Catalytic converter system with control and methods for use therewith
First Claim
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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.
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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.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A catalytic converter system comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification