Particulate filter regeneration

Abstract

A power system, including a multi-cylinder air breathing, fuel consuming diesel engine having a manifold with a common inlet for distributing combustion air to a plurality of cylinders. A valve is positioned in the intake manifold to at least restrict air flow to a group of the cylinders of the engine less than the total number of cylinders so as to increase the load and increase the temperature of exhaust gas for facilitating regeneration of a particulate filter.

1 . A power system comprising:
 an air breathing, fuel consuming internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders and producing a rotary output and products of combustion;   an intake manifold receiving combustion air from a common inlet and distributing such air to the cylinders of said engine;   a fuel system for delivering fuel at controlled rates to at least a group of cylinders less than the total of said cylinders;   a particulate filter receiving products of combustion from said engine, said particulate filter requiring periodic regeneration; and   a valve positioned in said intake manifold to at least restrict combustion air flow to said group of cylinders, said fuel system at least reducing fuel flow substantially simultaneously to said group of cylinders, thereby increasing the load on said engine and the temperature in said exhaust gas flow for regeneration of said particulate filter.   
     
     
         2 . The power system as claimed in claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said valve totally restricts flow to said group of cylinders. 
     
     
         3 . The power system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said valve is a butterfly valve. 
     
     
         4 . The power system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said valve is a guillotine valve, having a plate displaceable to vary and restrict the flow to said group of cylinders. 
     
     
         5 . The power system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising an electronic control unit (ECU) connected to control and actuate said valve and said fuel flow. 
     
     
         6 . The power system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said group of cylinders constitutes half of the total number of cylinders of said multi-cylinder engine. 
     
     
         7 . The power system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said internal combustion engine is a compression ignition diesel engine and wherein said filter is a diesel particulate filter.