Soot Accumulation Correction for Particulate Filter Regeneration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing particulate filter regeneration systems in internal combustion engines fail to accurately detect soot accumulation under atypical environmental conditions such as increased humidity and temperature, leading to inefficient regeneration and potential vehicle power loss.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that determine a soot humidity and temperature correction factor to adjust soot accumulation measurements, allowing for timely and efficient regeneration by accounting for ambient conditions, including extended or shortened regeneration durations based on humidity levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If standard soot accumulation detection is used without environmental correction, then the detection system remains simple, but soot accumulation detection accuracy deteriorates under atypical environmental conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoot accumulation detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the detection parameter from raw soot accumulation to corrected soot accumulation by applying humidity and temperature correction factors. This transforms the detection parameter to account for environmental influences, improving accuracy without requiring fundamentally new detection hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Humidity and temperature correction factors serve as intermediary elements that mediate between the raw soot accumulation measurement and the corrected value. These correction factors compensate for environmental effects, allowing accurate detection while maintaining relatively simple detection hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If regeneration is delayed until standard thresholds are reached, then regeneration frequency is reduced, but vehicle power loss increases due to excessive soot accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregeneration efficiencyVSAvoidvehicle power loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary correction of soot accumulation data using humidity and temperature factors before comparing against thresholds. This preliminary action allows earlier detection of actual soot accumulation rates, enabling timely regeneration before excessive soot buildup causes power loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from corrected soot accumulation measurements to dynamically adjust regeneration timing. By continuously monitoring corrected soot levels, the system provides feedback that triggers regeneration at optimal moments, balancing regeneration frequency with vehicle performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If regeneration duration is fixed, then control simplicity is maintained, but regeneration completeness deteriorates under varying humidity conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregeneration completenessVSAvoidcontrol complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system makes the regeneration duration dynamic by adjusting it based on corrected soot accumulation and ambient humidity conditions. This dynamic adjustment ensures complete regeneration across varying environmental conditions while using relatively simple control logic that builds on the existing correction factor framework

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

Ensures accurate detection of soot accumulation and efficient regeneration, preventing vehicle power loss and maintaining filter integrity by adapting regeneration processes to environmental conditions, thereby improving vehicle operation and regeneration efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the regeneration process may include igniting soot particles within the PF

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentUS9322312B2Ambient humidity and temperature correction to particulate filter soot rate

Publication Date: 2016.04.26 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method of regenerating an exhaust gas particulate filter in a vehicle having an internal combustion engine is provided. The method includes determining a soot accumulation in the particulate filter, determining a soot humidity and temperature correction factor, and adjusting, using the soot humidity and temperature correction factor, the soot accumulation to determine a corrected soot accumulation in the particulate filter. The method further includes performing a regeneration of the particulate filter when at least one of the following occurs: the corrected soot accumulation reaches a predetermined threshold, and the corrected soot accumulation indicates a contorted soot mass to flow resistance relationship.