Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control system for an internal combustion engine has a catalytic converter arranged in an exhaust passage. A maximum oxygen storage amount indicative of the maximum amount of oxygen that can be stored in the catalytic converter is calculated. The air-fuel ratio of a mixture supplied to the engine is forcibly oscillated at a predetermined frequency and a predetermined amplitude. At least one of the predetermined frequency and the predetermined amplitude is changed at a predetermined rate of change. A predetermined rate of change of the at least one of the predetermined frequency and the predetermined amplitude is set in dependence on the maximum oxygen storage amount to thereby secure the maximum purification rate of the catalytic converter.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control system for an internal combustion engine having a catalyst arranged in the exhaust system, for purifying exhaust gases emitted from the engine. Upstream and downstream air-fuel ratio sensors arranged in the exhaust system at respective locations upstream and downstream of the catalyst detect the concentration of a specific component present in the exhaust gases. An ECU controls the air-fuel ratio of an air-fuel mixture supplied to the engine, in response to the outputs from the upstream and downstream air-fuel ratio sensors. The ECU detects deterioration of the catalyst caused by sulfur poisoning, based on at least the output from the downstream air-fuel ratio sensor.

Abstract: An exhaust gas-purifying system for an internal combustion engine includes a catalyzer arranged in the exhaust system of the engine. The catalyzer is provided with a heater for heating the same. An ECU controls the operation of the heater. The ECU is responsive to operating conditions of the engine detected by engine operating parameter sensors, for restraining the operation of the heater.

Abstract: An adsorber temperature-estimating device for an internal combustion engine comprises an adsorber arranged in the exhaust passage, for adsorbing an unburnt gas component present in exhaust gases emitted from the engine. Operating parameter sensors detect operating parameters of the engine, and an ECU estimates the temperature of the adsorber, based on the detected operating parameters. An exhaust gas-purifying system for the engine comprises the adsorber, a catalytic converter arranged in the exhaust passage at a location downstream of the adsorbing means, for purifying exhaust gases, and a secondary air supply pump for supplying secondary air to the exhaust passage at a location upstream of the catalytic converter. The ECU controls an amount of secondary air to be supplied to the exhaust passage, based on the estimated temperature calculated by the adsorber temperature-estimating device.

Abstract: An adsorbing capacity determining apparatus is provided for determining the adsorbing capacity of an unburned component adsorbing device in an exhaust system for an internal combustion engine. The adsorbing capacity determining apparatus comprises upstream and downstream air-fuel ratio detectors, respectively coupled upstream and downstream from the unburned component adsorbing device, a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the unburned component adsorbing means and a computer for determining the adsorption capacity as a function of the outputs of the system and downstream air-fuel ratio detectors, when the temperature is within a predetermined range.

Abstract: An exhaust gas-purifying system for an internal combustion engine has an adsorbing device arranged in an exhaust passage thereof for adsorbing or desorbing unburnt component contained in exhaust gases. An exhaust gas recirculation passage branches off from the exhaust passage at a branch point downstream of the adsorbing device and extending to an intake passage of the engine for returning exhaust gases flowing through the adsorbing device to the intake passage. The path of exhaust gases is changed to selectively introduce the exhaust gases containing the unburnt components into the exhaust gas recirculation passage. The adsorbing capacity of the adsorbing device is checked based on a manner of change in an air-fuel ratio of exhaust gases detected when the exhaust gases are introduced into the exhaust gas recirculation passage.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has an adsorber arranged in the exhaust passage for adsorbing unburnt components in exhaust gases, and an exhaust gas-purifying device arranged in the exhaust passage at a location downstream of the adsorber. The exhaust gas-purifying device is equipped with a heater. An ignition timing of an internal combustion engine is retarded when the engine is started at a low engine temperature. The retardation of the ignition timing is restrained over a time period from the start of the engine to a time point the exhaust gas-purifying device is warmed up to a predetermined activated condition.

Abstract: An exhaust gas-purifying system for an internal combustion engine is provided with hydrocarbon-adsorbing catalyzer for adsorbing unburnt gas components present in exhaust gases. At least one exhaust gas-purifying catalyzer is arranged in the exhaust passage at a location downstream of the hydrocarbon-adsorbing catalyzer. A bypass passage bypasses the hydrocarbon-purifying catalyzer. A changeover valve is arranged in the exhaust passage at a branchpoint between the bypass passage and the exhaust passage, for selecting a first flow path in which exhaust gases are guided to the unburnt gas component-adsorbing catalyzer, or a second flow path in which exhaust gases are guided through the bypass passage. First and second exhaust gas concentration sensors are arranged in the exhaust passage at locations upstream and downstream of the hydrocarbon-purifying catalyzer.