Abstract: A solar energy-based water heating and power generating module includes a factory-fabricated compound module panel usable as a cover panel for building, car or ship and capable of absorbing solar energy for heating water flowing in a water chamber and a circulation pipe, and a power generator formed of a field magnet set, an oscillator and a coil and actuated by a temperature difference energy to generate heat.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a flow distributor for use to maximize the efficiency and working life of a catalytic converter. The flow distributor is configured such that it directs the gas flow in the center of the exhaust gas stream to the periphery of the gas stream thereby resulting in a more uniform velocity flow pattern.

Abstract: The diagnosis of the heating of a catalytic converter situated in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine is described. The system includes monitoring the actual ignition angle intervention. A current ignition angle is acquired over a specified time and converted into a torque model used for catalytic converter heating. Using the torque model, a degree of fulfillment of executed catalytic converter heating measures is obtained and an error signal is generated by comparing the obtained degree of fulfillment to a limiting value.

Abstract: An exhaust emission control device for an internal combustion engine, which is capable of accurately estimating the amount of NOx trapped by a NOx catalyst even when a catalyst is provided on an upstream side of the NOx catalyst. A catalyst having the function of purifying NOx and a NOx catalyst for trapping NOx under an oxidizing atmosphere are disposed in an exhaust system. The amount of NOx contained in exhaust gases is estimated. A NOx purification performance of the catalyst is calculated. The NOx emission amount is corrected based on the purification performance. An amount of NOx trapped in the NOx catalyst is calculated based on the corrected NOx emission amount. A reducing agent is supplied to an upstream side of the catalyst based on the trapped NOx amount, thereby causing the NOx catalyst to carry out a NOx reducing operation.

Abstract: A spring retainer can reduce the set height and mass of a coil spring. The spring retainer has a retainer body attached to a stem end of a valve and a circumferential plate-like spring part having an inner circumferential part supported by the retainer body and resiliently supporting an end of the valve spring. A spring constant of the plate-like spring part is made higher than a spring constant of the valve spring, so that the plate-like spring part deflects after the valve spring is compressed, to provide a two-step load characteristic and reduce the set height, compressed height, and mass of the valve spring. It can also reduce the height and mass of the spring retainer. A spring system formed by combining the spring retainer and valve spring with each other will be compact and lightweight.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a self-regulating thermal energy storage system for use in conjunction with at least one thermal energy client, and a method for self-regulating the storage and use of thermal energy in the system.

Abstract: An exhaust emission control device for an internal combustion engine, capable of supplying a just enough amount of reducing agent to a selective reduction catalyst even when a NOx purification ratio of the catalyst is changed by various causes, thereby enabling a high NOx purification ratio and very low exhaust emissions to be maintained. An ECU calculates a filtered value based on a signal from an exhaust gas concentration sensor, calculates a moving average value of a product of the filtered value and a reference input, calculates a control input such that the moving average value becomes equal to 0, and adds a reference input to the control input to calculate an FB injection amount. The ECU calculates an FF injection amount with a predetermined feedforward control algorithm, and adds the FF injection amount to the FB injection amount, to thereby calculate a urea injection amount.

Abstract: A device for estimating the loading state of a NOx storage catalytic converter. The device includes a module for determining the oxygen concentration difference between an oxygen concentration present in the exhaust gas upstream of the NOX storage catalytic converter and an oxygen concentration present in the exhaust gas downstream of the NOX storage catalytic converter, and a controller for estimating the loading state of the NOX storage catalytic converter on the basis of said oxygen concentration difference.

Abstract: An exhaust gas catalytic converter is laden with oxygen until it is saturated at least upstream of an exhaust gas probe. A predefined first rich air/fuel ration is set in a combustion chamber of a cylinder. A first oxygen storage capacity value is determined as a function of the measurement signal of an exhaust gas probe and the predefined first rich air/fuel ratio. The exhaust gas catalytic converter is laden with oxygen until it is saturated. A predefined second rich air/fuel ration is set in the combustion chamber of the cylinder. A second oxygen storage capacity value is determined as a function of the measurement signal of the exhaust gas probe and the predefined second rich air/fuel ration. A corrected oxygen storage capacity value is determined as a function of the first and second oxygen storage capacity values.

