US20130318951A1

US20130318951A1 - Sensor connection integration device

Info

Publication number: US20130318951A1
Application number: US13/875,734
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert Nowicki; Jason Drost; Pat Klein; Daniel Woods; Michael J. Welp; Snehal Khisty; Dave McKeeth; Pete J. VerDuin
Original assignee: Cummins Emission Solutions Inc.
Current assignee: Cummins Emission Solutions Inc
Priority date: 2011-09-12
Filing date: 2013-05-02
Publication date: 2013-12-05
Also published as: EP3498998A1; EP2568139A1; EP3219949B1; EP2568140B1; US20130330237A1; US9295946B2; EP3219949A1; EP2568139B1; EP2568140A1

Abstract

An article of manufacture includes a housing having three input ports and an output port. An electronic sensor operationally coupled to an exhaust flowpath is coupled to the first input port via an electrical conduit. A first fluid conduit fluidly couples the second input port to the exhaust flowpath upstream of a particulate filter, and a second fluid conduit fluidly couples the third input port to the exhaust flowpath downstream of the particulate filter. A differential pressure sensor in the housing determines a differential pressure in response to a first pressure at the second input port and a second pressure at the third input port. The article includes a communication module that provides electronic information representative of the differential pressure and output from the electronic sensor at the output port, wherein the communication module is disposed in the housing.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to, and claims the benefit of, U.S. provisional patent applications: “Aftertreatment manifold device” application No. 61/533,642 filed Sep. 12, 2011; “Integrated mounting bracket for aftertreatment device” application No. 61/533,643 filed Sep. 12, 2011; and “Sensor connection integration device” application No. 61/533,645 filed Sep. 12, 2011. All of three provisional applications have the same assignee as the present application, and are each incorporated herein by reference in the entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

The technical field generally relates to internal combustion engine aftertreatment systems, and more particularly but not exclusively relates to integrating aftertreatment devices into a vehicle. Modern systems that include internal combustion engines often include an aftertreatment system to reduce emissions. Aftertreatment systems often include multiple components, including particulate filters, oxidation catalysts, NOx adsorbers, NOx reduction catalysts, three-way catalysts, four-way catalysts, and can further include multiple components of the same type at various locations along the aftertreatment system flowpath. The inclusion of an aftertreatment system introduces various system integration complications. The aftertreatment system occupies space that must be accounted for in the system design (e.g., in the engine compartment of a vehicle), and where multiple aftertreatment components are included there are multiple points of integration. The points of integration include sensor connections, flow point connections, injector connections, and any other operational interaction between parts of the aftertreatment system and the external system in which the aftertreatment system is installed.
Multiple points of integration introduce further complications, including tracking specifications for each integration point, the stackup of multiple tolerance values creating greater variance in installation parameters such as total exhaust pipe length, and increased possibility of installing a component in the incorrect place (e.g. swapping two components or connectors) or in the incorrect position (e.g installing a component backwards). Therefore, further improvements in this area of technology are desirable.

SUMMARY

One embodiment is a unique article of manufacture for communicating multiple aftertreatment sensors through a single output port. Further embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits shall become apparent from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an internal combustion engine and an aftertreatment system with an integrated sensor connection device.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an integrated sensor connection device.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an integrated sensor connection device mounted on an aftertreatment system.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment of an integrated sensor connection device mounted on an aftertreatment system.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus for providing electronic information representative of aftertreatment sensor inputs.

FIG. 6 is a schematic flow diagram of a technique for providing an integrated sensor connection device.

