The Origins of PEMS

Leo Breton, Inventor and Developer

8th Integer Emissions Summit, Chicago

October 29, 2015

Inventor Had a Regulatory Compliance Mindset

Regulatory compliance is serious business

• Recalls cost OEM’s millions–don’t accuse

without certainty

• Findings could lead to lawsuits

• Testing must be technically correct and rigorous

Two parts to regs. for vehicle useful life:

1. Emit below numerical, mass-based standard

• Expensive laboratory equipment used

• Standard lab test cycle

2. Defeat devices are prohibited

• Supplemental information needed

Motivation for PEMS/ROVER

Chassis Dynamometer Testing

Motivation for PEMS/ROVER

Engine Dynamometer Testing

Motivation for PEMS/ROVER

Dyno testing was very abstract and expensive:

• Unrealistic speeds, unchanging pattern, trained

drivers and no traffic, 68-86F temp range,

exhaust aftertreatment cooling unrealistic,

simulated electronic signals, etc.

• Emissions systems tuned to the test

Yet provided the data for everything:

• Emissions compliance, CAFÉ, emissions factors,

modeling, emissions system durability, reg.

writing what ifs?

Did dyno testing reflect reality?

EPA Thinking Before ROVER

Two EPA OTAQ camps of thought at the time:

1. Lab measurements are generally representative

of real world emissions

2. Even if there’s a difference, the lab results

should be proportionate, i.e. as standards get

reduced as shown by lab data, the percent

reductions would also occur in the real world

Real-world testing was not technically possible,

was not required by regulations, and was not

thought to be necessary or useful

Major Technical Problems Had to Be Overcome

Elimination of dilution tunnel by measuring, not

inferring exhaust flow rate

• Without depending on vehicle data stream

• Measure exhaust flow rate of moving vehicle

• Synchronizing exhaust flow rate and

concentration with changing speeds/loads

Instrumentation Size

• Portable gas analyzer with real-time comm.

Power requirement

• 12 volt equipment

Major Structural Problems Had to Be Overcome

No perceived need

• EPA ran FTPs

• Reducing standards without real-world feedback

thought to be effective

• Industry opposition

No budget for “science projects”

• Borrowed 5 gas analyzer from Snap-on

• Repurposed all other equipment except annubar

flow element

Goal: “Blind Testing” With Diagnostics

Measure mass emissions and distance traveled of

any arbitrary engine/vehicle “blind,” i.e. based

on primary measurements without needing:

• Any vehicle information, e.g. make and model

• Any vehicle speed or other sensor signal

• ECM data stream or OBD port data

Supplemental Diagnostics (secondary data)

• ECM data stream or OBD port data if desired

and available

• Enable diagnosing causes of emissions and fuel

economy issues seen with primary measurements

How “Blind Testing” Was Enabled

Exhaust Flow and Concentration Timing Fixed

Calibration of Flow Meter Module With LFE

Particulate Matter “Add-On”

Modular Testing System Approach

Orig. System Connected to Tailpipe Flow Meter

Rigorous Laboratory Comparison Program

Measured in Series With Lab System: single test on many

vehicles and many tests on single vehicle

Getting the Word Out to Others

Demos and presentations

• EPA Nat. Veh. Fuels and Emiss. Lab (NVFEL)

• Mobile Source Federal Advisory Committee

(FACA) – Mike Walsh, Chair

• Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA)

Loaned copies of systems for use:

• NESCAUM, CARB, Moscow, Vermont

Loaned copies for Correlation studies:

• West Virginia University (WVU)

• Southwest Research Institute (SwRI)

• Aberdeen Proving Grounds (APG)

Prominent role in DOJ investigations of 90’s

Assorted Applications - lawnmower

Assorted Applications - lawnmower

1998 Off-Road Testing

Assorted Applications – Power Plant Coal Pile

Assorted Applications – Loading a Trailer

Assorted Conditions – Put the Top Up!

Assorted Applications – Light Duty

Enabled Real-World Testing Programs

Enabled Real-World Testing Programs

3 US and Numerous International Patents Issued

Patents Licensed to Horiba Instruments

Courtesy of http://jpx.responsejp.com/jpx/images/2014/05/21/223656_1.jpg?fit=normal

And to Sensors, Inc.

An Older Sensors, Inc. System