Gas Of Combustion Patents (Class 73/23.31)
  • Patent number: 8591712
    Abstract: There is provided a gas sensor element, including a solid electrolyte layer, a pair of sensor electrodes arranged on a front side of the solid electrolyte layer, a pair of sensor leads arranged on a rear side of the solid electrolyte layer and connected to the respective sensor electrodes; and insulating layers, one of which is arranged between one of the sensor leads and the solid electrolyte layer and the other of which is arranged between the other sensor lead and the solid electrolyte layer. The sensor electrodes have rear end portions located on the insulating layers and overlapping front end portions of the sensor leads, respectively. The sensor leads are denser than the sensor electrodes and have front ends located in the same positions as or positions rear of front ends of the insulating layers, respectively. There is also provided a gas sensor with such a gas sensor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Hayashi, Masaki Mizutani, Takayuki Kitou
  • Patent number: 8586394
    Abstract: A method of making a sub-miniature “micro-chip” oxygen sensor is provided where multiple sensor elements are applied to a dielectric ceramic substrate consisting of a heater pattern, followed by a dielectric layer. Intermeshing electrodes are then applied either over the heater pattern/dielectric layers or on the opposite side of the substrate. The space between the intermeshing electrodes is filled with an n-type or p-type high temperature semiconductor which is covered by a porous protection layer. After singulation (dicing), the sensor element is assembled having conductors applied to the contact pads on the element and is packaged in an assembly for introduction to the exhaust stream of a combustion process. A large step-wise change in the resistance of the element takes place as a result of changes in oxygen content in the exhaust whereby one can determine if the exhaust is rich or lean for use in an engine management or combustion management systems for emissions control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Kerdea Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ken E. Fosaaen
  • Publication number: 20130298638
    Abstract: A combustible gas detection device includes an energization control circuit which controls the switching of the energization state of a heat generation resistor every predetermined time period such that the heat generation resistor alternately has resistances corresponding to two predetermined temperatures, a temperature measurement resistor disposed on the same substrate on which the heat generation resistor is disposed, where its resistance changes with the environmental temperature, a gas concentration computation section which calculates the combustible gas concentration by using a voltage generated across the heat generation resistor which is detected when electricity is supplied to the heat generation resistor and the environmental temperature based on a voltage change caused by a change in the resistance of the temperature measurement resistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaya Watanabe, Shoji Kitanoya, Daisuke Ichikawa, Masahiro Yamashita
  • Patent number: 8578756
    Abstract: In a PM detection sensor with a sensor element having a pair of detection electrodes formed on a substrate, quantity of PM accumulated in the detection electrode is calculated on the basis of a resistance change between the detection electrodes. A series circuit composed of a temperature detection resistance and a capacitor connected in series is formed on a conductive path in the sensor element. A microcomputer in an ECU instructs a power source to supply a DC voltage to the resistance and the capacitor to make a first state in which no current flows in the resistance when a quantity of PM accumulated in the sensor element is detected. The microcomputer instructs the power source to supply an AC voltage to the resistance and the capacitor to make a second state in which a current flows in the resistance when a temperature of the sensor element is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20130283886
    Abstract: The particulate matter detection element is constituted of a laminated body including first and second electrode layers each having a plate-like shape and a thickness between 50 ?m and 500 ?m laminated on each other through an intermediate insulating layer having a plate-like shape and a thickness between 3 ?m and 20 ?m. A cross-sectional surface of the laminated body in the lamination direction is used as a detection surface of the particulate matter detection element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinya TERANISHI, Tekehito Kimata, Noriaki Kihara
  • Patent number: 8567231
