Patent ID: 6679982
Filing Date: 2004-01-20
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
An oxygen sensor disposed downstream from a catalyst for purifying an exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine fuel, said fuel containing hydrocarbon having a ratio of hydrogen to carbon of at least 3:1, an output voltage of the oxygen sensor varying according to the concentration of oxygen and at least one of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon, said oxygen sensor comprising:a reference electrode; a solid electrolytic body composed of material having an oxygen ion conductivity, said reference electrode disposed on an inner periphery of said electrolytic body; and a detection electrode disposed on an outer periphery of said electrolytic body, said detection electrode having an output inhibiting means for controlling an output voltage of said oxygen sensor, said output inhibiting means inhibiting the voltage generated by the presence of hydrocarbon from exceeding a reference level which would otherwise be exceeded in the presence of the hydrocarbon, said reference level corresponding to a level for determining whether an air/fuel ratio is one of lean and rich.