Having Sensor Or Indicator Of Malfunction, Unsafeness, Or Disarray Of Treater (e.g., Fusible Link, Etc.) Patents (Class 60/277)
  • Patent number: 8499545
    Abstract: In an operating and diagnostic method for an SCR exhaust gas aftertreatment system which has an SCR catalytic converter with ammonia storage capacity, a signal of an exhaust gas sensor that is sensitive to nitrogen oxide and ammonia and is arranged downstream of the SCR catalytic converter, is measured. In a normal operating mode, ammonia is supplied to the SCR catalytic converter corresponding to a filling level model for ammonia stored in the SCR catalytic converter, in such a way that the ammonia filling level of the SCR catalytic converter is held at least approximately at a predefinable nominal value (or value range). The normal operating mode is interrupted if an exhaust gas sensor signal that exceeds a predefinable first limit value, is registered, and the set urea dosing rate is increased by a predefinable degree in relation to the value provided in the normal operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Michael-Rainer Busch, Dirk Herbstritt, Uwe Hofmann
  • Patent number: 8495861
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a technology that enables detection of a fault of a PM trapper with improved accuracy. In the present invention, a pressure sensor 20 that measures a differential pressure across a PM trapper 11 is provided, and a fault of a PM trapper is determined based on an amount of change in the differential pressure across the PM trapper 11 between two different operation states of an internal combustion engine 1 in which the ambient temperature around the pressure sensor 20 falls within a specific temperature range. Since variations in the offset error of the differential pressure sensor 20 caused by changes in the ambient temperature around the differential pressure sensor 20 is made small, the amount of change in the differential pressure across the PM trapper 11 can be measured more accurately, and a fault of the PM trapper 11 can be detected with improved accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisuke Shibata, Hiroshi Sawada, Keisuke Fukuoka
  • Patent number: 8495862
    Abstract: A control system for a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system includes a conversion efficiency determination module, an ammonia slip determination module, and a diagnostic module. The conversion efficiency determination module determines a conversion efficiency of an SCR catalyst. The ammonia slip determination module determines an amount of ammonia slip across the SCR catalyst when the conversion efficiency is less than a predetermined threshold. The diagnostic module determines pass/fail statuses of a reductant supply and the SCR catalyst based on the amount of ammonia slip and at least one ammonia slip threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Inventors: Stephen Paul Levijoki, Yue-Yun Wang, Brett B. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20130186073
    Abstract: A recovery control system that allows a dosing valve to recover from a malfunction to a normal state, or a liquid feed line through which urea solution is fed to recover from clogging to a normal state. An abnormality detector detects an abnormality of the dosing valve and a recovery controller controls a supply module to feed urea solution in the dosing valve back to an urea tank when the abnormality detector detects the abnormality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventors: Takao Onodera, Takuro Iwashita, Masanobu Minezawa
  • Patent number: 8490383
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an exhaust system for an internal combustion engine that provides diesel particulate filter (DPF) failure detection and/or monitoring of nonmethane hydrocarbons (NMHC) for an internal combustion engine. The system can include a main exhaust duct and a secondary exhaust line operative for exhaust gas to pass therethrough. The system has an oxidation catalyst and a main particulate filter located in line with the main exhaust duct. A monitoring particulate filter is also included and located within the secondary exhaust line. The secondary exhaust line and the monitoring particulate filter are located downstream from the main particulate filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: FEV GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Laermann, Marek Tatur, Harsha Nanjundaswamy, Dean Tomazic
  • Patent number: 8490385
    Abstract: A catalyst deterioration diagnosis system performs a diagnosis of deterioration of the oxidation catalyst based on a high-temperature-inflow-condition exhaust gas temperature and a low-temperature-inflow-condition exhaust gas temperature. The high-temperature-inflow-condition exhaust gas temperature is a temperature detected by a temperature sensor while the temperature of the exhaust gas that flows into the oxidation catalyst is in a high temperature region H while the reducing agent is supplied from the reducing agent supply means into the exhaust gas that flows into the oxidation catalyst. The low-temperature-inflow-condition exhaust gas temperature is a temperature detected by the temperature sensor while the temperature of the exhaust gas that flows into the oxidation catalyst is in a low temperature region L while the reducing agent is supplied from a reducing agent supply means into the exhaust gas that flows into the oxidation catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Miyoshi, Hiroshi Sawada, Daisuke Shibata
