Method for regenerating a diesel particulate filter

A method for raising the temperature in a particulate filter to cause particulate matter collected in the particulate filter to combust, the particulate filter is coupled to the exhaust of a multi-cylinder, reciprocating engine, the engine has an intake throttle valve coupled to the intake of the engine, an exhaust gas recirculation system, and a fuel injection system comprising fuel injectors disposed in each cylinder and a high pressure fuel supply device, the exhaust gas recirculation system is coupled to the engine intake and the engine exhaust via an exhaust gas recirculation valve, the engine has an electronic control unit operably connected to the intake throttle valve, the exhaust gas recirculation valve, and the fuel injection system, the method comprising the steps of:

• closing, at least partially, the exhaust gas recirculation valve;
• adjusting the intake throttle valve toward a closed position to provide a desired intake pressure;
• increasing a main quantity of fuel supplied by the fuel injectors in response to said closing and adjusting steps, wherein combustion of the main fuel contributes a majority of work produced by the engine,
• determining an air-fuel ratio supplied to the engine;
• and
• opening, partially, the intake throttle valve when said air-fuel ratio is lower than a predetermined air-fuel ratio.

A system for an engine capable of increasing temperature in a particulate filter coupled to the exhaust of the engine, the engine having a multiplicity of cylinders with pistons reciprocating within the cylinders, an intake with an intake throttle valve, a fuel injection system providing at least one fuel injector disposed in each cylinder, and an exhaust gas recirculation system;

• the exhaust has an exhaust turbine located upstream of the particulate filter;
• the exhaust gas recirculation system is coupled to the engine exhaust and the engine intake via exhaust gas recirculation valve;
• the fuel injection system is capable of providing multiple injections in each cylinder during a single revolution of the engine, comprising:
• an electronic control unit operably connected to the engine, the exhaust recirculation valve, the throttle valve, and the fuel injectors, said electronic control unit closes, at least partially, the exhaust gas recirculation valve;
• said electronic control unit closes, at least partially, the intake throttle valve;
• and said electronic control unit increases a quantity of main fuel supplied in a main fuel injection event, combustion of said main fuel produces a majority of work developed within the engine, said engine is disposed in a vehicle,
• glass surfaces comprising a portion of said vehicle's exterior surface;
• and
• heating elements affixed to said glass surfaces operably connected to said electronic control unit, wherein said electronic control unit activates said heating elements to increase load on the engine.

A method for raining a temperature in a particulate filter to cause particulate matter collected in the particulate filter to combust, the particulate filter is coupled to the exhaust of a multi-cylinder, reciprocating engine, the engine has an intake throttle valve disposed in the intake, an exhaust gas recirculation system coupled to the engine intake and the engine exhaust via an exhaust gas recirculation valve, and a fuel injection system comprising fuel injectors disposed in each cylinder and a high pressure fuel supply device, a catalytic converter coupled to the exhaust upstream of the particulate filter, a variable geometry turbine with adjustable vanes coupled to the exhaust upstream of the catalytic converter, the engine has an electronic control unit operably connected to the intake throttle valve, the exhaust gas recirculation valve, the variable geometry turbine, and the fuel injection system, the method comprising the steps of:

• closing, at least partially, the exhaust gas recirculation valve;
• adjusting the intake throttle valve toward a closed position, said adjusting step provides a desired intake pressure;
• increasing a main quantity of fuel supplied in a main fuel injection in response to said closing and said adjusting steps, combustion of said main fuel provides a majority of work developed with the engine;
• and
• discontinuing feedback control of the variable geometry turbine.