Exhaust Gas Component Analysis Patents (Class 73/114.71)
  • Patent number: 11306642
    Abstract: An exhaust system includes an exhaust duct that defines an exhaust gas passage extending along an axis and which has a cross-section extending across the axis. At least one sensor opening in the exhaust duct is configured to receive an exhaust gas sensor. A baffle is positioned within the exhaust gas passage and includes a plurality of guide channels with open cross-sections. Each guide channel extends from a first end facing an inner surface of the exhaust duct to a second end opposite the first end. The guide channels guide exhaust gas from different regions of the cross-section toward the at least one sensor opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Faurecia Emissions Control Technologies, USA, LLC
    Inventor: Neil Burge
  • Patent number: 11105724
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a method for checking a sensor for soot particles in exhaust of an engine comprising: generating a sensor current between a first electrode and a second electrode of the sensor, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode define a gap through which the exhaust gas flows between the electrodes, by applying a difference in potential between the electrodes, wherein soot particles accumulate on the electrodes and, after a dwell time dependent on the preloading of the electrodes with soot particles, they move from a first electrode to the respective second electrode generating a flow of current as a measure of the quantity of soot in the stream of exhaust gas; determining whether a peak in the sensor current is measured after the switching off of the internal combustion engine; and if no peak in the sensor current is measured, flagging the particle sensor as faulty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Christian Stahl, Patrick Eberl-Neumaier, Sebastian Reiß, Florian Koller, Michael Nienhoff
  • Patent number: 10935530
    Abstract: An analysis unit includes a frontal plane to access the analysis unit, a mounting plane perpendicular to the frontal plane, and a gas measurement device. The gas measurement device includes a connection housing part and a main housing part. The connection housing part includes an inlet channel and an outlet channel which extend from the mounting plane to a first connection plane. The main housing part includes a second connection plane which corresponds to the first connection plane. The main housing part rests on the first connection plane. The main housing part further includes an inflow channel which fluidically communicates with the inlet channel via the first connection plane, and a recirculation channel which fluidically communicates with the outlet channel via the first connection plane. The first and second connection planes are tilted at an angle of 45° from the mounting plane in a direction of the frontal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: AVL EMISSION TEST SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventor: Georg Martinewski
  • Patent number: 10876484
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for accurately estimating intake aircharge based on the output of an intake oxygen sensor while flowing EGR, purge, or PCV hydrocarbons to the engine. The unadjusted aircharge estimate is used for engine fuel control while the hydrocarbon adjusted aircharge estimate is used for engine torque control. A controller is configured to sample the oxygen sensor at even increments in a time domain, stamp the sampled data in a crank angle domain, store the sampled data in a buffer, and then select one or more data samples corresponding to a last firing period from the buffer for estimating the intake aircharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Sumilla, James Alfred Hilditch, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Michael McQuillen, Martin Brown, Imtiaz Ali, Naginder Gogna
  • Patent number: 10876929
    Abstract: The present claimed invention provides an exhaust gas analysis system using a dilution sampling method with an exhaust gas analysis device that can calculate a measured value such as a concentration of a component to be measured in an exhaust gas with higher accuracy. The exhaust gas analysis device analyzes a diluted exhaust gas, and comprises an analyzing part that measures a component to be measured in the diluted exhaust gas, an introducing path that introduces the diluted exhaust gas into the analyzing part and that has a resistance part, a viscous component concentration determining part that determines a concentration of a viscous component that is in the diluted exhaust gas and that is different from the component to be measured, and a correction part that corrects the measured value measured by the analyzing part in accordance with the concentration of the viscous component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: HORIBA, LTD.
    Inventors: Ryota Ochiai, Tomoshi Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 10544723
    Abstract: An exhaust gas analysis apparatus includes an exhaust gas flow channel, a pump, and a heat exchanger. The exhaust gas flow channel is designed to permit passage of exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine, and is provided with an analysis device. The pump is disposed downstream of the analysis device in the exhaust gas flow channel. The heat exchanger is designed to receive at least one of heat of the pump and heat of exhaust gas passing downstream of the pump, and to use the heat to heat exhaust gas passing upstream of the pump in the exhaust gas flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: HORIBA, LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshinori Otsuki
  • Patent number: 10514283
    Abstract: The present invention is an exhaust gas flow rate measuring unit that eliminates the disturbance of the flow velocity distribution of exhaust gas flowing through an attachment pipe to accurately measure an exhaust gas flow rate, and is mounted in a vehicle to measure the flow rate of exhaust gas emitted from an exhaust pipe of the vehicle. In addition, the exhaust gas flow rate measuring unit includes the attachment pipe that is connected to the exhaust pipe and forms a flow path through which the exhaust gas flows, a flowmeter that is provided in the flow path and measures the flow rate of the exhaust gas flowing through the flow path, and a straightening mechanism that is provided on the upstream side of the flowmeter in the flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: HORIBA, LTD.
    Inventors: Yosuke Kondo, Shintaro Aoki
  • Patent number: 10509075
    Abstract: A diagnostic test is conducted by operating an engine-generator set at a plurality of reduced speeds. At each of those speeds, operating parameters of the engine are sensed and analyzed to detect an unsatisfactory operating condition. For example, such operating parameters may include speed of the engine-generator set, engine oil pressure and level, engine temperature, coolant level, and battery voltage. When a transition in engine speed occurs, a throttle test also may be conducted to measure how quickly and smoothly the engine reaches the new speed. After the engine reaches the normal operating speed, the generator is activated to produce electricity. One or more characteristic of that electricity, such as voltage, current and frequency, are sensed and evaluated to detect an unsatisfactory operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Eric D. Albsmeier, Kenneth R. Bornemann, Harrison Chirkdo Chiu, Zane Eaton, Anthony James Hackbarth, Richard Allen Mauk, Jeffrey John Neis, Edward Douglas Brey
  • Patent number: 10488379
    Abstract: An exemplary exhaust testing apparatus includes a housing defining an exhaust flow path extending from an inlet to an outlet. At least a portion of the housing is selectably rotatable relative to an exhaust aftertreatment system. An arm extends from the housing into the exhaust flow path. An exhaust probe configured to measure an exhaust constituent is coupled with the arm and positioned at a location in the exhaust flow path. An actuator is configured to extend and retract the arm to vary the location of the exhaust probe in the exhaust flow path. The exhaust probe is moveable to a plurality of locations within the exhaust flow path through a combination of rotation of the housing and extension and retraction of the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Cummins Emission Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Mitchell, Tamas Szailer, Alonzo Scott Cole, Newton Crenshaw
  • Patent number: 10480385
    Abstract: A apparatus 70 for measuring combustible-gas concentration includes an electromotive force acquisition section 75 configured to acquire information about an electromotive force of a mixed potential cell 55 while a detection electrode 51 is exposed to a target gas, an oxygen concentration acquisition section 76 configured to acquire information about oxygen concentration pO2 in the target gas, and a control section 72. The control section 72 derives combustible-gas concentration pTHC in the target gas from the acquired information about the electromotive force EMF, the acquired information about the oxygen concentration pO2, and the relationship represented by formula (1): EMF=? loga(pTHC)?? logb(pO2)+B??(1) where ?, ?, and B each represent a constant, and a and b each represent any base (provided that a?1, a>0, b?1, and b>0).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Taku Okamoto, Yoshinobu Nakada, Kosuke Monna
  • Patent number: 10415484
    Abstract: An example engine control system may include an oxygen intake sensor; a fuel delivery device to control a rate of fuel delivery to the engine combustor; a combustor pressure sensor; a combustor temperature sensor; and a controller to receive at least one of an oxygen intake signal, a combustor pressure signal, and a combustor temperature signal; determine at least one of a reference specific fuel consumption (SFC) of the engine or a reference amount of a respective exhaust gas of a plurality of exhaust gases based on the oxygen signal, the pressure signal, and the temperature signal; compare at least one of the reference SFC or the reference amount of a respective exhaust gas to a respective threshold value; and control the fuel delivery device to control the rate of fuel delivery based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Graham, Robert C. Dalley, John Joseph Costello
  • Patent number: 10400649
    Abstract: A slope ?t1HC in a linear area of sensor output characteristics for a mixed atmosphere of CO and THC and a slope ?t1NH in the linear area of the sensor output characteristics for NH3 are specified in advance at a time when a time t1 has elapsed since a start of use of an engine. In performing calibration of an NH3 sensor when a time t2 (greater than the time t1) has elapsed, a slope ?t2HC in the linear area of the sensor output characteristics for the mixed atmosphere is specified, a value ?t2NH is calculated from an equation ?t2NH=?t2HC/(?t1HC/?t1NH), and the calculated value ?t2NH is determined as a new slope in the linear area of the sensor output characteristics for an NH3 gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Taku Okamoto, Kosuke Monna, Nobuhiko Mori
  • Patent number: 10329988
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring ammonia concentration measures ammonia concentration in a target gas with a sensor element including a mixed potential cell. The apparatus for measuring ammonia concentration includes an electromotive force acquisition section, an oxygen concentration acquisition section, and an ammonia concentration derivation section. The ammonia concentration derivation section derives the ammonia concentration in the target gas from the relationship represented by formula (1): EMF=? loga(pNH3)?? logb(pO2)+? logc(pNH3)×logd(pO2)+B?? (1) (where EMF: an electromotive force of the mixed potential cell, ?, ?, ?, and B: constants (provided that each of ?, ?, and ??0), a, b, c, and d: any base (provided that each of a, b, c, and d?1, and each of a, b, c, and d>0), pNH3: the ammonia concentration in the target gas, and pO2: the oxygen concentration in the target gas).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Taku Okamoto, Yoshinobu Nakada, Kosuke Monna
  • Patent number: 10317318
    Abstract: An exhaust-gas sampling system includes a main conveying line, a main throughput pump which conveys a sample gas in the main conveying line, a sample gas bag, a sample gas withdrawal line which fluidically connects the main conveying line to the sample gas bag, a throughflow control element arranged in the sample gas withdrawal line, an analyzer, a sample gas analysis line which connects the analyzer to the sample gas bag, an evacuation line which establishes a fluidic connection between the main throughput pump and the sample gas bag, and a first valve arranged in the evacuation line. The first valve opens and closes the evacuation line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: AVL EMISSION TEST SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Sascha Willich, Norbert Kreft, Christopher Garthe
  • Patent number: 10232296
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure may improve the accuracy of abnormality diagnosis of a particulate filter using the output value of a particulate matter (PM) sensor provided in an exhaust passage. A time when deposition of PM between electrodes of the PM sensor is restarted after completion of a sensor recovery process may be specified as a PM deposition restart time. A process of diagnosing an abnormality of a filter based on the output value of the PM sensor at a first determination time after the PM deposition restart time may be specified as a filter diagnosis process. To determine, whether the filter diagnosis process is to be performed, a change rate of the output value of the PM sensor in a time period from the PM deposition restart time to a predetermined second determination time before the first determination time, may be compared with a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuya Takaoka, Toru Kidokoro
  • Patent number: 10124083
    Abstract: A sanitizer with an ion generator and ion electrode assembly are provided. The ion generator is configured to generate ions using an AC voltage and an ion electrode assembly. The ion electrode assembly includes at least one emitter unit adapted for attachment to the ion generator. At least one ion source is attached to the at least one emitter unit for emitting ions. An emitter cover that is flexible has a thickness and extends from a proximal end to a distal end and defines an inner surface and encloses the at least one emitter unit for protecting the at least one ion source and the at least one emitter unit. The inner surface of the emitter cover is in a spaced relationship with the at least one ion source to define an air gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: DM Tec, LLC
    Inventor: Michael E. Robert
  • Patent number: 10065140
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure improve the accuracy of abnormality diagnosis of a particulate filter using the output value of a PM sensor provided downstream of the particulate filter in an exhaust passage. A configuration of the invention compares a change rate of an output value of the PM sensor prior to execution of a filter diagnosis process of diagnosing an abnormality of the filter based on the output value of the PM sensor, with a reference value and determines whether a filter abnormality process is to be performed. A higher value is set to the reference value, which is to be compared with the change rate of the output value of the PM sensor, in the case where the deposition amount of PM between electrodes of the PM sensor is expected to be large, compared with the case where the deposition amount of PM is expected to be small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuya Takaoka, Toru Kidokoro
  • Patent number: 9890724
    Abstract: A control system of an engine in which a purge gas containing evaporated fuel desorbed from a canister is supplied to an intake passage of the engine is provided. The control system includes a deceleration fuel cutoff module for performing a deceleration fuel cutoff to stop a fuel supply from an injector to the engine when a predetermined deceleration fuel cutoff condition is satisfied in a decelerating state of the engine, a purge unit for purging by supplying the purge gas to the intake passage during the deceleration fuel cutoff, an O2 sensor provided in an exhaust passage of the engine, an abnormality determining module for determining an abnormality of the O2 sensor based on a change of an output value of the O2 sensor that is caused by the deceleration fuel cutoff, and a purge restricting module for restricting the purge during the abnormality determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuaki Tanaka, Hiroshi Tsuboi, Yuusou Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 9890726
    Abstract: An individual cylinder air-fuel ratio estimation of estimating an air-fuel ratio of an individual cylinder is performed on a sensed value of an air-fuel ratio sensor set in an exhaust gas collection part of an engine, and an individual cylinder air-fuel ratio control of controlling the air-fuel ratio of the individual cylinder is performed in such a way that a variation in the air-fuel ratio between the cylinders becomes small on the basis of an estimated air-fuel ratio of the individual cylinder. Further, it is determined whether or not a misfire of the engine is caused and when it is determined that the misfire of the engine is caused, the individual cylinder air-fuel ratio estimation and the individual cylinder air-fuel ratio control are stopped and an individual cylinder correction value by the individual cylinder air-fuel ratio control is reset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noriaki Iwase, Yasuo Mukai
  • Patent number: 9816426
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for sensing particulate matter in an exhaust system of a vehicle. An example system comprises a particulate matter sensor and a guiding plate spaced away from each other in a tube capable of receiving a portion of exhaust gas in an exhaust passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Xiaogang Zhang
  • Patent number: 9528424
    Abstract: The invention relates to a malfunction diagnosis device for an exhaust gas purification catalyst of an engine. The device calculates, on the basis of a parameter of the engine other than an output value of a NOx concentration sensor, (a) an estimated NO concentration of the exhaust gas and expected to flow out from the catalyst and (b) an estimated particular component concentration of the exhaust gas and expected to flow out from the catalyst. The device calculates an expected output value such that the expected output value calculated when the influence parameter value is a first value is smaller than the expected output value calculated when the influence parameter value is a second value, the expected output value being an output value which is expected to be output from the sensor when the exhaust gas, which includes NO having the expected NO concentration and the particular component having the expected particular component concentration, reaches the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA, KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keiichiro Aoki, Toyoharu Kaneko, Hiroki Nishijima
  • Patent number: 9509006
    Abstract: A fuel cell system (100) comprising: a fuel cell (1) for generating electric power using a fuel gas; a fuel gas generator section (2) for generating the fuel gas using a raw material gas; a combustor section (2a) for generating heat energy to be used for generating the fuel gas; an air feeder section (2b) for feeding aft when the heat energy is generated; and a controller section (101); wherein the fuel cell is filled with the raw material gas before the fuel gas is fed, and wherein the controller section (101) performs a control operation such that the feed rate of air supplied from the air feeder section (2b) to the combustor section (2a) increases when the fuel gas generated in the fuel gas generator section (2) is supplied to the fuel cell (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Terumaru Harada, Akinari Nakamura, Yoshikazu Tanaka, Masataka Ozeki, Hideo Ohara
  • Patent number: 9506392
    Abstract: An exhaust gas guide element for conducting at least a portion of an exhaust gas to a sensor for a vehicle. The exhaust gas guide element has a greater extent in a direction of a longitudinal axis than in a direction of a transverse axis, and is gas-permeable along the direction of the longitudinal axis. One end of the gas guide element along the direction of the longitudinal axis is configured as a receiving region, and the opposite end is configured as a measuring region. A sensor can be positioned in the measuring region, and a gas receiving element is positioned in the receiving region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Richard Fix, Andreas Krauss, Markus Widenmeyer
  • Patent number: 9375907
    Abstract: To produce a fiber composite material component, a production system has a mold providing unit with at least one component mold. Fiber composite material can be applied to the at least one component mold by means of at least two production units. The at least two production units can be moved for this purpose on a guide path. The guide path runs round the mold providing unit so that the at least two production units can travel round the mold providing unit along the guide path. The productivity and flexibility of production can thereby be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignees: Deutsches Zentrum Fur Luft—Und Raumfahrt E.V., Broetje-Automation GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Boge, Bernhard Pause, Matthias Meyer, Dirk Röstermundt
  • Patent number: 9180409
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a pollutant conversion capacity of a catalytically coated, oxidizing exhaust gas after-treatment component in an exhaust gas system of an internal combustion engine, wherein a capacity of the catalytic coating of the exhaust gas after-treatment component for oxidizing NO to NO2 is ascertained from the degree of efficiency of a downstream SCR catalytic converter, characterized in that operating conditions for said exhaust gas after-treatment component are set such that the effects on the SCR catalytic converter are maximized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Tobias Pfister
  • Patent number: 9157389
    Abstract: An apparatus extracts a main waveform component and a branch waveform component from a pressure waveform detected by a fuel pressure sensor. The main waveform component is caused by pressure change traveling in a main passage. The branch waveform component is caused by pressure change traveling in a branch passage. The apparatus calculates traveling speeds based on the components. Then, the apparatus estimates a main passage temperature based on a detected value of the fuel temperature sensor, the traveling speeds, the fuel pressure waveform and an average pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Nonoyama, Naoyuki Yamada
  • Patent number: 9145810
    Abstract: To homogeneously diffuse, in the exhaust gas, an additive that is fed into a device for purifying exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuki Bisaiji, Koichiro Fukuda, Kazuhiro Itoh
  • Patent number: 9115629
    Abstract: A method for diagnosing a particulate matter sensor is described. In one example, a liquid is purposefully injected into the exhaust system to verify operation of the particulate matter sensor. Reliability of particulate matter diagnostics may be improved by way of the approach, at least during some conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Hopka, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt
  • Patent number: 9097613
    Abstract: In order to possibly suppress noise components contained in a signal value of a detection signal for use in controlling a rate of rotations or speed, an driving controller receives a detection signal in accordance with a rate of rotations or speed and acquires a signal value of the detection signal every predetermined sampling time, and controls an actuator at control timings with predetermined intervals using the signal value, so that the rate of rotations or speed is controlled at each of the control timings in accordance with variation aspects of a plurality of signal values acquired before the outstanding control timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: HORIBA, LTD.
    Inventor: Takao Konishi
  • Patent number: 9074539
    Abstract: In an ordinary mode, when an abnormality diagnosis of a PM sensor attached to a downstream opening downstream of a filter is performed, the PM sensor is moved to a first upstream opening upstream of the filter, and an exhaust gas is discharged from an engine. An ECU stores a program for the abnormality diagnosis. In an abnormality diagnosis mode, the ECU diagnoses the PM sensor by comparing an output value of the PM sensor to a standard output after performing the program. The first upstream opening may be closed by a cover in the ordinary mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigeto Yahata, Tomohiro Ueno
  • Patent number: 9057664
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Envirotest Systems Holdings Corp.
    Inventor: Donald H. Stedman
  • Publication number: 20150121856
    Abstract: An exhaust-gas aftertreatment system including an exhaust-gas module which has an inlet section and an outlet section. The exhaust-gas aftertreatment system has at least one sensor fastening device which comprises at least two, preferably at least three, sensor fastening means that are angularly spaced apart from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Marc WINTERHOFF, Tobias Herrmann
  • Publication number: 20150122002
    Abstract: A device (2) for sampling in the context of measuring the content of the exhaust gases in an exhaust flow (4) in an exhaust line (6) from a combustion engine. A sensor (8) is situated in a measuring chamber (10). At least two gathering tubes (12) situated in the exhaust pipe (6) are provided with apertures (14) which face towards the exhaust flow (4) and are situated in a plane (C-C) which is substantially perpendicular to the direction of the exhaust flow (4). The gathering tubes (12) divert various parts of the exhaust flow to the measuring chamber (10) to make it possible for the sensor (8) to monitor a mean value representing for example the NOx content of the exhaust gases. With a representative mean value for the NOx content of the exhaust gases, an exhaust cleaning system based on SCR technology can be regulated with good accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Magnus Mackaldener
  • Publication number: 20150101582
    Abstract: A method for monitoring an exhaust gas sensor coupled in an engine exhaust is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises indicating exhaust gas sensor degradation based on a time delay and line length of each sample of a set of exhaust gas sensor responses collected during a commanded change in air-fuel ratio. In this way, the exhaust gas sensor may be monitored utilizing robust parameters in a non-intrusive manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Adam Nathan Banker, James Michael Kerns, Imad Hassan Makki
  • Patent number: 8996231
    Abstract: An administrating device that administrates a plurality of units for test used for a test of a mobile object such as a vehicle or a constituting component of the mobile object comprises a recognizing part that recognizes an assembly of one or more units for test as a group for test and an assembly of one or more group for test as a device for test, and an administrating body part that conducts a predetermined batch operation command or a predetermined batch setting for a unit for test that belongs to the designated one or more groups for test and/or that conducts a predetermined batch operation command or a predetermined batch setting on a unit for test that belongs to the designated one or more device for test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Horiba, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsumi Uratani, Koji Watanabe, Hiroshi Nakamura, Tsutomu Misogi
  • Publication number: 20150086426
    Abstract: An aftertreatment system for treating exhaust gas discharged from a combustion engine may include a particulate filter, a reductant-injection system, an ammonia sensor and a control module. The particulate filter may be configured to filter exhaust gas discharged from the combustion engine. The reductant-injection system may be configured to inject a reductant into a stream of the exhaust gas upstream of the particulate filter. The ammonia sensor may be configured to sense a concentration of ammonia in the stream of exhaust gas downstream of the particulate filter. The control module may be in communication with the ammonia sensor and may determine a soot load of the particulate filter based on data received from the ammonia sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: John W. DeGeorge, Timothy P. Gardner
  • Publication number: 20150075269
    Abstract: A sensor according to embodiments of the present invention is protected or shielded from exhaust gas under the conditions applying when no measurement is necessary. In embodiments the shield can be a flow of clean air or any other suitable protection gas shield. The present invention provides a sensor wherein close to the sensor in the exhaust system that requires protection as well as calibration, a means for providing a shielding gas is placed adjacent to the sensor element, the means for providing shielding gas being adapted to flow shielding gas over the sensing element when in virtual mode and/or calibration gas in calibration mode so that exhaust gas can not reach the sensor. For example a gas nozzle can be installed blowing a gas such as air over the sensing element when in virtual mode or in calibration mode so that exhaust gas cannot reach the sensor. The sensor and the sensing element in any of the embodiments may be adapted to measure the concentration of NOX, oxygen or NH3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Christiaan Van Mullem
  • Publication number: 20150059457
