Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
57 words
An air/fuel ratio detector comprising a solid electrolyte electrochemical cell element (10) actuated by an oxygen concentration difference, a solid electrolyte oxygen pump elememt (3), and an oxygen reference element including a metal oxide layer (17), the cell element (10) and the pump element (3) facing each other and being spaced apart by a small distance (f).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
57 words
An air/fuel ratio detector comprising a solid electrolyte electrochemical cell element (10) actuated by an oxygen concentration difference, a solid electrolyte oxygen pump elememt (3), and an oxygen reference element including a metal oxide layer (17), the cell element (10) and the pump element (3) facing each other and being spaced apart by a small distance (f).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
A detector according to claim 1, further including means (24) for monitoring changes in the electrical properties of the metal oxide layer (17) and for monitoring at least one of an output signal provided by the electromotive force (e) of the cell element (10) and a pump current flowing through the pump element (3).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A detector according to claim 2, wherein the means (24) is adapted to hold one of the electromotive force and the pump current substantially constant.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
An air/fuel ratio detector according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein each element (3, 10) is in the form of an oxygen ion conductive solid electrolyte (6, 13) having a porous electrode (4, 5; 11, 12) formed on both sides.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
An air/fuel ratio detector 'according to claim 4, wherein, at least one of the elements (3, 10) has an electrically insulating substrate (9, 16) formed on one side except for the area where the porous electrode is provided, the metal oxide layer (17) being formed on the surface of the or one of the insulating substrates.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A detector according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the metal oxide layer (17) is semiconducting.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A detector according to any of the preceding claims, further including heating means (8, 15) associated with the cell element (10) and the pump element (3).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
An exhaust system including a detector according to at least claim 2, wherein the means (24) provides a control signal which is fed back to means for controlling the air/fuel ratio.