Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method or apparatus for controlling reductant dosing level introduced to a selective catalytic reduction device. The method or apparatus may determine available reductant and determine a distance to a source of reductant. This may be followed by adjusting a reductant dosing level based upon the available reductant and the distance to the reductant source. The apparatus may be installed in a vehicle and may also regulate in-cylinder emission control variables to reduce NOx emissions.

Abstract: A method and a device for operating an internal combustion engine having at least one mass flow line and a cooling device for cooling the mass flow in the mass flow line, as well as a bypass, having a bypass valve, that bypasses the cooling device. When the bypass valve is opened, the mass flow is conducted at least partly through the bypass. When the bypass valve is closed, the mass flow is conducted through the cooling device. Downstream from the cooling device and from the bypass in the mass flow line, a temperature of the mass flow in the mass flow line is determined. In at least one operating state of the internal combustion engine, a first temporal temperature gradient is determined with closed bypass valve. In the at least one operating state of the internal combustion engine, a second temporal temperature gradient is determined with closed position of the bypass valve.

Abstract: The degradation simulator is used for a gas sensor including a sensor element having a solid electrolyte layer and a pair of electrodes located opposite to each other across from the solid electrolyte layer, the sensor element outputting a sensor output signal having a value depending on concentration of a specific gas in the ambient gas. The degradation simulator includes a first setting function of enabling variably setting a time constant delay which appears on the sensor output signal when concentration of the specific gas changes, a second setting function of enabling variably setting a dead time delay which appears on the sensor output signal when concentration of the specific gas changes, and an adding function of adding at least one of the time constant delay and dead time delay to the sensor output signal in order to generate a pseudo-degraded sensor output signal in accordance with an external instruction.

Abstract: Methods are provided for estimating an exhaust temperature of an engine exhaust of a turbocharged engine prior to an inlet of the turbine of the turbocharger. These methods estimate the pre-turbine exhaust temperature based on thermodynamic equations and measured temperature and pressure values from elsewhere in the system. The estimated pre-turbine exhaust temperature can be used for controlling the engine, for verification of the emissions control system, and can also be compared against actual measurements of the pre-turbine exhaust temperature to evaluate engine performance. The present invention also provides turbocharged engine systems including sensors to make the required measurements and logic configured to estimate the pre-turbine exhaust temperature.

Abstract: A malfunction diagnosis apparatus diagnoses a malfunction of an exhaust gas sensor provided on a downstream side of a catalyst. A dead time determination unit determines a dead time between a first time point, at which fuel cut of the internal combustion engine is started, and a second time point, at which the fuel cut starts exerting effect on an output of the exhaust gas sensor. An output change time measurement unit measures an output change time between the first time point and a third time point, at which the output of the exhaust gas sensor changes to a leaner side than a threshold. A malfunction determination unit determines whether a malfunction is caused in the exhaust gas sensor on the basis of a response time of the exhaust gas sensor obtained by subtracting the dead time from the output change time.

Abstract: A method and device for detecting presence of an exhaust gas treatment system in an exhaust line of an internal combustion engine. The method determines the derivative of the temperature upstream of the treatment system, determines the derivative of the temperature downstream of the treatment system, and compares the downstream temperature derivative with a threshold value for detecting absence of the treatment system using a pre-determined upstream temperature derivative level.

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.

Abstract: A test method for an exhaust gas probe (8, 9) of an internal combustion engine (3), particularly for a lambda probe, has the following steps: Checking an output signal (?1, ?2) of the exhaust gas probe (8, 9), detecting a fault state of the exhaust gas probe (8, 9) on the basis of the output signal (?1, ?2) of the exhaust gas probe (8, 9) and differentiating between different fault states of the exhaust gas probe (8, 9).

Abstract: A soot generation amount estimation apparatus obtains a generation speed of a precursor of soot (accordingly, the concentration of the precursor) in consideration of formation of the precursor from fuel, thermal decomposition of the formed precursor, and formation of soot from the formed precursor, and estimates a generation speed of soot (accordingly, the concentration of soot (the generation amount of soot)) in consideration of formation of soot from the precursor, which depends on the concentration of the precursor, and oxidation of the formed soot. The apparatus employs a reaction model in which the reaction process in which soot is generated from fuel is divided into two steps; i.e., a reaction process in which a precursor is generated from fuel and a reaction process in which soot is generated from the precursor. Thus, phenomena, such as a “delay in soot generation” in the reaction process in which soot is generated from fuel, can be accurately simulated.

Abstract: A method and system for estimating engine parameters in a combustion engine gas exchange system based on dynamic pressure readings taken by one or more pressure sensors. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method and system may use an artificial neural network (ANN) to process the dynamic pressure readings and any additional engine conditions that may have been provided.

Abstract: A NOx sensor diagnostic device includes a NOx sensor disposed in an exhaust passage of an engine, an output value obtaining device for obtaining an output value of the NOx sensor, a spray characteristics changing device for changing spray characteristics for a specific cylinder of cylinders of the engine, and a diagnostic device for diagnosing abnormality of the NOx sensor, based on the output value of the NOx sensor that is changed as a result of the change of the spray characteristics for the specific cylinder by the spray characteristics changing device. An exhaust gas purifying system includes a NOx removal system disposed in an exhaust passage of an engine, a NOx sensor disposed in the exhaust passage at least on an upstream side of the NOx removal system in a flow direction of exhaust air flowing through the exhaust passage, and the NOx sensor diagnostic device.

Abstract: A method to diagnose an exhaust gas sensor disposed in the exhaust gas region of an internal combustion engine, wherein provision is made for a comparison of a measurement for at least one exhaust gas component with a measurement of the exhaust gas component, which is ascertained on the basis of an exhaust gas sensor signal, and a device to implement the method are proposed. The diagnosis is only implemented if a change in at least one operating parameter of the internal combustion engine and/or at least one parameter of the exhaust gas is detected during the running operation of the internal combustion engine. Provision is made in the diagnosis for an averaging of the measurement for at least the one exhaust gas component as well as of the measurement for the exhaust gas component, which is provided by the exhaust gas sensor.

Abstract: One subject of the invention is a process for checking the robustness of a particulate filter intended to be used in the exhaust line of a diesel engine, comprising the steps consisting in, having first determined the soot mass limit of the filter, loading a new filter with a level of soot at least equal to two times and at most equal to three times the soot mass limit, then making the filter undergo a severe regeneration then, in any order, determining the filtration efficiency of the filter, measuring its pressure drop and comparing it to the pressure drop of the new filter, measuring its level of cracking, and finally checking its integrity after a mechanical stress. Another subject of the invention is a method for diagnosing the robustness of a filter.

Abstract: An exhaust after-treatment system is disclosed. The system has a particulate trap disposed to remove particulate matter from an exhaust flow of an engine, an upstream temperature sensor disposed to measure a temperature of the exhaust flow upstream of the particulate trap, and a downstream temperature sensor disposed to measure a temperature of the exhaust flow downstream of the particulate trap. The system also has a controller in communication to receive from the upstream and downstream temperature sensors indications of the upstream and downstream temperatures. The controller is configured to compare the upstream and downstream temperatures, determine if the upstream and downstream temperature sensors are improperly swapped based on the comparison, and take a precaution if it is determined that the upstream and downstream temperature sensors are improperly swapped.

Abstract: A method for checking an exhaust-gas section of a combustion engine for a leak, including the following: introducing secondary air into the exhaust-gas section of the combustion engine via a secondary-air valve, determining a measured value that indicates the magnitude of the relative pressure changes due to the expelling of exhaust gas from the combustion engine upstream from the secondary-air valve, and detecting the leak in the exhaust-gas section as a function of the measured value.

Abstract: A sensor for use with a diesel particulate filter in an exhaust system includes a collection device configured to be positioned downstream of the diesel particulate filter such that particulate matter not captured by the diesel particulate filter accumulates on the collection device. The collection device is configured to visually indicate a rate of particulate matter accumulation on the collection device. The rate of particulate matter accumulation corresponds to filter performance.

