Method and apparatus for regenerating NOx adsorbers

A method for regenerating a NOx adsorber, comprising:

• determining a characteristic that is indicative of a desired regeneration of the NOx adsorber;
• actuating a throttle to a first position for a first predetermined period of time, the first position being a position that is more closed than a steady state rich operation throttle position when the characteristic indicates that regeneration is desired, the steady state rich operation throttle position being a steady state desired throttle position operable to regenerate the NOx adsorber;
• and
• actuating the throttle to a second position for a second predetermined period of time, the second position being a position more open than the first position and corresponding to about the steady state rich operation throttle position.

A method for regenerating a NOx adsorber, comprising:

• determining a first characteristic that is indicative of a desired regeneration of the NOx adsorber;
• determining a steady state lambda operable to regenerate the NOx adsorber;
• controlling a lambda of a gas that is transmitted to the NOx adsorber to a first lambda for a first predetermined period of time when the first characteristic indicates that regeneration of the NOx adsorber is desired, the first lambda being a lambda that is less than a steady state lambda that is operable to regenerate the NOx adsorber;
• and
• controlling the lambda of the gas to a second lambda for a second period of time, the second lambda being a lambda corresponding to about the steady state lambda that is operable to regenerate the NOx adsorber.

An apparatus for regenerating a NOx adsorber, comprising:

• an intake air path for an engine;
• a throttle valve disposed in the intake path of the engine;
• a throttle valve actuator coupled with the throttle valve and operable to move the throttle valve between a first position and a second position;
• at least one sensor coupled with the engine and operable to transmit at least one signal indicative of a desire to regenerate the NOx adsorber;
• and
• a controller coupled with the at least one sensor to receive the at least one signal indicative of a desire to regenerate a NOx adsorber, the controller coupled with the throttle valve actuator and operable to transmit a first signal to the throttle valve actuator as a function of the at least one signal indicative of a desire to regenerate the NOx adsorber, the first signal operable to cause the throttle valve actuator to actuate the throttle valve to a first position for a first predetermined period of time, the first position being a position that is more closed than a steady state rich operation throttle position, and
• cause the throttle valve actuator to actuate the throttle valve to a second position for a second predetermined period of time, the second position being a position corresponding to about the steady state rich operation throttle position.