Patent ID: 6602471
Filing Date: 2003-08-05
Classification: F01N,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
An adsorption amount sensor for detecting an amount of hydrocarbons adsorbed by a zeolite of a hydrocarbon adsorber, for purifying exhaust gases, that adsorbs hydrocarbons in the exhaust gases by using said zeolite, the adsorption amount sensor comprising:a plurality of electrodes carrying zeolite thereon with said electrodes spaced apart from each other by a predetermined gap and arranged in the vicinity of said hydrocarbon adsorber there being no zeolite in the gap between said electrodes; and a hydrocarbon adsorption amount-detecting means for detecting said amount of hydrocarbons adsorbed by said zeolite, by using a parameter indicative of changes in at least one of a resistance value between said electrodes and an electrical capacitance between said electrodes.