Patent ID: 7621120

Claim:
A process for regenerating an LNT and a particulate filter, both installed on the exhaust line of an internal combustion engine, comprising: coupling an electric motor/generator to the engine such that the engine may load both the motor/generator and a transmission, and such that the motor/generator may either load the transmission or store energy in a battery; during LNT regeneration, performing the following steps: determining a rich air-fuel ratio for the engine; offloading the engine by increasing the torque input to the transmission from the motor/generator; and reducing the flow of air to the engine and determining a fuel input amount, thereby achieving the rich air-fuel ratio; and during particulate filter regeneration, performing the following steps: increasing the exhaust temperature by loading the engine with both the transmission and the motor/generator; and storing electrical energy from the motor/generator provided from the preceding step.