Abstract: A process and a system for preventing pre-ignition in an internal combustion engine (ICE). The process includes providing an ICE that has a combustion chamber and an exhaust. Also provided is a total hydro-carbon (THC) sensor in communication with the combustion chamber. The THC sensor senses a THC level of the combusted gas for a given combustion cycle i (THCi) of the ICE. In the event that THCi is greater than a reference THC level (THCref), a pre-ignition countermeasure prior to an immediate subsequent combustion cycle i+1 is executed. Furthermore, the executed pre-ignition countermeasure prevents pre-ignition from occurring in the immediate subsequent combustion cycle i+1 of the ICE.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for monitoring an oxidation catalyst in a vehicle exhaust system include a diesel internal combustion engine with an exhaust system that has an EGR, a DOC/DPF downstream from the EGR, an SCR catalyst downstream of the DOC/DPF, a first NOx sensor located upstream of the DOC/DPF, and a second NOx sensor located downstream of the SCR catalyst. A monitoring cycle of the exhaust system during operation of the diesel ICE includes executing a DPF regeneration event, shutting off the EGR, terminating urea dosing to the SCR catalyst, emptying NH3 storage in the SCR catalyst, and intrusively maintaining the temperature of the DOC/DPF within a predetermined temperature range. Readings from the first NOx sensor and the second NOx sensor allow for a ratio between first NOx sensor readings and second NOx sensor readings, the ratio providing an indication as to whether or not the DOC/DPF is failing or operating properly.

Abstract: An exhaust diagnostic system. The system includes a diesel engine having an exhaust system with a diesel particulate filter (DPF), a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst, a first NOx sensor located upstream of the SCR catalyst and a second NOx sensor located downstream of the SCR catalyst. In addition, an engine control unit (ECU) is in electronic communication with the first NOx sensor and the second NOx sensor. An SCR coordinator can be included and be configured to execute a non-intrusive SCR deNOx efficiency test, an intrusive SCR/DOC deNOx efficiency test and an intrusive DOC non-methane hydrocarbon (NMHC) conversion efficiency test on the exhaust system. As a result of the conversion efficiency tests, a distinction can be made as to whether the SCR catalyst or DOC is failing.

Abstract: An exhaust diagnostic system. The system includes a diesel engine having an exhaust system with a diesel particulate filter (DPF), a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst, a first NOx sensor located upstream of the SCR catalyst and a second NOx sensor located downstream of the SCR catalyst. In addition, an engine control unit (ECU) is in electronic communication with the first NOx sensor and the second NOx sensor. An SCR coordinator can be included and be configured to execute a non-intrusive SCR deNOx efficiency test, an intrusive SCR/DOC deNOx efficiency test and an intrusive DOC non-methane hydrocarbon (NMHC) conversion efficiency test on the exhaust system. As a result of the conversion efficiency tests, a distinction can be made as to whether the SCR catalyst or DOC is failing.

Abstract: A process and a system for preventing pre-ignition in an internal combustion engine (ICE). The process includes providing an ICE that has a combustion chamber and an exhaust. Also provided is a total hydro-carbon (THC) sensor in communication with the combustion chamber. The THC sensor senses a THC level of the combusted gas for a given combustion cycle i (THCi) of the ICE. In the event that THCi is greater than a reference THC level (THCref), a pre-ignition countermeasure prior to an immediate subsequent combustion cycle i+1 is executed. Furthermore, the executed pre-ignition countermeasure prevents pre-ignition from occurring in the immediate subsequent combustion cycle i+1 of the ICE.

Abstract: The present invention provides an internal combustion engine with a self-cleaning exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system. The engine can have an intake, a combustion chamber, and an exhaust with the EGR system accepting exhaust gas from the exhaust and supplying exhaust gas to the intake. The internal combustion engine also has a hydrogen source in fluid communication with a hot side of the EGR system, the hydrogen source affording hydrogen to flow into and through the EGR system and remove at least a portion of carbon-containing deposits therewithin.

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.

Abstract: A variable exhaust gas flow deflector for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The deflector can include a blade located at least partially within an exhaust gas flow of the engine, the blade having a first position and a second position. The blade can move between the first position and the second position as a function of at least one parameter and/or condition of the exhaust gas and/or the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: The present invention provides an internal combustion engine with a self-cleaning exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system. The engine can have an intake, a combustion chamber, and an exhaust with the EGR system accepting exhaust gas from the exhaust and supplying exhaust gas to the intake. The internal combustion engine also has a hydrogen source in fluid communication with a hot side of the EGR system, the hydrogen source affording hydrogen to flow into and through the EGR system and remove at least a portion of carbon-containing deposits therewithin.

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.

Abstract: A system for treating exhaust gasses from an engine includes directing a spray of reductant into exhaust gasses against a flow of exhaust gasses to a spray target. A selective catalytic reduction catalyst may be positioned downstream of the reductant injector and downstream of the spray target.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The exhaust gas recirculation system can include a first turbocharger and a second turbocharger with a particulate filter located between the two turbochargers. The first turbocharger can have a first exhaust turbine and a first charger while the second turbocharger can have a second exhaust turbine and a second charger. The particulate filter can be located between the first exhaust turbine and the second exhaust turbine and thereby remove particulates from an exhaust gas before it reaches the second exhaust turbine. In some instances, an exhaust gas recirculation line can be included and have an inlet that is located downstream from the particulate filter. In addition, the exhaust gas recirculation line can have an outlet that is located between the first charger and the second charger, or in the alternative downstream from the first charger.

Abstract: A variable exhaust gas flow deflector for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The deflector can include a blade located at least partially within an exhaust gas flow of the engine, the blade having a first position and a second position. The blade can move between the first position and the second position as a function of at least one parameter and/or condition of the exhaust gas and/or the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A particle filter assembly adapted to be mounted in an exhaust gas stream of an internal combustion engine. The particle filter assembly includes a wire mesh filter or sinter metal filter having a mesh size sufficiently small to prevent the passage of carbonaceous particles above a predetermined size through the mesh. The filter is positioned in series with the exhaust gas stream from the engine. A source of electrical power is electrically connected to the filter to heat the filter to a temperature sufficient to oxidize the carbonaceous material in the filter to carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A system for treating exhaust gasses from an engine is described. The system includes, the exhaust gasses routed from the engine to atmosphere through an exhaust passage, an injector directing a spray of reductant into exhaust gasses against a flow of exhaust gasses, a spray target, the spray target having a front and rear surface, where the front surface is convex and generally facing a direction opposite of exhaust flow, the spray target positioned in the exhaust passage such that injected reductant impinges on the rear surface of the spray target to increase reductant vaporization, an oxidation catalyst positioned upstream of the injector and upstream of the spray target; and a selective catalytic reduction catalyst positioned downstream of the injector and downstream of the spray target.

Abstract: An exhaust control system for an internal combustion engine having a plurality of actuators wherein each actuator controls a predetermined engine parameter. A plurality of sensors are also associated with the engine and each sensor provides an output representative of an engine operating condition. The control system includes a PID controller associated with each actuator and in which each PID controller has an input, an output and a feedback between the input and the output. A distribution function circuit is operatively connected in series with the inputs of the PID controller. The distribution function circuit receives an error signal representative of the difference between a target value and an actual value of one or more engine operating conditions, previously determined control factor values and the feedback from each PID controller as input signals. The distribution function circuit varies the input to each PID controller as a function of the distribution function input signals.