Systems and methods are described for electrical power control of a hybrid vehicle. A change in an electrical load of an ancillary component of the vehicle is determined. In response to determining the change in the electrical load of the ancillary component, an electrical load of an electrically heated catalyst of the vehicle is adjusted.

Switchable radiative energy harvesting systems and methods of harvesting radiation are disclosed. A system includes an optical filter that includes at least one of an active material and a passive material. The optical filter is switchable between a shield mode and a harvesting mode such that the at least one of the active material and the passive material is in a reflecting state during the shield mode such that the optical filter blocks passage of radiation from a thermal emitter to a thermophotovoltaic cell and a transmitting state during the harvesting mode such that that the optical filter allows the radiation to pass from the thermal emitter to the thermophotovoltaic cell.

In an internal combustion engine system having an emissions control system including an electrically heated catalyst (E-cat) and an E-compressor (either standalone or part of an E-turbocharger), a method for operating the emissions control system includes predicting that a cold start of the engine is imminent, activating the E-cat and the E-compressor in response to the prediction, and monitoring a characteristic parameter Pe of the E-cat as it changes. The E-compressor speed Nc is regulated to change in proportion to the changing Pe while the E-cat is activated. If no engine start occurs, the E-cat is deactivated, and speed Nc is regulated to track the changing Pe.

An electrically heating converter includes: a pillar shaped honeycomb structure made of conductive ceramics, including: an outer peripheral wall; and a partition wall disposed on an inner side of the outer peripheral wall, the partition wall defining a plurality of cells, each of the cells penetrating from one end face to other end face to form a flow path; metal electrodes; a leaf spring provided on each of the metal electrodes; and a pressing member configured to press each of the leaf springs against the pillar shaped honeycomb structure, so that the pillar shaped honeycomb structure is electrically connected to each of the metal electrodes.

An exhaust gas heater for an exhaust gas system of a combustion engine includes a disk-like carrier defining a heater longitudinal axis and having a first axial side. The carrier has an outer peripheral region disposed radially outwardly of the longitudinal axis and a radially inwardly disposed central region. A heating conductor has a heating region arranged on the first axial side of the carrier. At least one holding member holds the heating conductor on the carrier. The holding member includes at least one holding portion engaging around the heating conductor at the heating region thereof. The carrier has at least one fastening opening formed therein. The holding member includes at least one fastening portion engaging into the at least one fastening opening so as to be fixed to the carrier.

Methods and systems are provided for expediting exhaust catalyst light-off prior to an anticipated engine cold-start event. In one example, a method may include, in anticipation of an engine cold-start, preemptively operating an electric booster and routing compressed air to the catalyst to increase a temperature of the exhaust catalyst while maintaining the engine inactive.

An apparatus for attachment to a tailpipe of a vehicle is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a filter body, a honeycomb monolith, a locking collar and a removable front cover. The honeycomb monolith is composed of an adsorbent material or an absorbent material. Exhaust from the tailpipe of the vehicle is absorbed by the honeycomb monolith structure.

An electric gas flow heater has a grid-like heating element through which exhaust gas can flow axially, and which forms an electrical resistance heating. The grid-like heating element includes radially successive layers of band-like material, wherein the layers, in an axial view of the heating element, are bent in an undulating manner and include valleys and peaks. The layers that are located between the radially outermost layer and the radially innermost layer are attached by their peaks and valleys to the respectively radially adjacent layer, so that flow-through openings are formed between the layers. The wavelengths of the layers are increasing radially outwards.

The invention refers to an electrical connection (10) comprising a bushing (12) having a geometric central axis (14), an electrical conductor (16) passing through said bushing (12) along the geometric central axis (14), and an insulating layer (18) electrically insulating said bushing (18) from said conductor (16). It is suggested that the bushing 12, the insulating layer (18) and the electric conductor (16) are pressed together, preferably during a rotary forging process, in order to achieve a mechanical cold transformation.

A vehicle includes an engine having an intake manifold and an exhaust manifold. An exhaust system is connected to the exhaust manifold and has an aftertreatment device. The aftertreatment device has a body defining inlet and outlet cones, a heating element, and a catalyst disposed in the body between the cones. An air-circulation system has conduit extending from downstream of the catalyst to the intake manifold and an air-circulation device configured to circulate air from the outlet cone, through the conduit to the intake manifold, through the engine, to the inlet cone, and through the aftertreatment device.