Robert W Hetrick

US Patent:

43812244, Apr 26, 1983

Filed:

Apr 27, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/258185

Inventors:

William A. Fate - Ann Arbor MI
Robert E. Hetrick - Dearborn Heights MI

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

G01N 2746

US Classification:

204 1T

Abstract:

This specification discloses a step function lean burn sensor for determining the partial pressure of oxygen in an exhaust gas. Such a measurement is useful for air fuel ratio control in an internal combustion engine. This device uses the electrical properties of an electrochemical pump cell to determine the step function output. The device utilizes the qualitative nature of the current-voltage characteristic of the pump cell to reduce requirements on cell fabrication.