Abstract: A method is present for estimating engine load factor. Temperature data is obtained from a temperature sensor in a location with respect to an exhaust system for an engine. A rate of temperature change is estimated using the temperature data. A steady state temperature at a selected time is calculated for the location using the temperature data and the rate of temperature change. The engine load factor at the selected time is estimated from the steady state temperature.

Abstract: A method for adjusting an exhaust gas recycling rate in an internal combustion engine exhaust gas recycling system, comprising: arranging the exhaust gas recycling system in at least one of a fresh gas line, an exhaust gas line, and an exhaust gas recycling line of the internal combustion engine; actuating at least one additional valve; adjusting the at least one additional valve temporarily by changing the operation of the internal combustion engine based on an exhaust gas rate associated with a current operating point of the internal combustion engine; diagnosing the at least one additional valve; and evaluating the change of at least one engine operating parameter dependent on the exhaust gas recycling rate.

Abstract: A detection circuit for providing indications of a rotational speed and a temperature of a supercharging system for an internal combustion engine is provided, which detection circuit includes: a rotational speed sensor for providing a periodic detection signal having a frequency dependent on a rotational speed in the supercharging system; a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature in the supercharging system; and a modification unit for providing a periodic output signal having a periodicity dependent on the periodic detection signal, and for setting a time length of a signal pulse of the periodic output signal as a function of the detected temperature, so that the periodic output signal provides the rotational speed indication by its periodicity and the temperature indication by the time length of the signal pulse.

Abstract: A method for operating a sensor in an exhaust gas tract of an internal combustion engine and a device for carrying out the method are provided. In the method, a diagnosis is carried out of the condition of the saturation temperature, exclusively while taking into consideration a few fundamental input variables characterizing the operating state of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: To avoid potentially erroneous results, monitoring the operation of an oxygen sensor of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle to detect a slow response of the oxygen sensor as indicative of an oxygen sensor fault is temporarily suspended in response to a brake operation transition of a braking system of the vehicle.

Abstract: A diagnostic apparatus monitors a pressure difference detection apparatus that detects the pressure difference across an engine exhaust gas cleansing device in an exhaust gas system, with the diagnostic apparatus recognizing a condition of impeded transfer of gas between the pressure difference detection apparatus and the exhaust gas system, based upon a manner of convergence of successive detected pressure difference values that are produced by the pressure difference detection apparatus following a change in the exhaust gas flow rate.

Abstract: In a method for diagnosing the presence of an internal combustion engine exhaust aftertreatment component on a vehicle, the exhaust temperature is measured downstream the aftertreatment component continuously over a time period to provide a first temperature signal with fluctuating amplitude. The temperature signal is modified to provide a second modified temperature signal. The first and second temperature signals are compared to detect any significant difference between the signals.

Abstract: A method of using a burner-based system to produce diesel exhaust gas that contains particulate matter of a desired composition, to simulate the PM matter in exhaust produced by a production-type diesel internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A method of overcoming the problems of measuring the exhaust flow during pulsating and reversing flow by placing a “box” in series within a few feet of the connecting pipe to serve as a filter. The box is constructed with soft expandable sides, so it can expand with the pressure pulsations and then contract, creating a very smooth flow that can be measured with a measuring device at the exit of the flow from the box.

Abstract: An engine control module includes an exhaust heating module, a temperature determination module, and a resistance measuring module. The exhaust heating module operates an engine at a predetermined speed to generate an exhaust gas having a predetermined temperature. The exhaust gas heats a heating element of an oxygen sensor. The temperature determination module determines, based on the predetermined speed, when the heating element is heated to the predetermined temperature. The resistance measuring module determines a resistance of the heating element when the heating element is heated to the predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A procedure for checking the functionality of a reducing agent pump (172) of a NOx-reduction system of a combustion engine (110) is thereby characterized, in that it is checked, whether the pump (172) reaches a default engine speed value in a defined time interval within defined limits.

Abstract: A method and device for estimating temperature of gases arising from internal combustion of an engine at the entrance to a system for post-treatment of the gases. The post-treatment system is downstream from a system for treatment of the gases, which may include a nitrogen oxide NOx trap, an oxidation catalyst, or a 4-way catalyst. The systems connect to each other by a line, wherein the treatment system is considered as the whole of a whole finite number n of fictive elementary reactors Ri that are perfectly agitated and serially connected, wherein the total number n of fictive elementary reactors Ri is determined, in particular as a function of volume of the treatment system, and the fictive elementary reactors Ri are numbered from 1 to n in the gas flow direction along the treatment system.

Abstract: An estimation apparatus for determining a residual burned gas mass fraction of an internal combustion engine includes a single-cylinder simulator and an optimizer. The residual estimation apparatus does not rely on accurate knowledge of, or calculation of the details of the complex pulsating pressures and flows at the intake and exhaust valves. Instead an iterative approach uses primarily measured cylinder pressure and airflow as driving inputs, to ensure that the simulation states (i.e., pressure, temperature, and composition) of the cylinder gas contents, at the time of intake valve closing, are correct. The burned gas fraction calculated by the engine simulator is then taken as an estimate of that in the actual engine.

Abstract: When an abnormality occurred in a SCR device is detected, the output of an engine is restricted. To this end, in one embodiment, at the time of an abnormality occurrence, a map adopted for calculating a fuel injection quantity is switched from that for a normal time (S407). Further, as the abnormality to be detected, the clogging of an injection nozzle, the dilution of urea water stored in a tank, or the like is adopted.

Abstract: In one example, a system for an engine having an intake system and an exhaust system is described. The system comprises: an airflow sensor coupled to the intake system; an air pump having at least an inlet side and an outlet side, said inlet side having a first coupling to the intake system downstream of said airflow sensor, said outlet side having a second coupling to the exhaust system; and a controller coupled to the engine, said controller, during operation, identifying whether degradation has occurred to at least one of said first and second couplings, and providing an indication of said identified degradation. Various other examples are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a clogging determining device and a clogging determining method for a reducing agent injection valve, which enable clogging of the reducing agent injection valve to be determined with high precision in further consideration of the individual difference of the system.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a housing including a dielectric portion, a particulate matter (“PM”) sensor fixed inside the housing such that the exhaust streaming through an exhaust system passes near and in electrical isolation from the PM sensor, the PM sensor including a terminal couplable to a PM sensing circuit to produce a PM sensor indication associated with sensed PM and a fastener coupled to the housing and mountable to the exhaust system to dispose the housing into the exhaust system such that exhaust streaming through the exhaust system passes outside the dielectric portion of the housing.

Abstract: A gas sensor with a high temperature electrical connector is provided. The electrical connector incorporates a ceramic connector body having a pair of opposing ceramic body portions which each house a plurality of conductive terminals. The body portions are in pivoting engagement and fixed in a connector body retainer which also enables their pivoting, hinged movement. The pivoting engagement permits the ceramic body portions and terminals to hinge open to receive a gas sensor with a low insertion force and a hinge closed to provide the desired contact force.

Abstract: A method for improving the effectiveness of filters by increasing accuracy of an estimate of particulate matter loading remaining in the filter after cleaning. In one embodiment, the disclosed method includes removing soot from the DPF by cleaning, and measuring parameters for a set of predetermined criteria. The amount of soot present in the DPF is then estimated based on delta pressure. The resulting estimated soot load value accounts for the noise factors such as ash loading after extended operation. The value is then used to adjust for future measurements of soot loading in the DPF after subsequent regeneration treatments and/or used to diagnose the effectiveness of the cleaning. The method can also be applied to diagnostics of the DPF. When discrepancies between DPSLE and model-based soot load estimate are observed in healthy regenerations, failure modes such as plugged filter, extreme ash loading or substrate melting can be detected.

