Catalytic converter system with control and methods for use therewith

• US 9,657,622 B2
• Filed: 08/18/2015
• Issued: 05/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced Technology Emission Solutions Inc
• Original Assignee: Advanced Technology Emission Solutions Inc
• Inventors: Crawford, Robin, Douglas, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Maines, Patrick
• Application Number:
  US14/829,375
• Publication Number:
  US 20150354426A1
• Time in Patent Office: 644 Days
• Field of Search: 60274, 60275, 60299, 4221861, 42218604, 42218603, 95283
• 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 2240/05 a magnetic, e.g. electromagnetic, device other than a valve
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2510/00 Surface coverings
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/2026 directly electrifying the catalyst substrate, i.e. heating the electrically conductive catalyst substrate by joule effect
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/2828 Ceramic multi-channel monoliths, e.g. honeycombs
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 9/00 Electrical control of exhaust gas treating apparatus monitoring or diagnostic devices for exhaust-gas treatment apparatus F01N11/00; conjoint electrical control of two or more combustion engine functions F02D43/00
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/108 for heating a fluid
• 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 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a catalytic converter system that includes a catalytic converter having a plurality of passages to facilitate at least one catalytic reaction in an exhaust gas from a vehicle engine. A temperature sensor generates a temperature signal indicating at least one temperature of the catalytic converter. An electromagnetic field generator that responds to a control signal by generating an electromagnetic field to inductively to heat the catalytic converter. A controller generates the control signal based on temperature signal. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Claims

1. A catalytic converter system comprising:

a catalytic converter having a plurality of passages to facilitate at least one catalytic reaction in an exhaust gas from a vehicle engine;

a temperature sensor, coupled to the catalytic converter, that generates a temperature signal indicating at least one temperature of the catalytic converter;

an electromagnetic field generator that responds to a control signal by generating an electromagnetic field to inductively to heat the catalytic converter; and

a controller, coupled to the temperature sensor and the electromagnetic field generator, that generates the control signal based on the temperature signal and further based on a signal indicating a rotational velocity of the vehicle engine, wherein the controller includes a driving mode prediction generator that predicts a current one of a plurality of driving modes of the vehicle based on vehicle control data, wherein the plurality of driving modes include a stop-and-go traffic mode and wherein the controller adaptively generates the control signal in accordance with the current one of the plurality of driving modes.

2. The catalytic converter system of claim 1 wherein the controller generates the control signal further based on a reference temperature.

3. The catalytic converter system of claim 2 wherein the controller generates the control signal further to control the at least one temperature of the catalytic converter in accordance with the reference temperature.

4. The catalytic converter system of claim 3 wherein the controller generates an at-temperature signal indication signal when the at least one temperature of the catalytic converter compares favorably to the reference temperature.

5. The catalytic converter system of claim 4 further comprising:

an at-temperature indicator, coupled to the controller, that generates an at-temperature indication to a driver of a vehicle containing the catalytic converter system in response to the at-temperature signal indication signal indicating that the catalytic converter has reached a reference temperature.

6. The catalytic converter system of claim 4 wherein start-up of the vehicle engine is enabled in response the at temperature signal indication signal.

7. The catalytic converter system of claim 1 wherein the controller generates the control signal further based on a signal indicating an ambient temperature of the vehicle containing the catalytic converter system.

8. The catalytic converter system of claim 1 wherein the controller generates the control signal further based on a signal indicating an automatic start-stop mode of the vehicle engine wherein the vehicle engine can be automatically turned-off and restarted during vehicle operation.

9. The catalytic converter system of claim 1 wherein the electromagnetic field generator operates based on power from a battery and the controller generates the control signal further based on a signal indicating remaining charge in the battery.

10. The catalytic converter system of claim 9 wherein the controller generates the control signal in accordance with a low power mode when the remaining charge in the battery compares unfavorably with a low power threshold.

11. The catalytic converter system of claim 1 wherein the controller further controls an electrohydrodynamic heat/mass transfer process of the catalytic converter system.

12. A method comprising:

generating a temperature signal indicating a temperature of a catalytic converter;

predicting a current one of a plurality of driving modes of a vehicle based on vehicle control data, wherein the plurality of driving modes include a stop-and-go traffic mode;

generating a control signal based on the temperature signal, a signal indicating a rotational velocity of a vehicle engine, and in accordance with the current one of the plurality of driving modes; and

generating an electromagnetic field to inductively to heat the catalytic converter in response to the control signal.

13. The method of claim 12 the control signal is generated further based on a reference temperature, to control the temperature of the catalytic converter in accordance with the reference temperature.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

generating an at temperature signal indication signal when the temperature of the catalytic converter compares favorably to the reference temperature.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein start-up of a vehicle engine is enabled in response the at temperature signal indication signal.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein the controller generates the control signal further based on at least one of:

a signal indicating an ambient temperature of a vehicle;

a signal indicating an auto start-stop mode of the vehicle engine; and

a signal indicating a remaining charge in a vehicle battery.

17. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

controlling an electrohydrodynamic heat/mass transfer process of the catalytic converter.