Method for cleaning a particulate filter

• US 20050252199A1
• Filed: 07/10/2003
• Published: 11/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Arlt, Tino, Schwarz, Roland, Rosel, Gerd
• Application Number:
  US10/522,140
• Publication Number:
  US 20050252199A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 60/285
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2430/00 Influencing exhaust purification, e.g. starting of catalytic reaction, filter regeneration, or the like, by controlling engine operating characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/023 using means for regenerating the filters, e.g. by burning trapped particles by electrically controlling the supply of combustible mixture or its constituents only F02D41/0235
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 9/002 of filter regeneration, e.g. detection of clogging
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0402 the parameter being determined by using a model of the engine intake or its components
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 35/0007 using electrical feedback F02D35/0015 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/029 the exhaust gas treating apparatus being a particulate filter
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/18 by measuring intake air flow
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for regenerating a particulate filter, which is mounted inside the exhaust gas channel of an internal combustion engine, filters particles out of the exhaust gas flowing inside of the exhaust gas channel, and which is intermittently regenerated during operation. According to the method, the actual air mass flow (Lexp) supplied to the internal combustion engine is measured, and the air requirement (Lcalc) of the internal combustion engine is determined. A regeneration of the particulate filter is initiated based on a difference (ΔL) between the air mass flow and the air requirement.

Claims

1. A method for regenerating a particulate filter, which is mounted in an exhaust gas channel of an internal combustion engine, filters particles out of exhaust gas flowing inside of the exhaust gas channel and is intermittently regenerated during operation, comprising:

measuring actual air mass flow supplied to the internal combustion engine;

determining an air requirement of the internal combustion engine to be expected at a current operating point; and

a regeneration of the particulate filter is initiated based on a difference between the air mass flow and the air requirement.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that wherein the regeneration is triggered if a difference of the actual air mass flow from the calculated air requirement exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

3. The method according to one claim 1, wherein the air requirement is determined taking an empty or cleaned particulate filter as starting point.

4. The method for regenerating a particulate filter, which is mounted in an exhaust gas channel of an internal combustion engine, filters particles out of the exhaust gas flowing inside of the exhaust gas channel and is intermittently regenerated during operation, comprising:

measuring actual air mass flow supplied to the internal combustion engine;

adapting a model for determining the an air requirement to be expected at a current operating point to the actual air mass flow; and

regeneration of the particulate filter is initiated if the model lies outside a predetermined parameter ranges after the adaptation.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the model is adapted to the actual air mass flow, whereby at least one adjustment value is suitably set and a regeneration is triggered if the adjustment value is outside the predetermined ranges.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein in the determination of the air requirement, other variables influencing the air requirement than accumulation of particles in the particulate filter are taken into consideration.

7. The method according to claim 4, wherein the determination of the air requirement and a decision as to whether a regeneration is triggered occur at discrete operating points of the internal combustion engine.

8. The method according to claim 4, wherein the air requirement is calculated for control of the internal combustion engine, whereby a partly loaded filter is taken as a starting point.

9. The method according to claim 4, wherein the actual air mass flow supplied to the internal combustion engine is determined by an air mass measuring device mounted in an intake tract of the internal combustion engine, or by a pressure sensor mounted in the intake tract of the internal combustion engine.