Exhaust Gas Diverted From Reactor Or Treating Agent Mixer Patents (Class 60/288)
  • Patent number: 6742328
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling diesel engine emissions, including, for example, oxides of nitrogen emissions, particulate matter emissions, and the like. The emission control system according to this invention is provided in the exhaust passageway of a diesel engine and includes a catalyst-based particulate filter; and first and second lean NOx trap systems coupled to the catalyst-based particulate filter. The first and second lean NOx trap systems are arranged in a parallel flow configuration with each other. Each of the first and second lean NOx trap systems include a carbon monoxide generating catalyst device, a sulfur trap device, a lean NOx device, a supplemental fuel injector device, and a plurality of flow diverter devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Cynthia Chaffin Webb, Phillip Anthony Weber, Magdi K. Khair
  • Publication number: 20040098981
    Abstract: An exhaust processor includes a soot filter and a filter regenerator. The filter regenerator is configured to burn off particulate matter collected in the soot filter to regenerate the soot filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Wilbur H. Crawley, John Nohl
  • Publication number: 20040093857
    Abstract: An exhaust gas system of an internal combustion engine, including a catalyst, and a cooling section provided upstream of the catalyst. The cooling section includes an additional cooling arrangement provided so that in all operating phases of the internal combustion engine with their different exhaust gas mass flow rates, the amount of thermal energy dissipated from the exhaust gas relative to a total amount of thermal energy present in the exhaust gas (relative heat dissipation) is increased in such a way that a maximum temperature reduction is obtained at intermediate values of the exhaust gas mass flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Zillmer, Ekkehard Pott, Karsten Michels
  • Patent number: 6735940
    Abstract: The present invention provides for an NOx adsorber aftertreatment system for internal combustion engines which utilizes adsorber catalysts arranged in parallel. The exhaust flow from the engine is divided in a predetermined ratio between the two catalysts during lean operation (e.g. 50-50). At a predetermined regeneration time (for example, when the adsorber catalyst is 20% full), the exhaust gas flow is reduced through the parallel leg that is to be regenerated (e.g., 20% through the leg to be regenerated, 80% of the flow to the other leg). A quantity of hydrocarbon is injected into the reduced-flow leg in order to make the mixture rich. Since the flow has been reduced in this leg, only a small fraction of the amount of hydrocarbon that would have been required to make the mixture rich during full flow is required. This will result in a substantial reduction in the fuel penalty incurred for regeneration of the adsorber catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradlee J. Stroia, Michael J. Cunningham, Rahul Mital, Scott Cole
  • Patent number: 6718757
    Abstract: A method for controlling diesel engine emissions is disclosed. The diesel engine's exhaust system has a NOx oxidation catalyst, a diesel particulate filter (DPF), and a lean NOx trap (LNT). The DPF is monitored to determine the need for regeneration. The LNT is monitored to determine the need for regeneration or desulfurization. A fuel injector is used to inject fuel upstream of the LNT under certain conditions, and a bypass may be used to bypass exhaust around the oxidation catalyst to provide richer or hotter exhaust to the LNT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Magdi K. Khair, Cynthia C. Webb, Gordon J. Bartley, Christopher A. Sharp
  • Publication number: 20040065077
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying apparatus for an internal combustion engine is provided for switching a switching valve at an optimal timing in accordance with an actual activated state of a catalyzer and a heated state of an adsorbent to achieve an optimal exhaust gas characteristic. The exhaust gas purifying apparatus comprises a catalyzer disposed in an exhaust system of the internal combustion engine, an adsorbent filled in a second passage circumventing a first passage in the exhaust system for adsorbing hydrocarbons within exhaust gases, a switching valve operable to switch between an open position for opening the first passage and a close position for closing the first passage, an ECU for detecting an atmospheric pressure state, and a switching valve driver for driving the switching valve to the close position upon start of the internal combustion engine, and driving the switching valve to the open position in accordance with the detected atmospheric pressure state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Applicant: HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaki Ueno, Shiro Takakura, Kei Machida
  • Publication number: 20040060283
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an exhaust gas control device for internal combustion engines. The exhaust gas control device has a main exhaust pipe (3) communicating with an exhaust manifold (2) used for guiding exhaust gas discharged from a combustion chamber (1) of an engine, a catalytic converter (6) arranged on a predetermined position of the main exhaust pipe (3) for purifying unburnt fuel discharged with the exhaust has and having a plurality of sequentially arranged catalyst units (6a, 6b, 6c), and an unburnt fuel collection tank (8) provided with a plurality of cooling fins (9) and connected to the catalytic converter (6) through a branch pipe (7). The collection tank (8) collects purified unburnt fuel after the unburnt fuel is treated by the catalytic converter (6) so as to remove noxious materials therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Ju-Chel Lee