FIG. 7 is a schematic flow diagram of a technique for providing electronic information from multiple aftertreatment sensors to an output port.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, any alterations and further modifications in the illustrated embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates are contemplated herein.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system 100 including an internal combustion engine 190 and an aftertreatment system with an integrated sensor connection device. The system 100 includes an article of manufacture including a housing 118 having number of input ports and an output port. The input ports are connected to a number of sensors 202A, 202B, 202C, 202D, 202E via a number of electrical conduits 204A, 204B, 204C, 204D, 204E. The sensors 202A, 202B, 202C, 202D, 202E include thermistors, oxygen sensors, NO_xsensors, mass airflow sensors, and/or pressure sensors. An exhaust flow 210 passes from the engine 190 through the aftertreatment components 212, 214 for treatment and then exits the system 100.
In the illustration of FIG. 1, sensor 202A is a temperature sensor upstream of a diesel oxidation catalyst, sensor 202B is a temperature sensor downstream of the diesel oxidation catalyst and upstream of a particulate filter, and sensor 202E is a temperature sensor downstream of the diesel oxidation catalyst. Further in the illustration of FIG. 1, the exhaust flow 210 passes through a decomposition tube (obscured) behind the aftertreatment component 214 and then into the aftertreatment component 212 on the right side. The sensor 202C is a temperature sensor upstream of a NOx reducing catalyst, and the sensor 202D is a temperature sensor downstream of the NOx reducing catalyst. The arrangement and selection of sensors 202A, 202B, 202C, 202D, 202E may be any arrangement and sensors utilized in relation to aftertreatment components 212, 214. The sensors 202A, 202B, 202C, 202D, 202E are operationally coupled to the exhaust flowpath, where the operational coupling is dependent upon the type of sensor and installation requirements to ensure the given sensor is measuring the exhaust flow for the sensed parameter.
In certain embodiments, the system 100 includes a first fluid conduit 206A fluidly open to the second input port 116 (refer to FIG. 2) at a first end and fluidly open to the exhaust flowpath at a position upstream of the particulate filter at a second end. The system 100 further includes a second fluid conduit 206B fluidly open to the third input port 114 at a first end and fluidly open to the exhaust flowpath at a position downstream of the particulate filter at a second end. The housing 118 further includes a first input port 110, a fourth input port 112, a fifth input port 108, a sixth input port 106, and a seventh input port 104. The number, placement, and sensor connections for the input ports 104, 106, 108, 110, 112 are dependent upon the sensors 202A, 202B, 202C, 202D, 202E and aftertreatment components 212, 214 present in given embodiments of the system 100. The input ports 104, 106, 108, 110, 112 are illustrated as 4-pin inputs, but may be any inputs known in the art for connection to the sensors 202A, 202B, 202C, 202D, 202E.
The system 100 includes a differential pressure sensor (refer to FIG. 5) that determines a differential pressure in response to a first pressure at the second input port 116 and a second pressure at the third input port 114. The system 100 further includes an electrical communicator that provides electronic information representative of the differential pressure and output from the electronic sensor at the output port, where the electrical communicator is disposed in the housing. In certain embodiments, the electrical communicator includes a communication means for providing electronic information representative of the differential pressure and output from the electronic sensor(s) at the output port 104, wherein the communication means is disposed in the housing 118.
The system 100 includes the housing 118 mounted on an aftertreatment component 212. The housing 118 is illustrated as being mounted on the second aftertreatment component 212, but the housing 118 may be mounted on the first aftertreatment component 214 or other aftertreatment component that may be included in a given embodiment of the system 100. In a further embodiment, the aftertreatment component includes an oxidation catalyst, the particulate filter, a NOx adsorber, a three-way catalyst, a four-way catalyst, a selective reduction catalyst, and/or a lean NOx reduction catalyst.
In an exemplary embodiment, the housing 118 is mounted on a metal plate 302 interposed between the housing 118 and the aftertreatment component 212. Referring to FIG. 4, the system 300 includes a housing 118 mounted on an aftertreatment component 212 with a metal plate 302 interposed therebetween. Referring to FIG. 3, in certain embodiments the housing is further mounted on a support 208 interposed between the housing 118 and the aftertreatment component 212. The support 208 provides a gap between the housing 118 and the aftertreatment component 212 (i.e. the distance between the housing 118 and the aftertreatment component 212). In certain embodiments, the gap includes a gap of at least 30 millimeters. In certain embodiments, the gap includes a gap large enough that, when the aftertreatment component 212 is at a rated temperature, a temperature of the housing 118 does not exceed 125° C.
