Portable on-board mass emissions measuring system

Abstract

The invention is directed to an improved portable on-board mass emissions measuring system for internal combustion engines. In the preferred embodiment, the system is comprised of an exhaust analyzer ( 16 ), at least one sensor ( 18, 22 or 29 ) which may be temporarily attached to the engine for sensing parameters of the engine, and a processor ( 19 ) programmed to collect and manipulate data from the analyzer and the sensor, whereby the mass emissions of the engine may be calculated. The system may further comprise a display ( 20 ) for displaying the mass emissions of the engine and an engine-control interface ( 21 ). The sensor may be capable of sensing engine RPM, engine oil temperature, or intake manifold pressure. The exhaust analyzer may be capable of measuring concentrations of the engine exhaust constituents, particulates, aerosols, and gases in the engine emissions. The present invention also discloses a portable mass emissions measuring system for an internal combustion engine comprising an exhaust analyzer ( 16 ), a trace-gas injector ( 23 ), and a processor ( 19 ) programmed to collect and manipulate data from the analyzer and the injector, whereby the mass emissions of the engine may be calculated. In addition, the present invention is directed to a method for determining the emission flow rate of an internal combustion engine with the trace-gas injector.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A portable mass emissions measuring system for an internal combustion engine, comprising: 
 an exhaust analyzer,    at least one sensor which may be temporarily attached to said engine for sensing parameters of said engine, and    a processor programmed to collect and manipulating data from said analyzer and said sensor,    whereby the mass emissions of said engine may be calculated.    
     
     
         2 . The emissions measuring system as set forth in    claim 1   , and further comprising a display for displaying the mass emissions of said engine.  
     
     
         3 . The emissions measuring system as set forth in    claim 1   , and further comprising an engine-control interface.  
     
     
         4 . The emissions measuring system as set forth in    claim 1   , wherein said sensor is capable of sensing engine rpm.  
     
     
         5 . The emissions measuring system as set forth in    claim 1   , wherein said sensor senses the intake charge pressure of said engine.  
     
     
         6 . The emissions measuring system as set forth in    claim 1   , wherein said sensor senses engine oil temperature.  
     
     
         7 . The emissions measuring system as set forth in    claim 1   , wherein said exhaust analyzer measures concentrations of engine exhaust constituents.  
     
     
         8 . The emissions measuring system as set forth in    claim 1   , wherein said exhaust analyzer is capable of determining concentrations of particulate matter in said engine emissions.  
     
     
         9 . The emissions measuring system as set forth in    claim 1   , wherein said exhaust analyzer is capable of determining concentrations of aerosols in said engine emissions.  
     
     
         10 . The emissions measuring system as set forth in    claim 1   , wherein said exhaust analyzer is capable of determining concentration of gases in said engine emissions.  
     
     
         11 . The emissions measuring system as set forth in    claim 1   , wherein said exhaust analyzer, said sensor and said processor are adapted for use on-board a moving vehicle.  
     
     
         12 . The emissions measuring system as set forth in    claim 3   , wherein said exhaust analyzer, said engine-control interface and said processor are adapted for use on-board a moving vehicle.  
     
     
         13 . A portable mass emissions measuring system for an internal combustion engine, comprising: 
 an exhaust analyzer,    a trace-gas injector, and    a processor programmed to collect and manipulating data from said analyzer and said injector,    whereby the mass emissions of said engine may be calculated.    
     
     
         14 . A method for determining the emission flow rate of an internal combustion engine, comprising of the steps of, 
 providing an internal combustion engine having an exhaust,    providing an exhaust analyzer having a sampling point downstream from said engine,    operating said engine,    injecting a trace-gas upstream from said sampling point of said exhaust analyzer at a controlled flow rate,    measuring concentrations of said trace-gas with said exhaust analyzer,    calculating the emissions flow rate of said engine based on said known trace-gas injection flow rates and measured trace-gas concentrations.