection device of the present invention is a particulate matter detection device 100 comprising an electrode portion 21 and detection means 23 for detecting an electrical characteristic of the electrode portion 21, whereby a particulate matter 36 contained in an exhaust gas 32 is detected on the basis of a change of the electrical characteristic due to the particulate matter 36 attached to the electrode portion 21. The particulate matter detection device 100 further comprises removal means 25 and abnormality judgment means 26 for comparing an initial electrical characteristic in a use initial state of the device with the electrical characteristic measured in a state where the particulate matter 36 attached to the surface of the electrode portion 21 is removed by the removal means 25, to judge whether or not the particulate matter detection device 100 has an abnormality.

Abstract: A plasma generating electrode includes two types of plate-shaped unit electrodes of different polarities, the two types of unit electrodes of different polarities being hierarchically and alternately stacked at specific intervals, a discharge space for generating plasma being formed between the opposing unit electrodes, each of the unit electrodes of one polarity among the two types of unit electrodes of different polarities including a plate-shaped conductor exhibiting conductivity and a ceramic dielectric disposed to cover the conductor, the ceramic dielectric of the unit electrode of one polarity including a support protrusion for forming the discharge space for generating plasma between the opposing unit electrodes and at least a part of a space in which the unit electrode of the other polarity is disposed opposite to the unit electrode of one polarity and for supporting the unit electrode of one polarity, the support protrusion being integrally formed with the ceramic dielectric on at least one surface o

Abstract: A PM sensor is provided having high responsiveness and capable of long term detection. A PM sensor 11 includes a sensor element 12 that has particulate collection electrodes 123A, 128A to which a particulate collection voltage for causing particulate matter contained in exhaust to adhere to a sensor element 12 is applied, and measurement electrodes 127A, 127B to which a measurement voltage for measuring an electrical characteristic of the sensor element 12 is applied, in which, after a particulate collection voltage is applied to the particulate collection electrodes 123A, 128A, application of the particulate collection voltage is stopped in response to a predetermined condition being satisfied, the measurement voltage is applied to the measurement electrodes 127A, 127B, and the electrical characteristic of the sensor element 12 is measured.

Abstract: A particulate matter detection device 100 includes a first electrode 1 whose one surface is covered with an inter-electrode dielectric material 4; a second electrode 2 disposed on the side of the one surface of the first electrode 1, to perform the discharge of electricity by a voltage applied between the first electrode 1 and the second electrode; and a pair of measurement electrodes 5, 15 disposed on the surface of the inter-electrode dielectric material 4 so as to face each other; characteristic measurement means 3 for measuring electric characteristics between the pair of measurement electrodes 5 and 15; and particulate matter amount calculation means 13 for obtaining the amount of the particulate matter 11 collected by the surface of the inter-electrode dielectric material 4, based on the change amount of the electric characteristics.

Abstract: A plasma generating electrode 1 of the invention includes at least a pair of electrodes 5, at least one electrode 5a of the pair of electrodes 5 including a plate-like ceramic body 2 as a dielectric and a plurality of conductive films 3 disposed in the ceramic body 2 and each having a plurality of through-holes 4 formed through the conductive film 3 in its thickness direction in a predetermined arrangement pattern, the through-holes 4 having a cross-sectional shape including an arc shape along a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction, an arrangement pattern of the through-holes 4a formed in at least one conductive film 3a being different from an arrangement pattern of the through-holes 4b formed in the other conductive film 3b. The plasma generating electrode 1 is capable of simultaneously generating different states of plasma upon application of voltage between the pair of electrodes 5 due to the different arrangement patterns of the through-holes 4 in the conductive films 3.

Abstract: A plasma generating electrode of the invention present includes at least a pair of electrodes 5, at least one electrode 5a of the pair of electrodes 5 including a plate-like ceramic body 2 as a dielectric and a conductive film 3 disposed inside the ceramic plate 2 and having a plurality of through-holes 4 formed through the conductive film 3 in its thickness direction, the through-holes having a cross-sectional shape including an arc shape along a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction. The plasma generating electrode can generate uniform and stable plasma at low power consumption.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purer (100) includes a plasma reactor (10) that includes a plasma generating electrode (1) formed by hierarchically stacking a plurality of unit electrodes (2) at specific intervals, the plasma reactor generating plasma in a space formed between the unit electrodes (2) by applying a pulse voltage between the unit electrodes (2) so that exhaust gas can be treated via a reactions and a power supply that generates the pulse voltage, each of the unit electrodes (2) including a conductive film (4) and a dielectric (3) disposed on at least one side of the conductive film (4), the unit electrodes (2) being stacked so that the dielectric (3) is positioned on at least one of opposing sides of the unit electrodes (2), the pulse voltage having a pulse width of 1 ?m to 1 mm and a field intensity of 5 kV/cm or more, and the amount of energy supplied when applying the pulse voltage being 10 J or less per microgram of a treatment target substance.

Abstract: In an exhaust gas purifying technique in which discharge is utilized, the invention provides a technique in which purification efficiency can be enhanced while an increase in electric power consumption is suppressed. A discharge mode including a discharge period and an undischarged period is adopted in a configuration in which a plasma process is performed to exhaust gas from a Diesel engine by generating the discharge in a plasma generator. A basic waveform periodically exists in a repeated manner in the discharge period, and the discharge is not performed in the undischarged period. An amplitude and/or a period of the basic waveform is controlled according to a load on the Diesel engine, a continuous iteration count of the basic waveform is controlled according to purification reaction efficiency in the plasma process, and the burst period is controlled according to an exhaust gas flow rate.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a sensing device and method for direct measurement of a concentration of PM contained in exhaust gas and measurement of PM concentration in an exhaust pipe: a power supply unit (10); an electrode unit (11) fitted in the exhaust pipe and composed of a pair of parallel flat plates; and a sensing unit (12) for measuring electrical characteristics of the electrode unit (11) after the power supply unit (10) applies a predetermined voltage to the electrode unit (11) and PM contained in exhaust gas inside the exhaust pipe is deposited onto the electrode unit (11), and for sensing the concentration of the PM contained in the exhaust gas inside the exhaust pipe from the measured electrical characteristics.

Abstract: A system for purifying an exhaust gas includes a plasma unit and a catalyst unit. The plasma unit generates energetic plasma species which react with particulate matters and nitrogen oxides contained in the exhaust gas. The catalyst unit has a catalyst which reacts with the exhaust gas. The plasma unit is disposed upstream relative to the catalyst unit in a direction of flow of the exhaust gas and the system provides sequential purification for the particulate matters and the nitrogen oxides.