Filter retentate analysis and diagnostics

Inventors

Sappok, Alexander • Bromberg, Leslie • Ragaller, Paul

Assignees

CTS Corp

Abstract

A filter retentate analysis system and method is disclosed, which provides information to diagnose the current and historical state of a system generating the retentate or through which the retentate has passed. The disclosure describes the analysis of retentate characteristics which may include the composition, amount, distribution, and physical or chemical properties of the retentate useful to monitor or diagnose the state, health, or operating history of a system or sub-system. The analysis is broadly applicable to wide range of systems and process ranging from engines and exhaust systems to production plants and equipment.

Core Innovation

The invention relates to filter retentate analysis and diagnostics for an engine system generating retentate in communication with an engine exhaust system particulate filter. Retentate generated by the engine system is contained in the engine exhaust system particulate filter, and the retentate contained in the engine exhaust system particulate filter is removed for analysis. The analysis detects the presence in the retentate of physical or chemical properties of a compound or element of the engine system or the engine exhaust system.

The method diagnoses the engine system based on the analysis and detection of the physical or chemical properties of the engine compound or element in the retentate. The physical or chemical properties of the retentate removed from the engine exhaust system particulate filter include at least amount, composition, and characteristics/properties associated with diagnosing the engine system state or condition. The approach supports diagnosing using retentate that contains information reflecting current and historical state or operating history.

In representative embodiments for particulate exhaust filters, retentate includes soot and ash, and the analysis is performed on physical or chemical properties to detect compounds or elements linked to the engine or exhaust. Diagnostic sources explicitly include engine oil, coolant, fuel, and additives, including engine oil additive elements such as calcium, zinc, boron, magnesium, sulfur, phosphorus, and molybdenum. Further diagnostic sources include component wear metals, catalyst metals, washcoat components, and environmental contaminants such as dust/dirt/salt spray components.

The document also supports analysis using comparative reference data and evaluation over time, including historical trend analysis of the quantity and/or the physical or chemical properties of retentate removed from the engine exhaust system particulate filter. The diagnosed engine system condition/state can be linked to corrective action, with examples including repair or replacement of components, catalyst, or intake air filtration, as stated in the provided summary content.

Claims Coverage

The document includes one independent method claim for diagnosing an engine system generating retentate in communication with an engine exhaust system particulate filter. Across the dependent claims, six inventive features are specified, including retentate removal and collection, selection of analytical techniques, evaluation of retentate properties, and historical trend analysis.

Overall claim coverage centers on diagnosing an engine system by removing retentate from an engine exhaust system particulate filter, analyzing physical or chemical properties to detect engine or exhaust compounds/elements, and diagnosing from those detected properties. Dependent claim coverage further specifies analytical technique selection, retentate removal and collection means, analyzing amount/composition/characteristics, and historical trend analysis over time.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications