Exhaust System Patents (Class 73/114.69)
  • Publication number: 20140156207
    Abstract: A system and method of monitoring regeneration of a particulate matter filter for a stationary diesel engine is disclosed. The system monitors exhaust temperature and operating time of an engine to calculate accumulated operating time below a critical temperature. Upon reaching a maximum allowed accumulated operation time, the system initiates a warning signal to inform the operator to increase exhaust temperatures for passive regeneration of the filter. During regeneration, the system periodically measures filter pressure differential and the exhaust temperature to calculate a difference in pressure differentials measured at two different times and determine whether the difference is below a critical value to inform the operator that regeneration is complete.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: JOHNSON MATTHEY PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
    Inventors: Rita Aiello, Richard Mark Paczewski, Kevin Carre, Paul Joseph Andersen
  • Patent number: 8720187
    Abstract: An exhaust diagnostic control system comprises a test enabling module, an exhaust gas temperature management module in communication with the test enabling module, and a component management module configured for executing a test for determining a reduction efficiency associated with the after-treatment component. The test enabling module is configured for assessing a reliability of an estimated level of reductant load on an after-treatment component, and, based on the reliability, selectively facilitating disablement of a subsequent test for determining an efficiency of NOx reduction in the after-treatment component. The exhaust gas temperature management module is configured for selectively adjusting a temperature of the after-treatment component to a predetermined temperature range using intrusive exhaust gas temperature management. The test for determining reduction efficiency comprises determining a NOx reduction efficiency of the after-treatment component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Janean E. Kowalkowski, Justin A. Shetney
  • Patent number: 8679852
    Abstract: A particulate matter generator implemented as a “mini-burner”, and used in conjunction with a larger test system for the specific purpose of enhancing the particulate matter content of exhaust gas. The exhaust stream of the larger system is supplemented with exhaust from the mini-burner to produce exhaust with desired particulate matter characteristics. The exhaust gas may then be used for various test purposes, such as testing emissions control devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Cynthia C. Webb, John W. Miller
  • Patent number: 8650942
    Abstract: A method is described for diagnosing an exhaust gas sensor which is situated in the exhaust gas area of an internal combustion engine for the purpose of detecting at least one exhaust gas component, which is heated with the aid of a sensor heater and whose temperature is detected. A device for carrying out the method is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Mathias Klenk, Bernhard Kamp
  • Patent number: 8646324
    Abstract: A method for dynamically diagnosing an exhaust gas probe. A target/actual comparison is performed between a calculated O2 signal and an O2 signal measured with the exhaust gas probe, for a step load transition. A device for dynamically diagnosing an exhaust gas probe disposed in an exhaust duct of an internal combustion engine. An output signal is fed to an engine controller connected to additional input signals providing information about intake air mass and fuel metering. The engine controller comprises devices for determining a calculated O2 signal from the information about the input air mass and the fuel metering and devices for filtering and/or gradient forming and/or integrating the calculated O2 signal and an O2 signal measured by the exhaust probe. A target/actual comparison between the calculated O2 signal and the measured O2 signal, can be performed for a step load transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Plonka, Alexander Bludau, Benedikt Feldmann, Thomas Steinert, Wolfgang Mueller
  • Patent number: 8631786
    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: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Dave Charles Weber
  • Publication number: 20130319098
    Abstract: A test equipment manifold interface for automated test equipment (ATE) for testing electronic circuits by both Device Under Test Thermal Management (DTM) and non-DTM testing. The manifold interface has a housing, with an air inlet aperture, outlet apertures, and a chamber. The chamber has a chamber inlet provided by the air inlet aperture and a chamber outlet coupled to the outlet apertures. A hollow piston is captive in the chamber. The piston has DTM interface inlet and outlet apertures. In operation, when a DTM load board manifold engages the manifold interface, the hollow piston directs air to flow from the air inlet aperture to the DTM interface outlet aperture. When the DTM load board manifold disengages the manifold interface, the hollow piston directs air to flow from the air inlet to the outlet apertures via the chamber outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC
    Inventors: Bharathi Ranjit Singh, Azmi Rashid, Kathirawan Santhinan
  • Patent number: 8572952
