DESC:FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to improvement in pick-up of automobiles. In particular, the invention relates to reducing excessively carbon-laden exhaust smoke in automobiles. More particularly, the invention relates to a device for identifying the source responsible of a reduction in the pick-up in automobiles, contributing to excessively black exhaust smoke.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is common knowledge that the automobiles running on diesel-engine often come across the problem of slower acceleration or poor pick-up. This problem may be due to a multitude of technical factors. Therefore, a systematic diagnosis is needed to be carried out for trouble-shooting or pinpointing the problem/s causing this loss of pick-up. In fact, this problem is not restricted to the after-sales situation, but is observed even within diesel-engine powered vehicles manufacturing plant. This is very commonly noticed at the very last final-line assembly during quality inspection. The most common problem for this pick-up loss may concern: choked or blocked air filter/fuel filter, defective fuel Injectors or even heavy carbon deposits in the engine which need to be removed by a suitable process. Another reason for poor car ride and handling experience may occur due to a blocked EGR Valve. Therefore, EGR and Intercooler cleaning will generally resolve the reduced pick-up issue in most of the diesel vehicles.

DISADVANTAGES WITH THE PRIOR ART

A reduced pick-up in an automobile means a poor car-ride or maneuver, leading to loss of comfort as well as poor fuel-efficiency and driving speed. In particular, if the pick-up reduction is due to heavy carbon deposits in the engine, it is very difficult to ascertain the exact source of blockage in the engine. By carrying out a cause and effect analysis for arriving at the exact source of pick-up loss problem requires a great deal of efforts at the final inspection point in the assembly line of the automobiles running on diesel-engine.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Some of the objects of the present invention - satisfied by at least one embodiment of the present invention - are as follows:

An object of the present invention is to provide device for improving the pick-up or acceleration in automobiles.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for reducing excessively carbon-laden exhaust smoke in automobiles, thereby protecting the environment.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device for identifying the exact source responsible for reduction in pick-up in automobiles.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method for reducing reworking time at the final acceptance inspection (FAI) buyoff on the assembly line for validating all the parameters related to final vehicle quality.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for improving the operator confidence and efficiency of an automobile manufacturing plant.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when read with the accompanying figures of drawing, which are, however, not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a device for identifying blockage in turbocharger hose in automobiles, wherein the device includes a light gauge assembly comprising:

- a bulb adjustable in height for illuminating the inside of the turbocharger hose,
- a holder for holding the bulb at its one end,

- a sliding cover mounted at the other end of the holder,

- an electrical wire connecting the bulb to the power supply and passing through the holder,

wherein the light gauge assembly is mounted on the turbocharger hose by means of the sliding cover.

Typically, the bulb is mounted on a flexible arm with an axis ‘B’ tiltable about the holder axis ‘A’ by keeping a portion of the flexible arm attached to the holder by means of a bracket.

Typically, the bulb is adjustable in height by using an adjuster screw provided on the bracket.

Typically, the sliding cover snugly mounted on the turbocharger hose for complete closure thereof.

In accordance with the present invention, there is also provided a method for testing the blockage in the turbocharger hose by using the said device, the method comprising the steps of:

• Inserting the light gauge assembly with the flexible stem thereof inside the turbocharger hose,

• Identifying the presence of the clogging or blockage of the turbocharger holes, when the light bulb is not visible or less visible through the holes of the turbocharger hose, or

• Identifying the absence of the clogging or blockage of the turbocharger holes, when sufficient light reaches the operator’s eyes, and

• Determining the presence of clogging or blockage of the turbocharger hose, when no light reaches or less amount of light of the bulb reaches the operator’s eye.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The present invention will be briefly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which include:

Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the process flow in an automobile fuel-air circuit.

Figure 2 shows a schematic layout of the engine exhaust circuit equipped with a catalytic converter for improving air being released to the atmosphere.

Figure 3 shows a perspective detailed view of a typical catalytic converter shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 shows a conventional turbocharger hose in a diesel engine of an automobile without having any means for identifying the excessively carbon-laden exhaust.

Figure 5 shows a turbocharger hose in a diesel engine of an automobile equipped with a light gauge for identifying the actual locations of the turbocharger blockage and configured in accordance with the invention.

Figure 6 shows an embodiment of the light gauge in accordance with the present invention shown in Figure 5.

Figure 7 shows another embodiment of the light gauge in accordance with the present invention shown in Figure 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

In the following, different embodiments of the present invention will be described in more details with reference to the accompanying drawings without limiting the scope and ambit of the present invention in any way.

Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the process flow in an automobile fuel-air circuit. Fresh air enters from intake valve 1, which is mixed with exhaust gases in a quantity decided by the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve 450. This air-exhaust gas mixture is supplied to air compressor 100. The compressed air-exhaust gas mixture is passed through an air-to air cooler 200, which is subsequently supplied to the engine 300 for generating power by mixing the fuel, e.g. diesel with this air-exhaust gas mixture. The engine 300 shown here is typically a 6-cylinder (C1 - C6) diesel engine having inlet ports IP and exhaust ports EP. The exhaust gases are divided into two streams, one being led to the EGR cooler 400 and another to the turbine 500 for producing a turning moment by means of exhaust gases to recover some residual kinetic energy from the exhaust gases.

Figure 2 shows a typical schematic layout of the engine exhaust circuit equipped with a catalytic converter for improving air being released to the atmosphere. The exhaust gases exiting the exhaust ports EP of the cylinders C1 – C6 are collected in the exhaust manifolds 20 and then led via Y-pipe 10 towards a catalytic converter 30. A resonator 40 is also attached in-line downstream this catalytic converter 30. The outlet of the resonator 40 is connected to the exhaust pipe 50 leading to the muffler or silencer 60 for attenuating the noise within the statutory prescribed limits. Finally, attenuated exhaust gases are released to the atmosphere at point 6 via a tail pipe 70.

Figure 3 shows a perspective detailed view of a typical oxidizing type catalytic converter 30 shown in Figure 2. The exhaust gases produced in the combustion chamber contain harmful poisonous gases like mono-nitrogen oxides NOx (NO and NO2), unburnt hydrocarbons (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO). The oxidizing layer inside the catalytic converter converts NOx, CO and HC into CO2 and H2O to bring the exhaust being released to atmosphere within the statutorily acceptable limits.

Figure 4 shows a conventional turbocharger hose 8 in a diesel engine of an automobile without any means for identifying the excessively carbon-laden exhaust. Therefore, it is very difficult to check whether the turbocharger holes are clogged due to foreign particles, e.g. unburnt carbon.

Figure 5 shows a turbocharger hose 8 in a diesel engine of an automobile equipped with a light gauge 9 in accordance with the invention for identifying the actual locations of the turbocharge blockage, i.e. clogging of turbocharger holes by unburnt carbon particles. This is a very simple, however extremely effective device, by which the light coming out of the holes in the turbocharger hose indicates whether there is any hole blockage or not and to find out where exactly.

Figure 6 shows an embodiment of the light gauge 9 in accordance with the present invention shown in Figure 5. The light gauge includes a height adjustable bulb 40 fitted in a holder, which is in turn fixed on a sliding cover 44. The light gauge assembly can be snugly mounted on the turbocharger hose 8 by means of the sliding cover 44. The electric supply to the bulb 40 is provided via a wire 46 coming out of the sliding cover 44.

Figure 7 shows another embodiment of the light gauge 9 in accordance with the present invention shown in Figure 5. The only difference of this light gauge with respect to the one shown in Figure 6 is that here the bulb 40 is mounted on a flexible arm 50 having axis ‘B, which can be tilted about the holder axis ‘A-A’ as shown by the arrows ‘C’ and ‘D’ using the screw 42 provided on the bracket 48. The bulb 40 can also be adjusted in height by using an adjuster screw 42. The rest of the configuration of this light gauge is same as in Figure 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The device comprises a unit provided with a bulb 40 as the source of light, a height adjustable system 42, 48 adaptable for different heights. The system is flexible and can be used to identify the blockage of holes even in a structure curved at 1800.

The method to test the turbocharger hose for the presence of any clogging or blockage of the holes is carried out before assembling the turbocharger hose on the vehicle chassis. The method includes the following steps:

- Inserting the light source along with its flexible stem inside the turbocharger hose.

- Identifying the presence of the clogging or blockage of the turbocharger holes, if the operator cannot see the light source through the holes.

- Identifying the absence of the clogging or blockage of the turbocharger holes, if sufficient light reaches the operator’s eye.

- If no light reaches or less amount of light reaches the operator’s eye, there is clogging or blockage of the turbocharger hose.

TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES AND ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE

- It is a low cost solution on the assembly line to identify the blockage.

- The device can be easily manufactured and involve no maintenance.

- It saves time on the assembly line.

- No specific skill/training is required to the operator for its operation.

- Its application cannot be limited to only turbocharger hose but can be used for identifying the leakage of any enclosed chamber

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments.

The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein.

It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

The numerical values given of various physical parameters, dimensions and quantities are only approximate values and it is envisaged that the values higher or lower than the numerical value assigned to the physical parameters, dimensions and quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure unless there is a statement in the specification to the contrary.

Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, shall be understood to implies including a described element, integer or method step, or group of elements, integers or method steps, however, does not imply excluding any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or method steps.

While considerable emphasis has been placed on the specific features of the preferred embodiment described here, it will be appreciated that many additional features can be added and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the invention. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation. ,CLAIMS:We claim:

1. A device for identifying blockage in turbocharger hose in automobiles, wherein the device includes a light gauge assembly comprising:

- a bulb adjustable in height for illuminating the inside of the turbocharger hose,

- a holder for holding the bulb at its one end,

- a sliding cover mounted at the other end of the holder,

- an electrical wire connecting the bulb to the power supply and passing through the holder,

wherein the light gauge assembly is mounted on the turbocharger hose by means of the sliding cover.

2. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bulb is mounted on a flexible arm with an axis ‘B’ tiltable about the holder axis ‘A’ by keeping a portion of the flexible arm attached to the holder by means of a bracket.

3. Device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bulb is adjustable in height by using an adjuster screw provided on the bracket.

4. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sliding cover snugly mounted on the turbocharger hose for complete closure thereof.

5. A method for testing the blockage in the turbocharger hose by using the device as claimed in claims 1 to 4, the method comprises the steps of:

• Inserting the light gauge assembly with the flexible stem thereof inside the turbocharger hose,

• Identifying the presence of the clogging or blockage of the turbocharger holes, when the light bulb is not visible or less visible through the holes of the turbocharger hose, or
• Identifying the absence of the clogging or blockage of the turbocharger holes, when sufficient light reaches the operator’s eyes, and
• Determining the presence of clogging or blockage of the turbocharger hose, when no light reaches or less amount of light of the bulb reaches the operator’s eye.

Dated: this day of 24th August, SANJAY KESHARWANI
APPLICANT’S PATENT AGENT