System for Monitoring and Inspecting Vehicle Emissions Levels for Compliance

• US 20160350983A1
• Filed: 05/26/2016
• Published: 12/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BMS-Tek, LLC
• Original Assignee: BMS-Tek, LLC
• Inventors: Mitchell, Kenneth E.
• Granted Patent: US 9,773,355 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 15/102 by monitoring exhaust gases
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks

Abstract

Systems and methods for reporting data based on monitored emissions levels. An exemplary system automatically provides emissions level data acquired from an engine operating in a roadway vehicle while the vehicle is in motion. Data is made available for vehicle approval by a roadway inspection authority. For example, NOx emissions may be monitored with a sensor positioned in the engine exhaust flow path. Embodiments of the invention provide solutions to reduce time delays associated with inspections.

Claims

1. A system which provides emissions level data acquired from an engine (CI engine) operating in a roadway vehicle while the vehicle is in motion for automated approval by a roadway inspection authority, comprising:

a sensor mounted to receive signals indicative of emissions level information from the engine;

a processing module coupled to (i) receive and process the signals indicative of the emissions level information while the vehicle is in motion and (ii) generate emissions level information while the vehicle is in motion for transmittal over a network;

a radio communications system connected to transmit the emissions level information generated by the processing module to a network for receipt by a server associated with an inspection facility or an inspection authority.

2. The system of claim 1 where the processing module operates a program rendering the system responsive to receipt of an identifying radio signal by the radio communications system, which identifying radio signal (i) identifies an association with the inspection facility or the inspection authority and (ii) results in the transmission of the emissions level information for receipt by the server.

3. The system of claim 1 where, in operating the program, the processing module generates and sends a compliance report to the server.

4. The system of claim 1 where the processing module generates and sends a compliance report to the server and provides emissions level data to another network for receipt by an owner or operator of the vehicle.

5. A method for confirming emissions level compliance of a roadway vehicle, comprising:

acquiring emissions data from one or more sensors mounted on the vehicle;

providing acquired emissions data to a processing module positioned on the vehicle for data accumulation or processing to provide emissions reporting information; and

transmitting the emissions reporting information for approval of vehicle compliance with emissions levels requirements of an inspection or compliance authority via radio communication between the vehicle and a network to which the authority is connected to receive the emissions reporting information.

6. The method of claim 5 where the emissions reporting information generated by the processing module is sent to a server at an inspection facility associated with the inspection authority.

7. The method of claim 6 where the steps of providing acquired emissions data and transmitting the emissions reporting information for approval include operating a program on a processing module which renders the system responsive to receipt of an identifying radio signal by the radio communications system, which identifying radio signal (i) identifies the inspection facility and (ii) results in the transmission of the emissions level information for receipt by the server.