Obstruction detecting system for motor vehicle exhaust pipes

• US 10,094,741 B2
• Filed: 01/04/2016
• Issued: 10/09/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ruth Anne Gougian, Susan Lucia Gougian
• Original Assignee: Ruth Anne Gougian, Susan Lucia Gougian
• Inventors: Gougian, Ruth Anne, Gougian, Susan Lucia
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G
• Assistant Examiner(s): Huynh, Luat T
• Application Number:
  US14/998,418
• Publication Number:
  US 20170191900A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,009 Days
• Field of Search: 701 36, 701 45, 701 49
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/72 responsive to emergency conditions, e.g. fire
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 15/106 using pressure sensors

Abstract

An obstruction detecting system for identifying the existence of an obstruction or a partial obstruction in or at the opening of a motor vehicle exhaust pipe. The obstruction detecting system may include a sensor having the ability to detect an obstruction or a partial obstruction in a motor vehicle exhaust system. The obstruction detecting system may include a logic device, a plurality of relays, an alarm, and a motor. The obstruction detecting system may be contained in a housing that is capable of being mounted in or near a motor vehicle exhaust system. When the obstruction detecting system senses an obstruction or a partial obstruction in or at the opening of the exhaust pipe, the system may send an electrical signal to an alarm, which may be a visual alarm, an audible alarm, or both. The alarm may be located in the vehicle control panel, and may alert the operator and passengers of a motor vehicle of an obstruction or a partial obstruction in or at the opening of a motor vehicle exhaust pipe, when the motor is operating. The obstruction detecting system may send an electrical signal to a motor for the purpose of lowering a window in a motor vehicle.

Claims

1. An obstruction detecting system to detect an obstruction or a partial obstruction in or at the opening of a motor vehicle exhaust pipe comprising:

a differential pressure sensor, a programmable logic device, a plastic tubing, a metal tube, a relay, and an alarm;

said differential pressure sensor for detecting an obstruction or a partial obstruction in or at the opening of a motor vehicle exhaust pipe;

said differential pressure sensor connected to said programmable logic device;

said differential pressure sensor for sending an electrical signal to said programmable logic device in response to applied air pressure;

said programmable logic device connected to said relay;

said programmable logic device for sending an electrical signal to said relay if an obstruction or a partial obstruction is detected in or at the opening of a motor vehicle exhaust pipe;

said plastic tubing connected to said differential pressure sensor;

said plastic tubing for conveying air from a motor vehicle exhaust pipe to said differential pressure sensor;

said metal tube connected to said plastic tubing;

said metal tube for inserting through a hole drilled into a motor vehicle exhaust pipe;

said metal tube for conveying air from a motor vehicle exhaust pipe to said plastic tubing;

said relay connected to said alarm;

said relay for sending an electrical signal to said alarm if an obstruction or a partial obstruction is detected in or at the opening of a motor vehicle exhaust pipe;

said alarm for alerting occupants of a motor vehicle if an obstruction or a partial obstruction is detected in or at the opening of a motor vehicle exhaust pipe;

said alarm being a visual alarm, an audible alarm, or both.

2. An obstruction detecting system to detect an obstruction or a partial obstruction in or at the opening of a motor vehicle exhaust pipe of claim 1,

further comprising a housing;

said housing being constructed from a cold resistant, slippery, non-stick plastic resin selected from the polytetrafluoroethylene group of materials.

3. An obstruction detecting system to detect an obstruction or a partial obstruction in or at the opening of a motor vehicle exhaust pipe of claim 1,

said plastic tubing being constructed from a cold resistant, slippery, non-stick plastic resin selected from the polytetrafluoroethylene group of materials;

said metal tube being constructed from brass, aluminum, chromium, or copper.

4. An obstruction detecting system to detect an obstruction or a partial obstruction in or at the opening of a motor vehicle exhaust pipe of claim 1,

further comprising a latching relay, and a motor;

said latching relay for actuating a motor;

said motor for lowering a window in a motor vehicle.