Patent Abstract:
An exhaust diagnostic system includes an exhaust gas temperature management module that selectively increases a temperature of a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst to a predetermined testing temperature range using an intrusive exhaust gas temperature management approach. An SCR efficiency testing module estimates an efficiency of the SCR catalyst while the temperature is within the predetermined temperature range.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/242,098, filed on Sep. 14, 2009. The disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
         [0002]    This application is related to U.S. application Ser. No. ______, filed on ______, 2009, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/242,084, filed on Sep. 14, 2009 (P009374, Attorney Docket No. 8540P-001016). The disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0003]    The present disclosure relates to exhaust diagnostic systems, and more particularly to exhaust diagnostic systems and methods that test the efficiency of a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0004]    The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure. 
         [0005]    Engine operation involves combustion that generates exhaust gas. During combustion, an air/fuel mixture is delivered through an intake valve to cylinders and is combusted in the cylinders. After combustion, a piston forces the exhaust gas in the cylinders through an exhaust valve and into an exhaust system. The exhaust gas may contain emissions such as oxides of nitrogen (NO x ) and carbon monoxide (CO). 
         [0006]    Exhaust treatment systems monitor and treat the exhaust gas to meet emissions requirements. Treatment of exhaust gas may include the use of particulate filters, catalysts such as diesel oxidation catalysts (DOC) and/or selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalysts, hydrocarbon injection and/or other devices. The efficiency of the SCR catalyst is usually monitored to ensure that emission levels remain acceptable during operation. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    An exhaust diagnostic system includes an exhaust gas temperature management module that selectively increases a temperature of a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst to a predetermined testing temperature range using intrusive exhaust gas temperature management. An SCR efficiency testing module estimates an efficiency of the SCR catalyst while the temperature is within the predetermined temperature range. 
         [0008]    In other features, a vehicle includes the SCR catalyst. The SCR catalyst of the vehicle has a temperature in a first range when the vehicle is operated unloaded. The first temperature range is lower than and distinct from the predetermined testing temperature range. 
         [0009]    In still other features, the exhaust gas temperature management module alters fueling to increase the temperature of the SCR catalyst. 
         [0010]    In other features, the exhaust gas temperature management module alters at least one of fuel quantity, fuel injection timing, and post injection to increase the temperature of the SCR catalyst. 
         [0011]    In other features, the SCR efficiency testing module includes a test enable module that selectively enables testing of the SCR efficiency when particulate filter regeneration is not being performed. 
         [0012]    In other features, the SCR efficiency testing module includes a test enable module that selectively enables testing of the SCR efficiency when adaptation control of the SCR catalysts is not being performed. 
         [0013]    In other features, an inlet temperature sensor senses an inlet temperature of the SCR catalyst. An outlet temperature sensor senses an outlet temperature of the SCR catalyst. The temperature of the SCR catalyst is calculated based on the inlet and outlet temperatures. 
         [0014]    In still other features, the exhaust gas temperature management module includes a temperature calculating module that calculates the temperature of the SCR catalyst based on inlet and outlet temperatures of the SCR catalyst. An adjustment module alters an engine operating parameter to increase a temperature of the SCR catalyst. 
         [0015]    Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram of an engine system including a control module according to the present disclosure; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a functional block diagram of an exemplary implementation of the control module including an SCR efficiency testing module and an exhaust gas temperature management module according to the present disclosure; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  illustrates a method for performing an intrusive SCR efficiency test according to the present disclosure; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  illustrates a method for increasing a temperature of the SCR catalyst to a predetermined range during the intrusive SCR efficiency test. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0021]    The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses. For purposes of clarity, the same reference numbers will be used in the drawings to identify similar elements. As used herein, the phrase at least one of A, B, and C should be construed to mean a logical (A or B or C), using a non-exclusive logical or. It should be understood that steps within a method may be executed in different order without altering the principles of the present disclosure. 
         [0022]    As used herein, the term module refers to an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and memory that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable components that provide the described functionality. 
         [0023]    While the following disclosure involves diesel engines, the present disclosure applies to other types of engines such as gasoline engines. 
         [0024]    Some vehicles have a very low exhaust temperature profile under normal driving conditions. These vehicles do not have adequate SCR temperatures for a long enough period of time to reliably perform SCR efficiency testing during normal driving conditions. 
         [0025]    As used herein, the term normal unloaded operation refers to operation of the vehicle without towing a trailer and/or substantially loading the vehicle itself. Depending on the weight of the vehicle and drive cycle, some vehicles may have SCR catalyst operating temperatures in a first range. For example only, the first range may be from approximately 130° C. to 220° C. during normal unloaded operation, although other vehicles may have other temperature ranges. In contrast, significantly higher temperatures, for example only a temperature of approximately 500° C., may be encountered when towing a trailer. When testing for SCR efficiency, the SCR catalyst should have a temperature in a second range. The second range is higher than the first range. For example, the second range may be from approximately 250° C. to 450° C., although other vehicles may have other temperature ranges. Thus, when the vehicle is unloaded, the SCR catalyst temperature is lower than the desired SCR testing temperature range. Likewise when towing a trailer, the SCR catalyst temperature may be higher than the desired SCR testing temperature range. Furthermore, even if the SCR temperature is in the proper range when the vehicle tows a trailer, the SCR testing may need to be performed more frequently. The SCR catalyst operating temperature selected for testing may vary depending upon the particular type of SCR catalyst that is used. 
