CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63,254,845, filed on October 12, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

[0002] This disclosure is related to emissions testing.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] Emissions related to the vehicle and transportation sector continue to be a leading source of greenhouse gas (GHG) and air pollution in urban areas around the globe. In 2019, it was estimated that over 279 million vehicles in the United States emitted 33% (1,750 million metric tons) of the total U.S. CO2 emissions. In the same year, the U.S. transportation sector’s share of total U.S. emissions for CO, N0 _x , and particulate matter (PM) were 54%, 59%, and 8%, respectively.

[0004] Gaseous emissions can have an adverse effect on the environment. Depending on the level of exposure and composition, this has the potential to be both profoundly harmful to human health and detrimental to ecosystems and infrastructure alike. As a result, many industries face increasing pressure to monitor, reduce, and/or limit certain emissions generated by internal combustion engines, stacks, other systems that generate emissions, or other sources. Therefore, resources continue to focus on emission reduction tactics that typically fall into two categories: current fleet inventory upgrade (e.g., roadside and/or engine bay inspection and maintenance (I/M) programs, aftermarket engine/vehicle/fuel programs, etc.) or new vehicle manufacturing (e.g., revisions of standards for newly manufactured vehicles, etc.).

[0005] Accurate emission data is needed to properly evaluate the impact of emission reduction strategies. Vehicles that emit more than the allowed amount of chemicals in emissions are generally not considered fit for use on the open road. With recent revisions by the European Union (EU) for the allowed levels of pollutants in emissions, many companies have had to redesign and create new machines to qualify cars under these new standards. [0006] Previously, machines used to measure emissions required an entire step of the periodic technical inspection process. The process involved rolling large machines fixed onto large carts into a work station to probe and measure the emissions. This required multiple devices, where each device served a different measuring or cleaning process of the exhaust. [0007] These designs pose many issues. For instance, these machines are large, typically manually operated, and can be as big as the room they are used in. They also can require a large fume hood to remove the emissions from the work area. These designs can require up to over fifteen minutes to run a single test, which increases the amount of time that a vehicle is being inspected and reduces the number of cars that can be inspected per day. Further, due to the limited mobility of the measuring equipment, the vehicle has to be measured while stationary, which does not provide the most accurate nor valuable emissions data.

[0008] Therefore, a new emissions testing system is needed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0009] Embodiments of the device disclosed herein can measure the emissions of a vehicle, including but not limited to, the amount of N0 _x , CO, CO2, hydrocarbons, and particle number and mass. These measurements can be used to determine whether the emission levels of a car are up to standards set by a governing body. If the vehicle is up to standards, it passes the test, and is considered safe for operation in terms of emissions.

[0010] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a system that may include a housing that includes a rotating handle configured to hang from a windowsill of the vehicle, a portable emissions sensor disposed within the housing, and a portable emissions data receiver in electronic communication with the portable emissions sensor. The portable emissions sensor is configured to measure emissions generated by the vehicle. The portable emissions data receiver is configured to receive emission data measured by the portable emissions sensor.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the rotating handle may be flexible, such that when flexed, a spring restoring force of the rotating handle may provide a clamping force on the windowsill of the vehicle.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a battery may be disposed in the housing, wherein the battery and the portable emissions sensor may be disposed in separate inner cavities of the housing

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the housing may include a sliding rail system configured to slidably receive the battery and the portable emissions sensor in the separate inner cavities of the housing. [0014] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an ambient CO sensor may be disposed in the housing, wherein the housing may include an ambient air inlet, and the ambient CO sensor may be configured to measure CO levels in ambient air from the ambient air inlet.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the CO levels reach a gas safety limit, the ambient CO sensor may be configured generate an alarm sound. [0016] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the housing may be cylindrical in shape.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a protective bumper may be provided on a perimeter of the housing, and the protective bumper may rest on the vehicle when the housing is disposed on the vehicle.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a rotating cover may be provided on a first end of the housing.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the housing may further include an inlet connector and an outlet connector in fluid communication with the portable emission sensor, and the inlet connector may be configured to receive one or more gas probes in fluid communication with an exhaust pipe of the vehicle.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the portable emission sensor may be configured to measure one or more of N0 _x , CO, CO2, hydrocarbons, or particle number and mass of the emissions generated by the vehicle.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the portable emissions data receiver may be further configured to receive vehicle data from an onboard data acquisition device.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the portable emissions data receiver may be further configured to determine an emission test result based on the emission data.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the portable emissions data receiver may include a printer configured to print the emission test result.

[0024] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method. The method may include measuring emissions data about a vehicle using a portable emissions sensor. The portable emissions sensor may hang from a windowsill of the vehicle using a rotating handle. The emissions data may include one or more of NO _X , CO, CO2, hydrocarbons, or particle number and mass of the emissions generated by the vehicle. [0025] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method may further include wirelessly transmitting the emissions data from the portable emissions sensor to a portable data emissions receiver and determining an emission test result based on the emissions data using the portable data emissions receiver.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method may further include collecting vehicle data from an onboard data acquisition device at the portable data emissions receiver. The vehicle data may include engine RPM, engine temperature, maintenance information, or VIN.

[0027] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the emissions data may be measured using a gas probe in fluid communication with an exhaust pipe of the vehicle. The gas probe may be in fluid communication with the portable emissions sensor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0028] For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the disclosure, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] FIGS. 1A and IB are front and side views of an embodiment of a device in accordance with the present disclosure referred to as a Consumable Open Replacement Exchange (CORE);

[0030] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the device shown in FIG. 1;

[0031] FIGS. 3A and 3B shows the dual-segmented rotating handle for the device of FIG. 1, where FIG. 3 A shows the handle in a closed position and FIG. 3B shows the handle in an open position;

[0032] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the Portable Emissions Data Receiver

(PEDR);

[0033] FIG. 5 shows internal components of the PEDR; and

[0034] FIG. 6 shows a diagram of the CORE in communication with the PEDR.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0035] Although claimed subject matter will be described in terms of certain embodiments, other embodiments, including embodiments that do not provide all of the benefits and features set forth herein, are also within the scope of this disclosure. Various structural, logical, process step, and electronic changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the disclosure is defined only by reference to the appended claims.

[0036] The present invention generally relates to a Consumable Open Replacement Exchange System, or CORE. The CORE is compact, portable, and can be mounted to virtually any vehicle. It can be completely autonomous in measuring emissions and can measure all gases/pollutants under Periodic Technical Inspection (PTI) standards. Use of the CORE can eliminate the need for a stand-alone emissions testing area, which avoids use of a fume hood or any other extraneous devices and reduces testing time.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 1A and IB, the CORE 10 includes a housing 12 that encases the components within the CORE 10. In an embodiment, the housing 12 may be cylindrical in shape. The geometry of the cylindrical housing may minimize contact with a car door and avoid possible scratching of a car body. In an embodiment, one or more protective bumpers 24 may be provided along the perimeter of the housing 12 of the CORE 10 to prevent the CORE 10 from rubbing up against or colliding with the vehicle it is testing, and to absorb impact if the CORE 10 is dropped. The protective bumpers 24 may be rubber, silicone, or any other material that may be flexible, mark-proof, and has sufficient surface friction. In an embodiment, a side of the CORE 10 may be rounded (e.g., cylindrical) and aerodynamic, such as shown in FIG. IB, to reduce the drag effect on the vehicle. In another embodiment, a side of the CORE 10, such as a back side, may include aerodynamic features such as a boat tail shape to further reduce drag. The rounded shape of the CORE 10 can help keep the CORE 10 secured to a vehicle as the vehicle drives during testing.

[0038] The CORE 10 may have a dual-segmented rotating handle 34 positioned on the edges of the housing 12, as shown in FIG. IB. In an embodiment, the rotating handle 34 may be a rubber-coated metal and may include additional rubber grips. The rotating handle 34 functions as a hooking apparatus with an adjusting pitch to allow the CORE 10 to hang off a windowsill 61 of a vehicle 60 when the window is rolled down (i.e., open), as shown in FIG. 6. It should be understood that the geometry of the windowsill may be relatively uniform amongst vehicles, and the rotating handle 34 may be appropriately sized to hang off of a range of windowsill sizes. The CORE 10 may be disposed elsewhere during testing. For example, the CORE 10 may hang off of other exterior parts of the vehicle or the CORE 10 may be placed inside the vehicle during testing.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1 A, a power switch 20, and two ports, in the form of an inlet connector 18 and an outlet connector 19, are provided at an end of the CORE 10, near a rotating cover 32. The rotating cover 32 may be provided on a first end 14 of the housing 12 of the CORE 10. The power switch 20 may be mounted inside the CORE 10 for protection. While disclosed as a switch, the power switch 20 also can be a button or other control mechanism. Further, the inlet connector 18 and the outlet connector 19 may be in fluid communication with the portable emission sensor 30. The inlet connector 18 may be configured to receive one or more gas probes in fluid communication with an exhaust pipe of the vehicle being tested. The inlet connector 18 and outlet connector 19 may be accessible while the rotating cover 32 is open or closed, for ease of connection. Therefore, the inlet connector 18 and outlet connector 19 may be accessed without opening the rotating cover 32, which can help reduce installation time if the connected hoses are removed. The gas probes may be hoses with a metal clip on the end for attachment to the exhaust pipe or other parts of the vehicle. One of the gas probes may be an input hose to draw emissions from the exhaust pipe to the CORE 10 for measurement, and the other gas probe may be an output hose to vent emissions away from the cabin of the vehicle. Although two ports are shown, an embodiment may include more than two ports. For example, a third port can be used for zeroing.

