Having Sensor Or Indicator Of Malfunction, Unsafeness, Or Disarray Of Treater (e.g., Fusible Link, Etc.) Patents (Class 60/277)
  • Patent number: 8006480
    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. This reduces premature denitrations and associated unnecessary fuel expenditures resulting from inaccurate NOX concentration data and transient events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: James Edward McCarthy, Jr., Chuan He
  • Patent number: 8001766
    Abstract: In a process for monitoring the function capability of an exhaust-gas catalytic converter 5 located in the exhaust line 3 of an internal combustion engine 1, based on the measured or computed signals of a first lambda probe 6a located upstream from the catalytic converter 5 and of a second lambda probe 6b located downstream from the catalytic converter 5, the two lambda probes 6a, 6b and the catalytic converter 5 having reached their operating temperature, it is suggested that an air quantity control means 4 located in the intake line 2 is partially opened during the coasting phase of the internal combustion engine 1 in order to cool the catalytic converter 5 located in the exhaust line 3, so that in the catalytic converter 5 an axial temperature distribution forms over time, from the signals of the two lambda probes 6a, 6b and the temperature distribution the axial distribution of the oxygen storage capacity OSC of the catalytic converter 5 being computed, and using this distribution of the oxygen storage ca
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventor: Bodo Odendall
  • Patent number: 7997066
    Abstract: The diagnosis of the heating of a catalytic converter situated in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine is described. The system includes monitoring the actual ignition angle intervention. A current ignition angle is acquired over a specified time and converted into a torque model used for catalytic converter heating. Using the torque model, a degree of fulfillment of executed catalytic converter heating measures is obtained and an error signal is generated by comparing the obtained degree of fulfillment to a limiting value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellshaft
    Inventors: Gerd Kraemer, Stefan Uhl, Wolf Kiefer, Gerhard Schulz
  • Patent number: 7997065
    Abstract: A device for estimating the loading state of a NOx storage catalytic converter. The device includes a module for determining the oxygen concentration difference between an oxygen concentration present in the exhaust gas upstream of the NOX storage catalytic converter and an oxygen concentration present in the exhaust gas downstream of the NOX storage catalytic converter, and a controller for estimating the loading state of the NOX storage catalytic converter on the basis of said oxygen concentration difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Yasser Mohamed sayed Yacoub
  • Patent number: 7997063
    Abstract: A method is described for identifying fuel composition from an index ratio of oxygen sensors upstream and downstream of a catalyst of the engine. Different index ratios are achieved for different fuel compositions, and thus it is possible to identify fuel composition, such as fuel alcohol content, based on changes in the index ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eva Thanasiu, Christian Thomas Goralski, Jr., Robert Joseph Jerger, Shane Elwart
  • Patent number: 7997064
    Abstract: An exhaust gas catalytic converter is laden with oxygen until it is saturated at least upstream of an exhaust gas probe. A predefined first rich air/fuel ration is set in a combustion chamber of a cylinder. A first oxygen storage capacity value is determined as a function of the measurement signal of an exhaust gas probe and the predefined first rich air/fuel ratio. The exhaust gas catalytic converter is laden with oxygen until it is saturated. A predefined second rich air/fuel ration is set in the combustion chamber of the cylinder. A second oxygen storage capacity value is determined as a function of the measurement signal of the exhaust gas probe and the predefined second rich air/fuel ration. A corrected oxygen storage capacity value is determined as a function of the first and second oxygen storage capacity values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Tino Arlt, Gerd Rösel
  • Patent number: 7987667
    Abstract: A system for removing particulates from the exhaust gas of a vehicle internal combustion engine, particularly during those times that the emission of such particulates into the atmosphere would be of greatest danger to persons in the vicinity of the vehicle, includes a valve connected to the vehicle exhaust manifold for normally directing exhaust to the atmosphere, when in the non-activated condition. The valve directs exhaust to a particulate filter, when in the activated condition. Starting of the engine activates the valve for a predetermined period of time. The valve optionally is GPS-controlled and can be disabled manually or automatically by a switch, which detects the backpressure in the exhaust system. An exhaust pressure sensor monitors the exhaust backpressure, and a circuit device responsive to the exhaust pressure maintains the valve continuously in the non-activated condition, when the exhaust backpressure reaches a predetermined level for a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Meier Diesel Filters, Inc.
    Inventors: John Meier, Cris Pasto
  • Patent number: 7987661
    Abstract: A method for determining malfunction of a nitrogen oxide sensor compares a nitrogen oxide amount detected by the sensor with a predetermined value of nitrogen oxide. If the difference between the predetermined value and the amount detected by the sensor is within a predetermined range, the method determines whether an engine is in a steady state. If the engine is in a steady state, the method changes one or more engine control parameters, thereby varying an actual nitrogen oxide amount. After changing the parameters, the method determines whether the amount detected by the sensor changes. The method determines that the sensor is malfunctioning if the amount detected by the sensor does not change. A selective catalytic reduction system includes a first nitrogen oxide sensor, a selective catalytic reduction apparatus, and a second nitrogen oxide sensor, all disposed in an exhaust pipe. A control portion performs the above-described method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jae Yoon Jung
  • Publication number: 20110173955
    Abstract: A method to monitor a particulate filter includes determining an equivalent bypass area corresponding to a difference between a mass flowrate of an exhaust gas feedstream flowing to the particulate filter and a mass flowrate of the exhaust gas feedstream flowing through porous walls of a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Min Sun
  • Patent number: 7980059
    Abstract: An object is to estimate the degree of deterioration of an NOx catalyst with improved accuracy in an exhaust gas purification system having the NOx catalyst provided in an exhaust passage. According to the present invention, an NOx sensor is provided downstream of an NOx catalyst, and the difference between an estimated value of the NOx concentration in the exhaust gas in the exhaust passage upstream of the NOx catalyst and a detection value of the NOx sensor at a time when NOx in the exhaust gas is not removed in the NOx catalyst is calculated. In addition, in estimating the degree of deterioration of the NOx catalyst, the estimated value of the NOx concentration in the exhaust gas in the exhaust passage upstream of the NOx catalyst is corrected based on this difference, and the degree of deterioration of the NOx catalyst is estimated based on the difference between this corrected value and the detection value of the NOx sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisuke Shibata, Hiroshi Sawada
  • Patent number: 7980060
    Abstract: A clogging determination apparatus determines clogging of a DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) such that exhaust pressure is estimated using a sensor deigned for regular control of an engine, without using exhaust pressure sensor. The apparatus includes: the DPF disposed in an exhaust system; an exhaust sensor that measures an air-fuel ratio ? in exhaust gas; and an injector that changes the air-fuel ratio in an cylinder through post-injection. A response time T taken for the exhaust sensor to detect a change in the air-fuel ratio is measured from the time when the post-injection is output from the injector. If this response time T is longer than a clogging determination response time To, the apparatus determines that the DPF is clogged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuya Tachimoto, Yasushi Omura, Takashi Moriyama
  • Patent number: 7975470
    Abstract: In relation to an exhaust gas purification system that mixes a liquid reducing agent with air and injection-supplies this mixture into an exhaust gas flowing on an upstream side of a reduction catalyst (20) to thereby effect reduction purification of NOx in exhaust gas, a technical attention is directed to the relation of respective elements of; the travel distance, the fuel consumption, the air consumption, or the running time and the like, and the liquid reducing agent consumption, to constitute a configuration such that a continual monitor as to whether the injection condition of liquid reducing agent is normal or abnormal is executed by judging whether or not the amount of liquid reducing agent consumed for a predetermined travel distance, a predetermined fuel consumption, a predetermined air consumption, or a predetermined running time, is within a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Nissan Diesel Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiminobu Hirata, Nobuhiko Masaki, Masakazu Yano
  • Patent number: 7971426
    Abstract: A method is described for controlling operation of a reductant injection system. In one example, a pump of the reductant injection system is operated at a pressure to inject reductant into an exhaust system based on voltage supplied to the pump. The method can allow operation of the reductant injection system during degradation of a pressure sensor that is used to determine reductant flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt
  • Patent number: 7968827
