US5325703A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for identifying the concentration of fuels or gases
Assignee: Siemens AG
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Filing: 1992-09-24
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Granted: 1994-07-05
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Expires: 2012-09-24
Abstract
Abstract The present invention discloses a method for identifying the concentration of fuels or gases in air, particularly in the intake of motor vehicle motors, with ultrasound measurement, comprising the steps of conducting an air/vapor mixture whose concentration is to be identified through an ultrasound measuring section of known length, directing ultrasound through the mixture in the measuring section, determining the speed of sound through the air/vapor mixture; and identifying the concentration of the mixture on the basis of the speed of sound through the mixture in the measuring section.
Inventors
- 👤 Valentin Magori
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 11:34
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/02; G01N29/024; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/01; G01N2291/012; G01N2291/02; G01N2291/021; G01N2291/0215; G01N2291/028; G01N2291/02845; G01N2291/02854; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/2496; Y10T137/2499
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A method for identifying the concentration of fuels or gases in air comprising the steps of: conducting an air/fuel mixture whose concentration is to be identified through an ultrasound measuring section of known length; directing ultrasound through said mixture in said measuring section; determining the speed of sound through said air/fuel mixture; and identifying the concentration of said mixture on the basis of the speed of sound through said mixture in said measuring section.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
74 words
A method for identifying the concentration of fuels or gases in air comprising the steps of: conducting an air/fuel mixture whose concentration is to be identified through an ultrasound measuring section of known length; directing ultrasound through said mixture in said measuring section; determining the speed of sound through said air/fuel mixture; and identifying the concentration of said mixture on the basis of the speed of sound through said mixture in said measuring section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein determining the speed of sound is further defined by measuring a running time between an ultrasound transmission signal and an ultrasound reception signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein determining the speed of sound is further defined by measuring a phase angle between an ultrasound transmission signal and an ultrasound reception signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein determining the speed of sound is further defined by measuring a reciprocal running time between an ultrasound transmission signal and an ultrasound reception signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 4 wherein measuring the reciprocal running time is further defined by the use of a "Sing Around" method.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein determining the speed of sound is further defined by measuring a reciprocal phase angle between an ultrasound transmission signal and an ultrasound reception signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 6 wherein measuring the reciprocal phase angle is further defined by the use of a "Lambda Locked Loop" method.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein determining the speed of sound is further defined by identifying the absolute value of a phase angle between an ultrasound transmission signal and an ultrasound reception signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the ultrasound has a phase steepness and wherein determining the speed of sound is further defined by determining the phase steepness of the measured section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 9 wherein determining the speed of sound is further defined by the use of a CW Sonar method.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 comprising the additional step of deriving parameters from other sensor signals required for the correction factors influencing the determination of the speed of sound.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 11 wherein deriving parameters from other sensor signals is further defined by measuring an intake pipe pressure of a motor vehicle motor and generating a sensor signal required for the correction of said factors.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said parameters are derived from operating parameters of an appertaining motor vehicle motor on the basis of empirically identified relationships.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the parameters are derived on the basis of models of the overall system to be considered.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 comprising the additional step of theoretically deriving disturbing influences of the flow rate of the air/vapor mixture for the purpose of correcting the speed of sound determination.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 comprising the additional step of empirically identifying disturbing influences of the flow rate of the air/vapor mixture for the purpose of correcting the speed of sound determination.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 comprising the additional step of enhancing the precision of the speed of sound determination.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 17 wherein enhancing the speed of sound determination is further defined by a chronological averaging of a plurality of acquired values.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 18 wherein enhancing the speed of sound determination is further defined by forming a mean value over a plurality of running times.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
82 words
An apparatus for identifying the concentration of fuels or gases in air comprising: an ultrasound measuring section of known length; means for conducting an air/fuel mixture whose concentration is to be identified through said ultrasound measuring section; means for directing ultrasound through said mixture in said measuring section; means for determining the speed of sound through said mixture; and means for identifying the concentration of said mixture on the basis of the speed of sound through said mixture in said measuring section.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
82 words
An apparatus for identifying the concentration of fuels or gases in air comprising: an ultrasound measuring section of known length; means for conducting an air/fuel mixture whose concentration is to be identified through said ultrasound measuring section; means for directing ultrasound through said mixture in said measuring section; means for determining the speed of sound through said mixture; and means for identifying the concentration of said mixture on the basis of the speed of sound through said mixture in said measuring section.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said means for directing ultrasound through said mixture comprises an ultrasound transmission transducer and an ultrasound reception transducer arranged at respective ends.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said means for directing ultrasound through said mixture comprises a transducer functioning in alternation as an ultrasound transmission transducer and an ultrasound reception transducer, and a sound reflector arranged at the respective ends.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said means for determining the speed of sound through said mixture is an ultrasound air mass meter.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-07-04 | 1998-01-03 | 1998-07-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-07-04 | 2002-01-03 | 2002-07-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-07-04 | 2006-01-03 | 2006-07-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |