IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,997,069
Granted Patent B2
US 7,997,069 · App. 11/823,109 · Granted Aug 16, 2011

Ash reduction system using electrically heated particulate matter filter

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,997,069
App. No.
11/823,109
Granted
Aug 16, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A control system for reducing ash comprises a temperature estimator module that estimates a temperature of an electrically heated particulate matter (PM) filter. A temperature and position estimator module estimates a position and temperature of an oxidation wave within the electrically heated PM filter. An ash reduction control module adjusts at least one of exhaust flow, fuel and oxygen levels in the electrically heated PM filter to adjust a position of the oxidation wave within the electrically heated PM filter based on the oxidation wave temperature and position.

Claims (12)

1. A method for reducing ash accumulation in an electrically heated particulate matter (PM) filter, comprising:

estimating a position of an oxidation wave within the electrically heated PM filter;

estimating a temperature of the oxidation wave within the electrically heated PM filter;

determining whether the position of the oxidation wave is within an ash zone of the electrically heated PM filter, wherein the ash zone is located near a downstream end of the electrically heated PM filter;

decreasing the temperature of the oxidation wave when the position of the oxidation wave is within the ash zone and the temperature of the oxidation wave is greater than a predetermined temperature; and

increasing the temperature of the oxidation wave when the position of the oxidation wave is within the ash zone and the temperature of the oxidation wave is less than the predetermined temperature.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein increasing the temperature of the oxidation wave includes increasing oxygen levels in the electrically heated PM filter.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein increasing the temperature of the oxidation wave includes decreasing exhaust flow through the electrically heated PM filter.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein increasing the temperature of the oxidation wave includes adding fuel to exhaust gas flowing through the electrically heated PM filter.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein decreasing the temperature of the oxidation wave includes decreasing oxygen levels in the electrically heated PM filter.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the estimating the temperature and position of the oxidation wave is based on at least two of a soot level within the electrically heated PM filter, exhaust flow, a temperature of the electrically heated PM filter, and exhaust temperature.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined temperature is between 1140 degrees Celsius (° C.) and 1250° C.

Assignments (14)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034185/0587 →
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded Jan 5, 2012
From: GENERAL MOTORS GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS
To: ENERGY, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
Reel/Frame 027532/0759 →
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded Jul 7, 2011
From: GENERAL MOTORS GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS
To: UNITED STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Reel/Frame 026566/0618 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 10, 2011
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 025781/0035 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 8, 2010
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 025324/0057 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 5, 2010
From: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025314/0946 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2010
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025245/0656 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 28, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
Reel/Frame 023162/0140 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 27, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 023156/0264 →
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 023155/0663 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 20, 2009
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023124/0563 →
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 022553/0540 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 3, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 022201/0363 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 13, 2007
From: GONZE, EUGENE V.; PARATORE, MICHAEL J., JR.; HE, YONGSHENG
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC
Reel/Frame 019820/0987 →