Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a variable displacement controller for use with a vehicular engine. The controller can receive data indicative of ambient temperature and data indicative of at least one of engine speed and vehicle speed. The controller can determine engine torque value based on the engine speed, and determine a torque limit based on the ambient temperature and at least one of the determined engine torque value and the data indicative of vehicle speed. The controller can compare the engine torque value to the torque limit, and selectively activate/deactivate an engine cylinder based on the comparison between the engine torque value and the torque limit, such that the engine cylinder is deactivated if the engine torque value is less than the torque limit, and the engine cylinder is activated if the engine torque value is greater than or equal to the torque limit.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a variable displacement controller for use with a vehicular engine. The controller can receive data indicative of ambient temperature and data indicative of at least one of engine speed and vehicle speed. The controller can determine engine torque value based on the engine speed, and determine a torque limit based on the ambient temperature and at least one of the determined engine torque value and the data indicative of vehicle speed. The controller can compare the engine torque value to the torque limit, and selectively activate/deactivate an engine cylinder based on the comparison between the engine torque value and the torque limit, such that the engine cylinder is deactivated if the engine torque value is less than the torque limit, and the engine cylinder is activated if the engine torque value is greater than or equal to the torque limit.

Abstract: A mixer for an exhaust aftertreatment system, such as a diesel engine exhaust aftertreatment system, is disclosed. The mixer includes a body portion that is configured to be disposed in an exhaust conduit upstream of an exhaust aftertreatment device and an airfoil portion that is disposed on the body portion and reversibly movable between a deployed position and a retracted position, wherein in the deployed position the airfoil portion provides a deployed resistance to an exhaust gas flow and in the retracted position provides a retracted resistance, and the deployed resistance is greater than the retracted resistance. The mixer preferably comprises a two-way shape memory alloy, particularly a high temperature, oxidation resistant shape memory alloy. An exhaust aftertreatment system employing the mixer is also disclosed, as well as a method of using the same.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle includes a location identification module, an adjustment triggering module, and an adjustment module. The location identification module identifies a location where an engine of the vehicle is expected to be shut down and later re-started with at least one temperature within a predetermined range of an ambient temperature at the time of the re-start. The adjustment triggering module generates a triggering signal when a vehicle location provided by a global positioning system (GPS) is less than a predetermined distance from the identified location. The adjustment module selectively one of increases and decreases a rate at which a dosing agent is injected into an exhaust system, upstream of a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst, when the triggering signal is generated.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle includes a location identification module, an adjustment triggering module, and an adjustment module. The location identification module identifies a location where an engine of the vehicle is expected to be shut down and later re-started with at least one temperature within a predetermined range of an ambient temperature at the time of the re-start. The adjustment triggering module generates a triggering signal when a vehicle location provided by a global positioning system (GPS) is less than a predetermined distance from the identified location. The adjustment module selectively one of increases and decreases a rate at which a dosing agent is injected into an exhaust system, upstream of a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst, when the triggering signal is generated.

Abstract: An exhaust gas cooling apparatus and method for cooling an exhaust gas is provided. The exhaust cooling apparatus having a first fluid conduit having a variable nozzle opening disposed at one end of the first fluid conduit, the variable nozzle opening being defined by a shape memory alloy extending from the first fluid conduit; and a second fluid conduit having an inlet end and an outlet end, the variable nozzle opening being disposed in the second fluid conduit proximate to the inlet end of the second fluid conduit such that a fluid inlet opening is disposed about an outer periphery of the variable nozzle opening and an inner surface of the inlet end of the second fluid conduit, the shape memory alloy varying the size of the variable nozzle opening by moving toward or away from a center line of the first fluid conduit in response to a temperature of an exhaust gas flowing through the first fluid conduit.

Abstract: A mixer for an exhaust aftertreatment system, such as a diesel engine exhaust aftertreatment system, is disclosed. The mixer includes a body portion that is configured to be disposed in an exhaust conduit upstream of an exhaust aftertreatment device and an airfoil portion that is disposed on the body portion and reversibly movable between a deployed position and a retracted position, wherein in the deployed position the airfoil portion provides a deployed resistance to an exhaust gas flow and in the retracted position provides a retracted resistance, and the deployed resistance is greater than the retracted resistance. The mixer preferably comprises a two-way shape memory alloy, particularly a high temperature, oxidation resistant shape memory alloy. An exhaust aftertreatment system employing the mixer is also disclosed, as well as a method of using the same.

Abstract: A regeneration control system for a vehicle comprises a regeneration control module and a disabling module. The regeneration control module selectively initiates a regeneration of a particulate matter filter of the vehicle. The disabling module selectively disables the regeneration control module based on a location of the vehicle provided by a global positioning system (GPS).

Abstract: An exhaust gas cooling apparatus and method for cooling an exhaust gas is provided. The exhaust cooling apparatus having a first fluid conduit having a variable nozzle opening disposed at one end of the first fluid conduit, the variable nozzle opening being defined by a shape memory alloy extending from the first fluid conduit; and a second fluid conduit having an inlet end and an outlet end, the variable nozzle opening being disposed in the second fluid conduit proximate to the inlet end of the second fluid conduit such that a fluid inlet opening is disposed about an outer periphery of the variable nozzle opening and an inner surface of the inlet end of the second fluid conduit, the shape memory alloy varying the size of the variable nozzle opening by moving toward or away from a center line of the first fluid conduit in response to a temperature of an exhaust gas flowing through the first fluid conduit.

Abstract: The methods of the present invention are adapted to adjust engine loading during catalyst warm up to accelerate heating of the exhaust aftertreatment system and thereby decrease catalyst light-off times. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method includes: monitoring the current catalyst temperature; determining if the current catalyst temperature is less than a predetermined minimum catalyst temperature; and, if the current catalyst temperature is less than the predetermined minimum catalyst temperature, increasing the current engine load. The current engine load is increased by activating a reducing agent tank heating device and/or a reducing agent line heating device.

Abstract: A regeneration control system for a vehicle comprises a regeneration control module and a disabling module. The regeneration control module selectively initiates a regeneration of a particulate matter filter of the vehicle. The disabling module selectively disables the regeneration control module based on a location of the vehicle provided by a global positioning system (GPS).