Patent · US Expired

Method and system for optimizing open-loop fill and purge times for an emission control device

US6463733B1 · kind B1 · utility

56Cited by
153References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 19, 2001
Grant dateOct 15, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 19, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF02D2200/0808
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method of optimizing vehicle emissions during lean engine operation is disclosed wherein an emission control device receiving engine exhaust gases is filled with one or more constituent gases of the exhaust gas to a predetermined fraction of the device storage capacity, and is then completely emptied during a subsequent purge. As the device storage capacity is substantially reduced, as indicated by an actual fill time becoming equal to or less than a predetermined minimum fill time, a device regeneration cycle is performed to attempt to restore device capacity. A programmed computer controls the fill and purge times based on the amplitude of the voltage of a switching-type oxygen sensor and the time response of the sensor. The frequency of the purge, which ideally is directly related to the device capacity depletion rate, is controlled so that the device is not filled beyond its storage capacity limit.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.