    Abstract: A heating module for an oxygen sensor comprises an estimated mass module, a cumulative mass module, and a temperature control module. The estimated mass module determines an estimated mass of intake air to remove condensation from an exhaust system after startup of an engine. The cumulative mass module determines a cumulative mass of intake air after the engine startup. The temperature control module adjusts a temperature of an oxygen sensor measuring oxygen in the exhaust system to a first predetermined temperature after the engine startup and adjusts the temperature to a second predetermined temperature when the cumulative air mass is greater than the estimated air mass, wherein the second predetermined temperature is greater than the first predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Inventors: Justin F. Adams, Louis A. Avallone, Dale W. McKim, Jeffrey A. Sell, John W. Siekkinen, Julian R. Verdejo
  • Publication number: 20110146242
    Abstract: A malfunction diagnostic device for an exhaust gas control device is provided. The malfunction diagnostic device includes a malfunction determination unit that determines an exhaust gas control device provided in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine malfunctions when a parameter that indicates exhaust gas purification performance of the exhaust gas control device crosses a threshold. A deterioration determination unit determines the degree of deterioration of the exhaust gas control device. A variable threshold setting unit variably sets the threshold based on the degree of deterioration of the exhaust gas control device in such a manner that the likelihood that the exhaust gas control device is determined to be malfunctioning is lower at lower degrees of deterioration of the exhaust gas control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: TOYOTA, JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenichiro Kawase
  • Publication number: 20110146235
    Abstract: When the NOx SCR catalyst (15) deteriorates, the NOx removal efficiency increases with an increase in the catalyst temperature as indicated by the curves B1 and B2. When there is an irregularity in the amount or quality of aqueous urea solution that is supplied to the NOx SCR catalyst, the NOx removal efficiency decreases at a constant rate as indicated by the curve C. When the NOx removal efficiency is first within the region X2 and then brought into the region Y1, it is determined that the NOx SCR catalyst deteriorates. When the NOx removal efficiency is first within the region X2 and then brought into the region Y2, it is determined that there is an irregularity in the amount or quality of the aqueous urea solution that is supplied to the NOx SCR catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Taiga Hagimoto, Hiroshi Sawada, Daisuke Shibata
  • Publication number: 20110146239
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for monitoring a pollutant conversion capacity of a catalytically coated, oxidizing exhaust gas aftertreatment component (29) in an exhaust gas system (13) of an internal combustion engine (15). A nitrogen oxide sensor (31, 32) is disposed in each case in the flow path of the exhaust gas upstream of and downstream of the oxidizing exhaust gas aftertreatment component (29), a capacity of said oxidizing exhaust gas aftertreatment component (29) for converting NO to NO2 being ascertained from a comparison of the two signals (Z?, Z?) of the nitrogen oxide sensors (31, 32). Additional independent claims relate to an open-loop and/or closed-loop control device (17), a computer program and a computer program product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GMBH
    Inventors: Torsten Handler, Tobias Pfister
  • Patent number: 7963105
    Abstract: An exhaust purification system includes a catalyst disposed in an exhaust path of an internal combustion engine; a fuel pump that supplies fuel to a common rail; an exhaust-side fuel injection valve that is interposed in the exhaust path so as to be located upstream of the catalyst and injects into the exhaust path the fuel supplied from the fuel pump; and estimation section that estimates a clogging degree of an injection port of the exhaust-side fuel injection valve on the basis of fluctuations in pressure of the common rail and those in revolution speed of the internal combustion engine at the time of fuel injection by the exhaust-side fuel injection valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshio Tagawa, Keisuke Tashiro, Seiji Kikuchi, Takehisa Fujita, Mizuki Anai, Kazuhito Kawashima, Masahiro Tsuda, Jian Wang
  • Patent number: 7958723
    Abstract: A control system that controls regeneration of a particulate filter is provided. The system generally includes a regeneration module that controls current to the particulate filter to initiate combustion of particulate matter in the particulate filter. A propagation module estimates a propagation status of the combustion of the particulate matter based on a combustion temperature. A temperature adjustment module controls the combustion temperature by selectively increasing a temperature of exhaust that passes through the particulate filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, Jr., Frank Ament
  • Publication number: 20110131954
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for managing particulate emissions in an engine including a particulate filter and a CO2 sensor downstream of the filter. A CO2 sensor may be used to infer the presence of particulate matter in the exhaust, downstream of the filter. By sensing particulate matter in the post-filter exhaust, filter degradation may be identified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Parnin
  • Publication number: 20110131956
    Abstract: A catalyst degradation determination device is provided that can determine the degradation of a selective reduction catalyst with high precision while also suppressing a temporary decline in purification performance. By way of controlling a urea injection device, the catalyst degradation determination device increases, in a selective reduction catalyst in a state in which the storage amount is a maximum, the storage amount thereof by a detection reduced-amount portion DSTNH3—JD and then decreases the amount until it is determined that ammonia slip has occurred. Then, degradation is determined based on the time at which the slip determination flag FNH3—SLIP was set to “1” when fluctuating the storage amount. The detection reduced-amount portion DSTNH3—JD is set to a value that is larger than the storage capacity of the selective reduction catalyst in a degraded state and smaller than the storage capacity of the selective reduction catalyst in a normal state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuji YASUI, Eiji Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20110131955
    Abstract: A degradation rate decision method of a lambda sensor, may include an injection step injecting a reducing agent so as to regenerate a nitrogen oxide purification catalyst, a lambda value detection step detecting a lambda value of the lambda sensor from a fuel/air ratio of exhaust gas after injecting the reducing agent, a reaching time decision step determining a time period that the lambda value takes to reach a predetermined criterion value after injecting the reducing agent, and a degradation rate decision step determining that the lambda sensor is degraded when the time period is equal to or longer than a predetermined time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Pil Seung Kim
  • Publication number: 20110126516
    Abstract: A system is provided for removing particulate matter from a particulate filter, which includes at least one particulate filter unit. The system includes an engine controller coupled to each sensor and the engine, and a locomotive controller coupled to the engine controller. Each sensor continuously outputs a first alert signal to the engine controller, including the current load and the loading rate of one or more particulate filter units. The engine controller determines a projected load and projected loading rate of the one or more particulate filter units along the route, and a time gap or distance gap based on the trip plan along the route until the one or more particulate filter units are fully loaded. Additionally, the engine controller determines a time region or distance region within the respective time gap or distance gap filter unit, based on at least one of the current load, the loading rate, the projected load, the projected loading rate, and the time region or distance region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventors: Shawn Michael Gallagher, Roy Primus, Jennifer Topinka
  • Publication number: 20110120091
    Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring the light-off temperature of a diesel oxidation catalyst of a combustion engine. The method includes, but is not limited to measuring the temperature of the exhaust gas upstream and downstream of the diesel oxidation catalyst during a post injection phase or after injection phase of the combustion engine, determining whether a catalyst light-off occurred by using the temperature data of the exhaust gas, calculating the surface temperature of the diesel oxidation catalyst by using the measured temperature data of the exhaust gas, and defining the calculated temperature as light-off temperature of the diesel oxidation catalyst in the case that a catalyst light-off is determined. By means of the method, it is possible to determine the actual light-off temperature of the diesel oxidation catalyst for instance after each engine start by means of calculating the surface temperature of the diesel oxidation catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Alexander LEU, Torsten MUELLER, Markus WESSLAU
  • Patent number: 7949462
    Abstract: Upon no detection of the closing abnormality where the EGR valve does not become in the totally closed state (when the flag Fa is value ‘0’), the engine is controlled using the target fuel injection amount obtained from the correction of the basic fuel injection amount toward the increase direction, in the case that the engine is operated together with the recirculation of the exhaust in the preset high-load operation range (when the flag Fi is ‘1’). Upon detection of the closing abnormality (when the flag Fa is value ‘1’), the engine is controlled using the target fuel injection amount obtained from the correction of the basic fuel injection amount toward the increase direction, in the case that the engine is operated together with the recirculation of the exhaust in the whole range that the engine is operable together with the recirculation of the exhaust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hikokazu Akimoto
  • Publication number: 20110113757
    Abstract: In an exhaust purification system of an internal combustion engine comprising an exhaust purification device which receives a bad influence from SOX in the exhaust gas and a S trap device arranged upstream of the exhaust purification device, which can store SOX in the exhaust gas, an amount of SOX passing through the S trap device is integrated as an integrated value, each allowance value of the integrated value for each elapsed period from the start time of the use of the S trap device is set, and when the current integrated value exceeds the corresponding allowance value and between a first set period ago and the current time, fuel has been supplied into the fuel tank and engine oil has not been exchanged, it is determined that fuel with a high concentration of sulfur has been supplied into the fuel tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takamitsu Asanuma, Shinya Hirota, Kohei Yoshida, Hiromasa Nishioka, Hiroshi Otsuki
  • Publication number: 20110107742
    Abstract: A reducing agent injection valve abnormality detection device for detecting clogging of a reducing agent injection valve in a reducing agent injection device has a pressure detection component that detects the pressure inside a supply path based on a sensor value of a pressure sensor, a pump control component that fixes the output of a pump in a state where the pressure inside the supply path has become a value in a predetermined range, a reducing agent injection valve control component that opens the valve for a predetermined amount of time in a state where the output of the pump has been fixed, and a clogging determination component that determines the extent of clogging of the reducing agent injection valve by comparing, with plural threshold values, the pressure, or a pressure drop quantity, inside the supply path when the valve has been opened for the predetermined amount of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Igarashi, Eiji Nakao
  • Publication number: 20110099982
    Abstract: An algorithm or diagnostic for detecting and alarming unintended exothermic conditions in exhaust after treatment components selectively detects alarming temperature variations in exhaust after treatment components when caused by internal unintended exothermal events, rather than transient conditions that are externally driven. Not only are the output temperature and the delta temperature (T_out?T_in) across the component monitored in each after-treatment device, but also the input temperature is deeply analyzed through its recent history data in order to determine if any input variations caused the output changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: International Engine Intellectual Property Company , LLC
    Inventors: Paul L. Berke, Massimo Fontana
  • Publication number: 20110099983
    Abstract: A reducing agent injection device is equipped with a storage tank that houses a reducing agent, a pump that pressure-feeds the reducing agent, a reducing agent injection valve that injects the reducing agent pressure-fed by the pump into the inside of an exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine, a supply path that interconnects the pump and the reducing agent injection valve, and a pressure sensor that is disposed in the supply path. The reducing agent injection device is configured such that it can suck, into the inside of the supply path, a gas inside the exhaust pipe via an injection hole in the reducing agent injection valve by subjecting the inside of the supply path to depressurization processing. An abnormality detection device detects clogging of the reducing agent injection valve in the reducing agent injection device and includes a clogging determination component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventor: Shigehiro Ohno
  • Patent number: 7934369
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying apparatus for an internal combustion engine is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Teruhiko Miyake
  • Patent number: 7934370
    Abstract: When a vehicle speed V is greater than a threshold value Vref when an engine speed difference ?N between an engine speed Ne and a target engine speed Ne* is greater than a threshold value Nref and a catalyst degradation flag Fc is 1, that engine speed Ne is brought to the target engine speed Ne* while the engine is kept firing. However, when the vehicle speed V is less than the threshold value Vref, a fuel cut is executed even if the engine speed difference ?N is greater than the threshold value Nref and the catalyst degradation flag Fc is 1. The threshold value Vref is set based on a catalyst bed temperature CT so control to suppress catalyst degradation can be continued for longer the more the operating state is such that the catalyst bed temperature CT is high and degradation of the catalyst is promoted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ikuo Ando, Kazuki Kunishima
  • Patent number: 7930876
