Exhaust Sensor Pipe Clogging Detection via Pressure Signal Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting clogging in the sensor pipe between a pressure sensor and an exhaust manifold of an internal combustion engine are either intrusive, require additional hardware, or rely on comparing pressure values to predefined thresholds, which are not effective for predictive maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A method that records and analyzes the relative pressure signal over time, determining clogging by assessing the average amplitude of oscillations during engine operation and the integral of the signal after engine shutdown, using thresholds variable based on engine conditions, without requiring specific control over actuators or additional hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the exhaust pressure sensor is connected to the exhaust manifold through a sensor pipe, then the sensor can measure exhaust back pressure, but the pipe can get clogged with soot or rust which degrades measurement accuracy and engine performance
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of clogging conditions by analyzing the relationship between exhaust back pressure and engine operating parameters before critical clogging occurs. The method continuously monitors pressure signals and compares them against expected values based on engine load, speed, and throttle position to early detect partial blockages.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback mechanism where the measured exhaust back pressure is continuously compared against reference values derived from engine operating conditions. When deviations exceed thresholds, the system generates alerts or adjusts engine control parameters to compensate for the clogging effect, creating a closed-loop monitoring system.
2Reliability
If existing clogging detection methods are used, then clogging can be detected, but they require additional hardware or intrusive control of actuators which increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The method utilizes the existing exhaust pressure sensor for multiple purposes: both for its original function of measuring exhaust back pressure for engine control and for the additional function of detecting pipe clogging. By analyzing the same pressure signal in conjunction with readily available engine operating parameters, the system achieves dual functionality without adding dedicated detection hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own existing resources - the pressure sensor already installed for engine control and standard engine operating data - to perform self-diagnosis for clogging detection. No external monitoring equipment or additional actuators are required; the system serves its own diagnostic needs using components already present in the engine management system.
3Speed
If the exhaust pipe is partially clogged, then the exhaust sensor slows down measurements, but this affects the exhaust flap control and EATS system which could lead to critical effects
Solution Approach 1:
The system detects measurement delays and clogging conditions before they critically impact exhaust flap control and EATS (Exhaust After-Treatment System) operation. By continuously monitoring the dynamic response of pressure measurements against expected values, the system can early detect partial blockages and alert operators or adjust control parameters before critical failures occur.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for automatically detecting clogging of a sensor pipe extending between a pressure sensor and an exhaust manifold of an internal combustion engine, wherein the pressure sensor enables to record a signal representative of the relative pressure over time. The method includes at least one of the following steps:a) determining, while the engine runs in a steady operation state, an average amplitude of oscillations of the signal over a first period of time, the sensor pipe being considered clogged when said average amplitude is lower than a first threshold;b) monitoring, from the time the engine has been turned off, the signal over a second period of time, the sensor pipe being considered clogged when the integral of the signal is greater than a second threshold.