METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT IN HYBRID VEHICLE FOR MAINTAINING A CATALYST IN AN EFFECTIVE STATE

• US 20020063001A1
• Filed: 11/30/2000
• Published: 05/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Lennevi, Jerker
• Granted Patent: US 6,397,963 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/65.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/02 comprising more than one electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/04 of the electric storage means for propulsion exchanging batteries for electric propulsion of vehicles B60L53/80; for auxiliary purposes only B60R16/04; supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles B60S5/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/005 the electric storage means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/365 with the gears having orbital motion
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/383 One-way clutches or freewheel devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/445 Differential gearing distribution type
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/2045 for optimising the use of energy
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/40 DC to AC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/421 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/423 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/441 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/443 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/445 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/486 Operating parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/80 Time limits
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/26 Transition between different drive modes
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/42 by adaptive correction
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/20 Inrush current reduction, i.e. avoiding high currents when connecting the battery
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0046 relating to electric energy storage systems, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/61 : by batteries charged by engine-driven generators, e.g. series hybrid electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/64 : Constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/12 : responding to state of charge [SoC]
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/18 : of two or more battery modules
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/26 : by cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 : including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 : including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/10 : including control of change-speed gearings
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/26 : for electrical energy, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/00 : Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles hybrid vehicle design, B60K6/00; electric vehicles B60L
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/15 : Control strategies specially adapted for achieving a particular effect
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0012 : Feedforward or open loop systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0022 : Gains, weighting coefficients or weighting functions
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0638 : Engine speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0657 : Engine torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/068 : Engine exhaust temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/081 : Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/083 : Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/244 : Charge state
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/10 : Longitudinal speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/10 : Accelerator pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0616 : Position of fuel or air injector
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0622 : Air-fuel ratio
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/065 : Idle condition
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0666 : Engine torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/105 : Output torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18027 : Drive off, accelerating from standstill
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/0097 : Predicting future conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/18 : Control of the engine output torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/021 : Introducing corrections for particular conditions exterior to the engine conjoint control of vehicle sub-units for propelling the vehicle B60W30/18
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0814 : comprising means for controlling automatic idle-start-stop
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0829 : related to special engine control, e.g. giving priority to engine warming-up or learning
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/026 : Catalyst temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2300/2006 : using prediction of future conditions
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 : Engine management systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 : Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 : Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 : Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 : Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/84 : Data processing systems or methods, management, administration
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/91 : Orbital, e.g. planetary gears
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/913 : One way
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/945 : Characterized by control of gearing, e.g. control of transmission ratio

Abstract

Method for maintaining a catalyst of an emissions system in a hybrid electric vehicle in an operative condition is disclosed. The method includes sensing that an engine of a hybrid electric vehicle has stopped operating. A time period is predicted after which a catalyst of an emissions system associated with the engine will cool to a light-off temperature below which the catalyst becomes ineffective. The predicting step is based on known qualities of the catalyst and ambient conditions in which the vehicle is being operated. The engine is restarted when the predicted time period has expired thereby maintaining the catalyst at temperatures in excess of the light-off temperature.

Claims

1. A method for maintaining a catalyst of an emissions system in a hybrid electric vehicle in an operative condition, said method comprising:

sensing that an engine of a hybrid electric vehicle has stopped operating;

predicting a time period after which a catalyst of an emissions system associated with said engine will cool to a light-off temperature below which said catalyst becomes ineffective;

basing said predicting step on known qualities of said catalyst and ambient conditions in which the vehicle is being operated; and

restarting the engine when the predicted time period has expired thereby maintaining the catalyst at temperatures in excess of the light-off temperature.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

sensing a temperature of said catalyst and initiating stopping of operation of the engine when a predetermined temperature is detected.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

running the engine at idle speed; and

charging batteries of the hybrid electric vehicle utilizing power produced from the idling engine.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

heating said catalyst to a predetermined temperature differential above said light-off temperature; and

stopping operation of the engine when the predetermined temperature differential is achieved.

5. The method as recited in claim 4 further comprising:

sensing a temperature of said catalyst and initiating the stopping of operation of the engine when the predetermined temperature differential is detected.

6. The method as recited in claim 5 further comprising:

sensing said temperature of said catalyst utilizing a physical sensor located proximate said catalyst.

7. The method as recited in claim 5 further comprising:

sensing said temperature of said catalyst utilizing a catalyst modeling process;

said modeling process being dependent upon catalyst, engine and ambient conditions.