Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Michael Hopka

Michiel Jacques Van Nieuwstadt

Devesh Upadhyay

William Charles Ruona

Robert F Novak

Dave Charles Weber

Garry Anthony Zawacki

Roberto Teran, Jr

Thomas Alan Brewbaker

Jason Ronald Smith

Eric Matthew Kurtz

Paul Joseph Tennison

David John Kubinski

David Joseph Dronzkowski

Cory Hendrickson

Douglas Kuhel

Brien Lloyd Fulton

Diana D Brehob

Christian Winge Vigild

Daniel Roettger

William Goodwin

In Kwang Yoo

David Bilby

Evangelos Karvounis

Charles Tumelaire

Mitchell Bieniek

Systems and methods for providing electric energy to an electrically heated catalyst are described. In one example, the electrically heated catalyst may be a three phase device with heating elements that are arranged in a delta configuration. In other examples, the electrically heated catalyst may include a single heating element.

System and method for heating a catalyst

Methods and systems for operating an engine that includes an after treatment system are described. In one example, traffic data and navigation system data are a basis for deciding whether or not to increase heat output of an engine to ensure operation of the after treatment system. In particular, one or more actuators may be adjusted to minimize fuel consumption and/or reduce feedgas emissions while generating sufficient heat to maintain after treatment system operation.

System and method for previewing vehicle emissions

Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle engine to adjust exhaust warm-up strategy based on a vehicle network information. In one example, in response to an expected decrease in temperature of a catalyst of a vehicle below a threshold and an estimated duration thereof based on communications external from the vehicle, a method may include delaying catalyst heating actions, when the catalyst heating actions are determined to be unable to heat up the catalyst to threshold temperatures. However, the catalyst heating actions may be enabled when the catalyst heating actions are determined to be able to achieve the threshold temperature within the duration.

Systems and method for exhaust warm-up strategy

Methods and systems are provided for selecting a first travel route for a vehicle from a database based on particulate filter regeneration requirements and an inferred initial driver state of mind. In one example, the initial driver state of mind may be selected based on a past driver history, and during travel along the first travel route, the driver state of mind may be updated based on the driver interactions with traffic. The route selection may also be updated based on the updated driver state of mind.

Systems and methods for particulate filter regeneration

Methods and systems are provided for regenerating an exhaust particulate filter based on a projected vehicle drive cycle and catalyst ammonia storage level. In one example, a method may include scheduling a PF regeneration during a regeneration window to maintain a threshold ammonia level in an exhaust catalyst, at the end of the drive cycle.

Methods and systems are provided for detecting a missing exhaust catalyst based on water adsorption and related exothermic temperature rise by the catalyst. In one example, a method may include indicating an exhaust catalyst missing in response to an estimated exhaust temperature profile being different from an expected exhaust temperature profile. The estimated exhaust temperature profile may be based on exhaust temperature upstream and downstream of the catalyst.

Methods and systems for exhaust catalyst diagnostics

Particulate matter (PM) sensors and diagnostics performed using the PM sensors are disclosed. The PM sensors and diagnostics may be used in exhaust systems, such as vehicle exhaust systems, to detect soot. In at least one embodiment, an electrostatic particulate matter (PM) sensor is provided including first and second spaced apart electrodes forming a bulk gap therebetween having a bulk distance and a localized gap therebetween having a localized distance less than the bulk distance. A controller may be configured to control a voltage between the electrodes to induce an electrostatic discharge at the localized gap at a lower voltage than at the bulk gap. Various diagnostics may be performed using the disclosed PM sensors, including a wiring/continuity diagnostic, a soot detection plausibility diagnostic, and/or an installation diagnostic.

Electrostatic PM sensor electrode diagnostics

Methods and systems are provided for maintaining a database with details of frequently travelled routes and selecting a travel route for a vehicle from the database based on particulate filter regeneration requirements. In one example, a method may include selecting one or more routes from the database based on a current particulate filter soot level, fuel efficiency, travel time, operator behavior, etc., ranking the routes based on the particulate filter regeneration efficiency of each of the one or more routes. At vehicle key-off, the database may be updated with information regarding the travelled route including a level of particulate filter regeneration achieved during the drive cycle.

Methods and systems are provided for opportunistic regeneration of a diesel particulate filter based on cloud based traffic information and navigation information. In one example, a method may include determining initiation of regeneration, termination of regeneration and a degree of regeneration based on information from a lead vehicular network and navigation information in order to reduce a regeneration fuel penalty.

Systems and methods for opportunistic diesel particulate filter regeneration

Methods and systems are provided for detecting leaks in a diesel particulate filter (DPF). In one example, a faster leak detection routine may be performed during a single drive cycle to detect large leaks in the DPF. However, if there are no large leaks in the DPF, a slower leak detection may be performed over a plurality of drive cycles, to detected smaller leaks in the DPF.

Dual rate diesel particulate filter leak monitor

A method for controlling a particulate matter sensor heater is provided. The method includes operating the heater to burn-off soot accumulated on the sensor; and adjusting the heater level based on sensor output generated during the heater operation. In this way, improved heater control can be achieved using the sensor output already available.

Emission control with a particulate matter sensor

A method for diagnosing a particulate matter sensor is described. In one example, a liquid is purposefully injected into the exhaust system to verify operation of the particulate matter sensor. Reliability of particulate matter diagnostics may be improved by way of the approach, at least during some conditions.

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Milford, MI, United States of America

Michael Hopka