FR2917502A1 - SAMPLE CHARACTERIZATION DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for characterizing samples of pollution control systems on a test bench, characterized in that it is capable of automatically loading and unloading at least one sample to be tested.

Description

SAMPLE CHARACTERIZATION DEVICE

  The invention relates to devices for characterizing samples on a test bench, in particular samples of automobile pollution control systems in the presence of synthetic exhaust gases at different temperatures, such as particulate filters or catalyst systems. designed for the reduction of nitrogen oxides (DeNOx). The invention relates in particular to the loading and unloading of samples on the test benches.

  Existing test benches are no longer suitable for satisfying the requirements for characterization tests of samples on the pollution control systems that are installed on automobile engine exhaust systems, following the increase in the number of requests for testing necessary for the development of post-processing systems. And the current environmental awareness, including the evolution of regulations, may further aggravate the situation. The loading and unloading of the samples on the current test benches are done manually.

  On the DeNOx bench, an operator places the sample vertically in the gas stream in a sample holder which is clamped in the gas stream by a system of pneumatic cylinders. The seal is obtained by the hemispherical joint planes of the sample holder. On the particle filter bank, the operator places the sample horizontally in the gas stream in a dedicated sample holder, which is clamped in the gas stream by manual bolting of flat flanges, and the seal is obtained at help flat gaskets in graphite. Thus, in the absence of an operator, on the one hand the test bench is not exploitable, and on the other hand, it is only able to submit a single sample at a time to a single try at once.

  The increase in the number of benches and / or the number of teams operating this bench has the disadvantage of requiring larger premises and the resizing of gas, electricity and compressed air supplies, gas extraction and human resources (both in operation than in maintenance) accordingly. This solution is therefore too expensive. The automation of the tests therefore seems the only alternative that can both make the test benches capacity, while being of lower cost.

  Industrial solutions have been developed. For example, six-axis articulated industrial robots have been designed to meet applications requiring high flexibility in automation. Nevertheless, their use on such test benches requires specific adaptations of the bench and the programming of the characterization process, which are often oversized and expensive, and do not meet the space constraints due to the implantation of the benches. The invention therefore aims to overcome these disadvantages of the prior art, by providing a sample characterization device that is able to meet the growing demand for tests to be performed on pollution control systems installed on the lines of exhaust of vehicle engines, without substantial modification of the test bench. Another objective of the invention is to propose a device for characterizing samples of low-cost depollution systems, which is easy to implement and to use. Another objective of the invention is to propose a method for characterizing samples of automated depollution systems, which makes it possible to apply a list of successive test sequences on the same loaded sample, and / or a list of test sequences. different to successive samples. Finally, an object of the invention is to provide a flexible improved sample characterization device that can respond to changes in environmental regulations.

  For this, the invention proposes a device for characterizing samples of pollution control systems on a test bench, characterized in that it is capable of automatically loading and unloading at least one sample to be tested. Some preferred but non-limiting aspects of the device according to the invention are the following: it comprises: a support means for carrying at least one sample, a handling means for loading at least one sample on the test bench, a means for ensuring the mechanical maintenance of the loaded sample, and a sealing means to guarantee the tightness of the device, the handling means successively load the samples of the support means on the test bench; the support means is a barrel which can contain at least one sample, the handling means comprises at least one of the elements of the following group: a support, a gripper, a floating clamp holder, a gripping arm, the gripping arm comprises at least one of the elements of the following group: a vertical translation unit, a horizontal translation unit, a rotation unit, a gripping arm, the means for ensuring the mechanical retention of the loaded sample 30 and / or the sealing means is a clamping system, the means for ensuring the mechanical maintenance of the loaded sample and the sealing means are a single and same clamping system, - the clamping system comprises at least one of the following group: a cylinder, a guide rail, a movable plate, - the samples are placed in sample holders in the means of support, - it further comprises a protective casing, - it further comprises a programmable controller, a control station and a control panel.

