Catalyst temperature control system for a hybrid engine

• US 20080295493A1
• Filed: 05/31/2007
• Published: 12/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Bond, Michael S., Easley, William L. JR., Applegate, Brian C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,650,860 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 60/286
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/485 Motor-assist type
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/445 Temperature
• 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 20/00 Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles hybrid vehicle design, B60K6/00; electric vehicles B60L
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/068 Engine exhaust temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2530/12 Catalyst or filter state
• 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 3/0842 Nitrogen oxides
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/2013 using electric or magnetic heating means
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/026 using an external load, e.g. by increasing generator load or by changing the gear ratio
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0802 Temperature of the exhaust gas treatment apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/024 to increase temperature of the exhaust gas treating apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 50/20 Air quality improvement or preservation, e.g. vehicle emission control or emission reduction by using catalytic converters
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles

Abstract

A temperature control system is provided for use with a hybrid engine. The system includes a controller configured to receive a signal representative of a temperature associated with a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst configured to receive an exhaust gas stream produced by a hybrid engine. The controller is also configured to transmit a first signal to a generator operably coupled to a battery and the hybrid engine, and transmit a second signal to a heater configured to heat the SCR catalyst, wherein the first and second signals are configured to regulate the temperature associated with the SCR catalyst.

Claims

1. A temperature control system, comprising:

a controller configured to;

receive a signal representative of a temperature associated with a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst configured to receive an exhaust gas stream produced by a hybrid engine;

transmit a first signal to a generator operably coupled to a battery and the hybrid engine; and

transmit a second signal to a heater configured to heat the SCR catalyst, wherein the first and second signals are configured to regulate the temperature associated with the SCR catalyst.

2. The control system of claim 1, wherein the controller transmits at least one signal to maintain the temperature associated with the SCR catalyst in the range of about 200°

C. to about 400°

C.

3. The control system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to receive a signal representative of a temperature associated with a filter configured to receive a portion of the exhaust gas stream.

4. The control system of claim 3, wherein the filter includes a diesel particulate filter.

5. The control system of claim 3, wherein the controller is further configured to transmit a third signal to a second heater configured to heat the filter.

6. The control system of claim 5, wherein the controller transmits at least one signal to maintain the temperature associated with the filter in the range of about 250°

C. to about 400°

C.

7. The control system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to transmit a signal to modify a hybrid engine parameter.

8. The control system of claim 7, wherein the hybrid engine parameter includes at least one of an air-intake parameter, an exhaust gas parameter, a fuel input parameter, an engine speed, and an engine load.

9. The control system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to receive a signal representative of a power level associated with the battery.

10. The control system of claim 1, wherein the hybrid engine includes a diesel engine.

11. A power system, comprising:

a hybrid engine configured to produce an exhaust gas stream;

a generator operably coupled to the hybrid engine and configured to supply electrical power to a battery;

a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst configured to receive the exhaust gas stream;

a heater configured to heat the SCR catalyst; and

a controller operably connected to the generator and the heater, wherein the controller is configured to receive a signal representative of a temperature associated with the SCR catalyst.

12. The power system of claim 11, wherein the power system further includes an ammonia source configured to introduce ammonia into the exhaust gas stream.

13. The power system of claim 11, wherein the controller transmits a signal to maintain the temperature associated with the SCR catalyst in the range of about 200°

C. to about 400°

C., wherein the signal is transmitted to at least one of the generator and the heater.

14. The power system of claim 11, wherein the controller is further configured to receive a signal representative of a temperature associated with a filter configured to receive a portion of the exhaust gas stream.

15. The power system of claim 14, wherein the filter includes a diesel particulate filter.

16. The power system of claim 14, further including a second heater configured to heat the filter.

17. The power system of claim 16, wherein the controller is configured to transmit a signal to the second heater to at least partially raise the temperature associated with the filter.

18. The power system of claim 11, wherein the controller is further configured to transmit a signal to modify a hybrid engine parameter.

19. The power system of claim 11, wherein the ECU is further configured to receive a signal representative of a power level associated with the battery.

20. The power system of claim 11, wherein the hybrid engine includes a diesel engine.