Method and apparatus for after-treatment of hev exhaust

• US 6,362,535 B1
• Filed: 07/21/2000
• Issued: 03/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BAE Systems Controls Incorporated (BAE Systems Plc)
• Original Assignee: BAE Systems Plc
• Inventors: Hamilton, Peter Frederic, Grewe, Timothy Michael, Tilyou, Steven Clare
• Primary Examiner(s): Ponomarenko, Nicholas
• Application Number:
  US09/621,767
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• Field of Search: 290/40.A, 290/40.B, 290/40.D, 290/40.R, 290/40.C, 180/65.2, 180/65.4, 123/3
• US Class Current: 290/40.00C
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/46 Series type
• 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: B60Y 2300/476 Regeneration of particle filters
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/027 using electric or magnetic heating means
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/2013 using electric or magnetic heating means
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/029 the exhaust gas treating apparatus being a particulate filter
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/12 for deceleration F02D41/0005, F02D41/107 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/04 the motors being associated with current generators
• 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 10/62 Hybrid vehicles

Abstract

A vehicle includes an arrangement, such as an internal-combustion engine coupled with a generator, for converting the energy in fuel into electrical form, while generating exhaust. An exhaust cleaning arrangement, such as a catalytic converter, preferably operating at a high temperature, cleanses the exhaust. During deceleration of the vehicle, excess electrical energy is used to heat the exhaust cleaning arrangement.

Claims

1. A vehicle, comprising:

a converting apparatus for converting the energy in fuel into electric energy, said apparatus generating an exhaust fluid during operation;

an electric machine coupled to a drive arrangement of said vehicle, for propelling said vehicle when energized by said electric energy, and for generating electrical energy during deceleration;

an exhaust cleaning arrangement coupled to said converting apparatus, for cleaning said exhaust fluid, said exhaust cleaning arrangement providing improved performance when heated; and

control means coupled to said electric machine and to said exhaust cleaning arrangement, for coupling said electrical energy from said machine to said exhaust cleaning arrangement during said deceleration, for heating said exhaust cleaning arrangement.

2. A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said converting apparatus comprises:

an internal combustion engine including a driven shaft; and

an electrical generator coupled to said shaft.

3. A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said exhaust cleaning apparatus comprises a catalytic converter.

4. A vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising electrical heaters thermally coupled to said exhaust cleaning arrangement and electrically coupled for receiving said electrical energy from said machine, and for heating exhaust cleaning arrangement.

5. A vehicle according to claim 4, wherein:

said exhaust cleaning arrangement is coupled to said converting apparatus by a path for the flow of said fluid exhaust; and

said electrical heaters are physically attached to said path for the flow of said fluid exhaust.

6. A method for operating a vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:

converting the energy in fuel into electrical energy by use of a machine which generates a fluid exhaust;

converting said electrical energy into motion of a vehicle during acceleration;

during deceleration of said vehicle, converting energy of motion into deceleration electrical energy;

cleaning said exhaust by means of a temperature-dependent apparatus; and

applying said deceleration electrical energy to said apparatus for heating said apparatus.