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New Oxygen Sensors for
          next generation of vehicles.

          
Wide-range oxygen
          sensors are set to be introduced into the next generation

          of vehicles. The sensors will replace standard switching oxygen
          sensors that

          can only determine whether the air to fuel ratio is either rich
          (having excess fuel)

          or lean (having excess oxygen). More oxygen means the fuel is
          burned more

          completely, improving fuel consumption and emissions levels.



          US engineering firm Delphi has been working on the wide-range
          sensors to

          improve their tolerance to engine temperatures.

          





          The sensors will be able to give engine management systems more
          detailed

          information on the engine's oxygen levels. The information can
          be used to

          develop lean burning engines, able to burn less fuel at normal
          operating

          ranges and to optimise intake during acceleration.



          Thermal optimisation is crucial to implementing the technology
          with operating temperatures ranging from -40°C to in excess
          of 1000°C. The obvious approach

          is to increase the size of the sensor, but longer sensors are
          subject to more

          vibration, shortening their life-span. Shorter sensors are also
          easier for

          customers to integrate into exhaust designs and to install.



          At the other end of the vehicle, Delphi has come up with a sensor
          to monitor

          the air available to passengers, able to detect unhealthy levels
          of carbon

          monoxide and nitrogen oxides.



          John Kirk, sensor development engineer for the firm said: "When
          air is low

          quality, the sensor notifies the automatic climate control system,
          which can

          close the intake vent and re-circulate air for a little while
          instead."



          The sophisticated Intellek sensor can detect oxidising gases,
          such as

          nitrogen oxides and "farm smells", at the same time
          as reducing gases,

          such as carbon monoxide, without one gas masking the presence
          of the other.

          ________________________________________________

          
For more information
          contact:-

          
Delphi, USA.



          July
          2002

          



                
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