Claims:We Claim:

1. A thermal management system (100) for regulating temperature of exhaust gas for exhaust aftertreatment in an exhaust aftertreatment unit (101) of an internal combustion engine (114) comprising a variable geometry turbocharger (102), an exhaust throttle valve (103) disposed in fluid communication with an exhaust conduit (109) upstream of the exhaust aftertreatment unit (101), and a plurality of injectors (104) for injecting fuel into cylinders, the system (100) comprising:
a first exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (105) fluidly connecting an inlet manifold and an exhaust manifold, through an EGR cooler (110);
a second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (106) fluidly connecting the inlet manifold and the exhaust manifold;
at least one valve (107) positioned in each of the first exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (105) and second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (106); and
a control unit (108) communicatively coupled to the variable geometry turbocharger (102), the exhaust throttle valve (103) and the at least one valve (107) positioned in each of the first exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (105) and second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (106), wherein the control unit (108) is configured to:
determine, temperature of the exhaust gas based on signals received from at least one sensor (115) associated with the aftertreatment unit (101);
determine a threshold temperature of the exhaust gas for exhaust aftertreatment in the exhaust aftertreatment unit (101), based on operating parameters of the internal combustion engine (114) and environmental conditions, received from an engine management system communicatively coupled to the control unit (108); and
sequentially operate the first exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (105), the second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (106), the variable geometry turbocharger (102), the exhaust throttle valve (103) and the plurality of injectors (104) till the determined temperature of the exhaust gas reaches the determined threshold temperature.

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the engine management system is associated with a plurality of sensors for determining engine operating parameters and environmental conditions.
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the engine operating parameters includes engine RPM, torque demand and load on the engine, and environmental conditions includes temperature in the outside environment.

4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein sequential operation by the control unit (108) comprises:
actuating the at least one valve (107) of the first exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (105) to allow flow of exhaust through the first exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (105) and determine if temperature of the exhaust has reached the threshold exhaust temperature.

5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein, if the temperature of the exhaust is less than threshold temperature, the sequential operation by the control unit (108) comprises:
actuating the at least one valve (107) of the second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (106) to allow flow of exhaust through the second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (106) and determine if temperature of the exhaust has reached the threshold exhaust temperature.

6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein if the temperature of the exhaust is less than the threshold temperature, the sequential operation by the control unit (108) comprises:
actuating the plurality of injectors (104) to inject fuel into cylinder of the internal combustion engine (114) before the exhaust gas expels the cylinder, such that the fuel burns in the exhaust conduit (109) to increase the temperature of the exhaust gas.

7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein if the temperature of the exhaust is less than the threshold temperature, the sequential operation by the control unit (108) comprises:
actuating the plurality of injectors (104) to inject fuel into cylinder of the internal combustion engine (114) before the exhaust gas expels the cylinder, such that the fuel burns in the exhaust conduit (109) to increase the temperature of the exhaust gas.

