LIMITING TRANSMISSION FUNCTION WHILE IN REGENERATION MODE FOR A DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER

• US 20090301061A1
• Filed: 09/14/2007
• Published: 12/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB (Volvo AB)
• Original Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB (Volvo AB)
• Inventors: Tobiasson, Mats Henrik, Sahlen, Ivar
• Application Number:
  US12/441,390
• Publication Number:
  US 20090301061A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 60/285
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/10 including control of change-speed gearings
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0616 Position of fuel or air injector
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/1882 characterised by the working point of the engine, e.g. by using engine output chart
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2300/476 Regeneration of particle filters
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 13/009 having two or more separate purifying devices arranged in series
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/0253 adding fuel to exhaust gases
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 9/002 of filter regeneration, e.g. detection of clogging
• 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 41/029 the exhaust gas treating apparatus being a particulate filter
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2061/0232 Selecting ratios for bringing engine into a particular state, e.g. for fast warming up or for reducing exhaust emissions
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/02 characterised by the signals used for shift actuators F16H61/28, for continuously variable gearings F16H61/66
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

System and method for regenerating a diesel particulate filter in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine driven vehicle that is equipped with an automatic mechanical transmission. The particulate load in the diesel particulate filter is determined to exceed a minimum predetermined threshold amount which is sufficiently high to warrant regeneration of the filter. Current vehicle conditions are determined to exist that permit the establishment of appropriate conditions in the exhaust system to affect regeneration of the particulate loaded filter by appropriately configuring the AMT. The immediate future driving conditions are analyzed to assure they permit operation of the combustion engine under sufficient load and at sufficiently low speeds to maintain a sufficiently high regeneration temperature and exhaust flow in the exhaust system under the control of the AMT to affect regeneration of the diesel particulate filter. Finally, successful regeneration of the filter is executed by appropriately configuring the AMT to cause the combustion engine to run in a manner that establishes a sufficiently high regeneration temperature and exhaust flow in the exhaust system and that is maintained for a prescribed period of time.

Claims

1. A method for regenerating a diesel particulate filter in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine driven vehicle equipped with an automatic mechanical transmission, the method comprising:

determining that the particulate load in the diesel particulate filter exceeds a minimum predetermined threshold amount which is sufficiently high to warrant regeneration of the diesel particulate filter;

determining that current vehicle conditions exist which permit the establishment of appropriate conditions in the exhaust system to affect regeneration of the particulate loaded diesel particulate filter by appropriately selecting gear in the automatic mechanical transmission;

assuring that immediate future driving conditions permit operation of the internal combustion engine under sufficient load and at sufficiently slow speeds to maintain a sufficient regeneration temperature and exhaust flow in the exhaust system under the control of the automatic mechanical transmission to affect regeneration of the filter; and

executing successful regeneration of the filter by appropriately selecting gear in the automatic mechanical transmission to cause the internal combustion engine to run in a manner that establishes a sufficient regeneration temperature and exhaust flow in the exhaust system and that is maintained for a prescribed period of time.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising preventing configuration of the automatic mechanical transmission during regeneration execution that significantly reduces the running speed of the internal combustion engine.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising preventing disengagement of the automatic mechanical transmission from the internal combustion engine during regeneration execution.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising preventing configuration of the automatic mechanical transmission during regeneration execution that significantly reduces the load on the internal combustion engine.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising preventing implementation of cruise control during regeneration execution.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising preventing implementation of a free-wheeling feature of the automatic mechanical transmission during regeneration execution.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising determining that the particulate load in the diesel particulate filter exceeds a maximum predetermined threshold amount which requires immediate regeneration of the diesel particulate filter, and executing immediate regeneration of the filter by appropriately configuring the automatic mechanical transmission to cause the internal combustion engine to run in a manner that establishes a sufficient regeneration temperature in the exhaust system for a prescribed period of time to accomplish the regeneration.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising determining that the particulate load in the diesel particulate filter exceeds a maximum predetermined threshold amount which requires immediate regeneration of the diesel particulate filter, and executing immediate regeneration of the filter by increasing fuel being supplied to at least one of the internal combustion engine and the exhaust system and which establishes a sufficient regeneration temperature in the exhaust system for a prescribed period of time to accomplish the regeneration.

9. A system for regenerating a diesel particulate filter in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine driven vehicle equipped with an automatic mechanical transmission, the system comprising:

a microprocessor based controller configured to process vehicle information and produce control instructions for at least the automatic mechanical transmission of the vehicle, the controller being in control-communication with the automatic mechanical transmission of the vehicle and programmed as follows;

to determine when the particulate load in the diesel particulate filter exceeds a minimum predetermined threshold amount which is sufficient to warrant regeneration of the diesel particulate filter;

to determine when current vehicle conditions exist which permit the establishment of appropriate conditions in the exhaust system to affect regeneration of the particulate loaded filter by appropriately selecting gear in the automatic mechanical transmission;

to assure that immediate future driving conditions permit operation of the internal combustion engine under sufficient load and at sufficient low speeds to maintain a sufficient regeneration temperature and exhaust flow in the exhaust system under the control of the automatic mechanical transmission to affect regeneration of the diesel particulate filter; and

to execute successful regeneration of the diesel particulate filter by appropriately selecting gear in the automatic mechanical transmission to cause the internal combustion engine to run in a manner that establishes a sufficient regeneration temperature in the exhaust system and exhaust flow and that is maintained for a prescribed period of time.

10. The system as recited in claim 9, wherein the controller is further programmed to prevent configuration of the automatic mechanical transmission during regeneration execution that significantly reduces the running speed of the internal combustion engine.

11. The system as recited in claim 9, wherein the controller is further programmed to prevent disengagement of the automatic mechanical transmission from the internal combustion engine during regeneration execution.

12. The system as recited in claim 9, wherein the controller is further programmed to prevent configuration of the automatic mechanical transmission during regeneration execution that significantly reduces the load on the internal combustion engine.

13. The system as recited in claim 9, wherein the controller is further programmed to prevent implementation of cruise control during regeneration execution.

14. The system as recited in claim 9, wherein the controller is further programmed to prevent implementation of a free-wheeling feature of the automatic mechanical transmission during regeneration execution.

15. The system as recited in claim 9, wherein the controller is further programmed to determine that the particulate load in the diesel particulate filter exceeds a maximum predetermined threshold amount which requires immediate regeneration of the diesel particulate filter and to execute immediate regeneration of the diesel particulate filter by appropriately configuring the automatic mechanical transmission to cause the internal combustion engine to run in a manner that establishes a sufficient regeneration temperature in the exhaust system and exhaust flow for a prescribed period of time to accomplish the regeneration.

16. The system as recited in claim 9, wherein the controller is further programmed to determine that the particulate load in the diesel particulate filter exceeds a maximum predetermined threshold amount which requires immediate regeneration of the diesel particulate filter and to execute immediate regeneration of the diesel particulate filter by increasing fuel being supplied to at least one of the internal combustion engine and the exhaust system and which establishes a sufficient regeneration temperature in the exhaust system and exhaust flow for a prescribed period of time to accomplish the regeneration.