Patent ID: 6318077
Filing Date: 2001-11-20
Classification: F01N,F02G,Y02A,Y02T

Abstract:
A thermal and exhaust management method, comprising the steps of:monitoring a catalyst temperature of a catalytic converter;comparing the catalyst temperature to a light-off temperature;if the catalyst temperature is below the light-off temperature, powering a fuel-fired heater to heat the catalytic converter;if the catalyst temperature is greater than or equal to the light-off temperature, monitoring for heat-requiring areas of a vehicle;if heat-requiring areas of the vehicle are present, monitoring inlet exhaust gas temperature;comparing inlet exhaust gas temperature to a temperature needed for heat-requiring areas of the vehicle;if inlet exhaust gas temperature is less than temperature needed for heat-requiring areas of the vehicle, powering fuel-fired heater and exhaust gas heat recovery unit; andif inlet exhaust gas temperature is greater than or equal to temperature needed for heat-requiring areas of the vehicle, powering exhaust gas heat recovery unit.