Spx Corporation

Envirotest Systems Corporation

Environmental Systems Products Holdings Inc.

Craig S Rendahl

John DiDomenico

Robert Allen Gentala

Theresa A Foley

John D Didomenico

Paul F Kyle

James Johnson

Raghunandan Agaram

George T Hovancik

Brett J Morien

Ronald J McNeill

A remote emissions sensing system is provided with NOdetection capability. First, a reading of the ambient NOconcentration is taken just prior to each vehicle passing through the system. This measurement accounts for any ambient NOconcentration that may be lingering from the exhaust of a previous vehicle. Next, the system takes a blocked reading when the vehicle is located in the path of the beam. This reading accounts for any ambient or system noise that may exist. Finally, the system takes a reading of the exhaust plume as the beam passes through the plume. A processor determines the portion of the reading due to the exhaust plume by subtracting the ambient and blocked readings from the exhaust plume reading. As a result, a more accurate exhaust concentration reading is provided. Additionally, the system may process exhaust plume readings only in a predetermined wavelength band associated with the known absorption spectrum of NOso that data points for which there is no significant absorption of NOmay be eliminated. Thus, any noise or other interference in the non-absorptive wavelengths are minimized. Also, changes in the intensity of the radiation are compensated by subtracting a baseline intensity from each signal.

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A system for processing sensed vehicle data includes a sensor for sensing data related to at least one characteristic of a passing vehicle and a host unit that receives sensed data from the sensor. The sensor and the host unit are integrated into a single housing. The host stores data and communicates with peripheral devices and/or with a central processing facility.

Software architecture of an integrated host system for sensed vehicle data

A device for measuring particulate matter includes a light source that emits light, a receiver positioned to receive light emitted from the light source, and a detection unit in communication with the receiver. The detection unit detects an amount of particulate matter based upon the light received by the receiver.

Optical path structure for open path emissions sensing with particulate matter and lubricating oil consumption absorption methodology

A method and system detects the function of a catalytic converter in a vehicle using data received from an open path emissions sensor. The factors considered include whether the vehicle moving on a road is operating in a closed loop operating condition, whether the vehicle is operating in a cold start mode, and the hydrocarbon and other tailpipe emissions concentrations in an exhaust stream of the vehicle as measured by the open path sensor.

Catalytic converter function detection

An optical system for a gas component analysis includes an emitter for emitting first light beam having a first spectrum, a second emitter for emitting a second light beam at a second spectrum, a first receiver for receiving the first light beam, and a second receiver for receiving the second light beam.

Optical path structure for open path emissions sensing with opposed sources

A method and system for measuring hydrocarbon content in a gas sample measures individual hydrocarbon concentrations in the gas sample and determines a total concentration based on the individual concentrations. The total concentration is validated and/or scaled by determining whether water interference may be occurring and either adjusting the total concentration or flagging the total concentration as invalid. The total concentration may also be adjusted to account for ambient conditions, such as temperature, pressure or relative humidity, as well as for potential double-counting of individual hydrocarbon species.

Method and system for detection of hydrocarbon species in a gas

An apparatus and method for measuring the speed and/or acceleration of a vehicle traveling on a vehicle path includes at least one radiation emitting device and at least two radiation receiving devices. Mirrors and/or beam splitter are used to direct at least one beam across the vehicle path. A controller calculates speed and/or acceleration of the vehicle in response to interruption of the at least one beam by a passing vehicle. The system can also include a mass sensor that detects the mass of the vehicle.

Apparatus and method for measuring vehicle speed and/or acceleration

An audit vehicle and audit method are provided for testing the performance of a remote emissions sensing system. The vehicle emits known gases. The vehicle includes a gas delivery system and senses and records telemetry information such as vehicle speed read by a sensor on a non-driven wheel, GPS information, atmospheric information, IR light information, road temperature sensing information, and gas flow rate information.

Audit vehicle and audit method for remote emissions sensing

An apparatus and method for measuring the speed and/or acceleration of a vehicle traveling on a vehicle path includes sender/detector units on one side of the vehicle path and corresponding retro-reflector matrix units on the other side of the vehicle path. A controller calculates speed and/or acceleration of the vehicle in response to interruption of the beam by a passing vehicle.

A method for determining the type of fuel used by a vehicle includes receiving hydrocarbon speciation and nitrogen-oxygen compound data from an emissions sensor. The hydrocarbon speciation data is compared to one or more hydrocarbon threshold levels, and each threshold level corresponds to an anticipated fuel type. The nitrogen-oxygen compound data is compared to one or more nitrogen-oxygen compound threshold levels, and each threshold level corresponds to an anticipated fuel type. Based on the comparison of the hydrocarbon speciation and nitrogen-oxygen compound data to threshold levels, an anticipated fuel type is determined.

Method and system for determining the type of fuel used to power a vehicle

A gas component analysis system transmits, reflects, and detects light using infrared light source; a reflector unit; and a light detector. The light is transmitted through a gas, such as air containing vehicle emissions, reflected, and detected for analysis and measurement of the amount of absorption that has occurred at known wavelengths. The amount of absorption may be used to determine concentrations of reference gases corresponding to specific wavelengths.

Optical path structure for open path emissions sensing

Optical path structure for open path emissions sensing with spinning mirror

A system and method for remote emissions detection that uses a composite beam of ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) radiation. The composite beam is used to perform spectroscopic measurements on an emissions source plume. The composite beam is not split during detection, and may, among other things, be used to detect NO in the emissions plume.

Remote emissions sensing system and method with a composite beam of IR and UV radiation that is not split for detection

A support for supporting two or more units used in a system for measuring a speed and or acceleration of a vehicle, with the support able to rest on a surface, has an elongated bar on which the units are mounted. A first leg and a second leg are both mounted to the bar. A third leg is mounted to a rear portion of the bar. The legs are height-adjustable.

Support structure for system for measuring vehicle speed and/or acceleration

The present invention relates to a system and method for selecting a detection bandwidth centered about a characteristic wavelength of the species to be detected and such that the detection of contaminants is greatly reduced. Contaminants such as pollutants, dust and water are some of the examples of undesirable substances which may be detected by RSD. By selecting the appropriate bandwidth in accordance with this invention, the detection of a desired substance can be separated from the undesirable detection of contaminants.

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Tucson, AZ, United States of America

Craig S Rendahl