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US 6,857,262 B2Granted
Catalytic converter function detection
AssigneeSPX Corporation
InventorsCraig S. Rendahl, Theresa A. Foley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and system detects the function of a catalytic converter in a vehicle using data received from an open path emissions sensor. The factors considered include whether the vehicle moving on a road is operating in a closed loop operating condition, whether the vehicle is operating in a cold start mode, and the hydrocarbon and other tailpipe emissions concentrations in an exhaust stream of the vehicle as measured by the open path sensor.
Claims17
A method of detecting the function of a catalytic converter in a vehicle, comprising:
- determining a first indication corresponding to whether a vehicle moving on a road is operating in a closed loop operating condition;
- determining a second indication corresponding to whether the vehicle is operating at a temperature that is substantially at least equal to its formal operating temperature;
- receiving data collected by an open path emissions sensor, wherein the data corresponds to a plurality of measured hydrocarbon and other tailpipe emissions concentrations in an exhaust stream of the vehicle;
- and
- determining a third indication corresponding to whether the data is indicative of a properly functioning catalytic converter;
- wherein the step of determining a first indication comprises:
- measuring a speed of the vehicle;
- measuring an acceleration of the vehicle;
- measuring a slope of the road;
- measuring a mass of the vehicle;
- measuring at least one ambient condition;
- calculating, using the speed, the acceleration, the slope, the mass, and the at least one ambient condition, a specific power;
- and
- comparing the specific power to a predetermined limit.
11 more elements
A method of detecting the function of a catalytic converter in a vehicle, comprising:
- determining a first indication corresponding to whether a vehicle moving on a road is operating in a closed loop operating condition;
- determining a second indication corresponding to whether the vehicle is operating at a temperature that is substantially at least equal to its normal operating temperature;
- receiving data collected by an open path emissions sensor, wherein the data corresponds to a plurality of measured hydrocarbon and other tailpipe emissions concentrations in an exhaust stream of the vehicle;
- and
- determining a third indication corresponding to whether the data is indicative of a properly functioning catalytic converter;
- wherein the step of determining a second indication comprises:
- measuring, using the emissions sensor, an amount of 1,3-butadiene in the exhaust stream;
- and
- determining whether the amount exceeds a predetermined threshold.
6 more elements
A method of detecting the function of a catalytic converter in a vehicle, comprising:
- determining a first indication corresponding to whether a vehicle moving on a road is operating in a closed loop operating condition;
- determining a second indication corresponding to whether the vehicle is operating at a temperature that is substantially at least equal to its normal operating temperature;
- receiving data collected by an open path emissions sensor, wherein the data corresponds to a plurality of measured hydrocarbon and other tailpipe emissions concentrations in an exhaust stream of the vehicle;
- and
- determining a third indication corresponding to whether the data is indicative of a properly functioning catalytic converter;
- wherein the step of determining a third indication comprises:
- measuring, using the emissions sensor, an amount of ethylene in the exhaust stream;
- measuring, using the emissions sensor, an amount of acetylene in the exhaust stream;
- calculating a ratio of the amount of ethylene and the amount of acetylene;
- and
- comparing the ratio to a predetermined threshold.
8 more elements
A method of detecting the function of a catalytic converter in a vehicle, comprising:
- determining a first indication corresponding to whether a vehicle moving on a road is operating in a closed loop operating condition;
- determining a second indication corresponding to whether the vehicle is operating at a temperature that is substantially at least equal to its normal operating temperature;
- receiving data collected by an open path emissions sensor, wherein the data corresponds to a plurality of measured hydrocarbon and other tailpipe emissions concentrations in an exhaust stream of the vehicle;
- and
- determining a third indication corresponding to whether the data is indicative of a properly functioning catalytic converter;
- wherein the step of determining a third indication comprises:
- measuring, using the emissions sensor, an amount of total hydrocarbons in the exhaust stream;
- measuring, using the emissions sensor, an amount of methane in the exhaust stream;
- calculating a ratio of the amount of total hydrocarbons and the total methane;
- and
- comparing the ratio to a predetermined threshold.
8 more elements
A method of detecting the function of a catalytic converter in a vehicle, comprising:
- determining a first indication corresponding to whether a vehicle moving on a road is operating in a closed loop operating condition;
- determining a second indication corresponding to whether the vehicle is operating at a temperature that is substantially at least equal to its normal operating temperature;
- receiving data collected by an open path emissions sensor, wherein the data corresponds to a plurality of measured hydrocarbon and other tailpipe emissions concentrations in an exhaust stream of the vehicle;
- and
- determining a third indication corresponding to whether the data is indicative of a properly functioning catalytic converter;
- wherein the step of determining a third indication comprises:
- measuring, using the emissions sensor, an amount of benzene in the exhaust stream;
- measuring, using the emissions sensor an amount of toluene in the exhaust stream;
- calculating a ratio of the amount of benzene and the amount of toluene;
- and
- comparing the ratio to a predetermined threshold;
- and
- wherein the steps of calculating and comparing are not required if the first indication is indicative of an open loop operating condition.
10 more elements
A system for determining whether a moving vehicle has a properly functioning catalytic converter, comprising:
- an open path emissions sensor capable of measuring a plurality of measured hydrocarbons and other emissions from an exhaust stream of a moving vehicle;
- a processor in communication with the emissions sensor;
- and
- a memory in communication with the processor;
- wherein the memory contains computer program instructions that instruct the processor to perform the steps of:
- determining a first indication corresponding to whether the vehicle is operating in a closed loop operating condition;
- determining whether the vehicle is operating at a temperature that is substantially at least equal to its normal operating temperature;
- receiving data collected by the emissions sensor, wherein the data corresponds to a plurality of measured hydrocarbon and other tailpipe emissions concentrations in an exhaust stream of the vehicle;
- and
- determining whether the data is indicative of a properly functioning catalytic converter;
- wherein the memory contains computer program instructions that further instruct the processor to perform the steps of:
- measuring a speed of the vehicle;
- measuring an acceleration of the vehicle;
- measuring a slope of a road;
- measuring a mass of the vehicle;
- measuring at least one ambient condition;
- calculating, using the speed, the acceleration, the slope, the mass, and the at least one ambient condition, a specific power;
- and
- comparing the specific power to a predetermined limit.
16 more elements
A catalytic converter function detection system, comprising:
- a means of determining a first indication corresponding to whether a vehicle moving on a road is operating in a closed loop operation condition;
- a means for determining a second indication corresponding to whether the vehicle is operating at a temperature that is substantially at least equal to its normal operating temperature;
- a means for receiving data collected by an open path emissions sensor, wherein the data corresponds to a plurality of measured hydrocarbon and other tailpipe emissions concentrations in an exhaust stream of the vehicle;
- and
- a means for determining a third indication corresponding to whether the data is indicative of a properly functioning catalytic converter;
- wherein the means for determining a first indication comprises:
- a means for measuring a speed of the vehicle;
- a means for measuring an acceleration of the vehicle;
- a means for measuring a slope of the road;
- a means for measuring a mass of the vehicle;
- a means for measuring at least one ambient condition;
- a means for calculating, using the speed, the acceleration, the slope, the mass, and the at
- least one ambient condition, a specific power;
- and
- a means for comparing the specific power to a predetermined limit.
12 more elements
A catalytic converter function detection system, comprising:
- a means of determining a first indication corresponding to whether a vehicle moving on a road is operating in a closed loop operation condition;
- a means for determining a second indication corresponding to whether the vehicle is operating at a temperature that is substantially at least equal to its normal operating temperature;
- a means for receiving data collected by an open path emissions sensor, wherein the data corresponds to a plurality of measured hydrocarbon and other tailpipe emissions concentrations in an exhaust stream of the vehicle;
- and
- a means for determining a third indication corresponding to whether the data is indicative of a properly functioning catalytic converter;
- wherein the means for determining a second indication comprises:
- a means for measuring an amount of 1,3-butadiene in the exhaust stream;
- and
- a means for determining whether the amount exceeds a predetermined threshold.
6 more elements
A catalytic converter function detection system, comprising:
- a means of determining a first indication corresponding to whether a vehicle moving on a road is operating in a closed loop operation condition;
- a means for determining a second indication corresponding to whether the vehicle is operating at a temperature that is substantially at least equal to its normal operating temperature;
- a means for receiving data collected by an open path emissions sensor, wherein the data corresponds to a plurality of measured hydrocarbon and other tailpipe emissions concentrations in an exhaust stream of the vehicle;
- and
- a means for determining a third indication corresponding to whether the data is indicative of a properly functioning catalytic converter;
- wherein the means for determining a third indication comprises:
- a means for measuring an amount of ethylene in the exhaust stream;
- a means for measuring and amount of acetylene in the exhaust stream;
- a means for calculating a ratio of the amount of ethylene and the amount of acetylene;
- and
- a means for comparing the ratio to a predetermined threshold.
8 more elements
A catalytic converter function detection system, comprising:
- a means of determining a first indication corresponding to whether a vehicle moving on a road is operating in a closed loop operation condition;
- a means for determining a second indication corresponding to whether the vehicle is operating at a temperature that is substantially at least equal to its normal operating temperature;
- a means for receiving data collected by an open path emissions sensor, wherein the data corresponds to a plurality of measured hydrocarbon and other tailpipe emissions concentrations in an exhaust stream of the vehicle;
- and
- a means for determining a third indication corresponding to whether the data is indicative of a properly functioning catalytic converter;
- wherein the means for determining a third indication comprises:
- a means for measuring an amount of total hydrocarbons in the exhaust stream;
- a means for measuring an amount of methane in the exhaust stream;
- a means for calculating a ratio of the amount of total hydrocarbons and the total methane;
- and
- a means for comparing the ratio to a predetermined threshold.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.