Measuring and testing – Simulating operating condition – Marine
Reexamination Certificate
2001-05-10
2004-01-27
McCall, Eric S. (Department: 2855)
Measuring and testing
Simulating operating condition
Marine
Reexamination Certificate
active
06681619
ABSTRACT:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application claims priority to Swedish Application No. 0001766-5, filed May 10, 2000. The disclosure of that application is expressly incorporated herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Technical Field
This invention relates to a catalytic coating for use with a radiator in a motor vehicle, and more particularly, to a determining the effectiveness of a catalytic coating on a radiator in a motor vehicle.
Radiator assemblies for motor vehicles, where the radiator assembly is coated with a catalytic material for converting environmentally harmful substances in ambient air during the utilization of the motor vehicle, are well known. The purpose of this catalytic coating is to utilize the vehicle for improving the environment by cleaning ambient air.
In order for the catalytic coating to convert an environmentally harmful substance, the coating needs to achieves its working temperature. As a result of the radiator being heated by the cooling medium, a working temperature for the catalytic coating is provided without requiring any additional work from the engine since the radiator is designed to emit excess heat. Furthermore, the radiator is positioned to provide an extensive heat exchange with the environment. This is accomplished by placing the radiator in a position enabling a good through-flow of air. When the air flow is insufficient, a fan can provide the additional air flow sufficient for cooling the engine. This implies that large air quantities pass through the radiator, thereby enabling the catalytic coating to clean large quantities of air.
However, as a result of the exposed position of the radiator, it has been found that the catalytic function may degrade without the knowledge of to the driver of the vehicle. Moreover, the driver will not realize that the effectiveness of the catalytic coating has degraded from the behavior of the vehicle, since the catalytic function does not affect the performance of the vehicle.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
One aspect of the invention is to provide a vehicle where by a driver or maintenance staff can be informed about the status of the catalytic function provided by the catalytic coating of a heat exchanger in a cooling system connected to an engine.
Another aspect of the invention is to determine the effectiveness of the catalytic coating of a heat exchanger in a cooling system connected to an engine using a control unit connecting to a sensor or detecting means. The detecting estimates the degree of conversion by the catalytic coating.
According to one aspect of the invention, the detecting means determines the effectiveness of the catalytic exchanger by comparing a parameter on one side of the heat exchanger with a parameter on the other side of the heat exchanger.
According to one aspect of the invention, the detecting means determines the effectiveness of the catalytic exchanger by measuring untreated air and air that is treated by passing through the heat exchanger.
According to one aspect of the invention, the detecting means determines the effectiveness of the catalytic exchanger by comparing air that passes through the heat exchanger with that which does not pass through the heat exchanger, where in a fan is able to reverse the flow of air to and from the heat exchanger.
According to one aspect of the invention, the detecting means uses a test cell mounted on the heat exchanger or similar position such that the test cell degrades comparably to the catalytic coating on the heat exchanger. A detecting means is used to determine the effectiveness of the catalytic material on the test cell.
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Alleving Peter
Max Erland
Petersson Martin
Skold Jan
Unger Anders
Howrey Simon Arnold & White , LLP
McCall Eric S.
Volvo Car Corporation
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