Diesel Soot Filter Temperature Control via Oxygen-Constrained Fuel Injection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional diesel exhaust systems face challenges in efficiently regenerating catalyst soot filters due to insufficient exhaust gas temperatures under certain load conditions, which hinder the effective burning of soot into less harmful materials.

Innovation Solution

The system employs an Engine Control Module (ECM) that determines the target light-off temperature based on current exhaust flow, using a feed-forward model and PID controller to calculate and adjust fuel injection, ensuring the exhaust gas reaches the necessary temperature for soot regeneration by generating a combined fuel injection value that maintains optimal temperature and oxygen conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If fuel injection is increased to raise exhaust gas temperature for soot regeneration, then temperature reaches required levels, but oxygen concentration decreases below levels needed for efficient combustion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexhaust gas temperatureVSAvoidoxygen concentration
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring both exhaust gas temperature and oxygen concentration, then adjusting fuel injection and exhaust flow valve positions dynamically to maintain both parameters within optimal ranges for soot regeneration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operating parameters (fuel injection quantity and exhaust flow valve position) based on real-time measurements of temperature and oxygen levels, adapting the regeneration process to maintain optimal conditions despite varying engine loads

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If exhaust flow is restricted to increase temperature for soot burning, then temperature reaches light-off levels, but oxygen supply is reduced hindering combustion efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexhaust gas temperatureVSAvoidsoot regeneration efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The exhaust flow valve is dynamically adjusted based on real-time temperature and oxygen measurements, allowing the system to optimize the balance between temperature maintenance and oxygen supply for efficient soot combustion under varying conditions

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

This approach ensures consistent and efficient soot regeneration in catalyst soot filters, even under varying engine conditions, by precisely controlling fuel injection to achieve and maintain the required temperature and oxygen levels for effective soot conversion.

Implementation Method 1

combustion of the first amount of fuel thereby causing the first temperature signal to approach the target light off temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 2

the ECM includes a first PID controller that generates, based on the first difference signal, a first error signal that is added to the calculated first amount of fuel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFeedback control: Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP1893851B1Method and apparatus for soot filter catalyst temperature control with oxygen flow constraint
Publication Date: 2018.12.19 CUMMINS INC
  • EP1893851B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1893851B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1893851B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A system and method for controlling soot regeneration in a catalyst soot filter ("CSF") (16) of an exhaust system (10) for a diesel engine (12) by measuring the inlet temperature of a diesel oxidation catalyst ("DOC") (14) coupled to the CSF (16), determining a target light off temperature for the DOC (14), injecting a first fuel amount into a cylinder of the engine (12) to cause the DOC (14) inlet temperature to approach the target light off temperature, measuring the CSF (16) inlet temperature and pressure across the CSF (16), determining a target CSF (16) inlet temperature for regeneration, injecting a second fuel amount for combustion in the DOC (14) to cause the CSF (16) inlet temperature to approach the target CSF (16) inlet temperature.