A control device comprising a first exhaust temperature calculation part calculating a temperature of exhaust flowing into a PM trapping device as a first exhaust temperature, a second exhaust temperature calculation part calculating a temperature of exhaust flowing out from the PM trapping device as a second exhaust temperature, a rate of change over time calculation part calculating a rate of change over time of the first exhaust temperature and a rate of change over time of the second exhaust temperature, and a judgment part judging if the PM trapping device is in a removed state removed from the exhaust passage based on a difference between the rate of change over time of the first exhaust temperature and the rate of change over time of the second exhaust temperature.

A control device comprising a first exhaust temperature calculation part calculating a temperature of exhaust flowing into a PM trapping device as a first exhaust temperature, a second exhaust temperature calculation part calculating a temperature of exhaust flowing out from the PM trapping device as a second exhaust temperature, a rate of change over time calculation part calculating a rate of change over time of the first exhaust temperature and a rate of change over time of the second exhaust temperature, and a judgment part judging if the PM trapping device is in a removed state removed from the exhaust passage based on a difference between the rate of change over time of the first exhaust temperature and the rate of change over time of the second exhaust temperature.

A tethered device for prevention and recovery of a vehicle component (e.g., a catalytic converter) is provided herein. The tethered device comprises a housing having an exterior surface and defining an interior cavity. The tethered device further comprises an electronic component disposed within the interior cavity. The tethered device further comprises a plurality of spacers extending from the exterior surface and configured to be adjacent to the vehicle component. The plurality of spacers defines a channel configured to promote airflow between the tethered device and the vehicle component thereby minimizing heat transfer between the tethered device and the vehicle component.

The invention is an anti-theft covering system that can surround an object and make cutting that object inefficient and time consuming. Using flexible, durable, high-heat resistant outer covering and hardened, stranded, metal cabling segments, oriented parallel to one another, and inside the outer covering, the invention makes cutting through it and whatever it covers both inefficient and time consuming.

A system and method for deterring catalytic converter theft are described. A variety of devices are described which can be installed as needed on the underside of a vehicle as part of a system to prevent easy access to the points where a catalytic converter is connected to the vehicle, thus deterring theft, or to prevent a catalytic converter from being removed from the vehicle after being disconnected from the exhaust system. The method comprises installing said devices to prevent this access. The devices may be installed separately or combined to protect multiple catalytic converters as needed and as dictated by the particular design of the exhaust system of a particular vehicle.

A theft barrier assembly includes a plurality of panels. Each panel is pivotally disposed on a bottom side of a vehicle. Each of the panels is positionable in a deployed position to inhibit a person from sliding beneath the vehicle. Each of the panels is positionable in a stored position to facilitate normal operation of the vehicle. Each of a pair of actuating units is movably disposed on the bottom of the vehicle and each of the actuating units urges respective panels into the deployed position and the stored position. A receiver is integrated into the vehicle and the receiver is in electrical communication with each of the actuating units. A remote control is in remote communication with the receiver for remotely controlling the actuating units.

A theft barrier assembly includes a plurality of panels. Each panel is pivotally disposed on a bottom side of a vehicle. Each of the panels is positionable in a deployed position to inhibit a person from sliding beneath the vehicle. Each of the panels is positionable in a stored position to facilitate normal operation of the vehicle. Each of a pair of actuating units is movably disposed on the bottom of the vehicle and each of the actuating units urges respective panels into the deployed position and the stored position. A receiver is integrated into the vehicle and the receiver is in electrical communication with each of the actuating units. A remote control is in remote communication with the receiver for remotely controlling the actuating units.

An exhaust gas control apparatus removal determination device that performs an exhaust gas control apparatus removal determination processing based on a change in temperature of exhaust gas flowing into an exhaust gas control apparatus provided in an exhaust path of an engine and a change in temperature of exhaust gas flowing out. The controller determines whether the first state in which the difference between the measured value and the estimated value of the engine output is greater than or equal to a predetermined value continues for a predetermined time or longer, and determines that the engine output is in the first state. If it is determined, execution of the removal determination processing is prohibited.

An apparatus for protecting a component of an exhaust system using a hinged clamp. The clamp has grouped links that are joined by hinge pins that fit within apertures in the links and the grouped links are movable relative to each other about the hinges. A closer that draws the ends of selected links together is also disclosed.

An exhaust gas control apparatus removal determination device that performs an exhaust gas control apparatus removal determination processing based on a change in temperature of exhaust gas flowing into an exhaust gas control apparatus provided in an exhaust path of an engine and a change in temperature of exhaust gas flowing out. The controller determines whether the first state in which the difference between the measured value and the estimated value of the engine output is greater than or equal to a predetermined value continues for a predetermined time or longer, and determines that the engine output is in the first state. If it is determined, execution of the removal determination processing is prohibited.