The determination of an appropriate gap and/or housing 118 temperature depend in part upon the external temperature of the aftertreatment component 212, 214 during high temperature operation such as rated operation or during a regeneration event, the duration and frequency of high temperature operation events, the materials of the housing 118, the temperature constraints of connectors to the housing output 102 and housing inputs 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116. With the benefit of the disclosures herein and knowledge about the specifics of a particular embodiment of the system 100, one of skill in the art can select the gap and/or temperature requirement for the particular embodiment.
The system 100 includes a housing output 102. An external controller 192 is electronically coupled to the housing output 102, for example with an electrical conduit 194. The electrical conduit 194 connects to an external controller 192 via a datalink, a network, and/or by direct electrical signals over the conduit 194. The external controller 192 may be a controller associated with the engine 190 as shown, and/or may include, without limitation, multiple controllers, a controller associated with the transmission, or a controller associated with the aftertreatment system.
FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus for providing electronic information 422 representative of aftertreatment sensor inputs 402, 404, 406, 408, 410 and a differential pressure 420. The electronic information 422 representative of the differential pressure 420 and aftertreatment sensor inputs 402, 404, 406, 408, 410 includes a modulated electric parameter, a datalink signal, and/or a network signal. In certain embodiments, the housing 118 includes only one output port 102. The system 100 includes a differential pressure sensor 418 that determines the differential pressure 420 in response to a first pressure value 412 at the second input port 116 and a second pressure value 414 at the third input port 114. The differential pressure sensor 418 may be a physical sensor providing a single differential pressure 420 value from the first and second pressure value 412, 414, or a pair of sensors to convert the first and second pressure value 412, 414 each to an electronic signal combined with a control element to calculate the differential pressure 420 by subtracting the first pressure value 412 from the second pressure value 414. The differential pressure 420 may be a modulated electric parameter (e.g. a voltage, a current, etc.), a datalink signal or a network signal (e.g. as a message structured for passing on a datalink), and/or as a digitized value stored on a computer readable medium.
The apparatus includes an electrical communicator that provides electronic information representative of the differential pressure and output from the electronic sensor(s) at the output port 102. The electrical communicator is disposed in the housing 118. An example electrical communicator includes a communication module 416 that provides the electronic information 422 as one or more modulated electric parameters to the output port 102, in parallel (e.g. utilizing separate pins for each parameter) and/or serially (e.g. provides a voltage output for a pin, synchronized in time or with a correlating signal such that communication is clear on which sensor value is presently communicated). Another example electrical communicator includes a communication module 416 that includes analog to digital conversion devices to convert the sensor inputs 402, 404, 406, 408, 410 and differential pressure 420 to digital parameters, and which passes the digital parameters as the electronic information 422 to the output port 102. The digital parameters may be values stored on a computer readable medium, and/or values passed as network or datalink messages.
In certain embodiments, some of the sensor inputs 402, 404, 406, 408, 410 and differential pressure 420 may be passed to the output port 102 as digital messages and other sensor inputs 402, 404, 406, 408, 410 and/or the differential pressure 420 may be provided as electric parameters at the output port 102. The communication module 416 may be implemented in hardware or software, and may include non-transitory computer code stored on a computer readable medium, where a controller (not shown) executes instructions to perform the functions of the communication module 420 in response to executing the computer code.
The schematic flow diagrams of FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate techniques for providing a sensor connection integration device for an aftertreatment system. Operations illustrated are understood to be exemplary only, and operations may be combined or divided, and added or removed, as well as re-ordered in whole or part, unless stated explicitly to the contrary herein.
FIG. 6 is a schematic flow diagram of a technique 600 for providing an integrated sensor connection device. The technique 600 includes an operation 602 to mount a housing on an aftertreatment component, and an operation 604 to operationally coupling an electronic sensor to an exhaust flowpath. The technique 600 further includes an operation 606 to electrically couple a first input port of the housing to the electronic sensor. The technique 600 further includes an operation 608 to fluidly couple a second input port of the housing to the exhaust flowpath at a position upstream of a particulate filter, and an operation 610 to fluidly couple a third input port of the housing to the exhaust flowpath at a position downstream of the particulate filter.
The technique 600 further includes an operation 612 to provide a differential pressure sensor that determines a differential pressure (ΔP) in response to a first pressure at the second input port and a second pressure at the third input port. The technique 600 includes an operation 614 to provide a communication means for providing electronic information representative of the differential pressure and the output from the electronic sensor at the output port, wherein the communication means is disposed in the housing. The technique 600 further includes an operation 616 to electronically couple an external controller to the output port, where the electronically coupling includes connecting the output port to an original equipment manufacturer wiring harness. The electronic information representative of the differential pressure and the output from the electronic sensor includes a modulated electric parameter, a datalink signal, and/or a network signal.
FIG. 7 is a schematic flow diagram of a technique 700 for providing electronic information representative of a differential pressure and an output from an electronic sensor. The technique 700 includes an operation 702 to provide an internal combustion engine having a exhaust flow that passes to an aftertreatment system including a number of aftertreatment components. The technique 700 further includes an operation 704 to mount a housing on one of the aftertreatment components, an operation 706 to provide a temperature signal to a first input port of the housing, an operation 708 to provide a first pressure value to a second port of the housing, and an operation 710 to provide a second pressure value to a third input port of the housing. The technique 700 further includes an operation 712 to determine a differential pressure in response to the first pressure value and the second pressure value, and an operation 714 to provide electronic information representative of a differential pressure and an output from an electronic sensor to an output port of the housing.
As is evident from the figures and text presented above, a variety of embodiments according to the present invention are contemplated.
One exemplary embodiment is an article of manufacture including a housing having a first input port, a second input port, a third input port, and an output port, an electronic sensor operationally coupled to an exhaust flowpath, an electrical conduit structured to electrically couple the electronic sensor to the first input port, a first fluid conduit fluidly open to the second input port at a first end and fluidly open to the exhaust flowpath at a position upstream of a particulate filter at a second end, a second fluid conduit fluidly open to the third input port at a first end and fluidly open to the exhaust flowpath at a position downstream of the particulate filter at a second end, a differential pressure sensor structured to determine a differential pressure in response to a first pressure at the second input port and a second pressure at the third input port, and a communication means for providing electronic information representative of the differential pressure and output from the electronic sensor at the output port, wherein the communication means is disposed in the housing.
The electronic sensor is a thermistor, an oxygen sensor, a NO_xsensor, a mass airflow sensor, or a pressure sensor. The housing is mounted on an aftertreatment component. In a further embodiment, the aftertreatment component includes an oxidation catalyst, the particulate filter, a NOx adsorber, a three-way catalyst, a four-way catalyst, a selective reduction catalyst, and/or a lean NOx reduction catalyst. In an exemplary embodiment, the housing is mounted on a metal plate interposed between the housing and the aftertreatment component. In certain embodiments, the housing is further mounted on a support interposed between the housing and the aftertreatment component, where the support provides a gap between the housing and the aftertreatment component. In further embodiments, the gap includes is a gap of at least 30 millimeters and/or a gap such that, when the aftertreatment component is at a rated temperature, a temperature of the housing does not exceed 125° C.
The electronic information representative of the differential pressure and output from the electronic sensor includes a modulated electric parameter, a datalink signal, and/or a network signal. In certain embodiments, the housing includes only one output port.
Another exemplary embodiment is a method including mounting a housing on an aftertreatment component, operationally coupling an electronic sensor to an exhaust flowpath, and electrically coupling a first input port of the housing to the electronic sensor. The method further includes fluidly coupling a second input port of the housing to the exhaust flowpath at a position upstream of a particulate filter, fluidly coupling a third input port of the housing to the exhaust flowpath at a position downstream of the particulate filter, and providing a differential pressure sensor that determines a differential pressure in response to a first pressure at the second input port and a second pressure at the third input port. The method further includes providing a communication means for providing electronic information representative of the differential pressure and the output from the electronic sensor at the output port, wherein the communication means is disposed in the housing. The housing includes a plurality of input ports and an output port. The aftertreatment component is disposed in the exhaust flowpath.
In a further embodiment, the aftertreatment component includes a NOx reduction catalyst and/or an oxidation catalyst. In certain embodiments, the particulate filter is disposed in a second aftertreatment component. The method further includes electronically coupling an external controller to the output port, where the electronically coupling includes connecting the output port to an original equipment manufacturer wiring harness. The electronic information representative of the differential pressure and the output from the electronic sensor includes a modulated electric parameter, a datalink signal, and/or a network signal.