  • Patent number: 8490386
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for detecting abnormality in a reducing agent replenished into a reducing agent tank in an exhaust emission control device for reduction and removal of NOx through addition of the reducing agent from the tank to a selective reduction catalyst incorporated in an exhaust pipe. Replenishment of the reducing agent to the tank is detected to wait elapse of a removal-rate stabilization period, i.e., a period from the detected replenishment to stabilization of the NOx removal rate. It is determined that a dilute reducing agent or/and a different material are replenished into the tank if an abnormal lowering of a measured NOx removal rate is detected during a determination period after the removal-rate stabilization period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Hino Motors, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hironori Narita
  • Patent number: 8490384
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for correcting a model for determining the amount of reducing agent to inject for the selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides contained in exhaust gases, which includes the following steps: determining an amount of reducing agent to inject based on the amount of nitrogen oxides emitted and an initial mathematical model; determining, by taking a measurement from the catalyst of the amount and/or nature of the gas, whether or not the reducing reaction is carried out under correct conditions; if an anomaly is detected, adjusting the amount of reducing agent to inject; and if the use of said method leads to a number of repeated adjustments of the same nature greater than a predetermined value N: the mathematical model is corrected, and the initial mathematical model is replaced by the corrected model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventor: Christophe Charial
  • Publication number: 20130180229
    Abstract: A method of detecting a thermal event is provided that relies not only on monitored exhaust temperatures, but also on temperature gradients propagating in the direction of exhaust flow. Specifically, the method of detecting a thermal event in a vehicle exhaust system includes monitoring at least one operating parameter at multiple locations spaced in exhaust flow of the vehicle exhaust system. The method then includes initiating a protective action if the monitoring indicates that at least one respective predetermined temperature requirement and a respective predetermined temperature gradient requirement are exceeded at two of the multiple temperature sensor locations within a predetermined time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Radke, Vincent J. Tylutki, Janean E. Kowalkowski
  • Patent number: 8489270
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and corresponding device for diagnosing the dynamics of an exhaust gas sensor, which is disposed in an exhaust gas duct of an internal combustion engine in the direction of flow of the exhaust gas upstream or downstream of a catalytic converter and with which the air/fuel ratio of the gas mixture supplied to the internal combustion engine is controlled via a control circuit. During diagnosis, provision is made for at least one actuator intervention to be specified by means of a control algorithm of a diagnostic controller specifically m the direction of an asymmetric behavior, which is achieved by an extension of one of the two ramps, until the actuator intervention is compensated by an asymmetric dynamic error of the exhaust gas sensor, a reaction to said actuator intervention being used as criterion for assessing an asymmetric dynamic error of said exhaust gas sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Kersten Wehmeier, Michael Pfeil, Siyun Chu, Albrecht Clement
  • Patent number: 8484946
    Abstract: An exhaust gas catalytic converter is laden with oxygen until it is saturated at least upstream of an exhaust gas probe. A predefined first rich air/fuel ration is set in a combustion chamber of a cylinder. A first oxygen storage capacity value is determined as a function of the measurement signal of an exhaust gas probe and the predefined first rich air/fuel ratio. The exhaust gas catalytic converter is laden with oxygen until it is saturated. A predefined second rich air/fuel ration is set in the combustion chamber of the cylinder. A second oxygen storage capacity value is determined as a function of the measurement signal of the exhaust gas probe and the predefined second rich air/fuel ration. A corrected oxygen storage capacity value is determined as a function of the first and second oxygen storage capacity values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Tino Arlt, Gerd Rösel
  • Publication number: 20130167507
    Abstract: In a diesel engine equipped with a system for automatic regeneration of a particulate filter, an automatic regeneration mode is inhibited in the case where there is recorded a number higher than a pre-set threshold of unfavorable event. When the automatic regeneration mode is inhibited, an on-demand regeneration mode is simultaneously enabled, which can be activated manually by the driver. If an on-demand regeneration is not performed before the vehicle has covered a certain mileage since the automatic regeneration mode was inhibited, the vehicle is set in a condition of limited performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicants: FPT INDUSTRIAL S.P.A., FIAT POWERTRAIN TECHNOLOGIES S.P.A.