         [0026]    SCR catalyst efficiency is typically tested periodically. For example, SCR catalyst efficiency may be tested once per trip. According to the present disclosure, an SCR efficiency testing module interfaces with an exhaust gas temperature management module to increase the SCR temperature to a predetermined temperature range. More particularly, the exhaust gas temperature management module increases the SCR temperature during a period that the SCR efficiency testing module determines the SCR efficiency. When the SCR efficiency testing module finishes, the exhaust gas temperature management module returns to normal control and ends intrusive exhaust gas temperature management. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a diesel engine system  10  is schematically illustrated. The diesel engine system  10  includes a diesel engine  12  and an exhaust treatment system  13 . The exhaust treatment system  13  further includes an exhaust system  14  and a dosing system  16 . The diesel engine  12  includes a cylinder  18 , an intake manifold  20 , a mass air flow (MAF) sensor  22  and an engine speed sensor  24 . Air flows into the diesel engine  12  through the intake manifold  20  and is monitored by the MAF sensor  22 . The air is directed into the cylinder  18  and is combusted with fuel to drive pistons (not shown). Although a single cylinder  18  is illustrated, it can be appreciated that the diesel engine  12  may include additional cylinders  18 . For example, diesel engines having 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 16 cylinders are anticipated. 
         [0028]    Exhaust gas is produced inside the cylinder  18  as a result of the combustion process. The exhaust system  14  treats the exhaust gas before the exhaust gas is released to atmosphere. The exhaust system  14  includes an exhaust manifold  26  and a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC)  28 . The exhaust manifold  26  directs exhaust exiting the cylinder through the DOC  28 . The exhaust is treated by the DOC  28  to reduce the emissions. The exhaust system  14  further includes an SCR catalyst  30 , a temperature sensor  31 , an inlet temperature sensor  32 , an outlet temperature sensor  34 , and a particulate filter (PF)  36 . 
         [0029]    The temperature sensor  31  may be positioned between the engine and the DOC  18 . The inlet temperature sensor  32  is located upstream from the SCR catalyst  30  to monitor the temperature change at the inlet of the SCR catalyst  30 , as discussed further below. The outlet temperature sensor  34  is located downstream from the SCR catalyst  30  to monitor the temperature at the outlet of the SCR catalyst  30 . Although the exhaust treatment system  13  is illustrated as including the inlet and outlet temperature sensors  32 ,  34  arranged outside the SCR catalyst  30 , the inlet and outlet temperature sensors  32 ,  34  can be located inside the SCR catalyst  30  to monitor the temperature change of the exhaust at the inlet and outlet of the SCR catalyst  30 . The PF  36  further reduces emissions by trapping particulates (i.e., soot) in the exhaust gas. 
         [0030]    The dosing system  16  includes a dosing injector  40  that injects reductant from a reductant fluid supply  38  into the exhaust. The reductant mixes with the exhaust and further reduces the emissions when the mixture is exposed to the SCR catalyst  30 . A mixer  41  may be used to mix the reductant with the exhaust gas upstream from the SCR catalyst  30 . A control module  42  regulates and controls the operation of the engine system  10 . 
         [0031]    An exhaust gas flow rate sensor  44  may generate a signal corresponding to the flow of exhaust gas in the exhaust system. Although the sensor is illustrated between the SCR catalyst  30  and the PF  36 , various other locations within the exhaust system may be used for measurement including after the exhaust manifold and before the SCR catalyst  30 . 
         [0032]    A temperature sensor  46  generates a particulate filter temperature corresponding to a measured particulate filter temperature. The temperature sensor  46  may be disposed on or within the PF  36 . The temperature sensor  46  may also be located upstream or downstream from the PF  36 . 
         [0033]    Other sensors in the exhaust system may include an upstream NOx sensor  50  that generates a NOx signal based on NOx in the exhaust system. A downstream NOx sensor  52  may be positioned downstream from the PF  36  to measure NOx leaving the PF  36 . In addition, an ammonia (NH 3 ) sensor  54  generates a signal corresponding to the amount of ammonia within the exhaust gas. The NH 3  sensor  54  is optional, but can be used to simplify the control system due to the ability to discern between NOx and NH 3 . Alternately and/or in addition, a hydrocarbon (HC) supply  56  and a HC injector  58  may be provided to supply HC in the exhaust gas upstream from the DOC to generate an exothermic reaction and produce heat, which will increase the temperature of the SCR catalyst  30 . 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , an exemplary implementation of the control module  42  is shown in further detail. The control module  42  includes an SCR efficiency testing module  60  and an exhaust gas temperature management module  62 . 
