VEHICLE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A VEHICLE TO REDUCE EXHAUST EMISSIONS
First Claim
1. A method for operating a vehicle to reduce exhaust emissions, the vehicle including an engine, an electric machine, an energy storage device capable of providing energy to operate the electric machine, and a catalyst for facilitating a reaction in exhaust gas from the engine, the method comprising:
- setting at least one engine parameter to effect an increase in a rate of temperature increase of the catalyst when the engine is operating, thereby decreasing the time required for the catalyst to reach a temperature whereat emissions are reduced;
operating the engine such that engine output power is generally constant when an output power of the energy storage device is within a first predetermined range; and
adjusting the at least one engine parameter, thereby changing the engine output power, when the output power of the energy storage device is outside the first predetermined range, the at least one engine parameter being adjusted to facilitate a change in the output power of the energy storage device from outside the first predetermined range into the first predetermined range.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for operating a vehicle to reduce exhaust emissions is provided. The vehicle includes an engine, a motor, a battery for operating the motor, and a catalyst for reducing exhaust gas emissions. The vehicle is operated in a first mode when at least one predetermined condition is met. The first mode includes providing at least some of the desired vehicle output power with the motor. The engine is operated to quickly increase the temperature of the catalyst when the output power from the battery is within a first predetermined range. When the output power of the battery is outside the first predetermined range, the operation of the engine is adjusted to drive battery operation into the first predetermined range. When the at least one predetermined condition is not met, the vehicle is operated in a second mode based at least partly on driver demand and battery requirements.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for operating a vehicle to reduce exhaust emissions, the vehicle including an engine, an electric machine, an energy storage device capable of providing energy to operate the electric machine, and a catalyst for facilitating a reaction in exhaust gas from the engine, the method comprising:
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setting at least one engine parameter to effect an increase in a rate of temperature increase of the catalyst when the engine is operating, thereby decreasing the time required for the catalyst to reach a temperature whereat emissions are reduced;
operating the engine such that engine output power is generally constant when an output power of the energy storage device is within a first predetermined range; and
adjusting the at least one engine parameter, thereby changing the engine output power, when the output power of the energy storage device is outside the first predetermined range, the at least one engine parameter being adjusted to facilitate a change in the output power of the energy storage device from outside the first predetermined range into the first predetermined range. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for operating a vehicle to reduce exhaust emissions, the vehicle including an engine, an electric machine, an energy storage device capable of providing energy to operate the electric machine, and a catalyst for facilitating a reaction in exhaust gas from the engine, the method comprising:
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determining a desired output power for the vehicle;
operating the vehicle in a first mode when at least one predetermined condition is met, the first mode including providing at least some of the desired vehicle output power with the electric machine when the desired vehicle output power is non-zero, setting at least one engine parameter to effect an increase in a rate of temperature increase of the catalyst when the engine is operating, operating the engine such that engine output power is generally constant when an output power of the energy storage device is within a first predetermined range, and adjusting the at least one engine parameter, thereby changing the engine output power, when the output power of the energy storage device is outside the first predetermined range, the at least one engine parameter being adjusted to facilitate a change in the output power of the energy storage device from outside the first predetermined range into the first predetermined range; and
operating the vehicle in a second mode when the at least one predetermined condition is not met, the second mode including operating the engine based on the desired vehicle output power and a state of the energy storage device. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A vehicle, comprising:
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an engine;
an electric machine operable to drive the vehicle;
an energy storage device capable of providing energy to operate the electric machine;
a catalyst capable of facilitating a reaction in exhaust gas from the engine; and
at least one controller configured to set at least one engine parameter to effect an increase in a rate of temperature increase of the catalyst when the engine is operating, thereby decreasing the time required for the catalyst to reach a temperature whereat emissions are reduced, the at least one controller being further configured to control the engine to provide a generally constant output power when an output power of the energy storage device is within a first predetermined range, and to adjust the at least one engine parameter, thereby changing the engine output power, when the output power of the energy storage device is outside the first predetermined range, the at least one engine parameter being adjusted to facilitate a change in the output power of the energy storage device from outside the first predetermined range into the first predetermined range. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification