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  Process for the removal of particulates from the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engineUSPTO Application #: 20060236686Title: Process for the removal of particulates from the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine Abstract: The process includes the operations of: arranging a particular filter (PT) in the exhaust duct (EP), generating, by indicator devices (S1-S5), electrical signals indicative of the values of parameters (NQ) of the operation of the engine (ICE); performing filter regeneration phases of the filter (PT) by controlling the injectors (I1-I4) of the engine (ICE) in such a way as to cause a controlled increase in the temperature of the exhaust gas so as to cause combination of the particulates accumulated in the filter (PT), identifying on the basis of signals provided by at least some of the indicator devices (S1-S5) the type of journey or trip (MPi) currently being made by the motor vehicle form among a plurality of predefined types of journey or trip (MP1-MP4); calculating, according to a predefined estimation function, and in dependence on the instantaneous type of journey or trip (MPi), the quantity (Q) of particulates gradually accumulated in the filter (PT); and starting a filter regenerating phase of the filter (PT) when the calculated quantity (Q) of particulates accumulated in the filer (PT) exceeds a predetermined threshold. (end of abstract) Agent: Sughrue Mion, PLLC - Washington, DC, US Inventors: Pierluigi Rellecati, Enrico Barucchi, Roberto Imarisio USPTO Applicaton #: 20060236686 - Class: 060311000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Power Plants, Internal Combustion Engine With Treatment Or Handling Of Exhaust Gas, By Sorber Or Mechanical Separator The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060236686. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] The present invention relates to the process for the removal of particulates from the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine, in particular a diesel engine of a motor vehicle, provided with a plurality of fuel injectors. [0002] More specifically, the subject of the present invention is a process comprising the operations of: [0003] arranging a filter in the exhaust pipe of the engine, operable to retain the particulates contained in the exhaust gas; [0004] generating, by means of indicators, electrical signals indicative of the values of engine operating parameters; and [0005] performing filter regeneration phases, by means of processor and control means, by controlling the fuel injectors of the engine in a predetermined manner as a function of the signals provided from the said indicator means, in such a way as to cause a controlled increase in the temperature of the exhaust gas sufficient to cause combustion of the particulates accumulated in the filter. [0006] Processes or methods of this type are known which make it possible to control regeneration of the filtration device (the so called "trap" for the particulates) utilising strategies based essentially on only the distance travelled by the motor vehicle and on a counter pressure signal provided by a sensor in the exhaust pipe. [0007] These prior art methods do not make it possible to take into account the various different driving conditions which significantly influence the regeneration processes of the particulates accumulated in the "trap" with consequent of deterioration in the reliability of the motor vehicle and its fuel consumption. [0008] One object of the present invention is to provide a process which makes it possible to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art arrangements described above. [0009] This object is achieved according to the invention with a process the characteristics of which are defined in the annexed Claim 1. [0010] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, given purely by way of non-limitative example, with reference to the attached drawings, in which: [0011] FIG. 1 is a systematic representation of a system operating according to the invention; [0012] FIG. 2 is a graph which qualitatively demonstrates, as a function of the speed of rotation of the engine n plotted on the abscissa, the quantity q of fuel injected into the engine, for the various types of journey or trip of a motor vehicle; [0013] FIG. 3 is a block diagram which illustrates one control mode for controlling the quantity of fuel injected into the cylinders of the engine in a post-injection phase, in a process according to the invention; and [0014] FIG. 4 is a further diagram which shows, as a function of the type t* of regeneration used, plotted on abscissa, the variation of a function which represents concentration of particulates in the filter during a regeneration phase. [0015] With reference to the drawings, in FIG. 1 the reference number ICE generally indicates an internal combustion engine, for example a diesel cycle engine. In the illustrated example this engine has four cylinders C1-C4 disposed in line, but the invention is not limited to this configuration. [0016] Each of the cylinders of the engine ICE is associated with a respective injector I1-I4, controlled by an electronic unit ECU. [0017] The engine ICE is associated with an exhaust manifold EP, in which, in the illustrated example, and in a manner known per se, are fitted first and second catalytic converters CC1 and CC2. Associated with the second, which is disposed downstream of the first, is a particulate filtration device indicated PT. An electric temperature sensor TS is associated with the input of the filter PT to provide, in operation, electrical signals indicative of the temperature of the exhaust gas at the inlet of this filter. [0018] The sensor TS is connected to an electronic processor and control unit PCU. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 this unit PCU is shown as a separate and distinct element from the unit ECU which controls the engine injectors. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that in place of two physically separate interconnected units, it is possible to make use of a single electronic unit arranged to perform the functions of both the units ECU and PCU. [0019] To the unit PCU are further connected devices S1-S5 which provide it with electrical signals indicative of the speed of rotation n (number of revolutions per unit of time) of the engine ICE, the quantity q of fuel injected into the cylinders of the engine ICE, the temperature T.sub.C of the coolant liquid of the engine ICE, the atmospheric pressure P and the temperature T.sub.A of the aspirated air. [0020] Memory devices M are also associated with the unit PCU. Although in FIG. 1 these memory devices are illustrated as separate from the unit PCU it will be apparent to the man skilled in the art that such memory devices could be integrated in the PCU memory or even in the unit ECU. [0021] The processing and control unit PCU is arranged to perform, in cooperation with unit ECU, filter regeneration phases of the filter PT by controlling the fuel injectors I1-I4 in a predetermined manner as a function of the signals provided by the devices S1-S5 and TS in such a way to cause a controlled increase in the temperature of the exhaust gas so as to cause combustion of the particulates accumulated in the said filter. [0022] In the above-described system the processing and control unit PCU is, for this purpose, arranged to identify in operation the type of journey or trip in which the motor vehicle is engaged at any instant from among a plurality of predetermined types of journey or trip. The identification of the type of journey or trip is performed of the basis of the signals provided from the devices S1 and S2, that is to say as a function of the instantaneous speed of rotation n of the engine ICE and of the quantity of fuel q injected into the said engine. [0023] The type of journey or trip which the motor vehicle is making is determined on the basis of the results of a statistical analysis, and on the basis of a diagram of the type qualitatively illustrated in FIG. 2. In this figure the quantity q of fuel injected is plotted on the ordinate as a function of the speed of rotation n of the engine. In this figure the curve indicated A is the curve corresponding to operating condition of the engine with the accelerator pressed 100%, that is to say the curve corresponding to the maximum delivery of power by the engine ICE. [0024] The region underlying the curve A is divided, (on the basis of experimental detections) into a plurality of ranges of values each corresponding to the profile of a particular type of journey or trip of the motor vehicle. In the illustrated example there are indicated substantially four ranges indicated MP1-MP4 corresponding, in order, a type of journey or trip in the city ("urban driving"), a mountain journey, motorway driving and, finally the so-called mixed journeys. [0025] A diagram of the type illustrated by way of example in FIG. 2 is memorised in the system, for example in the memory devices M associated with the unit PCU, for example in the form of the table or map. In operation the unit PCU is arranged to acquire the signals indicative of the speed of rotation n and of the injected quantity q of fuel, and to average the corresponding values, acquired for example each 20 ms within the ambit of a movable time window, for example of 5 minutes. On the basis of the averaged values thus obtained the unit PCU determines the type of trip or current journey profile MPi (with i=1, . . . , 4 in the example of FIG. 2). [0026] The processing and control unit PCU is, moreover, set up to calculate, as a function of a predefined estimate, and in dependence on the type of journey or trip Mpi, the quantity q of particulate material gradually accumulated in the filter PT, and to start the regeneration phase of this filter when the quantity of particulates accumulated in the filter, as calculated, exceeds the predetermined threshold. [0027] The unit PCU in particular is arranged to calculate the quantity of particulates Q accumulated in the filter PT on the basis of a predetermined function I indicative of the rate of accumulation (for example in g/h) of particulates in the filter PT, predetermined and memorised for the said type of journey or trip MPi of the motor vehicle. It has been found in this way that the accumulation of particulates in the filter is an essentially linear process over time, depending on the various conditions of use of the engine of the motor vehicle, that is to say to the profile of the various types of journey or trip which the motor vehicle is making. The function I=I (t, MP.sub.i) is conveniently determined in a statistical manner and is memorised in the system as a function of the various types of journey the vehicle may make. Continue reading... Full patent description for Process for the removal of particulates from the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Process for the removal of particulates from the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. 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