Patent ID: 7441403

Claim:
A method for determining a particulate filter temperature set point (Tset) value for a particulate filter, wherein the Tset value is used to control regeneration of particulates captured by the particulate filter, the method comprising: determining a critical temperature (Tc) value for the filter, the Tc value corresponding with a maximum temperature to which the filter may be desirably exposed during regeneration before risking heat damage; determining a temperature adjustment (Ta) value for the filter, the Ta value reflecting thermal inertia of the filter during regeneration; determining the Tset value as a function of the Tc and Ta values; and determining the Tc value as a function of filter geometries and filter material properties including: determining a decreasing value of Tc if oxygen concentration in the exhaust gases increases; determining an increasing value of Tc if oxygen concentration in the exhaust gases decreases; determining a decreasing value of Tc if the soot accumulation increases; and determining an increasing value of Tc if the soot accumulation decreases.