Method For Protecting An Engine During A Parked Regeneration Of A Particulate Filter

Abstract

An automatic shutdown system is provided in which a work vehicle is shutdown upon an occurrence of a critical fault; i.e., an occurrence of a condition which could diminish the life or cause a complete failure of at least a portion of the work vehicle.

1 . A method of cleaning a filter for engine exhaust gas, comprising:
 a. Step  1 —automatically monitoring engine oil pressure, engine coolant temperature and engine coolant level for the occurrence of a critical fault which includes a detected value outside a predetermined range for at least one of the engine oil pressure, the engine coolant temperature, and the engine coolant level;   b. Step  2 —automatically monitoring a state of a park brake to determine if the park brake is in a first state or a second state, a throttle capable of being engaged and disengaged to determine if the throttle is engaged, a transmission gear to determine if the transmission is in a neutral gear, and a filter soot level;   c. Step  3 —automatically beginning engine speed management to increase a temperature of exhaust gas when: the park brake is in the first state, the throttle is disengaged, the transmission is in a neutral gear, a filter soot level is within a predetermined range of values, and the critical fault has not occurred;   d. Step  4 —maintaining engine speed management until one of a predetermined amount of time has elapsed, the bark brake is in the second state, the throttle is engaged or the transmission is not in the neutral gear;   e. Step  5 —automatically executing an engine shutdown procedure after Step  4  is complete or upon the occurrence of the critical fault.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the engine shutdown procedure includes immediate engine shutdown upon the occurrence of the critical fault. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the engine shutdown procedure includes an engine cool down prior to the engine shutdown. 
     
     
         4 . A method of regenerating filter for exhaust gas a work vehicle, comprising the following steps:
 a. Step  1 —monitoring at least one of an oil pressure level, an engine coolant temperature, and an engine coolant level;   b. Step  2 —monitoring a state of a park brake to determine if the park brake is in a first state or a second state;   c. Step  3 —monitoring an engine speed;   d. Step  4 —monitoring a state of a throttle having a first state and a second state.   e. Step  5 —initiating engine speed management to increase the temperature of the exhaust gas to at least a predetermined temperature required for filter regeneration only if: (1) the at least one of an oil pressure level, an engine coolant temperature, and an engine coolant level is within a predetermined range, (2) the park brake is in a first state, and (3) the throttle is not engaged;   f. Step  6 —maintaining the engine speed management until one of a predetermined amount of time has elapsed or the at least one of an oil pressure level, an engine coolant temperature, and an engine coolant level is not within the predetermined range; and   g. Step  7 —automatically executing an engine shutdown procedure when Step  6  is complete.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the engine shutdown procedure includes:
 abandoning the engine speed management and allowing it to return to standby idle speed until the engine coolant temperature falls below a predetermined threshold and, subsequently shutting down the engine.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the engine shutdown procedure includes immediately shutting down the engine when the at least one of an oil pressure level, an engine coolant temperature, and an engine coolant level is not within a predetermined range. 
     
     
         7 . A method of filter cleaning, comprising the following steps:
 a. Step  1 —monitoring at least one of an oil pressure level, an engine coolant temperature, and an engine coolant level;   b. Step  2 —monitoring a state of a park brake to determine if the park brake is in a first state or a second state;   c. Step  3 —monitoring an engine speed;   d. Step  4 —automatically managing the engine speed to raise and keep exhaust gas temperatures to a predetermined range for regeneration of the filter if: (1) the at least one of an oil pressure level, an engine coolant temperature, and an engine coolant level is within a predetermined range and (2) the parked brake is in a first state;   e. Step  5 —continuing to manage the engine speed until one of a predetermined amount of time has elapsed or the at least one of an oil pressure level, an engine coolant temperature, and an engine coolant level is not within the predetermined range; and   f. Step  6 —automatically executing an engine shutdown procedure when Step  5  is complete.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein automatically managing the engine speed is discontinued when the park brake is adjusted to the second state. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the engine shutdown procedure comprises an immediate shutdown of the engine when the at least one of an oil pressure level, an engine coolant temperature, and an engine coolant level is not within the predetermined range.