IP Library Granted Patent US 8,118,908
Granted Patent B2
US 8,118,908 · App. 12/106,594 · Granted Feb 21, 2012

Electrically heated particulate matter filter with recessed inlet end plugs

Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,118,908
App. No.
12/106,594
Granted
Feb 21, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A particulate matter (PM) filter includes filter walls having inlet ends and outlet ends. First adjacent pairs of the filter walls define inlet channels. Second adjacent pairs of the filter walls define outlet channels. Outlet end plugs are arranged in the inlet channels adjacent to the output ends. Inlet end plugs arranged in the outlet channels spaced from the inlet ends.

Claims (43)

1. A system comprising:

a particulate matter (PM) filter comprising:

filter walls having inlet ends and outlet ends, wherein first adjacent pairs of said filter walls define inlet channels, and wherein second adjacent pairs of said filter walls define outlet channels;

outlet end plugs arranged in said inlet channels adjacent to said outlet ends; and

inlet end plugs arranged in said outlet channels and spaced a predetermined distance downstream from said inlet ends;

a heater that is arranged adjacent to said inlet ends of said filter walls; and

a control module that estimates a localized PM exothermic heat at said inlet ends based on said predetermined distance and selectively activates said heater to regenerate said PM filter based on said localized PM exothermic heat.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein exhaust flows into said inlet channels through said filter walls of said inlet channels to said outlet channels and wherein exhaust flows into portions of said outlet channels between said inlet ends of said walls and said inlet end plugs.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein PM builds up in said portions during operation.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said filter walls are parallel.

5. A method for removing particulate matter (PM) from a PM filter, comprising:

providing filter walls having inlet ends and outlet ends;

defining inlet channels using first adjacent pairs of said filter walls;

defining outlet channels using second adjacent pairs of said filter walls;

arranging outlet end plugs in said inlet channels adjacent to said outlet ends;

recessing inlet end plugs in said outlet channels to be spaced a predetermined distance downstream from said inlet ends;

using a heater that is arranged adjacent to said inlet ends of said filter walls to heat said PM filter;

selectively activating said heater to regenerate said PM filter via a control module; and

selecting said predetermined distance based on a reduction in wall area available for transitioning exhaust gas from said inlet channels to said outlet channels.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein exhaust flows into said inlet channels and through said filter walls of said inlet channels to said outlet channels.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein exhaust flows into portions of said outlet channels between said inlet ends of said walls and said inlet end plugs.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

allowing PM to build up in said portions during operation; and

burning said PM during regeneration to increase heat.

9. The method of claim 5 wherein said filter walls are parallel.

10. A system comprising:

a particulate matter (PM) filter comprising:

filter walls having inlet ends and outlet ends, wherein first adjacent pairs of said filter walls define inlet channels, and wherein second adjacent pairs of said filter walls define outlet channels;

outlet end plugs arranged in said inlet channels adjacent to said outlet ends; and

inlet end plugs recessed a predetermined distance in said outlet channels,

wherein exhaust flows into portions of said outlet channels between said inlet ends of said filter walls and said inlet end plugs, and

wherein PM builds up in said portions during operation;

a heater that is arranged adjacent to said inlet ends of said filter walls; and

a control module that selectively activates said heater to regenerate said PM filter based on said predetermined distance.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said exhaust flows into said inlet channels, through said filter walls of said inlet channels to said outlet channels.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein said filter walls are parallel.

13. The method of claim 5 wherein said predetermined distance is less than or equal to a predetermined limit for transitioning exhaust gas from said inlet channels to said outlet channels.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the control module estimates an exhaust heat and selectively activates said heater to regenerate said PM filter based on said exhaust heat.

15. The method of claim 5 further comprising:

estimating a localized PM exothermic heat at said inlet ends based on said predetermined distance;

estimating an exhaust heat; and

selectively activating said heater based on said localized PM exothermic heat and said exhaust heat.

16. The system of claim 10 wherein the control module reduces heat of said heater based on said predetermined distance.

Assignments (13)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034384/0758 →
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded Jul 7, 2011
From: GENERAL MOTORS GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS
To: UNITED STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Reel/Frame 026566/0539 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 10, 2011
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 025781/0211 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 8, 2010
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 025324/0475 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 5, 2010
From: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025315/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2010
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025245/0780 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 28, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
Reel/Frame 023162/0187 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 27, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 023156/0215 →
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 023155/0880 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 20, 2009
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023124/0670 →
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 022554/0479 →
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 Apr 21, 2008
From: GONZE, EUGENE V.; AMENT, FRANK
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 020832/0825 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61037181 · Mar 17, 2008
Related Publication 20090229467A1 · Sep 17, 2009