[0040] The CORE 10 may include an ambient carbon monoxide (CO) sensor 21 for safety (as shown in FIG. 1 A). An ambient air inlet 22 may be provided in the housing 12 (as shown in FIG. IB) to allow ambient air to enter the CORE 10 for emissions measurements. According to an embodiment, if the CORE 10 is testing a vehicle (which can be tested indoors) and carbon monoxide levels rise to near the gas safety limit, the CORE 10 may sound an alarm to notify the operating personnel of the safety hazard. If the operator continues to test and carbon monoxide levels reach an amount beyond what is considered safe, the CORE 10 may immediately stop the test and may not resume until the carbon monoxide levels are lowered to a safe amount.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 2, the CORE 10 may store an interchangeable battery 31 and a portable emissions sensor 30 in separate inner cavities 15 of the housing 12. The portable emissions sensor 30 may degrade and become dirty over time, so the portable emissions sensor 30 may need to be replaced to ensure the most accurate results. The portable emissions sensor 30 and the battery 31 may be mounted on a sliding rail system 16 for ease of replacement. The portable emissions sensor 30 may have a quick connection system having one or more electrical connections and one or more pneumatic connections. The interchangeable battery 31 may include one or more electrical connections. In addition to the portable emissions sensor 30, other components, such as additional emissions sensors, GPS sensors, weather sensors, or filters may also be stored in a portion of the inner cavity 15 of the housing 12. [0042] In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the housing 12 may have an inner cavity 15 separated into a first cavity and a second cavity. The battery 31 may be disposed in the first cavity, and the portable emissions sensor 30 may be disposed in the second cavity. The first cavity and the second cavity may have corresponding platforms and sliding rail systems 16 that receive the battery 31 and the portable emissions sensor 30 to facilitate their slidable movement for ease of replacement. The sliding rail systems 16 may have a different size or shape to avoid inserting the portable emissions sensor 30 and the battery 31 into the incorrect location. In an embodiment, clips may be provided to lock the battery 31 and the portable emissions sensor 30 in place. The clips may be squeezed to unlock for removal of the battery 31 and the portable emissions sensor 30 from the CORE 10. Other locking mechanisms, such as a latch, are possible.

[0043] In an instance, the battery 31 and the portable emissions sensor 30 can be inside a cartridge that fits on the sliding rail system 16.

[0044] The portable emissions sensor 30 may include sensors that may measure one or more emissions, including N0 _x , CO _X , hydrocarbons, particle size/number, etc. A suitable sensor cartridge device is described, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 10,190,945, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Such a sensor cartridge can be used in the CORE 10. The portable emissions sensor 30 may include an emissions sample inlet, at least three sensors connected to the emissions sample inlet, and an emissions sample outlet connected to the sensors. Each of the three sensors may be selected from a laser light opacity sensor, a light scattering sensor, a particle ionization sensor, a particle acoustic measurement sensor, and an electrostatic precipitation sensor. The sensors may be sequentially connected in a linear arrangement, and each of the sensors may be configured to perform a different measurement of the emissions sample. A processing unit may be wirelessly connected to the sensors and configured to provide results based on the data provided by the sensors. Some or all of the contents of the portable emissions sensor 30 may be locked in place using the sliding rail system 16.

[0045] The CORE 10 may include onboard electronics provided on an electronics circuit board 40. The onboard electronics may include a microprocessor 41 and wireless connectivity electronics 42. In an embodiment, the electronics circuit board 40 may be disposed in an electronics storage area 11 of the CORE 10, located at an opposite end from the rotating cover 32 (as shown in FIG. IB).

[0046] In an embodiment, the CORE 10 may perform automated testing with the use of a CO2 sensor that measures the CO2 levels in comparison to ambient levels and known values of CO2 emission from gas or diesel vehicles. For example, ambient CO2 levels are known to be 0.03%-0.04% whereas all internal combustion engines produce around 15% CO2 at idle. Diesel engines produce around 4% CO2 at idle. When these values are met, the CORE 10 may begin to test the emissions, and after the CO2 levels return to the original ambient levels, the CORE 10 may stop testing. In an embodiment, the CORE 10 may distinguish between gasoline and diesel engines based on the CO2 levels.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 A and 3B, the rotating handle 34 is held to the housing 12 of the CORE 10 via a quick-release lock 36 on one side, and a pivot pin 35 on the other side (shown in FIG. 3A in a closed position). In an embodiment, the rotating handle 34 may include three joints: one pivot pin 35, one spring loaded pivot pin 38, and one quick-release lock 36. The pivot pin 35 and the spring loaded pivot pin 38 may exist perpendicular to each other, to allow the rotating handle 34 to rotate in two axes. This provides for a flexible rotating handle 34. By rotating on two axes, the CORE 10 can adapt to the shape of the vehicle that it is attached to. In an embodiment, the rotating handle 34 can unlatch, spin 180 degrees (shown in FIG. 3B in an open position), and then pivot vertically under spring tension to provide a clamping force 39 when the CORE 10 is installed onto a vehicle. The rotating handle 34 may also enable the CORE 10 to conform to different vehicle door profiles based on its flexibility. The quick-release lock 36 may be in the form of a pressable button, a latch, or a tension-cam system.

