CAPACITANCE-BASED CATALYTIC CONVERTER PROTECTION SYSTEMS AND CONFIGURATIONS
First Claim
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1. A proximity-based catalytic converter protection system for a vehicle, comprising:
- a controller and a catalytic converter, both located in the vehicle; and
a pair of electrodes that are electrically coupled to the controller and located in proximity to the converter,wherein the controller monitors capacitance between the electrodes to detect movement external to the vehicle near the converter.
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Abstract
A proximity-based catalytic converter protection system for a vehicle that includes a controller, and a catalytic converter, both located in the vehicle. The protection system further includes a pair of electrodes that are electrically coupled to the controller and located in proximity to the converter. The controller monitors capacitance between the electrodes to detect movement external to the vehicle near the converter. The controller may activate an alarm element upon detecting a change in capacitance between the electrodes that exceeds a predetermined threshold.
28 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A proximity-based catalytic converter protection system for a vehicle, comprising:
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a controller and a catalytic converter, both located in the vehicle; and a pair of electrodes that are electrically coupled to the controller and located in proximity to the converter, wherein the controller monitors capacitance between the electrodes to detect movement external to the vehicle near the converter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A proximity-based catalytic converter protection system for a vehicle, comprising:
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a controller located in the vehicle; a plurality of catalytic converters in the vehicle; a pair of electrodes that are electrically coupled to the controller and located in proximity to each converter, wherein the controller monitors capacitance between the electrodes to detect movement external to the vehicle near each of the converters. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A catalytic converter protection system, comprising:
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a controller; a catalytic converter; a pair of electrodes coupled to the controller and located near the converter; a shorting element having two terminals coupled to the housing; and a connector with an internal resistor that is electrically coupled to the controller and the terminals, wherein the controller monitors capacitance between the electrodes to detect movement external to the vehicle near the converter, and resistance of the internal resistor to detect continuity between the connector and the shorting element. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification