Method and apparatus for operational monitoring of a catalytic converter of an internal combustion engine and a catalytic converter to be monitored
First Claim
1. A method for operational monitoring of a catalytic converter of an exhaust system for exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine, which comprises:
- selecting at least two measurement locations at respective three-dimensionally spaced-apart cross-sectional regions of an exhaust system for exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine, defining at least a partial volume of the catalytic converter of the exhaust system between the measurement locations being definitive for catalytic conversion of pollutants in the exhaust gas;
measuring and monitoring temperature at the at least two regions; and
measuring the temperature at least at one of the measurement locations integrally over an approximately representative portion of at least one cross-sectional region and not spotwise.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for operational monitoring of a catalytic converter of an exhaust system of an engine includes selecting at least two measurement locations at three-dimensionally spaced-apart cross-sectional regions of the exhaust system, and defining at least a partial volume of the catalytic converter between the locations being definitive for catalytic conversion of pollutants in the exhaust gas. The temperature at the regions is measured and monitored and the temperature at least at one of the locations is measured integrally over an approximately representative portion of at least one region and not spotwise. An apparatus for operational monitoring includes at least two temperature sensors disposed successively in flow direction in at least two regions of the exhaust system, defining at least the partial volume of the catalytic converter. At least one of the sensors integrally measures temperature over an approximately representative portion of the region in which it is disposed. An electronic monitoring apparatus evaluates measured temperature values. A display apparatus displays an evaluation outcome. A catalytic converter includes at least partially structured sheet-metal layers. At least one sensor is integrated into one of the structured sheet-metal layers in at least one cross-sectional region near at least one end surface, for integrally measuring temperature over an approximately representative portion of the one region.
59 Citations
39 Claims
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1. A method for operational monitoring of a catalytic converter of an exhaust system for exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine, which comprises:
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selecting at least two measurement locations at respective three-dimensionally spaced-apart cross-sectional regions of an exhaust system for exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine, defining at least a partial volume of the catalytic converter of the exhaust system between the measurement locations being definitive for catalytic conversion of pollutants in the exhaust gas; measuring and monitoring temperature at the at least two regions; and measuring the temperature at least at one of the measurement locations integrally over an approximately representative portion of at least one cross-sectional region and not spotwise. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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4. The method according to claim I, which comprises selecting at least one of the temperature measurement locations to be inside the catalytic converter.
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16. In an exhaust system having a catalytic converter for exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine, an apparatus for operational monitoring of the catalytic converter, comprising:
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a) at least two temperature sensors disposed one after the other in exhaust gas flow direction in at least two cross-sectional regions of the exhaust system, defining at least a partial volume of the catalytic converter between said two cross-sectional regions being definitive for catalytic conversion of pollutants in the exhaust gas, at least one of said temperature sensors integrally measuring temperature over an approximately representative portion of said crosssectional region in which said at least one temperature sensor is disposed; b) an electronic monitoring apparatus connected to said at least two temperature sensors for evaluating measured temperature values; and c) a display apparatus connected to said electronic monitoring apparatus for displaying an evaluation outcome. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 36, 38)
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- 29. A catalytic converter, comprising at least partially structured sheet-metal layers defining end surfaces and cross-sectional regions, and at least one temperature sensor integrated into one of said structured sheet-metal layers in at least one of said cross-sectional regions near at least one of said end surfaces, for integrally measuring temperature over an approximately representative portion of said one cross-sectional region.
Specification