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for managing particulate emissions in an engine including a particulate filter and a CO2 sensor downstream of the filter. A CO2 sensor may be used to infer the presence of particulate matter in the exhaust, downstream of the filter. By sensing particulate matter in the post-filter exhaust, filter degradation may be identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Parnin
  • Publication number: 20130269427
    Abstract: A diesel particulate filter (“DPF”) system is provided with temperature sensors at an entrance side and an exit side of a diesel oxidation catalyst, an SV ratio determining device that determines an exhaust gas SV ratio by measuring flow rate of exhaust gas during the DPF forcible regeneration, and an injector diagnosing device including a heat-generation region determining unit to which detection values of the temperature sensors and a determination value of the SV ratio determining device are input to determine whether or not these values are within a theoretical heat-generation region, and an actual injection amount diagnosing unit that diagnoses a decrease amount in an actual injection amount of an exhaust pipe injector, when the detection values of the temperature sensors and the determination value of the SV ratio determining device are within the theoretical heat-generation region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Daiji Nagaoka, Teruo Nakada, Hiroyuki Yuza
  • Patent number: 8549902
    Abstract: On the basis of a correlation between exhaust gas temperature detected by an exhaust gas temperature sensor and exhaust gas temperature estimated according to an engine operating condition, it is detected whether or not abnormality occurs in the exhaust gas temperature sensor. Namely, when a change characteristic of the detected exhaust gas temperature follows a change characteristic of the estimated exhaust gas temperature, it is determined that the exhaust gas temperature sensor is normal. On the other hand, when the change characteristic of the detected exhaust gas temperature does not follow that of the estimated exhaust gas temperature, it is determined that the exhaust gas temperature sensor is abnormal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: UD Trucks Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Matsunaga, Toshikazu Katou
  • Publication number: 20130220282
    Abstract: An evaporative emission control system for a turbocharged engine. The system includes a fuel vapor canister in fluid communication with an intake manifold of the engine, a purge valve positioned between the intake manifold and the canister, a bypass valve positioned between the purge valve and the canister and connected to the atmosphere, and an evaporative system integrity monitor operable to seal the canister from the atmosphere when the engine is off. In operation, the monitor is closed so as to seal the canister from the atmosphere, the purge valve is closed so as to isolate the intake manifold from the canister, and the bypass valve is opened so as to connect the canister to the atmosphere. Proper operation of the monitor is determined if the monitor toggles from closed to open when a vacuum in the fuel vapor canister reaches a predetermined level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
    Inventors: Christopher G. Hadre, Roger C. Sager, Paul J. Gregor, Richard J. Carnaghi
  • Patent number: 8505370
    Abstract: In a method and system to diagnose exhaust gas sensor deterioration, an automobile includes an exhaust gas system. The exhaust gas system has a fuel delivery system, an engine, a catalytic converter, an exhaust gas sensor, a processor, and/or a memory. The fuel delivery system supplies fuel which is combined with air to form a mixture combusted by the engine to generate exhaust. The processor controls the air-fuel ratio of the mixture based on the air-fuel ratio data of the exhaust detected by the exhaust gas sensor. The catalytic converter reduces pollutants in the exhaust. The processor analyzes the air-fuel ratio data to determine one or more time constants of a step response for rich to lean fuel operations and/or lean to rich fuel operations. The processor compares the time constants to a predetermined time constant threshold to determine if the exhaust gas sensor has malfunctioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing Norh America, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan A. Miller
  • Patent number: 8505371
    Abstract: Various methods are provided for diagnosing an exhaust fluid sensor disposed in an exhaust fluid passage. By monitoring the sensor during conditions when it is in contact with the exhaust fluid and when it is not in contact with the exhaust fluid, an expected change in the sensor output can be monitored to identify whether the sensor is generating sufficiently accurate readings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bret Alan Zimmerman, John Paul Bogema, Timothy L. Jenkins, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt
  • Publication number: 20130199282
    Abstract: An emissions output of an engine, such as a diesel generator, may be determined from the load on the engine and an exhaust volume from the engine. Chemicals such as nitrogen oxide (NOx) may be calculated for a measured load on the engine. The calculation may include determining an air flow in the engine from air pressure measurements and turbo compressor speed measurements. The calculation may also include determining a gas flow into the engine by deriving fuel flow from known test results. The calculated emissions output may be used to ensure compliance of an engine with environmental regulations. A remote monitoring program may generate alerts when the engine fails to comply with environmental regulations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventors: Douglas A. Robertson, Nearamit Sananikone, Mauro Tagomori