[0048] FIGS. 4 and 5 show a portable emissions data receiver (PEDR) 44. The PEDR 44 may be in electronic communication with the portable emissions sensor 30. In an instance, the wireless connectivity electronics 42 in the CORE 10 sends results of the test to the PEDR 44. Further, the PEDR 44 may be configured to receive emission data measured by the portable emissions sensor 30. The PEDR 44 may include a battery 46 that charges on a wireless charger 48, other chargers, or is replaceable. The PEDR 44 may include a microprocessor 49, Bluetooth connectivity electronics 50, and Wi-Fi connectivity electronics 51. The PEDR 44 may include a printer 45 that may print an emissions report receipt via a printed receipt dispenser. Even further, the PEDR 44 may include a display 54, which allows the operator to directly view the emissions test results, access vehicle data stored on a computer, and/or send the results to the owner of the vehicle. The display 54 may be a touch screen, or the PEDR 44 may include physical buttons for the operator to interact with the display 54.

[0049] FIG. 6 shows a diagram of the CORE 10 in wireless communication with the PEDR 44. The rotating handle 34 of the CORE 10 is attached to a windowsill 61 of a vehicle 60. In an embodiment, the microprocessor 41 of the CORE 10 (FIG. 2) is in communication with the microprocessor 49 of the PEDR 44 (FIG. 5). After the portable emissions sensor 30 takes emission data measurement, the microprocessor 41 of the CORE 10 transmits the vehicle emissions data via a wireless signal 64 to the microprocessor 49 of the PEDR 44. General vehicle data can also be transmitted via a wireless signal 62 to the microprocessor 49 of the PEDR 44. General vehicle data may be stored on a computer. The PEDR 44 may compare vehicle data with vehicle emissions data to generate an emission test result.

[0050] While wireless communication is described, a wired communication method may also be used. The PEDR 44 may be in electronic communication with a computer and may use a symmetric stream cipher to securely transmit vehicle emissions data or vehicle data. The data may be stored on the computer, retrievable by the PEDR 44. And while a specific embodiment of the PEDR 44 is disclosed, other tablets, portable devices, or computer systems that provide the same functions also may be used as the PEDR 44.

[0051] In an embodiment, the PEDR 44 may receive information about the tested vehicle from an onboard data acquisition device. The onboard data acquisition device may store general information about vehicles, such as engine data, and also may store general information about the standard emissions level allowed in such vehicle. The onboard data acquisition device may transmit vehicle data wirelessly through a wireless signal 62. The use of the onboard data acquisition device minimizes the time needed to manually enter in the information such as VIN number and other data required for record-keeping and can provide engine data during the test. Other data, such as engine RPM, engine temperature, intake manifold absolute pressure, engine torque, other engine data, maintenance information, or other vehicle information can be collected using the onboard data acquisition device. This onboard data acquisition device can, for example, connect to a component in the dashboard, a port, or in the engine itself. The onboard data acquisition device can include a data port and/or one or more sensors.

[0052] In an embodiment, the CORE 10, the PEDR 44, and/or other computers in electronic communication with the CORE 10 or the PEDR 44 typically includes a programmable processor, such as a CORE 10 microprocessor 41 or a PEDR 44 microprocessor 49, which may be programmed in software and/or firmware to carry out the functions that are described herein, along with suitable digital and/or analog interfaces for connection to the other elements of system. Alternatively or additionally, the processor may include hard-wired and/or programmable hardware logic circuits, which carry out at least some of the functions of the processor. In an embodiment, the processor may include one control unit or multiple, interconnected control units, with suitable interfaces for receiving and outputting the signals that are illustrated in the figures and are described in the text. Program code or instructions for the processor to implement various methods and functions disclosed herein may be stored in readable storage media. [0053] After the completion of the emissions test, the owner of the vehicle can choose to have the results from the test given to them, such as by email or a printed receipt. The PEDR 44 may be configured to prepare the printed receipt with the printer receipt dispenser (onboard printer 52), or may send the data to an external printer. The onboard printer 52 may directly dispense the printed receipt from the PEDR 44. In this way, the PEDR 44 may function as a portable printer.

[0054] Although the present disclosure has been described with respect to one or more particular embodiments, it will be understood that other embodiments of the present disclosure may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Hence, the present disclosure is deemed limited only by the appended claims and the reasonable interpretation thereof.