Dust sensing assembly air intake system

Abstract

An air induction system for a vehicle engine includes a sensor assembly for monitoring particulate concentration. The sensor assembly is mounted within an air intake housing, which has an inlet and an outlet. An airflow passageway extends between the inlet and the outlet to the vehicle engine. An air filter is mounted within the housing to filter particulates from air flowing through the airflow passageway. The sensor assembly can be mounted to an intake manifold or incorporated into a mass airflow sensor. The particulate sensor generates a particulate signal representative of particulate concentration entering the vehicle engine via the outlet. The signal is sent to an output device monitored by a vehicle operator.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to provisional applications No. 60 / 193,225 filed on Mar. 30, 2000 and No. 60 / 269,083 filed on Feb. 15, 2001.[0002] 1. Field of the Invention[0003] This invention relates to an integrated dust sensing assembly for a vehicle air intake system. Specifically, a dust sensor is mounted to an intake manifold or integrated into a mass air flow sensor unit to monitor the dust intake to an engine.[0004] 2. Related Art[0005] Internal combustion engines include air induction systems for conducting air to the engine. Engine noise is propagated through the air induction systems, which is undesirable. Noise attenuation mechanisms have been installed within the air induction systems to reduce these noises. Typically these noise attenuation mechanisms include a speaker, a sound detector, a signal generator, and various other components that are used to reduce noise generated by the air induction system. These components are mounted within an air duct housing.[...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] An air intake or induction system includes a particulate sensor that sends a particulate signal representative of the particulate concentration entering a vehicle engine to an output device monitored by a vehicle operator. If particulate concentration levels are higher, the signal can alert the operator that the filter is improperly installed, the filter has a hole or other damage, or that the clean air hose has been disconnected. These early detections allow the operator to correct the problems when they occur, thus reducing engine wear.

[0014] The subject apparatus provides a simple method for monitoring dust and dirt particulate concentration levels that are entering a vehicle engine. This results in reduced engine wear and can extend filter life when the by-pass mechanism is utilized.

Problems solved by technology

Engine noise is propagated through the air induction systems, which is undesirable.

Often, the air that is drawn into the system through the air duct housing includes dust, dirt, and other particulate contaminants.

These contaminants can clog the engine resulting in poor performance.

Sometimes the air filter is not properly installed or becomes damaged during vehicle operation, which allows the contaminants to enter the engine.

One disadvantage with air filters is that the system experiences a pressure drop as the air is drawn through the filter.

If particulate concentration levels are higher, the signal can alert the operator that the filter is improperly installed, the filter has a hole or other damage, or that the clean air hose has been disconnected.

This results in reduced engine wear and can extend filter life when the by-pass mechanism is utilized.

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