Functional description

The environmental air catalyst sensor prevents a catalytic coated radiator being removed and replaced with another uncoated radiator.

The environmental air catalyst sensor must therefore be mechanically and electrically destroyed in the case of an attempted removal. The fixture for the environmental air catalyst sensor is an aluminum fixture soldered into the radiator. The environmental air catalyst sensor is connected via the two retaining hooks to the fixture. In addition, the NTC unit is adhered at the sensor pin to the bore hole of the fixture.

For checking purposes different codes for prompting and responding between the Digital Engine Electronics (DME) and the environmental air catalyst sensor are exchanged via local interconnect network bus. The environmental air catalyst sensor must thus generate the appropriate code of the response to the prompt using a defined algorithm.

Furthermore, the environmental air catalyst sensor measures the coolant temperature and forwards the signal via local interconnect network bus to the DME. The actual installation of the environmental air catalyst sensor in a radiator is made plausible with this signal.

Fig 1: Environmental Air Catalyst Sensor, Temperature Sensor, Retaining Hook

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.