System and method for preventing the cleaning of a diesel particulate filter

Abstract

A system for preventing the cleaning of the diesel particulate filter ( 116 ) comprises an electronic control unit ( 200 ) coupled to a proximity sensor ( 122 ), the electronic control unit ( 200 ) being configured to monitor the proximity sensor ( 122 ) and to determine that there is a predetermined distance between the proximity sensor and an adjacent structure ( 124 ) before the electronic control unit ( 200 ) will regenerate the diesel particulate filter ( 116 ). A method for preventing the cleaning of the diesel particulate filter ( 116 ) comprises the steps of electronically monitoring a proximity sensor to determine a distance from the proximity sensor to an adjacent structure, electronically comparing the distance to a threshold distance, and electronically preventing the cleaning of the diesel particulate filter ( 116 ) when the distances less than the threshold distance.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A system for preventing the cleaning of a diesel particulate filter ( 116 ) comprising:
 an electronic control unit ( 200 );   a proximity sensor ( 122 )   a fuel injector ( 210 ) coupled to the electronic control unit ( 200 ) and coupled to an exhaust gas conduit ( 214 ) upstream of the diesel particulate filter ( 116 ); and   wherein the electronic control unit ( 200 ) is configured to read the proximity sensor ( 122 ) and to prevent the fuel injector ( 210 ) from adding fuel to the exhaust gas conduit ( 214 ) until the proximity sensor ( 122 ) indicates at least a threshold distance to an adjacent structure ( 124 ).   
     
     
         2 . The system for preventing the cleaning of a diesel particulate filter ( 116 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic control unit ( 200 ) comprises a digital microprocessor ( 202 ). 
     
     
         3 . The system for preventing the cleaning of a diesel particulate filter ( 116 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the fuel injector ( 210 ) is configured to inject fuel into a flow of exhaust gas upstream of the diesel particulate filter ( 116 ). 
     
     
         4 . The system for preventing the cleaning of a diesel particulate filter of  claim 1 , wherein the proximity sensor ( 122 ) comprises an ultrasonic sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The system for preventing the cleaning of a diesel particulate filter ( 116 ) of  claim 4 , wherein the electronic control unit ( 200 ) is configured to stop an ongoing diesel particulate filter ( 116 ) cleaning process. 
     
     
         6 . The system for preventing the cleaning of the diesel particulate filter ( 116 ) of  claim 5 , wherein the electronic control unit ( 200 ) is configured to stop the ongoing diesel particulate filter ( 116 ) cleaning process by stopping the fuel injector ( 210 ) from adding further fuel to the exhaust gas conduit ( 214 ). 
     
     
         7 . An agricultural harvester ( 100 ), comprising a self-propelled agricultural harvesting vehicle ( 106 ) further comprising a frame ( 110 ), a diesel engine ( 112 ) supported on the frame ( 110 ), the agricultural harvester ( 100 ) further comprising the system for preventing the cleaning of the diesel particulate filter of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         8 . The agricultural harvester ( 100 ) of  claim 7 , wherein the proximity sensor ( 122 ) is disposed adjacent to an exhaust pipe ( 118 ) disposed to carry exhaust gas from the diesel engine ( 112 ) away from the agricultural harvester ( 100 ). 
     
     
         9 . The agricultural harvester ( 100 ) of  claim 7 , wherein the proximity sensor ( 122 ) comprises an ultrasonic sensor. 
     
     
         10 . The agricultural harvester ( 100 ) of  claim 9 , wherein the proximity sensor ( 122 ) is disposed at a rear of the agricultural harvester ( 100 ). 
     
     
         11 . A method for preventing the cleaning of a diesel particulate filter ( 116 ) on an agricultural vehicle having a proximity sensor ( 122 ) mounted thereon, the method comprising the steps of:
 electronically monitoring the proximity sensor ( 122 ) to determine a distance from the proximity sensor ( 122 ) to an adjacent structure ( 124 );   electronically comparing the distance to a threshold distance; and   electronically preventing the cleaning of the diesel particulate filter ( 116 ) when the distance is less than the threshold distance.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of electronically preventing the cleaning of the diesel particulate filter ( 116 ) when the distance is less than the threshold distance comprises the step of preventing a fuel injector ( 210 ) from injecting fuel into a flow of exhaust gas into the diesel particulate filter ( 116 ).