IP Library Granted Patent US 7,216,478
Granted Patent B2
US 7,216,478 · App. 11/145,278 · Granted May 15, 2007

Exhaust treatment diagnostic using a temperature sensor

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,216,478
App. No.
11/145,278
Granted
May 15, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of monitoring operation of a dosing system for treating exhaust of an engine includes monitoring a downstream temperature of an exhaust downstream of the dosing system and injecting a dosing agent. A control module determines a temperature differential threshold based on an amount of dosing agent injected and calculates a temperature differential. The control module further evaluates operation of the dosing system based on the temperature differential and the temperature differential threshold.

Claims (45)

1. An exhaust treatment system for treating exhaust exiting an engine, comprising:

a catalyst that receives said exhaust exiting the engine;

a dosing system that selectively injects a dosing agent into said exhaust;

a downstream sensor located downstream from said dosing agent and upstream from said catalyst that monitors a downstream temperature of said exhaust;

an upstream sensor located upstream from said dosing agent and upstream from said catalyst that monitors an upstream temperature of said exhaust; and

a control module that determines a temperature differential threshold based on an injected amount of said dosing agent, that calculates a temperature differential of said exhaust based on said downstream temperature and said upstream temperature and that evaluates operation of said dosing system based on said temperature differential and said temperature differential threshold.

2. The exhaust treatment system of claim 1 further comprising a NOx sensor that monitors a NOx level of said exhaust, wherein said amount of said dosing agent is determined based on said NOx level.

3. The exhaust treatment system of claim 2 wherein said control modules determines whether said engine is operating in steady-state, wherein said dosing agent is injected when said engine is operating in a steady-state.

4. The exhaust treatment system of claim 1 wherein said temperature differential threshold is a threshold range defined by an upper temperature differential and a lower temperature differential.

5. The exhaust treatment system of claim 4 wherein said control module indicates a PASS status of said dosing system when said temperature differential is within said threshold range and indicates a FAIL status of said dosing system when said temperature differential is outside said threshold range.

6. A method of monitoring operation of a dosing system for treating exhaust of an engine, comprising:

monitoring a pre-ignition temperature of said exhaust upstream of said dosing system and a catalys;

monitoring a post-ignition temperature of said exhaust downstream of said dosing system and upstream from said catalyst;

injecting a dosing agent in to said exhaust;

determining a temperature differential threshold based on an injected amount of said dosing agent;

calculating a temperature differential of said exhaust based on said post-ignition temperature and said pre-ignition temperature; and

evaluating operation of said dosing system based on said temperature differential and said temperature differential threshold.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

monitoring a NOx level of said exhaust; and

wherein said amount of said dosing agent is determined based on said NOx level.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

determining whether said engine is operating in steady-state; and

wherein said dosing agent is injected when said engine is operating in a steady-state.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein said temperature differential threshold is a threshold range defined by an upper temperature differential and a lower temperature differential.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

indicating a PASS status of said dosing system when said temperature differential is within said threshold range; and

indicating a FAIL status of said dosing system when said temperature differential is outside said threshold range.

11. A method of monitoring operation of a dosing system for treating exhaust of an engine system including a catalyst, comprising:

monitoring an upstream temperature of said exhaust upstream of said dosing system and upstream of said catalyst;

monitoring a downstream temperature of said exhaust downstream of said dosing system and upstream of said catalyst;

injecting a dosing agent in to said exhaust;

determining a temperature differential threshold based on an injected amount of said dosing agent;

calculating a temperature differential of said exhaust based on said downstream temperature and said upstream temperature;

generating one of a PASS status and a FAIL status based on said temperature differential and said temperature differential threshold; and

determining whether said dosing system is faulty based on said PASS status and said FAIL status.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

monitoring a NOx level of said exhaust; and

wherein said amount of said dosing agent is determined based on said NOx level.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

determining whether said engine is operating in steady-state; and

wherein said dosing agent is injected when said engine is operating in a steady-state.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein said temperature differential threshold is a threshold range defined by an upper temperature differential and a lower temperature differential.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

indicating said PASS status of said dosing system when said temperature differential is within said threshold range; and

indicating said FAIL status of said dosing system when said temperature differential is outside said threshold range.

Assignments (13)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034371/0676 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 10, 2011
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 025780/0936 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 8, 2010
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 025327/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 5, 2010
From: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025314/0901 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2010
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025245/0587 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 28, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
Reel/Frame 023162/0093 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 27, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 023156/0142 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 21, 2009
From: CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR BANK PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES; CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR HEDGE PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023127/0402 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 20, 2009
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023124/0519 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 16, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR BANK PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES; CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR HEDGE PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES
Reel/Frame 022553/0493 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 3, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 022201/0363 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE TO: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS INC.. PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 016576 FRAME 0117. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNEE TO: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS INC... Recorded Jun 16, 2006
From: BROWN, DAVID B.; PARATORE, JR., MICHAEL J.; VIOLA, MICHAEL B.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC
Reel/Frame 017801/0965 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 26, 2005
From: BROWN, DAVID B.; PARATORE, MICHAEL J., JR.; VIOLA, MICHAEL B.
To: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 016576/0117 →