    Abstract: A gas sensor includes an inner electrode formed on an inner surface of a base body. The inner electrode has an inner sensing portion formed in a gas contact inner region such that the inner sensing portion is located on the whole of a heat-facing area of the gas contact inner region facing a heating portion in a radial direction of the base body, a terminal contact portion formed in a rear end region such that the terminal contact portion is located in at least a part of the rear end region in a circumferential direction of the base body and a lead portion formed only on a part of the inner surface of the base body in the circumferential direction of the base body so as to connect the inner sensing portion and the terminal contact portion to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Isomura, Aya Sato, Takayoshi Atsumi
  • Patent number: 8567234
    Abstract: A gas sensor, including a cylindrical outer tube; and a seal member disposed therein, the seal member including: a lead wire insert hole and an atmosphere communication hole. The seal member has a groove extending outwards in a radial direction at a rear end-facing surface from the atmosphere communication hole while circumventing the lead wire insert hole, the groove having a cutout toward the front end of the seal member. The gas sensor further includes: a protection portion which covers the atmosphere communication hole; and an arm couples the protection portion and the outer tube, and extends in the radial direction, the arm being at least partially disposed in the groove of the seal member. and the arm is disposed so as to define a gap with the bottom surface of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Fujita, Mitsuru Sugihara, Chihiro Seki, Takayoshi Atsumi
  • Patent number: 8555699
    Abstract: A detector for detecting sulfur components having a storage portion for storing SOX and NOX in the exhaust gas passing through an exhaust passage and a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the storage portion. The detector includes a heater for heating the storage portion and determines the current heat capacity (C) of the storage portion on the basis of an increase in (T2?T1) the temperature of the storage portion measured by the temperature sensor and a quantity of heat (QH) generated by the heater when the heater heats the storage portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Otsuki, Hiromasa Nishioka, Katsuhiko Oshikawa, Yoshihisa Tsukamoto, Junichi Matsuo
  • Patent number: 8550016
    Abstract: Provided are a method and an apparatus of controlling a flow rate of a primary recirculating exhaust gas in an oxyfuel combustion boiler, capable of realizing a stable combustion by a burner in oxyfuel combustion. Weight ratio of flow rate of primary recirculating exhaust gas [ton/h] to amount of pulverized coal from a mill [ton/h] is defined as G/C, and the flow rate of primary recirculating exhaust gas is controlled so that the G/C falls within a given range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignees: IHI Corporation, Electric Power Development Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuuhei Terushita, Toshihiko Yamada, Shuzo Watanabe, Terutoshi Uchida
  • Patent number: 8550017
    Abstract: Provided are a method and an apparatus of controlling exhaust gas in an oxyfuel combustion boiler which can attain stable combustion of the boiler while an amount of unburned combustibles and a NOx density in exhaust gas are maintained in their allowable ranges. A rate of supply of directly supplied oxygen to burners 6 to a total amount of oxygen produced by an air separation unit 18 is regulated in an operating range where the NOx density in the exhaust gas is below a NOx limit value and the amount of unburned combustibles in the exhaust gas is blow an unburned combustible limit value to thereby attain stable combustion of the oxyfuel combustion boiler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignees: IHI Corporation, Electric Power Development Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuuhei Terushita, Toshihiko Yamada, Shuzo Watanabe, Terutoshi Uchida
  • Patent number: 8545684
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of making a sensing element comprising forming an electrically conductive element, wherein the sensing element comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of Pd and alloys and combinations comprising Pd; and wherein the electrically conductive element is thermally stable at temperatures as high as 1,200° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Fenglian Chang, Kerry J. Kruske, Rick D. Kerr
  • Publication number: 20130247648
