Abstract: A power generation system comprising a LNT for exhaust aftertreatment. The LNT has an effective operating temperature range. When the LNT is near a limit of its effective operating temperature range, the transmission is used to select operating points that increase the LNT's effectiveness. Generally, these operating points reduce the exhaust flow rate, although other factors such as the exhaust temperature may also be taken into account in selecting the operating points. Preferably, the LNT's effective operating temperature-range includes exhaust temperatures produced by the engine at its point of peak power output, whereby the LNT does not approach the limits of its effective operating temperature range except when the engine is at less than peak power. At lower power levels, it is generally possible to select operating points that provide lower exhaust flow rates than the flow rate occurring at the peak power level.

Abstract: One concept relates to power generation system, comprising a diesel engine, an exhaust manifold, a turbocharger, and an exhaust line in which are configured a fuel reformer and a LNT. A fuel injector is configured to inject fuel into the manifold upstream of the turbine. The high temperatures upstream of the turbine cause the fuel to crack into smaller molecules, releasing heat and providing a boost to the turbocharger. The fuel injected into the manifold also undergoes intense mixing as it passes through the turbocharger. Injecting fuel in this manner provides several benefits for reformer operation. Another concept relates to a manifold fuel injector used to provide fuel for heating a DPF.

Abstract: A method and system for displaying asset health information includes determining a status of at least one asset in a monitored system based on operational information obtained about the at least one asset. The obtained operational information about the at least one asset is compared against other operational information obtained about the monitored system. A review of the determined status of the at least one asset is conducted based on the comparison. At least one of textual information and numeric information is displayed based on the conducted review of the determined status of the at least one asset. Additionally, at least one of three or more indicator lights is displayed based on the conductive review of the determined status of the at least one asset.

Abstract: A lean NOX trap is a diesel exhaust aftertreatment system is selectively denitrated in a manner that addresses unreliability of NOX sensor data. According to one concept, data from a NOX is ignored or given decreased weight in a period immediately following a denitration. According to another concept, denitration is made contingent on both a first and a second criteria being met. The first criteria relates to the amount of NOX stored in the LNT or remaining NOX storage capacity of the LNT. The second criteria relates to the current performance of the exhaust treatment system, or a portion thereof, as determined from one or more measurements of NOX concentration in the exhaust.

Abstract: A lean NOX trap is a diesel exhaust aftertreatment system is selectively denitrated based on a measure relating to the state and/or the performance of the exhaust aftertreatment system, or a portion thereof comprising the lean NOX trap, reaching a critical value. The critical value is varied according to the demands currently being place on the exhaust aftertreatment system. In one embodiment, the critical value is set based on engine speed-load information. The method regenerates more frequently when exhaust aftertreatment demands are high and less frequently when demands are low. The method improves aftertreatment performance while reducing aftertreatment fuel penalty.

Abstract: In an exhaust aftertreatment system, two LNTs having differing compositions are configured in series downstream from an inline fuel reformer. The downstream LNT is adapted for desulfation at higher temperatures than the upstream LNT. During desulfation, the system develops temperature gradients with the temperatures increasing in the direction of exhaust flow. The ordering of the LNTs is designed utilize these gradients. In a preferred embodiment, the system also includes two SCR catalysts having different compositions. The SCR catalyst with a composition adapted to tolerate higher temperatures is located nearer the downstream end of the system.

Abstract: An exhaust line fuel injection system and associated methods of operation and control are disclosed. The fuel passes through a regulating valve connected to a pressurized fuel source and an outlet connected to an exhaust system fuel supply line. The exhaust system fuel supply line is connected to a nozzle, which generally comprises a check-valve and is configured to inject the fuel into the exhaust line. Using a pressure measuring device, an indication of the exhaust system fuel supply line pressure is obtained. A controller provides control over the flow regulating valve using feedback from the pressure indication and a predetermined relationship between the flow rate through the nozzle and one of the exhaust system fuel supply line pressure and the pressure drop across the nozzle. The method can be implemented with a single pressure measuring device. The same pressure measurements, especially their frequency spectrum, can be used to detect system faults.

