Method and system for particulate filter regeneration

Abstract

A particulate filter regeneration system is provided for regenerating a filter at low vehicular speeds. The power source is selectively coupled to a transmission unit so that the transmission unit can be at least partially decoupled from the power source. An exhaust passage having a particulate filtering device is configured to release exhaust from the power source into the atmosphere. In addition, a controller is configured to determine at least one power source parameter indicative of an exhaust temperature, at least partially decouple the power source from the transmission unit in response to the determination, and increase a power source speed in response to the determination.

1 . A particulate filter regeneration system, comprising:
 a power source selectively coupled to a transmission unit so that the transmission unit can be at least partially decoupled from the power source;   an exhaust passage including a particulate filtering device and configured to release exhaust from the power source into the atmosphere; and   a controller configured to determine at least one power source parameter indicative of an exhaust temperature, at least partially decouple the power source from the transmission unit in response to the determination, and increase a power source speed in response to the determination.   
   
   
       2 . The particulate filter regeneration system of  claim 1 , wherein the transmission unit includes a gear and an associated clutch configured to fully engage, partially engage, and fully disengage from the gear. 
   
   
       3 . The particulate filter regeneration system of  claim 2 , wherein the clutch is configured to slip against the gear while partially engaged with the gear. 
   
   
       4 . The particulate filter regeneration system of  claim 3 , wherein the clutch is configured to vary the degree of slippage against the gear. 
   
   
       5 . The particulate filter regeneration system of  claim 4 , wherein the clutch is configure to vary the degree of slippage against the gear based on a power source speed. 
   
   
       6 . The particulate filter regeneration system of  claim 1 , further including a torque converter wherein the torque converter is operationally connected to the output of the power source and the input of the transmission unit and is configured to selectively absorb a torque produced by the power source by allowing a slippage between the output of the power source and the input of the transmission unit. 
   
   
       7 . The particulate filter regeneration system of  claim 1 , wherein the transmission unit is a hydro-mechanical transmission unit. 
   
   
       8 . The particulate filter regeneration system of  claim 1 , wherein the transmission unit is an electromechanical transmission unit. 
   
   
       9 . A method of implementing a particulate filter regeneration in a machine, comprising:
 sensing at least one power source parameter indicative of an exhaust gas temperature;   sensing at least one power source parameter indicative of a power source speed;   sensing at least one machine parameter indicative of a travel speed of a machine;   at least partially decoupling a power source from a transmission unit in response to at least the sensed parameter indicative of the exhaust gas temperature, the sensed condition indicative of the power source speed, and the sensed condition indicative of the travel speed of the machine; and   increasing the power source speed in response to the sensed condition indicative of the exhaust gas temperature.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the at least partially decoupling the power source from the transmission unit further includes partially disengaging a clutch associated with a gear of the transmission unit. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the at least partially decoupling further includes partially decoupling the power source from the transmission unit when the sensed condition indicative of the temperature of the exhaust gas is below a threshold temperature. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the threshold temperature is approximately 600 degrees Celsius. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the at least partially decoupling the power source from the transmission unit further includes partially disengaging a torque converter from the power source. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the at least partially decoupling further includes partially decoupling the power source from the transmission unit when the sensed condition indicative of the temperature of the exhaust gas is below a threshold temperature. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the threshold temperature is approximately 600 degrees Celsius. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the at least partially decoupling the power source from the transmission unit further includes completely disengaging the power source from the transmission unit. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the at least partially decoupling further includes completely disengaging the power source from the transmission unit when the sensed condition indicative of the temperature of the exhaust gas is below a threshold temperature. 
   
   
       18 . A method of implementing a particulate filter regeneration in a mobile machine, comprising:
 determining that filter regeneration is necessary;   determining whether the machine is stopped or moving;   at least partially decoupling a transmission from an engine of the machine as a function of a degree of movement of the machine and the determination that filter regeneration is necessary; and   increasing an engine speed when the engine is at least partially decoupled from the transmission.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , further including reducing the engine speed when a desired amount of particulate matter in the filter has been removed. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein an amount of increase in engine speed is a function of engine exhaust temperature.