         [0035]    The SCR efficiency testing module  60  includes an SCR efficiency calculating module  70 , a test initiation module  72  and a test enabling module  74 . The SCR efficiency calculating module  70  calculates the SCR efficiency. The test initiation module  72  determines whether or not a test needs to be run. For example, the test may be run every drive cycle, once per trip, etc. The test enabling module  74  determines whether operating conditions are acceptable before initiating the SCR efficiency test. 
         [0036]    The exhaust gas temperature management module  62  includes a temperature calculating module  76  and an adjustment module  78 . The temperature calculating module  76  receives the inlet and/or outlet SCR temperatures and generates an SCR temperature based thereon. For example, averaging or weighted averaging of the inlet and outlet temperatures may be used. The adjustment module  78  alters an operating parameter of the engine to adjust a temperature of the SCR catalyst  30 . For example, the exhaust temperature can be increased by adjusting fuel quantity, fuel injection timing, post injection, HCl injection, etc. In the example set forth above, the A/F ratio is increased or HC fuel is injected into the exhaust stream before the DOC to increase the temperature of the SCR catalyst  30 . Fueling can be adjusted via a fuel control module  82  and/or HC fuel can be injected into the exhaust gas using the HC injector  58  via an HC injection control module  84 . 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , control begins at  100  where control determines whether the SCR efficiency test needs to run. If not, control runs in a normal mode at  102 . If  100  is true, control continues at  104  and determines whether a first set of conditions are acceptable to run the SCR efficiency test. For example only, the first set of conditions may include whether or not regeneration of the PF  36  is being performed. PF regeneration is typically performed when soot builds up in the PF  36 . Additionally, the first set of conditions may include whether or not adaptation is being performed. Adaptation occurs when there is a problem with the SCR catalyst such that the downstream NOx sensor measurements vary from a model by a predetermined amount. Still other conditions may be included in the first set of conditions instead of or in addition to these conditions. 
         [0038]    If  104  is false, control returns to  100 . If  104  is true, control activates an intrusive SCR test to achieve a predetermined SCR temperature range. Control also turns dosing on if it is not already on at  108 . If the SCR temperature is too low, then the SCR temperature may need to be increased before dosing can be turned on. The SCR temperature at the initiation of the SCR intrusive test may vary. At  112 , control determines whether there is a sufficient NH 3  load on the SCR catalyst  30 . A time delay may be used to ensure that a sufficient NH 3  load has been re-established to provide acceptable NOx conversion. 
         [0039]    If  112  is false, control waits until there is a sufficient NH 3  load on the SCR. At  114 , control determines whether a second set of enable conditions have been met. For example only, the second set of enable conditions may include one or more of the following conditions: exhaust flow within a predetermined range; upstream NOx mass flow within a predetermined range; upstream NOx concentration within a predetermined range and/or NOx sensors ready. Still other conditions may be included in the second set of enable conditions in addition to or instead of these conditions. 
         [0040]    At  118 , control measures the SCR conversion efficiency EFF SCR . At  120 , control generates SCR conversion efficiency EFF SCR  as a function of upstream and downstream accumulated masses. At  124 , control generates an efficiency threshold EFF THR  as a function of upstream NOx and SCR temperature. The SCR conversion efficiency threshold EFF THR  may be a percentage. 
         [0041]    At  128 , control determines whether EFF SCR &gt;EFF THR . If  128  is true, control declares an SCR efficiency PASS status at  130 . If  128  is false, control declares an SCR efficiency FAIL status at  132 . Control continues from  130  and  132  with  134  where control ends intrusive exhaust gas temperature management. 
         [0042]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , steps for performing intrusive exhaust gas temperature management is shown. At  146 , control determines whether the intrusive SCR test is running. If  146  is false, control returns to  146 . If  146  is true, control continues at  148  where control determines whether the SCR temperature is within a predetermined temperature range (for example, T Lo  and T Hi ). 
         [0043]    If  148  is true, control returns to  146 . If  148  is false, control determines whether the SCR temperature is greater than T Lo  at  152 . If  152  is false, control increases the exhaust temperature in any suitable manner. For example, the exhaust temperature can be increased by altering fueling (fuel quantity, fuel injection timing, post injection, etc.) and/or by starting or increasing HC injection at  154 . Control returns to  146 . 
         [0044]    If  148  is false, control determines whether the SCR temperature is less than T Hi  at  156 . If  156  is false, control decreases the exhaust temperature in any suitable manner. For example, the exhaust temperature can be decreased by altering fueling (fuel quantity, fuel injection timing, post injection, etc.) and/or by stopping or decreasing HC injection at  158 . Control returns to  146 . 
         [0045]    By intrusively controlling the temperature of the SCR, the accuracy of SCR efficiency measurements can be improved. Use of the approach described above will tend to reduce warranty costs relative to systems and methods that diagnose SCR catalyst at very low SCR temperatures where the efficiency is low due to temperature. These conditions also look like an SCR catalyst with poor efficiency. In these low temperature regions, it can be very difficult to differentiate between an operable SCR and a non-operable SCR. 
         [0046]    The broad teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this disclosure includes particular examples, the true scope of the disclosure should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the drawings, the specification, and the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8