Filter Cleaning With An Engine Idle Bump

Abstract

Disclosed is a method of filter regeneration employing an automatic increase in the minimum speed of an engine when a vehicle is in a parked state. The filter regeneration until the operator cancels it or filter regeneration is determined to be complete.

1 . A method of filter regeneration for a work vehicle having an engine, a park brake capable of being engaged or disengaged, a throttle capable of being engaged or not engaged, the method comprising:
 a. monitoring engine speed with an engine speed detector;   b. monitoring a status of the park brake with a park brake sensor;   c. monitoring a status of the throttle with a throttle sensor; and   d. automatically latching the engine speed to a predetermined engine speed sufficient for filter regeneration when the engine is running, the park brake is engaged, and the throttle is not engaged.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising continuing the latching of the engine speed to the predetermined engine speed until the filter regeneration is complete. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising continuing the latching of the engine speed to the predetermined engine speed until an operator cancels the filter regeneration. 
     
     
         4 . A method of filter regeneration for a work vehicle having an ignition capable of being on and off, a filter capable of accumulating soot, an engine capable of being started and not started, a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the exhaust gas exiting the engine, a park brake capable of being engaged and disengaged, a throttle capable of being engaged and not engaged, the method comprising:
 a. monitoring a status of the park brake with a park brake sensor;   b. monitoring a status of the throttle with a throttle sensor;   c. monitoring a temperature of the exhaust gas exiting the engine with a temperature sensor;   d. monitoring an engine speed with an engine speed sensor, the engine speed being at standby idle when the status of the throttle is not engaged;   e. calculating a soot level for the filter; and   f. automatically latching the engine speed to a predetermined engine speed for raising a temperature of the exhaust gas exiting the engine to at least a predetermined temperature sufficient for filter regeneration only if: (1) the engine is started, (2) the park brake sensor detects a status of engaged; (3) the engine is at idle standby; (4) the temperature sensor detects an exhaust gas temperature below a predetermined threshold temperature; and the calculated soot level is high.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising continuing the latching of the engine speed to the predetermined engine speed until the filter regeneration is complete. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising continuing the latching of the engine speed to the predetermined engine speed until an operator cancels the filter regeneration. 
     
     
         7 . A system for exhaust filter regeneration in a work vehicle having an exhaust filter capable of accumulating soot at levels varying from negligible to high, comprising:
 an engine capable of being started and not started;   an engine speed sensor for detecting a speed of the engine;   a throttle capable of being engaged and not engaged;   a throttle sensor for detecting whether the throttle is engaged or not engaged, the engine being at standby idle when the throttle is not engaged and filter regeneration is not enabled;   a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the exhaust gas as it exits the engine;   a transmission having a neutral setting, and a non-neutral setting;   a transmission sensor for detecting the setting of the transmission;   a park brake capable of being engaged and disengaged;   a park brake sensor capable of detecting whether the park brake is engaged or disengaged;   an ignition capable of being on and off;   at least one controller for controlling functions of the engine, for detecting a filter soot level and for controlling functions of the vehicle; and   a timer for timing a duration of an event, the at least one controller initiating an increase in engine speed to a first predetermined level only when: (1) the ignition is on, (2) the engine is running, (3) the engine is at standby idle, (4) the park brake is engaged, (5) the transmission sensor detects a neutral setting, (6) the temperature sensor detects an exhaust gas temperature lower than a predetermined temperature required for filter regeneration, and the detected filter soot level is high.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the controller latches the engine speed to a second predetermined engine speed for filter regeneration upon the engine achieving the first predetermined engine speed. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the controller continues to latch the engine speed at the second predetermined engine speed until the controller determines filter regeneration is complete. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one controller continues to latch the engine speed at the second predetermined engine speed until the operator cancels the filter regeneration by at least one of turning the ignition off or instructing the at least one controller to cancel the filter regeneration. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one controller comprises an engine control unit for controlling functions of the engine and a vehicle controller unit for controlling functions of the vehicle and temporarily controlling engine speed when initiating filter regeneration.