  • Patent number: 6708485
    Abstract: An exhaust system used for a motor vehicle and extending between an exhaust-generating internal combustion engine and an exhaust pipe for release of exhaust into the surrounding environment, includes a three-way catalytic converter disposed in proximity of the combustion engine, a NOx-adsorber disposed upstream of the exhaust pipe, and an exhaust line, which extends between the catalytic converter and the NOx-adsorber, for conducting exhaust. The exhaust line includes an inner tube, an outer tube in spaced-apart surrounding relationship to the inner tube to define a space, and a separation tube received in the space, to thereby define between the inner tube and the separation tube an inner annular gap for conducting exhaust, and between the outer tube and the separation tube an outer annular gap for conducting a coolant. A shut-off device is integrated in the inner tube for regulating the flow of exhaust through the inner tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Axel Hinder, Christian Smatloch, Walter Gross, Jürgen Kleinschmidt
  • Publication number: 20040040291
    Abstract: Exhaust emission control apparatus and method for an internal combustion engine maintain a small amount of sulfur components contained in exhaust gas flowing out of a sulfur component retainer agent even if the amount of sulfur components retained by the agent becomes great. The exhaust emission control apparatus includes a NOx retainer agent and the sulfur component retainer agent. The apparatus performs a NOx releasing process of adjusting the air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas flowing into the sulfur component retainer agent so that the air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas flowing into the NOx retainer agent becomes substantially stoichiometric or rich of stoichiometry if NOx retained by the NOx retainer agent is to be released. The apparatus prohibits the air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas flowing into the sulfur component retainer agent from becoming substantially stoichiometric or rich of stoichiometry if the amount of the sulfur components retained by the agent is at least a first predetermined amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shunsuke Toshioka, Shinya Hirota, Yoshimitsu Henda, Kazuhiro Itoh, Takamitsu Asanuma, Koichi Kimura, Yasuaki Nakano, Koichiro Nakatani, Akira Mikami, Takanori Ueda
  • Patent number: 6681566
    Abstract: An exhaust purifying method and apparatus of an internal combustion engine are provided with an exhaust switch valve for switching a flow of exhaust gas flowing into an exhaust filter. By switching the exhaust switch valve, the exhaust gas is fed from one side and the other side of the filter, thereby stirring the soot (particulates) in the exhaust gas deposited on the filter having a NOx absorbent and an active-oxygen discharging agent supported thereon. Thus, the soot in the exhaust gas is continuously burned. Moreover, the switching of the exhaust switch valve and the rich spike are inhibited from being conducted simultaneously. In the case where the rich spike is conducted in order to discharge and reduce NOx absorbed in the NOx absorbent, the exhaust gas containing a large amount of HC and CO can be prevented from being discharged into the atmosphere without being purified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Itoh, Toshiaki Tanaka, Shinya Hirota, Takamitsu Asanuma, Koichi Kimura, Koichiro Nakatani
  • Patent number: 6679051
    Abstract: An exhaust valve downstream of a diesel engine splits exhaust gasses between two catalysts. In one position, most of the exhaust gasses go to a first catalyst, and the remaining exhaust gasses, along with injected reductant go to a second catalyst. In a second position, most of the exhaust gasses go to the second catalyst, and the remaining exhaust gasses, along with injected reductant go to the first catalyst. In this way, a reduced cost system is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michiel J. van Nieustadt, Devesh Upadhyay, William Charles Ruona
  • Patent number: 6679052
    Abstract: An emission control unit includes a trunk passage, a loop passage connected to the trunk passage, and a path change portion that is provided in a connecting portion between the trunk passage and the loop passage and that includes a switching valve for changing the path of exhaust gas. The loop passage is provided with a first emission control portion for purifying NOx and carbon-containing particles present in exhaust gas. A second emission control portion for purifying NOx present in exhaust gas is provided in a downstream-side partial trunk passage. The emission control unit is equipped with a reducer injection nozzle for injecting into a first partial loop passage a reducing agent for recovering the emission control functions of the two emission control portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kaisha
    Inventors: Koichiro Nakatani, Shinya Hirota
  • Publication number: 20040006977
    Abstract: An exhaust emission control system for an internal combustion engine includes an exhaust passage that branches into a first exhaust branch passage and a second exhaust branch passage, which join at downstream ends thereof into a common exhaust passage, a NOx catalyst disposed in each of the exhaust branch passages, a particulate filter disposed in the common exhaust passage and located downstream of a joining point of the exhaust branch passages, and flow control valves that control the amounts of exhaust gas flowing through the respective exhaust branch passages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koichiro Nakatani, Shinya Hirota, Shunsuke Toshioka
  • Patent number: 6675572
    Abstract: A method of diverting flow with a valve through a first filter and a second filter to purify exhaust gas with at least one of the filters and to regenerate at least one of the filters with the exhaust gas. Positioning the valve in a first operative position purifies the exhaust gas with the first filter and regenerates the second filter with the exhaust gas. Positioning the valve in a second operative position that is different that the first operative position purifies the exhaust gas with the second filter and regenerates the first filter with the exhaust gas. The method can be achieved by a valve for an exhaust system that including a body and a flow inhibitor. The body defines a volume and has a first inlet, a second inlet, a recirculation chamber, and an outlet chamber in fluid communication with the volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Everingham, Cristian Tofan-Petre, Thomas Maciejowski
  • Publication number: 20030221414
    Abstract: An emission treatment system for a vehicle is provided that includes a plasma reactor is disposed in a main exhaust pipe and configured to reduce noxious emissions of an engine. A bypass pipe is connected to the main exhaust pipe both before and after the plasma reactor such that exhaust emissions can be caused to bypass the plasma reactor. A control valve is disposed at a position where the main exhaust pipe and the bypass pipe intersect, and is configured to selectively open and close the main exhaust pipe and the bypass pipe. A power supply unit supplies power to the plasma reactor and the control unit is coupled to the power supply unit and the control valve controlling a voltage of power supplied to the plasma reactor and an operation of the control valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventors: Yone-Seung Kim, Hyung-Jei Cho, Chi-Young Jeong, Eun-Ki Hong
  • Patent number: 6647711
    Abstract: A device for supplying exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine to a catalytic converter, having multiple exhaust gas supply lines including at least one exhaust gas supply line that serves as a heat-conveying line to promote a transfer of exhaust gas heat to the catalytic converter and at least one other exhaust gas supply line that serve as a heat exchanger to promote an extraction of heat from the exhaust gas upstream of the catalytic converter. A switchable control mechanism controls a flow cross-section of at least one of the exhaust gas supply lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Leo Spiegel, Michael Zillmer, Ekkehard Pott
  • Patent number: 6647710
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying apparatus for internal combustion engines, which comprises an exhaust pipe, a branched exhaust pipe, a first NOx adsorbing catalyst provided in the exhaust pipe, a second small-sized NOx adsorbing catalyst provided in the branched exhaust pipe, and an exhaust switchover valve. The exhaust switchover valve including exhaust holes, a first feed pipe having a first switchover valve, and a second feed pipe having a second switchover valve, the first and second feed pipes being opened between the exhaust switchover valve and the first NOx adsorbing catalyst and between the exhaust switchover valve and the second NOx adsorbing catalyst, respectively. The first and second feed pipes are supplied with a fuel from a feed pump. A controller is connected to a NOx accumulation checking device, exhaust switchover valve, first switchover valve, and the second switchover valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Nishiyama, Koutarou Wakamoto
  • Patent number: 6644022
    Abstract: A particulate filter (22) is arranged in an exhaust passage of an engine, while an exhaust throttle valve (45) is arranged in the exhaust passage downstream of the particulate filter (22). The exhaust throttle valve (45) is fully closed once, then fully opened cyclically. At that time, the flow velocity of the exhaust gas is increased for just an instant in a pulse-like manner, whereby masses of particulate are separated from the particulate filter 22 and discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinya Hirota, Toshiaki Tanaka, Kazuhiro Itoh, Takamitsu Asanuma, Koichiro Nakatani, Koichi Kimura
  • Publication number: 20030196429
    Abstract: A device for purifying the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The device comprises a particulate filter carrying an active-oxygen releasing agent that can cause the sulfur poisoning, a SOx trap unit arranged upstream of the particulate filter, and a bypass means for making the exhaust gas mainly bypass said particulate filter when SOx is released from the SOx trap unit. Further, an exhaust choke valve for an exhaust brake is arranged between the SOx trap unit and the exhaust gas branch portion of the bypass means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koichiro Nakatani, Shinya Hirota, Yoshimitsu Henda, Kazuhiro Itoh, Takamitsu Asanuma, Koichi Kimura, Shunsuke Toshioka, Yasuaki Nakano, Akira Mikami
  • Publication number: 20030192306
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine emission control apparatus includes split passages that divide exhaust gas discharged from an internal combustion engine into a plurality of streams. Emission control catalysts are provided that individually divide the exhaust gas in the split passages, and remove a component present in the exhaust gas at a high removal rate if a temperature of exhaust gas that inflows via the split passages satisfies a predetermined temperature condition. A controller changes proportions of the amounts of flow of the exhaust gas into the split passages so that the predetermined temperature condition is satisfied in at least one split passage of the split passages. Therefore, the emission control can be performed in a broad range of changing temperatures of the exhaust gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koichiro Nakatani, Toshiaki Tanaka, Shinya Hirota, Takamitsu Asanuma, Koichi Kimura, Shunsuke Toshioka, Akira Mikami
  • Publication number: 20030192307
    Abstract: An exhaust purifying method and apparatus of an internal combustion engine is provided with an exhaust switch valve for switching a flow of exhaust gas flowing into an exhaust filter. By switching the exhaust switch valve, the exhaust gas is fed from one side and the other side of the filter, thereby stirring the soot (particulates) in the exhaust gas deposited on the filter having a NOx absorbent and an active-oxygen discharging agent supported thereon. Thus, the soot in the exhaust gas is continuously burned. Moreover, the switching of the exhaust switch valve and the rich spike are inhibited from being conducted simultaneously. In the case where the rich spike is conducted in order to discharge and reduce NOx absorbed in the NOx absorbent, the exhaust gas containing a large amount of HC and CO can be prevented from being discharged into the atmosphere without being purified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Itoh, Toshiaki Tanaka, Shinya Hirota, Takamitsu Asanuma, Koichi Kimura, Koichiro Nakatani
  • Publication number: 20030172647
    Abstract: An exhaust-emission purifying apparatus for an internal combustion engine, includes an NOx purifying catalyst disposed in an exhaust system of the engine to purify NOx in an exhaust emission of the engine, and hold a specific substance (in addition to NOx) in the exhaust emission by adsorption or absorption of the specific substance. A controller is operable to detect an NOx purifying ability of the NOx purifying catalyst which is lowered with an increase in the amount of the specific substance held by the catalyst. The controller compares the detected NOx purifying ability with a predetermined threshold value to determine whether the catalyst has been poisoned with the specific substance. When the controller determines that the catalyst has been poisoned with the specific substance, the controller commands at least the engine to effect a poisoning removing treatment of the catalyst, for releasing the specific substance from the catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroshi Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20030167755
    Abstract: There is provided an exhaust gas purification device (22) comprising a substrate used for purifying components contained in an exhaust gas discharged from an engine. The substrate has partitions (54) which define passages (50,51) and are formed of porous material having fine pores each having a predetermined average size. The end portions of the adjacent partitions (54) defining each of part of the passages (50,51) of the substrate are partially connected to each other such that the end portions (52,53) are tapered toward the outside of the substrate. The tapered end portions partially close the end opening of the corresponding passage and form a small hole (55,56) defined by the tips thereof. The size of each small hole (55,56) is smaller than the cross sectional area of the corresponding passage (50) and larger than the sizes of the fine pores of the partitions (54).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: Koichiro Nakatani, Shinya Hirota, Shunsuke Toshioka, Kazuhiro Itoh, Takamitsu Asanuma, Koichi Kimura, Akira Mikami
  • Patent number: 6615580
    Abstract: A method for controlling diesel engine emissions is disclosed. The diesel engine's exhaust system has a diesel particulate filter (DPF) and a lean NOx trap (LNT). The DPF is a filter and is monitored to determine the need for regeneration. The LNT is monitored to determine the need for regeneration or desulfurization. A fuel injector is used to inject fuel upstream of the LNT under certain conditions, and a bypass may be used to bypass exhaust around the DPF to provide richer or hotter exhaust to the LNT. The sensor outputs and controls for providing the appropriate heat or fuel mix for regeneration and desulfurization may be controlled with enhancements to existing engine control circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Magdi K. Khair, Cynthia C. Webb, Gordon J. Bartley, Christopher A. Sharp
  • Publication number: 20030140621
    Abstract: A method for controlling diesel engine emissions is disclosed. The diesel engine's exhaust system has a NOx oxidation catalyst, a diesel particulate filter (DPF), and a lean NOx trap (LNT). The DPF is monitored to determine the need for regeneration. The LNT is monitored to determine the need for regeneration or desulfurization. A fuel injector is used to inject fuel upstream of the LNT under certain conditions, and a bypass may be used to bypass exhaust around the oxidation catalyst to provide richer or hotter exhaust to the LNT.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Applicant: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Magdi K. Khair, Cynthia C. Webb, Gordon J. Bartley, Christopher A. Sharp
  • Patent number: 6594991
    Abstract: An exhaust purifying method and apparatus of an internal combustion engine are provided with an exhaust switch valve for switching a flow of exhaust gas flowing into an exhaust filter. By switching the exhaust switch valve, the exhaust gas is fed from one side and the other side of the filter, thereby stirring the soot (particulates) in the exhaust gas deposited on the filter having a NOx absorbent and an active-oxygen discharging agent supported thereon. Thus, the soot in the exhaust gas is continuously burned. Moreover, the switching of the exhaust switch valve and the rich spike are inhibited from being conducted simultaneously. In the case where the rich spike is conducted in order to discharge and reduce NOx absorbed in the NOx absorbent, the exhaust gas containing a large amount of HC and CO can be prevented from being discharged into the atmosphere without being purified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Itoh, Toshiaki Tanaka, Shinya Hirota, Takamitsu Asanuma, Koichi Kimura, Koichiro Nakatani
  • Patent number: 6588203
    Abstract: An engine including a silencer in the exhaust passage thereof, wherein an exhaust gas flow passage pipe is arranged in the silencer body and a particulate filter is arranged inside the exhaust gas flow passage pipe. A first exhaust gas inflow-outflow opening and a second exhaust gas inflow-outflow opening of the exhaust gas passage pipe and an exhaust gas inflow opening to the silencer body are arranged at one end of the silencer body. The exhaust gas is selectively supplied to the first exhaust gas inflow-outflow opening, second exhaust gas inflow-outflow opening, and exhaust gas inflowing opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Sango Co., Ltd., Futaba Sangyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinya Hirota, Masahito Shibata, Michio Morishita, Takio Suzuki, Shigeru Arakawa, Kunio Komori
  • Publication number: 20030121251
    Abstract: A method of agglomerating particulate matter in exhaust gas from an engine is provided. The method includes dividing a flow of exhaust gas from the engine into at least two streams of exhaust gas. Each of the two streams of exhaust gas include particulate matter. At least one characteristic of the particulate matter in at least one of the two streams of exhaust gas is altered. The two streams of exhaust gas are combined so that the particulate matter agglomerates into larger particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Kurtis Chad Kelley, Matthew Joseph Maroon
  • Patent number: 6584767
    Abstract: An exhaust diverter for selectively attenuating exhaust volume includes a first pipe for fluidly coupling to and positioning between the engine and the muffler. A second pipe has a first end and a second end. The first end of the second pipe is fluidly coupled to the first pipe. An exhaust pipe is fluidly coupled to the second end of the second pipe. A valve system selectively opens and closes passages through the first and second pipes. The valve system includes a first valve positioned in the first pipe and a second valve positioned in the second pipe. An actuator is mechanically coupled to the valves for selectively opening and closing the first and second valves such that one of the valves simultaneously opens when the other of the valves closes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Steve Koenig
  • Publication number: 20030110761
    Abstract: In addition to the first exhaust emission purification device (12) arranged in an exhaust passage of the engine, having the first continuously regenerating type DPF (12A) and the first SCR catalyst (12B), in the bypass exhaust passage (101) there is provided the second exhaust emission purification device (13) having the second continuously regenerating type DPF (13A) and the second SCR catalyst (13B) to constitute the exhaust emission purification system for the diesel engine. In addition, when the exhaust gas temperature is within the low-temperature region lower than the predetermined temperature region, the exhaust gas temperature is raised, and after the exhaust gas is caused to pass through the second exhaust emission purification device (13), control is made so as to pass through the first exhaust emission purification device (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Applicant: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventor: Toshitaka Minami
  • Publication number: 20030106306
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purification device having a NOx absorbent includes a by-pass passage for by-passing the NOx absorbent, an exhaust gas flow rate control portion for regulating both a flow rate of exhaust gas flowing to the NOx absorbent and the flow rate of the exhaust gas bypassing the NOx absorbent, and a reductant addition portion for adding reductant into an exhaust passage upstream of the NOx absorbent. In this device, when it is necessary to discharge sulfur components from the NOx absorbent, a temperature rise control is executed such that a temperature of the NOx absorbent becomes higher than a predetermined temperature. Next, a rich condition control is executed such that an air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas flowing to the NOx absorbent becomes one of a substantially stoichiometric condition and a rich condition. The flow rate of the exhaust gas to the NOx absorbent during the temperature rise control is controlled so as to be higher than that during the rich condition control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koichiro Nakatani, Shinya Hirota, Akira Mikami, Toshiaki Tanaka, Takamitsu Asanuma, Koichi Kimura, Shunsuke Toshioka