    Inventors: FIAT POWERTRAIN TECHNOLOGIES S.P.A., FPT INDUSTRIAL S.P.A.
  • Patent number: 8474242
    Abstract: A method and system for improving sensor accuracy of diesel emissions is disclosed. The method and system change the sensor reading as a function of sensor age to provide a more accurate measure of the diesel emissions. By estimating the degree of sensor error and then providing a gain correction factor as a function of sensor age, a more accurate measure of the diesel emissions is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Eric B. Andrews, Matthew L. Schneider
  • Patent number: 8475753
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an exhaust-gas aftertreatment system which comprises a preferably catalytically active particle filter (wall-flow filter) which is followed in turn by a throughflow monolith (flow-through monolith) which is preferably provided with a catalytically active function. Both components have the same storage functions for gaseous substances present in the exhaust gas of internal combustion engines. The system is suitable in particular for the simultaneous removal of particles and pollutants from the exhaust gas of both predominantly lean-operated internal combustion engines and also of internal combustion engines operated predominantly with a stoichiometric air/fuel mixture. Likewise described is a process for the production and the use of such a system for exhaust-gas aftertreatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stephan Eckhoff, Wilfried Mueller, Joerg-Michael Richter, Stefan Franoschek, Martin Votsmeier
  • Patent number: 8478473
    Abstract: A method and systems for controlling an engine are provided. The system includes an engine model programmed to receive engine operating condition values from a plurality of sensors on an engine. The engine model is programmed to determine a plurality of engine operating parameter values. The system also includes a processor configured to compare the operating parameter values to a predetermined allowable range for the operating parameter and control the operation of the engine to facilitate returning the determined operating parameter to the allowable range or maintaining the determined operating parameter within the allowable range, output the determined operating parameter values to a user, and/or generate maintenance requests based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Sridhar Adibhatla
  • Patent number: 8470070
    Abstract: Detecting ash in a diesel particulate filter includes receiving data indicative of signal attenuation for ash-responsive and ash-insensitive RF signals transmitted through a diesel particulate filter containing trapped soot and ash. A difference between the RF signals, such as a difference in signal attenuation, may be leveraged to detect a relative ash loading state or a change in relative ash loading state of the diesel particulate filter, and responsively indicate that filter cleaning is needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Vadiraj P. Kulkarni, Matthew E. Leustek, Sara K. Michels, Rajesh N. Nair, Michael A. Snopko, Andrew A. Knitt
  • Patent number: 8468798
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the lambda control of an internal combustion engine with exhaust catalyst, having a lambda probe mounted downstream from the exhaust catalyst as control probe, a probe by means of which a post-catalyst lambda value of an exhaust gas flow leaving the exhaust catalyst is registered. Furthermore, a lambda control mechanism is provided by means of which the post-catalyst lambda value is set to a predetermined value such that a specific, predetermined degree of oxygen charging of an oxygen reservoir of the exhaust catalyst is set, the value predetermined for the degree of charging with oxygen of the oxygen reservoir being predetermined as a function of a predetermined degree of conversion of the exhaust catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventor: Bodo Odendall
  • Patent number: 8468799
    Abstract: The invention concerns a procedure and a device for controlling an air supply system of a combustion engine with an exhaust gas system and an exhaust gas purification system with a particle filter in the exhaust gas system, whereby a boost pressure of an air supply current is controlled or can be controlled in the air supply system over a combustion air supply duct with the aid if a throttle valve and/or an exhaust gas recirculation between the exhaust gas system and the combustion air supply duct. Regarding the procedure it is provided according to the invention, that the air supply current is determined directly before or during a regeneration of the particle filter by different means with the aid of signals from measuring devices that are arranged in the air supply system and/or sensors that are arranged in the exhaust gas system and that the results are compared to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Post, Oliver Zink, Andreas Nagel
  • Publication number: 20130152546
    Abstract: Detecting particulate matter in an exhaust filter includes receiving data indicative of a time delay between transmission and reception of electromagnetic energy propagated through trapped particulate matter, and outputting a signal indicative of an amount of the trapped particulate matter responsive to the data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventor: Sergey Korenev
  • Patent number: 8464513
    Abstract: A system comprises a fuel system for delivering fuel to an engine for combustion and a reductant storage system for delivering reductant to the exhaust stream for an SCR catalyst for NOx reduction. The fuel system further comprises a water separator for separating water-based fluid from fuel in the fuel tank, and a separation reservoir to collect the separated water-based fluid. Based on readings of a water-in-fuel sensor positioned within the reservoir, a type of degradation (e.g., water build-up, high-water-content fuel, mis-filling of the reductant, etc.) may be determined and indicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Donald Cooper, Carlos Armesto, Dwayne Pollitt, Scott Szymusiak
  • Patent number: 8460625
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purification apparatus for an engine is provided with a filter arranged in an exhaust passage of the engine, and a regeneration control unit for regenerating the filter by burning the particulate matters accumulated in the filter. The control unit may include an over-accumulation state determination unit and a switch. The over-accumulation state determination unit determines over-accumulation of the particulate filter in the filter when the particulate matter is over-accumulated in the filter. The switch switches a regeneration temperature for regenerating the filter between a first regeneration temperature at which a normal regeneration is performed and a second regeneration temperature which is lower than the first regeneration temperature. The control unit is connectable to a command unit when the particular matter is over-accumulated in the filter, so that the switch is forcibly operated toward the second regeneration temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ko Takayanagi, Keisuke Okuda
  • Patent number: 8459004
    Abstract: An oxygen sensor bung of motor vehicle exhaust pipe comprises at least a base, a catalytic converter and a seal lid. The base has an external connection section at one end that contains a first chamber to hold the catalytic converter and is fastened by the seal lid. The external connection section has a first external thread on the surface to fasten to a holding seat of an exhaust pipe. The base has a second chamber on another end with a third internal screw hole formed inside to hold an oxygen sensor by fastening with a second external thread formed thereon. The catalytic converter includes a barrel type casing containing a beehive structure made of precious metal to increase exhaust gas process area. Therefore impurities in the exhaust gas can be reduced and timely replacement of the catalytic converter can be accomplished, and accurate detection of oxygen content can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Liang Fei Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chin-Chuan Chang
  • Patent number: 8459009
    Abstract: A method for controlling an SCR-exhaust gas after-treatment system (1) of an internal combustion engine (8), in particular of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, has one or more steps for determining the quality of the reducing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Tino Arlt, Peter Bauer, Joris Fokkelman, Ingo Koops
  • Patent number: 8459005
    Abstract: A method for diagnosing a particle filter arranged in the waste gas line of an internal combustion engine has the steps of: executing at least one fuel injection, measuring HC emission in the waste gas line in the direction of flow of the waste gas behind the particle filter, and diagnosing a defect of the particle filter based on the measured HC emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Hong Zhang
  • Publication number: 20130139490
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a method for determining an exhaust system condition includes determining if a reaction in an oxidation catalyst is performing acceptably based on a determined temperature of the exhaust gas flowing from the oxidation catalyst and determining a temperature of the exhaust gas flowing from a particulate filter. The method further includes determining a temperature of the exhaust gas flowing into the oxidation catalyst, determining an exhaust system condition based on a first difference between the temperature of the exhaust gas flowing from the particulate filter and the temperature of the exhaust gas flowing from the oxidation catalyst and a second absolute difference between the temperature of the exhaust gas flowing from the oxidation catalyst and the temperature of the exhaust gas flowing into the oxidation catalyst and communicating a signal to identify the determined exhaust system condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Vincent J. Tylutki, Janean E. Kowalkowski, Benjamin Radke
  • Patent number: 8448421
