Exhaust control system implementing fuel quality detection

• US 7,522,994 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2005
• Issued: 04/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Durand, James C.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TAN QUANG
• Application Number:
  US11/311,222
• Publication Number:
  US 20070143007A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,218 Days
• Field of Search: 701/207, 701/213, 701/101, 701/102, 701/36, 701/126, 701/108, 602/77, 603/24, 603/11, 123/41.12, 123/41.44
• US Class Current: 701/207
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/0618 depending on the engine's or vehicle's position, e.g. on/off road or proximity to a harbor
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/0657 Heavy or light fuel oils; Fuels characterised by their impurities such as sulfur content or differences in grade, e.g. for ships
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0611 Fuel type, fuel composition or fuel quality
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0612 determined by estimation
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/701 Information about vehicle position, e.g. from navigation system or GPS signal
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0025 Controlling engines characterised by use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/005 according to engine operating conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0065 Specific aspects of external EGR control constructional details of EGR system F02M26/00
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 26/08 for engines having two or more intake charge compressors or exhaust gas turbines, e.g. a turbocharger combined with an additional compressor
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 26/27 with air-cooled heat exchangers
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 26/28 with liquid-cooled heat exchangers
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 26/35 with means for cleaning or treating the recirculated gases, e.g. catalysts, condensate traps, particle filters or heaters
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 26/47 the characteristics being temperatures, pressures or flow rates
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/30 Use of alternative fuels, e.g. biofuels
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

An exhaust control system for a power source is disclosed. The exhaust control system includes a navigation tool and a processor. The navigation tool is configured to detect a geographical location of a power source. The processor is configured to compare the geographical location of the power source with fuel-location data stored in a database. The exhaust control system is configured to modify, activate, or deactivate at least one engine control system, or activate or deactivate at least one power source warning system, based on a result of comparing the geographical location of the power source with the fuel-location data.

Claims

1. An exhaust control system for a power source, comprising:

a navigation tool for detecting a geographical location of a power source; and

a processor for comparing the geographical location of the power source with fuel-location data stored in a database capable of storing fuel-location data, wherein the fuel-location data includes regional fuel sulfur content data;

wherein the exhaust control system is configured to modify, activate, or deactivate at least one engine control system, or activate or deactivate at least one power source warning system, based on a result of comparing the geographical location of the power source with the fuel-location data.

2. The exhaust control system according to claim 1, wherein the navigation tool includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver.

3. The exhaust control system according to claim 1, wherein the result of comparing the geographical location of the power source with the fuel-location data fuel includes determining whether or not a regional sulfur content exceeds a predetermined amount.

4. The exhaust control system according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined amount ranges from about 50 ppm to about 1500 ppm.

5. The exhaust control system according to claim 3, further comprising:

an exhaust system;

an air induction system; and

a clean gas induction (CGI) system configured to supply at least a portion of an exhaust flow from the exhaust system to the air induction system.

6. The exhaust control system according to claim 5, wherein the exhaust control system is configured to decrease or stop the supply of the at least a portion of the exhaust flow to the air induction system in response to the regional fuel sulfur content exceeding a predetermined amount.

7. A method for controlling a system for a power source based on geographical location of the power source, comprising:

determining a geographical location of the power source;

comparing the geographical location of the power source with stored fuel-location data to determine whether or not the power source is in a geographical location where the stored fuel-location data satisfies a predetermined condition, wherein the predetermined condition corresponds to a sulfur content of fuel; and

modifying, activating, or deactivating at least one power source system, or

activating or deactivating at least one power source warning system, based on the result of the comparison between the geographical location of the power source and stored fuel-location data.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined condition is a sulfur content greater than 500 ppm.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined condition is a sulfur content greater than 50 ppm.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the at least one power source system includes a clean gas induction (CGI) system configured to supply at least a portion of an exhaust flow from the exhaust system to the air induction system.

11. The method according to claim 10, including decreasing or stopping the supply of the at least a portion of the exhaust flow to the air induction system in response to the sulfur content exceeding a predetermined amount.

12. The method according to claim 7, wherein the at least one power source warning system includes a display, an alarm, a light, or at least one diagnostic code.

13. A work machine comprising:

a power source; and

a power source control system, comprising;

a system for monitoring a geographical location of the power source;

a processor configured to compare the geographical location of the power source with fuel-location data stored in a database, wherein the fuel-location data comprises regional fuel sulfur content data;

including

wherein the power source control system is configured to modify, activate, or deactivate at least one engine control system, or activate or deactivate at least one power source warning system, based on a result of comparing the geographical location of the power source with the fuel-location data.

14. The work machine according to claim 13, wherein at least one engine control system includes a clean gas induction (CGI) system.

15. The work machine according to claim 13, further comprising a sensor capable of providing at least one of the following quantities:

volume of fuel in a tank associated with the power source, volume of fuel consumed;

volume of fuel loaded during refueling; and

distance traveled by the work machine.

16. The work machine according to claim 13, further comprising a display capable of displaying at least one of the following based on a result of comparing the geographical location of the power source with the fuel-location data:

at least one alarm;

at least one warning;

at least one diagnostic code;

at least one operating instruction;

at least one warranty instruction;

warranty information; and

regional fuel quality data.

17. The work machine according to claim 13, further comprising an interface device for manually inputting a geographical location of a power source.

18. The work machine according to claim 13, wherein the result of comparing the geographical location of the power source with the fuel-location data fuel includes determining whether or not a regional sulfur content exceeds a predetermined amount.