Exhaust emission analysis method

• US 3,917,454 A
• Filed: 07/22/1974
• Issued: 11/04/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gary E. Clark
• Original Assignee: Gary E. Clark
• Inventors: Clark, Gary E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Berwin, R. E.
• Application Number:
  US05/490,673
• Time in Patent Office: 470 Days
• Field of Search: 23/232R,232E,254R,254E,255R,255E,23PC,253PC 73/23
• US Class Current: 73/863.11
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 15/102 by monitoring exhaust gases
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0011 Sample conditioning in general G01N1/28
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/177692 Oxides of nitrogen
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25875 Gaseous sample or with change of physical state

Abstract

Method of analyzing the exhaust from an internal combustion engine that is fitted with a conventional exhaust pipe. The method utilizes an analyzer capable of indicating the concentration of at least one component of the exhaust which is transmitted to the analyzer through a conduit. The preferred form of the method includes the steps of heating the air inside the conduit while the conduit is not being used for exhaust analysis and transmitting the heated air into the analyzer. When engine exhaust is to be analyzed, the conduit is placed adjacent the exhaust pipe and the exhaust is transmitted from the tail pipe through the conduit into the analyzer so that the concentration of at least one component of the exhaust is indicated. The heating of the air inside the conduit prevents condensation of moisture in the conduit and the transfer of moisture to the analyzer, thereby enhancing the accuracy of the analysis.

Claims

1. A METHOD OF ANALYZING THE EXHAUST FLOWING THROUGH AN EXHAUST PIPE CONNECTED TO AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE BY MEANS OF AN ANALYZER CAPABLE OF INDICATING THE CONCENTRATION OF AT LEAST ONE COMPONENT OF THE EXHAUST TRANSMITTED TO THE ANALYZER THROUGH A CONDUIT COMPRISING A PROBE ADAPTED TO IT INTO THE EXHAUST PIPE AND A HOSE CONNEDTED BETWEEN THE PROBE AND THE ANALYZER, SAID METHOD COMPRISING THE STEPS OF:

HEATING THE AIR INSIDE THE PROBE, TRANSMITTING THE HEATED AIR THROUGH THE HOSE INTO THE ANALYZER, SO THAT THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE CONDUIT IS EXPOSED TO THE HEATED AIR

2. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of heating the air inside the probe comprises the step of heating the probe so that The temperature of the air inside the probe increases.

3. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of heating the air inside the probe comprises the step of evaporating any moisture condensed on the probe.

4. A method of analyzing the exhaust flowing through an exhaust pipe connected to an internal combustion engine by means of an analyzer located adjacent a heater unit and capable of indicating the concentration of at least one component of exhaust transmitted to the analyzer through a conduit comprising a probe adapted to fit into the exhaust pipe and a hose connected between the prbe and the analyzer, said method comprising the steps of:

placing the probe adjacent the heater unit so that the air inside the probe is raised to at least a predetermined temperature;

transmitting the heated air through the hose into the analyzer so that the entire length of the conduit is exposed to the heated air;

removing the probe from the heater unit;

placing the probe adjacent the exhaust pipe; and

transmitting the exhaust from the tail pipe through the conduit into the analyzer, whereby the heating of the entire length of the conduit prevents condensation of moisture in the conduit, thereby increasing the accuracy of the analyzer.

5. A method, as claimed in claim 4, wherein the predetermined temperature is sufficiently great to evaporate condensed vapor in the entire length of the conduit.