RAE Systems Inc., which is one of the pioneer suppliers of mobile oxygen sensors, has been recently awarded with a U.S. Patent (7, 258, 773 B2) for its Solid Polymer Electrolyte (SPE) Oxygen Sensor product, which is the very first of its kind in the world.

This oxygen sensor can be utilized in numerous applications, such as the emergency and first aid, as well as in the industrial field. What makes this oxygen sensor different from the traditional ones is that this type was designed and manufactured with the solid polymer. This new technology of the oxygen sensor works with the mixture of air and some water particles. To date, there are roughly a little over three to five million of these products already being used in the industrial field.

“With the growing number of global Reduction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directives, we are proud to be the first to bring a lead-free oxygen sensor to market,” said Peter Hsi, who is the chief technology officer for RAE Systems. “This new sensor offers a longer operating life and avoids many of the problems with traditional oxygen sensors.”

Three years ago, the company has started doing its extensive studies with hopes of minimizing or removing altogether the lead elements in oxygen sensors. This goal of a lead free oxygen sensor was made successful, thanks to the innovation of the SPE oxygen sensor.

The 2008 Honda Accord has been getting accolades for its stylish look that rivals that of other high-end car brands. It has also been performing well in the market, with 725,000 units sold since its launch only a month ago.

But what set this model apart from others are its environment-friendly features that ensure low emissions. This is amid the environmental concern on climate change hounding the world today. Air pollution and the vehicles’ exhaust gases that contribute to it are pointed as the culprits for the environmental menace the world is facing.

On top of the list is the Honda oxygen sensor that is installed in the exhaust system of the latest Honda Accord. The Honda oxygen sensor, also known as O2 sensor, plays a crucial role in minimizing harmful emissions from the Honda Accord. The oxygen sensor measures the concentration of oxygen in the exhaust gas, thus controlling the efficiency of the combustion process in the engine.

Honda boasts of being the first car manufacturer to offer environment-friendly features on a vehicle such as the Ultra-Low-Emission Vehicles (ULEV)-rated emission technology.

In addition, the release of the 2008 Honda Accord makes the Japanese auto maker the first one to come up with a lineup of cars that have both four-cylinder and V-6 engines, which meet the more rigid Partial-Zero-Emission Vehicle (PZEV) standards.

The new Honda Accord’s engine generates 268 horsepower—the highest so far among all the Accord models—which result in greater fuel efficiency and low emissions. Another feature that cuts on fuel consumption, thus leading to less emission, is the Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) technology.

As car technology evolved, it gave more power to the hands of the driver. Safety, acceleration, and comfort have all been the tops when it comes to modern car devices, making it impossible for one to want anything more in a car. But the modernization of the car does not stop there. Now, there have been devices wherein one can install car parts that will make cars built after the year 1996 have a really modern technology that assures all of the car parts’ efficiency.

Imagine having one device that can correct all of your driving blunders, while at the same time ensuring the accuracy of every car part’s performance. This is now made possible by Davis Instruments, with their new car device called the Car Chip Pro. This new device gives very handy feedback regarding the performance of you as a driver, and your car too. It can simply be attached on to the On-Board Data port and it instantly records all kinds of information such as speed, mileage, etc.

The best thing about this device is that it is able to guarantee only the best efficiency from your oxygen sensors. It is able to log 4 of 23 engine parameters including RPM, battery voltage, throttle position, timing advance, engine load, coolant temperature, fuel pressure, air fuel system status, intake air temperature, short-term fuel trim, intake manifold pressure, long-term fuel trim and oxygen sensor output voltage—this according to the Blog post by plenty.com. This is a big deal for both you and your oxygen sensor because the smart device is able to give data that is helpful in engine operation, since it will release less harmful emissions. What is more, is that the Car Chip Pro will also would also let you know beforehand if your car is capable of passing the emissions test.

This device will work efficiently with your catalytic converter and oxygen sensor. This will make sure that these critical components will only perform in its best.

The key to a well functioning oxygen sensor (or any car part for that matter) all boils down to proper maintenance and care. Hence, a regular inspection of the oxygen sensors need to be conducted by the car owner, preferably guided by a professional mechanic at first, so that its condition will be observed visually too.

When it comes to inspecting the oxygen sensors, an oscilloscope is best used to “test the sensor’s ability to respond to changes in the exhaust content”. This special device will help during the engine performance service. It also measures the response time of the sensors, and it will be able to provide a more “definitive diagnosis”.

There are a few tips on how to determine the efficiency of the oxygen sensors. At the same time, these will also determine if the O2 Sensors are able to respond accurately to rich and lean conditions. This will be applicable to any O2 sensor at all, for instance your Mercedes-Benz Oxygen Sensor. Hence:

-Connect the oscilloscope leading to the oxygen sensor circuit. For vehicles that use a three or four-wire heated O2 sensor, bridging the connector that leads and tap into the signal wire with an appropriate test probe at the connector plug may be needed.

-Warm the engine to operating temperature, meaning, at least 350 degrees F or 600 degrees C. Run the engine at about 2500 rpm for two or three minutes to heat up the sensor.

-Hold engine speed at a steady, high idle between 1200 and 2000 rpm.

-Artificially drive the system rich (using propane) and lean (by opening the brake booster hose) as you observe the oscilloscope voltage reading. It should peg from .800 to .900 volt (full rich) to .100 to .200 volt (full lean).

Achieving the minimum and maximum sensor voltages are just a part of the picture. How fast these transitions occur is an equally important measure of O2 sensor health. Lean-to-rich and rich-to-lean transitions should occur in 300mS or less. If it is greater than that, this may indicate a worn or contaminated sensor.

After achieving this, all O2 sensors must be heated now. Heat can contribute to the oxygen sensor’s longevity, since it can be placed further downstream in the car’s exhaust system. This will greatly protect the sensor from any possibility of having thermal shocks that are often caused by the heating and cooling cycles of the engine. Another advantage of having heated sensors is that they can easily reach operating temperature and immediately start producing a sensing voltage without having to wait for the heat of the exhaust to warm them.