Systems, devices, methods and programs for reducing emissions from engines are provided. For example, one system for reducing emissions from engines comprises a heating controller coupled to an energy storage device (ESD). The heating controller is configured to control a heating element to heat one or more components of an after-treatment system using energy from the ESD under a first condition and to control the heating element to stop heating the one or more components of the after-treatment system when a second condition is satisfied. Additionally, another system for reducing emissions from engines comprises a controller detecting a decrease in a demanded torque from an engine and an ISG. The controller is then configured to operate a clutch to disengage the engine from the ISG, if after removing fuel from the engine, the sensed speed of the engine is above a threshold.

A heating system includes at least one electric heater disposed within the fluid flow system. A control device includes a microprocessor and is configured to determine a temperature of the at least one electric heater based on a model and at least one input from the fluid flow system. The control device is configured to provide power to the at least one electric heater based on the temperature of the at least one electric heater.

An exhaust system is provided that includes an exhaust aftertreatment unit, first and second exhaust pathway in communication with and upstream of the exhaust aftertreatment unit, a thermally activated flow control device operable in a first and second mode, and a thermal storage device. In the first mode, the flow control device permits exhaust to flow to the aftertreatment unit through the first pathway and inhibits flow through the second pathway. In the second mode, the flow control device permits exhaust flow to the aftertreatment unit through the second pathway and inhibits flow through the first pathway. The flow control device may switch between the first and second modes based on a change of temperature. The thermal storage device is within the second pathway, stores thermal mass, and provides thermal insulation to enable a catalyst of the aftertreatment unit to maintain a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time.

The invention relates to a fluid container for a motor vehicle, having a container wall that bounds a storage volume for storing liquid with respect to an environment, a heating element that is arranged in the storage volume, and a housing, wherein the housing encloses the heating element in a liquid-tight manner with respect to the supply volume.

Various embodiments of the teachings herein include a method for heating a catalytic converter arranged in an exhaust-gas tract of an internal combustion engine and comprising an electric heating device. An example method may include: activating the electric heating device with a specified heating power at a time before the internal combustion engine is started; monitoring the catalyst temperature in a region of the catalytic converter adjacent the heating device; before the catalyst temperature has reached a predetermined first threshold value, supplying a secondary air mass flow with a first flow rate is supplied into the exhaust-gas tract upstream of the catalytic converter; and after the catalyst temperature has reached the predetermined first threshold value, increasing the secondary air mass flow to a second flow rate greater than the first flow rate.

A control system for use in a fluid flow application includes a heater and a control device. The heater has at least one resistive heating element and the heater is operable to heat fluid. The control device determines at least one flow characteristic of a fluid flow based on a heat loss of the at least one resistive heating element and determines a mass flow rate of the fluid based on the at least one flow characteristic and a property of the at least one resistive heating element. And the property of the at least one resistive heating element includes a change in resistance of the at least one resistive heating element under a given heat flux density.

A method for operating a heater system including a resistive heating element having a material with a non-monotonic resistivity vs. temperature profile is provided. The method includes heating the resistive heating element to within a limited temperature range in which the resistive heating element exhibits a negative dR/dT characteristic, operating the resistive heating element within an operating temperature range that at least partially overlaps the limited temperature range, and determining a temperature of the resistive heating element such that the resistive heating element functions as both a heater and a temperature sensor. The resistive heating element can function as a temperature sensor in a temperature range between about 500 C. and about 800 C., and the non-monotonic resistivity vs. temperature profile for the material of the resistive heating element can have a local maximum and a local minimum.

A heater is provided that includes at least one resistive heating element having a material with a non-monotonic resistivity vs. temperature profile and exhibiting a negative dR/dT characteristic over a predetermined operating temperature range along the profile. The heater can include a plurality of circuits disposed in a fluid path to heat fluid flow.

A heater system for an exhaust system is provided. The heater system includes a heater disposed in an exhaust conduit. The heater includes a plurality of heating elements disposed in the exhaust conduit. A heating control module controls the plurality of heating elements differently according to operating conditions specific to each heating element. In other forms, the heater system for an exhaust system has a plurality of heating zones, instead of a plurality of heating elements. The heating control module controls the plurality of heating zones differently according to operating conditions specific to each heating zone.

A control system for use in a fluid flow application is provided. The control system includes a heater having at least one resistive heating element. The heater is adapted to heat the fluid flow. The control system further includes a control device that uses heat loss from at least one resistive heating element to determine flow characteristics of the fluid flow.