Aftertreatment for combustion engines

Abstract

An aftertreatment system for an engine emissions trap or adsorber having a mechanism for increasing exhaust temperature of an engine to regenerate the trap or adsorber. The mechanism may include a cylinder cutout. The cylinder cutout may be actuated various ways including a use of cylinder valve control. Cutout of a cylinder or cylinders may be rotated among the cylinders of the engine. There may be sensors on the engine and in its exhaust system connected to a processor. The processor may provide an output indicating a degree of need for regenerating the trap or adsorber. An output of the processor also may be connected to the mechanism for increasing exhaust temperature so as to effect regeneration as needed. The emissions of concern may be NOx. The engine for example may be a diesel.

1 - 64 . (canceled)  
   
   
       65 . An aftertreatment system comprising: 
 an emissions trap connected to an exhaust system of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine; and    a first mechanism connected to the engine for heating the exhaust system to a temperature sufficient to regenerate the trap; and    wherein the first mechanism comprises:    a cylinder disabling device connected to the engine;    at least one temperature sensor situated in the exhaust system; and    a control unit connected to the cylinder disabling device and the at least one temperature sensor; and    wherein cylinder disabling by the cylinder disabling device is performed among cylinders in a pattern to maintain mechanical balance in the engine.    
   
   
       66 . The system of  claim 65 , wherein cylinder disabling by the cylinder disabling device is performed among the cylinders in a pattern to maintain a thermal balance in the engine.  
   
   
       67 . The system of  claim 66 , further comprising a second mechanism for keeping the trap within an optimum temperature range to trap and store emissions.  
   
   
       68 . The system of  claim 67 , further comprising an emissions sensor proximate to the trap connected to the control unit.  
   
   
       69 . The system of  claim 68 , wherein the cylinder disabling device is for heating the exhaust system.  
   
   
       70 . The system of  claim 69 , wherein the engine is a diesel.  
   
   
       71 . The system of  claim 69 , wherein heating the exhaust system results in regeneration of the trap.  
   
   
       72 . The system of  claim 71 , wherein the trap is for adsorbing NOx from an exhaust from the engine.  
   
   
       73 . The system of  claim 72 , wherein regeneration of the trap is for removing NOx from the trap.  
   
   
       74 . The system of  claim 69 , wherein the control unit may provide signals to the cylinder disabling device to heat the exhaust as needed to regenerate the trap.  
   
   
       75 . The system of  claim 74 , wherein the control unit receives a temperature indication from the at least one temperature sensor and an emissions indication from the emissions sensor to determine when to provide signals to the cylinder disabling device.  
   
   
       76 . The system of  claim 67 , wherein the cylinder disabling device is for heating the exhaust system to regenerate the trap.  
   
   
       77 . The system of  claim 76 , wherein to regenerate the trap is for removing emissions material from the trap.  
   
   
       78 . The system of  claim 77 , wherein the control unit may provide signals to the cylinder disabling device to heat the exhaust as needed to regenerate the trap.  
   
   
       79 . The system of  claim 67 , wherein the control unit may provide enabling signals to the cylinder disabling device according to a mathematical model.  
   
   
       80 . The system of  claim 67 , wherein the control unit may provide enabling signals to the cylinder disabling device according to an algorithm.  
   
   
       81 . The system of  claim 78 , wherein the engine is a diesel.  
   
   
       82 . The system of  claim 81 , wherein the cylinder disabling device may inactivate valves to cutout cylinders.  
   
   
       83 . The system of  claim 66 , wherein the first mechanism comprises: 
 a control unit connected to a fuel injection system of the engine; and    at least one temperature sensor situated in the exhaust system connected to the control unit.    
   
   
       84 . The system of  claim 83 , wherein the control unit may affect duration of fuel injection and injection shutoff for changing the temperature of the exhaust system.  
   
   
       85 . An aftertreatment system comprising: 
 an emissions trap connected to an exhaust system of a internal combustion engine; and    a mechanism connected to the engine for keeping the trap within an optimum temperature range to trap and store emissions; and    wherein the mechanism comprises:    a cylinder disabling device connected to the engine;    at least one temperature sensor situated in the exhaust system;    a control unit connected to the cylinder disabling device and the temperature sensor; and    cylinder disabling by the cylinder disabling device is performed among the cylinders in a pattern to maintain thermal balance in the engine.    
   
   
       86 . The system of  claim 85 , wherein cylinder disabling by the cylinder disabling device is performed among the cylinders in a pattern to maintain mechanical balance in the engine.  
   
   
       87 . The system of  claim 86 , wherein the cylinder disabling device is for heating the exhaust system.  
   
   
       88 . The system of  claim 87 , wherein heating the exhaust system is for maintaining the trap within the optimum temperature range.  
   
   
       89 . The system of  claim 87 , wherein the control unit may provide signals to the cylinder disabling device for heating the exhaust as needed for maintaining the trap within the optimum temperature range.  
   
   
       90 . The system of  claim 89 , wherein the control unit may receive a temperature indication from the at least one temperature sensor and an emissions indication from the emissions sensor to determine when to provide signals to the cylinder disabling device.  
   
   
       91 . The system of  claim 90 , wherein the control unit may determine when to provide signals to the cylinder disabling device according to a mathematical model.  
   
   
       92 . An aftertreatment means comprising: 
 means for regenerating an engine exhaust emissions trap; and    means for determining a need to regenerate the emissions trap; and    wherein the means for regenerating comprises:    a cylinder cutout mechanism connected to the means for determining a need to regenerate; and    at least one temperature sensor, situated proximate to the exhaust emissions trap, connected to the means for determining a need to regenerate; and    wherein cylinders of an engine are cut out by the cylinder cutout mechanism in a pattern to maintain a thermal balance in the engine.    
   
   
       93 . The means of  claim 92 , wherein the means for determining a need to regenerate comprises a processor connected to the at least one temperature sensor and the cylinder cutout mechanism.  
   
   
       94 . The means of  claim 93 , wherein cylinders are cut out by the cylinder cutout mechanism in a pattern to maintain an operational mechanical balance in the engine.  
   
   
       95 . The means of  claim 94 , further comprising a means for maintaining an appropriate temperature of the exhaust emissions trap to trap and store emissions.  
   
   
       96 . The means of  claim 95 , wherein the exhaust emissions trap is connected to a diesel engine.  
   
   
       97 . The means of  claim 96 , wherein the exhaust emissions is NOx.  
   
   
       98 . The means of  claim 95 , wherein the cylinder cutout mechanism comprises a cylinder valve disabling device connected to the means for determining a need to regenerate.  
   
   
       99 . The means of  claim 98 , wherein: 
 the means for determining a need to regenerate comprises a calculation module connected to the processor; and    an emissions model connected to the calculation module.    
   
   
       100 . The means of  claim 98 , further comprising: 
 an NOx sensor proximate to the exhaust emissions trap; and    wherein the NOx sensor is connected to the processor.    
   
   
       101 . A method for regeneration of an emissions trap connected to an exhaust of an engine, comprising: 
 determining a time when the trap needs to be regenerated; and    regenerating the trap at the time; and 
 wherein:  
   regenerating the trap comprises increasing the temperature of the trap;    the temperature of the trap is increased by increasing the temperature of the exhaust of the engine;    the temperature of the exhaust is increased by deactivating cylinders of the engine; and    the deactivating cylinders is performed in a pattern to maintain a mechanical balance of the engine.    
   
   
       102 . The method of  claim 101 , wherein the deactivating cylinders is performed in a pattern to maintain a thermal balance of the engine.  
   
   
       103 . The method of  claim 102 , further comprising keeping temperature of the trap at an optimum range for trapping and storing emissions.  
   
   
       104 . The method of  claim 103 , wherein the engine is a diesel engine.  
   
   
       105 . The method of  claim 103 , wherein the trap is an NOx trap.  
   
   
       106 . The method of  claim 102 , wherein the deactivating cylinders comprises deactivating valve mechanisms of the cylinders.  
   
   
       107 . The method of  claim 105 , wherein determining a time when the trap needs to be regenerated comprises monitoring an amount of NOx in the trap.  
   
   
       108 . The method of  claim 105 , wherein determining a time when the trap needs to be regenerated comprises calculating an amount of NOx in the trap.  
   
   
       109 . The method of  claim 108 , wherein the calculating an amount of NOx is performed according to an emissions model.  
   
   
       110 . The method of  claim 108 , wherein the calculating an amount of NOx is performed according to an algorithm.  
   
   
       111 . The method of  claim 103 , adding at least one post-event injection of fuel to the engine to adjust the temperature of the exhaust.  
   
   
       112 . A regeneration system, comprising: 
 an emissions material trap connected to an exhaust of an engine;    at least one temperature sensor proximate to the trap;    a controller connected to the at least one temperature sensor; and    a cylinder cutout mechanism connected to the controller; and    wherein the cylinder cutout mechanism cuts out cylinders in a pattern to maintain a thermal balance in the engine.    
   
   
       113 . The system of  claim 112 , wherein the cylinder cutout mechanism cuts out cylinders in a pattern to maintain a mechanical balance in the engine.  
   
   
       114 . The system of  claim 113 , wherein the engine is a diesel engine.  
   
   
       115 . The system of  claim 114 , wherein: 
 the trap is for adsorbing NOx; and    the trap is regenerated with an increased temperature of the exhaust.    
   
   
       116 . The system of  claim 115 , wherein the temperature of the exhaust is increased by the cylinder cutout mechanism.  
   
   
       117 . The system of  claim 116 , further comprising a device for determining an amount of NOx in the trap.  
   
   
       118 . The system of  claim 117 , wherein the amount of NOx exceeding a certain level indicates a need for regenerating the trap.  
   
   
       119 . The system of  claim 118  wherein the device for determining an amount of NOx in the trap is an algorithm processed by the controller.  
   
   
       120 . The system of  claim 118 , wherein the device for determining an amount of NOx in the trap is an NOx sensor proximate to the trap and connected to the controller.  
   
   
       121 . The system of  claim 120 , wherein the cylinder cutout mechanism comprises a cylinder valve disabler.  
   
   
       122 . A trap temperature maintaining system comprising: 
 an emissions trap connected to an exhaust system of an engine; and    a heating mechanism connected to the engine for keeping the emissions trap at an appropriate temperature to trap and store emissions; and    wherein:    the heating mechanism is an engine cylinder cutout device; and    the engine cylinder cutout device cuts out cylinders in a pattern to maintain a mechanical balance in the engine.    
   
   
       123 . The system of  claim 122 , wherein the engine cylinder cutout device cuts out cylinders in a pattern to maintain a thermal balance in the engine.  
   
   
       124 . The system of  claim 122 , wherein the engine cylinder cutout device cuts out cylinders sequentially to maintain a mechanical balance in the engine.  
   
   
       125 . The system of  claim 123 , wherein the engine cylinder cutout device cuts out cylinders sequentially to maintain a thermal balance in the engine.  
   
   
       126 . The system of  claim 122 , wherein the heating mechanism at certain times heats the trap to a temperature to regenerate the trap.