Abstract: A fuel reformer is configured in an exhaust line upstream of a LNT. To desulfate the LNT, over a first period, fuel is provided to the exhaust to make the exhaust rich. While producing reformate, the reformer is allowed to heat to a relatively large extent, typically at least about 75° C. Before the reformer overheats, the provision of fuel is reduced and typically stopped entirely for a second period, over which the reformer cools. The heating and cooling periods are repeated to complete the desulfation process. The reduced efficiency of operating the reformer over an extended temperature range is more than compensated for by the benefits of extending the rich pulse.

Abstract: Rhodium utilization in LNT/SCR-based exhaust aftertreatment systems for medium and heavy duty trucks is reduced by operating inline fuel reformers in a certain manner. The fuel processors are operated at steam reforming temperatures to produce a reformate-containing exhaust having a hydrogen to CO ratio of at least about 3:2 or at least about 3% hydrogen, This generally involves operating the fuel reformers at temperatures from about 500 to about 625° C. and with an overall fuel to air ratio from about 1.10 to about 1.40. In this manner, regeneration can be efficiently carried out while limiting the catalyst loading of the fuel processors to no more than about 1.0 grams rhodium per liter maximum displacement of the diesel engine and the catalyst loading of the LNTs to no more than about 0.50 grams rhodium per liter maximum displacement of the diesel engine.

Abstract: A bottle organizer includes a generally vertical wall, a generally horizontal floor proximate to the generally vertical wall, and a spacing member positioned along the generally vertical wall. The spacing member has a portion (which may be curved) that protrudes in a plane that is generally parallel to the horizontal floor and generally perpendicular to the vertical wall. The protruding portion is at a distance from the floor that corresponds to the height of a neck portion of a bottle standing upright on the floor. The spacing member may include alternating straight and curved portions. The vertical wall may be one of two walls, which may be generally parallel and coextensive with each other. The bottle organizer may include a generally cuboid enclosure, in which the spacing member is slidingly disposed.

Abstract: A method and system for repeatable diesel engine starts during a wide range of conditions that decouples fueling requirements during engine starting and normal engine operation.

Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system comprising two or more branches, at least one of which contains a NOx adsorber-catalyst. The branches unite downstream into a trailing conduit that contains an ammonia-SCR catalyst. Ammonia generated by the NOx adsorber-catalyst during regeneration is stored for later use by the SCR catalyst. One advantage of this configuration is a continuous or near continuous presence of oxygen within the trailing exhaust conduit. The continuous presence of improves the efficiency of the SCR catalyst. Another concept is to configure a multi-branch exhaust aftertreatment system without valves, dampers, or other electronically controlled devices adapted to selectively alter the distribution of the exhaust between the branches. The absence of such devices generally results in a comparatively balanced division of exhaust between the branches. One benefit of this configuration is improved reliability as compared to systems that use valves.

Abstract: One of the inventors' concepts relates to controlling a temperature of a diesel engine exhaust aftertreatment device, such as a DPF or a fuel reformer, in which combustion is taking place. The concept is to inject reductant to combust in an upstream device, thereby removing oxygen in the exhaust and limiting combustion in the downstream device. The same total amount of heat may be generated, but the distribution is different and limits temperatures in the downstream device. The temperature limiting effect may be through one or more of the thermal storage capacity of the upstream device, the additional heat loss to the surroundings due to higher temperatures upstream in the exhaust system, or the benefit of a more uniform distribution of heat in the downstream device, which mitigates local hot spots. This concept may be used in a temperature control system.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a diesel engine exhaust aftertreatment system including a DPF and a LNT. The LNT is regenerated as soot is combusting in the DPF. To accomplish this, reductant is injected between the DPF and the LNT during soot combustion, whereby the LNT experiences rich conditions as the DPF experiences lean conditions. Preferably, the DPF is of small size whereby the DPF is heated easily and needs to be regenerated almost as often as the LNT needs to be denitrated. In an exemplary process, DPF regeneration begins in response to a control signal to denitrate the LNT. Preferably, the reductant is diesel fuel and there is a fuel reformer between the DPF and the LNT. Oxygen consumed by soot combustion reduces the fuel penalty for regenerating the LNT and promotes stable reformer operation. Heat generated in the DPF helps warm the fuel reformer.

