Abstract: An interface module includes: N pairs of input connectors that are electrically conductive and that are configured to connect to and disconnect from N different temperature sensors, respectively; and M output connectors that are electrically conductive, where each pair of input connectors includes: a first input connector configured to connect to and disconnect from a first connector soldered to a first wire connected to one of the N different temperature sensors; and a second input connector configured to connect to and disconnect from a second connector soldered to a second wire connected to the one of the N different temperature sensors, where the second input connectors are electrically connected to second ones of the M output connectors, respectively, and where the first input connectors of the N pairs of input connectors are all electrically connected to a node that is connected to a first one of the M output connectors.

Abstract: An interface module includes: N pairs of input connectors that are electrically conductive and that are configured to connect to and disconnect from N different temperature sensors, respectively; and M output connectors that are electrically conductive, where each pair of input connectors includes: a first input connector configured to connect to and disconnect from a first connector soldered to a first wire connected to one of the N different temperature sensors; and a second input connector configured to connect to and disconnect from a second connector soldered to a second wire connected to the one of the N different temperature sensors, where the second input connectors are electrically connected to second ones of the M output connectors, respectively, and where the first input connectors of the N pairs of input connectors are all electrically connected to a node that is connected to a first one of the M output connectors.

Abstract: A sensor for exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine includes a sensing element enclosed in a sensor housing. The sensor housing includes a protective cap having a plurality of openings formed therein for allowing flow of exhaust gases through the protective cap towards the sensing element. The sensor further includes at least one heating element for burning exhaust gas deposits on the sensor.

Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system includes a particulate filter element and a particulate matter sensor that is disposed to monitor the exhaust gas feedstream downstream of the particulate filter element. A method for monitoring the exhaust gas feedstream includes determining a temperature associated with the particulate matter sensor and monitoring engine operation and the exhaust aftertreatment system. A magnitude of ammonia is determined in the exhaust gas feedstream proximal to the particulate matter sensor based upon the monitoring of the engine operation and the exhaust aftertreatment system. An initial reading is determined from the particulate matter sensor and is adjusted based upon the magnitude of ammonia in the exhaust gas feedstream proximal to the particulate matter sensor and the temperature of the particulate matter sensor. A magnitude of particulate matter in the exhaust gas feedstream is determined based upon the adjusted initial reading from the particulate matter sensor.

Abstract: Methods for cleaning gas sensors used in an exhaust gas system are provided. The exhaust gas system can include an exhaust gas stream supplied by an exhaust gas source through an exhaust gas conduit, and a gas sensor having a sampling end disposed within the exhaust gas conduit. The methods can include positioning at least one glow plug proximate the gas sensor; and activating the at least one glow plug such that exhaust gas deposits accumulated on the gas sensor sampling end are removed. The methods can optionally further comprise one or more of determining a glow plug activation interval and determining a glow plug activation duration. Systems for performing the disclosed methods are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for optimizing exhaust gas system regeneration and cleaning are provided. The exhaust gas system can include an exhaust gas stream supplied by an exhaust gas source to a particulate filter device through an exhaust gas conduit, and a gas sensor having a sampling end disposed within the exhaust gas conduit upstream from the particulate filter device. The methods can include detecting a gas sensor malfunction, detecting particulate filter device soot loading, and performing an optimized maintenance utilizing at least one common technique. A common technique is one which is capable of cleaning a gas sensor and regenerating a PF device. The exhaust gas source can comprise an internal combustion engine and the at least one common technique comprises a post-injection strategy. Systems for performing the disclosed methods are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for optimizing exhaust gas system regeneration and cleaning are provided. The exhaust gas system can include an exhaust gas stream supplied by an exhaust gas source to a particulate filter device through an exhaust gas conduit, and a gas sensor having a sampling end disposed within the exhaust gas conduit upstream from the particulate filter device. The methods can include detecting a gas sensor malfunction, detecting particulate filter device soot loading, and performing an optimized maintenance utilizing at least one common technique. A common technique is one which is capable of cleaning a gas sensor and regenerating a PF device. The exhaust gas source can comprise an internal combustion engine and the at least one common technique comprises a post-injection strategy. Systems for performing the disclosed methods are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for cleaning gas sensors used in an exhaust gas system are provided. The exhaust gas system can include an exhaust gas stream supplied by an exhaust gas source through an exhaust gas conduit, and a gas sensor having a sampling end disposed within the exhaust gas conduit. The methods can include positioning at least one glow plug proximate the gas sensor; and activating the at least one glow plug such that exhaust gas deposits accumulated on the gas sensor sampling end are removed. The methods can optionally further comprise one or more of determining a glow plug activation interval and determining a glow plug activation duration. Systems for performing the disclosed methods are also provided.

Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system includes a particulate filter element and a particulate matter sensor that is disposed to monitor the exhaust gas feedstream downstream of the particulate filter element. A method for monitoring the exhaust gas feedstream includes determining a temperature associated with the particulate matter sensor and monitoring engine operation and the exhaust aftertreatment system. A magnitude of ammonia is determined in the exhaust gas feedstream proximal to the particulate matter sensor based upon the monitoring of the engine operation and the exhaust aftertreatment system. An initial reading is determined from the particulate matter sensor and is adjusted based upon the magnitude of ammonia in the exhaust gas feedstream proximal to the particulate matter sensor and the temperature of the particulate matter sensor. A magnitude of particulate matter in the exhaust gas feedstream is determined based upon the adjusted initial reading from the particulate matter sensor.

Abstract: A sensor for exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine includes a sensing element enclosed in a sensor housing. The sensor housing includes a protective cap having a plurality of openings formed therein for allowing flow of exhaust gases through the protective cap towards the sensing element. The sensor further includes at least one heating element for burning exhaust gas deposits on the sensor.

Abstract: An exhaust pressure line for an internal combustion engine is provided. The internal combustion engine has an engine block and is equipped with a Diesel Particulate Filter. The exhaust pressure line has a pressure line configured to send pressure signals from the Diesel Particulate Filter to an exhaust pressure sensor. A portion of the pressure line extends through the engine block.

Abstract: A Method is provided for estimating a temperature of an exhaust gas in an exhaust line of an internal combustion engine. The exhaust line is provided with a NOx sensor that includes, but is not limited to a heater. The method includes, but is not limited to determining a value of a parameter indicative of a heat released by the heater of the NOx sensor, and of calculating a value of the temperature of the exhaust gas as a function of the determined value of this parameter.

Abstract: An exhaust pressure line for an internal combustion engine is provided. The internal combustion engine has an engine block and is equipped with a Diesel Particulate Filter. The exhaust pressure line has a pressure line configured to send pressure signals from the Diesel Particulate Filter to an exhaust pressure sensor. A portion of the pressure line extends through the engine block.

Abstract: A Method is provided for estimating a temperature of an exhaust gas in an exhaust line of an internal combustion engine. The exhaust line is provided with a NOx sensor that includes, but is not limited to a heater. The method includes, but is not limited to determining a value of a parameter indicative of a heat released by the heater of the NOx sensor, and of calculating a value of the temperature of the exhaust gas as a function of the determined value of this parameter.