Adaptive oxygen sensor methods, systems, and software

• US 20080154481A1
• Filed: 12/18/2007
• Published: 06/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cummins Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Cummins Incorporated
• Inventors: Stroia, Bradlee J., Lu, Wei
• Application Number:
  US12/002,787
• Publication Number:
  US 20080154481A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/109
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 11/002 the diagnostic devices measuring or estimating temperature or pressure in, or downstream of the exhaust apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 11/007 the diagnostic devices measuring oxygen or air concentration downstream of the exhaust apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 13/009 having two or more separate purifying devices arranged in series
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2550/00 Monitoring or diagnosing the deterioration of exhaust systems
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2560/025 for measuring or detecting O2, e.g. lambda sensors
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2560/06 the means being a temperature sensor
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2560/14 having more than one sensor of one kind
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2900/0422 measuring the elapsed time
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/035 with catalytic reactors , e.g. catalysed diesel particulate filters
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/0807 by using absorbents or adsorbents
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/106 Auxiliary oxidation catalysts
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1454 the characteristics being an oxygen content or concentration or the air-fuel ratio
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/222 relating to the failure of sensors or parameter detection devices
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/2441 characterised by the learning conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/2454 Learning of the air-fuel ratio control
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/2474 Characteristics of sensors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

One embodiment is a system operable to control entry of an oxygen sensor into a learning mode. Further embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits shall become apparent from the following description and drawings.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

an exhaust aftertreatment subsystem;

an oxygen sensor coupled to the exhaust aftertreatment subsystem; and

a controller operable to command the oxygen sensor to enter a learning mode when an EGR condition is satisfied.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein entry into the learning mode further requires an exhaust pressure condition is satisfied.

3. A system according to claim 1 wherein entry into the learning mode further requires a regeneration condition is satisfied, an exhaust pressure condition is satisfied, an EGR override condition is satisfied, and an oxygen sensor fault condition is satisfied.

4. A system according to claim 1 wherein the EGR condition includes an information of a position of an EGR valve.

5. A system according to claim 1 wherein entry into the learning mode further requires that at least 20 seconds have passed since a regeneration event of the aftertreatment subsystem.

6. A system according to claim 1 wherein entry into the learning mode further requires determination or evaluation of whether at least one of the following errors is associated with the oxygen sensor:

a high threshold rationality error, a low threshold rationality error, temperature error, a heater error, a supply voltage error, and a communications interface timeout error.

7. A system according to claim 1 wherein the learning mode includes executing instructions to reduce error of a measurement by the oxygen sensor.

8. A system according to claim 1 wherein the learning mode includes adjusting the oxygen sensor according to one or more engine operating conditions.

9. A system according to claim 1 wherein entry into the learning mode further requires determination or evaluation of whether at least one of the following errors is associated with an oxygen sensor:

a high threshold rationality error, a low threshold rationality error, temperature error, a heater error, a supply voltage error, and a communications interface timeout error.

10. A system according to claim 1 wherein entry into the learning mode further requires determination or evaluation of whether an ERG valve is closed.

11. A system according to claim 1 wherein entry into the learning mode further requires determination or evaluation of a pressure differential across a diesel particulate filter.

12. A method comprising:

evaluating a regeneration event condition;

evaluating an EGR mode condition; and

controlling initiation of an oxygen sensor learning mode based upon the evaluating a regeneration event condition and the evaluating an EGR mode condition.

13. A method according to claim 12 wherein the regeneration event condition includes evaluation of whether time since a regeneration event has exceeded a time threshold.

14. A method according to claim 12 wherein the EGR mode condition includes evaluation of an information of EGR valve position.

15. A method according to claim 14 wherein the EGR mode condition includes evaluation of a source of the information of EGR valve position.

16. A method according to claim 12 further comprising evaluating a pressure condition;

wherein the controlling initiation of an oxygen sensor learning mode is further based upon the evaluating a pressure condition.

17. A method according to claim 16 wherein the evaluating a pressure condition includes evaluating a pressure differential across a diesel particulate filter.

18. A method according to claim 16 wherein the evaluating a pressure condition includes evaluating ambient pressure.

19. A computer readable medium configured to store information comprising:

instructions executable to evaluate a regeneration conditional;

instructions executable to evaluate an exhaust gas recirculation conditional; and

instructions executable to control initiation of an oxygen sensor learning mode based upon at least one of the evaluation of the regeneration conditional and the evaluation of the exhaust gas recirculation conditional.

20. A computer readable medium according to claim 19 operatively coupled with an engine control module.

21. A computer readable medium according to claim 19 operatively coupled with an engine control module and an internal combustion engine.

22. A computer readable medium according to claim 19 operatively coupled with an engine control module a diesel engine and a vehicle.