Positive connection indicator (visual or sound)

Abstract

A reductant storage and dosing system which uses at least one canister containing a supply of reductant to supply, via a delivery line, an exhaust gas after-treatment system having an injector is disclosed. A controller may be used to meter the flow of the reductant through the delivery line to the injector, while a status indicator indicates a status of the connection—i.e., connected or disconnected. In an embodiment, the status indicator provides a visual signal or indication, such as an LED or series of LEDs, an audible signal, such as a beep, click or buzz, or both. Iternatively, the status indicator may be an analog or digital gauge.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A reductant delivery system comprising:
 at least one canister containing a supply of reductant;   an exhaust gas after-treatment system having an injector;   a delivery line connected at one end to the injector and at another end detachably coupled by a coupler to the at least one canister;   a controller for metering flow of reductant through the delivery line to the injector; and   a status indicator for indicating a connection status of the coupler to the at least one canister.   
     
     
         2 . The reductant delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the reductant is ammonia. 
     
     
         3 . The reductant delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the status indicator comprises a visual indicator. 
     
     
         4 . The reductant delivery system of  claim 3 , wherein the visual indicator comprises an LED. 
     
     
         5 . The reductant delivery system of  claim 3 , wherein the visual indicator comprises a series of LEDs. 
     
     
         6 . The reductant delivery system of  claim 3 , wherein the visual indicator comprises an analog display. 
     
     
         7 . The reductant delivery system of  claim 3 , wherein the visual indicator comprises a digital display. 
     
     
         8 . The reductant delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the status indicator signals when the coupler is disconnected from the at least one canister. 
     
     
         9 . The reductant delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the status indicator signals when the coupler is connected to the at least one canister. 
     
     
         10 . The reductant delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the status indicator is an audible signal. 
     
     
         11 . The reductant delivery system of  claim 10 , wherein the audible signal is a mechanical click. 
     
     
         12 . A method for verifying a proper connection between an ammonia canister and a coupler attached to a feed line for a delivery system, the method comprising the steps of:
 positioning an ammonia canister for connection to a coupler fixed to an ammonia feed line;   setting a mechanism to activate upon a proper connection between the ammonia canister and the coupler;   connecting the coupler to the ammonia canister; and   determining whether the mechanism has been activated.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the steps of:
 disconnecting the coupler from the ammonia canister if the mechanism did not activate;   reconnecting the coupler to the ammonia canister;   determining whether the mechanism has been activated;   repeating the disconnecting, reconnecting and determining steps until the mechanism activates.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the mechanism is an annunciator. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the annunciator emits a visual signal. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the annunciator emits an audible signal. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the mechanism is electronic.