Synchronized DPF Regeneration Control for Thermal Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current control systems for multiple diesel particulate filters (DPFs) face challenges in synchronizing regeneration events, leading to thermal management inefficiencies, uneven outlet temperatures, excessive fuel dosing, overloading, overcleaning, and backpressure discrepancies.
Innovation Solution
A control strategy that synchronizes the initiation of regeneration events across multiple DPFs while allowing independent termination based on individual particulate matter loads, using a regeneration event synchronization module and termination module to manage exhaust gas temperature and reactant dosing independently for each DPF.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If regeneration events are initiated independently for each DPF, then the control system responds to individual particulate matter loads, but the thermal management of the internal combustion engine increases and outlet temperatures become uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the initiation of regeneration events across multiple DPFs by synchronizing their start times through a common control signal, while maintaining independent termination based on individual particulate matter load conditions. This combining approach ensures uniform thermal management and equalizes outlet temperatures across all DPFs.
2Temperature
If regeneration events are synchronized across multiple DPFs, then outlet temperatures are equalized, but the dosing fuel necessary for regeneration events increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control where all DPFs are synchronized at the start of regeneration events to equalize outlet temperatures, but each DPF's regeneration terminates independently when its specific particulate matter load condition is met. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain temperature uniformity while minimizing total fuel dosing by avoiding unnecessary extended regeneration on already-clean DPFs.
3Loss of substance
If regeneration events are terminated independently for each DPF, then fuel dosing is optimized, but backpressure discrepancies between DPFs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic synchronized regeneration events where all DPFs are initiated simultaneously and operate together for defined periods, then terminate independently based on their individual particulate matter load conditions. This periodic synchronization approach balances the system by ensuring all DPFs undergo regeneration cycles at regular intervals, thereby reducing backpressure discrepancies while optimizing fuel dosing through independent termination.
4Measurement precision
If multiple DPFs are monitored and controlled separately, then individual particulate matter loads are accurately managed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control system into two functional parts: a centralized synchronization module that manages the start of regeneration events for all DPFs simultaneously, and independent termination modules for each DPF based on their individual particulate matter load conditions. This segmentation allows accurate individual monitoring while maintaining relatively simple control architecture by separating the synchronization function from the individual control functions.
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
This approach reduces thermal management requests, minimizes reactant usage, prevents overloading and overcleaning, and equalizes particulate matter loads across DPFs, thereby reducing backpressure discrepancies and improving overall engine efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
DPFs trap harmful particulate matter (PM) from the exhaust gas
Implementation Method 2
The DPFs are periodically regenerated to burn off the trapped PM
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an apparatus for controlling regeneration events on multiple diesel particulate filters (DPFs) of an exhaust after-treatment system includes a regeneration event synchronization module and regeneration event termination module. The regeneration event synchronization module is configured to simultaneously initiate a regeneration event on a first DPF and a regeneration event on a second DPF in response to a regeneration event request being triggered for one of the first and second DPFs. The regeneration event termination module is configured to terminate the regeneration event on the first DPF and the regeneration event on the second DPF. Under normal operating conditions, the termination of the regeneration event on the first DPF is performed independently of the termination of the regeneration event on the second DPF.