    Abstract: A device and process for storing hydrocarbons as part of an exhaust emission control system and diagnosing the state of said device based on the incorporation of reactive metal species within the porous microstructure of the associated hydrocarbon adsorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Owen Herman Bailey, Davion Onuga Clark, David Henry Moser
  • Patent number: 8443589
    Abstract: A diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) testing system includes a DOC that is located in an exhaust system of a vehicle. A control module verifies proper operation of the DOC during a post-fuel injection process in an engine of the vehicle. The control module computes a predicted temperature of exhaust gases at an output of the DOC that corresponds with proper operation of the DOC during the post-fuel injection process, determines an actual temperature of the exhaust gases during the post-fuel injection process, and activates an alarm indicator when a difference between the predicted temperature and the actual temperature is greater than a first predetermined value. A first temperature sensor is located downstream from the DOC in the exhaust system. The first temperature sensor communicates with the control module, generates the actual temperature, and transmits the actual temperature to the control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventors: Chuan He, Richard B. Jess, Jay Tolsma, John F. Van Gilder, Wenbo Wang
  • Patent number: 8438836
    Abstract: An abnormality determination apparatus for an electrically heated catalyst provided in a plug-in hybrid vehicle having a battery that is charged by connecting an external charging device to an external electric power supply is equipped with an abnormality determination portion that makes a determination on an abnormality in the electrically heated catalyst when the external charging device is connected to the external electric power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Watanabe, Atsushi Takara
  • Patent number: 8429902
    Abstract: A secondary air supply system includes a secondary air supply device that supplies secondary air to the upstream side of an exhaust emission control device installed in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, and an ECU that estimates the secondary air temperature, and estimates the exhaust gas temperature after supply of secondary air, based on the result of estimation. The ECU starts or inhibits supply of secondary air by the secondary air supply device, depending on the result of estimation of the exhaust gas temperature. It is thus possible to prevent discharge of unburned fuel components, by estimating the exhaust gas temperature after supply of secondary air in view of the secondary air temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinya Kondou
  • Patent number: 8429898
    Abstract: A dosing control system for a vehicle includes an adaption triggering module, a dosing management module, and an adaption ending module. The adaptation triggering module triggers performance of an adaptation event when a first amount of nitrogen oxides (NOx) measured by a first NOx sensor located downstream of a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst is greater than a predicted value of the first amount of NOx. The dosing management module disables dosing agent injection during the adaptation event. The adaptation ending module selectively delays ending the adaptation event after a predetermined number of phases of the adaption event have been completed based on a comparison of the first amount of NOx with a second amount of NOx measured by a second NOx sensor located upstream of the SCR catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Inventors: Rebecca J. Darr, James M. Perrin, Paul Jasinkiewicz, Jason Daniel Mullins, Kyle E. Crawford
  • Patent number: 8424294
    Abstract: Procedure for regenerating an exhaust gas after treatment system, especially a particle filter, of a combustion engine that is arranged in a motor vehicle, with regeneration cycles that are controlled by a control unit, whereby the control unit is provided with information data regarding the route and whereby the regeneration cycles are controlled with regard to the information data, is thereby characterized, in that the information data that regards the route contains driver specific information data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Sascha Schumacher, Manfred Kowalczyk, Martin Reichenecker, Aleksandar Lazarevic, Hermann Koch-Groeber, Benoit Budiscak, Maximilian Fischer, Danny Jaeger, Gertjan Kanters, Sabrina Elsa Schwarz, Rocco Gonzalez Vaz, Sven Poettker
  • Patent number: 8418439
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for controlling an engine in a vehicle during engine operation, the engine having an exhaust and a NOx sensor coupled in the engine exhaust, in response to an ambient temperature of the NOx sensor. One example method comprises, during warm-up of the NOx sensor and during cold engine starting, adjusting an engine operating condition in response to a NOx-indicative reading of the NOx sensor, the NOx-indicative reading being compensated for ambient temperature effects on the NOx sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Yi Ding
