Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080271440 | Vehicle-Based Strategy for Removing Urea Deposits from an SCR Catalyst - A method is provided for operating an aftertreatment device coupled downstream of an internal combustion engine, the aftertreatment device including a urea-based selective catalyst reduction (SCR) catalyst. The method comprises establishing a threshold urea deposit accumulation for regeneration of the SCR catalyst; determining that the threshold urea deposit accumulation in the SCR catalyst has been met; and in response to the determination, regenerating the SCR catalyst by maintaining the SCR catalyst at a predetermined regeneration temperature for a predetermined time interval. | 11-06-2008 |
20080289318 | Low Temperature Emission Control - A method of controlling an engine having a lean NOx trap in the exhaust is described. The method comprises during a first mode, at a first temperature, storing NOx at a lean condition and then purging stored NOx from the NOx trap at a rich condition without concurrently supplying oxygen to the trap during the purging and during a second mode, at a second, lower temperature, storing NOx at a lean condition and then purging stored NOx from the NOx, where an exothermic reaction is generated to temporarily raise the temperature of the trap by supplying oxygen and reductants with an overall rich mixture to the trap during the purging. | 11-27-2008 |
20080307851 | EXHAUST TEMPERATURE SENSOR MONITORING - A system for diagnosing an exhaust temperature sensor in an engine exhaust, the exhaust further including an emission control device, the system comprising an exhaust temperature sensor disposed in the exhaust pathway for indicating temperature; an air/fuel ratio sensor having a heater, the air/fuel ratio sensor disposed in the exhaust pathway; and a control system, the control system enabling and disabling the air/fuel ratio sensor heater based on operating conditions, the controller further adjusting fuel injection to provide a desired air-fuel ratio based on feedback from the air/fuel ratio sensor when the heater is enabled, and determining degradation of the exhaust temperature sensor based on a signal from the air/fuel ratio sensor when the heater is disabled. | 12-18-2008 |
20090107113 | Controlled Air-Fuel Ratio Modulation Air Fuel Sensor Input - A method is described for operating an engine and an emission control system downstream of the engine, the emission control system including a catalyst, an exhaust gas path coupling the engine to the catalyst, a first air-fuel ratio sensor positioned upstream of the catalyst and a second air-fuel ratio sensor positioned adjacent to or downstream of the catalyst. The method includes correlating variation in the catalyst performance across air-fuel ratios, as identified via the first and second sensors, to fuel composition of fuel combusted in the engine. | 04-30-2009 |
20090120061 | Hydrocarbon Retaining and Purging System - Systems, methods, and computer readable storage media are described in which exhaust gas is routed to a hydrocarbon retaining device during starting, and purged to the engine intake manifold. Various alternative approaches are described for controlling operation and diagnosing degradation. Further, various interrelated configurations are described. | 05-14-2009 |
20090120063 | Hydrocarbon Retaining System Configuration for Combustion Engine - Systems, methods, and computer readable storage media are described in which exhaust gas is routed to a hydrocarbon retaining device during starting, and purged to the engine intake manifold. Various alternative approaches are described for controlling operation and diagnosing degradation. Further, various interrelated configurations are described. | 05-14-2009 |
20090120064 | Engine Starting Control for Engine with Hydrocarbon Retaining System - Systems, methods, and computer readable storage media are described in which exhaust gas is routed to a hydrocarbon retaining device during starting, and purged to the engine intake manifold. Various alternative approaches are described for controlling operation and diagnosing degradation. Further, various interrelated configurations are described. | 05-14-2009 |
20090120065 | Hydrocarbon Retaining and Purging System for Flex-Fuel Combustion Engine - Systems, methods, and computer readable storage media are described in which exhaust gas is routed to a hydrocarbon retaining device during starting, and purged to the engine intake manifold. Various alternative approaches are described for controlling operation and diagnosing degradation. Further, various interrelated configurations are described. | 05-14-2009 |
20090120067 | Hydrocarbon Retaining System and Method - Systems, methods, and computer readable storage media are described in which exhaust gas is routed to a hydrocarbon retaining device during starting, and purged to the engine intake manifold. Various alternative approaches are described for controlling operation and diagnosing degradation. Further, various interrelated configurations are described. | 05-14-2009 |
20090120071 | Hydrocarbon Retaining System for Flex-Fuel Combustion Engine - Systems, methods, and computer readable storage media are described in which exhaust gas is routed to a hydrocarbon retaining device during starting, and purged to the engine intake manifold. Various alternative approaches are described for controlling operation and diagnosing degradation. Further, various interrelated configurations are described. | 05-14-2009 |
