Hybrid engine exhaust gas temperature control system

Abstract

A power system is provided having a power source operationally coupled to a generator. The power system also includes an exhaust passage having at least one after-treatment device configured to release exhaust from the power source into the atmosphere. In addition, a controller is configured to determine at least one exhaust passage condition indicative of an exhaust temperature and operate the generator in response to the determination.

1 . A power system, comprising:
 a power source operationally coupled to a generator;   an exhaust passage including at least one after-treatment device and configured to release exhaust from the power source into the atmosphere; and   a controller configured to determine at least one exhaust passage condition indicative of an exhaust gas temperature and operate the generator in response to the determination.   
   
   
       2 . The power system of  claim 1 , further including a sensor located in the exhaust passage and configured to measure a temperature of the exhaust, wherein the controller is in communication with the sensor to receive a temperature signal. 
   
   
       3 . The power system of  claim 2 , wherein the controller is configured to operate the generator in a manner that applies an additional load on the power source when the signal indicates the temperature of the exhaust gas being below a first threshold temperature. 
   
   
       4 . The power system of  claim 3 , wherein the first threshold temperature is approximately 200 degrees Celsius. 
   
   
       5 . The power system of  claim 2 , further including a power storage device, wherein the controller is configured to operate the power storage device in a manner that assists the power source when the signal indicates the temperature of the exhaust gas being above a second threshold temperature. 
   
   
       6 . The power system of  claim 5 , wherein the second threshold temperature is approximately 600 degrees Celsius. 
   
   
       7 . The exhaust treatment system of  claim 1 , further including a sensor configured to sense a non-temperature parameter of the exhaust passage and generate a parameter signal indicative of the non-temperature parameter, wherein the controller is in communication with the sensor and is configured to derive the exhaust gas temperature value from the parameter signal. 
   
   
       8 . The exhaust treatment system of  claim 7 , wherein the controller is configured to operate the generator in a manner that applies an additional load on the power source when the signal indicates the temperature of the exhaust gas being below a first threshold temperature. 
   
   
       9 . The exhaust treatment system of  claim 8 , further including a power storage device, wherein the controller is configured to operate the power storage device in a manner that assists the power source when the signal indicates the temperature of the exhaust gas being above a second threshold temperature. 
   
   
       10 . A method for adjusting an exhaust gas temperature, comprising:
 sensing at least one power source condition indicative of an exhaust gas temperature; and   either applying an additional load on a power source or assisting the power source in response to the sensed condition indicative of the exhaust gas temperature.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein applying the additional load on the power source further includes applying the additional load on the power source when the temperature of the exhaust gas is below a first threshold temperature. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first threshold temperature is approximately 200 degrees Celsius. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , further including storing electrical power produced by the application of the additional load on the power source. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , further including operating electrical devices with excess electricity produced by the application of the additional load on the power source. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein assisting the power source further includes assisting the power source when the temperature of the exhaust gas is above a second threshold temperature. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the second threshold temperature is approximately 600 degrees Celsius. 
   
   
       17 . A method for adjusting an exhaust temperature in a hybrid engine, comprising:
 determining the temperature of an exhaust gas;   determining whether the temperature is within a predetermined temperature range;   applying an additional load on an engine when the exhaust temperature is below the predetermined temperature range; and   assisting the engine when the exhaust temperature is above the predetermined temperature range.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further including storing electrical power produced by the application of the additional load on the engine. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , further including operating electrical accessories with excess electricity produced by the application of the additional load on the engine. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , further including discontinuing the application of the additional load on the engine or discontinuing the assistance to the engine when the exhaust temperature is within the predetermined temperature range.