Capacitance-based catalytic converter protection systems and configurations
US9030310B2 · kind B2 · utility
6Cited by
25References
20Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 24, 2012 |
| Grant date | May 12, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 3, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF01N2560/12
- WIPO fieldEnvironmental technology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A proximity-based catalytic converter protection system for a vehicle that includes a controller, and a catalytic converter, both located in the vehicle. The protection system further includes a pair of electrodes that are electrically coupled to the controller and located in proximity to the converter. The controller monitors capacitance between the electrodes to detect movement external to the vehicle near the converter. The controller may activate an alarm element upon detecting a change in capacitance between the electrodes that exceeds a predetermined threshold.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.