20090182488 | Temperature Sensor Diagnostics - A system for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle includes an emission control device in an exhaust stream of the engine; an exhaust gas oxygen sensor coupled upstream of the emission control device; a temperature sensor coupled adjacent the emission control device; and a controller coupled to the exhaust gas oxygen sensor and the temperature sensor, the controller identifying degradation of the temperature sensor responsive to the exhaust gas oxygen sensor during lean operation, where the controller operates the exhaust gas oxygen sensor in a temperature sensing mode to identify the degradation of the temperature sensor. | 07-16-2009 |
20090194076 | Reducing Fuel-Vapor Emissions by Vortex Effect - A system for managing fuel vapors generated in a fuel system of a vehicle, the fuel system including a fuel tank includes a flow separator comprising an inlet to which a gas flow having fuel vapors is admitted, at least two outlets, and an internal cavity, the inlet, the outlets, and the internal cavity configured to separate the gas flow, with at least one outlet flow becoming warmer and at least one outlet flow becoming cooler than the inlet flow; a first path coupling the warmer outlet to an engine of the vehicle; a second path coupling the cooler outlet to the fuel tank; and a third path coupling the fuel tank to the inlet. | 08-06-2009 |
20090253553 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO REDUCE STALL DURING DECELERATION FUEL SHUT OFF - A method of controlling fuel injection in an engine of a vehicle comprising of deactivating a fuel injector of the engine during a deceleration condition of the vehicle; and reactivating the fuel injector when a rate of change of a powertrain shaft deceleration is greater than a threshold. | 10-08-2009 |
20100011753 | ENGINE EXHAUST SYSTEM HAVING A THERMOELECTRIC CONVERSION DEVICE AND A HEAT PIPE - Systems and methods for converting engine heat energy to electricity using a thermoelectric conversion device are provided herein. One example system may include an engine heat source, a thermoelectric conversion device for converting heat into electricity, and a heat pipe having a first end and a second end and configured to transfer heat received at the first end to the second end, the first end interposed between the engine exhaust passage and the thermoelectric conversion device, the second end disposed in a heat sink. | 01-21-2010 |
20100024396 | HYDROCARBON RETAINING AND PURGING SYSTEM - Method and systems are provided for operating an engine having a hydrocarbon retaining system coupled to an engine exhaust and an engine intake. One example method comprises, during an engine cold start, routing exhaust gas to the hydrocarbon retaining system to store hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon retaining system. The method further comprises, during a first purging condition where the exhaust gas is at a first temperature, purging the hydrocarbon retaining system with at least exhaust gas, and during a second purging condition where the exhaust gas is at a second temperature, said second temperature being higher than said first temperature, mixing the exhaust gas with an amount of fresh air to form a purging gas mixture, and purging the hydrocarbon retaining system with said purging gas mixture. | 02-04-2010 |
20100050605 | METHODS FOR REDUCING ENGINE EXHAUST EMISSIONS - A method for controlling an internal combustion engine wherein, during an initial, relatively low temperature operating phase of the engine, the engine operates with a modulated air/fuel ratio established independently of the operating condition of the engine and wherein, during a subsequent higher temperature operating phase of the engine, the air/fuel ratio is modulated in as a function of the operating conditions of the engine. | 03-04-2010 |
20100174468 | METHOD FOR DETECTION OF EMISSIONS LEVELS DURING EXTENDED ENGINE SPEED CONTROLLED OPERATION - A method for detection of emissions levels during extended engine speed controlled operation is provided. The method includes monitoring mass airflow passing through the engine while operating the engine. The method further includes adjusting mass airflow responsive to engine speed to maintain a desired engine speed. The method further includes shutting down the engine when engine mass airflow becomes higher than a predetermined mass airflow threshold. | 07-08-2010 |
20100223921 | HYDROCARBON RETAINING AND PURGING SYSTEM - Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine having a hydrocarbon retaining system and an emission control device coupled to an engine exhaust, the engine exhaust comprising a venturi. One example method comprises, during a storing condition, routing exhaust gas through the venturi without generating a venturi action, and then to the hydrocarbon retaining system, while bypassing the emission control device, to store hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon retaining system, and during a purging condition, routing exhaust gas through the venturi while generating venturi action, then to the emission control device, and then to the hydrocarbon retaining system, to purge stored hydrocarbons, wherein a flow of purged hydrocarbons is drawn back to the venturi via venturi action. | 09-09-2010 |
20100229966 | FUEL SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING FUEL SYSTEMS IN A VEHICLE WITH MULTIPLE FUEL TANKS - Fuel systems and methods for controlling fuel systems in a vehicle with multiple fuel tanks are provided. An exemplary vehicle fuel system includes a first fuel tank including a first pressure sensor, and a second fuel tank. The system may further include a fuel tank isolation valve positioned to selectively decouple the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank. The system may further include an electronic controller configured to identify which of the first fuel tank and second fuel tank includes a fuel system leak by selectively decoupling the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank via the fuel tank isolation valve, responsive to an identification of the fuel system leak. | 09-16-2010 |
20100230001 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SELECTIVELY FUELLING A VEHICLE - Methods and systems for selectively fuelling a vehicle are provided. One example method of fuelling a vehicle may include receiving a fuel in a fuel reservoir in the vehicle, and directing the fuel to one of a plurality of storage tanks based on a fuel type. In one example, the directing of fuel may include adjusting one or more fuelling valves positioned between the fuel reservoir and the plurality of storage tanks to vary a direction of fuel flow to the plurality of storage tanks. | 09-16-2010 |
20110061371 | HYDROCARBON AND NOx TRAP - A hydrocarbon and NOx trap and related apparatus and methods for reducing cold-start NOx emissions from an engine are provided. In one embodiment a trap includes a first, topmost layer, exposed to an exhaust gas flow path of exhaust gases from an engine, the first layer comprising a zeolite, a second layer, substantially covered by the top most layer, the second layer comprising a NOx adsorbing material and a monolithic substrate, directly supporting the second layer and indirectly supporting the first layer, the substrate providing a substantially rigid structure of the trap. | 03-17-2011 |
20110077839 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO OPERATE A FUEL CELL IN THE EXHAUST OF AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE - A system for a vehicle having an engine with an exhaust comprises a fuel cell coupled in the engine exhaust wherein the fuel cell has an output circuit; a battery coupled with the fuel cell; and a controller receiving a signal indicative of an electric output of the fuel cell output circuit, and adjusting one of the fuel amount and the air amount supplied to the engine in response to said signal to affect air-fuel ratio of the exhaust of the engine. | 03-31-2011 |
20110107740 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO OPERATE FUEL CELL IN THE EXHAUST OF AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE - A method for operating an international combustion engine, the engine also includes a first cylinder, a second cylinder, an exhaust system, and a fuel cell in the exhaust system. The method comprises operating the first cylinder lean to provide air to the fuel cell during at least one condition; and operating the second cylinder rich or stoichiometric to provide torque output and fuel to the fuel cell. | 05-12-2011 |
20110287894 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO REDUCE STALL DURING DECELERATION FUEL SHUT OFF - A method of controlling fuel injection in an engine of a vehicle comprising of deactivating a fuel injector of the engine during a deceleration condition of the vehicle; and reactivating the fuel injector when a rate of change of a powertrain shaft deceleration is greater than a threshold. | 11-24-2011 |
20120017870 | METHOD FOR DETECTION OF EMISSIONS LEVELS DURING EXTENDED ENGINE SPEED CONTROLLED OPERATION - A method for detection of emissions levels during extended engine speed controlled operation is provided. The method includes monitoring mass airflow passing through the engine while operating the engine. The method further includes adjusting mass airflow responsive to engine speed to maintain a desired engine speed. The method further includes shutting down the engine when engine mass airflow becomes higher than a predetermined mass airflow threshold. | 01-26-2012 |
20120137659 | Hydrocarbon Retaining System Configuration for Combustion Engine - Systems, methods, and computer readable storage media are described in which exhaust gas is routed to a hydrocarbon retaining device during starting, and purged to the engine intake manifold. Various alternative approaches are described for controlling operation and diagnosing degradation. Further, various interrelated configurations are described. | 06-07-2012 |
20120204544 | HYDROCARBON RETAINING AND PURGING SYSTEM - Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine having a hydrocarbon retaining system and an emission control device coupled to an engine exhaust, the engine exhaust comprising a venturi. One example method comprises, during a storing condition, routing exhaust gas through the venturi without generating a venturi action, and then to the hydrocarbon retaining system, while bypassing the emission control device, to store hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon retaining system, and during a purging condition, routing exhaust gas through the venturi while generating venturi action, then to the emission control device, and then to the hydrocarbon retaining system, to purge stored hydrocarbons, wherein a flow of purged hydrocarbons is drawn back to the venturi via venturi action. | 08-16-2012 |
