Electrically heated particulate filter diagnostic systems and methods

• US 7,594,940 B2
• Filed: 06/08/2007
• Issued: 09/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Paratore, Michael J. Jr., Gonze, Eugene V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Griffin; Walter D
• Assistant Examiner(s): ORLANDO, AMBER ROSE
• Application Number:
  US11/811,450
• Publication Number:
  US 20080302086A1
• Time in Patent Office: 844 Days
• Field of Search: 55522-524, 552/83
• US Class Current: 55/283
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 9/002 of filter regeneration, e.g. detection of clogging
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

A system that diagnoses regeneration of an electrically heated particulate filter is provided. The system generally includes a grid module that diagnoses a fault of the grid based on at least one of a current signal and a voltage signal. A diagnostic module at least one of sets a fault status and generates a warning signal based on the fault of the grid.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a grid module that diagnoses a fault of a resistive grid that heats a particulate filter of an exhaust system of a vehicle based on a voltage signal of the resistive grid; and

a diagnostic module that at least one of sets a fault status and generates a warning signal based on the fault.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the grid module evaluates a current signal of the resistive grid and the voltage signal based on a grid activation status.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising a temperature module that diagnoses a fault of the particulate filter based on a temperature of exhaust exiting the particulate filter.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the temperature module evaluates the temperature of the exhaust based on a grid activation status.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the temperature module evaluates the exhaust temperature based on a predetermined time period that begins based on the grid activation status.

6. The system of claim 3 wherein the temperature module diagnoses the fault of the particulate filter when the temperature of the exhaust exceeds a predetermined threshold.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the warning signal is an audio warning signal.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the warning signal is transmitted to a remote location.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the warning signal is a visual warning signal.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the fault status corresponds to a diagnostic trouble code.

18. The system of claim 1 further comprising the resistive grid,

wherein the resistive grid is adjacent to and arranged upstream from the particulate filter.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the resistive grid is applied in a multi-path pattern across an inlet of the particulate filter.

20. The system of claim 18 wherein the resistive grid is configured as a perforated heater insert and is applied across an inlet surface of the particulate filter.

11. A method comprising:

diagnosing a fault of a resistive grid that heats a particulate filter of an exhaust system of a vehicle based on a voltage signal of the resistive grid;

setting a fault status based on the fault.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising evaluating a current signal of the resistive grid and the voltage signal based on a grid activation status.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising diagnosing a fault of the particulate filter based on a temperature of exhaust exiting the particulate filter.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising evaluating the temperature of the exhaust based on a grid activation status.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the evaluating the exhaust temperature is further based on a predetermined time period that begins based on the grid activation status.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the diagnosing the fault of the particulate filter occurs when the temperature of the exhaust exceeds a predetermined threshold.

17. The method of claim 11 further comprising transmitting a warning signal to a remote location based on the fault.