Patent EP0127244A1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5355671A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for monitoring the function of a catalytic converter
Assignee: Vitesco Technologies Lohmar Verwaltungs GmbH
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Filing: 1993-03-01
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Granted: 1994-10-18
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Expires: 2013-03-01
Abstract
Abstract A method for monitoring the status of a catalytic converter through which a catalyzable fluid, particularly an exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine, flows along a flow direction from an inlet end to an outlet end, includes measuring the temperature of the catalytic converter along the flow direction continuously or at a plurality of measurement points along the flow direction forming a mean temperature value. The temperature of the catalytic converter is measured at least at one measurement point forming an associated local temperature value. The mean temperature value is compared with the local temperature value for deriving a statement as to the status of the catalytic converter. An assembly for monitoring the status of a catalytic converter through which a catalyzable fluid can flow along a flow direction from an inlet end to an outlet end of the catalytic converter includes a first temperature measuring sensor including a length of wire having a temperature-variable electrical resistance and being coupled to the catalytic converter along the flow direction, and at least one second temperature measuring sensor being coupled to the catalytic converter at a measuring point.
Inventors
- 👤 Wolfgang Maus
- 👤 Helmut Swars
- 👤 Rolf Bruck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:34
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01K; G01K7/00; G01K7/16; G01K7/18; F; F01; F01N; F01N11/00; F01N11/002; F01N13/00; F01N13/008; F01N9/00; F02; F02B; F02B77/00; F02B77/08; F02B77/085; F02B77/086; F02B3/00; F02B3/06; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for monitoring the status of a catalytic converter with a honeycomb body through which a catalyzable fluid flows along a flow direction from an inlet end to an outlet end, which comprises: a) measuring the temperature of the catalytic converter honeycomb body at a plurality of measurement points along the flow direction and forming a means temperature value from the temperature measured at the plurality of measurement points; b) measuring the temperature of the catalytic converter honeycomb body at least at one measurement point forming an associated local temperature value; and c) comparing the mean temperature value with the local temperature value for deriving an indication as to the status of the catalytic converter.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for monitoring the status of a catalytic converter with a honeycomb body through which a catalyzable fluid flows along a flow direction from an inlet end to an outlet end, which comprises: a) measuring the temperature of the catalytic converter honeycomb body at a plurality of measurement points along the flow direction and forming a means temperature value from the temperature measured at the plurality of measurement points; b) measuring the temperature of the catalytic converter honeycomb body at least at one measurement point forming an associated local temperature value; and c) comparing the mean temperature value with the local temperature value for deriving an indication as to the status of the catalytic converter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 1, which comprises conducting an exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine through the catalytic converter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 1, which comprises defining the plurality of measurement points continuously along the flow direction to form the mean temperature value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 1, further measuring the temperature of a thin segment of said catalytic converter extending perpendicular to the flow direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
The method according to claim 1, which comprises: a) determining the mean temperature value and the local temperature value over a time interval; b) monitoring the variations of the mean temperature value and the local temperature value over time; c) deriving the indication as to the function of the catalytic converter only if the variations over time of the mean temperature value and the local temperature value are below a predetermined limit value.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 5, which comprises performing each temperature measurement continuously during the time interval.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
80 words
An assembly for monitoring the status of a catalytic converter through which a catalyzable fluid can flow along a flow direction from an inlet end to an outlet end of the catalytic converter, comprising: a) a first temperature measuring sensor including a length of wire having a temperature-variable electrical resistance and being coupled to the catalytic converter along the flow direction; and b) at least one second temperature measuring sensor being coupled to the catalytic converter at a measuring point.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
80 words
An assembly for monitoring the status of a catalytic converter through which a catalyzable fluid can flow along a flow direction from an inlet end to an outlet end of the catalytic converter, comprising: a) a first temperature measuring sensor including a length of wire having a temperature-variable electrical resistance and being coupled to the catalytic converter along the flow direction; and b) at least one second temperature measuring sensor being coupled to the catalytic converter at a measuring point.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The assembly according to claim 7, wherein said length of wire of said first temperature measuring sensor is shaped into a hairpin loop.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The assembly according to claim 7, wherein said first temperature measuring sensor is disposed in the catalytic converter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The assembly according to claim 9, wherein the catalytic converter has a center line being approximately parallel to the flow direction, and said first temperature measuring sensor is disposed approximately parallel to the center line.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The assembly according to claim 9, wherein the catalytic converter has a center line being approximately parallel to the flow direction, and said first temperature measuring sensor is disposed approximately helically about the center line.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The assembly according to claim 7, wherein the catalytic converter has a jacket surface connecting the inlet end to the outlet end, and said first temperature measuring sensor is disposed on the jacket surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The assembly according to claim 12, wherein said second temperature measuring sensor is disposed on the jacket surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
The assembly according to claim 7, wherein the catalytic converter has a jacket surface connecting the inlet end to the outlet end, and said first temperature measuring sensor is disposed in the immediate vicinity of the jacket surface in the interior of the catalytic converter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The assembly according to claim 14, wherein said second temperature measuring sensor is disposed on the jacket surface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The assembly according to claim 7, wherein said second temperature measuring sensor includes a length of wire being wound approximately spirally.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The assembly according to claim 7, wherein said second temperature measuring sensor includes a length of wire being bent into a hairpin loop.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The assembly according to claim 7, wherein said second temperature measuring sensor is disposed in the vicinity of the inlet end.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The assembly according to claim 7, wherein said second temperature measuring sensor is disposed in the vicinity of the outlet end.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The assembly according to claim 7, wherein said first temperature measuring sensor is extended substantially from the inlet end to the outlet end.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-10-17 | 1998-04-18 | 1998-10-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-10-17 | 2002-04-18 | 2002-10-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-10-17 | 2006-04-18 | 2006-10-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |