Gasoline Particulate Filter Regeneration via Intake Airflow Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles with gasoline particulate filters (GPFs), the degradation of differential pressure sensors can lead to inaccurate determination of soot loading, resulting in incomplete regeneration, clogged filters, and increased emissions.
Innovation Solution
A method involving routing air flow from the exhaust system to the engine intake to determine the particulate filter's loading state, using either rotating the engine in reverse or operating an electric booster in reverse, allowing for regeneration even when the differential pressure sensor is degraded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a differential pressure sensor is used to monitor GPF loading, then the GPF regeneration can be determined accurately under normal conditions, but the sensor degrades over time leading to inaccurate measurements and failed regeneration detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary airflow measurement system that acts as a mediator between the GPF loading state and the control system. By measuring airflow through the engine intake (which is influenced by GPF backpressure) and comparing it to baseline airflow values, the system can indirectly determine GPF loading state without relying on the degraded differential pressure sensor. This intermediary measurement approach allows accurate regeneration detection despite sensor degradation.
2Loss of information
If the differential pressure sensor is degraded, then accurate determination of GPF loading state becomes difficult, but the patent uses airflow comparison methods to bypass sensor limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/direct electrical differential pressure sensor measurement system with an airflow-based measurement system. By using airflow sensors to measure intake airflow and comparing it to baseline airflow values obtained when the GPF is clean, the system can determine GPF loading state indirectly. This substitution bypasses the degraded sensor and restores accurate loading state information through an alternative measurement mechanism.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If regeneration is not performed due to sensor degradation, then the GPF becomes clogged with soot, but the patent enables regeneration by using alternative airflow-based detection methods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where airflow measurements are continuously monitored and compared to baseline values. When the airflow deviation exceeds a threshold indicating significant GPF loading, the system triggers regeneration. This feedback loop ensures that regeneration is performed at appropriate times even without a functional differential pressure sensor, preventing soot accumulation and reducing harmful emissions while maintaining reliable regeneration determination.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for regenerating a particulate filter positioned in an exhaust system of an engine of a vehicle. In one example, a method comprises obtaining a first air flow in an intake of the engine and obtaining a second air flow in the intake of the engine, where regeneration of the particulate filter is conducted in response to the first air flow differing from the second air flow by at least a threshold amount, where the first air flow and the second air flow comprise air flow routed from the exhaust system to the intake of the engine. In this way, the particulate filter may be regenerated under conditions where a loading state of the particulate filter is not known.