Abstract: A method is for controlling the operation of an exhaust-gas sensor disposed in an exhaust duct of a motor vehicle and equipped with an internal or external sensor heating device, the motor vehicle including a combustion engine and an automatic switchoff, which causes an automatic switching off of the combustion engine when at least one stop condition is present.

Abstract: An interface device for a gas sensor includes a detection resistor having first and second ends to generate voltages by a current output of the gas sensor, a differential amplifier having first and second input terminals to receive the voltages of the first and second resistor ends and an output terminal to output a voltage according to a difference between the voltages of the first and second resistor ends, a first switching element to transmit the voltage of the first resistor end to the first input terminal of the differential amplifier in a transmission state and interrupt transmission of the voltage of the first resistor end to the first input terminal of the differential amplifier in an interruption state and a second switching element turned on to establish continuity between the first and second input terminals of the differential amplifier when the first switching element is in the interruption state.

Abstract: An exhaust sensor control system for an exhaust sensor is mounted in an exhaust path of an internal combustion engine, wherein the exhaust sensor includes a sensor element for generating an output in accordance with the status of an exhaust gas and a heater for heating the sensor element. The exhaust sensor control system includes a cumulative lean time counting means for counting, after internal combustion engine startup, the cumulative length of time during which the air-fuel ratio is lean; and a heater control means for controlling the heater with a recovery target temperature, which is higher than a normal target temperature, set as a target temperature for the sensor element until the cumulative length of time reaches a recovery determination value.

Abstract: An exhaust sensor control system for an exhaust sensor is mounted in an exhaust path of an internal combustion engine, wherein the exhaust sensor includes a sensor element for generating an output in accordance with the status of an exhaust gas and a heater for heating the sensor element. The exhaust sensor control system includes a recovery value counting means, a heater control means, a cumulative lean time counting means, and a determination value correction means.

Abstract: An exhaust sensor control system for an exhaust sensor is mounted in an exhaust path of an internal combustion engine, wherein the exhaust sensor includes a sensor element for generating an output in accordance with the status of an exhaust gas and a heater for heating the sensor element. The exhaust sensor control system includes an element temperature acquisition means; an desorption progress value counting means; an output correction means; and a correction value calculation means.

Abstract: An oxygen concentration sensor including the sensor element for detecting oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas and the heater for heating the sensor element is installed at the location downstream of a DPF. An ECU controls power supply to the heater to make the sensor element at a predetermined active state. The ECU calculates heat data corresponding to a heat budget in the exhaust pipe in close proximity to the sensor location part after the engine startup, based upon an operating condition of the engine and a driving condition of a vehicle and also makes a determination as to dryness inside the exhaust pipe based upon the heat data. In addition, the power supply to the heater is controlled based upon the result of the dryness determination.

Abstract: A control input (DUT) for controlling a heater (13) which heats an active element (10) of an exhaust gas sensor (8) includes at least one of another component depending on the difference between temperature data of the active element (10) and a target temperature, a component depending on the target temperature, and a component depending on the temperature data of the active element (10). The control input is determined by an optimum control algorithm. A component depending on the temperature of an exhaust gas and the component depending on the target temperature are determined based on a predictive control algorithm. The temperature of the active element (10) of the exhaust gas sensor (8) is thus controlled stably at a desired temperature.

Abstract: A control system for an oxygen sensor heater is provided. The control system includes a passive heater control module that generates a heater control signal at a first duty cycle and measures a resistance of the oxygen sensor heater. An exhaust gas temperature mapping module maps the resistance to an exhaust gas temperature. An active heater control module generates a heater control signal at a second duty cycle based on the exhaust gas temperature.

Abstract: A method of controlling an internal combustion engine system. The method comprises supplying a first amount of electric energy to heat to an upstream sensor located in an exhaust gas passage upstream of an exhaust gas after-treatment device and adjusting an air-fuel mixture supplied to the internal combustion engine based on an output of the upstream sensor during a first engine operating condition, and supplying a second amount of electric energy, which is smaller than the first amount, to heat the upstream sensor and adjusting the air-fuel mixture based on an output of a downstream sensor located in the exhaust gas passage and downstream of the exhaust gas after-treatment device during a second engine operating condition.

Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus and methodology relate to an exhaust gas sensor and sensor heater associated with an exhaust passage of a vehicle engine. The exhaust gas sensor is selectively heated to an applicable activation temperature by the heater so that the sensor may output a normal and accurate sensing signal. The heating must take place, however, without causing damage to the sensor such as that resulting from condensation that may occur within the exhaust passage as a result of engine operation and environmental conditions.

Abstract: A control system for an oxygen sensor heater is provided. The control system includes a passive heater control module that generates a heater control signal at a first duty cycle and measures a resistance of the oxygen sensor heater. An exhaust gas temperature mapping module maps the resistance to an exhaust gas temperature. An active heater control module generates a heater control signal at a second duty cycle based on the exhaust gas temperature.

Abstract: The temperature of an exhaust gas flowing through an exhaust passage 3 is estimated or detected, and the temperature of an active element of an exhaust gas sensor 8. (O2 sensor) is controlled at a predetermined target temperature by a heater using the estimated or detected temperature of the exhaust gas. For estimating the temperature of the exhaust gas in the vicinity of the exhaust gas sensor 8, the exhaust passage 3 extending up to the exhaust gas sensor 8 is divided into a plurality of partial exhaust passageways 3a through 3d, the temperatures of the exhaust gas in the partial exhaust passageways 3a through 3d are estimated successively from an exhaust port 2 of an engine 1. The temperature of the exhaust gas is estimated according to an algorithm which takes into account a heat transfer between the exhaust gas and passage-defining members 6a, 6b, 7 which define the exhaust passage 3 and a heat radiation from the passage-defining members into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus and methodology relate to an exhaust gas sensor and sensor heater associated with an exhaust passage of a vehicle engine. The exhaust gas sensor is selectively heated to an applicable activation temperature by the heater so that the sensor may output a normal and accurate sensing signal. The heating must take place, however, without causing damage to the sensor such as that resulting from condensation that may occur within the exhaust passage as a result of engine operation and environmental conditions.

Abstract: There is provided a method of controlling an internal combustion engine system. The method comprises supplying a first amount of electric energy to heat to an upstream sensor located in an exhaust gas passage from the internal combustion engine and upstream of an exhaust gas after-treatment device and adjusting an air-fuel mixture supplied to the internal combustion engine based on an output of the upstream sensor during a first engine operating condition, and supplying a second amount of electric energy, which is smaller than the first amount, to heat the upstream sensor and adjusting the air-fuel mixture based on an output of a downstream sensor located in the exhaust gas passage and downstream of the exhaust gas after-treatment device during a second engine operating condition.

Abstract: A method for controlling and regulating an electrical heating of a probe situated in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, a total heating power of the probe being set, and an actual temperature value of the probe being determined by measuring a characteristic parameter, e.g., a resistance. To prevent overheating of the probe ceramics, and therefore over-compensation of aging effects when using such a method, a rated heating power is determined by way of a program map as a function of operating points of the internal combustion engine; a control heating power is determined from the actual temperature value and a new setpoint value in a controller; and the total heating power is formed as the sum of the rated heating power and the control heating power. Moreover, due to this procedure, the regulating reserve of the controller is retained in wide ranges of the operating points. A cost advantage is yielded, because a measuring resistor and an analog-to-digital converter can be omitted.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a gas sensor, wherein a microcomputer 44, which is connected to an oxygen sensor 30 including a detection element 12 and a heater 14, detects the cooling water temperature Tw of the engine. The control apparatus determines that condensation water within the exhaust pipe is being generated when the cooling water temperature Tw is equal to or lower than 0° C. When equal to or lower than 0° C., the microcomputer 44 supplies to the heater 14 electrical power for maintaining the temperature of the detection element 12 within the range of 100° C. to a splash-water-cracking generation temperature (e.g., about 300° C.) at or above which cracking can occur in a laminated-type oxygen sensor element 10 due to splash of condensation water. Electrical power is supplied to the heater 14 such that a pulse signal Sh is output from the microcomputer 44, and the heater 14 is pulse-driven by use of a heater electrification control circuit 34.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for computer controlled fuel injection into a vehicle engine under conditions where the vehicle is starting from cold or being restarted after a short period of being shut off. The method utilizes the value of conductance measured at an air/fuel sensor heater and t least one other engine parameter to determine the correct amount of fuel to be injected into the engine to accomplish efficient combustion. The computer controller adjusts the amount of fuel to be delivered from the fuel injector into the engine based on the value of conductance.

Abstract: The invention provides a control strategy and a control system to control a gas sensor to a target operating temperature. It relies upon both feedback and model-based feedforward control systems to achieve and then maintain the sensor at the target operating temperature. The mechanization includes a gas sensor with a heating element in a feedstream. The control strategy employs a control system for the heating element that is based upon the target operating temperature, the temperature of the heating element, and an effect of the feedstream and mounting structure on the temperature of the sensor. The control strategy enables the control system to optimize the heating of a sensor during warm-up and steady state operations.

Abstract: A device according to the present invention is provided with element temperature measurement voltage application circuit for temporarily applying a predetermined voltage for element temperature measurement to a sensor element of an air-fuel ratio sensor equipped to an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, first sensor output reading circuit for reading in a sensor output just before applied with the voltage, and second sensor output reading circuit for reading in a sensor output being applied with the voltage, wherein the element temperature of the air-fuel ratio sensor is estimated based on the sensor output just before applied with the voltage and the sensor output being applied with the voltage. Further, during internal resistance measurement of the sensor element of the air-fuel ratio sensor equipped to the exhaust system of the internal combustion engine, a voltage applied to the heater for heating the sensor element is maintained to be constant.

Abstract: A method for determining the instantaneous temperature of a medium, the medium surrounding an element able to be electrically heated at least intermittently to a constant, known temperature. It is provided for the instantaneous temperature of the medium to be determined from a heating power supplied to the element.

Abstract: When an internal combustion engine is in a low load and low rotation operation, and also an elapsed time after the starting of engine operation is less than a predetermined period of time, a heater heating an air-fuel ratio sensor is turned OFF, to stop an air-fuel ratio feedback control. When the internal combustion engine is in the low load and low rotation operation after the predetermined period of time has elapsed, a low voltage is applied to the heater and also a gain is lowered, to perform the air-fuel ratio feedback control.

Abstract: In a low rotation speed and low load operation region of an internal combustion engine, the heating of an air-fuel ratio sensor by a heater is stopped, and also an air-fuel ratio feedback control is stopped, and just after the heating of the air-fuel ratio sensor by the heater and the air-fuel ratio feedback control are started, a smoothing degree of a detection signal of the air-fuel ratio sensor is set to be small, to perform the air-fuel ratio feedback control based on the smoothed detection signal.

Abstract: An electronic control unit of an internal combustion engine performs preheat energization control before activation energization control. In the activation energization control, a gas sensor is energized with electric power capable of heating the gas sensor to activation temperature. In the preheat energization control, the gas sensor is energized with low electric power, which is not enough to heat the gas sensor to the activation temperature. Thus, while there is a possibility that water adheres to a sensor main body of the gas sensor, the sensor main body is prevented from being heated to high temperature. Meanwhile, even if water droplets exist in the sensor main body of the gas sensor, the water is vaporized gradually, while preventing the bumping of the water.

Abstract: A control apparatus, a control method, and an engine control unit are provided for controlling an output of a controlled object which has a relatively large response delay and/or dead time to rapidly and accurately converge to a target value. When the output of the controlled object is chosen to be that of an air/fuel ratio sensor in an internal combustion engine, the output of the air/fuel ratio sensor can be controlled to rapidly and accurately converge to a target value even in an extremely light load operation mode.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an internal combustion engine determine a catalyst gain based on an exhaust gas sensor positioned upstream relative to a catalyst and at least one exhaust gas sensor positioned downstream relative to at least a portion of the catalyst and use the gain to determine the condition or performance of the catalyst. The gain may be determined by modeling the catalyst as an integrator with an unknown gain and estimating the gain using a polynomial approximation. The gain is compared to an expected value or threshold associated with current operating conditions, such as catalyst temperature and/or mass air flow.

Abstract: A control system capable of controlling a heater that heats an oxygen concentration detector in a fine-grained, efficient, and optimal manner. The control system controls an O2 heater for heating an O2 sensor provided in an exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine, when the engine is started. An ECU sets a duty ratio of a control signal supplied to the O2 heater to a first predetermined value until a first predetermined time period has elapsed after the start of the engine was detected, and sets the same to a second predetermined value smaller than the first predetermined value until a second predetermined time period has elapsed after the lapse of the first predetermined value. Further, the ECU sets the duty ratio of the control signal to a third predetermined value smaller than the second predetermined value after the lapse of the second predetermined time period.

Abstract: In a constitution for feedback controlling an air-fuel ratio using an oxygen concentration detector in which a detection signal thereof has a linearity to the air-fuel ratio within a predetermined air-fuel ratio range inclusive of a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio, when the detection signal from the oxygen concentration detector is outside a region indicating the linearity, a change in air-fuel ratio feedback control signal is limited to be smaller than that when the detection signal from the oxygen concentration detector is within the region indicating the linearity.

Abstract: A system controls the air-fuel ratio in an exhaust gas supplied from an internal combustion engine to a catalytic converter in order to keep an output voltage Vout of an O2 sensor disposed downstream of the catalytic converter at a predetermined target value Vop. In the system, the temperature of an active element of the O2 sensor is controlled at a predetermined temperature such that the output voltage of the O2 sensor at an inflection point of output characteristics thereof is substantially the same as the target value Vop.

Abstract: A method of resetting an active emissions system error indictor associated with a vehicle. The method comprises performing a first requesting step and a second requesting step until the active emissions system error indicator resets in response to the first or second requesting steps. In one embodiment, the first requesting step comprises requesting a first type of information (e.g., information from a first vehicle oxygen sensor) from a vehicle computer associated with the vehicle, and the second requesting step comprises requesting a second type of information (e.g., information from a second vehicle oxygen sensor) from the vehicle computer. In a particular embodiment of the invention, an electronic tool, such as a bi-directional scan tool, is used to perform the first and second requesting steps.

Abstract: A device according to the present invention is provided with element temperature measurement voltage application circuit for temporarily applying a predetermined voltage for element temperature measurement to a sensor element of an air-fuel ratio sensor equipped to an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, first sensor output reading circuit for reading in a sensor output just before applied with the voltage, and second sensor output reading circuit for reading in a sensor output being applied with the voltage, wherein the element temperature of the air-fuel ratio sensor is estimated based on the sensor output just before applied with the voltage and the sensor output being applied with the voltage. Further, during internal resistance measurement of the sensor element of the air-fuel ratio sensor equipped to the exhaust system of the internal combustion engine, a voltage applied to the heater for heating the sensor element is maintained to be constant.

Abstract: A control system capable of controlling a heater that heats an oxygen concentration detector in a fine-grained, efficient, and optimal manner. The control system controls an O2 heater for heating an O2 sensor provided in an exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine, when the engine is started. An ECU sets a duty ratio of a control signal supplied to the O2 heater to a first predetermined value until a first predetermined time period has elapsed after the start of the engine was detected, and sets the same to a second predetermined value smaller than the first predetermined value until a second predetermined time period has elapsed after the lapse of the first predetermined value. Further, the ECU sets the duty ratio of the control signal to a third predetermined value smaller than the second predetermined value after the lapse of the second predetermined time period.

Abstract: A heater controller for an oxygen sensor associated with a vehicle engine. The controller includes a start detect section, a restart determination section, and a heater delay control section. The start detect section detects whether the engine is started. The restart determination section determines whether the engine is restarted. The heater delay control section operates the heater to activate after a predetermined delay time, delayed from startup of the engine, that is set according to an engine water temperature. The operation of the heater is executed when the start detect section detects that the engine is started and the restart determination section determines that the engine is not restarted.

Abstract: A control valve module for gaseous fuels on spark ignited reciprocating engines is presented. The control valve module has a valve that controls gaseous fuel flow to a mixer or other device for air/fuel ratio control, an actuator for moving the valve position, and a controller. The controller receives a signal from a heated exhaust gas oxygen (HEGO) sensor that is an indication of the fuel/air ratio and actuates the valve to control the combustion mixture to a precise stoichiometric ratio.

Abstract: A control valve module for gaseous fuels on spark ignited reciprocating engines is presented. The control valve module has a valve that controls gaseous fuel flow to a mixer or other device for air/fuel ratio control, an actuator for moving the valve position, and a controller. The controller receives a signal from a heated exhaust gas oxygen (HEGO) sensor that is an indication of the fuel/air ratio and actuates the valve to control the combustion mixture to a precise stoichiometric ratio.

Abstract: A device according to the present invention is provided with element temperature measurement voltage application circuit for temporarily applying a predetermined voltage for element temperature measurement to a sensor element of an air-fuel ratio sensor equipped to an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, first sensor output reading circuit for reading in a sensor output just before applied with the voltage, and second sensor output reading circuit for reading in a sensor output being applied with the voltage, wherein the element temperature of the air-fuel ratio sensor is estimated based on the sensor output just before applied with the voltage and the sensor output being applied with the voltage. Further, during internal resistance measurement of the sensor element of the air-fuel ratio sensor equipped to the exhaust system of the internal combustion engine, a voltage applied to the heater for heating the sensor element is maintained to be constant.

Abstract: A gas concentration detector includes a detector element measuring a constituent gas concentration in exhaust gas emitted from an internal combustion engine and a heater for activating the detector element. During a cranking period of the engine, the heater is pre-heated by electric current supplied thereto in a controlled manner to increase a heater resistance to a certain level. After the engine cranking is completed, a full voltage is supplied to the heater, and thereafter the heater current is supplied in a controlled manner to keep the detector element activated. Since the heater resistance is increased to a certain level by pre-heating, an amount of heater current is limited to a certain level when the full voltage is supplied, and thereby the detector element is prevented from being damaged by an excessive heat stress.

Abstract: A heating device is capable of efficiently heat a heated body as heating object. The heating device includes a heating body, a power source for supplying a current to the heating body, a current control element controlling current flowing through the heating body, and a heat conductive body to be thermally coupled with the heating body and the current control element for transmitting heat generated by the heating body and heat generated by the current control element to a heating object.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling temperature of an exhaust gas oxygen sensor in a system having a variable displacement engine include monitoring temperature of the sensor, comparing the sensor temperature to a corresponding desired temperature, and controlling the system to maintain the sensor temperature at or above the desired operating temperature. In one embodiment, the sensor is a heated exhaust gas oxygen (HEGO) sensor and the method includes controlling an integrated sensor heater to maintain the sensor temperature above the desired operating temperature. Depending upon the particular application, the system may also be controlled by controlling the engine to reactivate at least one deactivated cylinder to increase the temperature of the sensor alone or in combination with controlling an integrated or auxiliary sensor heater for systems using HEGO sensor(s).

Abstract: A method and apparatus determine exhaust gas temperature and control the heater of a heated exhaust gas oxygen sensor. Heater failures are diagnosed based on the level of current flowing through the heater. Exhaust gas temperature is determined by using a Kalman filter. The exhaust gas temperature sensor is eliminated while maintaining a high degree of accuracy. Current flowing through the heater is used to calculate the temperature of the heater. The temperature of the heater is compared to a desired temperature range and the current to the heater is adjusted to maintain the desired temperature range.

Abstract: In a control device, in a control device of an internal combustion engine provided with an internal combustion engine main body mounted to a vehicle and a heater operating on the basis of an output from a specific sensor given as a trigger at least before the internal combustion engine main body starts, whether or not the heater is operated before the start is stored, and it is judged that the sensor has failed when operation of the heater is not stored.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio sensor is equipped with a sensing element including a solid electrolytic substrate. When the sending element is warmed up and activated by a heater, a microcomputer controls electric power supplied to the heater based on a control base value being set according to a duty ratio=100%. A power profile P1 is determined beforehand to set a target heater power. Through the warm-up heater power control, an actual heater power supplied to the heater is equalized to the target heater power determined according to the power profile P1.

Abstract: The invention provides a deterioration detector for an exhaust gas sensor capable of detecting an amount of change with age of an internal resistance and conducting deterioration judgment taking into consideration fluctuation between products and temperature dependency of the internal resistance of the exhaust gas sensor.

Abstract: The temperature of an exhaust gas flowing through an exhaust passage 3 is estimated or detected, and the temperature of an active element of an exhaust gas sensor 8 (O2 sensor) is controlled at a predetermined target temperature by a heater using the estimated or detected temperature of the exhaust gas. For estimating the temperature of the exhaust gas in the vicinity of the exhaust gas sensor 8, the exhaust passage 3 extending up to the exhaust gas sensor 8 is divided into a plurality of partial exhaust passageways 3a through 3d, the temperatures of the exhaust gas in the partial exhaust passageways 3a through 3d are estimated successively from an exhaust port 2 of an engine 1. The temperature of the exhaust gas is estimated according to an algorithm which takes into account a heat transfer between the exhaust gas and passage-defining members 6a, 6b, 7 which define the exhaust passage 3 and a heat radiation from the passage-defining members into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A heater power supply control system is provided for controlling the temperature of a heater used to heat a solid electrolyte-made sensor element of a gas concentration sensor up to a desired activation temperature. The heater power supply control system measures a resistance value of the sensor element and controls an electric power supply to the heater using a PI control function. The heater power supply control system works to limit the value of an integral term of the PI control function in the course of activation of the sensor element, thereby avoiding overshoot of the resistance value of the sensor element, which avoids thermal damage of the sensor element.

Abstract: In a constitution for feedback controlling an air-fuel ratio using an oxygen concentration detector in which a detection signal thereof has a linearity to the air-fuel ratio within a predetermined air-fuel ratio range inclusive of a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio, when the detection signal from the oxygen concentration detector is outside a region indicating the linearity, a change in air-fuel ratio feedback control signal is limited to be smaller than that when the detection signal from the oxygen concentration detector is within the region indicating the linearity.

Abstract: A system and a method of controlling an engine during and after a temporary fueling shut-off during idling, deceleration or a switch to auxiliary power generating device is presented. According to this method, maintaining power to the heater of an exhaust gas sensor during the temporary shut-off, and thus keeping the sensor operational shortly following resumption of fueling can eliminate a delay in closed loop air-fuel ratio control. This method provides improvements to fuel economy and emission control.

Abstract: In performing control to supply power to a heater by detecting the impedance of a sensor element and feeding it back for control, a heater control device for an air-fuel ratio according to the invention can prevent damage to the heater or the sensor element by suppressing an excessive rise in the temperature of the heater and hence the sensor element even when the impedance of the sensor element has increased due to degradation of the sensor element. The heater control device includes: a feedback control unit which, based on the impedance of the air-fuel ratio sensor element, controls supply power to the heater for heating the air-fuel ratio sensor; a half-activation time detection unit which detects the half-activation time of the air-fuel ratio sensor; and a power limiting unit which, based on the half-activation time detected by the half-activation time detection unit, limits the power that is feedback-controlled by the feedback control unit.

Abstract: A system and a method of controlling an engine during and after a temporary fueling shut-off during idling, deceleration or a switch to auxiliary power generating device is presented. According to this method, maintaining power to the heater of an exhaust gas sensor during the temporary shut-off, and thus keeping the sensor operational shortly following resumption of fueling can eliminate a delay in closed loop air-fuel ratio control. This method provides improvements to fuel economy and emission control.

Abstract: A heater power supply control system is provided for controlling the temperature of a heater used to heat a solid electrolyte-made sensor element of a gas concentration sensor up to a desired activation temperature. The heater power supply control system measures a resistance value of the sensor element and controls an electric power supply to the heater using a PI control function. The heater power supply control system works to limit the value of an integral term of the PI control function in the course of activation of the sensor element, thereby avoiding overshoot of the resistance value of the sensor element, which avoids thermal damage of the sensor element.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling operation of a heater has an internal resistance detector for detecting an internal resistance value of an oxygen sensor, and a control unit for estimating a surface temperature of the oxygen sensor based on the internal resistance value detected by the internal resistance detector, then estimating a temperature of the exhaust pipe based on the estimated surface temperature of the oxygen sensor and controlling the operation of the heater, which is combined with the oxygen sensor in a single unit, when the estimated temperature of the exhaust pipe has reached a predetermined temperature.