Remote Emissions Sensing via Optical Absorption Spectroscopy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current in-use vehicle emissions testing methods require physical or electronic connection to vehicles, which can trigger defeat devices that manipulate emissions controls, making it difficult to determine compliance with regulatory standards during normal driving conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using a remote sensing device to measure emissions without connecting to vehicles, identifying them by make, model, and operational parameters, and analyzing data for compliance with regulatory standards, preventing defeat device activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If physical or electronic connection is made to vehicles for emissions testing, then emissions measurements can be obtained, but defeat devices are triggered that manipulate emissions controls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/electronic connection systems with an optical remote sensing system. A light source projects a beam through the vehicle exhaust plume, and a detector measures the absorption characteristics to determine emissions composition and concentration. This optical measurement method obtains emissions data without any physical connection to the vehicle, thereby preventing defeat device activation while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the exhaust plume itself as an intermediary medium. Instead of connecting directly to the vehicle's emissions system, the measurement beam passes through the plume of exhaust gases expelled by the vehicle. This intermediary approach allows indirect measurement of emissions components while maintaining a non-intrusive testing scenario that does not trigger vehicle computer systems.
2Manufacturing precision
If vehicles are tested on driving simulators at set conditions, then regulatory compliance can be assessed, but normal in-use driving conditions are not representative
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static, controlled testing conditions to dynamic, real-world driving conditions. The remote sensing system is deployed at locations where vehicles operate under normal in-use conditions, allowing measurements to be taken during actual driving cycles. This dynamic approach captures the adaptability of emissions systems across varying operational conditions while maintaining compliance assessment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the dimension of real-world operational context to emissions testing. Instead of confining tests to controlled environments with predetermined driving cycles, the system measures emissions in the actual dimension where vehicles operate—on public roadways during normal use. This dimensional shift enables assessment of both regulatory compliance and real-world performance simultaneously.
3Reliability
If remote sensing is used to measure emissions without connection, then defeat devices are not triggered, but measurement speed and accuracy must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic measurement cycles where the light source projects beams through the exhaust plume at regular intervals as vehicles pass. The system is configured to rapidly sequence multiple measurement beams through different portions of the plume, collecting sufficient data points to determine emissions composition and concentration. This periodic action enables quick measurements that maintain high productivity while preserving the non-intrusive nature of the testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in optical absorption parameters at different wavelengths to identify and quantify various emissions components. By measuring absorption at multiple wavelengths corresponding to different gas species, the system rapidly determines the compositional breakdown of emissions. This parameter-based approach enables fast, accurate measurements without requiring complex physical sampling or lengthy analysis procedures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables rapid, accurate emissions measurements of in-use vehicles under normal driving conditions, ensuring actual emissions results are detected and compared to regulatory standards without detectable connection to the vehicles, thus preventing manipulation.
Implementation Method 1
The remote sensing device comprises a light source for projecting a beam and a detector that receives the beam, with the beam projected across and/or onto a roadway and configured to pass through emissions of the vehicles
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method to rapidly perform emissions measurements of in-use vehicles being driven by the general public under normal driving use for determining whether the vehicles are performing in accordance to the regulatory standards by which they were certified. The system and method require no recruitment testing of in-use vehicles with potentially detectable connections, but instead incorporate a vehicle emissions remote sensing device that does not require mechanical or electrical connection to the vehicle, with the measured values being recorded and the vehicles identified, including based on, for example, make and model, engine size, engine combustion management technology and/or pollution control technology. The system and method additionally operates to perform data analysis on the collected data to identify abnormal emissions-related conditions of a particular make and model for the purpose of in-use surveillance, thus allowing actual emissions results to be detected, determined and compared for compliance with regulatory standards.