Temp-A-Start Regeneration System

Abstract

A regeneration module is usable in conjunction with a diesel engine to control the operation of a regeneration cycle of the diesel engine. During the regeneration cycle, particulate matter collected in or on a diesel particulate filter of the diesel engine is removed to improve the operation of the diesel particulate filter. In various embodiments, the regeneration module only functions when manually activated by a user of the diesel engine such that the regeneration cycle is only initiated during desirable idle periods of the diesel engine.

1 . A method for regenerating a diesel particulate filter comprises:
 sending a request from an engine controller of a diesel engine to a regeneration module;   putting the diesel engine into a base idle mode of operation;   waiting for a first defined time period;   closing a regeneration switch;   waiting for a second defined time period;   initiating a regeneration cycle of the engine controller; and   putting the diesel engine into a high idle mode of operation.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein initiating a regeneration cycle of the engine controller comprises heating a diesel particulate filter to at least a first desired temperature. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein heating a diesel particulate filter comprises heating the diesel particulate filter to at least the first desired temperature for a third defined time period. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein initiating a regeneration cycle of the engine controller comprises activating an external heating source. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein initiating a regeneration cycle of the engine controller comprises adding an additive to at least one of a fuel mixture, an exhaust line, and a diesel particulate filter. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 measuring an operating parameter of a diesel particulate filter; and   determining a regeneration status of the diesel particulate filter.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising terminating the regeneration cycle of the engine controller if the diesel particulate filter is determined to be sufficiently regenerated. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein measuring a regeneration quality of a diesel particulate filter comprises measuring a pressure drop across the diesel particulate filter. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein determining a regeneration status of the diesel particulate filter comprises comparing the pressure drop across the diesel particulate filter to a desired value. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein measuring an operating parameter of a diesel particulate filter comprises measuring a mass of the diesel particulate filter. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein determining a regeneration status of the diesel particulate filter comprises comparing the mass of the diesel particulate filter to a desired value. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein measuring an operating parameter of a diesel particulate filter comprises measuring an efficiency of filtration of the diesel particulate filter. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein measuring an efficiency of filtration of the diesel particulate filter comprises comparing an amount of particulate matter in an intake of the diesel particulate filter to an amount of particulate matter in an exhaust from the diesel particulate filter. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein determining a regeneration status of the diesel particulate filter comprises comparing the ratio of the amount of particulate matter in the exhaust from the diesel particulate filter over the amount of particulate matter in the intake of the diesel particulate filter to a desired value. 
     
     
         15 . A system for regenerating a diesel particulate filter comprises:
 a diesel engine that utilizes a diesel particulate filter which is usable to remove at least some particulate matter from an exhaust gas of the diesel engine during operation;   a regeneration module in communication with the engine controller; and   a manual switch in communication with the regeneration module wherein the manual switch is usable to activate and deactivate the regeneration module; wherein   the regeneration module is usable to receive a request from the engine controller to initiate a regeneration cycle of the engine controller; and   the regeneration cycle is usable to remove particulate matter from the diesel particulate filter.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a heater usable to raise the temperature of the diesel particulate filter to at least a first desired temperature.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising an injection system usable to inject an additive into at least one of a fuel line, an exhaust line, and the diesel particulate filter. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the exhaust line is provided between the diesel engine and the diesel particulate filter. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the regeneration module is usable to determine a condition of regeneration of the diesel particulate filter. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the regeneration module is in communication with one or more sensor usable to determine at least one operating condition of the diesel particulate filter and wherein the at least one operating condition is usable to determine the condition of regeneration of the diesel particulate filter.