Patent ID: 6422001
Filing Date: 2002-07-23
Classification: B60K,B60W,B60Y,F01N,F02D,Y02T,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for cleaning a regenerative particulate filter associated with a particulate-generating internal combustion engine, the steps comprising:a) providing an internal combustion engine having a range of selectable operating speeds and producing exhaust gas comprising particulate matter, said exhaust gas being temperature dependent, at least in part, upon a selected operating speed of said internal combustion engine; b) providing an electrical generator operatively connected to and powered by said internal combustion engine; c) passing said exhaust gas from said internal combustion engine through a regenerative particulate filter for removing and capturing therein at least a portion of said particulate matter from said exhaust gas, said particulate filter having a back pressure dependent at least in part upon a quantity of said particulate matter captured therein; d) generating a first back pressure signal representative of a first, predetermined back pressure of said particulate filter; e) upon receipt of said first back pressure signal, setting said operating speed of said internal combustion engine to a speed selected from the low end of said range of selectable operating speeds; and f) controlling a load applied to said internal combustion engine substantially simultaneously with said setting step (e); whereby said temperature of said exhaust gas is increased and a temperature of said particulate filter is also increased in response thereto, thereby facilitating the cleaning thereof.