System and method for detecting misassembly of an exhaust aftertreatment system of a machine

• US 20090138185A1
• Filed: 11/27/2007
• Published: 05/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Davis, Timothy, Thompson, Richard, Walenta, Clayton, Thornton, Michael S., Klein, Jeffrey D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,693,648 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/114
• 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 2260/24 for identifying exhaust parts or devices, e.g. by labels, stickers or directly printing
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2550/04 Filtering activity of particulate filters
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2550/24 Determining the presence or absence of an exhaust treating device
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0235 in relation with the state of the exhaust gas treating apparatus control of exhaust gas treating apparatus per se F01N
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/22 Safety or indicating devices for abnormal conditions in air/fuel ratio feedback systems F02D41/1495, in electric control linkage F02D11/107, in purge control systems F02M25/0809
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/2451 characterised by what is learned or calibrated
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

A method of detecting an assembly condition, such as, for example, a misassembly, of an exhaust aftertreatment system of a machine includes a step of executing an aftertreatment assembly diagnostic algorithm. The executing step includes detecting an electronic identification feature of an aftertreatment component of the exhaust aftertreatment system, and comparing the electronic identification feature to an expected value.

Claims

1. A method of detecting an assembly condition of an exhaust aftertreatment system of a machine, comprising:

executing an aftertreatment assembly diagnostic algorithm;

detecting an electronic identification feature of an aftertreatment component of the exhaust aftertreatment system; and

comparing the electronic identification feature to an expected value.

2. The method of claim 1, further including establishing communication between an identification circuit at least partially attached to the aftertreatment component and an electronic controller.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the detecting step includes determining a resistance in the identification circuit.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the detecting step includes determining a voltage from at least one resistor disposed along the identification circuit.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the comparing step includes selecting an aftertreatment component identification corresponding to the electronic identification feature from a memory, and comparing the aftertreatment component identification to the expected value.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein comparing the aftertreatment component identification includes comparing the aftertreatment component identification to a value corresponding to the internal combustion engine of the machine.

7. The method of claim 1, further including:

generating a positive diagnostic code if the electronic identification feature is a match to the expected value; and

generating a negative diagnostic code if the electronic identification feature is a mismatch to the expected value.

8. The method of claim 7, further including displaying the negative diagnostic code on an operator display.

9. The method of claim 1, further including executing the aftertreatment assembly diagnostic algorithm during an initial operation period of the machine.

10. The method of claim 5, further including overriding the aftertreatment component identification using a service tool.

11. A machine, comprising:

an internal combustion engine having an exhaust outlet;

an aftertreatment component disposed along the exhaust outlet, wherein the aftertreatment component includes an identification circuit and an electronic identification feature;

an electronic controller including a first port in communication with the identification circuit, wherein the electronic controller includes an aftertreatment assembly diagnostic algorithm and is configured to detect the electronic identification feature and compare the electronic identification feature to an expected value stored in a memory.

12. The machine of claim 11, wherein the electronic identification feature includes a predetermined resistance caused by at least one resistor disposed along the identification circuit.

13. The machine of claim 12, wherein the expected value includes a value corresponding to the internal combustion engine of the machine.

14. The machine of claim 13, wherein the electronic controller is further configured to generate a positive diagnostic code if the electronic identification feature is a match to the expected value, and generate a negative diagnostic code if the electronic identification is a mismatch to the expected value.

15. The machine of claim 14, further including an operator display, wherein the electronic controller is further configured to display the negative diagnostic code on the operator display.

16. The machine of claim 15, further including a service tool configured to facilitate an override of the negative diagnostic code.

17. The machine of claim 11, wherein the aftertreatment component further includes a sensor circuit, and wherein the electronic controller further includes a second port in communication with the sensor circuit.

18. A particulate filter assembly, comprising:

at least one sensor circuit configured to communicate with an electronic controller;

at least one identification circuit configured to communicate with the electronic controller; and

at least one resistor causing a predetermined resistance disposed along the identification circuit, wherein the predetermined resistance is indicative of a characteristic of the particulate filter assembly.

19. The particulate filter assembly of claim 18, wherein the at least one sensor circuit is a first sensor circuit, and wherein a pressure sensor is disposed along the first sensor circuit.

20. The particulate filter assembly of claim 18, further including a second sensor circuit, and wherein a temperature sensor is disposed along the second sensor circuit.