Analyzing exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine

• US 4,141,241 A
• Filed: 12/29/1977
• Issued: 02/27/1979
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Collin Consult AB
• Original Assignee: Collin Consult AB
• Inventors: Collin, Lars T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Myracle, Jerry W.
• Application Number:
  US05/865,488
• Time in Patent Office: 425 Days
• Field of Search: 73/116, 73/117.3, 73/23
• US Class Current: 73/114.69
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 1/04 with fuel-air mixture admission into cylinder
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1438 using means for determining characteristics of the combustion gases; Sensors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/2432 Methods of calibration
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/2454 Learning of the air-fuel ratio control
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 15/10 by monitoring exhaust gases or combustion flame
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 15/102 by monitoring exhaust gases

Abstract

Exhaust gas is sampled from an internal combustion engine operated disconnected from the transmission elements, thus braked by its inertia and internal losses only.

Before running the test it is important to find out the positions, at which the fuel supply means ensures idle running and maximum fuel supply, respectively. A monitoring device is designed to find out these positions, and then to run a test cycle between those positions. The monitoring device may include means for running, prior to the actual test, a short conditioning program at the engine, to ensure that the same has attained a desired normal temperature, when the test starts.

Claims

1. A method of obtaining representatively comparable results, when analyzing exhaust gases from different vehicle internal combustion engines, comprising varying the engine fuel supply means according to a pre-selected test program to simulate varying operating conditions, in which a monitoring device, transferring the test program to the fuel supply means of the engine, is adjusted with respect to the rated power of the actual engine and the weight of the vehicle in which it is mounted in such a manner, that acceleration changes in the engine are governed so they substantially correspond with changes in speed of the vehicle, presupposed by the program.

2. The method according to claim 1, in which the position of the fuel supply means corresponding to idling of the engine, as well as the position of said means corresponding to maximum fuel supply, are sensed and recorded, before each testing operation, and the test program is performed within the limits set by those recorded positions.

3. The method according to claim 2, in which the maximum fuel supply is recorded as the position reached by said means, when the acceleration, during a continuously increasing change at said means, ceases to increase.

4. The method according to claim 2 in which a conditioning program for the engine and the exhaust system is performed before or after recording the position occupied by the fuel control means during idling and at maximum fuel supply, respectively.

5. The method according to claim 2 in which a conditioning program for the engine and the exhaust system is performed before and after recording the position occupied by the fuel control means during idling and at maximum fuel supply, respectively.

6. The method according to claim 1, in which the position of the crank shaft of the engine is monitored and the test program is started at a predetermined angular position of said shaft.

7. The method according to claim 6, as used in connection with an Otto-engine, in which the position of its crank shaft is monitored by sensing the pulses in the ignition system.

8. The method according to claim 6, as used with a Diesel-engine, in which the position of its crank shaft is monitored by sensing pulses in the fuel injection system.

9. The method according to claim 1, in which the number of engine revolutions is counted during at least part of the test program as a basis for establishing the efficiency of the engine.

10. The method according to claim 1, in which a valve, communicating the exhaust pipe of the engine with a collector means of the analysing apparatus, is maintained in open position during the time only, when the test program is performed, and simultaneously the number of engine revolutions is recorded.

11. A device for obtaining representatively comparable results, when analysing exhaust gases from different vehicle internal combustion engines by varying the engine fuel supply means according to a preselected test program to simulate varying operating conditions, comprising

a monitoring unit for imposing said test program upon the engine,

mechanical means for varying the engine fuel supply means,

a first means adapted to sense ignitions at one cylinder of the engine and to transform those ignitions into governing impulses,

a second means operable by said pulses and adapted to adjust said mechanical means for idle running of the actual engine, and

a third means, likewise operable by said pulses and adapted to adjust the monitoring unit for a position at the fuel supply control means corresponding to a condition, where the acceleration of the engine ceases.

12. The device according to claim 11, in which the monitoring unit, above means for adaptation with respect to engine power, vehicle weight and actual test program, furthermore includes means for running, prior to the actual test program, a temperature conditioning program.

13. The device according to claim 11, further including a fourth means, including elements for pre-setting estimated values of idle running, and maximum fuel supply, respectively, for the engine to be tested.

14. The device according to claim 13, in which the fourth means includes an element for governing the temperature conditioning.

15. The device according to claim 11, in which the first means includes a timing unit adapted to maintain in open position, during a pre-determined period of time, a valve communicating the exhaust pipe of the engine and a receiver for the gas to be analyzed.

16. The device according to claim 11, in which the first means further is adapted to sense and to record the number of ignitions during the test period.

17. The device according to claim 11, further including a safety device adapted to short-circuit the electric supply system to ground in case the engine speed rises above a predetermined upper value.