Method and system for engine exhaust catalyst operations
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsMichael McQuillen, Daniel A. Makled, David John Kubinski, Richard E. Soltis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for controlling exhaust catalyst temperature during an engine cold-start by water injection. In one example, a method may include during the engine cold-start, injecting water into an intake of an engine based on the exhaust catalyst temperature and accumulating water molecules within an exhaust catalyst to generate heat within the exhaust catalyst. In this way, by generating and storing heat within the exhaust catalyst, the exhaust catalyst may be heated up rapidly, thus reducing catalyst light-off time.
Claims20
A method, comprising:
- during a cold-start:
- injecting fuel into a cylinder of an engine via a fuel injector;
- and
- injecting water into the cylinder of the engine via a water injector based on a temperature of an exhaust catalyst while the cylinder is combusting fuel.
A method, comprising:
- during an engine cold-start condition, injecting fuel into a cylinder of an engine via a fuel injector while injecting an initial amount of water into an intake manifold of the engine via a water injecting system, continuing the injecting of the initial amount of water until an engine speed reaches a threshold speed and thereafter adjusting an amount of injected water based on a level of water stored within an exhaust catalyst.
A system for a vehicle, comprising:
- an engine including a cylinder;
- a water injection system including a water injector coupled to an intake manifold;
- an exhaust catalyst coupled to an exhaust passage;
- a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the exhaust catalyst;
- a speed sensor configured to measure an engine speed;
- and
- a controller including computer readable instructions for:
- during an engine cold-start, activating the water injector to inject a mist of water into the intake manifold when the engine speed is below a threshold speed;
- and
- responsive to the engine speed rising above the threshold speed, increase an amount of water injected into the intake manifold based on a rate of increase of the temperature of the exhaust catalyst.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.