Regeneration management system for a work machine

Abstract

A regeneration system for a work machine may include a power source configured to provide a power output. The regeneration system may also include an exhaust element including a plurality of separately regenerable filter sections. A regeneration device may be operably connected to the power source and be adapted to use at least a portion of the power output to regenerate one or more of the filter sections of the exhaust element. The regeneration system may also include a controller configured to determine an amount of the power output available for regeneration of the exhaust element. The controller may also be configured to determine a number of filter sections that may be regenerated based on the amount of the power output available for regeneration.

1 . A regeneration system, comprising: 
 a power source configured to provide a power output;    an exhaust element including a plurality of separately regenerable filter sections;    a regeneration device operably connected to the power source and adapted to use at least a portion of the power output to regenerate one or more of the filter sections of the exhaust element; and    a controller configured to: 
 determine an amount of the power output available for regeneration of the exhaust element; and  
 determine a number of filter sections that may be regenerated based on the amount of the power output available for regeneration.  
   
   
   
       2 . The regeneration system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to initiate regeneration of the number of filter sections.  
   
   
       3 . The regeneration system of  claim 2 , wherein the controller is further configured to calculate a regeneration efficiency value based on the number of filter sections regenerated and an amount of power used for regeneration.  
   
   
       4 . The regeneration system of  claim 3 , wherein the controller is further configured to use the regeneration efficiency value to determine a number of filter sections to be regenerated in a subsequent regeneration cycle.  
   
   
       5 . The regeneration system of  claim 3 , wherein the controller is further configured to use the regeneration efficiency value to determine an amount of power to be used for regeneration in a subsequent regeneration cycle.  
   
   
       6 . The regeneration system of  claim 3 , wherein calculation of the regeneration efficiency value includes estimating an amount of particulate matter entering the exhaust element and an amount of particulate matter left in the exhaust element after regeneration.  
   
   
       7 . The regeneration system of  claim 2 , wherein the controller is configured to control one or more valve elements to selectively control air flow to the plurality of filter sections during regeneration of the number of filter sections.  
   
   
       8 . The regeneration system of  claim 1 , wherein the exhaust system element includes particulate trap.  
   
   
       9 . The regeneration system of  claim 1 , wherein the power source includes an electrical energy storage device.  
   
   
       10 . The regeneration system of  claim 1 , wherein the power source includes an electrical energy generation device.  
   
   
       11 . The regeneration system of  claim 1 , wherein the amount of the power output available for regeneration is determined based on a difference between the power output of the power source and a load on the power source.  
   
   
       12 . The regeneration system of  claim 1 , wherein the number of filter sections that may be regenerated is determined based on an amount of power needed to regenerate a single filter section.  
   
   
       13 . The regeneration system of  claim 1 , wherein the power source includes an engine that generates an exhaust stream that is supplied to the exhaust element.  
   
   
       14 . The regeneration system of  claim 1 , further including: 
 at least one pressure sensitive component configured to provide an output indicative of an observed pressure drop across the exhaust element; and    wherein the controller is further configured to: 
 determine an estimated pressure drop across the exhaust element and an estimated particulate matter accumulation level in the exhaust element based on one or more operating conditions of the engine and one or more filter section characteristics; and  
 initiate regeneration of the number of filter sections when the estimated pressure drop is less than the observed pressure drop across the exhaust element or when the estimated particulate matter accumulation level in the exhaust element exceeds a predetermined threshold value.  
   
   
   
       15 . The regeneration system of  claim 14 , wherein the controller is further configured to stop regeneration of the number of filter sections when the estimated pressure drop exceeds the observed pressure drop across the exhaust element or when the estimated particulate matter accumulation level in the exhaust system element falls below the predetermined threshold value.  
   
   
       16 . A method of controlling regeneration of an exhaust element comprising: 
 flowing exhaust through a plurality of separately regenerable filter sections of the exhaust element;    determining, based on one or more operating characteristics of a power source, an amount of power available for regeneration; and    determining a number of the filter sections that may be regenerated based on the amount of power available for regeneration.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , further including initiating regeneration of the number of filter sections.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein determining the amount of power available for regeneration includes determining a difference between a power output of the power source and a load on the power source.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein determining the number of filter sections that may be regenerated is further based on an amount of power needed to regenerate one of the plurality of filter sections.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the exhaust element includes a particulate trap and the power source includes an engine that generates an exhaust stream supplied to the particulate trap, the method further including: 
 estimating a pressure drop across the particulate trap and an amount of particulate matter accumulated in the particulate trap based on one or more operating conditions of the engine and one or more characteristics of the particulate trap;    determining an observed pressure drop across the particulate trap; and    initiating regeneration of the number of filter sections when the estimated pressure drop is less than the observed pressure drop or the estimated amount of particulate matter accumulated in the particulate trap exceeds a predetermined threshold value.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , further including stopping regeneration of the number of filter sections when the estimated pressure drop exceeds the observed pressure drop or the estimated amount of particulate matter accumulated in the trap is below the predetermined threshold value.  
   
   
       22 . A work machine comprising: 
 a frame;    an engine supported by the frame and configured to generate a power output and an exhaust stream;    an exhaust conduit configured to receive and carry the exhaust stream;    a particulate trap, including a plurality of separately regenerable filter sections, operably connected to the exhaust conduit such that at least a portion of the exhaust stream flows through the particulate trap;    a regeneration device operably connected to the particulate trap; and    a controller configured to: 
 determine an amount of the power output available for regeneration of the exhaust element;  
 determine a number of filter sections that may be regenerated based on the amount of the power output available for regeneration; and  
 initiate regeneration of the number of filter sections.  
   
   
   
       23 . The work machine of  claim 22 , wherein the amount of the power output available for regeneration is based on a difference between the power output generated by the power source and a load on the power source.  
   
   
       24 . The work machine of  claim 22 , wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the regeneration device and one or more valve elements, which selectively control air flow through the exhaust element, during regeneration of the number of filter sections.  
   
   
       25 . The work machine of  claim 22 , further including: 
 at least one pressure sensitive component configured to provide an output indicative of an observed pressure drop across the exhaust element; and    wherein the controller is further configured to: 
 determine an estimated pressure drop across the exhaust element and an estimated particulate matter accumulation level in the exhaust element based on one or more operating conditions of the engine and one or more filter section characteristics;  
 initiate regeneration of the number of filter sections when the estimated pressure drop is less than the observed pressure drop across the exhaust element or when the estimated particulate matter accumulation level in the exhaust element exceeds a predetermined threshold value; and  
 stop regeneration of the number of filter sections when the estimated pressure drop exceeds the observed pressure drop across the exhaust element or when the estimated particulate matter accumulation level in the exhaust system element falls below the predetermined threshold value.