20120216510 | Vehicle-Based Strategy for Removing Urea Deposits from an SCR Catalyst - A method is provided for controlling regeneration of an SCR catalyst. The method includes coordinating the regeneration duration and temperature (e.g., longer/shorter regenerations and/or lower/higher temperatures) to the urea deposit loading. In this way, improved regeneration may be achieved due to the particular nature of urea deposits on SCR catalysts. | 08-30-2012 |
20130247544 | HYDROCARBON RETAINING AND PURGING SYSTEM FOR FLEX-FUEL COMBUSTION ENGINE - Systems, methods, and computer readable storage media are described in which exhaust gas is routed to a hydrocarbon retaining device during starting, and purged to the engine intake manifold. Various alternative approaches are described for controlling operation and diagnosing degradation. Further, various interrelated configurations are described. | 09-26-2013 |
20140007951 | FUEL SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING FUEL SYSTEMS IN A VEHICLE WITH MULTIPLE FUEL TANKS - Fuel systems and methods for controlling fuel systems in a vehicle with multiple fuel tanks are provided. An exemplary vehicle fuel system includes a first fuel tank including a first pressure sensor, and a second fuel tank. The system may further include a fuel tank isolation valve positioned to selectively decouple the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank. The system may further include an electronic controller configured to identify which of the first fuel tank and second fuel tank includes a fuel system leak by selectively decoupling the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank via the fuel tank isolation valve, responsive to an identification of the fuel system leak. | 01-09-2014 |
20140058668 | TRAILER TARGET PLACEMENT ASSIST SYSTEM AND METHOD - A vehicle trailer backup assist system and method includes a hitch angle detection apparatus and a target monitor controller. The target monitor controller processes images acquired of the trailer towed by a towing vehicle to assist with placement of a target on the trailer. The target monitor controller also monitors the target and provides feedback to the user as to proper positioning of the target on the trailer. A target move detection routine detects movement of a target by processing the pixels of the image to determine if a new trailer has been connected. Further, a trailer connection monitoring routine monitors for a changed trailer based on loss of the hitch angle or target for a predetermined time period. | 02-27-2014 |
20140172232 | SENSOR SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING TRAILER HITCH ANGLE - A sensor system and method for estimating a hitch angle of a trailer attached to a vehicle includes a primary sensor and a secondary sensor. The primary sensor has a camera that monitors a target on the trailer to determine a measured hitch angle. The secondary sensor monitors the trailer to determine an indicator of the hitch angle. The sensor system also includes a controller to steer the vehicle to attain a selected hitch angle when the measured hitch angle correlates with the indicator of the hitch angle. | 06-19-2014 |
20140241584 | Method and Apparatus for Estimating the Distance from Trailer Axle to Tongue - A system includes a processor configured to receive a trailer image. The processor is also configured to identify an axle in the trailer image and identify a tongue-end in the trailer image. Further, the processor is configured to receive a tire image, including a wheel diameter provided on a tire. The processor is additionally configured to retrieve the wheel diameter from the tire image. The processor is also configured to identify a wheel, having an indentified diameter corresponding to the wheel diameter, in the first image. Additionally, the processor is configured to calculate a distance from the axle to the tongue-end using the identified diameter. | 08-28-2014 |
20140244143 | Method and Apparatus for Automatic Estimated Time of Arrival Calculation and Provision - A system includes a processor configured to receive information relating to a vehicle location. The processor is also configured to determine one or more filters, based on the received information, for filtering out a plurality of non-specified locations from varied location types. Further, the processor is configured to apply filters for each varied location type to select a plurality of non-specified locations. The processor is also configured to calculate an estimated time of arrival (ETA), for each of the selected locations, and deliver the selected locations and the calculated ETAs to a vehicle. | 08-28-2014 |
20140266795 | Method and Apparatus for Crowd-Sourced Traffic Reporting - A system includes a processor configured to project monitoring needs for a road segment. The processor is further configured to contact one or more vehicles traveling on the road segment during a time of monitoring need. The processor is additionally configured to instruct a first number, determined based on a projected monitoring need, of contacted vehicles to being monitoring and reporting traffic data for the road segment | 09-18-2014 |
20140343830 | STOP/START CONTROL BASED ON REPEATED DRIVING PATTERNS - A method or system for controlling a vehicle having auto stop and auto start functions includes selectively inhibiting or disabling the auto stop or auto start functions in response to a detected vehicle position relative to an automatically learned vehicle route. The vehicle route is learned in response to previous drive cycles. | 11-20-2014 |