At the core of any vehicle is the technology that measures and monitors various indicators. One such mechanism is narrow-band and wide-band sensors. According to Wright and Duffy (2019), “Oxygen sensors are used to measure air-fuel ratios in the exhaust system in order to calibrate EGR flow rates… and monitor air-fuel ratios” (p. 577). One of the main differences between the wide-band dual-cell oxygen sensor and the narrow-band oxygen sensor is their different application spheres. The wide-band sensor is used in diesel engines to implement a lean-burn combustion system (Wright & Duffy, 2019). On the other hand, the narrow-band sensor is used on gasoline engines operating to measure air-fuel ratios (Wright & Duffy, 2019). Therefore, it is essential to emphasize that despite some advantages of the wide-band sensor, which will be discussed in the next paragraph, the effectiveness of both types of sensors depends mainly on their correct use.
As a significant advantage of the wide-band sensor, one should highlight the materials from which it is made. This type of sensor uses a ceramic sensing element called platinum-coated oxide of zirconium (Zr) (Wright & Duffy, 2019). Using such material gives a wide band sensor specific characteristics that make it effective. As Wright and Duffy (2019) state, “an important property of this ceramic is that it becomes electrically conductive at high temperatures” (p. 577). In addition, a significant benefit of using a wide-band sensor is the ability to monitor the engine’s emissions. This factor is critical for modern engines, as they must advise specific requirements regarding emissions into the atmosphere (Wilamowski & Irwin, 2018). Therefore, the abovementioned benefits of using the wide-band sensor in diesel engines make it versatile in the context of controlling the proper air and fuel ratio and reducing pollution.
References
Wilamowski, B., & Irwin, D. (2018). Control and mechatronics. CRC Press
Wright, G., & Duffy, O. (2019). Fundamentals of medium/heavy duty commercial vehicle systems. Jones & Bartlett Learning.