A sensor for detecting electrically conductive and/or polarizable particles, in particular for detecting soot particles, includes a substrate and at least two electrode layers, a first electrode layer and at least one second electrode layer, which is arranged between the substrate and the first electrode layer. At least one insulation layer is formed between the first electrode layer and the at least one second electrode layer and at least one opening is formed in both the first electrode layer and the at least one insulation layer. At least some sections of the opening in the first electrode layer and of the opening in the insulation layer are arranged one above the other, such that at least one passage is formed to the second electrode layer.

In a particulate detection system (10), a control board (911), a high voltage generation board (913) and an isolation transformer (720) are respectively disposed in a first space (921d) and a second space (921e) separated from each other by an inner case (923). When electromagnetic noise is generated in the high voltage generation board (913) and the isolation transformer (720); specifically, at the primary winding of the isolation transformer 720, at the time of switching the primary current supply, the electromagnetic noise is blocked by the inner case (923). This configuration reduces the influence of electromagnetic noise generated in the primary winding on the control board (911).

Methods and systems are provided for a particulate matter sensor. In one example, the sensor may include a concave inlet for admitting exhaust gas from an exhaust passage downstream of a particulate filter into the sensor.

A method of generating vehicle control data includes: storing, with a storage device, relationship prescription data; operating, with an execution device, an operable portion of an internal combustion engine; acquiring, with the execution device, a detection value from a sensor that detects the state of the vehicle; calculating, with the execution device, a reward; and updating, with the execution device, the relationship prescription data using update mapping determined in advance, the update mapping using the state of the vehicle based on the detection value, an operation amount used to operate the operable portion, and the reward corresponding to the operation as arguments, and returning the relationship prescription data which have been updated such that an expected profit for the reward calculated when the operable portion is operated in accordance with the relationship prescription data increases.

An abnormality diagnosis device includes a partially-plugged filter, a pressure difference sensor, a PM sensor, a first estimation portion estimating a diagnosis amount of PM from the partially-plugged filter, according to a running condition of the internal combustion engine, a second estimation portion estimating the diagnosis amount of PM according to an output of the pressure difference sensor, a third estimation portion estimating the diagnosis amount of PM according to an output of the PM sensor, and an abnormality diagnosis portion distinctly determining an abnormality of the internal combustion engine, an abnormality of the partially-plugged filter, and an abnormality of the PM sensor by comparing the diagnosis amount of PM estimated by the first estimation portion, the diagnosis amount of PM estimated by the second estimation portion, and the diagnosis amount of PM estimated by the third estimation portion.

Methods and systems are provided for reducing soot sensor electrode degradation in harsh chemical environment introduced as a result of desulfation of a lean NOx trap positioned upstream of the soot sensor. In one example, a method may include in response to the SOx load being higher than the threshold, prior to initiating desulfation of LNT, operating the soot sensor in a pre-desulfation mode where the negative electrode is connected to the positive electrode for a brief duration, while the positive electrode is disconnected from the positive electrode. However during desulfation, when H.sub.2S is released as a by-product, both the electrodes may be open, i.e. not connected to the positive electrode or ground, thereby reducing the possibility of sensor degradation.

A method may comprise: positioning a pressure control valve (PCV) at an outlet of a fuel rail; positioning a volume control valve (VCV) at an inlet of a high pressure pump; and in response to an exhaust particulate matter (PM) level deviating from a target PM level, adjusting a fuel ratio of a first fuel and a second fuel delivered to an engine, and opening one of the PCV and the VCV. In this way, the fuel oxygen content may be adjusted to maintain a PM at or below a target level without a DPF over a broad range of engine designs and operating conditions, while maintaining fuel economy.

When only smoke is generated, the sensor sensitivity is not substantially changed from the initial value. When both smoke and unburned HC are generated, the number of times the sensor sensitivity becomes lower than the initial value is increased. From these results, it can be understood that a deposit is formed in the presence of unburned HC and smoke existing simultaneously. The degree of reduction in sensor sensitivity becomes higher if the smoke concentration is increased when the unburned HC concentration condition is fixed. From this result, it can also be understood that while the coexistence of smoke and unburned HC is a prerequisite, unburned HC contributes largely to the formation of a deposit.

One aspect relates to a soot sensor for detecting electrically conductive and/or polarizable particles, including a substrate, an electrode layer that is formed on the substrate and that includes at least two spatially separated electrodes that engage into each other. At least one cover layer is formed on the side of the electrode layer facing away from the substrate. Multiple openings are formed in the cover layer, the openings at least partially exposing a surface of one electrode of the at least two electrodes.

A turbocharger-equipped internal combustion engine includes an exhaust turbine, an exhaust filter, a differential pressure detector, an atmospheric pressure sensor, and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to control the internal combustion engine such that accumulation amount of a particulate matter in the exhaust filter is regulated. The electronic control unit is configured to control the internal combustion engine such that the accumulation amount of the particulate matter in the exhaust filter is increased, when the pressure difference detected by the differential pressure detector is a lower limit or less. The electronic control unit is configured to set the lower limit such that the lower limit becomes a higher value as the atmospheric pressure detected by the atmospheric pressure sensor becomes lower.