8. An internal combustion engine (114) comprising a thermal management system (100) as claimed in claim 1.

9. A method for regulating temperature of exhaust gas for exhaust aftertreatment in an exhaust aftertreatment unit (101) of an internal combustion engine (114) comprising a variable geometry turbocharger (102) and an exhaust throttle valve (103) disposed in fluid communication with an exhaust conduit (109) upstream of to the exhaust aftertreatment unit (101), and a plurality of injectors (104) for injecting fuel into cylinders, by a thermal management system (100) of claim 1, the method comprising:
determining, by the control unit (108) temperature of the exhaust gas based on signals received from at least one sensor (115) associated with the aftertreatment unit (101);
determining, by the control unit (108) a threshold temperature of the exhaust gas for exhaust treatment in the exhaust aftertreatment unit (101), based on operating parameters of the internal combustion engine (114) and environmental conditions, received from an engine management system (108) communicatively coupled to the control unit (108); and
sequentially operating by the control unit (108), the first exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (105), the second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (106), the variable geometry turbocharger (102), the exhaust throttle valve (103) and the plurality of injectors (104) till the determined temperature of the exhaust gas reaches the determined threshold temperature of the exhaust gas.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein sequentially operating by the control unit (108) comprises:
actuating at least one valve (107) of the first exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (105) to allow flow of exhaust through the first exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (105) and determine if temperature of the exhaust has reached the threshold exhaust temperature.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, if the temperature of the exhaust is less than threshold temperature, the sequential operation by the control unit (108) comprises:
actuating at least one valve (107) of the second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (106) to allow flow of exhaust through the second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (106) and determine if temperature of the exhaust has reached the threshold exhaust temperature.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein if the temperature of the exhaust is less than the threshold temperature, the sequential operation by the control unit (108) comprises:
actuating the variable geometry turbocharger (102) to boost the intake air and the exhaust throttle valve (103) to control the exhaust flow to the aftertreatment unit and determine if temperature of the exhaust has reached the threshold exhaust temperature.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein if the temperature of the exhaust is less than the threshold temperature, the sequential operation by the control unit (108) comprises:
actuating the plurality of injectors (104) to inject fuel into cylinder of the internal combustion engine (114) before the exhaust gas expels the cylinder, such that the fuel burns in the exhaust conduit (109) to increase the temperature of the exhaust gas.

Dated this 04th March 2021

GOPINATH ARENUR SHANKARAJ
Of K&S PARTNERS
IN/PA 1852
AGENT FOR THE APPLICANT
, Description:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
[39 OF 1970]
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10; rule 13]

TITLE: “A THERMAL MANAGAMENT SYSTEM FOR REGULATING TEMPERATURE OF EXHAUST GAS”

Name and Address of the Applicant: TATA MOTORS LIMITED; Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai 400 001 Maharashtra, India.

Nationality: IN

The following specification particularly describes the nature of the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

[001] TECHNICAL FIELD

[002] Present disclosure generally relates to a field of automobiles. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a thermal management system. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure disclose the thermal management system for regulating temperature of exhaust gas for aftertreatment in an exhaust aftertreatment unit of an internal combustion engine.

[003] BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[004] Vehicles which are run by internal combustion engines emit gases into atmosphere, that may cause global warming. To reduce these emissions from the vehicles, various systems have been employed in the engine and exhaust conduit of the vehicles. Such systems are generally known as emission control systems. The emission control systems are employed in the vehicles to limit the discharge of noxious gases from the engine. The main sources of these gases in the vehicles are engine exhaust, crankcase, fuel tank, and carburettor. Exhaust conduit discharges burnt and unburnt hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, sulphur, and traces of various acids, etc. The crankcase is a secondary source of unburnt hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide to a lesser extent. Further, in the fuel tank and carburettors, hydrocarbons continuously evaporate from the fuel, thereby leading to emissions although to a minor extent.

[005] A variety of systems for controlling emissions from all the above-defined sources are continuously being developed to reduce the extent of emissions. These systems are continuously improved to meet the stringent emission norms levied on the various vehicles.

[006] Conventionally, vehicles are employed with exhaust gas aftertreatment units for controlling emissions. The exhaust gas aftertreatment unit includes selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system, diesel particulate filters (DPF), and diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC). In the SCR system, urea is sprayed onto the exhaust gas prior to undergoing a depollution treatment in the SCR system. The oxidation catalyst as illustrated above comprises a precious metal dispersed on a refractory metal oxide support, that are known for use in treating the exhaust of diesel engines to convert both hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide gaseous pollutants by catalysing the oxidation of these pollutants to carbon dioxide and water. In addition to the conversions of gaseous HC and CO emissions, oxidation catalysts that contain platinum group metals (which are typically dispersed on a refractory oxide support) promote the oxidation of nitric oxide (NO) to NO2. The said system reduces the pollutants from the exhaust gas and release exhaust to the atmosphere. Particulate matter is one of an emission constituent that is being more aggressively regulated in the emission standards. Strict particulate standards have led to use of particulate trapping devices in the exhaust system. These devices act like a filter to capture particulate matter in the exhaust.

