Thomas Anthony Stephens

US Patent:

7219009, May 15, 2007

Filed:

Jan 26, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/339943

Inventors:

Roger C Sager - Munith MI, US
David P Ploucha - Ann Arbor MI, US
Thomas Stephens - Pinckney MI, US
Craig Keighron - Oak Park MI, US

Assignee:

DaimlerChrysler Corporation - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B06T 19/00
G06F 19/00

US Classification:

701114, 701102

Abstract:

A method of diagnosing an operating condition of a short runner valve in an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine using an exhaust sensor in an exhaust manifold of the internal combustion engine. The short runner valve is commanded to an open position for a test period, it is resolved whether the test period has elapsed, and it is determined whether a sensed exhaust gas parameter has exceeded a threshold during the test period. A pass signal is issued if the sensed exhaust gas parameter has exceeded the threshold within the test period. Otherwise, a fail signal is issued if the sensed exhaust gas parameter has not exceeded the threshold within the test period.

US Patent:

20140260191, Sep 18, 2014

Filed:

Mar 14, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/803205

Inventors:

- Lake Forest IL, US
Thomas Stephens - Pinckney MI, US

Assignee:

TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC. - Lake Forest IL

International Classification:

F01N 11/00

US Classification:

60274, 60277

Abstract:

A method for monitoring an exhaust after-treatment system that doses an exhaust treatment fluid held from a tank into an exhaust stream. The method includes determining a first temperature of the exhaust treatment fluid in the tank using a temperature sensor. If the first temperature of the exhaust treatment fluid is less than a predetermined temperature, a heater is activated to increase the first temperature of the exhaust treatment fluid. The increasing first temperature is then monitored relative to the predetermined temperature. Then, a second temperature when a phase change of the exhaust treatment fluid occurs is detected. The detected second temperature is then compared to the predetermined temperature to determine whether the exhaust treatment fluid is of sufficient quality, or to determine whether the temperature sensor is rational.