  • Patent number: 6568179
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for vehicle emissions control are disclosed. More particularly, an apparatus and method for insuring that the temperature of a vehicle's exhaust gas stream entering the underfloor catalytic converter during engine operation does not exceed the temperature at which the capability of the multi-functional catalyst in the converter to absorb NOx starts to fall off. A first temperature sensor is provided in the exhaust outlet leading from the exhaust manifold of the engine and a second temperature sensor is provided in the catalytic converter. The catalytic converter contains a multi-functional catalyst such as a three-way conversion catalyst and a NOx trap as well as a NOx sensor at its outlet for sensing when NOx breakthrough is occurring. The sensors transmit their readings to a controller which transmits signal to a proportional valve located in the exhaust outlet downstream of the first temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Engelhard Corporation
    Inventor: Michel Deeba
  • Publication number: 20030089104
    Abstract: This system for helping to regenerate a catalysed particulate filter arranged in a motor vehicle diesel engine exhaust line, said filter (4) being positioned downstream of an oxidation catalyst (3) on the output side of the engine (1), is characterised in that it has a gas bypass circuit (5) parallel to the terminals of the catalyser (3) and fitted with means (6) for controlling the circulation of gases therein and in the catalyser, in order, at the point when the regeneration of the particulate filter (4) is triggered, to divert a proportion of the gases laden with unburned hydrocarbons into the particulate filter (4) without passing via the catalyser (3), so as to speed up the regeneration of the particulate filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventor: Christophe Colignon
  • Patent number: 6550718
    Abstract: An aircraft engine includes an exhaust gas purifying device for purifying exhaust gas from the engine, and a switching device for switching the engine between an emission-emphasized mode in which the exhaust gas from the engine is purified by the exhaust gas purifying device and an output-emphasized mode in which emphasis is placed on engine output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Maehara
  • Publication number: 20030066287
    Abstract: A pair of particulate filters arranged in parallel in an exhaust passage and a combustion device for supplying to the filters exhaust gas having a temperature elevation capability higher than the temperature elevation capability of the engine exhaust gas able to raise the filter temperature are provided. An NOx catalyst and oxidizing substance are carried on each filter. When the NOx absorbed in an NOx catalyst should be reduced, the flow of engine exhaust gas into the filter carrying the NOx catalyst for reduction of the NOx is suppressed and a rich air-fuel ratio exhaust gas is supplied from the combustion device to the filter so that the filter temperature is maintained higher than a particulate continuous oxidation temperature in the NOx reduction temperature range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinya Hirota, Toshiaki Tanaka, Shunsuke Toshioka
  • Publication number: 20030061806
    Abstract: An exhaust gas cleaning system for an internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle has a catalytic converter housing with an associated exhaust catalytic converter and an inlet opening for connecting an exhaust pipe. A throttle element is arranged in the catalytic converter housing, in such a manner that a first reaction chamber, which lies between the throttle element and the inlet opening, and a second reaction chamber, which lies between throttle element and exhaust catalytic converter, are formed by the throttle element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Gerd Duerr, Joachim Karwath, Gerd Tiefenbacher
  • Publication number: 20030061804
    Abstract: In an exhaust gas valve device in an internal combustion engine, including a first bearing member mounted between a valve shaft and a valve body with one end of the valve shaft turnably fitted into the first bearing member, a second bearing member mounted between the valve shaft and the valve body with the other end of the valve shaft turnably passed through the second bearing member, and an actuator connected to the other end of the valve shaft protruding from the second bearing member, The valve body, the valve shaft and the first and second bearing members are formed of metal materials having equivalent thermal expansion coefficients; the first and second bearing members are press-fitted into said valve body; and a skin of a graphite-based solid lubricant is formed on a surface of the valve shaft 46 in regions corresponding to the first and second bearing members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Norihito Watanabe, Yasuyuki Miyahara, Tadashi Sato, Masao Komine, Kenichi Ohmori, Kenji Abe, Tetsuo Endo
  • Publication number: 20030033801