[007] Conversion efficiency and performance of various devices such as the DOC, the DPF and the SCR in the exhaust aftertreatment unit depends on temperature of the exhaust gas. Either high temperature or low temperature of the exhaust gas with respect to an optimum range, affects performance of the DOC, the DPF and the SCR, thus failing to reduce NOx emission as per emission standards. Hence, maintaining optimum temperature of the exhaust gas is desired. Conventionally, various techniques have been adapted to maintain optimum temperature of the exhaust gas. One such technique is adapting exhaust throttle valve (ETV) and cylinder injection strategies. These techniques operate at expense of fuel consumption, which is undesired. Further, such techniques may not effectively cater in regulating temperature of the exhaust gas, leading to surplus or scarcity in exhaust temperatures leading to compromise in either emission or fuel economy during vehicle operating conditions such as torque, speed, environmental temperature, pressure, altitude, and the like, which influences the exhaust temperature.

[008] The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or other such limitations associated with the prior art.

[009] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[010] One or more shortcomings of conventional systems are overcome, and additional advantages are provided through the system as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered as a part of the claimed disclosure.

[011] In one non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure, a thermal management system for regulating temperature of exhaust gas in an exhaust after treatment of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The internal combustion engine includes a variable geometry turbocharger, an exhaust throttle valve disposed in fluid communication with an exhaust conduit upstream of the exhaust after treatment unit, and a plurality of injectors for injecting fuel into cylinders. The thermal management system includes a first exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop fluidly connecting an inlet manifold and an exhaust manifold through an EGR cooler, a second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop fluidly connecting the inlet manifold and the exhaust manifold, at least one valve positioned in each of the first exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop and second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop, and a control unit communicatively coupled to the variable geometry turbocharger, an exhaust throttle valve and at least one valve positioned in each of the first exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop and second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop. The control unit is configured to determine temperature of the exhaust gas based on signals received from at least one sensor associated with the aftertreatment unit, determine a threshold temperature of the exhaust gas for exhaust treatment in the exhaust aftertreatment unit based on operating parameters of the internal combustion engine and environmental conditions received from an engine management system, which is communicatively coupled to the control unit. Further, the control unit is configured sequentially operate the first exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop, the second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop, the variable geometry turbocharger, the exhaust throttle valve, and the plurality of injectors till the determined temperature of the exhaust gas reaches the determined threshold temperature.

[012] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the engine management system is associated with a plurality of sensors for determining engine operating parameters and environmental conditions.

[013] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the engine operating parameters include engine RPM, torque demand and load on the engine, and environmental conditions include temperature in the outside environment.

[014] In an embodiment of the disclosure, sequential operation by the control unit includes actuating the at least one valve of the first exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop to allow flow of exhaust through the first exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop and determine if temperature of the exhaust has reached the threshold exhaust temperature.

[015] In an embodiment of the disclosure, if the temperature of the exhaust is less than threshold temperature, the sequential operation by the control unit includes actuating the at least one valve of the second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop to allow flow of exhaust through the second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop and determine if temperature of the exhaust has reached the threshold exhaust temperature.

[016] In an embodiment of the disclosure, if the temperature of the exhaust is less than the threshold temperature, the sequential operation by the control unit includes actuating the variable geometry turbocharger to boost the intake air and the exhaust throttle valve to control the exhaust flow to the aftertreatment unit, and determine if temperature of the exhaust has reached the threshold exhaust temperature.

[017] In an embodiment of the disclosure, if the temperature of the exhaust is less than the threshold temperature, the sequential operation by the control unit includes actuating the plurality of injectors to inject fuel into cylinder of the internal combustion engine before the exhaust gas expels the cylinder, such that the fuel burns in the exhaust conduit to increase the temperature of the exhaust gas.

[018] In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for regulating temperature of exhaust gas for exhaust aftertreatment in an exhaust aftertreatment unit of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The internal combustion engine includes a variable geometry turbocharger, an exhaust throttle valve disposed in fluid communication with an exhaust conduit upstream of the exhaust aftertreatment unit, and a plurality of injectors for injecting fuel into cylinders. The thermal management system includes a first exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop fluidly connecting an inlet manifold and an exhaust manifold, through an EGR cooler, a second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop fluidly connecting the inlet manifold and the exhaust manifold, at least one valve positioned in each of the first exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop and second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop and a control unit communicatively coupled to the variable geometry turbocharger, an exhaust throttle valve and at least one valve positioned in each of the first exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop and second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop. The method includes determining by the control unit temperature of the exhaust gas based on signals received from at least one sensor associated with the aftertreatment unit, determining by the control unit a threshold temperature of the exhaust gas for exhaust treatment in the exhaust aftertreatment unit, based on operating parameters of the internal combustion engine and environmental conditions, received from an engine management system communicatively coupled to the control unit and sequentially operating by the control unit, the first exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop, the second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop, the variable geometry turbocharger, the exhaust throttle valve and the plurality of injectors till the determined temperature of the exhaust gas reaches the determined threshold temperature of the exhaust gas.

[019] It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.

[020] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

[021] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

[022] The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

[023] Figure. 1 illustrates block diagram of a thermal management, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[024] Figure. 2 is a flow chart depicting method of operation of the thermal management system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[025] The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

[026] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[027] While the embodiments in the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.

[028] It is to be noted that a person skilled in the art would be motivated from the present disclosure and modify various features of the system, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Therefore, such modifications are considered to be part of the disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings show only those specific details that are pertinent to understand the embodiments of the present disclosure, so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skilled in the art having benefit of the description herein. Also, the system of the present disclosure may be employed in variety of engines having different specification. However, the engine is not illustrated in the drawings of the disclosure for the purpose of simplicity.

[029] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a system that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system and method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or device proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system.

[030] Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a thermal management system for regulating temperature of exhaust gas for exhaust aftertreatment in an exhaust aftertreatment unit of an internal combustion engine. Generally, vehicles are equipped with systems for controlling emissions such as exhaust aftertreatment unit, to meet the stringent emission norms levied on various vehicles. Maximum conversion efficiency performance of components of the exhaust aftertreatment unit depends on temperature of the exhaust gas. Either high temperature or low temperature of the exhaust gas with respect to an optimum range, affects performance of the components, thus failing to reduce NOx emission as per emission standards. Hence, maintaining optimum temperature of the exhaust gas is desired. Conventionally, various techniques have been adapted to maintain optimum temperature of the exhaust gas. One such technique is adapting exhaust throttle valve (ETV) and cylinder injection strategies. These techniques operate at expense of fuel consumption, which is undesired. Further, such techniques may not effectively perform in maintaining temperature of the exhaust gas, leading to surplus or scarcity in exhaust temperatures leading to compromise in either emission or fuel economy during vehicle operating conditions such as torque, speed, environmental temperature, pressure, altitude, and the like, which influences the exhaust temperature

[031] Accordingly, the present disclosure discloses a thermal management system for regulating temperature of exhaust gas for exhaust aftertreatment in an exhaust aftertreatment unit. The thermal management system may be configured to regulate temperature of the exhaust gas by actuating components such as a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT), an exhaust throttle valve (ETV) and plurality of injectors of the internal combustion engine, in addition to components of the thermal management system.

[032] The system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may include a first exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop fluidly connecting an inlet manifold and an exhaust manifold, through an EGR cooler, and a second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop fluidly connecting the inlet manifold and the exhaust manifold. Further, the system includes at least one valve positioned in each of the first exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop and the second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop. Furthermore, the system includes a control unit, which may be communicatively coupled to the variable geometry turbocharger, an exhaust throttle valve, at least one valve positioned in each of the first exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop and the second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop and plurality of injectors. The control unit may be configured to determine temperature of the exhaust gas based on signals received from at least one sensor associated with the aftertreatment unit. Further, the control unit may be configured to determine a threshold temperature of exhaust gas, based on operating parameters of the internal combustion engine and environmental conditions, received from an engine management system, which may be communicatively coupled to the control unit. Additionally, the control unit is configured to sequentially operate the first exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop, the second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop, the variable geometry turbocharger, the exhaust throttle valve and the plurality of injectors till the determined temperature of the exhaust gas reaches the threshold temperature. Thus, the configuration of the thermal management system aids in regulating temperature without rising fuel consumption, while reducing NOx emissions.

[033] The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to Figures. 1 and 2. In the figures, the same element or elements which have similar functions are indicated by the same reference signs.

[034] Figure. 1 shows a block diagram of a thermal management system (100) for regulating temperature of exhaust gas. Regulating temperature of the exhaust gas includes increasing or decreasing temperature to bring in the temperature to an optimum value. Optimum temperature of the exhaust gas aids in effective exhaust aftertreatment in an exhaust aftertreatment unit (101) of an internal combustion engine (114). In an embodiment, exhaust aftertreatment infers to a process of treating the exhaust gas expelled from the internal combustion engine for reducing harmful emissions. During aftertreatment process, the exhaust gas may be passed into several devices of the exhaust aftertreatment unit (101), such as diesel particulate filter (DPF) (111), diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) (112), selective catalytic reduction (SCR) (113) and the like, to reduce the harmful emissions in the exhaust gas. As seen in Figure. 1, the internal combustion engine (114) may include a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) (102), an exhaust throttle valve (ETV) (103), which may be disposed in a fluid communication with an exhaust conduit upstream of the exhaust aftertreatment unit (101), and a plurality of injectors (104) for injecting fuel into cylinders of the internal combustion engine (114). In an embodiment, the components [i.e., the variable geometry turbocharger (102) (VGT), the exhaust throttle valve (ETV) (103) and the plurality of injectors (104)] may be operated by the thermal management system (100).

[035] As apparent from Figure. 1, the thermal management system (100) may broadly include a first exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (105) and a second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (106). The first exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (105) may be configured to fluidly connect an inlet manifold and an exhaust manifold, through an EGR cooler (110). In an embodiment, the first exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (105) may be configured as a cold exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop, facilitating in cooling the exhaust gas, based on requirement. Further, the second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (105) may be configured to fluidly connect the inlet manifold directly with the exhaust manifold. In an embodiment, the second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (106) may be configured to as a hot exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop, facilitating the exhaust gas to increase its temperature, based on requirement.

[036] In an embodiment, each of the first exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (105) and the second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (106) may include at least one valve (107). The at least one valve (107) may be selectively operated to monitor flow of the exhaust gas into the first exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (105) and the second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (106).

[037] Referring further to Figure. 1, the thermal management system (100) may include a control unit (108), which may be communicatively coupled to the variable geometry turbocharger (102), the exhaust throttle valve (103) and the at least one valve (107) positioned in each of the first exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (105) and the second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (106), and an engine management system. In an embodiment, the control unit (108) may be configured to sequentially operate the variable geometry turbocharger (102), the exhaust throttle valve (103), the plurality of injectors (104) and at least one valve (107) positioned in each of the first exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (105) and second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (106) based on parameters sensed by the engine management system.

[038] In an embodiment, the engine management system may include a plurality of sensors for determining engine parameters and environmental conditions. As an example, the engine parameters may include but not limiting to engine RPM, torque demand, load on the engine and the like, and the environmental conditions include ambient temperature. Now, functioning of the thermal management system (100) to regulate temperature of the exhaust gas is described hereinafter in relation to Figure. 2.

[039] As seen in block 201, the control unit (108) of the thermal management system (100) may determine temperature of the exhaust gas expelled from the internal combustion engine (114) from at least one sensor (115) associated with the aftertreatment unit (101). Further, the control unit (108) may determine threshold temperature of the exhaust gas required, based on operating parameters of the internal combustion engine (114) and environmental conditions, which may be received from the engine management system [as per block 202]. The threshold temperature may be the optimum temperature of the exhaust gas for carrying out effective aftertreatment of the exhaust gas in the aftertreatment unit (101). Upon determining the threshold temperature, the control unit (108) may compare the threshold temperature of the exhaust gas required with actual temperature of the exhaust gas. To attain the threshold temperature, the control unit (108) may sequentially operate the first exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (105), the second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (106), the variable geometry turbocharger (102), the exhaust throttle valve (103) and the plurality of injectors (104), till the determined temperature of the exhaust gas reaches the determined threshold temperature.

[040] In an embodiment, sequential operation by the control unit (108) may depend upon comparison of temperature of the exhaust gas expelled from the internal combustion engine (114) with the threshold temperature of the exhaust gas, required. If the determined temperature of the exhaust gas is greater than the threshold temperature, as seen in block 203 the sequential operation may start with actuating at least one valve (107) of the first exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (105), to allow flow of exhaust gas through the first exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (105), where the exhaust gas may be come in contact with the EGR cooler (110), thus reducing temperature of the exhaust gas. The exhaust gas exiting from first exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (105) may enter into cylinders of the internal combustion engine (114) and may undergo combustion along with a fuel-air mixture, after which the exhaust may be expelled from the internal combustion engine (114). The control unit (108) may determine if temperature of this exhaust gas expelled from the internal combustion engine (114), has reached the threshold temperature and, if temperature of the exhaust gas has reached the threshold temperature, the control unit (108) may de-actuate the valve (107) of the first exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (105).

[041] Further, if the determined temperature of the exhaust gas is less than the threshold temperature, the sequential operation by the control unit (108) may include actuating the at least one valve (107) of the second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (106) [as seen in block 204], to allow the supply of exhaust gas through the second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (106) and into the intake manifold. The exhaust gas flowing through the second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (106) gets hot and, thus increasing temperature. The hot exhaust gas may enter into cylinders of the internal combustion engine (114) and may undergo combustion along with a fuel-air mixture temperature. Subsequent to the combustion, exhaust gas is expelled from the internal combustion engine (114), which may be at a higher temperature. The control unit (108) may determine if temperature of the exhaust gas expelled from the internal combustion engine (114) has reached the threshold temperature. If temperature of the exhaust gas has reached the threshold temperature after passing through the second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (106), the sequential operation may include actuating at least one valve (107) of both the second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (106) and the first exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (105) [as seen in block 205]. This allow exhaust through both the first exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (105) and the second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (106) and may supplied to the intake manifold as a mixture. The exhaust gas from the first exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (105) and the second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (106) may enter into cylinders of the internal combustion engine (114) and may undergo combustion along with a fuel-air mixture, after which the exhaust gas may be expelled from the internal combustion engine (114), possessing threshold temperature, required.

[042] In an embodiment, the control unit (108) may determine continuously compare determined temperature of the exhaust gas with the threshold temperature. If temperature of the exhaust gas is less than the threshold temperature, as seen in block 206, the sequential operation by the control unit (108) may include actuating the variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) (102) and the exhaust throttle valve (ETV) (103). The variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) (102) may boost intake air pressure flowing into the internal combustion engine (114), hence increasing combustion temperature, thereby increasing temperature of the exhaust gas expelling from the internal combustion engine (114). The exhaust throttle valve (ETV) (103) may build back pressure in the exhaust conduit (109), thereby increases temperature of the exhaust gas. Post operation of the variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) (102) and the exhaust throttle valve (ETV) (103), the control unit (108) may determine if temperature of the exhaust gas has reached the threshold temperature. If the temperature of the exhaust gas has reached the threshold temperature, the control unit (108) may de-actuate the variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) (102) and the exhaust throttle valve (ETV) (103).

[043] Further, if temperature of the exhaust gas is still less than the threshold temperature, the sequential operation by the control unit (108) include operating the plurality of injectors (104) [a shown ion block 207]. The plurality of injectors (104) are operated to inject fuel into cylinders of the internal combustion engine (114), post combustion of the fuel-air mixture (i.e., post power cycle), such that the fuel flows into and gets burnt in the diesel particulate filter (DPF) (111). This process of burning the fuel at the DOC (112) increases temperature of the exhaust gas. Post operation of the plurality of injectors (104), the control unit (108) may determine temperature of the exhaust gas may determine if temperature of the exhaust gas has reached the threshold temperature. If the temperature of the exhaust gas has reached the threshold temperature, the control unit (108) may de-actuate the plurality of injectors (104).

[044] In an embodiment, the sequential operation by the control unit (108) may interrupt at any stage, when temperature of the exhaust gas reaches the threshold temperature. As an example, if temperature of the exhaust gas reaches the threshold temperature after passing through the first exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (105), functioning of other components [i.e., the second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (105), VGT (102), ETV (103) and plurality of injectors (104)] may be terminated. Likewise, if temperature of the exhaust gas reaches the threshold temperature after passing through the second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (105), functioning of other components [i.e., VGT (102), ETV (103) and plurality of injectors (104)] may be terminated.

[045] In an embodiment the VGT (102), the ETV (103) and the plurality of injectors (104) may be configured to perform normal function associated with the internal combustion engine (114), unless these components are actuated by the control unit (108) of the thermal management system (100) to increase temperature of the exhaust gas.

[046] In an embodiment, the thermal management system (100) may facilitate in effectively carrying out the aftertreatment of the exhaust, thus efficiently reducing emissions from the exhaust gas. In other words, maintaining optimum temperature of the exhaust gas aids in passive regeneration and increases the regeneration interval. Passive regeneration aids on low reliability issues on DPF clogging.

[047] In an embodiment, the second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop (105) [i.e., the hot EGR loop (105)] improve the DPF regeneration effectiveness.

[048] In an embodiment, maintaining optimum temperature of the exhaust facilitated low ammonia strip and crystallization.

[049] In an embodiment, the control unit (108) may be adaptive to an engine management system or may be a centralized control unit of the vehicle or may be a dedicated control unit to the system associated with the centralized control unit of the vehicle. The control unit (108) may include specialized processing units such as integrated system (bus) controllers, memory management control units, floating point units, graphics processing units, digital signal processing units, etc. The processing unit may include a microprocessor, such as AMD Athlon, Duron or Opteron, ARM’s application, embedded or secure processors, other line of processors, and the like.

[050] In some embodiments, the control unit (108) may be disposed in communication with one or more memory devices (e.g., RAM, ROM etc.) via a storage interface. The storage interface may connect to memory devices including, without limitation, memory drives, removable disc drives, etc., employing connection protocols such as serial advanced technology attachment (SATA), integrated drive electronics (IDE), IEEE-1394, universal serial bus (USB), fiber channel, small computing system interface (SCSI), etc. The memory drives may further include a drum, magnetic disc drive, magneto-optical drive, optical drive, redundant array of independent discs (RAID), solid-state memory devices, solid-state drives, etc.

[051] Furthermore, one or more computer-readable storage media may be utilized in implementing embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. A computer-readable storage medium refers to any type of physical memory on which information or data readable by a processor may be stored. Thus, a computer-readable storage medium may store instructions for execution by one or more processors, including instructions for causing the processor(s) to perform steps or stages consistent with the embodiments described herein. The term “computer-readable medium” should be understood to include tangible items and exclude carrier waves and transient signals, i.e., are non-transitory. Examples include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), volatile memory, non-volatile memory, hard drives, CD ROMs, DVDs, flash drives, disks, and any other known physical storage media.

[052] It is to be understood that a person of ordinary skill in the art may develop a system (108) and method of similar configuration without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. Such modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure covers such modifications and variations provided they come within the ambit of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[053] Equivalents:

[054] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

[055] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system (108) having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances, where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system (108) having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.” While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

[056] Referral Numerals:

Particular Numeral
Thermal management system 100
After treatment unit 101
Variable geometry turbocharger 102
Exhaust throttle valve 103
Injectors 104
First exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop 105
Second exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop 106
Valve 107
Control unit 108
Exhaust conduit 109
EGR cooler 110
Diesel particulate filter 111
Diesel oxidation catalyst 112
Selective catalytic reduction 113
Engine 114
Sensor 115