Apparatus and method for accelerated exhaust system component heating
AssigneeGeneral Motors Corporation
InventorsDouglas E. Frieden, David J. Cleary, Sanjeev Manubhai Naik
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Accelerated heating of automotive exhaust system components is effected by controlling the application of supplemental electrical loads to the vehicle electrical system thereby increasing engine load and increasing exhaust heat. Alternative strategies are disclosed for implementing the invention through control of electrical and engine management system parameters.
Claims22
Apparatus for cold start heating of exhaust system components in an automobile comprising an internal combustion engine including an engine controller effective to control engine speed by adjusting the engine load operating point comprising:
- a generator driven by the internal combustion engine and providing a regulated output therefrom;
- and,
- a controller adapted for determining when cold start heating of exhaust system components is required and effective to electrically couple a supplemental electrical load to the regulated output from the generator to increase engine heat output when cold start heating of exhaust system components is required.
Method for cold start heating of exhaust system components in an automobile comprising an internal combustion engine, an engine controller and an electric generator drivingly coupled to the engine and having a regulated electrical output:
- providing a supplemental electrical load to the regulated output to provide torque load to the engine;
- and,
- controlling engine speed to a predetermined engine speed profile.
Apparatus for cold start heating of exhaust system components comprising:
- an electrical generator having a regulated output coupled to nominal electrical loads;
- an internal combustion engine drivingly coupled to the generator;
- and,
- a computer based control operatively coupled to the internal combustion engine and generator, said control including a set of program instructions effective to coordinate engine fueling and generator electrical loading to control engine speed to a predetermined engine speed profile at greater than nominal engine loads.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.