Yet another exemplary embodiment is a system including an exhaust flowpath fluidly coupled to an internal combustion engine, a first aftertreatment component disposed in the exhaust flowpath, the first aftertreatment component including a first oxidation catalyst upstream of a particulate filter, a second aftertreatment component disposed in the exhaust flowpath, the second aftertreatment component including a NOx reduction catalyst upstream of a second oxidation catalyst, and a housing mounted on one of the first aftertreatment component and the second aftertreatment component, the housing having an output port and a plurality of input ports. The system further includes a first temperature sensor operationally coupled to the exhaust flowpath at a position upstream of the first oxidation catalyst, and a first electrical conduit that electrically couples the first temperature sensor to a first input port of the housing. The system further includes a first fluid conduit fluidly open to a second input port of the housing at a first end and fluidly open to the exhaust flowpath at a position upstream of the particulate filter at a second end. The system further includes a second fluid conduit fluidly open to a third input port of the housing at a first end and fluidly open to the exhaust flowpath at a position downstream of the particulate filter at a second end, and a differential pressure sensor that determines a differential pressure in response to a first pressure at the second input port and a second pressure at the third input port.
The system further includes a second temperature sensor operationally coupled to the exhaust flowpath at a position downstream of the first oxidation catalyst and upstream of the particulate filter, and a second electrical conduit that electrically couples the second temperature sensor to a fourth input port of the housing. The system further includes a third temperature sensor operationally coupled to the exhaust flowpath at a position downstream of the particulate filter, and a third electrical conduit that electrically couples the third temperature sensor to a fifth input port of the housing. The system further includes a fourth temperature sensor operationally coupled to the exhaust flowpath at a position upstream of the NOx reduction catalyst, and a fourth electrical conduit that electrically couples the fourth temperature sensor to a sixth input port of the housing. The system further includes a fifth temperature sensor operationally coupled to the exhaust flowpath at a position downstream of the second oxidation catalyst, and a fifth electrical conduit that electrically couples the fifth temperature sensor to a seventh input port of the housing. The system further includes communication means for providing electronic information representative of the differential pressure and output from each of the temperature sensors at the output port of the housing, wherein the communication means is disposed in the housing. The electronic information representative of the differential pressure and output from the electronic sensor includes a modulated electric parameter, a datalink signal, and/or a network signal
The housing is mounted on one of: a metal plate interposed between the housing and the one of the first aftertreatment component and the second aftertreatment component, and a support interposed between the housing and the one of the first aftertreatment component and the second aftertreatment component. The support is structured to provide a gap between the housing and the aftertreatment component, where the gap is a gap such that, when the first aftertreatment component or the second aftertreatment component is at a rated temperature, a temperature of the housing does not exceed 125° C.
Another exemplary embodiment is a method including providing an internal combustion engine fluidly coupled to an exhaust flowpath, mounting a housing on an aftertreatment component disposed in the exhaust flowpath, and providing a temperature signal from a temperature sensor operationally coupled to the exhaust flowpath to a first input port of the housing. The housing includes an output port and a plurality of input ports.
The method further includes providing a first pressure value to a second input port of the housing, the first pressure value including a value representative of a pressure of the exhaust flowpath at a position upstream of a particulate filter. The method further includes providing a second pressure value to a third input port of the housing, the second pressure value including a value representative of a pressure of the exhaust flowpath at a position downstream of the particulate filter. The method further includes determining a differential pressure in response to the first pressure value and the second pressure value, and providing electronic information representative of the differential pressure and the temperature signal to the output port of the housing.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only certain exemplary embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions are desired to be protected. It should be understood that while the use of words such as preferable, preferably, preferred or more preferred utilized in the description above indicate that the feature so described may be more desirable, it nonetheless may not be necessary and embodiments lacking the same may be contemplated as within the scope of the invention, the scope being defined by the claims that follow. In reading the claims, it is intended that when words such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” or “at least one portion” are used there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. When the language “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” is used the item can include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary.