    Abstract: A device for monitoring an operating mode of an element used for aftertreatment of exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine and to an associated method. The device includes a controller configured to receive a signal that represents a characteristic magnitude of the exhaust gases downstream of the exhaust gas aftertreatment element. In addition, the controller can receive a signal that represents engine deceleration and is configured to increment a deceleration counter with each deceleration. The controller also includes a failure counter that is incremented when a variation in the above-mentioned measured magnitude is detected during a deceleration, the controller establishing a diagnostic criterion that is a function of the two counters. The controller triggers a fault signal if the diagnostic criterion exceeds programmed limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Nicolas Thouvenel, Laurent Leprieur
  • Publication number: 20110083641
    Abstract: A method includes substantially reducing specific fuel consumption and exhaust emissions of an engine by adjusting an exhaust flow from a set of predetermined cylinders among a plurality of cylinders of the engine through an exhaust gas recirculation system to an intake manifold, by adjusting a temperature of a cooler of the exhaust gas recirculation system, and by adjusting a fuel injection timing, in response to variance in a plurality of parameters of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Manoj Prakash Gokhale, Nilesh Vinayak Deshpande
  • Publication number: 20110083425
    Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring an emission device coupled to an engine. In one example approach, the method comprises: following a deceleration fuel shut-off duration, indicating degradation of the emission device based on an amount of rich products required to cause a sensor to become richer than a threshold. The amount of rich products required may be correlated to an amount of oxygen stored in the emission device. The indication of emission device degradation may be further based on air mass and temperature during delivery of the required rich products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Brent Edward Sealy, Jeffrey Scott Hepburn, Paul Chester Dara
  • Publication number: 20110083424
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine operating at a lean air/fuel ratio includes a reductant injection system configured to dispense reductant into an exhaust gas feedstream upstream of a selective catalytic reduction device. The reductant injection system includes a reductant delivery system fluidly coupled to a reductant dispensing device that is configured to dispense the reductant. A method for monitoring the reductant injection system includes commanding the reductant dispensing device to dispense reductant at a prescribed reductant flowrate, controlling the reductant delivery system to a preferred operating state, monitoring operation of the reductant delivery system and estimating a reductant flowrate as a function of the monitored operation of the reductant delivery system, and diagnosing operation of the reductant injection system as a function of the prescribed reductant flowrate and the estimated reductant flowrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Yue-Yun Wang, Charles E. Solbrig, Stephen Paul Levijoki
  • Patent number: 7918084
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purification apparatus for an internal combustion engine having a movable component that is operated during operation of the internal combustion engine includes: a switching portion that switches the exhaust gas temperature increasing control between a first control in which the temperature of exhaust gas is increased without operating the movable component and a second control in which the temperature of exhaust gas is increased operating the movable component; a detecting portion that detects a temporarily sticking state of the movable component; and a controlling portion that, when a temporarily sticking state of the movable component is detected, extends an execution region for the first control toward an execution region for the second control in the entire operation region of the internal combustion engine, whereby the execution region for the second control is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Jun Tahara
  • Patent number: 7918086
    Abstract: Performance characteristics of a catalytic device are determined based on a particle size of a particulate component of the catalytic device. In this way, aging of a catalytic device can be accounted for in the calculation of performance characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Christian T. Goralski, Jr., Joseph E. Patterson, Joseph R. Theis, Shane Elwart
  • Patent number: 7918085
    Abstract: A fuel injection control device performs fuel injection only once corresponding to an over-rich air/fuel ratio immediately after the end of F/C as rich air/fuel ratio control after F/C. Such fuel injection is performed with a fuel amount which is the sum of a fuel amount corresponding to a shallow rich air/fuel ratio AFrich and a predetermined increment. Immediately after this operation, fuel injection is performed with a fuel amount corresponding to the shallow rich air/fuel ratio AFrich. This adjusts the air/fuel ratio of the engine to the over-rich air/fuel ratio for an extremely short period of time immediately after the end of F/C, following which the air/fuel ratio is immediately switched to the shallow rich air/fuel ratio AFrich.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mamoru Yoshioka
