Method, computing unit, and computer program for diagnosing the functionality of a burner

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12331669-B2
Application number	US-202318170298-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 16, 2023
Priority date	Feb 17, 2022
Publication date	Jun 17, 2025
Grant date	Jun 17, 2025

Abstract

A method ( 200 ) for diagnosing the functionality of a burner ( 100 ), comprising: determining a lambda value ( 210 ) of an exhaust gas of the burner ( 100 ), comparing ( 220 ) the determined lambda value to a time-based changing lambda threshold ( 225 ), and detecting a malfunction ( 280 ) when the determined lambda value exceeds the time-based changing lambda threshold ( 225 ). Furthermore, a computing unit and a computer program for carrying out such a method ( 200 ) are proposed.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method ( 200 ) for diagnosing the functionality of a burner ( 100 ) in an exhaust gas system of an internal-combustion engine ( 1 ) of a motor vehicle, the method comprising:
receiving, at a computing unit, a signal ( 325 ) from a lambda sensor in the exhaust gas system,
determining, with the computing unit, a lambda value ( 210 ) of an exhaust gas of the burner ( 100 ) based on the received signal ( 325 ),
comparing ( 220 ), with the computing unit, the determined lambda value to a time- based changing lambda threshold ( 225 ),
detecting, with the computing unit, a malfunction ( 280 ) of the burner when the
determined lambda value exceeds the time-based changing lambda threshold ( 225 ), and
performing a measure with the computing unit when the malfunction is detected ( 280 ),
wherein the time-based changing lambda threshold ( 225 ) decreases as a function of a time elapsed since an operational start of the burner ( 100 ), and
wherein the measure comprises outputting, with the computing unit, an alert.

2. The method ( 200 ) according to claim 1 , further comprising:
determining, with the computing unit, a temporal progression of a pressure difference in the burner ( 100 ) and a detection of a malfunction ( 280 ),
when, within a first maximum start time from the operational start of the burner ( 100 ), an amplitude of a fluctuation in the progression does not exceed a first pressure fluctuation amplitude threshold value ( 250 ), and/or
when, after a second maximum start time from the operational start of the burner ( 100 ), the amplitude of the fluctuation in the progression exceeds a second pressure fluctuation amplitude threshold ( 260 ), and/or
when the amplitude of the fluctuation in the progression after the end of the first maximum start time from the operational start of the burner falls below a third pressure fluctuation amplitude threshold value ( 270 ).

3. The method ( 200 ) according to claim 2 , wherein the second maximum start time is longer than the first maximum start time and the second pressure fluctuation amplitude threshold ( 260 ) is less than the first pressure fluctuation amplitude threshold ( 250 ), and/or wherein the third pressure fluctuation amplitude threshold ( 270 ) is less than the first ( 250 ), and/or wherein the third pressure fluctuation amplitude threshold ( 270 ) is less than the second ( 260 ) pressure fluctuation amplitude threshold.

4. The method ( 200 ) according to claim 2 , wherein the amplitude of the fluctuation in the progression is determined over an interval that is greater than a period duration of a fuel metering to the burner ( 100 ).

5. The method ( 200 ) according to claim 1 , further comprising performing a measure with the computing unit when the malfunction is detected ( 280 ).

6. A system comprising:
an exhaust gas system having a burner ( 100 ) and a lambda sensor downstream of the burner, and
a computing unit configured to:
receive a signal from the lambda sensor,
determine a lambda value ( 210 ) of an exhaust gas of the burner ( 100 ) based on the signal,
compare ( 220 ) the determined lambda value to a time-based changing lambda threshold ( 225 ),
detect a malfunction ( 280 ) when the determined lambda value exceeds the time- based changing lambda threshold ( 225 ), and
perform a measure with the computing unit when the malfunction is detected ( 280 ),
wherein the time-based changing lambda threshold ( 225 ) decreases as a function of a time elapsed since an operational start of the burner ( 100 ), and
wherein the measure comprises outputting, with the computing unit, an alert.

7. A non-transitory computer-readable medium including
instructions executable by an electronic processor to perform a set of functions, the set of functions comprising:
receiving a signal from a lambda sensor in an exhaust gas system of an internal combustion
engine ( 11 ) of a motor vehicle,
determining a lambda value ( 210 ) of an exhaust gas of a burner ( 100 ) within the exhaust gas system based on the received signal,
comparing ( 220 ) the determined lambda value to a time-based changing lambda threshold ( 225 ), and
detecting a malfunction ( 280 ) when the determined lambda value exceeds the time-based changing lambda threshold ( 225 ), and
performing a measure with the computing unit when the malfunction is detected ( 280 ),
wherein the time-based changing lambda threshold ( 225 ) decreases as a function of a time elapsed since an operational start of the burner ( 100 ), and
wherein the measure comprises outputting, with the computing unit, an alert.

8. The method ( 200 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the measure further comprises restarting the burner ( 100 ).

9. The method ( 200 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the measure further comprises shutting down the burner ( 100 ).

Assignees

• Bosch Gmbh Robert

Inventors

• Zhang Chao
• Schiele Erwin
• Deissler Markus
• Langer Winfried

Classifications

• G07C5/0808

  Diagnosing performance data (testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005) · CPC title

• G07C5/0816

  Indicating performance data, e.g. occurrence of a malfunction · CPC title

• F01N2550/05

  Systems for adding substances into exhaust · CPC title

• F01N3/2033

  using a fuel burner or introducing fuel into exhaust duct · CPC title

• F01N11/007 Primary

  the diagnostic devices measuring oxygen or air concentration downstream of the exhaust apparatus · CPC title