    Abstract: A method for detecting particles, for example in an exhaust gas stream of a vehicle in which the exhaust gas stream is guided along a duct, includes using a particle sensor that has at least two electrodes arranged in the duct. The method includes applying a first voltage and a second voltage to the electrodes to produce a first electric field and a second electric field between the electrodes. The method also includes ascertaining a first capacitance value corresponding to the first electric field and a second capacitance value corresponding to the second electric field of a capacitor formed by the electrodes. Information relating to the particles contained in the exhaust gas stream is ascertained from the first capacitance value and the second capacitance value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventor: Martin Eckardt
  • Publication number: 20130247649
    Abstract: This device comprises a means (111) for forming a gaseous flow from the sample, and a means (121) for separation by means of selective retention each gaseous constituent. It comprises a means (113) for combustion of the gaseous flow in order to form a gaseous residue from each constituent, and a means (115) for quantifying the content of each constituent to be analysed in the gaseous flow. The quantification means (115) comprise an optical measurement cell (127) which is connected to the combustion means (113), and a means (161) for introducing a laser incident optical signal into the cell (127). The quantification means (115) also comprise means (133) for measuring a transmitted optical signal resulting from an interaction between the optical signal and each gaseous residue in the cell (127), and means (125) for calculating said content on the basis of the transmitted optical signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Geoservices Equipments
    Inventors: Jerome Breviere, Douglas Baer, Michael Whiticar
  • Patent number: 8535498
    Abstract: An electrochemical gas sensor includes: a disc-shaped metal bottom member; a cylindrical metal side member that extends along the axial direction of the bottom member to surround the bottom member; a ring-shaped polymer gasket that includes an opening in the center and in which both sides of the opening each have an L-shaped member in cross section, with one section of the L-shaped member being in contact with the inner side of the side member and the other section of the L-shaped member being in contact with the bottom member; a gas sensor body that is located in the opening of the gasket and whose bottom surface is in contact with the bottom member and that includes a pair of electrodes and a solid electrolyte membrane or a separator retaining a liquid electrolyte; and a metal cover that is in contact with the top surface of the gas sensor body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Figaro Engineering Inc.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Inoue, Yuki Kato, Keiko Shibata
  • Patent number: 8538665
    Abstract: An electrochemical gas sensor is provided for a motor vehicle. The gas sensor contains a digital controller and a detection circuit. The digital controller captures, by a feedback input, a value of the voltage applied to the inside of the gas sensor cell. The output of the digital controller provides a control value for the current flowing in the gas sensor cell. The detection circuit is used to detect the properties of the gas sensor cell and to adjust the dynamic control properties of the digital controller corresponding to the properties of the gas sensor cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Ekkehart-Peter Wagner
  • Publication number: 20130233052
    Abstract: A system and/or method for quantifying the presence of one or more components in vehicle exhaust, and more particularly to a non-contact, sampling system and method for quantifying the presence of one or more components in exhaust emissions of commercial and/or heavy-duty vehicles that emit exhaust at an elevated level, under actual operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: Envirotest Systems Holdings Corp.
    Inventor: Donald H. Stedman
  • Publication number: 20130233051
    Abstract: A system including a channel; a particulate matter sensor disposed in fluid communication with the channel, the particulate matter sensor having a sensitivity that increases in response to exposure to particulate matter; and a controller coupled to the particulate matter sensor and configured to monitor the channel in response to the sensitivity of the particular matter sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventors: Daniel R. Harshbarger, Ross C. Berryhill, James Peyton-Jones, Dieter Bender
  • Patent number: 8524181
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the qualitative and/or quantitative determination of at least one component of a chemically reducible gas mixture, an exhaust gas catalytic converter utilizing such a device, a vehicle including such a catalytic converter, a process for preparing such a device, a process for monitoring the NOx emissions of a vehicle, and the use of such a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Deutsches Zentrum Fuer Luft-und Raumfahrt e.V.
