Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the temperature in a vehicle after-treatment system is provided. The system includes one or more temperature sensors positioned in the vehicle after-treatment system and an electronic control unit (ECU) configured by programming instructions encoded in computer readable media to execute a method. The method includes monitoring the temperature presented by the one or more temperature sensors, executing a lower oxygen combustion strategy for a slower exothermic reaction when the temperature exceeds a first threshold level, and deactivating the lower oxygen combustion strategy when the temperature drops below a second threshold level.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the temperature in a vehicle after-treatment system is provided. The system includes one or more temperature sensors positioned in the vehicle after-treatment system and an electronic control unit (ECU) configured by programming instructions encoded in computer readable media to execute a method. The method includes monitoring the temperature presented by the one or more temperature sensors, executing a lower oxygen combustion strategy for a slower exothermic reaction when the temperature exceeds a first threshold level, and deactivating the lower oxygen combustion strategy when the temperature drops below a second threshold level.

Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system includes a particulate filter element and a particulate matter sensor that is disposed to monitor the exhaust gas feedstream downstream of the particulate filter element. A method for monitoring the exhaust gas feedstream includes determining a temperature associated with the particulate matter sensor and monitoring engine operation and the exhaust aftertreatment system. A magnitude of ammonia is determined in the exhaust gas feedstream proximal to the particulate matter sensor based upon the monitoring of the engine operation and the exhaust aftertreatment system. An initial reading is determined from the particulate matter sensor and is adjusted based upon the magnitude of ammonia in the exhaust gas feedstream proximal to the particulate matter sensor and the temperature of the particulate matter sensor. A magnitude of particulate matter in the exhaust gas feedstream is determined based upon the adjusted initial reading from the particulate matter sensor.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for diagnosing a malfunctioning of a pressure sensor in an aftertreatment system of an internal combustion engine. A first value of a differential pressure across the particulate filter is measured during the identified fuel cut-off state of the internal combustion engine. An exhaust back pressure valve of the aftertreatment system is operated toward a predetermined closed position thereof, and a second value of a differential pressure across the particulate filter is measured. A difference between the second value and the first value is calculated, and a malfunctioning of the differential pressure sensor is identified when the calculated difference is higher than a predetermined threshold value thereof.

Abstract: Methods for mitigating over-temperature during an exhaust gas system particulate filter device regeneration are provided. The exhaust gas system can include an exhaust gas stream supplied by an exhaust gas source to a particulate filter device through an exhaust gas conduit. The methods can include detecting an over-temperature during a particulate filter regeneration, initiating one or more first mitigation strategies, and shutting down the exhaust gas source. The one or more first mitigation strategies can include inhibiting the particulate filter device regeneration, altering the exhaust gas source operating parameters, and activating a cooling fan. The exhaust gas source can include an internal combustion engine configured to power a vehicle, and the operating parameters can be altered by a torque limiter.

Abstract: A control apparatus for operating an internal combustion engine of a vehicle provides regeneration of an after-treatment device associated with the internal combustion engine. A sensor is operably associated with the after-treatment device and provides data indicative of a regeneration requirement of the after-treatment device. An operator interface is configured to provide a regeneration indication to the operator and to accept a regeneration command from the operator. A processor with an associated memory is configured to determine the after-treatment device requires regeneration based upon the data, to assess an operating condition of the vehicle, and to initiate regeneration of the after-treatment device responsive to a regeneration command from the operator.

Abstract: A method of testing the proper functioning of a catalyzed particulate filter of an internal combustion engine during regeneration of the catalyzed particulate filter is disclosed. A first value of an oxygen concentration in an exhaust gas upstream of the catalyzed particulate filter and a second value of an oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas downstream of the catalyzed particulate filter is measured during regeneration. The difference between the first value and the second value is calculated and a malfunctioning of the catalyzed particulate filter is indicated when the calculated difference is below a predetermined threshold value thereof.