    Abstract: An exhaust system used for a motor vehicle and extending between an exhaust-generating internal combustion engine and an exhaust pipe for release of exhaust into the surrounding environment, includes a three-way catalytic converter disposed in proximity of the combustion engine, a NOx-adsorber disposed upstream of the exhaust pipe, and an exhaust line, which extends between the catalytic converter and the NOx-adsorber, for conducting exhaust. The exhaust line includes an inner tube, an outer tube in spaced-apart surrounding relationship to the inner tube to define a space, and a separation tube received in the space, to thereby define between the inner tube and the separation tube an inner annular gap for conducting exhaust, and between the outer tube and the separation tube an outer annular gap for conducting a coolant. A shut-off device is integrated in the inner tube for regulating the flow of exhaust through the inner tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Applicant: BENTELER AUTOMOBIL TECHNIK GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Axel Hinder, Christian Smatloch, Walter Gross, Jurgen Kleinschmidt
  • Publication number: 20030029165
    Abstract: An mission control unit includes a trunk passage, a loop passage connected to the trunk passage, and a path change portion that is provided in a connecting portion between the trunk passage and the loop passage and that includes a switching valve for changing the path of exhaust gas. The loop passage is provided with a first emission control portion for purifying NOx and carbon-containing particles present in exhaust gas. A second emission control portion for purifying NOx present in exhaust gas is provided in a downstream-side partial passage. The emission control unit is equipped with a reducer injection nozzle for injecting into a first partial loop passage a reducing agent for recovering the emission control functions of the two emission control portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koichiro Nakatani, Shinya Hirota
  • Patent number: 6510686
    Abstract: A reversal device reverses upstream and downstream sides of a particulate filter. First and second collecting surfaces of a collecting wall are used alternately to collect particulates. In order to ensure that a portion of exhaust gas bypasses the particulate filter while a valve body is switched from one position to the other position to reverse the upstream and downstream sides of the particulate filter, the reversal device switches the valve body as soon as the amount of particulates discharged from a combustion chamber of an engine becomes equal to or smaller than a set discharge amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koichi Kimura, Toshiaki Tanaka, Shinya Hirota, Kazuhiro Itoh, Takamitsu Asanuma, Koichiro Nakatani
  • Publication number: 20030010021
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying apparatus for internal combustion engines, which is decreased in space and volume and in which any surplus load is not applied on an engine, comprises a branch exhaust pipe provided on an exhaust pipe of the engine to branch off therefrom in parallel thereto, a first NOx adsorbing catalyst provided in the exhaust pipe, a second small-sized NOx adsorbing catalyst provided in the branch exhaust pipe, an exhaust switchover valve provided at a branch, where the exhaust pipe and the branch exhaust pipe branch off, and having exhaust holes, a first feed pipe having a first switchover valve, and a second feed pipe having a second switchover valve, the first and second feed pipes being opened between the exhaust switchover valve and the first NOx adsorbing catalyst and between the exhaust switchover valve and the second NOx adsorbing catalyst, respectively. The first and second feed pipes are supplied with a fuel from a feed pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Toshihiko Nishiyama, Koutarou Wakamoto
  • Patent number: 6502391
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to improve reliability of exhaust emission purification in an exhaust emission purifying device having an NOx catalyst and an bypass path bypassing the NOx catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinya Hirota, Shunsuke Toshioka, Toshiaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6499292
    Abstract: An direct injected internal combustion engine includes a catalytic device for cleaning the exhaust gases of the engine. A control system of the engine is configured to adjust at least one of fuel injection timing, fuel injection duration and ignition timing so as to increase the temperature of the exhaust gases entering the catalytic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiko Kato
  • Publication number: 20020194842
    Abstract: A device for purifying exhaust gas of a diesel engine comprising a first continuous regeneration type DPF arranged in the exhaust gas passage of the engine, a second continuous regeneration type DPF having a capacity smaller than the capacity of the first continuous regeneration type DPF and disposed in the exhaust gas passage on the upstream side thereof, a by-path arranged to surround the outer peripheral portion of the second continuous regeneration type DPF, a control valve for opening and closing the by-path, an exhaust gas temperature region-detecting means for detecting the exhaust gas temperature region of the engine, and a control means for so controlling the control valve as to close the by-path when the exhaust gas temperature region of the engine is in a low temperature region lower than a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventor: Toshitaka Minami
