Internal combustion engine with dual particulate traps ahead of turbocharger

Abstract

An internal combustion engine includes a turbocharger having a turbine, a first set of combustion cylinders, and a second set of combustion cylinders. A first particulate trap is in fluid communication between the first set of combustion cylinders and the turbine. A second particulate trap is in fluid communication between the second set of combustion cylinders and the turbine.

1 . An internal combustion engine, comprising: 
 a turbocharger including a turbine;    a first set of combustion cylinders;    a first particulate trap in fluid communication between said first set of combustion cylinders and said turbine;    a second set of combustion cylinders; and    a second particulate trap in fluid communication between said second set of combustion cylinders and said turbine.    
   
   
       2 . The internal combustion engine of  claim 1 , wherein said first set of combustion cylinders includes at least 2 cylinders, and said second set of combustion cylinders includes at least 2 cylinders.  
   
   
       3 . The internal combustion engine of  claim 1 , further including an exhaust brake in communication with said first set of combustion cylinders and said second set of combustion cylinders.  
   
   
       4 . The internal combustion engine of  claim 1 , further including an intake throttle in communication with said first set of combustion cylinders and said second set of combustion cylinders.  
   
   
       5 . The internal combustion engine of  claim 1 , wherein said internal combustion engine comprises a diesel engine.  
   
   
       6 . A method of operating an internal combustion engine including a plurality of combustion cylinders, comprising the steps of: 
 filtering particulates from a first set of the combustion cylinders using a first particulate trap in communication between the first set of combustion cylinders and a turbocharger; and    filtering particulates from a second set of the combustion cylinders using a second particulate trap in communication between the second set of combustion cylinders and said turbocharger.    
   
   
       7 . The method of operating an internal combustion engine of  claim 6 , including the step of regenerating said first particulate trap and said second particulate trap independently from each other.  
   
   
       8 . The method of operating an internal combustion engine of  claim 7 , including the step of increasing a fuel rate to said first set of combustion cylinders and decreasing a fuel rate to said second set of combustion cylinders, thereby regenerating said first particulate trap.  
   
   
       9 . The method of operating an internal combustion engine of  claim 8 , including the step of applying an exhaust brake to said second set of combustion cylinders.  
   
   
       10 . The method of operating an internal combustion engine of  claim 8 , including the step of applying an intake throttle to said second set of combustion cylinders.  
   
   
       11 . The method of operating an internal combustion engine of  claim 7 , including the step of increasing a fuel rate to said second set of combustion cylinders and decreasing a fuel rate to said first set of combustion cylinders, thereby regenerating said second particulate trap.  
   
   
       12 . The method of operating an internal combustion engine of  claim 11 , including the step of applying an exhaust brake to said first set of combustion cylinders.  
   
   
       13 . The method of operating an internal combustion engine of  claim 11 , including the step of applying an intake throttle to said first set of combustion cylinders.  
   
   
       14 . The method of operating an internal combustion engine of  claim 6 , wherein said internal combustion engine comprises a diesel engine.  
   
   
       15 . An internal combustion engine, comprising: 
 a first set of combustion cylinders and a second set of combustion cylinders;    a first variable geometry turbocharger and a second variable geometry turbocharger;    a first particulate trap in fluid communication between said first set of combustion cylinders and said first variable geometry turbocharger; and    a second particulate trap in fluid communication between said second set of combustion cylinders and said second variable geometry turbocharger.    
   
   
       16 . The internal combustion engine of  claim 15 , wherein each of said first variable geometry turbocharger and said second variable geometry turbocharger include a variable geometry turbine.