  • Patent number: 8489270
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and corresponding device for diagnosing the dynamics of an exhaust gas sensor, which is disposed in an exhaust gas duct of an internal combustion engine in the direction of flow of the exhaust gas upstream or downstream of a catalytic converter and with which the air/fuel ratio of the gas mixture supplied to the internal combustion engine is controlled via a control circuit. During diagnosis, provision is made for at least one actuator intervention to be specified by means of a control algorithm of a diagnostic controller specifically m the direction of an asymmetric behavior, which is achieved by an extension of one of the two ramps, until the actuator intervention is compensated by an asymmetric dynamic error of the exhaust gas sensor, a reaction to said actuator intervention being used as criterion for assessing an asymmetric dynamic error of said exhaust gas sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Kersten Wehmeier, Michael Pfeil, Siyun Chu, Albrecht Clement
  • 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: 20130068002
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes an engine control module, a valve control module, and a level determination module. The engine control module controls an engine mounted in one of an engine dynamometer and a chassis dynamometer based on a predetermined schedule specifying a desired speed with respect to time. The valve control module controls a valve to inject a first quantity of a substance into an exhaust system to simulate the engine outputting an emission. The level determination module determines an emissions level of the emission in the exhaust system based on the predetermined schedule and the first quantity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Donald B. Nagy
  • Patent number: 8398302
    Abstract: A protruding length L1 that is a distance between an inner circumference of a flow path through which fluid flows on an axis of a temperature sensor disposed in the flow path and the center of said temperature sensitive device is 50 mm or more. A protruding location that is a distance between an inner circumferential surface of the flow path and the center of said temperature sensitive device on a cross section extending perpendicular to the axis of said flow path through the center of said temperature sensitive device is defined as L1?. A flow path width that is a distance between intersections of the axis of the temperature sensor with the inner circumferential surface of said flow path when the temperature sensor is projected onto said cross section is defined as D1. A relation of L1?/D1 is specified as a function of the value of D1, thereby reducing heat transfer in an exhaust temperature sensor and enabling the temperature to be measured accurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Tsunenobu Hori
  • Patent number: 8359914
    Abstract: A procedure for checking the functionality of a reducing agent pump (172) of a NOx-reduction system of a combustion engine (110) is thereby characterized, in that it is checked, whether the pump (172) reaches a default engine speed value in a defined time interval within defined limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Feldges, Andreas Wagner
  • Patent number: 8336525
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining a deterioration of a NOx sensor response rate in an internal combustion engine system includes an engine control module configured to stop fueling to an internal combustion engine during motoring of the internal combustion engine. The apparatus also includes a signal monitoring module configured to monitor a NOx sensor signal after the engine control module stops fueling to the internal combustion engine during motoring of the engine and store NOx sensor signal data corresponding to the monitored NOx sensor signal. Additionally, the apparatus includes a time constant module that is configured to determine a time constant of the NOx sensor response after the engine control module stops fueling. The apparatus further includes a response rate deterioration module configured to determine a response rate deterioration value of the NOx sensor based at least partially on the determined time constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Cummins IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Runde, Xiao Lin, Daniel D. Wilhelm, David Everard, Carlos A. Lana
  • Publication number: 20120318055
    Abstract: The present invention provides a DPF failure detection method and a DPF failure detection device, which can be realized with a simple configuration and detect a failure at low cost. The theoretical deposited amount of PM on a DPF 4 is calculated from the operating state of an internal combustion engine 2. The actual deposited amount of the PM on the DPF 4 is measured based on the electrical capacitance of an electrical capacitance type PM sensor 6. When the divergence of the actual deposited amount from the theoretical deposited amount exceeds an allowable limit, it is determined that the DPF 4 has a failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventors: Tadashi Uchiyama, Hidekazu Fujie, Mitsuhiro Aso
  • Patent number: 8327696
