Method for controlling exhaust gas temperature and space velocity during regeneration to protect temperature sensitive diesel engine components and aftertreatment devices

Abstract

A method for controlling the temperature and/or space velocity of exhaust gas provides control of the maximum temperature of the exhaust gas to prevent thermal damage to the Diesel engine components and associated aftertreatment devices during regeneration of the aftertreatment devices. The method includes controlling intake and/or exhaust valve opening timing and duration, either singly or in combination with selective individual cylinder cutout, in response to sensed engine operating parameters.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for controlling exhaust gas temperature to protect temperature sensitive components of a Diesel engine and associated exhaust gas aftertreatment devices during regeneration, said engine having at least one combustion chamber, at least one regeneratable exhaust gas aftertreatment device disposed in an exhaust system of the engine, at least one intake valve interposed between an air intake system of the engine and said combustion chamber, at least one exhaust valve interposed between said combustion chamber and said regeneratable exhaust gas aftertreatment device, and a means for controllably introducing fuel into said combustion chamber, said method comprising: 
 determining a maximum exhaust gas temperature at which thermal damage to said exhaust valve and said regeneratable exhaust gas aftertreatment device is precluded    sensing said exhaust gas temperature;    controlling the operation of at least one of said intake valve, said exhaust valve, and said means for controllably introducing fuel into the combustion chamber, in response to the sensed value of said exhaust gas temperature; and    maintaining the temperature of said exhaust gas at a value less than said maximum exhaust gas temperature at which thermal damage to said exhaust valve and said regeneratable exhaust gas aftertreatment device is precluded.    
     
     
         2 . The method, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said regeneratable exhaust gas aftertreatment device comprises at least one of a particulate matter filter and a lean NO x  trap, and said method includes operating said engine in at least one of a thermal regenerating mode and a fuel-rich regenerating mode, and said step of sensing said exhaust gas temperature includes sensing the exhaust gas temperature during the operation of the engine in said one of the thermal regeneration and the fuel-rich operating mode.  
     
     
         3 . The method, as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said method includes: 
 determining a desirable mass airflow rate for the treatment of exhaust gases passing through said at least one regeneratable exhaust gas aftertreatment device during at least one of said thermal regeneration mode and said fuel-rich mode;    sensing the value of at least one engine operating parameter correlative of mass airflow passing through said engine; and    maintaining said desirable mass airflow rate at said desirable mass airflow rate by controllably deactivating at least one of said intake valve, said exhaust valve, and said means for controllably introducing fuel into the combustion chamber, in response to the sensed value of said engine operating parameter during at least one of said thermal regeneration mode and said fuel-rich mode.    
     
     
         4 . The method, as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein said sensing the value of at least one engine operating parameter correlative of mass airflow passing through the engine includes sensing the mass flow rate of air passing through the air intake system of the engine.  
     
     
         5 . The method, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said engine includes a turbocharger in fluid communication with said exhaust system, and said method includes determining a maximum exhaust gas temperature at which thermal damage to said turbocharger is precluded and maintaining the temperature of said exhaust gas at a value less than said maximum exhaust gas temperature at which thermal damage to said turbocharger is precluded.  
     
     
         6 . A method for controlling the space velocity of exhaust gas passing through an exhaust gas aftertreatment device associated with a Diesel engine during regeneration of the aftertreatment device, comprising: 
 determining a desirable space velocity for exhaust gases passing through said exhaust gas aftertreatment device at which the exhaust gas aftertreatment device is efficaciously regenerated;    sensing at least one engine operating parameter correlative of mass airflow passing through said engine; and    maintaining said determined desirable mass flow rate during engine operation in a regeneration mode by controllably deactivating at least one of said intake valve, said exhaust valve, and said means for controllably introducing fuel into the combustion chamber of the engine.    
     
     
         7 . The method, as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein said sensing at least one engine operating parameter correlative of mass airflow passing through the engine includes sensing the mass flow rate of air passing through an air intake system of the engine.  
     
     
         8 . The method, as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein said method includes: 
 determining a maximum exhaust gas temperature at which thermal damage to said exhaust gas aftertreatment device is precluded;    detecting the value of at least one engine operating parameter correlative of engine speed, engine load, and exhaust gas temperature;    controlling the operation of at least one of said intake valve, said exhaust valve, and said means for controllably introducing fuel into the combustion chamber of the engine, in response to the value of said detected engine operating parameter; and    maintaining the temperature of engine exhaust gas introduced into said exhaust gas aftertreatment device at a value less than said determined maximum exhaust gas temperature at which thermal damage to said exhaust gas aftertreatment device is precluded during operation of said engine in a regenerative mode in response to the detected value of said at least one engine operating parameter.