Abstract: A particulate sensor (10) to be attached to a gas flow pipe EP through which a gas to be measured EG containing particulates S flows. The particulate sensor (10) includes a gas introduction discharge pipe (31); a discharge element (60) including a discharge electrode member (62) maintained at a discharge potential DV and which electrifies particulates contained in the gas under measurement, and a sealed portion (60C) located on a proximal end side GK of an element distal end portion and in which the discharge electrode member is disposed and insulated from the outer surface (60CS) thereof; a surrounding member (38, 39) maintained at a first potential SGND; and an electrically conductive glass seal (37) which establishes electrical communication between the surrounding member and the pipe (31), and is in close contact with the outer surface of the sealed portion of the discharge element to provide gastight sealing.

Abstract: A fine particle detection system which can appropriately detect the amount of fine particles contained in a gas under measurement is provided. In the case where it is determined by insulation test means 221, 230 that the degree of insulation does not fall within the allowable range, heater energization means 221, 223 performs heater energization (S5 to S7) for energizing a heater 105 to thereby heat a gas contact portion 100s. In the case where it is determined by the insulation test means without performance of the heater energization that the degree of insulation falls within the allowable range, sensor drive means 210, 221, 240 drives a fine particle sensor 10 after that (step S3).

Abstract: A particle detection system (1) includes a particle sensor (10) having a detection section (11) exposed to a gas under measurement EG. The particle sensor (10) includes an insulating member (121, 100), and a heater section (150, 105) for heating at least a portion of the gas contact surface (121s, 101s) of the insulating member (121, 100). The particle detection system (1) includes adhesive restraining energization means (225, 223, S4, S10) for heating the gas contact surface (121s, 101s) to an adhesion restraining temperature Td at which adhesion of the particles S to the gas contact surface (121s, 101s) is restrained as compared with the case where the heater section is not energized, wherein adhering particles SA which are particles adhering to the gas contact surface (121s, 101s) burn at the particle burning temperature Tb.

Abstract: A particulate amount determination section of a particulate measurement system corrects a measurement signal or the amount of particulates determined from the measurement signal based on one or a plurality of three operating condition parameters selected from speed of the vehicle, rotational speed of the internal combustion engine and torque of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A particulate sensor (10) to be attached to a gas flow pipe EP through which a gas to be measured EG containing particulates S flows. The particulate sensor (10) includes a gas introduction discharge pipe (31); a discharge element (60) including a discharge electrode member (62) maintained at a discharge potential DV and which electrifies particulates contained in the gas under measurement, and a sealed portion (60C) located on a proximal end side GK of an element distal end portion and in which the discharge electrode member is disposed and insulated from the outer surface (60CS) thereof; a surrounding member (38, 39) maintained at a first potential SGND; and an electrically conductive glass seal (37) which establishes electrical communication between the surrounding member and the pipe (31), and is in close contact with the outer surface of the sealed portion of the discharge element to provide gastight sealing.

Abstract: A particulate sensor includes: an inner metallic member which is maintained at a first potential and which has a gas introduction pipe into which a target gas is introduced; a tubular outer metallic member which surrounds the radially outer circumference of the inner metallic member and which is attached to a gas flow pipe to thereby be maintained at a ground potential; and an insulating spacer which is interposed between the inner metallic member and the outer metallic member so as to electrically insulate them from each other and which has a tubular gas contact portion which is exposed to the interior of the gas flow pipe and comes into contact with the gas under measurement. The insulating spacer has a heater for heating the gas contact portion. The heater includes a heat generation resistor embedded in the insulating spacer.

Abstract: A particulate sensor (1) includes an ion source (15) and a reference potential member (45). The particulate sensor (1) detects particulates S contained in a gas under measurement EG by means of ions CP. The ion source (15) includes a ceramic structure (100) having a ceramic laminate (101) and a discharge electrode member (110). The discharge electrode member (110) has an inter-layer portion (112A, 111) embedded between the layers of the ceramic laminate (101) and an exposed portion (112B) extending from the inter-layer portion (112A, 111) to a position outside the ceramic laminate (101). The discharge electrode member (110) generates the gaseous discharge between the reference potential member (45) and the exposed portion (112B) including one or more needle-shaped distal end portions (1125) upon application of a constant DC discharge potential PV2.

Abstract: A particulate sensor (1) which detects particulates S contained in a gas under measurement (EG) flowing within a gas flow pipe (EP) has a space forming portion (12) and an ion source (15). The space forming portion (12) projects into the gas flow pipe EP and forms an internal space MX. The space forming portion (12) has an introduction port (43I) and a discharge port (48O) for discharging from the internal space MX the gas EGI introduced through the introduction port (43I). The source (15) produces ions CP by gaseous discharge. The space forming portion (12) is configured such that the introduced gas EGI is discharged from the internal space MX through the discharge port (48O), the gas under measurement EG is introduced into the internal space MX through the introduction port (43I), and the introduced gas EGI is mixed with the ions CP produced by the ion source (15).

Abstract: A particulate detection system (1) for detecting the quantity of particulates S in a gas under measurement EG includes first heater energization means S2 to S3, current convergence determination means S4 to S5, S7 to S8, second heater energization means S6, and detection start means S10. S2 to S3 performs low-temperature energization of heater (78) for a predetermined period after operation of ion source (11) is started by ion source drive circuit (210) such that gaseous discharge current Id becomes equal to a predetermined target current It. S4 to S5, S7 to S8 determines, after elapse of the predetermined period, whether or not Id has converged to an allowable range IR. When S4 to S5 determines that Id has not yet converged, S6 performs high-temperature energization of the heater (78) until Id converges. Then, S10 starts detection of particulates S using signal Is detected by a detection circuit (230).

Abstract: A particle detection system (1) includes a particle sensor (10) having a detection section (11) exposed to a gas under measurement EG. The particle sensor (10) includes an insulating member (121, 100), and a heater section (150, 105) for heating at least a portion of the gas contact surface (121s, 101s) of the insulating member (121, 100). The particle detection system (1) includes adhesive restraining energization means (225, 223, S4, S10) for heating the gas contact surface (121s, 101s) to an adhesion restraining temperature Td at which adhesion of the particles S to the gas contact surface (121s, 101s) is restrained as compared with the case where the heater section is not energized, wherein adhering particles SA which are particles adhering to the gas contact surface (121s, 101s) burn at the particle burning temperature Tb.

Abstract: A particulate detection system (1) for detecting the quantity of particulates S in a gas under measurement EG, including a detection section (10), a drive circuit (210, 240), and a control section (230, 202). The detection section (10) has an ion source (11) and a particulate electrification section (12). The drive circuit (210) includes an ion source drive circuit (210) for performing constant current control. The control section (230, 202) includes current convergence determination means S2-S3, S5-S6, and detection start means S8 for starting detection of the quantity of the particulates S using the signal Is, detected by a detection circuit (230), after the gaseous discharge current Id has converged to an allowable range IR.

Abstract: A particulate detection system (1) for detecting the amount of particulates S in a gas under measurement EG includes a detection section (10), a drive circuit (210, 240), and a drive control section (225). The detection section includes a first potential member (31, 12, 13) maintained at a first potential PV1, a second potential member (14, 51, 53) maintained at a second potential PVE, PV3, and an insulating member (121, 77, 76) disposed between the first and second potential members. The system includes insulation test means (215, S3, 245, S5) for testing the degree of insulation between the first and second potential members. The drive control section includes drive permission/prohibition determination means S4, S6 for determining, on the basis of the degree of insulation tested by the insulation test means, whether to permit the drive of the detection section by the drive circuit.

Abstract: A particulate sensor includes: an inner metallic member which is maintained at a first potential and which has a gas introduction pipe into which a target gas is introduced; a tubular outer metallic member which surrounds the radially outer circumference of the inner metallic member and which is attached to a gas flow pipe to thereby be maintained at a ground potential; and an insulating spacer which is interposed between the inner metallic member and the outer metallic member so as to electrically insulate them from each other and which has a tubular gas contact portion which is exposed to the interior of the gas flow pipe and comes into contact with the gas under measurement. The insulating spacer has a heater for heating the gas contact portion. The heater includes a heat generation resistor embedded in the insulating spacer.

Abstract: A particulate sensor including a sensor unit (300) having an ion generation section (611, 361, 322); an electric charge section (612) for electrically charging at least portion of particulates S using ions PI; a capture section (616, 617, 316, 326, 362) for trapping at least portion of the ions PI not used for electrically charging the particulates S; and a sensor ground section (340, 310v, 330v3) connected to the capture section and having a first floating potential corresponding to the amount of the ions PI trapped by the capture section. The sensor unit can detect the amount of the particulates S in the gas on the basis of the electric potential of the sensor ground section. The sensor ground section is covered with insulating ceramic at that outer portion of the sensor unit which comes into contact with the gas.

Abstract: A particulate detection system (1) includes detection section (10), compressed air source (300) which includes compressor (301) for producing compressed air AK, compressor drive circuit (320) and control means (100). The detection section includes a gas jetting source (11). A drive condition for jetting air AR from jetting hole (31N) at a first flow rate Q1 is defined as a first drive condition JK1, and a drive condition for jetting the air AR at a second flow rate Q2 smaller than the first flow rate Q1 is defined as a second drive condition JK2. The control means includes first instruction means S5 for driving the compressor under the first drive condition JK1 when the quantity of the particulates S is detected, and second instruction means S6 for driving the compressor under the second drive condition JK2 when the quantity of the particulates S is not detected.

Abstract: A particulate detection system (1) for detecting the quantity of particulates S in a gas under measurement EG includes first heater energization means S2 to S3, current convergence determination means S4 to S5, S7 to S8, second heater energization means S6, and detection start means S10. S2 to S3 performs low-temperature energization of heater (78) for a predetermined period after operation of ion source (11) is started by ion source drive circuit (210) such that gaseous discharge current Id becomes equal to a predetermined target current It. S4 to S5, S7 to S8 determines, after elapse of the predetermined period, whether or not Id has converged to an allowable range IR. When S4 to S5 determines that Id has not yet converged, S6 performs high-temperature energization of the heater (78) until Id converges. Then, S10 starts detection of particulates S using signal Is detected by a detection circuit (230).

Abstract: A particulate detection system (1) for detecting the quantity of particulates S in a gas under measurement EG, including a detection section (10), a drive circuit (210, 240), and a control section (230, 202). The detection section (10) has an ion source (11) and a particulate electrification section (12). The drive circuit (210) includes an ion source drive circuit (210) for performing constant current control. The control section (230, 202) includes current convergence determination means S2-S3, S5-S6, and detection start means S8 for starting detection of the quantity of the particulates S using the signal Is, detected by a detection circuit (230), after the gaseous discharge current Id has converged to an allowable range IR.

Abstract: A particulate detection system (1, 2, 3) detects the quantity of particulates S contained in exhaust gas EG discharged from an internal combustion engine ENG and flowing through an exhaust pipe EP. The system (1, 2, 3) includes a detection section (10) attached to the exhaust pipe EP; and a drive processing circuit (201) electrically connected to the detection section (10), driving the detection section (10), and detecting and processing a signal Is from the detection section 10. The drive processing circuit (201) includes drive start delay means (S2, S3, S11, S12, S13, S22, S23) for delaying start of the drive of the detection section (10) until a start condition determined by the drive processing circuit (201) is satisfied after startup of the internal combustion engine ENG.

Abstract: A particulate detection system (1) includes detection section (10), compressed air source (300) which includes compressor (301) for producing compressed air AK, compressor drive circuit (320) and control means (100). The detection section includes a gas jetting source (11). A drive condition for jetting air AR from jetting hole (31N) at a first flow rate Q1 is defined as a first drive condition JK1, and a drive condition for jetting the air AR at a second flow rate Q2 smaller than the first flow rate Q1 is defined as a second drive condition JK2. The control means includes first instruction means S5 for driving the compressor under the first drive condition JK1 when the quantity of the particulates S is detected, and second instruction means S6 for driving the compressor under the second drive condition JK2 when the quantity of the particulates S is not detected.

Abstract: A particulate sensor (1) which detects particulates S contained in a gas under measurement (EG) flowing within a gas flow pipe (EP) has a space forming portion (12) and an ion source (15). The space forming portion (12) projects into the gas flow pipe EP and forms an internal space MX. The space forming portion (12) has an introduction port (43I) and a discharge port (48O) for discharging from the internal space MX the gas EGI introduced through the introduction port (43I). The source (15) produces ions CP by gaseous discharge. The space forming portion (12) is configured such that the introduced gas EGI is discharged from the internal space MX through the discharge port (48O), the gas under measurement EG is introduced into the internal space MX through the introduction port (43I), and the introduced gas EGI is mixed with the ions CP produced by the ion source (15).