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for diagnosing a particle filter used for filtering particles out of the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine, wherein a collecting particle sensor is disposed downstream of the particle filter in the direction of flow of the exhaust gas and wherein a measurement for the loading of the particle sensor is determined from an output signal of the particle sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Enno Baars, Torsten Handler, Bernhard Kamp, Henrik Schittenhelm
  • Patent number: 8319183
    Abstract: Methods of characterizing and measuring particulate accumulation in a family of particulate filters (10) are disclosed. The disclosure can be applied to diesel, gasoline and natural gas fueled engines, fluid streams bearing dust, and chemical and biological substances such as may be found in laboratory fluids, for example, air. In one embodiment, the disclosure is directed to measuring diesel particulate accumulation in a family of diesel particulate filters. The methods include measuring calibration complex terahertz transmission spectra (PC(f)) of at least a portion (17) of at least one particulate or diesel particulate filter in the family for different known particulate or diesel particulate amounts (ADP). The method also involves performing a partial least squares (PLS) analysis on the calibration complex terahertz transmission spectra to establish a calibration relationship between the complex terahertz transmission spectra and the particulate or diesel particulate amounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Natarajan Gunasekaran, Vitor Marino Schneider, Charlene Marie Smith, Carlo Anthony Kosik Williams
  • Patent number: 8307636
    Abstract: To suppress clogging of an injection nozzle that supplies fuel to an exhaust passage of an engine, a controller executes intermittent addition of fuel from the injection nozzle. In executing the intermittent addition, the controller calculates a particulate discharge amount within the exhaust passage based on the engine operation state, and multiplies the exhaust gas temperature by the intake air rate to calculate the exhaust energy. Then, based on the particulate discharge amount and the exhaust energy, the controller calculates the amount of fuel to be added.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 8290685
    Abstract: A control device for an engine, capable of accurately estimating the quantity of exhaust heat from the engine and performing engine control which improves the exhaust quality and fuel consumption of the engine in various operating conditions thereof, by using the accurate estimated value of the quantity of exhaust heat. A control device for an engine is provided with an exhaust flow rate sensor for directly sensing the flow rate of exhaust gas discharged from the engine, an exhaust temperature estimating device for sensing or estimating the temperature of the exhaust gas discharged from the engine, and an exhaust heat quantity estimating device for estimating, based on an output of the exhaust flow rate sensor and an output of the exhaust temperature estimating device, the quantity of heat of the exhaust gas discharged from the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shiro Yamaoka, Yoshihiro Sukegawa, Noboru Tokuyasu, Hiroaki Hoshika, Daisuke Terada
  • Patent number: 8286470
    Abstract: A method for operating an exhaust gas probe, in particular a lambda probe, in the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine, where at least one heating element for achieving the operating temperature in the exhaust gas probe and determination of the temperature of the exhaust gas probe is performed by measuring the internal resistance. Measurement of the internal resistance occurs by the superimposition of discrete bipolar test pulses that include a pulse and a counter pulse, and by acquisition of the Nernst voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Claudius Bevot, Eberhard Schnaibel, Jens Wagner
  • Patent number: 8281652
    Abstract: A method of testing the functionality of an oxidation catalytic converter of an internal combustion engine, particularly a diesel engine, of a motor vehicle, includes the following steps: (a) verifying whether the motor vehicle is at a standstill; (b) verifying whether the internal combustion engine is idling; (c) verifying whether a temperature lies within a predetermined range upstream and downstream of the oxidation catalyst. Then, if all of the steps (a) to (c) yield an affirmative result, an intervention in the engine management is made in such a way that a predetermined temperature is set in the oxidation catalyst; (e) hydrocarbons (HCs) are actively produced by post-injecting fuel at a late point in time; (f) a lambda value is measured upstream and downstream of the oxidation catalyst as soon as the predetermined temperature from step (d) has been reached, and while HCs are actively produced in step (e).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Frank Alich, Burkhard Veldten, Volker Gehrke
  • Patent number: 8281576
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for managing particulate emissions in an engine including a particulate filter and a CO2 sensor downstream of the filter. A CO2 sensor may be used to infer the presence of particulate matter in the exhaust, downstream of the filter. By sensing particulate matter in the post-filter exhaust, filter degradation may be identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Parnin
  • Patent number: 8276437
    Abstract: Provided is a clogging determining device and a clogging determining method for a reducing agent injection valve, which enable clogging of the reducing agent injection valve to be determined with high precision in further consideration of the individual difference of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Bosch Corporation
    Inventor: Eiichi Kitazawa
  • Publication number: 20120222474
    Abstract: A method for dynamically diagnosing an exhaust gas probe. A target/actual comparison is performed between a calculated O2 signal and an O2 signal measured with the exhaust gas probe, for a step load transition. A device for dynamically diagnosing an exhaust gas probe disposed in an exhaust duct of an internal combustion engine. An output signal is fed to an engine controller connected to additional input signals providing information about intake air mass and fuel metering. The engine controller comprises devices for determining a calculated O2 signal from the information about the input air mass and the fuel metering and devices for filtering and/or gradient forming and/or integrating the calculated O2 signal and an O2 signal measured by the exhaust probe. A target/actual comparison between the calculated O2 signal and the measured O2 signal, can be performed for a step load transition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Peter Plonka, Alexander Bludau, Benedikt Feldmann, Thomas Steinert, Wolfgang Mueller
  • Patent number: 8240193
    Abstract: A method for operating a sensor in an exhaust gas tract of an internal combustion engine and a device for carrying out the method are provided. In the method, a diagnosis is carried out of the condition of the saturation temperature, exclusively while taking into consideration a few fundamental input variables characterizing the operating state of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Joerg Frauhammer, Robert Seyfang, Tobias Pfister
  • Patent number: 8225649
    Abstract: During the measurement of the oxygen storage capacity of an oxygen storage system, which is assigned to a catalytic converter, a switchover operation from lean to rich exhaust gas or vice versa is effected. The measurement signals of a lambda probe are recorded; and an integral calculation is carried out over a time interval on the basis of the measurement values. Whereas in the past the start of the time interval was the point in time of the switchover operation, the present invention provides that the start of the second time interval is determined on the basis of the measurement signals of the second lambda probe i.e., the point in time is preferably fixed at the time at which these measurement values reach an extreme value. This design allows the oxygen storage capacity to be measured even if the lambda probe is not fully functioning totally correctly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Bodo Odendall, Martin Schneider
  • Patent number: 8210033
    Abstract: A device for detecting an accumulation amount of particulates is provided. The device has a filter for trapping particulates from a gas containing the particulates, a container for containing the filter, an upstream pipe provided on the upstream side of the container to lead the gas into the container, a downstream pipe provided on the downstream side of the container to lead the gas after passed through the filter, a transmitting antenna provided within the downstream pipe to transmit an electromagnetic wave having a frequency of 30 GHz or more but not exceeding 10 THz, and a receiving antenna provided within the upstream pipe to receive the electromagnetic wave. An amount of the particulates trapped in the filter is detected based on an intensity of the electromagnetic wave received by the receiving antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jungo Kondo, Keiji Matsuhiro, Kenji Aoki, Atsuo Kondo
  • Patent number: 8196460
    Abstract: In relation to a jump (SP_J_LR) from a lean air-to-fuel ratio to a richer air-to-fuel ratio, a measurement signal of the exhaust gas probe is detected after a predetermined lean-to-rich delay (t_R) as a lean-to-rich signal value (SV_LR) and is placed in relation to a lean-to-reference signal value (L_REF). In relation to a jump (SP_J_RL) from a richer air-to-fuel ratio to a leaner air-to-fuel ratio, the procedure is performed equivalently. Depending on the lean-to-rich and lean-to-rich signal value put in relation, either an asymmetrically aged or non-asymmetrically aged exhaust gas probe is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Barnikow, Michaela Schneider, Norbert Sieber
  • Patent number: 8186205
    Abstract: The invention concerns a procedure and a device for diagnosing the dynamic of an exhaust gas sensor, which is arranged in an exhaust gas duct of a combustion engine and with which a parameter of the gas mixture that is supplied to the combustion engine is regulated by a control loop. It is thereby provided according to the invention that during a diagnosing period a temporal deflection of a regulation correcting variable for the parameter that is derived from an output signal of the exhaust gas sensor or a temporal course of the output signal of the exhaust gas sensor is used for the diagnosis and that the dynamic of the exhaust gas sensor is assumed in an evaluation algorithm. Thereby an improvement of the on-board diagnosis of the dynamic of the exhaust gas sensor can be achieved and in particular lambda probes, which provide a slowing down of their responding behavior, can be detected early on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Kersten Wehmeier, Ronaldi Rusli, Andreas Koring, Richard Hotzel
