Portable emissions measurement adapter device

• US 7,946,160 B2
• Filed: 10/09/2008
• Issued: 05/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: LaPree, Larry A., Brendel, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kirkland, III; Freddie
• Application Number:
  US12/248,097
• Publication Number:
  US 20100089138A1
• Time in Patent Office: 957 Days
• Field of Search: 731/146.9, 731/147.1, 73/233.1
• US Class Current: 73/114.71
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 15/02 Details or accessories of testing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 15/102 by monitoring exhaust gases

Abstract

A portable emissions measurement adapter device (PEMAD) for a vehicle exhaust system having an first exhaust pipe coupled to a second exhaust pipe defining an air inlet opening therebetween, includes an elongated tube having a first and a second end and adapted to fit through the second exhaust pipe to sealingly mate with the first exhaust pipe at the first end. The second end is adapted for operative connection to an emissions testing unit. No modification of the production vehicle is required to use the PEMAD.

Claims

1. A portable emissions measurement adapter device (PEMAD) selectively connectable to a vehicle;

wherein the vehicle has a vehicle exhaust system having a first exhaust pipe coupled to a second exhaust pipe, the pipes defining an air inlet opening therebetween, comprising;

an elongated tube having a first and a second end and adapted to fit through the second exhaust pipe and through the air inlet opening to sealingly mate with the first exhaust pipe at the first end to seal the first exhaust pipe from the air inlet opening so that exhaust flows from the first exhaust pipe to the elongated tube without mixing with air at the air inlet opening, and with the second end adapted for coupling to an emissions testing unit.

2. The PEMAD of claim 1, wherein the vehicle exhaust system is for a diesel engine and the second exhaust pipe is a passive exhaust cooler pipe (PEC) with the air inlet opening being a venturi flow opening.

3. The PEMAD of claim 1, wherein the first exhaust pipe is characterized by an inward tapered portion;

and wherein the tube is characterized by a complementary outward flared portion at the first end so that the first end is mated directly to the tapered first exhaust pipe.

4. The PEMAD of claim 1, further comprising:

centering brackets on an outer surface of the tube and configured to seal to an inner surface of the second exhaust pipe.

5. The PEMAD of claim 4, further comprising:

at least one plate attached to the centering bracket and having openings;

hook members configured to secure the tube to the second exhaust pipe when the first end is sealingly mated with the first exhaust pipe; and

rods operatively connected to the hook members and extending through the openings in the at least one plate.

6. The PEMAD of claim 1, wherein the tube has a narrowed opening at the first end with a stepped seat configured to abut the first exhaust pipe.

7. The PEMAD of claim 6, further comprising:

a gasket at the stepped seat.

8. The PEMAD of claim 1, further comprising:

a ring at an outer surface of the tube between the first and second ends for centering the tube within the second exhaust pipe.

9. The PEMAD of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of biasing devices spaced about an outer circumference of the tube for centering and supporting the tube within the second exhaust pipe;

wherein the biasing devices are configured to contact the second exhaust pipe when the tube is fit through the second exhaust pipe.

10. The PEMAD of claim 1, further comprising:

hook members configured to secure the tube to the second exhaust pipe when the first end is sealingly mated with the first exhaust pipe.

11. The PEMAD of claim 10, further comprising:

latch members pivotably connected to the tube;

arms connected to the latch members outward of the tube;

springs operatively connecting the hook members to the arms; and

wherein the hook members are tightened to the end of the second exhaust pipe by the springs and arms when the latch members are pivoted.

12. The PEMAD of claim 1, wherein the second end has a flared flange.

13. A portable emissions measurement adapter device (PEMAD) for a diesel exhaust system having an exhaust pipe coupled to a passive exhaust cooler pipe to define a venturi flow opening therebetween, comprising:

an elongated tube having a first and a second end and adapted to fit through the cooler pipe to sealingly mate with the exhaust pipe at the first end with the second end adapted for coupling to an emissions measurement testing device;

wherein the tube has a narrowed opening at the first end with a stepped seat configured to abut the exhaust pipe;

hook members configured to hook over the end of the cooler pipe when the first end of the tube is sealingly mated with the exhaust pipe;

latch members pivotably operatively connected to the tube;

arms pivotably connected to the latch members outward of the pivot point; and

springs operatively connecting the hooks to the arms;

wherein the hooks are tightened to the end of the cooler pipe by the springs and arms when the latch members are pivoted.

14. The PEMAD of claim 13, further comprising:

a ring at an outer surface of the tube between the first and second ends for centering the tube within the cooler pipe.

15. The PEMAD of claim 13, further comprising:

a plurality of biasing devices spaced about an outer circumference of the tube for centering and supporting the tube within the cooler pipe.

16. A method of measuring diesel exhaust emissions on a vehicle having an exhaust pipe and a cooler pipe, with an outlet of the exhaust pipe spaced from an inlet of the cooler pipe to define a venturi flow opening, comprising:

extending a tube of an adapter device through the exhaust cooler pipe;

abutting a first end of the tube to the exhaust pipe to seal the tube to the exhaust pipe;

hooking arms secured to the tube to an end of the cooler pipe so that the adapter device is supported by the cooler pipe; and

fitting an emissions measuring unit to second end of the tube.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

unhooking the arms from the cooler pipe; and

removing the adapter device from the vehicle.