System and method for monitoring a filter

Abstract

A monitoring assembly for a filter includes an acoustic apparatus. The acoustic apparatus includes a first receiver, a second receiver, a resonator, and a transmitter. The transmitter is configured to emit sound waves receivable by at least one of the first receiver, the second receiver, and the resonator. The monitoring assembly also includes an electronic control module configured to receive signals from at least one of the first and second receivers.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of an engine having a particulate filter assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of the particulate filter assembly from FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3A-3C are graphs illustrating exemplary trend curves related to the particulate filter assembly; and

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method for monitoring the state of a diesel particulate filter according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of an engine having a particulate filter assembly according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating exemplary relationships between transmission loss, frequency, and soot loading.

Claims

1. A monitoring assembly for a filter, comprising: an acoustic apparatus, the acoustic apparatus including a first receiver, a second receiver, a resonator, and a transmitter, the transmitter being configured to emit sound waves receivable by at least one of the first receiver, the second receiver, and the resonator; andan electronic control module configured to receive signals from at least one of the first and second receivers.

2. The assembly of claim 1, further including a first resonator disposed upstream of the filter and a second resonator disposed downstream of the filter.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the first receiver is configured to sense a characteristic of sound energy within the first resonator and the second receiver is configured to sense a characteristic of sound energy within the second resonator.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the first receiver is configured to detect a resonance frequency and the second receiver is configured to detect an amplitude.

5. The assembly of claim 2, wherein at least one of the first and second resonators are Helmholtz resonators.

6. The assembly of claim 1, further including an amplifier connected to at least one of the first and second receivers.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the amplifier is configured to drive the transmitter at a desired frequency and amplitude.

8. A monitoring assembly for a filter, comprising: a first resonator fluidly connected to the filter;a transmitter connected proximate an inlet of the filter; anda second resonator fluidly connected to an outlet of the filter.

9. The assembly of claim 8, further including a first receiver connected to the first resonator and a second receiver connected to the second resonator.

10. The assembly of claim 9, further including an amplifier connected to at least one of the first and second receivers.

11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the amplifier is configured to drive the transmitter at a desired frequency and amplitude.

12. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the amplifier is connected to an electronic control module.

13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the electronic control module is connected to at least one of the first and second receivers.

14. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the first and second resonators are configured to attenuate sound energy at the same resonance frequency.

15. A method of monitoring a filter of an internal combustion engine, comprising: attenuating sound energy produced by the engine at a resonance frequency;sensing the resonance frequency;emitting a sound wave at the resonance frequency, the sound wave having a first amplitude; andsensing a second amplitude of the sound wave downstream of an outlet of the filter.

16. The method of claim 15, further including comparing the first amplitude and the second amplitude to determine a transmission loss.

17. The method of claim 16, further including determining a soot loading of the filter based on the transmission loss.

18. The method of claim 15, further including modifying the frequency of the emitted sound wave based on a change in internal combustion exhaust temperature.

19. The method of claim 15, further including storing at least one of the sensed resonance frequency, the first amplitude, and the second amplitude.

20. The method of claim 15, further including fluidly connecting a resonator upstream of the filter to assist in attenuating the sound energy produced by the engine.