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:
Feb. 02, 2010
Filed:
Oct. 13, 2005
Michael Zillmer, Sickte, DE;
Matthias Holz, Lehre, DE;
Ekkehard Pott, Gifhorn, DE;
David Prochazka, Libosovice, CZ;
Michael Zillmer, Sickte, DE;
Matthias Holz, Lehre, DE;
Ekkehard Pott, Gifhorn, DE;
David Prochazka, Libosovice, CZ;
Volkswagen AG, Wolfsburg, DE;
Skoda Auto A.S., Mlada Boleslav, CZ;
Abstract
A method is for controlling the operation of an exhaust-gas sensor disposed in an exhaust duct of a motor vehicle and equipped with an internal or external sensor heating device, the motor vehicle including a combustion engine and an automatic switchoff, which causes an automatic switching off of the combustion engine when at least one stop condition is present. It is provided that: (a) following an automatic switching off of the combustion engine by the automatic switchoff, a first future instant is determined at which the exhaust-gas temperature in the exhaust duct will drop below a condensation temperature below which condensate precipitation from the exhaust gas may occur; (b) a second instant is determined at which a heat output of the sensor heating device must be interrupted or reduced so that a sensor temperature of the exhaust-gas sensor will have dropped to a maximally allowed sensor temperature no later than the first future instant; and the heat output of the sensor heating device is interrupted or reduced when the second instant is attained.