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:
Jun. 03, 2014
Filed:
Dec. 21, 2010
Hiroshi Inagaki, Komaki, JP;
Hiroshi Inagaki, Komaki, JP;
NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd., Aichi, JP;
Abstract
A sensor control apparatus includes: a gas sensor including an oxygen concentration detection cell having a first solid electrolyte body, a reference electrode and a detection electrode, and a heater; an electric current supply unit that supplies electric current to the oxygen concentration detecting cell; an activation determination unit; a heater control unit that sets a first target temperature equal to or higher than an activation determination temperature when the activation determination unit determines that the temperature of the gas sensor is equal to or higher than the activation determination temperature; an automatic stop detection unit; and a first temperature switching unit that controls electric current supplied to the heater such that the target temperature of the heater is switched to a second target temperature different from a temperature at which blackening is generated in the first solid electrolyte body when an automatic stop is detected.