  • Publication number: 20110072789
    Abstract: A particulate matter sensor includes a first detection filter provided in an exhaust gas flow passage and capable of collecting particle matter. A second detection filter is provided on a downstream side of the first detection filter in the exhaust gas flow passage and capable of collecting the particle matter. A first differential pressure detection unit is configured to detect a first differential pressure between pressures of an upstream side and the downstream side of the first detection filter. A second differential pressure detection unit is configured to detect a second differential pressure between pressures of an upstream side and a downstream side of the second detection filter. A particle matter amount detection unit is configured to detect an amount of particle matter based on a detection result of the first differential pressure detection unit and a detection result of the second differential pressure detection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicants: IBIDEN CO., LTD., Athanasios G. KONSTANDOPOULOS
    Inventors: Athanasios G. KONSTANDOPOULOS, Fumishige Miyata, Senji Hamanaka, Takashi Yamakawa, Makoto Konno
  • Publication number: 20110072790
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a hydrocarbon-selective catalytic reactor device of an exhaust aftertreatment system of an internal combustion engine operating lean of stoichiometry includes injecting a reductant into an exhaust gas feedstream upstream of the hydrocarbon-selective catalytic reactor device at a predetermined mass flowrate of the reductant, and determining a space velocity associated with a predetermined forward portion of the hydrocarbon-selective catalytic reactor device. When the space velocity exceeds a predetermined threshold space velocity, a temperature differential across the predetermined forward portion of the hydrocarbon-selective catalytic reactor device is determined, and a threshold temperature as a function of the space velocity and the mass flowrate of the reductant is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Steven J. Schmieg, Michael B. Viola, Shi-Wai S. Cheng, Patricia A. Mulawa, David L. Hilden, Thompson M. Sloane, Jong H. Lee
  • Patent number: 7908846
    Abstract: A method for controlling injection of a substance in a diesel engine exhaust after treatment system includes generating a feedforward signal as a function of a desired output signal, the desired output signal corresponding to an output sought to be achieved through injection of the substance. Actual system output is measured and an actual output signal is generated corresponding to an output actually achieved through injection of the substance. The desired output signal and the actual output signal are compared and an error signal is generated corresponding to a difference between the desired output signal and the actual output signal. A control signal is generated as a function of the error signal and the feedforward signal for controlling an amount of the substance to inject, and the feedforward signal is adjusted by an adaptive factor, the adaptive factor being a function of the error signal. A diesel engine is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Mack Trucks, Inc
    Inventor: Chun Tai
  • Publication number: 20110061367
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: FEV MOTORENTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Martin Laermann, Marek Tatur, Harsha Nanjundaswamy, Dean Tomazic
  • Publication number: 20110061368
    Abstract: A particulate matter sensor includes a detection filter, a differential pressure detecting unit, an on-off valve, and a valve control unit. The detection filter is installed in an exhaust passage connected to an internal combustion engine and is configured to detect particulate matter contained in an exhaust gas passing through the exhaust passage. The differential pressure detecting unit is configured to detect a pressure difference between an upstream side and a downstream side of the detection filter. The on-off valve is installed on the upstream side of the detection filter in the exhaust passage and is configured to control a flow of the exhaust gas toward the detection filter. The valve control unit is configured to control the on-off valve to be opened and closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: IBIDEN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fumishige Miyata, Takafumi Kasuga, Yasuhiro Ishii
  • Patent number: 7905085
    Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine, in whose exhaust gas system an exhaust gas treatment device is positioned, a reagent, which is possibly mixed with compressed air, being introduced into the exhaust gas system upstream from the exhaust gas treatment device, and a device for performing the method. The reagent is brought to a predefined reagent setpoint pressure using a reagent pump and subsequently metered using a reagent dosing valve. The reagent pressure existing upstream from the reagent dosing valve is detected. In the framework of a diagnosis, a time curve of the reagent setpoint pressure is predefined. The reagent pressure detected during the diagnosis is compared to at least one predefined threshold value. If the threshold value is exceeded, an error signal is provided. The corresponding diagnosis of a compressed air path may be provided alternatively or additionally to the diagnosis of the reagent path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ruben-Sebastian Henning, Ulrich Pechtold, Horst Fuhrmann, Guenter Schelkle, Seigfried Zerbin