  • Patent number: 8418438
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying system for a diesel engine has an ECU, a passage of exhaust gas, a unit having SCR catalyst, a NOx sensor placed at a downstream side of the unit, and a urea water adding valve placed at an upstream side of the unit. The SCR catalyst in the unit selectively adsorbs ammonia, and selectively purifies NOx contained in an exhaust gas emitted from the diesel engine by the adsorbed ammonia. The ECU changes the urea water adding amount, and performs abnormality diagnosis based on the detection result of the NOx sensor while changing an adding amount of the urea water. The ECU uses a first condition to indicate the presence of an excess NOx amount in the exhaust gas, and a second condition to indicate there is no error cause by the ammonia adsorption on the SCR catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Shimomura, Masakazu Sakata, Masatoshi Maruyama, Kazuharu Tochikawa
  • Publication number: 20130086890
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purification system is provided with an exhaust gas purification device which is arranged in an exhaust gas route of a common rail type engine, and is structured such that a plurality of renewing modes which burn and remove a particulate matter deposited within the exhaust gas purification device is executed. One of the plurality of renewing modes is an initialization renewing (a forced renewing) mode which supplies a fuel into the exhaust gas purification device by a post injection regardless of a clogged state of the exhaust gas purification device, in the case that an accumulated drive time of the engine becomes equal to or more than a previously set time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventors: Yasuo Noma, Taichi Togashi
  • Patent number: 8413422
    Abstract: An oxidation catalyst fault diagnosis unit and fault diagnosis method. An oxidation catalyst fault diagnosis unit which performs fault diagnosis of an oxidation catalyst placed on the downstream side of the reduction catalyst, the oxidation catalyst fault diagnosis being equipped with a reducing agent dosage calculating portion that sets a dosage of the reducing agent such that a predetermined quantity of the ammonia flows out to the downstream side of the reduction catalyst, an oxidation efficiency calculating portion that obtains the efficiency with which the predetermined quantity of ammonia flowing out to the downstream side of the reduction catalyst is oxidized by the oxidation catalyst when the predetermined quantity of ammonia passes through the oxidation catalyst, and a fault determining portion that performs determination of whether or not the oxidation catalyst is faulty by comparing the oxidation efficiency with a predetermined reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Bosch Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Kasahara
  • Patent number: 8413421
    Abstract: Two different flows for air-fuel mixture are formed by two different variational amounts for changing the air-fuel ratio of the mixture. Response delay times for different exhaust gas flows are measured as time periods from a first time point at which the air-fuel ratio of the mixture is changed to a second time point at which an output of an oxygen sensor is changed. The oxygen sensor is provided in an exhaust pipe of an engine at a downstream side of an exhaust gas purifying catalyst. A difference between the two response delay times is compared with a predetermined threshold value to carry out the diagnosis for the catalyst deterioration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 8407986
    Abstract: In a method for operating a lambda sensor disposed in an exhaust gas system of an internal combustion engine,—the heating element is subjected to a predefined heating power substantially with the start of the engine;—during the heating process, the sensor signal is detected and compared to a threshold value specified for a lean and/or rich fuel/air mixture ratio, wherein the threshold value correlates with a sensor temperature, which is below the water ingestion critical temperature, and to a valid lambda signal,—when one of the specified threshold values is reached for the first time, a measured variable correlating with the sensor temperature is determined and the lambda signal is set as valid and forwarded, and—the determined measured variable correlating with the sensor temperature is transferred to a closed heating element control loop as a target value that corresponds to a target temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventor: Hermann Hahn
  • Patent number: 8407983
