Catalytic converter heating
First Claim
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1. A method for controlling heat energy delivered by an electrical heater to internal combustion engine exhaust gas, comprising for each of a series of engine coldstart events, the steps of:
- referencing a preserved desired power level at which to operate the heater;
operating the heater at the desired power level;
estimating the performance of the heater in delivering heat energy to the engine exhaust gas at an end of a predetermined heating period;
determining when the performance is unsatisfactory;
increasing the desired power level when the performance is determined to be unsatisfactory; and
preserving the increased desired power level.
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Abstract
Electrically heated catalytic converter power control to minimize automotive vehicle electrical system burden monitors the performance of an electrical heater in elevating catalytic converter temperature and periodically adjusts the electrical power applied to the heater to the minimum necessary to provide for heating performance within specification, so as to elevate the catalytic converter to light-off within a specified period of time following an engine coldstart.
44 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for controlling heat energy delivered by an electrical heater to internal combustion engine exhaust gas, comprising for each of a series of engine coldstart events, the steps of:
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referencing a preserved desired power level at which to operate the heater; operating the heater at the desired power level; estimating the performance of the heater in delivering heat energy to the engine exhaust gas at an end of a predetermined heating period; determining when the performance is unsatisfactory; increasing the desired power level when the performance is determined to be unsatisfactory; and preserving the increased desired power level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of controlling operation of an electrical heater for contributing heat energy to internal combustion engine exhaust gas, comprising the steps of:
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sensing a predetermined coldstart event; selecting a stored heater command; operating the electrical heater in accord with the selected command; monitoring the performance of the heater in contributing heat energy to the internal combustion engine exhaust gas; determining when the performance does not meet a predetermined performance threshold; and increasing the stored heater command by a predetermined increase amount when the performance does not meet the predetermined performance threshold. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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Specification