  • Patent number: 7900439
    Abstract: A diagnostic system for an exhaust system including a catalyst and a post-catalyst oxygen sensor is provided. The system generally includes a fuel control module that commands fuel to transition from a rich condition to a lean condition and that commands fuel to transition from the lean condition to the rich condition. A first diagnostic module monitors the post-catalyst oxygen sensor during the transition from the rich condition to the lean condition. A second diagnostic module monitors the catalyst during the transition from the lean condition to the rich condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Inventors: Robert J. Genslak, Igor Anilovich, Justin F. Adams, Jeffry A. Helmick, Edward Stuteville, Wesley W. Wald, Vidyapriya Srinivasan
  • Publication number: 20110047978
    Abstract: A system for improving operation of an engine having a particulate matter sensor is presented. The system may be used to improve engine operation during cold starts especially under conditions where water vapor or entrained water droplets are present in vehicle exhaust gases. In one embodiment, degradation of a particulate matter sensor is indicated after a temperature of a substrate of the particulate matter sensor exceeds a threshold temperature and an output of the particulate matter sensor is below a threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Garry Anthony Zawacki, Robert F. Novak, Roberto Teran, Jr., Dave Charles Weber, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Michael Hopka, William Charles Ruona
  • Publication number: 20110047979
    Abstract: A fuel-fired combustor includes a housing with a combustion chamber. The housing has an inlet and an outlet. A fuel inlet to the housing supplies fuel to the combustion chamber. An igniter ignites a mixture of exhaust gas and fuel to produce a flame for increasing an internal temperature. At least one sensor measures or monitors at least one combustor characteristic and generates a corresponding combustor characteristic signal. A controller receives the combustor characteristic signal, compares the combustor characteristic signal to a predetermined combustor criteria and generates an output signal to change at least one combustor operating condition if the combustor characteristic signal varies from the predetermined combustor criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Tony Parrish, Samuel N. Crane, JR., Wilbur H. Crawley, II
  • Patent number: 7895824
    Abstract: A secondary air supply system includes a supply passage, a valve, and a detecting unit. Secondary air is supplied to the upstream of a purification apparatus in an exhaust passage of an engine through the supply passage. The valve communicates and blocks the supply passage to be in open and close conditions. The detecting unit detects a detection object of secondary air in the upstream of the valve in the supply passage. A diagnosis apparatus for the secondary air supply system includes a diagnosis unit that obtains a detection result of the detecting unit in each of the open and close conditions of the valve for evaluating an abnormity of the secondary air supply system in accordance with the detection result. The diagnosis apparatus includes a reliability maintaining unit that determines the diagnosis operation of the diagnosis unit to be valid when the detecting operations in the open and close conditions are continuously performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiro Tsujimura, Shujiro Morinaga, Satoshi Kodo
  • Patent number: 7895830
    Abstract: If an exhaust throttle valve changes to ON state from OFF state under a filter regeneration control condition for regenerating a PM filter, a differential pressure sensor detects a change of a differential pressure following an operation of the exhaust throttle valve. An increase in an exhaust backpressure is calculated based upon the change in the differential pressure. If the increase in the exhaust backpressure is lower than a predetermined value, the operation of the exhaust throttle valve is determined to be malfunctioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Otsubo, Tatsuhisa Yokoi, Shigehiro Matsuno, Ikuo Hoda
  • Publication number: 20110041478
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an exhaust gas-aftertreatment device and a control method thereof. More specifically, the invention relates to an exhaust gas-aftertreatment device, which employs a burner and a metal filter, so that the filter can be regenerated within a short time at high temperature, and wherein the burner is operated when the vehicle is idling, and wherein the filter can be efficiently regenerated by forming a flame in a stable manner using a dispersion means, and which furthermore has enhanced durability, and to a method for controlling the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: SK ENERGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Changq Lee, Yongwoo Kim, Youngshol Kim, Haejin Park