Power plants – Internal combustion engine with treatment or handling of... – Methods
Patent
1996-12-18
1998-10-20
Argenbright, Tony M.
Power plants
Internal combustion engine with treatment or handling of...
Methods
60286, 60300, 219202, 219519, 307 107, F01N 320, F01N 900, B60R 1604
Patent
active
058229787
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a process for controlling the electric heating system of a catalytic converter for detoxification of the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle.
Since internal combustion engines emit an especially high volume of exhaust gases during a cold start and the catalytic converter does not ensure adequate conversion of the exhaust gas component until a certain high-off temperature is reached, prompt readiness of the converter for operation in future exhaust gas cleaning systems assumes special importance. It must be ensured that electric heating systems will actually perform the function assigned to them over the period of operation.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
Hence the object of the invention is to develop a process for controlling the electric heating system of a catalytic converter whereby proper operation in a motor vehicle can be constantly monitored.
It is thus claimed for the invention that the vehicle electrical system voltage is monitored, if desired over a conventional voltage monitoring circuit, with the "heater on" requirement met, and then, with the on-off switch in the "off" position, the voltage of the filament battery is monitored and, if the values are below the assigned minimum values--and so no longer guarantee adequate heating of the catalytic converter--the heater is switched off and an error signal is generated, and if desired the error is entered in addressable error storage. This permits constant monitoring of the converter heating system in a motor vehicle; an error signal, preferably a warning light, can alert the operator to the need for taking appropriate steps when the heating system is not working properly. It can be determined, at a service station, for example, if the batteries or the heating elements are not functioning as they should.
In addition, preferably the voltage behavior during heating can be monitored; this behavior as well may indicate abnormal operation and provide the basis for prompt elimination of the abnormality in operation. For example, in the case of normally operating heating elements a power surge based on high current absorption by the heating elements must occur in properly operating heating elements when the power switch is engaged. If this power surge does not occur, it may be inferred that these heating elements are defective or line breakage has occurred. On the other hand, if the voltage of the filament battery drops over time in too steep a gradient after the power switch is closed, such behavior suggests a battery in poor condition or corroded line contacts.
When the filament battery is reconnected to the vehicle's electrical system after the converter has been heated, it is necessary to make certain that there is no excessively sharp voltage drop which may impair the operation of other power consuming devices, especially safety-relevant system controls.
Since the filament battery must be recharged as quickly as possible after the converter is heated, it is proposed, that the charging current be controlled and monitored as a booster charge.
An embodiment of the invention is explained in what follows with reference to additional details. In the schematic drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 shows a device for electric heating of a catalytic converter in an exhaust gas system of an internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle, and
FIG. 2 shows a flow chart of the process steps integrated into the system control unit.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In FIG. 1, 10 designates an internal combustion engine which by a state-of-the-art design drives an electric generator 18 by way of a drive belt 12 and corresponding drive pulleys 14, 16. The exhaust gas emitted is guided to a three-way catalytic converter 24 by way of an exhaust gas manifold 20 and an exhaust gas intake pipe 22 and then released into the atmosphere by a method not shown. There is provided in the exhaust gas intake pipe a lambda probe 26 which by a state-of-the-art method controls the f
REFERENCES:
patent: 4082992 (1978-04-01), Day
patent: 4990885 (1991-02-01), Irick
patent: 5107094 (1992-04-01), Kuhn et al.
patent: 5525891 (1996-06-01), Meyer et al.
Patent Abstracts of Japan, vol. 18, No. 279, May 27, 1994, abstract of JP, A,06 050138 (Nissan Motor Co. Ltd), Feb. 22, 1994.
Donnerstag Achim
Maute Kurt
Mertl Rainer
Otto Erhard
Streit Walter
Argenbright Tony M.
Audi AG
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