US6738702B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for particulate filter regeneration in vehicles having an automatically controlled transmission
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
•
Filing: 2002-08-29
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Granted: 2004-05-18
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Expires: 2022-08-29
Abstract
Abstract A system is described for minimizing engine torque disturbances that would otherwise cause degraded drive feel by a vehicle driver. The system utilizes multiple torque transmission paths of a transaxle unit mounted to the engine. The system manipulates the torque transmitted by adjusting the clutches of multiple torque transmission paths so that the torque disturbance in the engine results in relatively constant vehicle drive torque. In particular, during particulate filter regeneration, a potential torque increase is transmitted through multiple torque paths of the transmission to maintain output torque relatively constant.
Inventors
- 👤 Ilya V. Kolmanovsky
- 👤 Davorin David Hrovat
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 00:12
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H61/00; F16H61/02; F16H61/0202; B; B60; B60W; B60W10/00; B60W10/02; B60W10/04; B60W10/06; B60W30/00; B60W30/18; B60W30/1819; B60W30/188; B60W30/1882; B60Y; B60Y2300/00; B60Y2300/47; B60Y2300/476; F16H61/0204; F16H61/0213; F16H2061/0232; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for controlling output of a vehicle powertrain having an engine coupled to a particulate filter and a torque transmitting unit with multiple transmission paths including multiple clutches, the vehicle also having a electronic control unit, the method comprising: determining whether particulate filter regeneration should be commenced; increasing engine output torque based on said determination to raise exhaust gas temperature; and during said increased engine output, transmitting torque through said torque transmitting unit via at least two paths, and adjusting a clutch parameter of at least one of the clutches of said torque transmitting unit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for controlling output of a vehicle powertrain having an engine coupled to a particulate filter and a torque transmitting unit with multiple transmission paths including multiple clutches, the vehicle also having a electronic control unit, the method comprising: determining whether particulate filter regeneration should be commenced; increasing engine output torque based on said determination to raise exhaust gas temperature; and during said increased engine output, transmitting torque through said torque transmitting unit via at least two paths, and adjusting a clutch parameter of at least one of the clutches of said torque transmitting unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said determination is based on pressure drop across the particulate filter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said clutch parameter is a hydraulic clutch pressure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said adjusting of said clutch parameter is based on an estimate of engine output torque increase.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said engine output torque is increased by increasing a fuel injection amount.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said determination is based on an estimate of an amount of particles stored in the particulate filter.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for controlling output of a vehicle powertrain having an engine coupled to a particulate filter and a torque transmitting unit with multiple transmission paths including multiple clutches, the vehicle also having a electronic control unit, the method comprising: operating the torque transmitting unit to have a preselected gear ratio; adjusting an engine operating parameter to increase engine output in response to a request for particulate filter regeneration and providing an indication of said regeneration; in response to said indication, transmitting torque through said torque transmitting unit via at least two paths, and adjusting a clutch parameter of at least one of the clutches of said torque transmitting unit; and after said torque disturbance ends, operating the torque transmitting unit to have said preselected gear ratio.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for controlling output of a vehicle powertrain having an engine coupled to a particulate filter and a torque transmitting unit with multiple transmission paths including multiple clutches, the vehicle also having a electronic control unit, the method comprising: operating the torque transmitting unit to have a preselected gear ratio; adjusting an engine operating parameter to increase engine output in response to a request for particulate filter regeneration and providing an indication of said regeneration; in response to said indication, transmitting torque through said torque transmitting unit via at least two paths, and adjusting a clutch parameter of at least one of the clutches of said torque transmitting unit; and after said torque disturbance ends, operating the torque transmitting unit to have said preselected gear ratio.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method recited in claim 7 wherein said request for regeneration is based on an operating condition.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method recited in claim 8 wherein said operating condition is exhaust gas temperature.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method recited in claim 8 wherein said operating condition is a differential pressure across the articulate filter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method recited in claim 8 wherein said operating condition is an estimate of an amount of particles stored in the particulate filter.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
109 words
A system, comprising: an engine; a particulate filter coupled to said engine; a torque transmitting unit having at least a first and second torque transmission path coupled to said engine, with said at least two torque transmission paths having a clutch that affects torque of said respective path; and a control unit for determining whether particulate filter regeneration should be commenced, increasing engine output torque based on said determination to raise exhaust gas temperature, and during said increased engine output, transmitting torque through said torque transmitting unit via at least two paths, and adjusting a clutch parameter of at least one of said clutches of said torque transmitting unit.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
109 words
A system, comprising: an engine; a particulate filter coupled to said engine; a torque transmitting unit having at least a first and second torque transmission path coupled to said engine, with said at least two torque transmission paths having a clutch that affects torque of said respective path; and a control unit for determining whether particulate filter regeneration should be commenced, increasing engine output torque based on said determination to raise exhaust gas temperature, and during said increased engine output, transmitting torque through said torque transmitting unit via at least two paths, and adjusting a clutch parameter of at least one of said clutches of said torque transmitting unit.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-05-18 | 2007-11-17 | 2008-05-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-05-18 | 2011-11-17 | 2012-05-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
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