The oxygen sensor or lambda sensor is an electronic device which measures oxygen content in the analyzed mix. It was invented in the late sixties and was constantly improved since then. A lambda sensors found broad application in science, automotive industry, medicine and many other areas.
What is the oxygen sensor?
The oxygen sensor is the device intended for measurement of amount of oxygen in the environment with which it is in direct contact. There are many various applications for such device. Divers use them for measurement of percentage of oxygen in mix with other gases which they breathe in aqualungs. In branch of health care such devices are used for determination of amount of the oxygen given to the patient during an anesthesia. The similar sensor shows how many oxygen is in a blood-groove of the person. In cars these devices are used to definition of a ratio of air in fuel mix which comes to the engine. It is especially important as the sensor of oxygen is an integral part of a system of injection of fuel of any modern car. Without their use there would be no opportunity to automatically regulate the system of injection of fuel that would reduce the power of the power unit.
Application in cars
The oxygen sensors used in vehicles to a thicket are called mix regulators. They accommodate on the way of a stream of exhaust gases of the engine – in the exhaust system. The sensor measures the amount of not burned down oxygen which is going out of the engine in real time. The great value says that mix of fuel and air in the system of injection is too rich. To the contrary, the total absence of not burned down oxygen will mean that mix too poor. Exhausts of the engine will contain unacceptable levels of pollutants in both cases and also the efficiency of use of fuel will decrease.
As the oxygen sensor works
The sensor of oxygen has a plain design which allows it to perform the functions. It, in effect, consists of ceramic dioxide of zirconium with a thin layer of a platinum covering on one of the parties. When oxygen comes into contact with these materials, small electric charge is created. This charge passes on the wires connecting the sensor to an electronic control unit or operating a car microcomputer. Degree of a charge is defined by amount of oxygen with which the sensor contacts. As a result of comparison of the obtained data with reference values, the microcomputer increases or reduces an oxygen stream in a fuel system. Thus, there is a regulation of operation of the automobile motor.