Alternator modulation for control of exhaust heating element
AssigneePACCAR Inc
InventorCharles Wayne Reinhardt Swart
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for modulating power provided to a heating element of a vehicle exhaust system is provided. One system includes a controller controlling a switch, and an alternator having a first field terminal input, wherein the first field terminal input is connected to the switch. The system further includes a heating element connected to at least an output of the alternator. The controller is configured to determine a power demand for the electric heating element and modulate the first field terminal input to cause the alternator to provide power to the heating element according to the power demand.
Claims20
A system for modulating power provided to an electric heating element of a vehicle exhaust system, the system comprising:
- a controller;
- an electrical power source;
- and
- an electric heating element connected to at least an output terminal of the electrical power source, the electric heating element being positioned within an aftertreatment system of the vehicle exhaust system;
- wherein the controller is configured to determine a power demand for the electric heating element and modulate output of power delivered from the electrical power source to the electric heating element based on the power demand, thereby causing the electrical power source to provide power to the electric heating element according to the power demand.
A system for modulating power provided to an electric heating element of a vehicle exhaust system, the system comprising:
- an electrical power source having a first terminal, a second terminal, and an output terminal;
- a controller controlling a switch electrically connected between the first terminal and a chassis ground;
- an electric heating element directly electrically connected to the output terminal, the electric heating element being positioned within an aftertreatment system of the vehicle exhaust system;
- a voltage source electrically connected to the second terminal;
- and
- a voltage selector circuit providing a higher voltage between (1) a voltage at the voltage source, and (2) a voltage output at the output terminal.
A method of delivering power to an electric heating element of a vehicle exhaust system, the method comprising:
- initializing a voltage output at an output terminal of an electrical power source with an initial input voltage, the electrical power source having at least a first terminal and an output terminal;
- determining, at a controller, a power demand for an electric heating element, the electric heating element being electrically connected to the output terminal of the electrical power source;
- and
- actuating, by the controller, a switch that is electrically connected to the first terminal of the electrical power source to modulate power output from the electrical power source at the output terminal and delivered to the electric heating element in accordance with the power demand.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.