Abstract: A remote sensing device is provided to detect the emissions of passing vehicles. Preferably, the device detects the emissions of individual vehicles traveling on a roadway of more than one traffic lane. The remote sensing device may preferably detect the emissions due to an individual vehicle in situations where more than one vehicle is present. The device is capable of determining which sensed emission data corresponds to which vehicle exhaust plume.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for selecting a detection bandwidth centered about a characteristic wavelength of the species to be detected and such that the detection of contaminants is greatly reduced. Contaminants such as pollutants, dust and water are some of the examples of undesirable substances which may be detected by RSD. By selecting the appropriate bandwidth in accordance with this invention, the detection of a desired substance can be separated from the undesirable detection of contaminants.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing a composition of an exhaust plume includes a light source that radiates an infrared light beam having a plurality of predetermined wavelengths. A first of the predetermined wavelengths is associated with carbon dioxide and a second of the predetermined wavelengths is associated with a second gas, such as a hydrocarbon or carbon monoxide. The apparatus also includes a detector unit that detects the beam passing through the plume. The apparatus computes a ratio of the second gas to carbon dioxide based upon the first and second detected wavelengths, and this ratio is then multiplied by a predetermined estimation of a concentration of carbon dioxide in the plume.

Abstract: A system (10) for simultaneously measuring temperature and CO, CO.sub.2 and HC gas content of vehicle (11) exhaust detects and analyzes a beam of infrared electromagnetic radiation (21) projected through a plume (13) of vehicle exhaust to assess the concentration of CO, CO.sub.2, and HC in the vehicle exhaust and detects and analyzes infrared electromagnetic radiation (15) emitted by the plume (13) to assess the temperature of the plume (13) and, consequently, whether the vehicle's (11) catalytic converter is operating in the cold or hot mode. Essentially simultaneous measurement is taken by intermittently interrupting the beam (21) of projected infrared electromagnetic radiation and detecting and analyzing the emitted infrared radiation (15) during the intervals of interruption when the beam (21) is not projected through the plume (13). Intermittent projection of the beam (21) is accomplished by insertion of a chopper wheel (22) between an infrared beam projector (20) and the plume (13).

Abstract: An unmanned integrated RES 12 integrates all of its components except the reflector 22 into a single console 30 that is positioned at the side of a road and has a CPU 36 that controls calibration, verification and data gathering. The RES's source 32 and receiver 34 are preferably stacked one on top of the other such that the IR beam 24 traverses a low and high path as it crosses the road 14. This allows the RES to detect both low and high ground clearance vehicles. To maintain the vehicle processing and identification throughput, the speed sensor 54 and ALPR 48,50 detect the passing vehicles at steep angles, approximately 20 to 35 degrees. In a preferred system, a manned control center 16 communicates with a large number of the unmanned integrated RES to download emissions data, perform remote diagnostics, and, if necessary, dispatch a technician to perform maintenance on a particular RES.

Abstract: An emission-concentration monitoring system (20)includes first and second monitor stations (22,32) which are separated by a sensing space (40) along a path (28) of a moving vehicle (26). Each station has a source of electromagnetic radiation (64) which is directed through the vehicle's exhaust plume. Each station also has a set of detectors (66) which are positioned to receive the radiation and configured to measure transmittances at wavelengths which are absorbed by molecular species of exhaust plume (e.g., hydrocarbons, nitric oxide, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide). These sensed transmittances are converted to emission concentrations by a data processor (50) and compared to a set of emission-concentration standards. The vehicle is determined to be in violation only if its emission concentrations at both the first and second monitor stations exceeds the standards.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use at a motor vehicle emission test station, providing wireless communication between a computer and a technician. The computer includes a sound card and voice recognition software, and is housed in a console, having test equipment, video and audio transmitters, and an audio receiver. The technician wears a portable user interface, including a communications pack with a video receiver, an audio receiver, an audio transmitter, and a battery pack. The interface also includes a special helmet, equipped with a video display, a microphone, and headphones. The wireless communications link established by these transmitters, receivers, and interface components enables the technician to carry out testing and inspection procedures on a motor vehicle in a location remote from the computer.

Abstract: A mechanical optical system scans a light beam that has passed through an automobile exhaust plume onto a plurality of detectors by using fiber optic tubes in an array that is mounted close to a rotating mirror. First ends of the fiber optic tubes are in an array adjacent the mirror and second ends of the fiber optic tubes feed the scanned light beam onto respective detectors that detect various gaseous components in the vehicle exhaust. Using the fiber optic tubes eliminates the need for secondary mirrors and reduces the requirement for highly accurate optical alignment among the components of the system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for non-intrusive testing of the rate and total amount of vapor flow through the canister purge line in a motor vehicle. The apparatus includes a clamping structure, adapted for temporary attachment to the purge line leading from the evaporative canister to the engine's intake manifold. A vapor flow sensing system is provided within the structure. Both thermal loss and acoustical phase shift detection based sensing systems are disclosed herein. An operator secures the clamp over any portion of the purge line, and the vehicle's engine is put through a driving test cycle. The output of the sensing system is displayed, recorded, and integrated, for a subsequent pass/fail determination using predetermined vapor flow values.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the non-intrusive testing of evaporative fuel vapor systems of motor vehicles. A portable pressure control and monitoring unit is inserted into the fuel filler neck of a vehicle. The vapor vent line, leading from the fuel tank to the charcoal canister of the evaporative system, is temporarily clamped off. Pressurized gas is introduced into the unit from an operator's console, expanding a ring bladder and sealing an annular volume between the unit and the filler neck. Gas is then passed through the unit into the contained volume of the evaporative system. After the neck cap is replaced, an automatic timer deflates the ring bladder, charging the remaining volume of the evaporative system. Pressure decay data is collected and stored in the unit's digital storage device. Initially, this data is used in a pass/fail determination made by a microprocessor in the unit. Later, the data is downloaded into a separate computer for archival purposes.

Abstract: A computer system, including a relational database, especially for use by an inspector at a Motor Vehicle Inspection facility, for capturing, storing, retrieving, and displaying visual images disclosing the identification and location of vehicle Emission Control System (ECS) components. A method for systematically creating, updating, and using the relational database is also disclosed. The database is composed of three data libraries, one for ECS Vehicle Underhood Images, one for ECS Component Overlays, and another for ECS Component Lists. These libraries include visual and factual information regarding the identity and location of ECS required components for a plurality of vehicles. The libraries are maintained and used in the database in such a way as to minimize storage space and maximize the speed of data access and display.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting and measuring relative concentrations of pollutants such as HC, CO and CO.sub.2 in the exhaust emissions from passing vehicles includes an infrared (IR) beam source for directing an IR beam through a vehicle's exhaust plume and a detector disposed on one side of a roadway and a lateral transfer mirror (LTM) disposed on the other side of the roadway for lateral reflecting of the IR beam back through the vehicle's exhaust plume and onto the detector. The LTM allows for close spacing and precise alignment between the emitted and reflected beam paths and permits the IR beam source and detector to be disposed in a single module. Compensation for variation in a range of vehicle operating conditions is provided by adjustable, computer-controlled potentiometers, while audio and/or visible light feedback of the detected IR signal allows a single operator to precisely align the optical components of the apparatus.