Eaton Corporation

Thomas R Stover

Haoran Hu

James Edward McCarthy, Jr

Timothy J Morscheck

Kathryn A Miles

Patrick M Watts

Diane C Wiersma

Douglas A Hughes

Jeff Skorvpski

One aspect of the invention relates to a power generation system that has an internal combustion engine that operates in a low temperature combustion mode to produce an engine exhaust that is low in NOx and particulate matter. The exhaust is treated by a fuel cell to remove organic compounds and CO while producing useful power. Another aspect of the invention relates to controlling the adiabatic flame temperature by EGR drawing from upstream of the fuel cell. A further aspect of the invention relates to treating engine exhaust with a reducing catalyst and then with a fuel cell. A still further aspect of the invention relates to treating exhaust with an intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell. A further aspect of the invention relates to a system equipped with a valve allowing exhaust to selectively bypass a fuel cell.

Clean power system

A method is provided for reducing engine idling time in a hybrid vehicle that includes a vehicle accessory and a hybrid powertrain having an engine, a generator operatively coupled to the engine, and an energy source. The method includes selectively powering the vehicle accessory using the energy source while the engine is not running, monitoring the energy source state of charge, selectively starting the engine when the energy source state of charge is less than or equal to a predetermined minimum state of charge, operating the engine driven generator to recharge the energy source to a predetermined maximum state of charge, and turning off the engine when the energy source state of charge is greater than or equal to the predetermined maximum state of charge. A hybrid electric vehicle power delivery system is also provided.

Hybrid electric powertrain with anti-idle function

One aspect of the invention relates an exhaust treatment system having an SCR reactor following a NOx adsorber. Syn gas is used to regenerate the NOx adsorber. Another aspect relates to an LNT/SCR provided with an ammonia source separate from the LNT. A further aspect relates to a system comprising first and second LNTs and one or more SCRs downstream of the LNTs. A still further aspect relates to a device comprising first and second NOx adsorbers contained in a single housing. Another aspect relates to coating a surface of a moving part in an exhaust system with an oxidation catalyst to mitigate fouling. Additional aspects of the invention relate to strategies for controlling one or more of the time to initiate a regeneration cycle, the time to terminate a regeneration cycle, and the reductant injection rate during regeneration of LNT/SCR exhaust treatment systems.

Hybrid catalyst system for exhaust emissions reduction

One aspect of the invention relates to a clean power generation system in which an internal combustion engine is operated to produce shaft power and an exhaust stream. The exhaust stream is processed by a fuel cell. Fluctuations in power demand are met, at least in part, by increasing or decreasing power output from the fuel cell and/or power uptake or output from a power storage device. The engine can operate at a relatively constant rate, providing a steady exhaust stream, which facilitates pollution control and fuel cell operation. According to another aspect of the invention, the exhaust of an engine is treated with a fuel cell having an electrolyte that conducts protons. In addition to removing pollutants from the exhaust while generating useful power, the fuel cell can provide a supply of low acidity water. The water can be used in the fuel reformer.

A power generation system comprising a LNT for exhaust aftertreatment. The LNT has an effective operating temperature range. When the LNT is near a limit of its effective operating temperature range, the transmission is used to select operating points that increase the LNT's effectiveness. Generally, these operating points reduce the exhaust flow rate, although other factors such as the exhaust temperature may also be taken into account in selecting the operating points. Preferably, the LNT's effective operating temperature-range includes exhaust temperatures produced by the engine at its point of peak power output, whereby the LNT does not approach the limits of its effective operating temperature range except when the engine is at less than peak power. At lower power levels, it is generally possible to select operating points that provide lower exhaust flow rates than the flow rate occurring at the peak power level.

Exhaust aftertreatment system with transmission control

One or more parameters for denitration or desulfations of a LNT is varied, whereby the saturation of NOx and/or SOx in the LNT is reduced to a lower level when an operating state makes the LNT otherwise less effective or places a greater demand for conversion efficiency on the LNT. The operating state can relate to whether the LNT is at the limit of its effective operating temperature range, a degree of poisoning, or an engine operating state. Selectively tolerating high degrees of sulfur poisoning or NOx saturation during periods of low exhaust flow allows the efficiency of denitrations and/or desulfations to be increased over a large portion of a vehicle's operating cycle, particularly when the engine uses a CVT. Another concept relates to a power generation system comprising an engine tuned to efficiently operate in a narrow speed range for all levels of power output.

Growing community of inventors

Kalamazoo, MI, United States of America

Thomas R Stover