Exhaust filtration monitoring and control system

Abstract

A system for removing particulates from the exhaust gas of a vehicle internal combustion engine, particularly during those times that the emission of such particulates into the atmosphere would be of greatest danger to persons in the vicinity of the vehicle, includes a valve connected to the vehicle exhaust manifold for normally directing exhaust to the atmosphere when in the non-activated condition. The valve directs exhaust to a particulate filter when in the activated condition. Starting of the engine activates the valve for a predetermined period of time. The valve can be disabled manually or automatically by a switch, which detects the backpressure in the exhaust system. An exhaust pressure sensor monitors the exhaust backpressure, and a circuit device responsive to the exhaust pressure maintains the valve continuously in the non-activated condition, when the exhaust backpressure reaches a predetermined level for a predetermined period of time.

1 . A system for removing particulates from exhaust gas of a vehicle internal combustion engine, comprising:
 first gas flow means connected to an exhaust of said engine;   valve means connected to said first gas flow means for normally directing exhaust to a first output, when in a non-activated or deactivated condition, and for directing exhaust to a second output, when in an activated condition;   second gas flow means connected to said valve means first output for exhausting particulate-containing exhaust to the atmosphere;   third gas flow means connected to said valve means second output for removing exhaust gas particulates before delivering said exhaust gas to the atmosphere;   means responsive to starting of said engine for activating said valve means for a predetermined period of time;   exhaust pressure sensing means for monitoring exhaust backpressure, said sensing means operatively connected to means for indicating the filter medium loading status of said exhaust gas particulate removing means;   circuit means responsive to said exhaust pressure sensing means for maintaining said valve means continuously in said non-activated condition, when said exhaust backpressure reaches a predetermined level for a predetermined period of time; and   locking means for disabling other system inputs that normally would activate said valve means, when said exhaust backpressure reaches said predetermined level for said predetermined period of time.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said means for indicating the filter medium loading status comprises one or more backpressure warning lights, or a backpressure gauge providing a real time pressure reading. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of said backpressure warning lights blinks for a predetermined period of time or is illuminated continuously when said exhaust backpressure reaches a predetermined level for a predetermined period of time. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein a plurality of backpressure warning lights are progressively activated as said exhaust backpressure increases above corresponding predetermined levels. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising means within said vehicle for activating and/or deactivating said valve means on demand. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said circuit means comprises a semi-conductor device, integrated circuit or circuit board. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said circuit means maintains said valve means continuously in said non-activated condition and continuously illuminates said backpressure warning light, when said exhaust backpressure remains above a predetermined level continuously for at least four seconds. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said exhaust backpressure level is from about 1.5 to about 1.8 PSI. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more auxiliary filters, arranged in parallel with said third gas flow means connected to said valve means second output for removing exhaust gas particulates before delivering said exhaust gas to the atmosphere. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said means for indicating the filter medium loading status comprises one or more backpressure warning lights, or a backpressure gauge providing a real time pressure reading. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of said backpressure warning lights blinks for a predetermined period of time or is illuminated continuously when said exhaust backpressure reaches a predetermined level for a predetermined period of time. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein a plurality of backpressure warning lights individually illuminate progressively as said exhaust backpressure reaches predetermined corresponding levels. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising second exhaust pressure sensing means for monitoring exhaust backpressure of said auxiliary filter, said sensing means operatively connected to means for indicating the filter medium loading status of said auxiliary filter. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said circuit means comprises a semi-conductor device, integrated circuit or circuit board. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said circuit means maintains said valve means continuously in said non-activated condition and continuously illuminates said backpressure warning light, when said exhaust backpressure remains above a predetermined level continuously for at least four seconds. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said exhaust backpressure level is from about 1.5 to about 1.8 PSI. 
   
   
       17 . A method for removing particulates from exhaust gas of a vehicle internal combustion engine, comprising the steps of:
 a) providing first gas flow means connected to an exhaust of said engine;   b) providing valve means connected to said first gas flow means for normally directing exhaust to a first output, when in a non-activated or deactivated condition, and for directing exhaust to a second output, when in an activated condition;   c) providing second gas flow means connected to said valve means first output for exhausting particulate-containing exhaust to the atmosphere;   d) providing third gas flow means connected to said valve means second output for removing exhaust gas particulates before delivering said exhaust gas to the atmosphere;   e) providing means responsive to starting of said engine for activating said valve means for a predetermined period of time;   f) providing exhaust pressure sensing means for monitoring exhaust backpressure;   g) providing circuit means responsive to said exhaust pressure sensing means for maintaining said valve means continuously in said non-activated condition and illuminating a backpressure warning light, when said exhaust backpressure reaches a predetermined level for a predetermined period of time; and   h) maintaining said valve means continuously in said non-activated condition and illuminating said backpressure warning light, when said exhaust backpressure remains above a predetermined level continuously for at least four seconds.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said exhaust backpressure level is from about 1.5 to about 1.8 PSI. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the steps of:
 i) providing locking means for disabling other system inputs that normally would activate said valve means, when said exhaust backpressure reaches said predetermined level for said predetermined period of time; and   j) disabling said system inputs that normally would activate said valve means, when said exhaust backpressure remains above a predetermined level continuously for at least four seconds.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said exhaust backpressure level is from about 1.5 to about 1.8 PSI.