  • Patent number: 8161807
    Abstract: A device for detecting particulates includes: a filter; a filter container; an upstream pipe; a downstream pipe; an upstream detecting unit; and a downstream detecting unit. The upstream detecting unit has a branch flow route for receiving gas from the upstream pipe, a trapping portion, a transmitting portion for transmitting an electromagnetic wave to the trapping portion, and a receiving portion for receiving an electromagnetic wave from the trapping portion. The downstream detecting unit has a branch flow route for receiving gas from the downstream pipe, a trapping portion, a transmitting portion for transmitting an electromagnetic wave to the trapping portion, and a receiving portion for receiving an electromagnetic wave from the trapping portion. The amount of the particulates trapped in the filter is detected based on a difference between detection values of the mass of the particulates trapped in the upstream and downstream trapping portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jungo Kondo, Keiji Matsuhiro, Kenji Aoki, Atsuo Kondo
  • Patent number: 8161944
    Abstract: A control device of an internal combustion engine that can accurately estimate an NOx concentration in exhaust gas by using a cylinder internal pressure as basic data. A cylinder internal pressure sensor provided to the internal combustion engine detects a cylinder internal pressure P?. An internal energy correlation value (?V·dP?/d?·??) having correlation with internal energy consumed in the cylinder is calculated based on the cylinder internal pressure P? and an in-cylinder volume V? (? represents a crank angle). The internal energy correlation value is standardized by a load ratio KL, then corrected by a function f(kl) as for a load factor KL so as to calculate an NOx concentration estimated value [NOx]={(?V·dP?/d?·??)/KL}×f(kl).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidenori Moriya, Ryo Tadokoro
  • Patent number: 8155860
    Abstract: A real time, average pressure difference method for monitoring doser efficiency is described that determines the difference between the average pressure when the doser is not injecting and the average pressure when the doser is injecting at a predetermined commanded injection rate. The average pressure difference method results in improved doser efficiency monitoring. The method can be implemented in a number of areas. For example, in a diesel truck application, the doser efficiency can be monitored accurately in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Javier Franco, Thomas A. Grana, Daniel D. Wilhelm, Xiao Lin
  • Patent number: 8155858
    Abstract: A real time doser efficiency monitoring method is described that measures the average instant pressure difference within one duty cycle of the doser injector. The disclosed method results in improved doser efficiency monitoring. The disclosed method can be implemented in a number of areas. For example, in a diesel truck application, the doser efficiency can be monitored accurately, for example within 5% error, all the time, no matter whether the truck is in a transient or steady state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiao Lin, Daniel D. Wilhelm, Javier Franco
  • Patent number: 8146352
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for managing particulate emissions in an engine including a particulate filter and a CO2 sensor downstream of the filter. A CO2 sensor may be used to infer the presence of particulate matter in the exhaust, downstream of the filter. By sensing particulate matter in the post-filter exhaust, filter degradation may be identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Parnin
  • Patent number: 8132449
    Abstract: Procedures for diagnosing an exhaust gas treatment device, which is dosing a reagent into the exhaust gas area of a combustion process, whereby the reagent is brought up to a dosing pressure and subsequently dosed, at which the diagnosis is undertaken with the aid of an evaluation of a pressure drop of the reagent, and a device for implementing the procedure are suggested. After turning off the pump a pressure drop that occurs afterwards is evaluated. The evaluation of the pressure drop considers a leakage loss of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Shivanand Hartimath, Peter Huebner
  • Patent number: 8091414
    Abstract: Methods of monitoring replacement of a diesel particulate filter (DPF) by a non-particulate matter filter. The disclosed methods takes into account a change in delta pressure based soot load estimates (DPSLE) over time to detect whether the DPF has been replaced. The estimate, which is measured by the delta pressure drop across the filter, can be used to determine whether a device that does not have the capability of trapping soot, such as a muffler, has been inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Harshbarger, Daniel D. Wilhelm, Purna Chander Nalla
  • Patent number: 8091415
    Abstract: On the basis of a correlation between exhaust gas temperature detected by an exhaust gas temperature sensor and exhaust gas temperature estimated according to an engine operating condition, it is detected whether or not abnormality occurs in the exhaust gas temperature sensor. Namely, when a change characteristic of the detected exhaust gas temperature follows a change characteristic of the estimated exhaust gas temperature, it is determined that the exhaust gas temperature sensor is normal. On the other hand, when the change characteristic of the detected exhaust gas temperature does not follow that of the estimated exhaust gas temperature, it is determined that the exhaust gas temperature sensor is abnormal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: UD Trucks Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Matsunaga, Toshikazu Katou