Claims

1. An article of manufacture, comprising:

a housing having a first input port, a second input port, a third input port, and an output port;

an electronic sensor operationally coupled to an exhaust flowpath;

an electrical conduit structured to electrically couple the electronic sensor to the first input port;

a first fluid conduit fluidly open to the second input port at a first end and fluidly open to the exhaust flowpath at a position upstream of a particulate filter at a second end;

a second fluid conduit fluidly open to the third input port at a first end and fluidly open to the exhaust flowpath at a position downstream of the particulate filter at a second end;

a differential pressure sensor structured to determine a differential pressure in response to a first pressure at the second input port and a second pressure at the third input port; and

an electrical communicator structured to provide electronic information representative of the differential pressure and output from the electronic sensor at the output port, wherein the electrical communicator is disposed in the housing.

2. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein the electronic sensor comprises a sensor selected from the sensors consisting of: a thermistor, an oxygen sensor, a NO_xsensor, a mass airflow sensor, and a pressure sensor.

3. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein the housing is mounted on an aftertreatment component.

4. The article of manufacture of claim 3, wherein the aftertreatment component comprises at least one component selected from the components consisting of: an oxidation catalyst, the particulate filter, a NOx adsorber, a three-way catalyst, a four-way catalyst, a selective reduction catalyst, a lean NOx reduction catalyst.

5. The article of manufacture of claim 3, wherein the housing is further mounted on a metal plate interposed between the housing and the aftertreatment component.

6. The article of manufacture of claim 5, wherein the housing is further mounted on a support interposed between the housing and the aftertreatment component, wherein the support is structured to provide a gap between the housing and the aftertreatment component.

7. The article of manufacture of claim 6, wherein the gap comprises at least 30 millimeters.

8. The article of manufacture of claim 6, wherein the gap comprises a gap such that, when the aftertreatment component is at a rated temperature, a temperature of the housing does not exceed 125° C.

9. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein the electronic information representative of the differential pressure and output from the electronic sensor comprises at least one information element selected from the information elements consisting of: a modulated electric parameter, a datalink signal, and a network signal.

10. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein the housing has only one output port.

11. A method, comprising:

mounting a housing on an aftertreatment component, the housing comprising a plurality of input ports and an output port;

operationally coupling an electronic sensor to an exhaust flowpath, wherein the aftertreatment component is disposed in the exhaust flowpath;

electrically coupling a first input port of the housing to the electronic sensor;

fluidly coupling a second input port of the housing to the exhaust flowpath at a position upstream of a particulate filter;

fluidly coupling a third input port of the housing to the exhaust flowpath at a position downstream of the particulate filter;

providing a differential pressure sensor structured to determine a differential pressure in response to a first pressure at the second input port and a second pressure at the third input port; and

providing a communication means for providing electronic information representative of the differential pressure and the output from the electronic sensor at the output port, wherein the communication means is disposed in the housing.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the aftertreatment component comprises a NOx reduction catalyst and an oxidation catalyst.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the particulate filter is disposed in a second aftertreatment component.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising electronically coupling an external controller to the output port.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the electronically coupling comprises connecting the output port to an original equipment manufacturer wiring harness.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the electronic information representative of the differential pressure and the output from the electronic sensor comprises at least one information element selected from the information elements consisting of: a modulated electric parameter, a datalink signal, and a network signal.

