Engine Controller Manganese Oxide Catalyst Clogging Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for determining catalyst clogging in internal combustion engines due to manganese oxide adhesion have low accuracy, leading to inadequate timing for removal processes, which affects engine performance and fuel efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A controller system that calculates a predicted exhaust pressure value for fuel without manganese, defines an adhesion temperature for manganese oxide, and determines a removal requirement based on pressure differences and heat correlation values, performing fuel amount increase control to address clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional pressure loss-based determination is used to detect catalyst clogging, then the detection method is simple, but the determination accuracy is low leading to inadequate timing for removal processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional pressure loss measurement to multi-dimensional analysis by incorporating catalyst temperature data and calculating accumulated temperature (integral of temperature over time). This additional dimensional parameter enables more accurate determination of manganese oxide adhesion conditions, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from simple pressure loss to a composite parameter combining pressure differential with accumulated temperature. By monitoring both parameters simultaneously and comparing against predetermined thresholds, the system achieves higher determination accuracy without requiring fundamentally new detection hardware.
2Reliability
If fuel amount increase control is performed to remove manganese oxide, then catalyst clogging is prevented, but torque shock may occur affecting engine performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the controller continuously monitors pressure differential and accumulated temperature, compares them against predetermined values, and adjusts fuel injection amount accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system enables precise control of the removal process, increasing fuel amount only when manganese oxide adhesion is detected, thereby preventing catalyst clogging while minimizing torque shock by avoiding unnecessary fuel increases.
3Reliability
If the filter is placed downstream of the catalyst to trap particulate matter, then the catalyst is protected from direct particulate impact, but the pressure loss of the catalyst changes according to deposit amount in the filter reducing detection accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by calculating the accumulated temperature of the catalyst before making clogging determination. By preparing this thermal history data in advance and combining it with pressure differential measurements, the system can distinguish between pressure changes caused by filter deposits and those caused by catalyst clogging, thereby maintaining detection accuracy despite the filter's presence downstream.
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 system accurately determines the need for manganese oxide removal, preventing catalyst clogging and maintaining engine performance by optimizing fuel injection, thus reducing the risk of torque shock and extending catalyst life.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor to measure an exhaust pressure between the catalyst and the filter
Implementation Method 2
calculating a correlation value that is proportional to an amount of heat received by the catalyst when a temperature of the catalyst is higher than or equal to the adhesion temperature
Implementation Method 3
a fuel injection valve that supplies fuel into a cylinder
Implementation Method 4
a filter for trapping particulate matter in exhaust gas
Implementation Method 5
an exhaust gas purifying catalyst provided in an exhaust passage
Data Source
AI summary
A controller calculates a predicted value of the exhaust pressure between a catalyst and a filter for a case in which engine fuel containing no manganese is used continuously. Also, the controller calculates a correlation value proportional to the amount of heat received by the catalyst when the catalyst temperature is higher than or equal to the adhesion temperature of manganese oxide. Further, the controller determines that there is a removal requirement for removing manganese oxide from the catalyst when the difference between the predicted value and the detected pressure of the exhaust pressure between the catalyst and the filter is greater than a specified determination value, and the correlation value is greater than or equal to a specified determination value. The controller executes the removal process by performing fuel amount increase control when it is determined that there is a removal requirement.