  • Patent number: 6484495
    Abstract: A device for purifying exhaust gas of diesel engines, in which an oxidizing catalyst, a diesel particulate filter, and an Nox occluding/reducing catalyst are successively disposed in an exhaust gas passage of the diesel engine from the upstream side of the passage, the device for purifying exhaust gas of diesel engines comprising a bypass that connects the upstream side of the oxidizing catalyst with the downstream side thereof in the exhaust gas passage, an exhaust gas passage change-over means for changing-over the exhaust gas flow into either the oxidizing catalyst or the bypass, an air-fuel ratio control means for controlling the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas, an NOx occlusion amount detector means for detecting the amount of NOx occluded by the NOx occluding substance, and a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventor: Toshitaka Minami
  • Publication number: 20020170288
    Abstract: An exhaust gases purification device for internal combustion engines, of the kind that includes a duct which channels gases from the engine exhaust manifold, and injects them into the device, characterized by comprising a quiet chamber (wherein gases expand), then a first standard filter, a buffer plate, then a second filter, and then a centralizer-diffuser assembly where the gas flow is contacted with two external cold air drafts and part of the polluting gases are channeled into a turbulent chamber, from which they are fed into the engine as intake gases, the remaining flow being discharged into an tube ending in a atomizer, and from there into an exhaust tube; said turbulent chamber comprising an engine port portion that discharges into fixed buckets, where gases are expanded and channeled into the atomizer that comprises a gas recovery outlet back into the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Applicant: Len Development Services Corp.
    Inventor: Hector Eduardo Luercho
  • Patent number: 6477830
    Abstract: A fault determining apparatus for an exhaust passage switching valve which is capable of directly, rapidly and properly determining a fault in an exhaust passage switching valve, under conditions such as immediately after the start of an internal combustion engine, in which the switching valve should be essentially operated, without the need for setting a special fault determining mode. The fault determining apparatus determines a fault in the exhaust passage switching valve for switching an exhaust passage of exhaust gases discharged from an internal combustion engine between a main exhaust passage having a three-way catalyst and a bypass exhaust passage having filled in an intermediate portion thereof an adsorbent capable of adsorbing hydrocarbons and moisture in the exhaust gases in accordance with an activated state of the three-way catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shiro Takakura, Masaki Ueno, Masahiro Sato, Tetsuo Endo
  • Publication number: 20020139114
    Abstract: A heated and insulated catalytic converter includes a heat storage device and a control system for maintaining an elevated temperature while the engine is not operating. The control system may also include control of flaps to allow cool air to circulate to prevent overheating and timers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventor: John Dickau
  • Publication number: 20020121084
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for vehicle emissions control. More particularly, an apparatus and method for insuring that the temperature of a vehicle's exhaust gas stream entering the underfloor catalytic converter during engine operation does not exceed the temperature at which the capability of the multi-functional catalyst in the converter to absorb NOx starts to fall off. A first temperature sensor is provided in the exhaust outlet leading from the exhaust manifold of the engine and a second temperature sensor is provided in the catalytic converter. The catalytic converter contains a multi-functional catalyst such as a three-way conversion catalyst and a NOx trap as well as a NOx sensor at its outlet for sensing when NOx breakthrough is occurring. The sensors transmit their readings to a controller which transmits signals to a proportional valve located in the exhaust outlet downstream of the first temperature sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Applicant: ENGELHARD CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michel Deeba
  • Patent number: 6438946
    Abstract: A plurality of catalysts are installed in an exhaust pipe, air-fuel ratio sensors or oxygen sensors are installed upstream and downstream of each catalyst, and the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas is feedback controlled to a target air-fuel ratio based on the output of the air-fuel ratio sensor located upstream of the upstream catalyst. In this the exhaust gas is sufficiently purified with the upstream catalyst alone when the exhaust gas flow rate is small, the oxygen sensor located downstream of the upstream catalyst is used as the downstream sensor for setting a target air-fuel ratio. Furthermore, when the exhaust gas flow rate increases, the amount of exhaust gas components passing through without purification in the upstream catalyst is increased. Therefore, the downstream sensor used for setting the air-fuel ratio is switched to the oxygen sensor located downstream of the downstream catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Majima, Yukihiro Yamashita, Noriaki Ikemoto