    Abstract: A deviation amount of a downstream air-fuel ratio sensed with a downstream air-fuel ratio sensor, which senses an air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas downstream of a catalyst, from a target air-fuel ratio is integrated during a period in which the downstream air-fuel ratio continuously shows deviations from the target air-fuel ratio while main feedback control and sub feedback control are performed based on outputs of an upstream air-fuel ratio sensor and the downstream air-fuel ratio sensor respectively. The thus-calculated continuous deviation amount of the downstream air-fuel ratio (deterioration degree of exhaust gas purification rate) is compared with an abnormality determination value to determine existence/nonexistence of an abnormal state where the exhaust gas purification rate is deteriorated by an air-fuel ratio variation among cylinders (i.e., state where control center of main feedback control has shifted).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuo Mukai
  • Publication number: 20130067893
    Abstract: In a method for determining a faulty exhaust gas recirculation line in an exhaust gas recirculation system of an internal combustion engine having multiple exhaust gas recirculation lines, a quantity of gas indicated by a specified exhaust gas recirculation rate is provided proportionately via the exhaust gas recirculation lines in accordance with an exhaust gas recirculation apportioning ratio, and the method further includes: testing in order to recognize an error in the exhaust gas recirculation system; when the error is recognized, performing a modification of the exhaust gas recirculation apportioning ratio and renewed testing of the exhaust gas recirculation system; and determination of the faulty exhaust gas recirculation line as a function of a result of the renewed testing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Daniel KUHN, Andras MONTVAY
  • Publication number: 20130061574
    Abstract: A selective catalytic reduction thawing control system that can distinguish between a thawing failure and a malfunction and can prevent a malfunction of a supply module (“SM”) pump. The thawing control system includes a thawing control unit that detects a pressure inside the supply module when the SM pump is operated, and stops the operation of the SM pump and continues thawing of urea water when the pressure is less than a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Masanobu Minezawa, Keiichi Iida, Gouichi Akahoshi
  • Publication number: 20130055700
    Abstract: A selective catalytic reduction system includes a urea aqueous solution tank to retain a urea aqueous solution to be injected into an exhaust pipe of an engine, a level sensor to detect a solution level height in the tank, a lowpass filter having a signal response characteristic in which a time constant is small when an engine rpm is low and the time constant is larger when the engine rpm is high, with respect to an output signal of the sensor, a remaining amount indicator to indicate a remaining amount of the solution based on an output signal of the sensor processed by the lowpass filter, and a unit to prohibit the engine from being started when the remaining amount of the solution is less than a lower limit value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Masanobu Minezawa, Koji Sakumoto, Tomoyuki Kamijyou
  • Patent number: 8387365
    Abstract: A device for controlling the operating state of a catalytic converter in the exhaust line of an internal combustion engine, including a mechanism for determining the temperature upstream and downstream of the converter, a mechanism for injecting fuel in the exhaust line of the engine, a mechanism for calibrating a temperature model on a measured operating temperature of the catalytic converter, and a mechanism for calculating the integral of the difference between the measured temperature and the modeled temperature downstream of the converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Nicolas Thouvenel, Nicolas Fabre, Baptiste Edeline
  • Patent number: 8387366
    Abstract: A reducing agent injection device is equipped with a storage tank that houses a reducing agent, a pump that pressure-feeds the reducing agent, a reducing agent injection valve that injects the reducing agent pressure-fed by the pump into the inside of an exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine, a supply path that interconnects the pump and the reducing agent injection valve, and a pressure sensor that is disposed in the supply path. The reducing agent injection device is configured such that it can suck, into the inside of the supply path, a gas inside the exhaust pipe via an injection hole in the reducing agent injection valve by subjecting the inside of the supply path to depressurization processing. An abnormality detection device detects clogging of the reducing agent injection valve in the reducing agent injection device and includes a clogging determination component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Bosch Corporation
    Inventor: Shigehiro Ohno
  • Patent number: 8387364
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying apparatus for an internal combustion engine having a particulate filter provided in an exhaust system of the engine. Regeneration control is performed of burning particulates accumulated in the particulate filter. An oxygen concentration in exhaust gases flowing into the particulate filter is detected, and a flow rate of oxygen flowing into the particulate filter is calculated according to the detected oxygen concentration. An inflowing oxygen amount is calculated by integrating the oxygen flow rate when performing regeneration control. It is determined that an abnormality has occurred if the inflowing oxygen amount at a time when regeneration control ends is equal to or less than a predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Sato, Hidetaka Maki, Eisaku Gosyo, Atsushi Izumiura, Jun Iida
