Aftertreatment Regeneration MPC for Hydrocarbon Dosing Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aftertreatment systems face inefficiencies and longevity issues due to residue accumulation, which current control methods like PID controllers fail to manage effectively, particularly in controlling the hydrocarbon dosing for regeneration processes.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a model predictive controller (MPC) that uses temperature sensors to predict future states of the aftertreatment system and generate optimal control commands for the hydrocarbon doser, considering multiple positions and time steps to achieve efficient and safe regeneration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a PID controller is used to control hydrocarbon dosing for aftertreatment regeneration, then the system can maintain stable operation, but it cannot effectively predict and prevent temperature overshoot or undershoot, leading to inefficient regeneration and potential system damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaftertreatment system safetyVSAvoidregeneration efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The model predictive controller performs preliminary actions by predicting future temperature states before they occur. It calculates optimal hydrocarbon dosing commands in advance based on predicted future states, preventing temperature overshoot and undershoot before they happen, thereby improving both reliability and regeneration efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller implements feedback by continuously monitoring current temperature states and using this information to update predictions of future states. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the system to adjust hydrocarbon dosing dynamically, ensuring safe and efficient regeneration while resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If hydrocarbon dosing is increased to accelerate regeneration, then regeneration speed improves, but the risk of temperature overshoot and system damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregeneration speedVSAvoidtemperature overshoot risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The controller performs preliminary action by predicting future temperature states before they occur. It calculates optimal hydrocarbon dosing commands in advance based on predicted future states, preventing temperature overshoot and undershoot before they happen, thereby improving both reliability and regeneration efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The model predictive controller applies preliminary anti-action by anticipating potential temperature overshoot and pre-adjusting hydrocarbon dosing to counteract it. The controller predicts future states and modifies dosing commands in advance to prevent harmful temperature excursions, allowing faster regeneration without increasing damage risk

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Reliability

If hydrocarbon dosing is reduced to prevent temperature overshoot, then system safety improves, but regeneration efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem safetyVSAvoidregeneration efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The model predictive controller performs preliminary actions by predicting future temperature states before they occur. It calculates optimal hydrocarbon dosing commands in advance based on predicted future states, preventing temperature overshoot and undershoot before they happen, thereby improving both reliability and regeneration efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller implements feedback by continuously monitoring current temperature states and using this information to update predictions of future states. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the system to adjust hydrocarbon dosing dynamically, ensuring safe and efficient regeneration while resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Device complexity

If a conventional control method is used, then the system structure remains simple, but the controller cannot account for future temperature states, leading to prolonged regeneration time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontroller structureVSAvoidregeneration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The controller performs preliminary action by predicting future temperature states before they occur. It calculates optimal hydrocarbon dosing commands in advance based on predicted future states, preventing temperature overshoot and undershoot before they happen, thereby improving both reliability and regeneration efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The model predictive controller introduces dynamic adaptation by continuously updating predictions based on current system state and adjusting hydrocarbon dosing accordingly. This dynamic approach allows the controller to optimize regeneration in real-time, reducing regeneration time while maintaining system safety, with the added complexity justified by the performance gains

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The MPC enables anticipatory control, ensuring the aftertreatment system reaches target temperatures efficiently, reducing the risk of damage and prolongation, thereby enhancing safety and fuel efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a hydrocarbon doser injects a small amount of fuel into the aftertreatment system, which combusts and causes the aftertreatment system to generate enough heat over a long enough period of time to effectively burn away the accumulated residue

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentEP4582677A1Model predictive control for aftertreatment regeneration
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 CATERPILLAR INC
  • EP4582677A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4582677A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4582677A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In one instance, disclosed herein is an aftertreatment regeneration system (200) comprising: an aftertreatment system (102); a temperature sensor (118A) operative to monitor a temperature of the aftertreatment system (102); a hydrocarbon doser (114) operatively coupled to the aftertreatment system (102); and a model predictive controller (117) operative to: receive an aftertreatment regeneration request (207); receive temperature information generated by the temperature sensor (118A); generate, based on the aftertreatment regeneration request (207) and the temperature information generated by the temperature sensor (118A), a predicted future state (211) of the aftertreatment system (102); and generate, based on the aftertreatment regeneration request (207), the temperature information generated by the temperature sensor (118A), and the predicted future state (211) of the aftertreatment system (102), a control command (213) for actuating the hydrocarbon doser (114).