Abstract: Methods for mitigating over-temperature during an exhaust gas system particulate filter device regeneration are provided. The exhaust gas system can include an exhaust gas stream supplied by an exhaust gas source to a particulate filter device through an exhaust gas conduit. The methods can include detecting an over-temperature during a particulate filter regeneration, initiating one or more first mitigation strategies, and shutting down the exhaust gas source. The one or more first mitigation strategies can include inhibiting the particulate filter device regeneration, altering the exhaust gas source operating parameters, and activating a cooling fan. The exhaust gas source can include an internal combustion engine configured to power a vehicle, and the operating parameters can be altered by a torque limiter.

Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system includes a particulate filter element and a particulate matter sensor that is disposed to monitor the exhaust gas feedstream downstream of the particulate filter element. A method for monitoring the exhaust gas feedstream includes determining a temperature associated with the particulate matter sensor and monitoring engine operation and the exhaust aftertreatment system. A magnitude of ammonia is determined in the exhaust gas feedstream proximal to the particulate matter sensor based upon the monitoring of the engine operation and the exhaust aftertreatment system. An initial reading is determined from the particulate matter sensor and is adjusted based upon the magnitude of ammonia in the exhaust gas feedstream proximal to the particulate matter sensor and the temperature of the particulate matter sensor. A magnitude of particulate matter in the exhaust gas feedstream is determined based upon the adjusted initial reading from the particulate matter sensor.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an aftertreatment device, an injector for injecting fuel into a cylinder and an Electronic Control Unit configured to perform a regeneration process of the aftertreatment device. The regeneration process includes determining a nominal fuel quantity to be injected by an after-injection; monitoring a temperature value of the aftertreatment device; determining a fuel quantity correction value, as a function of a difference between the monitored temperature value and a target temperature value of the aftertreatment device; correcting the nominal fuel quantity value, using the fuel quantity correction value, in order to determine a corrected fuel quantity value; performing a fuel injection cycle including a plurality of after-injections; and injecting the corrected fuel quantity value into the cylinder during one of the after-injections of the cycle.

Abstract: An electronic control module for operating an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The electronic control module is configured to monitor a first air-fuel equivalence ratio of engine exhaust gases upstream of a NOx trap, and to activate a diagnostic routine for the NOx trap when the first air-fuel equivalence ratio is smaller than one. The diagnostic routine enables the electronic control module to monitor a second air-fuel equivalence ratio of engine exhaust gases downstream of the NOx trap, to use the first and second air-fuel equivalence ratios to calculate an index that is representative of the conversion efficiency of the NOx trap, and to identify a failure of the NOx trap when the efficiency index is lower than a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling a diesel engine equipped with a diesel particulate filter (DPF). The method includes detecting steady state operation of the engine generating a first flow rate of particulate matter (PM) directed into the DPF. The method also includes, during the steady state operation, triggering exhaust gas recirculation to the engine and thereby directing a second PM flow rate that is greater than the first flow rate into the DPF. The method additionally includes detecting a PM flow rate exiting the DPF in response to the second PM flow rate directed into the DPF. The method also includes comparing the detected PM flow rate exiting the DPF with a PM flow rate threshold. Furthermore, the method includes regulating injection of fuel to regenerate the DPF, if the detected PM flow rate exiting the DPF is greater than the PM flow rate threshold.

Abstract: A method of testing the proper functioning of a catalyzed particulate filter of an internal combustion engine during regeneration of the catalyzed particulate filter is disclosed. A first value of an oxygen concentration in an exhaust gas upstream of the catalyzed particulate filter and a second value of an oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas downstream of the catalyzed particulate filter is measured during regeneration. The difference between the first value and the second value is calculated and a malfunctioning of the catalyzed particulate filter is indicated when the calculated difference is below a predetermined threshold value thereof.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for diagnosing a malfunctioning of a pressure sensor in an aftertreatment system of an internal combustion engine. A first value of a differential pressure across the particulate filter is measured during the identified fuel cut-off state of the internal combustion engine. An exhaust back pressure valve of the aftertreatment system is operated toward a predetermined closed position thereof, and a second value of a differential pressure across the particulate filter is measured. A difference between the second value and the first value is calculated, and a malfunctioning of the differential pressure sensor is identified when the calculated difference is higher than a predetermined threshold value thereof.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an aftertreatment device, an injector for injecting fuel into a cylinder and an Electronic Control Unit configured to perform a regeneration process of the aftertreatment device. The regeneration process includes determining a nominal fuel quantity to be injected by an after-injection; monitoring a temperature value of the aftertreatment device; determining a fuel quantity correction value, as a function of a difference between the monitored temperature value and a target temperature value of the aftertreatment device; correcting the nominal fuel quantity value, using the fuel quantity correction value, in order to determine a corrected fuel quantity value; performing a fuel injection cycle including a plurality of after-injections; and injecting the corrected fuel quantity value into the cylinder during one of the after-injections of the cycle.

