IP Library Granted Patent US 7,981,198
Granted Patent B2
US 7,981,198 · App. 11/972,716 · Granted Jul 19, 2011

Overlap zoned electrically heated particulate filter

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,981,198
App. No.
11/972,716
Granted
Jul 19, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system includes a particulate matter (PM) filter that includes an upstream end for receiving exhaust gas and a downstream end. A zoned heater is arranged spaced from the upstream end and comprises N zones, where N is an integer greater than one, wherein each of the N zones comprises M sub-zones, where M is an integer greater than or equal to one, and wherein the N zones and the M sub-zones are arranged in P layers, where P is an integer greater than one. A control module selectively activates at least a selected one of the N zones to initiate regeneration in downstream portions of the PM filter from the one of the N zones and deactivates non-selected ones of the N zones.

Claims (34)

1. A system comprising:

a particulate matter (PM) filter that includes an upstream end for receiving exhaust gas and a downstream end;

a zoned heater that is spaced upstream from said upstream end and that comprises N zones, where N is an integer greater than one, wherein each of said N zones comprises M sub-zones, where M is an integer greater than or equal to one, and wherein said N zones and said M sub-zones are arranged in P layers, where P is an integer greater than one; and

a control module that selectively activates at least a selected one of said N zones to initiate regeneration in downstream portions of said PM filter from said one of said N zones and deactivates non-selected ones of said N zones.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of said N zones arranged in a first one of said P layers overlaps a second one of said N zones arranged in a second one of said P layers.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said at least one of said N zones overlaps at least one of said second one and a third one of said N zones arranged in a third one of said P layers.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of said N zones includes at least one of said M sub-zones in a first one of said P layers and others of said M sub-zones in a second one of said P layers.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein each of said P layers is spaced apart from others of said P layers.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said non-selected ones of said N zones provide stress mitigation zones.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said N zones are located in a center portion, a first circumferential portion radially outside of said center portion and a second circumferential portion radially outside of said first circumferential portion.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said center portion comprises a first zone and said second circumferential portion comprises said first zone, a second zone and a third zone.

9. The system of claim 8 where said first, second and third zones alternate around said second circumferential portion.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein said first circumferential portion comprises fourth and fifth zones that alternate.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein said control module estimates a heating period based on at least two of power supplied to said zoned heater, exhaust flow and exhaust temperature.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein said control module estimates a heating period to heat a face portion of said PM filter a temperature greater than or equal to a predetermined temperature and shuts down said zoned heater after said heating period.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein said predetermined temperature is 700 degrees Celsius.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein said zoned heater is spaced a distance less than or equal to ½ inch.

15. A method comprising:

providing a particulate matter (PM) filter that includes an upstream end for receiving exhaust gas and a downstream end;

arranging a zoned heater upstream from said upstream end that comprises N zones, where N is an integer greater than one, wherein each of said N zones comprises M sub-zones, where M is an integer greater than or equal to one, and wherein said N zones and said M sub-zones are arranged in P layers, where P is an integer greater than one; and

selectively activating at least a selected one of said N zones to initiate regeneration in downstream portions of said PM filter from said one of said N zones and deactivates non-selected ones of said N zones.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein at least one of said N zones arranged in a first one of said P layers overlaps a second one of said N zones arranged in a second one of said P layers.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said at least one of said N zones overlaps at least one of said second one and a third one of said N zones arranged in a third one of said P layers.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein at least one of said N zones includes at least one of said M sub-zones in a first one of said P layers and others of said M sub-zones in a second one of said P layers.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein each of said P layers is spaced apart from others of said P layers.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said non-selected ones of said N zones provide stress mitigation zones.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein said N zones are located in a center portion, a first circumferential portion radially outside of said center portion and a second circumferential portion radially outside of said first circumferential portion.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein said center portion comprises a first zone and said second circumferential portion comprises said first zone, a second zone and a third zone.

23. The method of claim 22 where said first, second and third zones alternate around said second circumferential portion.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein said first circumferential portion comprises fourth and fifth zones that alternate.

25. The method of claim 19 further comprising estimating a heating period based on at least two of power supplied to said zoned heater, exhaust flow and exhaust temperature.

26. The method of claim 19 further comprising estimating a heating period to heat a face portion of said PM filter a temperature greater than or equal to a predetermined temperature and shutting down said zoned heater after said heating period.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein said predetermined temperature is 700 degrees Celsius.

28. The method of claim 15 wherein said zoned heater is spaced a distance less than or equal to ½ inch.

Assignments (13)
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 Jul 7, 2011
From: GENERAL MOTORS GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS
To: UNITED STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Reel/Frame 026566/0622 →
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 025324/0475 →
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 Jan 11, 2008
From: GONZE, EUGENE V.; CHAPMAN, MARK R.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC
Reel/Frame 020352/0854 →