Method and apparatus for monitoring engine performance as a function of soot accumulation in a filter

• US 20050150220A1
• Filed: 08/31/2004
• Published: 07/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ET US Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: ET US Holdings LLC
• Inventors: Johnson, Randall J., Crawley, Wilbur H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,243,489 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 60/295
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 11/00 Monitoring or diagnostic devices for exhaust-gas treatment apparatus , e.g. for catalytic activity safety, indicating or supervising devices for internal combustion engines F02B77/08; testing of machines G01M13/00
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 13/011 having two or more purifying devices arranged in parallel
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2240/14 a fuel burner
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2610/1493 Purging the reducing agent out of the conduits or nozzle
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/025 using fuel burner or by adding fuel to exhaust
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/0256 the fuel being ignited by electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/36 Arrangements for supply of additional fuel
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/38 Arrangements for igniting
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 9/002 of filter regeneration, e.g. detection of clogging
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

A method of monitoring engine performance as a function of soot accumulation in a particulate filter includes determining characteristics of soot accumulation in the filter, analyzing the characteristics, and generating an error signal if the characteristics are indicative of predetermined engine performance conditions. An electronic controller configured to monitor soot accumulation in such a manner is also herein disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring engine performance, the method comprising the steps of:

determining characteristics of soot accumulation in a particulate filter,

analyzing the characteristics to determine if the characteristics are indicative of predetermined engine performance conditions, and

generating an error signal if the characteristics are indicative of predetermined engine performance conditions.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining step comprises determining a rate of soot accumulation within the particulate filter.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein determining the rate of soot accumulation within the particulate filter comprises determining a rate of change of a pressure drop across the particulate filter.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the determining step comprises determining a rate of soot accumulation within the particulate filter, and

the analyzing step comprises determining if the rate of soot accumulation is indicative of predetermined engine performance conditions.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein determining if the rate of soot accumulation is indicative of predetermined engine performance conditions comprises determining if the rate of soot accumulation is indicative of excess oil usage by an engine.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein determining if the rate of soot accumulation is indicative of predetermined engine performance conditions comprises determining if the rate of soot accumulation is indicative of a fuel injector malfunction.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of communicating the error signal to an engine control unit of an engine.

8. A method of monitoring engine performance, the method comprising the steps of:

determining a rate of soot accumulation within a particulate filter,

analyzing the rate of soot accumulation within the particulate filter to determine if the rate of soot accumulation within the particulate filter is indicative of predetermined engine performance conditions, and

generating an error signal if the rate of soot accumulation within the particulate filter is indicative of predetermined engine performance conditions.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein determining the rate of soot accumulation within the particulate filter comprises determining a pressure drop across the particulate filter.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein determining the rate of soot accumulation within the particulate filter comprises determining a rate of change of a pressure drop across the particulate filter.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the analyzing step comprises determining if the rate of soot accumulation is indicative of excess oil usage by an engine.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the analyzing step comprises determining if the rate of soot accumulation is indicative of a fuel injector malfunction.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of communicating the error signal to an engine control unit of an engine.

14. An emission abatement assembly for treating exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine, the emission abatement assembly, comprising:

a particulate filter,

a sensor configured to sense the accumulation level of soot within the particulate filter, and

a controller electrically coupled to the sensor, the controller comprising (i) a processor, and (ii) a memory device electrically coupled to the processor, the memory device having stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to;

monitor output from the sensor to determine characteristics of soot accumulation in a particulate filter,

analyze the characteristics to determine if the characteristics are indicative of predetermined engine performance conditions, and

generate an error signal if the characteristics are indicative of predetermined engine performance conditions.

15. The emission abatement assembly of claim 14, wherein the plurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to monitor output from the sensor to determine a rate of soot accumulation within the particulate filter.

16. The emission abatement assembly of claim 15, wherein:

the sensor comprises at least one pressure sensor positioned to sense a pressure drop across the particulate filter, and

the plurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to monitor output from the at least one pressure sensor to determine a rate of change of the pressure drop across the particulate filter.

17. The emission abatement assembly of claim 14, wherein the plurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to:

monitor output from the sensor to determine a rate of soot accumulation within the particulate filter, and

determine if the rate of soot accumulation within the particulate filter is indicative of predetermined engine performance conditions.

18. The emission abatement assembly of claim 17, wherein the plurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to determine if the rate of soot accumulation is indicative of excess oil usage by the engine.

19. The emission abatement assembly of claim 17, wherein the plurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to determine if the rate of soot accumulation is indicative of a fuel injector malfunction.

20. The emission abatement assembly of claim 14, wherein the plurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to communicate the error signal to an engine control unit of an engine.