Abstract: A method for determining an over-temperature condition in an exhaust gas treatment system is provided. The method compares a current soot load in a particulate filter with a threshold soot load. The method compares each of a plurality of temperatures sensed by a plurality of temperature sensors with a threshold temperature. Based on determining that the current soot load in a particulate filter of the exhaust gas treatment system exceeds a threshold soot load and that one of the plurality of temperatures exceeds the threshold temperature, the method determines that the exhaust gas treatment system is in an over-temperature condition. Based on determining that the current soot load in the particular filter does not exceed the threshold soot load and that two or more of the plurality of temperatures exceed the threshold temperature, the method determines that the exhaust gas treatment system is in an over-temperature condition.

Abstract: An electronic control module for operating an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The electronic control module is configured to monitor a first air-fuel equivalence ratio of engine exhaust gases upstream of a NOx trap, and to activate a diagnostic routine for the NOx trap when the first air-fuel equivalence ratio is smaller than one. The diagnostic routine enables the electronic control module to monitor a second air-fuel equivalence ratio of engine exhaust gases downstream of the NOx trap, to use the first and second air-fuel equivalence ratios to calculate an index that is representative of the conversion efficiency of the NOx trap, and to identify a failure of the NOx trap when the efficiency index is lower than a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A method is provided to operate a diesel particulate filter of a Diesel engine equipped with a soot-sensor located in an outlet of the diesel particulate filter, the soot-sensor operating according to a succession of soot loading phases mutually separated by a regeneration phase. The method includes, but is not limited to setting a borderline value of the efficiency of the diesel particulate filter, resetting a value of a counter, during a regeneration phase of the soot-sensor, this value representing a soot loading level of the soot-sensor, iteratively increasing the value of this counter, during a next soot loading phase of the soot-sensor, at least until the value reaches a predetermined threshold value of the counter, and detecting an unsuited efficiency of the diesel particulate filter, if a next regeneration phase of the soot-sensor begins when the value of the counter is below the predetermined threshold value of the counter.

Abstract: A method for determining an over-temperature condition in an exhaust gas treatment system is provided. The method compares a current soot load in a particulate filter with a threshold soot load. The method compares each of a plurality of temperatures sensed by a plurality of temperature sensors with a threshold temperature. Based on determining that the current soot load in a particulate filter of the exhaust gas treatment system exceeds a threshold soot load and that one of the plurality of temperatures exceeds the threshold temperature, the method determines that the exhaust gas treatment system is in an over-temperature condition. Based on determining that the current soot load in the particular filter does not exceed the threshold soot load and that two or more of the plurality of temperatures exceed the threshold temperature, the method determines that the exhaust gas treatment system is in an over-temperature condition.

Abstract: A device is provided for compressor and charge air cooler protection in an internal combustion engine, such as a Diesel engine. The engine having an intake manifold and an exhaust manifold, first and second EGR routes, a charge air cooler, a turbocharger having a compressor and a turbine. A regulator is also provided for regulating the flow rate of exhaust gas and the splitting of exhaust gas between the first and second EGR route. A temperature sensor is also provided for sensing output temperature of gas at the outlet of said compressor. A method and computer readable medium embodying a computer program product are also provided that have a first phase of monitoring a parameter representative of the gas temperature at the output of the compressor and a second phase in which an activity involving engine components operation is performed. The activity is performed using temperature information determined in the monitoring phase.