Sensor mounting apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9719401-B2
Application number	US-201414298173-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 6, 2014
Priority date	Jun 6, 2014
Publication date	Aug 1, 2017
Grant date	Aug 1, 2017

Abstract

A boss configured to mount a nitrous oxide sensor in an exhaust conduit is disclosed. The boss includes a first tier configured to contact with an exterior surface of the exhaust conduit, the first tier defined by a first diameter and a first height. The boss also includes a second tier extending from the first tier. The second tier is configured to be disposed within an interior space defined within the exhaust conduit. The second tier is defined by a second diameter and a second height. Further, the second diameter is sized smaller than the first diameter. The boss further includes a condensation protection feature configured to direct condensation away from the nitrous oxide sensor.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A boss configured to mount a nitrous oxide sensor in an exhaust conduit, the boss comprising:
a longitudinal axis extending from a first end of the boss to a tip end of the boss, the first end of the boss being configured to be positioned outside the exhaust conduit and the tip end of the boss being configured to be positioned in an interior space defined within the exhaust conduit;
a tubular first tier positioned about the longitudinal axis and extending along the longitudinal axis from the first end to a second end, the first tier configured to contact with an exterior surface of the exhaust conduit, and being defined by a first outer diameter and a first height along a direction of the longitudinal axis;
a tubular second tier positioned about the longitudinal axis and extending along the longitudinal axis from the second end of the first tier to a third end configured to be disposed within the interior space, the second tier being defined by a second diameter and a second height along the direction of the longitudinal axis, the second diameter sized smaller than the first diameter; and
a flange extending radially outward from the tip end of the boss in a direction away from the longitudinal axis, the flange being a condensation protection feature configured to direct condensation away from the nitrous oxide sensor.

2. The boss of claim 1 , wherein the first height of the first tier is greater than the second height of the second tier.

3. The boss of claim 1 , wherein the condensation protection feature includes a cylindrical shaped third tier attached to the second tier and extending from the third end of the second tier to the tip end of the boss.

4. The boss of claim 1 , further including a through-hole extending from the first end to the tip end.

5. The boss of claim 4 , further including the nitrous oxide sensor positioned in the through-hole.

6. The boss of claim 1 , wherein the boss includes steel or an alloy of steel.

7. An exhaust conduit comprising:
an exterior surface having an opening thereon;
a nitrous oxide sensor extending into an interior space defined within the exhaust conduit through the opening; and
a boss disposed within the opening and supporting the nitrous oxide sensor therein, the boss extending from a first end positioned outside the exhaust conduit to a tip end positioned within the interior space, the boss comprising:
a first tier mounted in contact with the exterior surface of the exhaust conduit, the first tier being positioned circumferentially about the sensor and extending from the first end of the boss towards the interior space;
a second tier positioned circumferentially about the sensor and extending from the first tier, into the interior space of the exhaust conduit towards the tip end of the boss; and

a flange circumferentially disposed about the sensor and extending radially outward from the tip end of the boss in a direction away from the sensor, the flange being a condensation protection feature configured to direct condensation away from the nitrous oxide sensor.

8. The boss of claim 7 , further including a through-hole extending from the first end to the tip end, wherein the nitrous oxide sensor extends into the interior space through the through-hole.

9. The boss of claim 7 , wherein the first tier extends from the first end to a second end positioned in contact with the exhaust conduit, and the second tier from the second end to a third end positioned in the interior space.

10. The boss of claim 9 , further including a third tier extending from the third end to the tip end of the boss.

11. The boss of claim 10 , wherein an outer diameter of the third tier is less than an outer diameter of the second tier, and an outer diameter of the second tier is less than an outer diameter of the first tier.

12. A boss configured to mount a nitrous oxide sensor in an exhaust conduit, the boss comprising:
a through-hole extending longitudinally from a first end of the boss to a tip end of the boss, the first end being configured to be positioned outside the exhaust conduit and the tip end being configured to be positioned in an interior space defined within the exhaust conduit;
a nitrous oxide sensor extending into the interior space of the exhaust conduit through the through-hole on the boss;
a first tier circumferentially disposed about the sensor and extending towards the exhaust conduit from the first end to a second end, the first tier having a first outer diameter;
a second tier circumferentially disposed about the sensor and extending from the second end to a third end positioned within the interior space of the exhaust conduit, the second tier having a second outer diameter smaller than the first outer diameter;
a third tier circumferentially disposed about the sensor and extending from the third end to the tip end of the boss, the third tier having a third outer diameter smaller than the second outer diameter; and
a flange circumferentially disposed about the sensor and extending radially outward from the tip end of the boss in a direction away from the sensor.

13. The boss of claim 12 , wherein a height of the first tier and the third tier is greater than a height of the second tier.

14. The boss of claim 12 , wherein the boss includes steel or an alloy of steel.

15. The boss of claim 12 , wherein the first tier, second tier, and the third tier are integral parts of the boss.

Assignees

• Caterpillar Inc

Inventors

• Denis Andrew M
• Scott Eric A
• Spaeth Eric P
• Pan Jianping
• Driscoll Katherine D
• Alcenius Timothy J
• Stanek Kimberly M

Classifications

• G01N33/0037

  NOx · CPC title

• Y02T10/20

  Cross-Sectional Technologies · mapped topic

• F01N3/005

  for draining or otherwise eliminating condensates or moisture accumulating in the apparatus (F01N3/02 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F01N13/008 Primary

  Mounting or arrangement of exhaust sensors in or on exhaust apparatus (sensor arrangements for engine control F02D41/1439) · CPC title

• F01N2560/026

  for measuring or detecting NOx · CPC title