    Inventors: Bilge Saruhan-Brings, Mathias Christian Stranzenbach, Christoph Leyens
  • Publication number: 20130219989
    Abstract: A fuel property detecting device includes an electrode part; a voltage conversion part; a standard voltage application part; an amplifying part; a temperature detection unit; a storage unit; a first calculation unit; a second calculation unit for calculating alcohol concentration in fuel based on capacitance calculated by the first unit, present fuel temperature, and a map indicating a first relationship between capacitance and fuel temperature; a third calculation unit; a conductivity determination unit for determining whether present conductivity calculated by the third unit is a predetermined conductivity or larger; a fourth calculation unit for calculating a second relationship between conductivity and fuel temperature based on past conductivity, past fuel temperature, present conductivity calculated by the third unit, and present fuel temperature; and an abnormality determination unit for determining whether the electrode part is abnormal based on the second relationship, and a coefficient of temperature
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: DENSO CORPORATION
  • Publication number: 20130219990
    Abstract: A sensor includes a housing, a central sensor electrode assembly, an insulating member, and a trace. The central sensor electrode assembly is coupled to a supply side of a voltage source. The insulating member is coupled between the housing and the central sensor electrode assembly. The insulating member circumscribes a section of the central sensor electrode assembly. The trace is coupled to the insulating member and circumscribes the section of the central sensor electrode assembly. The trace directs at least a portion of leakage current away from a voltage ground offset on an opposite side of the central sensor electrode assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: EmiSense Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: EmiSense Technologies, LLC
  • Patent number: 8516795
    Abstract: An exhaust gas sensor device for detecting a concentration of at least one exhaust gas component in the exhaust gas line of an internal combustion engine is described, having at least one ChemFET for detecting the oxygen content of the exhaust gas. In addition, a corresponding engine control device and an engine control method are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Alexander Martin
  • Publication number: 20130213013
    Abstract: Described herein is a sensor module for sensing characteristics of a fluid flowing through a fluid conduit. The sensor module includes a sample probe with at least one sample arm that extends radially inwardly from a sidewall portion of the fluid conduit to a center portion of the fluid conduit, defines a fluid flow channel, and includes a plurality of inlet apertures. The sample probe also includes a sensor well that is located at a radially outer end of the at least one sample arm. The sensor well defines an interior volume that is in fluid communication with the fluid flow channel, an upstream portion closed to an first portion of the fluid conduit upstream of sensor well, and a discharge aperture open to a second portion of the fluid conduit downstream of the sensor well. The sensor module also includes a sensor positioned in the interior volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: CUMMINS IP, INC.
    Inventor: Cummins IP, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8513961
    Abstract: A defect detection method for a sensor in which a fixing member provides a seal between a sensor element and tubular metallic members, the method being capable of detecting breakage of a conductor caused by breakage of the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohisa Fujita, Takeshi Kawai, Satoshi Teramoto, Shigeki Mori
  • Patent number: 8512531
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas concentration detection apparatus for detecting the concentration of a specific gas component in an exhaust gas emitted from an engine, and forms a deterioration judgment about the gas concentration detection apparatus accurately and immediately. After excess oxygen is discharged by an oxygen pump cell 2, a NOx concentration detection apparatus, judges whether a NOx sensor 1 is activated. If the NOx sensor 1 is not activated yet, an output increase rate Vu(t) of the NOx sensor cell output N during an increase process of the NOx sensor cell output N is acquired. The present invention judges whether the output increase rate Vu(t) is lower than a predetermined reference value Vth1. If the obtained judgment result indicates that Vu(t)<Vth1, the NOx sensor cell 4 is deteriorated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takanori Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8511141
    Abstract: A gas sampling device includes an analysis block defining a first portion of a chamber and a dilution block defining a second portion of the chamber. The sampling device includes an exhaust gas orifice at the first portion for withdrawing gas from the chamber in response to an applied suction, a sample gas orifice at the second portion to modify passage of a sample gas entering the chamber in response to the suction, and a dilution gas orifice at the second portion to modify passage of a dilution gas entering the chamber in response to the suction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Brand-Gaus, LLC
    Inventors: Joel A. Brand, Aron D. Gaus
  • Patent number: 8505303
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a combustor system and method of measuring impurities in the combustion system. The combustion system includes an up-stream fuel injection point; a down-stream turbine combustor; a flame zone in the turbine combustor comprising a plurality of axial sub-zones; an optical port assembly configured to obtain a non-axial, direct, optical view of at least one of the plurality of axial sub-zones, and an impurity detection system in optical communication with the optical port assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Peter Micah Sandvik, Richard Dale Slates, Alexey Vasily Vert, Samer Aljabari
  • Patent number: 8505276
    Abstract: Disclosed is a particulate matter measurement device that continuously measures changes in a mass of particulate matters contained in an exhaust gas under dynamic operating conditions. The device dilutes and separates the flow of exhaust gas while an engine is operating. The particulate matters contained in one of the exhaust gas streams are collected by a collection filter to measure the mass and the remainder is measured by a mass-related value measurement. Then, time series change data for the mass of the particulate matter are found based on correlations of the individual measured data. With this arrangement, the flow volume of the dilute exhaust gas that passes through the collection filter and the flow volume of the dilute exhaust gas that is introduced into the mass-related value measurement device are ensured by adjusting the flow volume of the diluting gas that dilutes the exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Horiba, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8500442
    Abstract: A chemical analysis method for determining the concentration of carbon monoxide, gaseous water and gaseous hydrocarbon in a combustion gas. The method includes the following steps: (a) directing wavelength modulated light from a single tunable diode laser at a wavelength in the range of from 2 to 2.5 micrometers through the combustion gas to a light detector to produce an absorption profile of the combustion gas (b) digitizing the adsorption profile of the combustion gas; (c) storing the digitized adsorption profile in a digital computer; (d) processing the digitized adsorption profile in the digital computer to produce an output from the computer indicative of the concentration of carbon monoxide, gaseous water and gaseous hydrocarbon in the combustion gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Yokogawa Corp. of America
    Inventors: Trevor S. Knittel, Jie Zhu, Alan I. Cowie, Donald L. Wyatt
  • Patent number: 8495905
    Abstract: A gas concentration detection device includes: a first sensor having a resistance layer exposed to a gas, and an electrode covered by the resistance layer, the first sensor producing an output according to a gas component ratio on the electrode surface; and a second sensor having a pump cell that pumps oxygen into a gas chamber that contains part of the gas or discharges oxygen out of the gas chamber, and a sensor cell that produces an output according to a gas component ratio in the gas within the gas chamber, the second sensor producing an output based on the pump cell current when the pump cell is operated such that the output of the sensor cell is a predetermined value; and a hydrogen concentration detection unit that detects a hydrogen concentration in the gas based on an output difference between the first sensor output and the second sensor output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Keiichiro Aoki
  • Publication number: 20130174641
    Abstract: The present invention is one that, even while cooling exhaust gas without dilution, makes it possible to accurately measure particle concentration, and provided with: a particle concentration measurement device; a sampling cooling pipe that cools the exhaust gas collected from an exhaust gas transfer pipe to a measurable temperature of the particle concentration measurement device without dilution, and introduces the cooled exhaust gas into the particle concentration measurement device; a temperature sensor that detects temperature of the exhaust gas flowing into an exhaust gas inlet; and a calculation device that, from the detected temperature by the temperature sensor and the temperature of the exhaust gas introduced into the particle concentration measurement device, corrects measured particle concentration by the particle concentration measurement device in real time to calculate the particle concentration of the exhaust gas flowing through the exhaust gas transfer pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: HORIBA, LTD.