17. A system, comprising:

an exhaust flowpath fluidly coupled to an internal combustion engine;

a first aftertreatment component disposed in the exhaust flowpath, the first aftertreatment component comprising a first oxidation catalyst upstream of a particulate filter;

a second aftertreatment component disposed in the exhaust flowpath, the second aftertreatment component comprising a NO_xreduction catalyst upstream of a second oxidation catalyst;

a housing mounted on one of the first aftertreatment component and the second aftertreatment component, the housing having an output port and a plurality of input ports;

a first temperature sensor operationally coupled to the exhaust flowpath at a position upstream of the first oxidation catalyst, and a first electrical conduit that electrically couples the first temperature sensor to a first input port of the housing;

a first fluid conduit fluidly open to a second input port of the housing at a first end and fluidly open to the exhaust flowpath at a position upstream of the particulate filter at a second end;

a second fluid conduit fluidly open to a third input port of the housing at a first end and fluidly open to the exhaust flowpath at a position downstream of the particulate filter at a second end;

a differential pressure sensor structured to determine a differential pressure in response to a first pressure at the second input port and a second pressure at the third input port;

a second temperature sensor operationally coupled to the exhaust flowpath at a position downstream of the first oxidation catalyst and upstream of the particulate filter, and a second electrical conduit that electrically couples the second temperature sensor to a fourth input port of the housing;

a third temperature sensor operationally coupled to the exhaust flowpath at a position downstream of the particulate filter, and a third electrical conduit that electrically couples the third temperature sensor to a fifth input port of the housing;

a fourth temperature sensor operationally coupled to the exhaust flowpath at a position upstream of the NOx reduction catalyst, and a fourth electrical conduit that electrically couples the fourth temperature sensor to a sixth input port of the housing;

a fifth temperature sensor operationally coupled to the exhaust flowpath at a position downstream of the second oxidation catalyst, and a fifth electrical conduit that electrically couples the fifth temperature sensor to a seventh input port of the housing; and

an electrical communicator structured to provide electronic information representative of the differential pressure and output from each of the temperature sensors at the output port of the housing, wherein the electrical communicator is disposed in the housing.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the housing is further mounted a metal plate interposed between the housing and the one of the first aftertreatment component and the second aftertreatment component.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the housing is further mounted on a support interposed between the housing and the one of the first aftertreatment component and the second aftertreatment component, wherein the support is structured to provide a gap between the housing and the one of the first aftertreatment component and the second aftertreatment component, wherein the gap comprises a gap such that, when the one of the first aftertreatment component and the second aftertreatment component is at a rated temperature, a temperature of the housing does not exceed 125° C.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the housing is further mounted on a support interposed between the housing and the one of the first aftertreatment component and the second aftertreatment component, wherein the support is structured to provide a gap between the housing and the one of the first aftertreatment component and the second aftertreatment component, wherein the gap comprises at least 30 mm.

21. The system of claim 17, wherein the electronic information representative of the differential pressure and output from each of the temperature sensors comprises at least one information element selected from the information elements consisting of: a modulated electric parameter, a datalink signal, and a network signal.

22. A method, comprising:

providing an internal combustion engine fluidly coupled to an exhaust flowpath;

mounting a housing on an aftertreatment component disposed in the exhaust flowpath, the housing having an output port and a plurality of input ports;

providing a temperature signal from a temperature sensor operationally coupled to the exhaust flowpath to a first input port of the housing;

providing a first pressure value to a second input port of the housing, the first pressure value comprising a value representative of a pressure of the exhaust flowpath at a position upstream of a particulate filter;

providing a second pressure value to a third input port of the housing, the second pressure value comprising a value representative of a pressure of the exhaust flowpath at a position downstream of the particulate filter;

determining a differential pressure in response to the first pressure value and the second pressure value; and

providing electronic information representative of the differential pressure and the temperature signal to the output port of the housing.

23. A system, comprising:

an exhaust flowpath fluidly coupled to an internal combustion engine;

communication means for providing electronic information representative of the differential pressure and output from the electronic sensor at the output port, wherein the communication means is disposed in the housing.

24. The system of claim 23, further comprising an engine control module structured to control operations of the internal combustion engine, wherein the engine control module is communicatively coupled to the output port.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the engine control module is communicatively coupled to the output port by one of electrical coupling and datalink coupling.