Variable power distribution for zoned regeneration of an electrically heated particulate filter

A system comprising:

• a particulate matter (PM) filter that comprises a plurality of zones including a first group of zones and other groups of zones, wherein each of said first group of zones and said other groups of zones are arranged in circumferential bands;
• an electrical heater that includes a plurality of heater segments, which each correspond with a respective one of said plurality of zones,
• wherein said electrical heater is arranged upstream from and proximate with said PM filter;
• and
• a control module configured to selectively apply a first energy level to said first group of zones via a first one of said plurality of heater segments when initiating regeneration of said PM filter in said first group of zones,
• wherein said control module is configured to selectively apply a plurality of energy levels that are less than said first energy level to said other groups of zones via respective ones of said plurality of heater segments to initiate regeneration in said other groups of zones, and
• wherein said control module is configured to progressively decrease said plurality of energy levels applied to said other groups of zones such that each subsequently activated group of said plurality of zones receives a respectively lower energy level than previously activated groups of said plurality of zones during said regeneration of said PM filter.

A method comprising:

• providing a particulate matter (PM) filter that comprises a plurality of zones including a first zone and other zones, wherein each of said plurality of zones are arranged in circumferential bands;
• arranging an electrical heater that includes a plurality of heater segments, which each correspond with a respective one of said plurality of zones, upstream from and proximate with said PM filter;
• selectively applying a first energy level to said first zone via a first one of said plurality of heater segments when initiating regeneration in said first zone;
• and
• selectively applying a plurality of energy levels that are less than said first energy level to said other zones via said plurality of heater segments to initiate regeneration in said other zones.