Engine Control Using Aftertreatment Characteristics for Emissions Compliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exhaust aftertreatment systems struggle to efficiently manage engine operating parameters in response to system characteristics, leading to inefficiencies and potential false diagnostic faults, and often require oversized components like ammonia oxidation catalysts.
Innovation Solution
An aftertreatment system control circuit that receives sensor signals to determine system characteristics, calculates acceptable input values, and controls fuel and air handling actuators to optimize engine operation, thereby improving system efficiency and reducing component size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If exhaust aftertreatment systems use oversized components like ammonia oxidation catalysts to ensure emissions reduction capability, then emissions compliance is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of engine operating parameters (fuel injection timing, air-fuel ratio, exhaust gas recirculation) to actively manage aftertreatment system performance. This dynamic approach replaces static oversized components with adaptive control strategies that maintain emissions compliance while optimizing component size and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes engine operating parameters (temperature, pressure, air-fuel ratio) in real-time to optimize aftertreatment performance. By adjusting these parameters, the system can maintain effective emissions reduction with smaller, less complex catalyst components rather than relying on oversized fixed-capacity components.
2Use of energy by moving object
If exhaust aftertreatment systems operate without real-time optimization of engine parameters, then system simplicity is maintained, but fuel efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback control where sensor data from the aftertreatment system (temperature, emissions levels) is continuously monitored and used to adjust engine operating parameters. This closed-loop feedback mechanism optimizes fuel efficiency by coordinating engine operation with aftertreatment requirements, while the control complexity is managed through integrated control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own sensor data and operating conditions to automatically adjust and optimize its performance. The aftertreatment control circuit monitors system state and self-regulates engine parameters to maintain optimal operation, eliminating the need for external optimization systems while improving fuel efficiency.
3Reliability
If exhaust aftertreatment systems lack real-time monitoring and adjustment capabilities, then system simplicity is maintained, but false diagnostic faults increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback monitoring where sensor data is continuously compared against expected operating ranges and performance models. This allows the system to distinguish between actual faults and transient operating conditions that might otherwise be misdiagnosed, improving diagnostic accuracy while keeping monitoring complexity manageable through rule-based evaluation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes predetermined performance thresholds and diagnostic criteria before operation. By having pre-programmed expectations for normal operation and fault conditions, the system can quickly and accurately diagnose issues without requiring complex real-time analysis, reducing both false positives and diagnostic complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and apparatuses include an a system including an engine out sensor, an exhaust sensor, and one or more processing circuits comprising one or more memory devices coupled to one or more processors. The one or more memory devices are configured to store instructions thereon that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to receive the engine out sensor information from the engine out sensor, receive the exhaust information from the exhaust sensor, determine the aftertreatment system characteristic based on the exhaust information, compare the aftertreatment system characteristic to an exhaust condition, determine an acceptable input value when the aftertreatment system characteristic meets the exhaust condition, and control at least one of a fuel system actuator and an air handling actuator to achieve the acceptable input value.