The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 07, 1987
Filed:
Oct. 30, 1984
Jiro Nakano, Toyota, JP;
Takao Ishibashi, Toyota, JP;
Takao Akatsuka, Toyota, JP;
Mamoru Takata, Toyota, JP;
Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aichi, JP;
Abstract
An internal combustion engine has an exhaust system and an oxygen sensor fitted to the exhaust system including a sensor element and an electrically powered heater for heating the sensor element. A method for controlling the electrical power supplied to the heater properly and quickly heats up the sensor element after engine starting from the cold condition. At the time of starting up the engine it is determined whether or not the temperature of the engine is less than a certain value. If so, the heater is provided with electrical power to the maximum practicable amount, for a certain time interval after the engine is started up. Thereby, during engine heating up operation, the temperature of the sensor element is brought up to its minimum proper operating temperature as quickly as practicable, and accordingly it is ensured that engine performance and the quality of exhaust gas emissions at the time of such engine warming up operation are good. A system is also described for implementing this method.