Unused fuel indicator for automotive engines employing catalytic converters

Patent · Tue Feb 09 00:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:5455557

Calvert, W R

The unused fuel indicator (UFI) comprises a reliable thermoelectric/electronic circuit employing thermocouples attached to the catalytic converter of an emission control system for an automobile engine for providing easy readout of the condition of the automobile engine and the emission control system. A preferred kind of readout is provided by the sequential glowing of light indicators such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) wherein the sequence in which the LEDs are caused to glow, and their color is indicative of the proper functioning (Or malfunctioning) of the automobile engine and catalytic converter emission control system. The UFI incrementally indicates the potential heat of pollutants in an automobile engine exhaust, which pollutants are converted by oxidation to heat produced by the catalytic converter. The heat is sensed by thermocouples which are differentially connected with the output of one opposing the output of the other. Hence, only the difference between the catalytic converters outlet temperature and inlet temperature is indicated to the driver of the vehicle (Or other user of the UFI) by the incremental sequential glowing of the LEDs in a simple and effective manner that readily can be interpreted by an average driver, or inspector, mechanic, etc., who uses the UFI as a simple, inexpensive and effective engine emission system monitor. The UFI is best when applied to a catalytic converter designed for the most stringent control of engine polluting emissions.

• Assignee: EDB-82-109645
• Patent Number(s): US 4315243
• OSTI ID: 5455557
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 16 Sep 1980; Other Information: PAT-APPL-187485
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
EXHAUST SYSTEMS
MONITORS
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
CONTROL SYSTEMS
DESIGN
CATALYTIC CONVERTERS
LIGHT EMITTING DIODES
THERMOCOUPLES
ENGINES
EQUIPMENT
HEAT ENGINES
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
SEMICONDUCTOR DIODES
330100* - Internal Combustion Engines