  • Patent number: 8388712
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for operating a particulate matter retaining system having at least a first and a second filter, coupled to an engine intake. One example method comprises, during a first condition, operating in a first mode with the first filter storing particulate matter and the second filter releasing stored particulate matter. The method further comprises, operating in a second mode with the first filter releasing stored particulate matter and the second filter storing particulate matter, the exhaust gas flowing in an opposite direction as compared to the first mode. The method further comprises, operating in a third mode with both the first and the second filter storing particulate matter. During the modes, at least some tailpipe gas is drawn from between the first and second filters for expulsion to the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaogang Zhang, Paul Joseph Tennison
  • Patent number: 8375700
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for evaluating an ammonia conversion efficiency of an ammonia oxidation (AMOX) catalyst for reducing ammonia and hydrocarbons present in an exhaust gas stream. The AMOX associated with an exhaust gas after-treatment system has a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst for reducing nitrogen oxides (NOX) present in the exhaust gas stream and a dosing system for introducing a reductant into the exhaust gas stream for reacting with the nitrogen oxides in the presence of the SCR catalyst. The AMOX catalyst is arranged downstream of the SCR catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Dean Sisken, Yi Liu
  • Patent number: 8371111
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to prevent an excessive temperature rise of a precatalyst in the case where the precatalyst is provided in the exhaust passage upstream of an exhaust gas purification apparatus and has a heat capacity smaller than that of the exhaust gas purification apparatus, and reducing agent is added from a reducing agent addition valve toward an upstream end surface of the precatalyst. According to the present invention, the reducing agent addition valve is located in such a way that the reducing agent added through it reaches the precatalyst in a liquid state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenichi Tsujimoto, Mikio Inoue
  • Publication number: 20130031893
    Abstract: A regeneration module is usable in conjunction with a diesel engine to control the operation of a regeneration cycle of the diesel engine. During the regeneration cycle, particulate matter collected in or on a diesel particulate filter of the diesel engine is removed to improve the operation of the diesel particulate filter. In various embodiments, the regeneration module is connected to a remote operator such that the regeneration cycle is activated during desirable idle periods of the diesel engine as determined by the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: TAS DISTRIBUTING CO., INC.
    Inventor: TAS Distributing Co., Inc.
  • Patent number: 8359827
    Abstract: The invention intends to provide a technology which makes it possible to diagnose with higher accuracy whether or not abnormality occurs in a filter regeneration system causing excessive execution frequency of a regeneration process. The filter regeneration system initiates execution of the regeneration process, incase an estimated particulate matter (PM) accumulation amount at the filter reaches a pre-determined regeneration requiring accumulation amount; or in case the pressure upstream of the filter or the differential pressure across the filter reaches a pre-determined regeneration requiring value, the value being larger than the pressure or the differential pressure corresponding to the regeneration requiring accumulation amount. Then, the diagnosis is carried out based on a ratio of an estimated PM accumulation amount at the initiation of the execution of the regeneration process to the regeneration requiring accumulation amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisuke Shibata, Koichi Kitaura, Hiroshi Sawada, Tatsuya Tsuji
  • Patent number: 8359826
    Abstract: A trouble diagnosis device and method for an NOx sensor for determining abnormality of an NOx sensor used in an exhaust gas purification system. The device can perform a trouble diagnosis without forcedly creating a diagnosis mode during operation of an internal combustion engine and without deterioration of drivability or fuel consumption. The device detects the time-lapse variation of the exhaust NOx flow rate suitable for diagnosis in a normal operation mode and determines whether the NOx sensor responds with following this variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Bosch Corporation
    Inventor: Eiichi Kitazawa