Abstract: One concept relates to power generation system, comprising a diesel engine, an exhaust manifold, a turbocharger, and an exhaust line in which are configured a fuel reformer and a LNT. A fuel injector is configured to inject fuel into the manifold upstream of the turbine. The high temperatures upstream of the turbine cause the fuel to crack into smaller molecules, releasing heat and providing a boost to the turbocharger. The fuel injected into the manifold also undergoes intense mixing as it passes through the turbocharger. Injecting fuel in this manner provides several benefits for reformer operation. Another concept relates to a manifold fuel injector used to provide fuel for heating a DPF.

Abstract: One of the inventors' concepts relates to a power generation system, comprising a diesel engine and an exhaust system. The exhaust system comprises a first oxidation catalyst, a fuel reformer, and a LNT. A fuel injector is configured to inject fuel downstream of the oxidation catalyst, but upstream of the reformer. Preferably, the first oxidation catalyst is located near the engine. The first oxidation catalyst can extend the range of exhaust temperatures at which the aftertreatment devices operate by raising the temperature through reactions with residual hydrocarbons in the exhaust. The first oxidation catalyst also stabilizes the reformer operation by reducing the exhaust oxygen concentration. In a preferred embodiment, the engine operation is changed for LNT regenerations to increase the hydrocarbon content of the exhaust.

Abstract: A diesel engine exhaust aftertreatment system including a DPF and a LNT in that order is operated with simultaneous soot combustion and LNT desulfation. When a control signal to desulfate the LNT is generated, the DPF is heated to ignite combustion of trapped soot. As the trapped soot is combusting in the DPF, reductant is injected downstream of the DPF, but upstream of the LNT at a rate that leaves the exhaust rich, whereby the LNT undergoes desulfation. Soot combustion reduces the fuel penalty for desulfation by removing oxygen from the exhaust. When a reformer is configured upstream of the LNT, soot combustion helps stabilize the reformer operation. In one embodiment, there are two fuel injectors; one upstream of the DPF and one between the DPF and the fuel reformer. Methods are provided for using this type of configuration to operate the reformer when the DPF is not being regenerated.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided with a diesel engine, an exhaust treatment system including a LNT, and a controller configured to control the provision of a reductant to the exhaust for regenerating the LNT. The controller selectively provides the reductant to the exhaust based in part on a measure of whether the engine is undergoing a change in operating state. Preferably, the measure indicates if the engine is undergoing a speed or torque increase. During these types of transients, ideal conditions for LNT regeneration often occur. Ideal conditions include low exhaust oxygen concentrations combined with relatively low exhaust flow rates. Regenerating preferentially when these ideal conditions occur reduces the fuel penalty associated with LNT regeneration. These conditions also simplify regulating LNT and reformer temperatures. In a related concept, the transient is artificially created.

Abstract: According to one embodiment a method of making optical fibers comprises: (i) manufacturing a core cane; (ii) situating a plurality of microstructures selected from rods, air filled tubes and glass filed tubes and placing said microstructures adjacent to the core cane, said microstructures forming no more than 3 layers; (iii) placing the core cane with said adjacent microstructures inside a holding clad tube; and (iv) placing interstitial cladding rods inside the holding (clad) tube, thereby forming an assembly comprising a tube containing a core cane, a plurality of microstructures and interstitial cladding rods. The assembly is then drawn into a microstructured cane and an optical fiber is drawn from the microstructured cane. According to several embodiments, the method of making an optical fiber includes providing at least one air hole and at least one stress rod adjacent to the core.

Abstract: In an exhaust aftertreatment system comprising a NOx adsorber-catalyst followed by an SCR catalyst, means are provided for preventing the SCR catalyst from becoming heated to near the same peak temperatures as the NOx adsorber-catalyst during desulfation. In one embodiment, the means is a thermal mass between the NOx adsorber-catalyst and the SCR catalyst. In another embodiment, the means is a valve configured to selectively divert exhaust leaving the NOx adsorber-catalyst from the SCR catalyst. In a method of the invention, the NOx adsorber-catalyst temperature is cycled during desulfation. The peaks of the cycles are within an appropriate temperature range for desulfating the NOx adsorber-catalyst, but the average temperature is below the temperature range at which the SCR catalyst is damaged. The temperature peaks are damped as they travel from the NOx adsorber-catalyst to the SCR, whereby the SCR experiences much lower peak temperatures than the NOx adsorber-catalyst.