    Abstract: An aftertreatment module includes a conduit defining a flow path and an aperture into the flow path. A shield is arranged at least partway around the conduit and spaced therefrom, the shield including an opening in registration with the aperture. A boss is provided on the conduit, the boss having a through-hole in registration with the aperture. A sensor is disposed within the boss so as to extend at least partway into the flow path. A spacer is arranged around the boss. The sensor extends through the opening, and the shield further includes an inner portion for engagement with the spacer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Perkins Engines Company Limited
    Inventor: Naseer A. Niaz
  • Patent number: 8966965
    Abstract: Accurate measurement of exhaust gas compounds is necessary for correct operation of exhaust treatment systems, such as Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) units used in diesel engines. However, accurate sensor readings assume an even distribution of compounds in an exhaust stream in order to use a sampled measurement to be extrapolated to the compound concentrations in the full stream. A structure placed in an exhaust passage downstream of an SCR reaction unit causes turbulence in the exhaust gas while developing a minimal backpressure. This turbulence helps create a more uniform distribution of compounds in the exhaust. As a result, an exhaust gas sensor gives more accurate readings even when the sensor is placed in relatively close proximity to an output of the SCR system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: James Joshua Driscoll, Arvind Jujare, Shawn Herold, Jason Hudgens, Sachin S. Deshmukh
  • Patent number: 8943800
    Abstract: When an internal combustion engine (1) is determined to be in a low-temperature start state (an affirmative determination is made in S120), an air-fuel ratio control apparatus (10) controls the temperature of a downstream detection element (17) of a downstream gas sensor (15) to a downstream target temperature by driving a downstream heater (16) of the downstream gas sensor (15) (S170), and feedback-controls the air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas based on the output of the downstream gas sensor (15) (S190). When the engine (1) is determined not to be in the low-temperature start state (a negative determination is made in S120), the air-fuel ratio control apparatus (10) drives an upstream heater (25) of an upstream gas sensor (22) and feedback-controls the air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas based on the output of the upstream gas sensor (22) (S270).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichiro Umemoto, Shuichi Hanai, Koji Nagura
  • Patent number: 8943799
    Abstract: In a control device for an internal combustion engine including an air-fuel ratio sensor that includes a catalyst layer that covers an exhaust gas-side electrode, an oxygen storage capacity of the catalyst layer is acquired based on a sensor output of the air-fuel ratio sensor. The sensor output is corrected if the oxygen storage capacity is higher than a predetermined value and the sensor output is in a predetermined range in the vicinity of the theoretical air-fuel ratio. Preferably, the oxygen storage capacity is calculated by integrating the product of a deviation amount ?A/F of the sensor output with respect to the theoretical air-fuel ratio and a dwell time thereof. A correction period in which a correction operation is performed is set based on the oxygen storage capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takanori Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20150013442
    Abstract: In a method for determining a dead time in the response characteristic of an exhaust gas sensor in order to determine an exhaust gas state quantity in an exhaust gas duct of an internal combustion engine, the dead time is determined from a measured output signal of the exhaust gas sensor and a comparison signal. An undelayed comparison signal is determined, and a cross-correlation is formed between the measured output signal and the comparison signal delayed by a model dead time selected in such a way that the cross-correlation function assumes a maximum, and the dead time of the measured output signal is set equal to the selected model dead time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: Andreas Michalske
  • Publication number: 20150013441
    Abstract: For a predetermined period prior to detecting sensor output of a single-cell type NOx sensor, a state is induced in which a voltage is not applied between a pair of electrodes or a state in which a potential difference between the electrodes is less than a reference value. The “reference value” for the potential difference between the electrodes can be appropriately set within a range that is at least less than the aforementioned voltage for detecting the output, and is 0 V or a small potential difference in the vicinity of 0 V. Thus, a certain amount of NOx is caused to accumulate on the electrodes of the NOx sensor. After the predetermined period has elapsed, a voltage for sensor output detection is applied between the electrodes. The NOx concentration is detected according to the sensor output at a time that the voltage for sensor output detection is applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Keiichiro Aoki
  • Patent number: 8930121
    Abstract: A method that includes in-vehicle systems and practices for determining whether a NOx sensor in an exhaust stream is performing properly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Sai S. V. Rajagopalan, Yue-Yun Wang, Scott T Feldmann
  • Publication number: 20140338426
    Abstract: An exhaust gas analysis system of the present invention includes: an exhaust gas collecting device for collecting exhaust gas from an exhaust pipe; and exhaust gas analysis equipment for analyzing the exhaust gas. The exhaust gas collecting device includes: an exhaust gas collecting part which is provided at an exhaust gas discharge port of the exhaust pipe, having an exhaust gas collecting port that is larger than the exhaust gas discharge port, for collecting air around the exhaust gas discharge port together with the exhaust gas; a main flow passage which is connected to the exhaust gas collecting part and in which the exhaust gas and the air collected from the exhaust gas collecting part flow; and an exhaust gas detecting mechanism for continuously detecting a predetermined component contained in the exhaust gas in the vicinity of the exhaust gas collecting port in the exhaust gas collecting part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicants: Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Japan Automobile Transport Technology Association, HORIBA, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira NODA, Ippei HARA, Hideya YOKOYAMA, Masahiro HIGUCHI, Sayaka YOSHIMURA
  • Patent number: 8875567
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Transocean Sedco Forex Ventures Limited
    Inventors: Douglas A. Robertson, Nearamit Sananikone, Mauro Tagomori
  • Publication number: 20140318228
    Abstract: A temperature sensor (1) is configured such that a ring pressure section (21) is fixed to a ring seat face (39b) by screwing a fixing member (25) into a screw attachment member (37) in a state in which the ring pressure section (21) is seated on the ring seat face (39b), and pressing a front-end facing surface (25b) of the fixing member (25) against a rear-end facing surface (21c) of the ring pressure section (21). A dry film (41) containing an organic silicon polymer having a polycarbosilane skeleton that is cross-linked by a metal element and a solid lubricant such as molybdenum disulfide and mica is provided on at least one of the front-end facing surface (25b) of the fixing member (25) and the rear-end facing surface (21c) of the ring pressure section (21).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuma NOMURA, Masamichi ITO, Wakako KINOSE
  • Patent number: 8869606
    Abstract: Providing a PM emission amount estimation device for the diesel engine wherein the accuracy of the correction in correcting the basic level of the PM emission amount by use of the PM emission amount estimation map can be enhanced; and, the PM emission amount particularly during the transient state of the engine operation condition can be accurately computed so as to estimate, with high precision, the PM emission amount and the PM emission accumulated-amount (integrated amount) during the whole engine operation conditions including the transient state as well as the steady state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshikatsu Ikawa, Masato Mitsuhashi, Kazunari Ide
  • Publication number: 20140305198
    Abstract: Accurate measurement of exhaust gas compounds is necessary for correct operation of exhaust treatment systems, such as Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) units used in diesel engines. However, accurate sensor readings assume an even distribution of compounds in an exhaust stream in order to use a sampled measurement to be extrapolated to the compound concentrations in the full stream. A structure placed in an exhaust passage downstream of an SCR reaction unit causes turbulence in the exhaust gas while developing a minimal backpressure. This turbulence helps create a more uniform distribution of compounds in the exhaust. As a result, an exhaust gas sensor gives more accurate readings even when the sensor is placed in relatively close proximity to an output of the SCR system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: James Joshua Driscoll, Arvind Jujare, Shawn Herold, Jason Hudgens, Sachin S. Deshmukh
  • Patent number: RE47422
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for monitoring a vehicle that features the steps of: 1) generating a data packet including vehicle data retrieved from the vehicle using a wireless appliance; 2) transmitting the data packet over an airlink with the wireless appliance so that the data packet passes through a network and to a host computer system; 3) processing the data packet with the host computer system to generate a set of data; and 4) displaying the set of data on a web page hosted on the internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Larkin Hill Lowrey, Matthew Banet, Bruce Lightner, Diego Borrego, Chuck Myers