Exhaust after-treatment system

Abstract

An exhaust after-treatment system for heating a sensor system attached to a diesel particulate filter for determining the condition of the diesel particulate filter is provided. The exhaust after-treatment system includes a diesel particulate filter, a sensor system, and a heating mechanism. The sensor system is configured to monitor pressure at an input end and an output end of the diesel particulate filter. The heating mechanism is in thermal contact with the sensor system. The heating mechanism is disposed downstream of an engine cooling system and enables a flow of engine coolant around the sensor system, preventing condensation and freezing of the sensor system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exhaust after-treatment system, comprising:
 a diesel particulate filter coupled to an exhaust conduit, wherein the diesel particulate filter comprises an input end and an output end;   a sensor system mounted on the diesel particulate filter, comprising:
 a pressure sensor; 
 a first pilot line configured to transfer exhaust gases from the input end to the pressure sensor; 
 a second pilot line configured to transfer exhaust gases from the output end to the pressure sensor; and 
   a heating mechanism, in thermal contact with the sensor system, configured to enable a flow of fluid around the sensor system.