| abstract |
(57) Abstract: An internal combustion engine provided with an exhaust gas purifying catalyst. Even in a case where the catalyst temperature becomes an oxidizing atmosphere at a predetermined temperature or higher, it is possible to reliably suppress the thermal degradation of the catalyst by keeping the catalyst temperature from exceeding the heat resistant temperature while preventing drivability and fuel efficiency from deteriorating. To SOLUTION: An exhaust gas purifying catalyst 6, an atmosphere detecting means 11 for detecting or estimating whether or not the periphery of the exhaust gas purifying catalyst 6 is an oxidizing atmosphere, and a temperature detecting means 9 for detecting or estimating the temperature of the catalyst 6 Flow rate adjusting means 13, 14, 15, 16 for adjusting the flow rate of the inflowing air into the catalyst 6, the catalyst temperature detected or estimated by the temperature detecting means 9 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, and the oxidizing atmosphere is controlled by the atmosphere detecting means 11. If detected, the control means 2 controls the flow rate adjusting means 13, 14, 15, 16 so as to increase the flow rate of the inflow air to the catalyst 6. 0. |