Use of Braking Energy to Augment Exhaust Heat for Improved Operation of Exhaust Aftertreatment Devices

• US 20130219861A1
• Filed: 02/28/2012
• Published: 08/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
• Original Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
• Inventors: Webb, Cynthia C., Kreder, Karl J. III
• Granted Patent: US 8,720,185 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 60/274
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2550/12 of particulate filters
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2590/08 for heavy duty applications, e.g. trucks, buses, tractors, locomotives
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2590/11 for hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/02 for cooling, or for removing solid constituents of, exhaust by means of electric or electrostatic separators F01N3/01 ; mixing air with exhaust in tailpipes F01N13/082, F01N13/20
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/027 using electric or magnetic heating means

Abstract

A method and system for raising the operating temperature of an emissions control device of an automotive vehicle. A generator converts the vehicle'"'"'s mechanical braking energy to electrical energy. The electrical energy is delivered, without electrical storage, to an electric heater that heats either the emissions control device or the exhaust gas at the input to the device.

Claims

1. A method of raising the operating temperature of an emissions control device installed on a vehicle exhaust line, comprising:

using a generator to convert mechanical braking energy generated by the vehicle to electrical energy; and

delivering the electrical energy, without electrical storage, to an electric heater either adjacent to, or in, the exhaust line or the emissions control device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the generator is an existing alternator of the vehicle.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising using a control unit to maintain the exhaust gas temperature within a predetermined temperature range.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising using a control unit to provide temperature excursions for regenerating the emissions control device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the heater surrounds the exhaust line.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the heater incorporates a thermal storage material.

7. A system for of raising the operating temperature of an emissions control device installed on a vehicle exhaust line, comprising:

a generator operable to convert mechanical braking energy generated by the vehicle to electrical energy;

an electric heater powered by the electrical energy and operable to heat the exhaust gas or the emissions control device; and

a control unit configured to control the delivery of the electrical energy to the electric heater.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the generator is an existing alternator of the vehicle.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the heater is adjacent the exhaust line near the emissions control device.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the heater is located in the exhaust line.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the control unit is configured to maintain the exhaust gas temperature within a predetermined temperature range.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein the control unit is configured to provide temperature excursions for regenerating the emissions control device.

13. The system of claim 7, wherein the exhaust line is bifurcated and the heater is located on a branch of the bifurcated exhaust line.

14. A system for raising the temperature of exhaust gas in a vehicle exhaust line at the input to an emissions control device, comprising:

a generator operable to convert mechanical braking energy to electrical energy;

an electric heater powered by the electrical energy;

a reservoir of thermal storage material operable to store thermal energy provided by the heater; and

a heating chamber surrounding the exhaust line or the emissions control device for receiving the thermal storage material and applying heat to the exhaust line or the emissions control device.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a control unit configured to control the delivery of the thermal storage material to the heating chamber.