  According to a second aspect of the invention, it is proposed to use a characterization device to characterize automobile exhaust after-treatment systems. According to a last aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for characterizing a sample on a test bench, using a characterization device. Some preferred but non-limiting aspects of the method according to the invention are the following: it applies a list of successive test sequences on the same loaded sample, it applies a list of different test sequences to successive samples.

  Other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, with reference to the appended drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples and in which: FIG. 1 presents a general view of a device for characterizing particle filter samples according to the invention, - Figure 2 shows a general view of a device for characterizing samples of DeNOx according to the invention, -5- - Figure 3 presents a diagram of the front view of a part of a device for characterizing particle filter samples according to the invention, - Figure 4 shows a diagram of the side view of a part of a characterization device. of particulate filter samples according to the invention, - Figure 5 shows a schematic of the front view of a part of a characterization device of DeNOx samples according to the invention.

  The devices for characterizing samples of DeNOx on the one hand, and particulate filters on the other hand, generally use the same elements, with the exception of certain characteristics necessary to adapt the samples handled or tested. Furthermore, the device can be controlled by means of an electrical and automatic subassembly, comprising in particular a box incorporating cutting and protection devices, an industrial programmable controller, a socket for connecting the device to a control station driver (for example a computer), and a control panel.

  We will now describe the main elements constituting a device for characterizing samples of particle filters or DeNOx according to the invention. Such a device comprises a carousel 1 having at least N positions (N> _1), for example six positions, comprising: - a rotary barrel 2 having six positions, in which are loaded six samples to be tested, - an axis 4 of the barrel 2 a sensor capable of indexing the barrel 2, and a sensor for detecting the presence of a sample. The barrel 2 of the DeNOx sample characterization device comprises a holding system in position, in which the samples are preferably placed vertically in sample holders 3. The cylinder 2 of the device for characterizing samples of particle filters comprises a double support plate, in which the samples are preferably placed horizontally in sample holders 3, as well as a holding system in position

  Each sample is set up manually by an operator 10 in one of the sample holders 3 of the cylinder 2. For the particle filter test bench, each sample being secured to its sample holder 3, the operator goes up to in addition to an adapter 20 with hemispherical bearings and a graphite gasket by bolting at each end of the sample holder 3 before placing it thus equipped in the barrel 2. For the DeNOx test bench, a sample holder 3 comprises a support for a sample, whose diameter and internal volume allow it to contain the types of samples tested, and whose outer shape is modified with respect to the state of the art in order to meet the holding requirements. position on the sample holder 3 and enter by a handling element of the device according to the invention. The cylinder 2 is then loaded on the test station, and the operator can program and start the automatic test sequence. Manipulating means then seize successively, thanks to the rotation of the barrel 2 around its axis 4 in its 6 positions, all the sample holders 3 present in the barrel 2, in order to load them on the test station. This handling means comprises: a handling support 5 made for example from aluminum profiles 30, a pneumatic or hydraulic gripping pliers 6, a floating gripper support 7 capable of compensating for misalignment due to means for holding in position and sealing, - an arm 8 gripping. The gripping arm 8 of the DeNOx test bench preferably comprises two units 9a and 9b of vertical translation, and a unit 9c of horizontal translation. The units 9a and 9b of vertical translation enter a sample holder 3 in the barrel 2 (unit 9a) to transfer and deposit it (unit 9b) in the machine that will perform the test (s), in the axis of the arrival of the gases 15, while the horizontal translation unit 9c transfers the sample holder 3 between the barrel 2 and the test bench. These translation units are for example pneumatic or hydraulic. The gripper arm 8 of the particle filter test bench preferably comprises a rotation unit 10 supporting a gripping arm, and a translation unit 11. The rotation unit 10 allows, by rotation of the gripping arm, the taking of a sample holder 3 in the barrel 2, and its placement in the axis of the gaseous vein of the test bench, while the unit 11 translation ensures the introduction of the sample holder 3 during the phase of maintenance in position and sealing. Again, the translation unit 11 can be pneumatic or hydraulic.

  Furthermore, in order to maintain in position and / or to ensure the tightness of the device, a clamping system is also provided, for example pneumatic or hydraulic, which may comprise two jacks 12, two guide rails 13, a plate 14 equipped with ball guide pads.

  Finally, the device comprises a pneumatic and / or hydraulic subassembly for implementing the translation units, gripping and cylinders. In the case of a pneumatic subassembly, for example, it comprises an air treatment stage, a valve island for the clamp and the handling means, and a large flow solenoid valve for clamping the samples. It is also expected, for safety reasons, a protective casing around the test benches, including DeNOx, for example a casing made from aluminum profiles and panels with high thermal resistance and atmospheric effects. (Of the type of panels made of cellular material, of the Makrolon type). A door, whose opening is protected if necessary by a lockable safety sensor, is then provided for the loading of the sample holders 3. It is thus possible to prevent the operators from accessing the moving parts during the course of the tests, the access doors being automatically locked by the PLC. Furthermore, a circulation of air inside the housing to the extraction of gases avoids the accumulation of gases in case of leakage on the bench.

  When the automatic test sequence is started by the operator, all the samples present in the barrel 2 are tested successively according to all the types of tests available on the bench concerned, thanks to the electric control subassembly. Each type of test can also be repeated several times, and the sequence of tests is carried out automatically: the operator can thus enter information relating to the samples, the desired tests and their possible repetition. This automation thus relieves the workload of the laboratory, which can perform tests at night or in non-working days. This optimizes the use of test benches by increasing their productivity, their test capacity and the quality of the characterization of the pollution control devices, but also by facilitating the management of the tests thanks to the greater flexibility of the banks ( length of tests, repeatability, etc.). Moreover, the means implemented are of low cost and can significantly improve the management of resources, more time being able to be devoted to the post-processing of test results.30 -9- Finally, it is expected that the rotation of the barrel 2 can be performed manually by the operator. For this purpose, the control device for controlling an output, for example a control button, is provided. However, for security reasons and to avoid any interruption of a test cycle, the piloting control device authorizes the actuation of this output only if, on the one hand, the temperature of the sample holder 3 is below a threshold temperature (for example 150 C), and secondly, the door of the housing is closed. The security management of the door is also carried out by the PLC, which can detect several types of defects (such as an inconsistent order, etc.) and interrupt the process. -10-

Claims (2)

  1. Device for characterizing samples of pollution control systems on a test bench, characterized in that it comprises means for automatically loading and unloading at least one sample to be tested.   2. A characterization device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the means comprise: a support means (2) for carrying at least one sample; a handling means for loading at least one sample on the bench; testing, means for ensuring the mechanical retention of the loaded sample, and sealing means for ensuring the tightness of the device. 7. Characterization device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the handling means successively load the samples of the medium (2) support on the test bench. 8. A characterization device according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the means (2) support is a barrel that can contain at least one sample. 9. Characterization device according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the handling means comprises at least one of the elements of the following group: a support (5), a gripper (6), a 30 support (7) floating clamp, an arm (8) gripping. -9- 2917502 6. Characterization device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the arm (8) comprises at least one of the elements of the following group: a vertical translation unit (9a, 9b), a unit horizontal translation (9c, 11), a rotation unit (10), a gripping arm. 7. Characterization device according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the means for ensuring the mechanical maintenance of the loaded sample and / or the sealing means is a clamping system. 8. Characterization device according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the means for ensuring the mechanical maintenance of the loaded sample and the sealing means are one and the same clamping system. 9. Characterization device according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the clamping system comprises at least one of the following group: a cylinder (12), a guide rail (13), a plate (14) movable. 10. Characterization device according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the samples are placed in sample holders (3) in the means (2) of support. 11. Characterization device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a protective housing. 12. Characterization device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it furthermore comprises a programmable automaton122, a control control station and a control panel. 13. Use of a characterization device according to one of the preceding claims for characterizing automotive exhaust after-treatment systems. 14. A method of characterizing a sample on a test bench for the implementation of the device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it comprises a step during which it automatically loads the device. sample to be tested, and a step during which it automatically discharges said sample. 15. A method of characterization according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it applies a list of successive test sequences on the same loaded sample. 16. A method of characterization according to one of claims 14 or 15, characterized in that it applies a list of different test sequences to successive samples.