Particulate trap regeneration control system

Abstract

A particulate trap regeneration control system may include one or more filter sections within the exhaust element. The regeneration control system may also include a controller configured to determine an amount of soot accumulated in the exhaust. The controller may also be configured to determine an amount of ash accumulated in the exhaust element. The controller may also be configured to determine the accumulated particulate matter in the exhaust element based on the accumulated soot and the accumulated ash in the exhaust element.

1 . A regeneration control system for an exhaust element comprising: 
 one or more filter sections within the exhaust element;    a controller configured to: 
 determine an amount of soot accumulated in the exhaust element;  
 determine an amount of ash accumulated in the exhaust element; and  
 determine the accumulated particulate matter in the exhaust element based on the accumulated soot and the accumulated ash in the exhaust element.  
   
   
   
       2 . The regeneration system of  claim 1 , wherein the amount of soot accumulated in the exhaust element is based on an amount of soot entering the exhaust element and an amount of soot oxidized in the exhaust element.  
   
   
       3 . The regeneration control system of  claim 1 , wherein the exhaust element includes one or more particulate traps.  
   
   
       4 . The regeneration control system of  claim 2 , wherein the controller is configured to determine the amount of soot entering the exhaust element based on one or more engine operating conditions.  
   
   
       5 . The regeneration control system of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more engine operating conditions include air flow rate, fuel flow rate, engine speed, engine torque.  
   
   
       6 . The regeneration control system of  claim 2 , wherein the controller is configured to determine the amount of soot oxidized in the exhaust element based on one or more engine operating conditions and one or more regeneration techniques.  
   
   
       7 . The regeneration control system of  claim 6 , wherein the one or more engine operating conditions include oxygen concentration in an exhaust gas and a temperature of the exhaust gas.  
   
   
       8 . The regeneration control system of  claim 6 , wherein the one or more regeneration techniques include electric heaters and burners.  
   
   
       9 . The regeneration control system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to determine the amount of ash accumulated in the exhaust element based on at least one of a type of oil used in an engine, an engine speed, and oil flow rate.  
   
   
       10 . The regeneration control system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to determine an estimated pressure drop across the exhaust element based on one or more engine operating conditions and at least one physical characteristic of the one or more filter sections.  
   
   
       11 . The regeneration control system of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one physical characteristic includes a filter section length, width, wall thickness, permeability, or porosity.  
   
   
       12 . The regeneration control system of  claim 10 , wherein if the measured pressure drop across the exhaust element is greater than the estimated pressure drop, the controller is configured to perform at least one of the following steps: 
 maintain a regeneration cycle for a period of time after the accumulated particulate matter in the exhaust element falls below a predetermined threshold;    adjust one or more parameters used to determine the accumulated particulate matter; and    issue a warning that the exhaust element needs servicing.    
   
   
       13 . The regeneration control system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to commence regeneration when the accumulated particulate matter in the exhaust element exceeds a predetermined threshold value.  
   
   
       14 . The regeneration control system of  claim 13 , wherein the controller is configured to stop regeneration when the accumulated particulate matter in the exhaust element is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value.  
   
   
       15 . A method of controlling regeneration in an exhaust element, the method comprising: 
 flowing exhaust through one or more filter sections of the exhaust element;    estimating an amount of soot accumulated in the exhaust element;    estimating an amount of ash accumulated in the exhaust element; and    estimating the accumulated particulate matter in the exhaust element based on the amount of accumulated soot and the amount of accumulated ash in the exhaust element.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the amount of soot accumulated in the exhaust element is based an amount of soot entering the exhaust element and an amount of soot oxidized in the exhaust element.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein estimating the amount of soot entering the exhaust element is further based on one or more of an engine air flow rate, an engine fuel flow rate, engine speed, and an engine torque.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein estimating the amount of soot oxidized in the exhaust element is based on one or more engine operating conditions and one or more regeneration techniques.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the one or more engine operating conditions include oxygen concentration in an exhaust gas and a temperature of the exhaust gas.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the one or more regeneration techniques include electric heaters and burners.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein estimating the amount of ash accumulated in the exhaust element is based on at least one of a type of oil used in an engine, a speed of the engine, and an engine oil flow rate.  
   
   
       22 . A work machine comprising: 
 a frame;    an engine, which generates an exhaust stream, operably connected to the frame;    an exhaust element configured to receive the exhaust stream;    one or more filter sections within the exhaust element; and    a controller configured to: 
 determine an amount of soot accumulated in the exhaust element based on an amount of soot entering the exhaust element and an amount of soot oxidized in the exhaust element;  
 determine an amount of ash accumulated in the exhaust element; and  
 determine the accumulated particulate matter in the exhaust element based on the accumulated soot and the accumulated ash in the exhaust element.  
   
   
   
       23 . The work machine of  claim 22 , wherein the exhaust element includes one or more particulate traps.  
   
   
       24 . The work machine of  claim 23 , wherein if a measured pressure drop across the one or more particulate traps is greater than an estimated pressure drop, the controller is configured to do at least one of the following: 
 maintain a regeneration cycle for a period of time after the accumulated particulate matter in the exhaust element falls below a predetermined threshold;    adjust one or more parameters used to determine the accumulated particulate matter; and    issue a warning that the exhaust element needs servicing.    
   
   
       25 . The work machine of  claim 23 , wherein the controller is configured to commence regeneration when the accumulated particulate matter in the one or more particulate traps exceeds a predetermined threshold value.  
   
   
       26 . The work machine of  claim 25 , wherein the controller is configured to stop regeneration when the accumulated particulate matter in the one or more particulate traps is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value.