Abstract: A real time doser efficiency monitoring method is described that measures the average instant pressure difference within one duty cycle of the doser injector. The disclosed method results in improved doser efficiency monitoring. The disclosed method can be implemented in a number of areas. For example, in a diesel truck application, the doser efficiency can be monitored accurately, for example within 5% error, all the time, no matter whether the truck is in a transient or steady state.

Abstract: A temperature control system and method for use with an exhaust flow simulation system. A typical exhaust flow simulator is a burner-based system, in which exhaust from a combustive burner is exhausted through an exhaust line. A temperature control section divides the exhaust from the burner line into two paths: a cool path and an uncooled (hot) path. The cool path uses a heat exchanger to cool the exhaust. The cool path also has a control valve that controls the relative portions of hot and cool exhaust, which are re-mixed downstream the valve into an exhaust line. Various embodiments have different configurations for the two paths.

Abstract: A method and device for detecting presence of an exhaust gas treatment system in an exhaust line of an internal combustion engine. The method determines the derivative of the temperature upstream of the treatment system, determines the derivative of the temperature downstream of the treatment system, and compares the downstream temperature derivative with a threshold value for detecting absence of the treatment system using a pre-determined upstream temperature derivative level.

Abstract: Suggested are a procedure for diagnosing a metering valve (14) of an exhaust gas treatment device (22), which doses a reagent (16) into the exhaust gas area (11) of a combustion process, whereby the reagent (16) is brought to a metering pressure (p_Ds) by a pump (17) and which is dosed by the metering valve (14), at which the diagnosis is undertaken by evaluating a pressure drop (50, 51, 60, 61) of the reagent (16), and a device for implementing the procedure. At first the pump (17) is switched off. Subsequently the metering is continued during a diagnosis metering operation. The reagent quantity (m) that has been dosed is determined during the diagnosis metering operation. Not until reaching a dosing quantity threshold (m_Lim) the evaluation of the pressure drop (50, 51, 60, 61) is terminated.

Abstract: A procedure is introduced to test the functional capability of a secondary air system of an internal combustion engine, wherein values of a pressure are acquired, which arises in the secondary air system between the secondary air pump and a secondary air flow cross section, which can be controlled, when the secondary air pump is activated and the actuation of the secondary air flow cross section is increased; in that a measurement for the pressure is developed from the acquired values and is compared with a set point value, and the functional capability of the secondary air system is assessed as a function of a result of the comparison.

Abstract: A NOx sensor diagnostic device includes a NOx sensor disposed in an exhaust passage of an engine, an output value obtaining device for obtaining an output value of the NOx sensor, a spray characteristics changing device for changing spray characteristics for a specific cylinder of cylinders of the engine, and a diagnostic device for diagnosing abnormality of the NOx sensor, based on the output value of the NOx sensor that is changed as a result of the change of the spray characteristics for the specific cylinder by the spray characteristics changing device. An exhaust gas purifying system includes a NOx removal system disposed in an exhaust passage of an engine, a NOx sensor disposed in the exhaust passage at least on an upstream side of the NOx removal system in a flow direction of exhaust air flowing through the exhaust passage, and the NOx sensor diagnostic device.

Abstract: A vehicle exhaust measurement system is provided includes that a conduit having a conduit inlet and a conduit outlet. A make-up air tube is connected to and is in fluid communication with the conduit inlet. The make-up air tube provides make-up air for mixing an exhaust gas. A mixed gas tube is connected to and is in fluid communication with the conduit outlet. The mixed gas tube conveys a mixture of make-up air and exhaust gas to analysis equipment. In the preferred embodiment, the exhaust gas tube extends through an outer wall of the conduit. A mixing plate is arranged in either the conduit or the mixed gas tube with the exhaust gas tube extending to a position adjacent to the mixing plate. The exhaust gas tube conveys the exhaust gas to the mixing plate to mix the exhaust gas and the make-up air at the mixing plate.

Abstract: A fluid conveyance apparatus having more than one particulate matter sensing probe situated at two or more locations on the apparatus. Signals from the probes from at least two locations may indicate particulate matter flowing within a fluid through the conveyance apparatus. The times between signals may be indicated the rate of movement of the particulate matter in the conveyance apparatus and also a flow rate and direction of the fluid. The sensing probe signals may be processed into control signals that may go to a flow control mechanism. An example application of the flow control mechanism may be for an exhaust gas recirculation system of an engine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for controlling urea injection of a selective catalyst reduction apparatus for controlling an injection amount by considering vaporization and resolution characteristics of a urea solution according to driving conditions. Also, the method for controlling urea injection of the selective catalyst reduction apparatus may include determining a necessary ammonia amount according to a predetermined driving condition, determining a necessary urea solution amount by applying an ammonia conversion coefficient of urea solution, and determining a final urea solution amount that is to be finally injected by applying a wall-wetted urea solution amount.

Abstract: A temperature sensor rationality control system for an exhaust treatment system having an oxidation catalyst includes an oxidation catalyst inlet temperature sensor that generates an inlet temperature signal and an oxidation catalyst outlet temperature sensor that generates an outlet temperature signal. A control module determines whether a difference based on the inlet temperature signal and the outlet temperature signal is below a difference threshold when an exhaust temperature is within a threshold range.

Abstract: This patent disclosure relates to monitoring the quality of a reducing agent used in an emission-control system. Because emission-control systems may be used in extreme temperatures, the reducing agent used in these systems may be exposed to extreme temperatures for prolonged periods. This exposure may cause premature degradation of the reducing agent, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the emission-control system. To monitor the quality of the reducing agent, the disclosed systems and methods measure a property of the reducing agent, determine whether the measured property is out of compliance with a predetermined range, and provide a warning signal when the measured property is out of compliance.

Abstract: A method and device for estimating temperature of gases arising from internal combustion of an engine at the entrance to a system for post-treatment of the gases. The post-treatment system is downstream from a system for treatment of the gases, which may include a nitrogen oxide NOx trap, an oxidation catalyst, or a 4-way catalyst. The systems connect to each other by a line, wherein the treatment system is considered as the whole of a whole finite number n of fictive elementary reactors Ri that are perfectly agitated and serially connected, wherein the total number n of fictive elementary reactors Ri is determined, in particular as a function of volume of the treatment system, and the fictive elementary reactors Ri are numbered from 1 to n in the gas flow direction along the treatment system.

Abstract: A system for diagnosing an exhaust temperature sensor in an engine exhaust, the exhaust further including an emission control device, the system comprising an exhaust temperature sensor disposed in the exhaust pathway for indicating temperature; an air/fuel ratio sensor having a heater, the air/fuel ratio sensor disposed in the exhaust pathway; and a control system, the control system enabling and disabling the air/fuel ratio sensor heater based on operating conditions, the controller further adjusting fuel injection to provide a desired air-fuel ratio based on feedback from the air/fuel ratio sensor when the heater is enabled, and determining degradation of the exhaust temperature sensor based on a signal from the air/fuel ratio sensor when the heater is disabled.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has at least one cylinder and an exhaust gas tract, in which an exhaust gas sensor, that can be heated in a controlled manner, is arranged. An exhaust gas temperature of an exhaust gas flowing in the exhaust gas tract is determined as a function of the heating power (P_HEAT) supplied to the exhaust gas sensor. An estimated value of the exhaust gas temperature is determined as a function of a physical model of the combustion of the air/fuel mixture and of the exhaust gas tract as a function of at least one operating variable of the internal combustion engine, but independent of the heating power supplied to the exhaust gas sensor. Model parameters of the physical model are adapted as a function of a deviation of the estimated value and of the exhaust gas temperature determined by the supplied heating power.

Abstract: In a method for monitoring an exhaust gas purifying component with gas storage capability for purifying exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine, the exhaust gas purifying component comprises a gas storage material which changes from a first state into a second state upon storage of the gas. A temperature change of the exhaust gas purifying component and/or of the gas storage material, substantially based on a heat tonality of the modification transition, is measured and evaluated.