    Inventors: Ichiro Asano, Masayoshi Shinohara, Kazuo Hanada
  • Patent number: 8479561
    Abstract: First outer gas apertures 144a are arranged in a first corner 144b such that the outer opening plane of each first outer gas aperture 144a forms an angle of 45 degrees with a bottom face of a step element 145 and the outer opening plane forms an angle of 90 degrees with an inner circumferential face of the first outer gas aperture 144a. Second outer gas apertures are arranged in a second corner 146b such that the outer opening plane of each second outer gas aperture 146a forms an angle of 45 degrees with a bottom face of an edge section 146 and the outer opening plane forms an angle of 90 degrees with an inner circumferential face of the second outer gas aperture 146a. This structure prevents water from adhering to a sensor element 110 and thereby enhances the response of a gas sensor 110.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Sekiya, Kei Kosaka, Shodai Hirata
  • Patent number: 8474302
    Abstract: A sensor control circuit unit (1) includes a circuit board (70) which has opposite sides (70a) and (70b) facing in parallel with each other, and carries a signal detection circuit (28) for receiving a detection signal whose level is equal to or less than one ?A and which changes in accordance with NOX concentration, a power supply circuit (35), and a heater circuit (40) for controlling a heater. The power supply circuit (35) and the heater circuit (40) are mounted on one side of the circuit board (70) toward one side (70a) of the opposite sides, and the signal detection circuit (28) is mounted in a mounting area on the other side of the circuit board (70) toward the other side (70b) of the opposite sides, the mounting area being different from a mounting area of the circuits (35) and (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Abe, Yasuhiro Ishiguro
  • Patent number: 8478501
    Abstract: Methods, software codes, and devices for determining an emission flow rate of one or more CO2 equivalent gases from an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle and a method of determining a vehicle efficiency factor of the vehicle are provided. The vehicle efficiency factor is compared in real time to the corresponding point on a vehicle efficiency map based on at least one of current vehicle conditions, driving conditions, environmental conditions, and energy flow visualization data to derive a driver efficiency factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Greendrive Pty, Ltd
    Inventor: Danny Hyland Stewart Adams
  • Publication number: 20130160521
    Abstract: A control system for an engine having an in-cylinder pressure sensor and a selective catalytic reduction device comprises an electronic control module and an in-cylinder pressure sensor. The electronic control module has a processor and a memory. The in-cylinder pressure sensor is disposed in fluid communication with a cylinder of an engine. The incylinder pressure sensor is disposed in communication with the electronic control module. The in-cylinder pressure sensor generates an output indicative of a pressure within the cylinder of the engine. The processor of the electronic control module is programmed to generate an estimate of an amount of NOx produced during combustion, and calculate an amount of reductant required to react with the NOx to limit NOx emissions to a predetermined level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL ENGINE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Andrei Makartchouk, Raj Kumar
  • Patent number: 8469718
    Abstract: A sensor apparatus (10) including a sensor (20), a cable (80), a circuit board (50) and a housing (30) accommodating the circuit board. The housing (30) includes a first member (100) and a second member (200). The first member (100) supports the circuit board (50) in such a condition that the circuit board (50) is electrically connected to an external terminal (40). The second member (200) receives the cable (80) inserted thereinto and is engaged with the first member (100), thereby accommodating the circuit board (50) in cooperation with the first member (100). As a result of engagement between the first member (100) and the second member (200), the housing (30) establishes an electric connection of the circuit board (50) to the cable (80).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Kobayashi, Shingo Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8465636
    Abstract: An ammonium gas sensor is provided. The ammonium gas sensor includes: a solid electrolyte layer having oxygen ion conductivity; a detection electrode formed on one surface of the solid electrolyte layer; a reference electrode that is a counter electrode of the detection electrode; a selective reaction layer covering the detection electrode; and a protection layer covering the selective reaction layer and made from a porous material; wherein the detection electrode includes a noble metal as a main component; the selective reaction layer includes oxide represented by AxMyOz as a main component, where A is one or more kind(s) of metal, M is vanadium, tungsten, or molybdenum and x, y, z are atomic ratios; and the protection layer includes the oxide that is in an amount smaller than a content of the oxide included in the selective reaction layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Sugaya, Shiro Kakimoto, Hiroyuki Nishiyama, Wataru Matsutani
  • Patent number: 8464573
    Abstract: A flow path from outer gas introduction apertures 144a to inner gas introduction apertures 134a has a narrower-width flow passage formed by an inner wall member 150. This structure effectively lowers the probability that a liquid, such as water, entering from the outer gas introduction apertures 144a passes through a gas inflow chamber 122 and reaches a sensor element 110, compared with a structure without the inner wall member 150. The inner wall member 150 is formed as a solid member that is capable of storing the surrounding heat. Even if there is a certain event that has the potential of causing a temperature decrease of the sensor element 110, for example, an abrupt change in flow rate of an object gas, the heat stored in the inner wall member 150 effectively prevents a temperature decrease of the sensor element 110. This structure prevents the occurrence of cracking in the sensor element 110, compared with a conventional sensor structure having a double-layered protective cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Sekiya, Kei Kosaka, Sang Jae Lee
  • Publication number: 20130145820
    Abstract: An arrangement for mounting at least one electrical component to a portion of an aftertreatment module, the arrangement including; at least one standoff member coupled between the electrical component and the portion of the aftertreatment module, and an enclosure substantially surrounding at least three sides of the electrical component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Boahene, Ethan D. Sanborn, Kristian N. Engelsen, Andrew M. Denis
  • Publication number: 20130145822
    Abstract: A method and a system for estimation of a soot load in a particle filter in an exhaust cleaning system, which estimation involves using a pressure drop across said particle filter in order to determine the soot load. Measurement of the pressure drop across the particle filter and therefore the estimation have to take place at a time when an exhaust mass flow of the exhaust cleaning system exceeds a flow threshold value, the particle filter is substantially free from water and a temperature of the particle filter exceeds a first threshold value. The result is a robust estimate of the soot load in the particle filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventors: Carl-Johan Karlsson, Klas Telborn
  • Publication number: 20130145821
    Abstract: A particulate matter (PM) sensor unit may include an exhaust line where exhaust gas passes, and a PM sensor that may be disposed at one side of the exhaust line and that generates a signal when particulate matter included in the exhaust gas passes the vicinity thereof, wherein the PM sensor may be an electrostatic induction type that generates an induction charge while the particulate matter having an electric charge passes the vicinity thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Co, SNU R&DB Foundation, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jin Ha Lee, Ji Ho Cho, Kukjin Chun, Sungchan Kang, Keunho Jang
  • Patent number: 8459097
    Abstract: A gas concentration of a gas may be detected from a gas mixture using gas detectors sensitive to the gas. A gas concentration may be measured by a first gas detector at a first operating temperature, and a first signal characteristic of the measured gas concentration may be provided. An operating temperature of the first gas detector may be changed to a second operating temperature, or a second gas detector having the second operating temperature may be provided. A gas concentration may then be measured at the second operating temperature, and a second signal characteristic of the measured gas concentration may be provided. The gas concentration of the gas from the gas mixture may be determined using a first concentration value allocated to the first signal and a second concentration value allocated to the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Petra Neff, Markus Widenmeyer
  • Patent number: 8459243
    Abstract: Methods systems and device for detecting humidity in air through use of an ammonia sensor included in the exhaust of an engine, such as a diesel engine are provided. In one example, a method for an engine having an exhaust with an ammonia sensor includes adjusting an operating parameter in response to ambient humidity, the ambient humidity based on a first ammonia sensor reading at a first exhaust air-fuel-ratio and a second ammonia sensor reading at a second exhaust air-fuel-ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Dave Charles Weber
  • Publication number: 20130133400
    Abstract: A device (10), which contains at least one exhaust gas probe (16), is proposed for measuring at least one exhaust gas component in an exhaust gas duct (14) of a combustion process. The device is characterized in that the exhaust gas probe (16) comprises at least one air connection (20), at least one air duct (60) leading past a sensing element (64) of said exhaust gas probe (16) and connected to the air connection (20) as well as at least one air outlet opening (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Robert Bosch GmbH
  • Publication number: 20130133399
    Abstract: A CPU (11) of an ECU (5) obtains the present exhaust gas temperature from temperature sensor (3), and calculates the difference with an exhaust gas temperature obtained in a previous computation cycle. When the exhaust gas temperature tends to increase, the absolute value of the difference is equal to or greater than 20° C., and a flag indicating that the processing of correcting a target impedance of a cell (21) of an oxygen sensor (2) is being performed is OFF, the CPU determines that the engine is in a transition period. The CPU then obtains a correction value for the target impedance of the cell of the oxygen sensor on the basis of the exhaust gas temperature. The CPU corrects the target impedance of the cell by the correction value, and feedback-controls electric power supplied to a heater (26) on the basis of the corrected target impedance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventor: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
  • Patent number: 8449743
    Abstract: A gas sensor, that represses a manufacturing cost, obtains high responsiveness and can effectively reduce adhesion of water to a sensor element and intrusion of water into the sensor element, is provided. In the gas sensor that has the sensor element mainly containing a solid electrolyte with oxygen ion conductivity and a protective cover arranged to surround the sensor element and detects a predetermined gas component in a measurement gas, the protective cover includes an inner protective cover that is formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape, has a plurality of inner gas distributing holes formed in two rows on its side surface in a longitudinal direction of the sensor element and surrounds one front end of the sensor element, and an outer protective cover that is formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape, has a plurality of outer gas distributing holes on its side surface and surrounds the inner protective cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Sekiya, Kei Kosaka
  • Patent number: 8443589
    Abstract: A diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) testing system includes a DOC that is located in an exhaust system of a vehicle. A control module verifies proper operation of the DOC during a post-fuel injection process in an engine of the vehicle. The control module computes a predicted temperature of exhaust gases at an output of the DOC that corresponds with proper operation of the DOC during the post-fuel injection process, determines an actual temperature of the exhaust gases during the post-fuel injection process, and activates an alarm indicator when a difference between the predicted temperature and the actual temperature is greater than a first predetermined value. A first temperature sensor is located downstream from the DOC in the exhaust system. The first temperature sensor communicates with the control module, generates the actual temperature, and transmits the actual temperature to the control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventors: Chuan He, Richard B. Jess, Jay Tolsma, John F. Van Gilder, Wenbo Wang
  • Publication number: 20130122385
    Abstract: A hydrogen sensor assembly is disclosed. A sensor is disposed within a slotted sleeve and a spiral shaped sensor housing surrounds the sensor within the sleeve. The spiral shape applies a centrifugal force to the fluid stream. This results in separation of liquid water from the fluid stream. The sleeve forms an internal inner perimeter of the spiral housing. The sensor housing includes a first opening to facilitate a fluid communication between the sensing element and a fluid stream through the slotted sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Oliver Maier
  • Publication number: 20130118229
    Abstract: The present invention is intended to be able to restore a setting of an exhaust gas analyzing device to an initial setting at the time of product shipment or the latest maintenance setting performed prior to the corresponding maintenance in the maintenance of the exhaust gas analyzing device. The present invention includes a setting data storage part (55) storing initial setting data indicating initial setting information of each part constituting an exhaust gas analyzing device (2) in a state of product shipment and the latest maintenance setting data indicating the latest maintenance setting information of each part constituting the exhaust gas analyzing device (2) in the latest maintenance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: HORIBA, LTD.
    Inventor: Horiba, Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8441359
    Abstract: A fire distinguishing device includes: a detection device which detects an outbreak of a fire; a fire presence/absence distinguishing device which distinguishes the presence or absence of the fire; and a cumulative time determining device which determines the cumulative time required for distinguishing the presence or absence of the fire, in the fire presence/absence distinguishing device. The cumulative time determining device distinguishes an environment type of an environment where the detection device is installed, or a phenomenon type of a phenomenon being detected by the detection device, and further determines the cumulative time according to the distinguished environment type or phenomenon type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Hochiki Corporation
    Inventors: Kumiko Ando, Atsushi Mammoto, Isao Asano, Hiroshi Nishizaki, Takashi Shimokawa, Sadataka Yuchi
  • Publication number: 20130104625
    Abstract: A gas sensor element (100) includes a laminate of a detection element (300) and a heater (200), and a porous protection layer (20) covering a forward end portion thereof. The laminate has a measuring chamber (107c) into which a gas-to-be-measured is introduced via a diffusion resistor (115). The porous protection layer includes an inner porous layer (21), and an outer porous layer (23). The inner porous layer has a higher porosity than the outer porous layer and the diffusion resistor. As viewed in a plurality of 100 ?m×100 ?m regions a1 to a3 and b1 to b3 on sections of the inner porous layer and the diffusion resistor, respectively, a pore diameter greater than the greatest pore diameter CDIF in the regions of the diffusion resistor exists in each of the regions of the inner porous layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventor: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.