Adaptive oxygen sensor methods, systems, and software

• US 8,567,179 B2
• Filed: 08/18/2011
• Issued: 10/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cummins Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Cummins Incorporated
• Inventors: Stroia, Bradlee J., Lu, Wei
• Primary Examiner(s): Denion, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): EKLEM, PHILIP J
• Application Number:
  US13/213,038
• Publication Number:
  US 20110296817A1
• Time in Patent Office: 803 Days
• Field of Search: 602/76, 602/77, 602/78, 602/95
• US Class Current: 60/278
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 11/002 the diagnostic devices measuring or estimating temperature or pressure in, or downstream of the exhaust apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 11/007 the diagnostic devices measuring oxygen or air concentration downstream of the exhaust apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 13/009 having two or more separate purifying devices arranged in series
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2550/00 Monitoring or diagnosing the deterioration of exhaust systems
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2560/025 for measuring or detecting O2, e.g. lambda sensors
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2560/06 the means being a temperature sensor
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2560/14 having more than one sensor of one kind
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2900/0422 measuring the elapsed time
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/035 with catalytic reactors , e.g. catalysed diesel particulate filters
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/0807 by using absorbents or adsorbents
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/106 Auxiliary oxidation catalysts
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1454 the characteristics being an oxygen content or concentration or the air-fuel ratio
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/222 relating to the failure of sensors or parameter detection devices
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/2441 characterised by the learning conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/2454 Learning of the air-fuel ratio control
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/2474 Characteristics of sensors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

One embodiment is a system operable to control entry of an oxygen sensor into a learning mode. Further embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits shall become apparent from the following description and drawings.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

evaluating a regeneration event condition;

evaluating a pressure condition;

evaluating an EGR mode condition, wherein the EGR mode condition includes evaluation of an information of EGR valve position and evaluation of a source of the information of EGR valve position; and

controlling initiation of an oxygen sensor learning mode based upon the evaluating a regeneration event condition, the evaluating a pressure condition, and the evaluating an EGR mode condition.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the regeneration event condition includes evaluation of whether time since a regeneration event has exceeded a time threshold.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the evaluating a pressure condition includes evaluating a pressure differential across a diesel particulate filter.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the evaluating a pressure condition includes evaluating ambient pressure.

5. A system comprising:

an exhaust aftertreatment subsystem;

an oxygen sensor coupled to the exhaust aftertreatment subsystem; and

a controller operable to command the oxygen sensor to enter a learning mode when an EGR condition is satisfied, wherein the EGR condition includes evaluation of information of EGR valve position and evaluation of a source of the information of EGR valve position, and wherein the EGR condition is satisfied when the EGR valve position is a closed position and the source of the information of EGR valve position is an expected source.

6. A system according to claim 5 wherein entry into the learning mode further requires an exhaust pressure condition is satisfied.

7. A system according to claim 5 wherein entry into the learning mode further requires a regeneration condition is satisfied, an exhaust pressure condition is satisfied, an EGR override condition is satisfied, and an oxygen sensor fault condition is satisfied.

8. A system according to claim 5 wherein entry into the learning mode further requires that at least 20 seconds have passed since a regeneration event of the aftertreatment subsystem.

9. A system according to claim 5 wherein entry into the learning mode further requires determination or evaluation of whether at least one of the following errors is associated with the oxygen sensor:

a high threshold rationality error, a low threshold rationality error, temperature error, a heater error, a supply voltage error, and a communications interface timeout error.

10. A system according to claim 5 wherein the learning mode includes executing instructions to reduce error of a measurement by the oxygen sensor.

11. A system according to claim 5 wherein the learning mode includes adjusting the oxygen sensor according to one or more engine operating conditions.

12. A system according to claim 5 wherein entry into the learning mode further requires determination of:

whether a high threshold rationality error for the oxygen sensor is present;

whether a low threshold rationality error for the oxygen sensor is present;

whether a temperature error for the oxygen sensor is present;

whether a heater error for the oxygen sensor is present;

whether a supply voltage error for the oxygen sensor is present; and

whether a communications interface timeout error is present.

13. A system according to claim 5 wherein entry into the learning mode further requires determination or evaluation of a pressure differential across a diesel particulate filter.

14. A computer program product stored on a computer readable medium, the computer program product comprising instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:

evaluate a regeneration conditional;

evaluate an exhaust gas recirculation conditional; and

control initiation of an oxygen sensor learning mode based upon the evaluating the regeneration conditional and the evaluating the exhaust gas recirculation conditional, wherein the evaluating the exhaust gas recirculation conditional includes evaluating information of an exhaust gas recirculation valve position and a source of information of the exhaust gas recirculation valve position, and wherein the initiation of an oxygen sensor learning mode requires at least that the exhaust gas recirculation valve position is a closed position.

15. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the evaluating the regeneration event conditional includes evaluating whether a time since a regeneration event has exceeded a time threshold.

16. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the evaluating the exhaust gas recirculation conditional includes evaluating an exhaust gas recirculation valve position.

17. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the instructions, when executed by a computer, further cause the computer to evaluate a pressure condition and further control initiation of the oxygen sensor learning mode based upon the evaluating the pressure condition.