Abstract: A system for mixing ammonia (reductant) with engine exhaust includes an exhaust flow created by a vehicle engine, an ammonia feed line passing into the exhaust flow, an injector connected to the feed line and positioned within the exhaust flow, the injector having at least one port for discharging ammonia into the exhaust flow, and a mixing plate positioned within the exhaust flow downstream of the ammonia injector and stabilizing at least one of either the feed line and the injector. An aspect of the invention is to stabilize the injector by attaching the mixing plate to the feed line to provide such stability. Alternatively or additionally, the mixing plate is attached to the injector to stabilize. The feed line may even pass through the mixing plate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining amount of solid ammonia stored in a canister used in providing ammonia fluid in exhaust gas after-treatment systems. A microcontroller sets an ammonia level based on the data read from an RFID tag associated with the canister. The data may provide the amount of solid ammonia stored in the canister or a tag number that the microcontroller may use to retrieve the quantity of stored solid ammonia. A measured amount of ammonia fluid used during the treatment process may be used by the microcontroller in determining the amount of solid ammonia depleted from the canister. At predetermined precisions, the amount of depleted ammonia is subtracted from the set ammonia level to determine the remaining amount of solid ammonia in the canister. This determined amount of may be used to reset the ammonia level and be written onto the RFID tag.

Abstract: A motor vehicle in which a de-coupler has a first attachment point to a cab body, a second attachment point to a vertical engine exhaust pipe, and a de-coupler mechanism having at least one ball joint which allows limited vertical and limited horizontal movement of the engine exhaust pipe relative to the cab body.

Abstract: A reductant mixing system having injector and mixing plate positioned within mixing canister is disclosed. Injector discharges reductant directly into vehicle exhaust gases. Mixing plate effects turbulence to mix gases for NO reduction. Mixing plate includes plurality of arms each having surface area and extending from center of plate, barrier region defined by collective surface areas of arms and substantially centered for diverting fluid flow outward, and first and second cut-outs, which allow the gases diverted by barrier region to pass mixing plate into adjacent canister of exhaust treatment system. Each of the first cutouts is defined by outer edge between adjacent arms, and second tier of cut-outs defined by inner edge proximate end of each arm.

Abstract: A heating device and method for use in heating a canister containing a reductant, such as ammonia for use in an after-treatment device in an exhaust system, is disclosed. The heating device or jacket includes two sections forming an interior chamber for receipt of the canister. The sections include multiple layers including an inner surface layer, which provides both uniform heating of the canisters positioned therein, and a wear plate for engaging the canister within the heating unit.

Abstract: Reductant delivery system having at least one canister containing reductant coupled, via delivery line, to after-treatment system having ammonia injector, is disclosed. Reductant includes ammonia adsorbing/desorbing material. Delivery line is connected at one end to ammonia injector and at another end detachably coupled by coupler to the canister. Controller may be used for metering flow of ammonia through delivery line to injector. Line-break detector detects disconnection within the delivery line to prevent loss of ammonia. Line-break indicator coupled to line-break detector is used, wherein the indicator activates upon the detector detecting a disconnection in the delivery line. Related methods for detecting and indicating a line break are disclosed.

Abstract: A reductant mixing system having injector and mixing plate positioned within mixing canister is disclosed. Injector discharges reductant directly into vehicle exhaust gases. Mixing plate effects turbulence to mix gases for NO reduction. Mixing plate includes plurality of arms each having surface area and extending from center of plate, barrier region defined by collective surface areas of arms and substantially centered for diverting fluid flow outward, and first and second cut-outs, which allow the gases diverted by barrier region to pass mixing plate into adjacent canister of exhaust treatment system. Each of the first cutouts is defined by outer edge between adjacent arms, and second tier of cut-outs defined by inner edge proximate end of each arm.

Abstract: A system for mixing ammonia (reductant) with engine exhaust includes an exhaust flow created by a vehicle engine, an ammonia feed line passing into the exhaust flow, an injector connected to the feed line and positioned within the exhaust flow, the injector having at least one port for discharging ammonia into the exhaust flow, and a mixing plate positioned within the exhaust flow downstream of the ammonia injector and stabilizing at least one of either the feed line and the injector. An aspect of the invention is to stabilize the injector by attaching the mixing plate to the feed line to provide such stability. Alternatively or additionally, the mixing plate is attached to the injector to stabilize. The feed line may even pass through the mixing plate.

Abstract: An ammonia canister connector is disclosed having a male component and a female component which reversibly couple to one another to form a secure connection. The male component has a base with an internal threaded portion for detachable connection to an ammonia canister tap, a fluid filter within the base, and a nipple section extending from the base and having at least two seal members. Similarly, in various embodiments, the female component is connectable to a feed line and includes a receptacle defined by a sidewall and configured to accept the nipple section of the male component, a sleeve positioned about the receptacle sidewall and capable of limited sliding movement, a locking mechanism positioned within the receptacle sidewall for alternately engaging and disengaging from the nipple section when inserted within the receptacle, wherein the locking mechanism is actuated by the sliding movement of the sleeve, and a check valve within the female component for preventing back flow to the receptacle.

Abstract: A heating jacket for use with an ammonia-containing storage cartridge for the controlled release of ammonia into an exhaust stream for the reduction of NOx is disclosed. The heating jacket includes an upper section comprising a plurality of layered materials, a lower section comprising a plurality of layered materials, a tool-less locking mechanism for securing the upper and lower sections, wherein the upper and lower sections together form an interior space for the receiving an ammonia-containing material canister. The heating jacket may also include a temperature regulating device within one of the upper section and the lower section for maintaining an activating temperature within a predefined limit for the controlled release of ammonia into the exhaust stream.

Abstract: A system and method relate to a reductant dosing for use in the reduction of NOx in an exhaust stream is disclosed. The system and method incorporates a separate first or start-up cartridge and an insulated mantel or housing containing at least one to a plurality of main cartridges. The first and main cartridges store an ammonia adsorbing/desorbing material, which releases ammonia gas upon application of sufficient heat. The start-up cartridge permits the initial release of ammonia gas into the exhaust stream even during start-up of an engine, and because it is separate from the main cartridge, the first cartridge cools faster than the main cartridge and can be replenished with ammonia sooner than the main cartridge. The start-up cartridge is housed in or surrounded by a non-insulating debris shield.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining amount of solid ammonia stored in a canister used in providing ammonia fluid in exhaust gas after-treatment systems. A microcontroller sets an ammonia level based on the data read from an RFID tag associated with the canister. The data may provide the amount of solid ammonia stored in the canister or a tag number that the microcontroller may use to retrieve the quantity of stored solid ammonia. A measured amount of ammonia fluid used during the treatment process may be used by the microcontroller in determining the amount of solid ammonia depleted from the canister. At predetermined precisions, the amount of depleted ammonia is subtracted from the set ammonia level to determine the remaining amount of solid ammonia in the canister. This determined amount of may be used to reset the ammonia level and be written onto the RFID tag.

Abstract: A system and method relate to a reductant dosing for use in the reduction of NOx in an exhaust stream is disclosed. The system and method incorporates a separate first or start-up cartridge and an insulated mantel or housing containing at least one to a plurality of main cartridges. The first and main cartridges store an ammonia adsorbing/desorbing material, which releases ammonia gas upon application of sufficient heat. The start-up cartridge permits the initial release of ammonia gas into the exhaust stream even during start-up of an engine, and because it is separate from the main cartridge, the first cartridge cools faster than the main cartridge and can be replenished with ammonia sooner than the main cartridge. The start-up cartridge is housed in or surrounded by a non-insulating debris shield.