Sensor and method for monitoring and controlling catalysts, especially motor vehicle catalysts

Abstract

A sensor and method for monitoring and controlling catalytic converters, in particular motor vehicle catalytic converters, is designed as a temperature probe which is provided with a catalytic coating. A catalytically coated temperature probe is used for control purposes, with the quantity and/or type of reagents fed to the catalytic converter being at least partially controlled by the sensor.

1 . A sensor for monitoring or controlling a catalytic converter, said sensor comprising: 
 a first sensor element, which is provided with a catalytic coating, is designed as a first temperature probe, and is integrated into the catalytic converter;    at least one second sensor element;    wherein the first and second sensor elements are arranged on a common substrate, on which the sensor is constructed.    
     
     
         2 . The sensor according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the second sensor element has a catalytic coating; and    the catalytic coating of the first temperature probe and the coating of the second sensor element comprise at least part of a catalytic material which has been applied to the catalytic converter or a catalytic material of which the catalytic converter consists.    
     
     
         3 . The sensor according to  claim 1 , wherein the second sensor element comprises a second temperature probe.  
     
     
         4 . The sensor according to  claim 2 , wherein the second sensor element has an electrode structure is suitable for recording an electrical property of its coating.  
     
     
         5 . The sensor according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one sensor element is arranged on each of a top side and an underside of the substrate.  
     
     
         6 . The sensor according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is arranged in an exhaust system of a motor vehicle.  
     
     
         7 . A method for the open-loop or closed-loop control of a catalytic exhaust-gas purification process with the aid of a temperature signal from a sensor according to  claim 1 , wherein a signal from the second sensor, which represents an electrical property of the catalytic coating, is additionally used for the open-loop or closed-loop control of the catalytic exhaust-gas purification process.  
     
     
         8 . (Cancelled)