Particulate matter sensor diagnostic system and method

• Main Authors: Anilovich Igor, Tylutki Vincent J
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 19.12.2017
• Subjects: BLASTING; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNALCOMBUSTION ENGINES; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES ORENGINES IN GENERAL; HEATING; INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIRCHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES; LIGHTING; MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; MEASURING; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; PHYSICS; STEAM ENGINES; TESTING; TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES ORSTRUCTURES; TESTING STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; WEAPONS

A diagnostic module for diagnosing a particulate matter sensor in a vehicle includes a sensor mode selection module, a heater power detector, and a protection tube diagnostic module. The sensor mode selection module selects a regeneration mode for the particulate matter sensor from among a plurality of operation modes. The regeneration mode regenerates the particulate matter sensor. The heater power detector determines a voltage output based on a voltage applied to the particulate matter sensor. The voltage output corresponds to operation of the particulate matter sensor in the selected mode. The protection tube diagnostic module performs a diagnostic of the particulate matter sensor. The protection tube diagnostic module selectively diagnoses a fault in the particulate matter sensor based on the voltage output determined during the regeneration mode and a regeneration power threshold.