IP Library Granted Patent US 8,266,894
Granted Patent B2
US 8,266,894 · App. 12/423,292 · Granted Sep 18, 2012

Thermal protection system for reducing agent injector

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,266,894
App. No.
12/423,292
Granted
Sep 18, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

An engine control system includes a temperature determination module, a reducing agent control module, and a control module. The temperature determination module determines a temperature of a reducing agent injector heated by an exhaust gas. The reducing agent control module actuates the reducing agent injector to inject an amount of reducing agent into the exhaust gas when the temperature is greater than or equal to a temperature threshold. The control module controls a concentration of nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gas based on the amount of reducing agent injected into the exhaust gas.

Claims (24)

1. An engine control system comprising:

a temperature determination module that determines a temperature of a reducing agent injector heated by an exhaust gas based on a resistance of the reducing agent injector;

a reducing agent control module that actuates said reducing agent injector to inject an amount of reducing agent into said exhaust gas when said temperature is greater than or equal to a temperature threshold; and

a control module that controls a concentration of nitrogen oxides in said exhaust gas based on said amount of reducing agent injected into said exhaust gas,

wherein said temperature determination module determines said temperature of said reducing agent injector further based on said amount of reducing agent injected into said exhaust gas.

2. The engine control system of claim 1 wherein said temperature determination module determines said temperature of said reducing agent injector further based on a temperature of said exhaust gas.

3. The engine control system of claim 1 wherein said temperature determination module determines said temperature of said reducing agent injector based on at least one of a voltage and current applied to said reducing agent injector to actuate said reducing agent injector.

4. The engine control system of claim 1 wherein said control module controls said concentration of nitrogen oxides by actuating fuel injectors.

5. The engine control system of claim 1 wherein said control module increases said concentration of nitrogen oxides in said exhaust gas based on said amount of reducing agent injected into said exhaust gas.

6. The engine control system of claim 1 wherein said control module controls said concentration of nitrogen oxides using exhaust gas recirculation (EGR).

7. The engine control system of claim 6 wherein said control module controls said concentration of nitrogen oxides by actuating at least one of an EGR valve and a turbocharger.

8. The engine control system of claim 6 wherein said control module controls said concentration of nitrogen oxides by actuating intake and exhaust valves to trap said exhaust gas in a cylinder.

9. An engine control method comprising:

determining a temperature of a reducing agent injector heated by an exhaust gas based on a resistance of said reducing agent injector;

actuating said reducing agent injector to inject an amount of reducing agent into said exhaust gas when said temperature is greater than or equal to a temperature threshold;

determining said temperature of said reducing agent injector further based on said amount of reducing agent injected into said exhaust gas; and

controlling a concentration of nitrogen oxides in said exhaust gas based on said amount of reducing agent injected into said exhaust gas.

10. The engine control method of claim 9 further comprising determining said temperature of said reducing agent injector further based on a temperature of said exhaust gas.

11. The engine control method of claim 9 further comprising determining said temperature of said reducing agent injector based on a voltage and current applied to said reducing agent injector to actuate said reducing agent injector.

12. The engine control method of claim 9 further comprising controlling said concentration of nitrogen oxides by actuating fuel injectors.

13. The engine control method of claim 9 wherein said controlling a concentration of nitrogen oxides in said exhaust gas comprises increasing said concentration of nitrogen oxides in said exhaust gas based on said amount of reducing agent injected into said exhaust gas.

14. The engine control method of claim 8 further comprising controlling said concentration of nitrogen oxides using exhaust gas recirculation (EGR).

15. The engine control method of claim 14 further comprising controlling said concentration of nitrogen oxides by actuating at least one of an EGR valve and a turbocharger.

16. The engine control method of claim 14 further comprising controlling said concentration of nitrogen oxides by actuating intake and exhaust valves to trap said exhaust gas in a cylinder.

Assignments (8)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034185/0789 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 10, 2011
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 025781/0245 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 8, 2010
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 025324/0555 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 5, 2010
From: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025315/0091 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2010
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025246/0056 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 28, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
Reel/Frame 023162/0048 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 27, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 023201/0118 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 14, 2009
From: PERRIN, JAMES M.; CATALOGNA, JOHN A.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 022544/0320 →