Caterpillar Inc.

Caterpillar Tractor Co.

Tsi, Inc.

Russell R Graze, Jr

Richard R Dickson

Jerry Kirk Randall

Jason Paul Johnson

Robert C Anderson

Wayne A Supak

Aaron Serafin Avenido

Floyd H Clairmont, Jr

Linda M Riedlinger

Various embodiments include an exemplary apparatus and method for insitu calibration of multiple flow-sensing devices within a dilution system. In one example, a calibration and dilution system includes a first mass-flow device to serve as a global reference, a second mass-flow device configured to be coupled to and provide a supply of clean gas to a primary diluter, and a third mass-flow device configured to be coupled to and provide a supply of clean gas to a secondary diluter, where the diluters are pneumatically coupled to one another through a gas-supply line. Multiple valves are coupled to at least the mass-flow devices and the diluters. The calibration and dilution system is arranged so that the mass-flow controllers can be calibrated in-situ without having to remove any of the mass-flow controllers from the calibration and dilution system. Other apparatuses, designs, and methods are disclosed.

Mirror calibration of multiple flow-measurement devices

A partial dilution exhaust sampling system has an expanded ability to simultaneously perform two different evaluations on exhaust from a power source. Beyond testing for particulate matter production, the system may simultaneously evaluate exhaust for undesirable gaseous emissions such as NOx and carbon dioxide and/or concurrently evaluate particle size and distribution in the exhaust sample. After extracting sample flow from the exhaust stream of the power source and adding diluent to the sample flow, the diluted sample flow is divided into a first portion flow and a second portion flow. Depending upon whether the additional exhaust evaluation device is in parallel with the particulate measurement gravimetric filter or in series with the filter, a dilution flow actuator and/or an exit actuator may be adjusted to account for a fraction of diluted sample flow directed to the auxiliary exhaust evaluation device.

Dilution system test apparatus with added capability and method of operating same

Testing of engine particulate matter production during a transient is made more accurate by selecting an appropriate sized opening for a test probe of the sampling system located in the exhaust line upstream from a particulate trap. By examining the pressure signature at the test probe location and utilizing that information in conjunction with a desired volumetric flow rate into the sampling system, a flow opening size for the test probe can be selected that reduces potential oversampling which may be otherwise induced due to the back pressure increases in the exhaust line caused by the presence of the particulate trap. The flow opening into the test probe of the sampling system behaves relative unrestricted when pressure differentials at the test probe location are relatively low, such as during steady state operating conditions, but restricts flow into the sampling system when pressure differentials are relatively high, such as at a pressure during a transient event.

Particulate sampling system and method of reducing oversampling during transients

A dilution tunnel having a flow chamber structure with an inlet, an outlet, and an internal flow passage for a sample gas, the sample gas being adapted to flow in a flow direction between the inlet and the outlet. The flow chamber structure having a plurality of pores that communicate between an outside region external of the flow chamber structure and the internal flow passage. The pores are adapted to introduce a diluting gas from the outside region into the internal flow passage. The flow chamber structure is adapted to provide a diluting rate of the dilution tunnel that varies in the flow direction of the dilution tunnel.

Dilution tunnel

A dilution device includes an inlet port and an outlet port. The dilution device also includes a first porous conduit defining an internal flow passage. The first porous conduit has a plurality of pores that communicate between an outside region external of the first porous conduit and the internal flow passage. The dilution device also includes a second porous conduit disposed around the first porous conduit. The second porous conduit defines a first chamber peripherally about the first porous conduit. The second porous conduit has a plurality of pores that communicate between an outside region external of the second pours conduit and the first chamber. The dilution device further includes a housing disposed around the second porous conduit. The housing defines a second chamber peripherally about the second porous conduit. The housing has an inlet port in communication with the second chamber. The first porous conduit includes a port at a first end of the first porous conduit in communication with the second chamber.

Dilution device

A partial flow dilution tunnel in a gas sampling system is connected to the exhaust from an internal combustion engine. More accurate gas sampling results are enabled for accounting for a delay from when the engine produces an exhaust change to when that transient arrives at a probe location. Thus, an estimated time delay is determined, and the gas sampling system is operated at least in part based upon that estimated time delay for the exhaust to arrive at the sampling location.

Variable response time transient partial flow sampling system and method

A gas sampling systemcapable of testing and certifying internal combustion enginesunder transient conditions is provided and includes a partial flow dilution tunnelmaster and slave mass flow controllersand a transient dilution air flow controlling arrangementThe transient dilution air flow controlling arrangementmeasures the transient changes in intake air and varies the flow of diluent air to the partial flow dilution tunnelBy controlling the diluent air in this manner ensures that a particle sample can be taken at any time that is at a constant proportion to the exhaust flow rate.

Exhaust gas particulate measuring system

A method for controlling the flow through an exhaust sampling system includes sensing an operating characteristic of a power source, extracting a sample of an exhaust flow of the power source, combining the sample with an additional flow of fluid, and measuring a particulate level of the combined flow. A flow rate of the extracted sample is controlled to be substantially proportional to a flow rate of the exhaust flow based on a difference between the combined flow and the additional flow.

Particulate sampling system and method

A particulate sampling system is disclosed. The particulate sampling system may include an exhaust sampling unit and a dilution flow assembly to supply dilution air to the exhaust sampling unit. The particulate sampling system may also include a total flow assembly to receive dilution air and exhaust. The particulate sampling system may further include a flow regulation assembly configured to control flow rates in the dilution flow assembly and the total flow assembly. The particulate sampling system may also include a flow check assembly configured to measure the accuracy of the flow regulation assembly.

Particulate sampling system having flow check device

A gas sampling systemcapable of testing and certifying internal combustion enginesunder transient conditions is provided and includes a partial flow dilution tunnel, master and slave mass flow controllersand a transient dilution air flow controlling arrangement. The transient dilution air flow controlling arrangementmeasures the transient changes in intake air and varies the flow of diluent air to the partial flow dilution tunnel. By controlling the diluent air in this manner ensures that a particle sample can be taken at any time that is at a constant proportion to the exhaust flow rate.

An assembly for removing aerosol from crankcase gasses being returned to an air intake manifold is generally shown at and includes a housing having a housing wall defining a top portion and a base with at least one drain. An inlet line extends through the housing wall communicating with a crankcase. An outlet line extends through the top portion for communicating with an air intake manifold. An inertial separator generally shown at is attached to the inlet line and has a screen through which the crankcase gasses pass and an impacter plate for obstructing aerosol suspended in the gasses. A sheet wound in spaced convolutions to define a spiraled path from the exterior to a central space conveys gasses from the inertial separator to the central space. A thermal interception tube located in the central space receives gasses and has a tube wall for gasses to pass therethrough and an opening at one end for egress of gasses.

Feedback loop controlled multistage aerosol removal device

An exhaust gas sampling system for use in connection with the sampling of an internal combustion engine exhaust gas streams has a plurality of diluters arranged in a serial array along an axial extent. A source of engine exhaust gas is fluidically connected to the plurality of serially arranged diluters so as to supply an engine exhaust gas stream into each one of the plurality of serially arranged diluters in a serial manner. A source of dilution air fluidically is connected to each one of the plurality of serially arranged diluters so as to supply dilution air into each one of the plurality of serially arranged diluters. The dilution air is supplied into the engine exhaust gas stream present within each one of the plurality of serially arranged diluters so as to progressively dilute the engine exhaust gas stream as the engine exhaust gas stream flows through the plurality of serially arranged diluters and thereby replicate engine exhaust gas stream pollutant atmospheric conditions, and sampling apparatus fluidically connected to each one of the plurality of serially arranged diluters for obtaining and analyzing a sample of diluted engine exhaust gas stream present within each one of the plurality of serially arranged diluters.

Serial multistage aerosol diluter and control system

A method for controlling the dilution air supply to a partial flow dilution tunnel in a gas sampling system is provided. The gas sampling system is capable of testing and certifying internal combustion engines under transient conditions and includes a partial flow dilution tunnel, master and slave mass flow controllers and a transient dilution air flow controlling arrangement. The transient dilution air flow controlling arrangement measures the transient changes in intake air and varies the flow of diluent air to the partial flow dilution tunnel. By controlling the diluent air in this manner ensures that a particle sample can be taken at any time that is at a constant proportion to the exhaust flow rate.

Method for controlling dilution air

An apparatus for measuring gaseous blowby a piston of an operating internal combustion engine. The apparatus have a heating and filtering system which function to increase the accuracy of the resultant measurements. The orientation of the conduit, flow meter, and the control of oil sump pressures also contribute to improved accuracy and ease of operation.

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Dunlap, IL, United States of America

Russell R Graze, Jr