IP Library Granted Patent US 9,752,486
Granted Patent B2
US 9,752,486 · App. 14/271,788 · Granted Sep 5, 2017

Reductant sensor system

Inventors: Jianyuan Yang (Northville, MI); Guru Kaustubh Vilas Teggi (Canton, MI); Ryan A. Floyd (Mason, MI); Michael Golin (Dexter, MI)
Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
F01N11/00B01D53/9495F01N3/2066G01F23/296G01F23/2961F01N2550/05F01N2610/02F01N2610/1406F01N2610/148F01N2900/0422F01N2900/1811F01N2900/1814Y02T10/24Y02T10/47
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,752,486
App. No.
14/271,788
Granted
Sep 5, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

An exhaust treatment fluid system includes a tank housing for storing an exhaust treatment fluid. A suction tube includes a first end positioned within the housing and a second end in communication with a suction port of the housing. An elongated laminar flow device is secured to a discharge port of the housing such that exhaust treatment fluid flows along surfaces thereof as the exhaust treatment fluid is returned to the tank housing. The laminar flow device includes a non-circular cross-section.

Claims (34)

1. An exhaust treatment fluid system, comprising:

a tank housing for storing an exhaust treatment fluid including a suction port and a discharge port;

a suction tube having a first end positioned within the housing and a second end in communication with the suction port; and

an elongated laminar flow device secured to the discharge port such that exhaust treatment fluid flows along surfaces thereof as the exhaust treatment fluid is returned to the tank housing, wherein the laminar flow device includes a non-circular cross-section.

2. The exhaust treatment fluid system of claim 1 , further comprising a discharge tube positioned within the tank housing and secured at the discharge port, wherein the laminar flow device is positioned within the discharge tube.

3. The exhaust treatment fluid system of claim 2 , wherein the discharge tube includes an inner surface, and the non-circular cross-section of the laminar flow device provides an air-gap between surfaces of the laminar flow device and the inner surface of the discharge tube.

4. The exhaust treatment fluid system of claim 1 , wherein the laminar flow device cross-section is square.

5. The exhaust treatment fluid system of claim 1 , wherein the laminar flow device cross-section is triangular.

6. The exhaust treatment fluid system of claim 1 , wherein the laminar flow device cross-section is Y-shaped.

7. The exhaust treatment fluid system of claim 1 , wherein the laminar flow device cross-section is cross-shaped.

8. The exhaust treatment fluid system of claim 1 , wherein the laminar flow device cross-section is star-shaped.

9. The exhaust treatment fluid system of claim 1 , wherein the laminar flow device cross-section includes a planar surface.

10. The exhaust treatment fluid system of claim 1 , further comprising a sensor for determining at least one of a fluid level of the exhaust treatment fluid and a concentration of the exhaust treatment fluid, the sensor being positioned within the tank housing.

11. The exhaust treatment fluid system of claim 10 , further including a controller determining whether to broadcast a fault code warning based on a signal output from the sensor, the controller ignoring the signal for a predetermined amount of time before determining whether to broadcast the fault code warning.

12. The exhaust treatment fluid system of claim 11 , further comprising a pump coupled to the suction tube and operable to pump the exhaust treatment fluid, wherein the predetermined amount of time begins when the pump begins to prime.

13. The exhaust treatment fluid system of claim 11 , wherein the controller compares the signal output from the sensor with a previously stored value and determines whether to start ignoring the signal based on the comparison of the signal to the previously stored value.

14. The exhaust treatment fluid system of claim 11 , further including another sensor positioned within the tank and determining the other of the fluid level and the concentration of the exhaust treatment fluid.

15. The exhaust treatment fluid system of claim 14 , wherein the controller compares a signal output from the sensor and a signal output from the another sensor with previously stored values and determines whether to start a timer during which the signals are ignored based on the comparison of the signals to the previously stored values.

16. The exhaust treatment fluid system of claim 15 , wherein the signals from the sensor and the another sensor are ignored by the controller only if both signals are out of a desired range when compared to the previously stored values.

17. The exhaust treatment fluid system of claim 14 , further including a temperature sensor positioned in proximity to the sensor and the another sensor.

18. The exhaust treatment fluid system of claim 1 , further comprising a bulkhead sealingly engaging the tank housing, the suction tube and the laminar flow device being fixed to the bulkhead.

19. The exhaust treatment fluid system of claim 1 , wherein the laminar flow device includes a threaded end coupled to the tank and a free opposite end.

20. The exhaust treatment fluid system of claim 1 , wherein the laminar flow device is positioned in a non-vertical orientation.

21. An exhaust treatment fluid system, comprising:

a tank for storing an exhaust treatment fluid, the tank being adapted to be fixed to a vehicle;

a suction tube positioned within the tank;

an injector including an inlet in fluid communication with the suction tube and an outlet; and

an elongated laminar flow device positioned within the tank housing and in fluid communication with the outlet, the exhaust treatment fluid flowing through the outlet and being directed to flow across an external surface of the laminar flow device.

22. The exhaust treatment fluid system of claim 21 , further including a discharge tube positioned within the tank, in fluid communication with the outlet, and surrounding the laminar flow device, wherein the exhaust treatment fluid that flows through the outlet also flows through the discharge tube.

23. The exhaust treatment fluid system of claim 22 , wherein the suction tube and the discharge tube each include open ends spaced apart from an interior surface of the tank.

24. The exhaust treatment fluid system of claim 22 , wherein the laminar flow device extends an entire length of the discharge tube.

25. The exhaust treatment fluid system of claim 22 , further including a pump coupled to the suction tube and providing pressurized exhaust treatment fluid from the tank to the injector when driven in a first direction, the pump being drivable in an opposite direction to purge the exhaust treatment fluid from the injector.

26. The exhaust treatment fluid system of claim 21 , wherein the laminar flow device includes a solid core precluding a flow of exhaust treatment fluid therethrough.

27. The exhaust treatment fluid system of claim 21 , wherein the laminar flow device cross-section is cross-shaped.

Assignments (14)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 20, 2025
From: TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.
To: TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 072553/0215 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded Apr 7, 2023
From: TENNECO INC.; DRIV AUTOMOTIVE INC.; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL MOTORPARTS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.; THE PULLMAN COMPANY
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 063268/0506 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS (FIRST LIEN) Recorded Nov 22, 2022
From: DRIV AUTOMOTIVE INC.; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL MOTORPARTS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.; TENNECO INC.; THE PULLMAN COMPANY
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 061989/0689 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 19, 2022
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: TENNECO INC.; TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.; TENNECO INTERNATIONAL HOLDING CORP.; THE PULLMAN COMPANY; TENNECO GLOBAL HOLDINGS INC.; CLEVITE INDUSTRIES INC.; TMC TEXAS INC.; CARTER AUTOMOTIVE COMPANY LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; FELT PRODUCTS MFG. CO. LLC; MUZZY-LYON AUTO PARTS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN IP LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL PISTON RINGS, LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL MOTORPARTS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; F-M MOTORPARTS TSC LLC; F-M TSC REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL VALVE TRAIN INTERNATIONAL LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL SEVIERVILLE, LLC; BECK ARNLEY HOLDINGS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL FILTRATION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL FINANCING CORPORATION; FEDERAL-MOGUL PRODUCTS US LLC
Reel/Frame 061975/0218 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 19, 2022
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: TENNECO INC.; TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.; THE PULLMAN COMPANY; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL PRODUCTS US LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; DRIV AUTOMOTIVE INC.
Reel/Frame 061975/0031 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 19, 2022
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: TENNECO INC.; TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.; THE PULLMAN COMPANY; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL PRODUCTS US LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL MOTORPARTS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; DRIV AUTOMOTIVE INC.
Reel/Frame 061971/0156 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 17, 2021
From: TENNECO INC.; TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.; THE PULLMAN COMPANY; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL PRODUCTS US LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; DRIV AUTOMOTIVE INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 055626/0065 →
CONFIRMATION OF TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS (R/F 34674/0291) Recorded Feb 26, 2021
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.
Reel/Frame 055429/0503 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 1, 2020
From: TENNECO INC.; THE PULLMAN COMPANY; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL PRODUCTS US LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL MOTORPARTS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; DRIV AUTOMOTIVE INC.; TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 054555/0592 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2018
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.
Reel/Frame 048099/0716 →
CONFIRMATORY GRANT OF SECURITY INTERESTS IN UNITED STATES PATENTS Recorded Oct 9, 2018
From: TENNECO INC.; TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.; TENNECO INTERNATIONAL HOLDING CORP.; THE PULLMAN COMPANY; TENNECO GLOBAL HOLDINGS INC.; CLEVITE INDUSTRIES INC.; TMC TEXAS INC.; CARTER AUTOMOTIVE COMPANY LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; FELT PRODUCTS MFG. CO. LLC; MUZZY-LYON AUTO PARTS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN IP LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL PISTON RINGS, LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL MOTORPARTS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; F-M MOTORPARTS TSC LLC; F-M TSC REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL VALVETRAIN INTERNATIONAL LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL SEVIERVILLE, LLC; BECK ARNLEY HOLDINGS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL FILTRATION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL FINANCING CORPORATION; FEDERAL-MOGUL PRODUCTS US LLC
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL TRUSTEE
Reel/Frame 047223/0001 →
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Jun 14, 2017
From: TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 042809/0515 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 18, 2014
From: TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 034674/0291 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 12, 2014
From: YANG, JIANYUAN; TEGGI, GURU KAUSTUBH VILAS; FLOYD, RYAN A.; GOLIN, MICHAEL
To: TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.
Reel/Frame 033085/0597 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61820216 · May 7, 2013
Related Publication 20140334983A1 · Nov 13, 2014