Patent ID: 8424287
Filing Date: 2013-04-23
Classification: B60K,F01N,Y02A,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A method of reducing exhaust gas emissions on starting an internal combustion engine in a vehicle; the vehicle also comprising an exhaust system for conversion of unwanted products of combustion from the engine, the exhaust system comprising a metal substrate catalytic converter with a temperature sensor, and an electrically powered heater for heating the converter with heated air; the vehicle also comprising a solar cell array power source with a sensor and adapted to deliver electrical power when illuminated with solar radiation; the vehicle further comprising at least one computer, for management of the operation of the vehicle engine, the operation of the exhaust system, and the operation of the solar cell array power source; the method being performed repetitively, using the computer, starting when the computer receives an input time for a future engine start, and then comprising the steps of: sensing the current time; and computing a waiting time period before a required engine start; sensing the current temperature of the catalytic converter and determining an amount of electrical energy to heat the converter to a predetermined operating temperature for its effective conversion of engine combustion products; sensing the current electrical output of the solar cell array, and estimating a heating time period for heating the converter to the predetermined operating temperature using the solar array; and, when an estimated heating time period is within a predetermined time range less than a current waiting time period, energizing the converter heater with electrical power from the solar cell array to preheat the metal substrate converter to its predetermined operating temperature before the engine is started.