  • Patent number: 8087291
    Abstract: A method for performing a diagnostic on an exhaust gas analyzer probe disposed in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, and a device for implementing the method are provided. The method performs the evaluation of the exhaust gas analyzer probe after recognition of a special operating phase, e.g., an overrun phase, of the internal combustion engine by setting off a specifiable injection that is torque-neutral or not perceptible for the operator, on the basis of the predicted probe signal pattern and taking into account the delay time of the probe signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Michalske, Thomas Steinert
  • Patent number: 8087290
    Abstract: A method of performing a diagnosis of an exhaust gas sensor disposed in an exhaust gas region of an internal combustion engine testing the sensor to determine whether a change of at least one exhaust gas component, which is detectable by the exhaust gas sensor, results in an expected change of the sensor signal, and implementing the diagnosis if a specified change in at least one operating parameter of the internal combustion engine and/or at least one parameter of the exhaust gas in the running operation of the internal combustion engine are detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Wickert, Jochen Schoenthaler
  • Patent number: 8074505
    Abstract: A system for analyzing a substrate material for a diesel or other internal combustion engine exhaust filtration performance includes a valve that actuates within an exhaust system to modulate engine exhaust back pressure and correspondingly maintain a desired filtration velocity to influence a variable parameter within the system, based at least in part on an exhaust characteristic such as a sensed exhaust pressure differential defined across a substrate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: David E. Foster, Ekathai Wirojsakunchai, Christopher P. Kolodziej, Renato A. Yapaulo
  • Patent number: 8056404
    Abstract: An output calibration apparatus for an NOx sensor according to the present invention includes a urea addition valve provided in an exhaust passage in an internal combustion engine to allow urea to be added to inside of the exhaust passage, and an NOx sensor provided at least downstream of the urea addition valve, the NOx sensor being capable of detecting not only an NOx concentration but also an ammonia concentration. The output calibration apparatus executes fuel cut on the internal combustion engine, and calibrates a gain of the NOx sensor based on ammonia obtained from the urea added via the urea addition valve during execution of the fuel cut. The ammonia obtained from the urea added during execution of the fuel cut is used as standard gas to calibrate the gain of the NOx sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nao Murase
  • Patent number: 8047052
    Abstract: The invention concerns the automatic determination of an emission value for a motor vehicle. For this purpose, a system for the automatic determination of an emission value for a motor vehicle 4 is described that comprises the following: a fuel quantity sensor 1, an identification device 3 for registering an account identification, an account database 7 containing at least one account information item for each of a multitude of accounts 8, and a determination device 6, where: the fuel quantity sensor 1 determines a fuel quantity added to the tank and transmits it to the determination device 6; an account identification registered by the identification device 3 is transmitted to the determination device 6 and is associated with the fuel quantity added to the tank; and where the determination device 6 determines the emission value on the basis of the fuel quantity added to the tank and at least one account information item of the account 8 associated with the account identification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Arktik GmbH
    Inventor: Dominic De Vries
  • Patent number: 8015862
    Abstract: Method and device for operating a particle sensor arranged in an exhaust tract of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. The particle sensor including a sensor carrier having two sensor electrodes arranged at a predetermined distance from one another on one side of the sensor carrier. The two sensor electrodes are exposed to an exhaust gas stream in the exhaust tract. The at least two sensor electrodes are acted upon with a collective potential, the collective potential having a value such that electrically charged particles are attracted out of the exhaust gas stream in the exhaust tract. The attracted particles in this case accumulate on and/or between the two sensor electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Steve Bollinger, Manfred Weigl
  • Patent number: 7992433
    Abstract: At least one aspect of the invention provides an improved fuel sensing system for a generator, in addition, one or more other aspects of the invention provide improved systems and methods for determining remaining run-time of a generator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: William Ziegler, Craig L. Bennett