Abstract: A dosing system for delivering reductant into an exhaust gas treatment system of an internal combustion engine using an air driven hydraulic pump, which includes a pressure pump tank and a liquid supply tank, for closed-loop controlling reductant pressure, and a three-stage PWM control method for dosing rate control. Reductant residue in the dosing system is purged by using compressed air, and when the air driven hydraulic pumps is positioned inside a reductant tank, heating means in the reductant tank can also be used for heating the air driven hydraulic pump. The closed-loop pressure control together with the three-stage PWM control allow dosing accuracy insensitive to pressure variations in compressed air, thereby a variety of compressed air sources can be used.

Abstract: A dosing system for delivering reductant to an exhaust gas treatment system of an internal combustion engine using air driven hydraulic pumps for closed-loop controlling reductant pressure and a two-stage PWM control method for controlling dosing rate. Reductant residue in the dosing systems is purged by using compressed air after a dosing process completes, and when the air driven hydraulic pumps are positioned inside a reductant tank, dedicated heating means for the pumps is not necessary. The air driven hydraulic pumps can also use low pressure compressed air, and the closed-loop pressure control together with the two-stage PWM control allow dosing accuracy insensitive to pressure variations in compressed air. These new features enable the dosing system use a variety of compressed air sources, including an engine turbo.

Abstract: An ammonia generating and delivery apparatus generating ammonia by heating a precursor material with a heating device controlled by a temperature pulse controller which receives commands from a pressure controller, and delivering ammonia with a flow rate controlled by a three-stage PWM controller. The temperature pulse controller is used in a first feedback loop to create a temperature pulse sequence at a surface of the heating device. A pressure controller in a second feedback loop provides duty-cycle commands to the temperature pulse controller, while in delivering ammonia, effects of pressure variation to delivery accuracy are compensated in the three-stage PWM controller, which includes a flow-rate feedback loop. The ammonia generating and delivery apparatus can also include two containers, in which the precursor material in one container is charged and discharged according to the capability of the other container in generating ammonia.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling hydrocarbon delivery in an exhaust gas processing system of an engine that includes a heat generating device and a DPF, comprising a fuel injector and a control manifold, which has a pressure chamber holding compressed air for separating hydrocarbon from exhaust gas, and is fluidly connected to the fuel injector, a fuel control solenoid valve for controlling hydrocarbon supply, a pressure sensor, and a volume changing device, which provides a linear relationship between its volume change and pressure change in the control manifold. With the volume changing device, a deterioration factor value indicative of performance change of the hydrocarbon delivery device can be calculated for compensating temperature control, calculating the hydrocarbon conversion efficiencies of the heat generating device and the DPF in the exhaust gas processing system, detecting failures and mal-functions in the exhaust gas processing system and the engine.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a device using pulse signals. In the apparatus and method, a two-stage control is used to generate pulse signals, which can be a PWM signal, a pulse signal including a PWM signal with a sleeping time, or a PDM signal. The two-stage control includes a second stage control, which generates pulse signals according to parameter values generated periodically by a first stage according to a target value and feedback sensing values. The two-stage control can be used in decreasing perturbation in a closed-loop control and accurate open-loop control.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment is a system, including an internal combustion engine fluidly coupled to an exhaust gas flowpath, an aftertreatment system disposed in the exhaust gas flowpath, where the aftertreatment system includes a NOx reduction catalyst. The exemplary system includes a processing subsystem having a controller, where the controller includes modules structured to functionally execute operations for determining a catalyst degradation. The modules include a test conditions module, a testing module, a monitoring module, and a catalyst aging module.

Abstract: A fluid delivery apparatus for delivering fluid according to a fluid delivery rate command including a fluid tank, a pump, a buffer, in which a pressure sensor is positioned, an injector, a pump controller, a fluid delivery controller, and a diagnostic controller. When a motor driven pump is used, the diagnostic controller is able to detect issues by comparing a measured pressure change with an expected value calculated using pressure sensing values and the power applied to the motor. If an air driven pump is employed, pressure sensing values, fluid delivery rate commands, and pump operating status can be used for calculating compressed air volume in the pump and trapped air volume in the buffer, and for further triggering pressing and suction strokes of the air driven pump, diagnosing issues in the fluid delivery apparatus, detecting fluid level in the fluid tank, and refilling trapped air in the buffer.

Abstract: A fluid delivery apparatus with a flow sensing means for delivering a first fluid into a second fluid. In a fluid delivery apparatus using a common rail method, which produces a pulsated flow, the flow sensing means generates sensing signals indicative of the flow rate and the temperature of the second fluid, the delivery rate of the first fluid, and the evaporating rate of the first fluid, while in a fluid delivery apparatus using a pump metering method, the flow sensing means is able to provide a sensing signal indicative of the delivery rate of the first fluid. The sensing signals can be used in a feedback control for controlling delivery rate, in limiting delivery rate according to the evaporation capability of the first fluid, and in a diagnostic system detecting failures and abnormalities in the fluid delivery apparatus.

Abstract: A dosing system for delivering reductant to an exhaust gas treatment system of an internal combustion engine using air driven hydraulic pumps for closed-loop controlling reductant pressure and a two-stage PWM control method for controlling dosing rate. Reductant residue in the dosing systems is purged by using compressed air after a dosing process completes, and when the air driven hydraulic pumps are positioned inside a reductant tank, dedicated heating means for the pumps is not necessary. The air driven hydraulic pumps can also use low pressure compressed air, and the closed-loop pressure control together with the two-stage PWM control allow dosing accuracy insensitive to pressure variations in compressed air. These new features enable the dosing system use a variety of compressed air sources, including an engine turbo.

Abstract: A method includes determining whether a urea refill event is detected, and clearing a quality accumulator value and clearing a latching abort command. The method includes determining whether urea fluid quality check abort conditions are met, and clearing the urea quality accumulator, latching the abort command, and exiting the reductant fluid quality check. In response to the abort conditions not being met, incrementing the urea quality accumulator according to an amount of urea being injected, and comparing the accumulated urea quantity to a low test threshold. The method includes, in response to the accumulated urea quantity being greater than the low test threshold, comparing the accumulated urea quantity to a high test threshold, and in response to the urea quantity being greater than the high test threshold, determining whether the a NOx exceedance is observed and clearing a urea quality error in response to the NOx exceedance not being observed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed for heating a reductant delivery line using coolant from an internal combustion engine where the reductant delivery line receives reductant from a reductant tank and a portion of a coolant line is positioned within the reductant tank. The apparatus includes a coolant temperature module that is configured to determine a reductant tank outlet coolant temperature target. Additionally, the apparatus includes a coolant flow rate module that is configured to generate a coolant valve flow rate command and transmit the command to a coolant valve. The coolant valve is controllable to regulate the flow rate of coolant through the coolant line. The coolant valve flow rate command is based on the reductant tank outlet coolant temperature target, a reductant tank inlet coolant temperature, and a reductant tank reductant temperature.

Abstract: A dosing apparatus with purging means for delivering reductant into an exhaust gas treatment system of an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes a first Venturi T connector with two high pressure ports and a low pressure port, and a purge control valve for switching from normal dosing to purging by controlling flow through the two high pressure ports. The apparatus may also include a second Venturi T connector and a reductant supply chamber for purging reductant residue in its pump and reductant passage lines. The apparatus may further include a purging controller that triggers a purging event according to engine oil or coolant temperature and controls the purging process after a dosing process completes.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus for controlling the heating of diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) in a DEF delivery system includes a temperature comparison module that compares a difference between a sensed ambient air temperature and a sensed DEF tank temperature with a predetermined temperature difference threshold. Additionally, the apparatus includes a DEF heating status module that is configured to generate a DEF heating command according to (i) the sensed ambient air temperature if the difference between the sensed ambient air temperature and sensed DEF tank temperature is less than the predetermined temperature threshold; and (ii) the sensed DEF tank temperature if the difference between the sensed ambient air temperature and sensed DEF tank temperature is more than the predetermined temperature threshold. The apparatus also includes a DEF heating control module that is configured to control the heating of the DEF according to the DEF heating command.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a device using pulse signals. In the apparatus and method, a two-stage control is used to generate pulse signals, which can be a PWM signal, a pulse signal including a PWM signal with a sleeping time, or a PDM signal. The two-stage control includes a second stage control, which generates pulse signals according to parameter values generated periodically by a first stage according to a target value and feedback sensing values. The two-stage control can be used in decreasing perturbation in a closed-loop control and accurate open-loop control.

Abstract: A hydraulically driven pump with driving pressure controlled within a predetermined range. The hydraulically driven pump has a driving-fluid port fluidly coupled to a compressed air source and ambient, a driven-fluid inlet port fluidly connected to a tank, and a driven-fluid outlet port. A pressure sensor is used for providing sensing values indicative to the driving pressure in the hydraulically driven pump, and the driving pressure is controlled in closed loop by releasing and filling air through the driving-fluid port. The hydraulically driven pump has a suction stroke, in which driven fluid is refilled into the pump, and a pressing stroke, in which driven fluid is pressed out. A hydraulic buffer is used to provide driving pressure during a suction stroke and two hydraulically driven pumps can work alternately in providing continuous pressure control.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring catalyst presence, reverse and damage in an aftertreatment device. The disclosed systems and methods involve calculating the heat capacity of the catalyst device based on information received from sensors for measuring temperatures at the inlet and outlet of the SCR device and the exhaust mass flow.

Abstract: An aftertreatment device for reducing nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), hydrocarbon (HC), and carbon monoxide (CO) generated by a compression-ignition (CI) engine. In this device, lean exhaust air generated in the CI engine is converted to rich exhaust air, and energy used for the conversion is recycled using an energy recovery device. The result rich exhaust air then pass through an oxidation catalyst, where NOx is reduced with CO and HC.

Abstract: One embodiment is a method including providing an aftertreatment catalyst disposed in an exhaust stream of an internal combustion engine and a reductant that reacts with an amount of NOx in the exhaust stream in the presence of the aftertreatment catalyst. The method includes interpreting a catalyst degradation value corresponding to the aftertreatment catalyst, and interpreting a nominal reductant value. The method further includes determining an adjusted reductant value in response to the catalyst degradation value and the nominal reductant value, and injecting the reductant into the exhaust stream at a rate based on the adjusted reductant value.

Abstract: A method includes raising a temperature of an SCR catalyst for a predetermined time period while dosing urea. The method further includes maintaining the temperature of the SCR catalyst without dosing urea for a second predetermined time period. The method further includes filtering out at least low frequency data from a first NOx sensor upstream of the SCR catalyst and from a second NOx sensor downstream of the SCR catalyst, and comparing the filtered data from the first NOx sensor and the second NOx sensor without dosing urea over a third predetermined time period. The method further includes providing a NOx sensor condition index for at least one of the first NOx sensor and the second NOx sensor in response to the comparing.

Abstract: An apparatus for introducing a reductant into an exhaust system is described. The apparatus includes a controller that generates a resulting dosing command used as an instruction to release an amount of reductant into the exhaust system. The controller includes a feedback control module that generates a weighing factor. The weighing factor is configured to be applied to a lower limit dosing command and configured to be applied to an upper limit dosing command, where the lower and upper limit dosing commands converted by the weighing factor are used by the controller to generate the resulting dosing command.