Abstract: A control system for reducing ash comprises a temperature estimator module that estimates a temperature of an electrically heated particulate matter (PM) filter. A temperature and position estimator module estimates a position and temperature of an oxidation wave within the electrically heated PM filter. An ash reduction control module adjusts at least one of exhaust flow, fuel and oxygen levels in the electrically heated PM filter to adjust a position of the oxidation wave within the electrically heated PM filter based on the oxidation wave temperature and position.

Abstract: A method of extending emissions performance of an exhaust after-treatment system of a vehicle that includes a dosing agent includes determining a level of a dosing agent source, selectively entering a limp-home mode based on the level and monitoring a catalyst temperature during said limp-home mode. Operation of an engine is regulated to increase the catalyst temperature when the catalyst temperature is less than a threshold catalyst temperature during the limp-home mode.

Abstract: In regeneration control, when the catalyst temperature index temperature (Tg2) using the temperature of the oxidation catalyst (12a) as an index is below a predetermined first determination temperature (Tc1), the engine speed of idling is brought to a predetermined first target engine speed (Nei1) which is higher than the engine speed of idling (Nei0) in the ordinary operation, and, further, multi-injection is carried out. On the other hand, when the catalyst temperature index temperature (Tg2) is the predetermined first determination temperature (Tc1) or above, the engine speed of idling is brought to a predetermined second target engine speed (Nei2), which is lower than the predetermined first target engine speed (Nei1) and is higher than the engine speed of idling (Nei0) in ordinary operation, and, further, post injection is carried out, followed by raising of the temperature of an exhaust gas flown into a DPF apparatus (12b) to a predetermined second determination temperature (Tc2).

Abstract: A method for metering a fuel into at least one exhaust duct of an internal combustion engine and a device for implementing the method. The fuel is converted in an exothermic reaction for achieving a specified setpoint temperature of a component to be heated. The required metering quantity of the fuel is calculated with the inclusion of a model of the exothermic reaction. The method makes it possible to achieve the specified setpoint temperature of the component to be heated or of the exhaust gas in front of the component to be heated using a minimal quantity of fuel.

Abstract: A particulate trap system for an internal combustion engine includes a plurality of contiguous porous walls, and a remotely actuated relief valve downstream of said trap for periodically creating a reverse pressure throughout the exhaust system upstream of the relief valve and including said trap. A reversing apparatus periodically creates a reverse pressure drop across a portion of the contiguous porous walls of said trap to dislodge accumulated particulate and cause a portion of the filtered exhaust gas to flow back through said portion of the contiguous porous walls to remove particulate therefrom. A control system actuates the relief valve and the reversing apparatus. In one embodiment the system is utilized on a vehicle and the reversing apparatus includes a relief valve that is also operative as an exhaust brake.

Abstract: An emissions control system is disclosed. The emissions control system may have a power source that creates a flow of exhaust, an SCR catalyst situated to receive the flow of exhaust, and an injector configured to inject a reduction agent into the flow of exhaust in the presence of the SCR catalyst. The emissions control system may further have a controller configured to calculate a spatially dependent surface coverage of the reduction agent on the SCR catalyst and substantially stop injection of the reduction agent when the spatially dependent surface coverage of the reduction agent exceeds a maximum surface coverage of the reduction agent at one or more spatial locations.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying device for an internal combustion engine, comprises: an exhaust purifying catalyst; a NOx purifying catalyst disposed downstream of the exhaust purifying catalyst; upstream and downstream A/F detecting sensors disposed on upstream and downstream sides of the exhaust purifying catalyst, respectively; means for supplying a reducing agent to the NOx purifying catalyst when conducting a reduction control of the NOx; means for calculating an amount of reduced NOx in the NOx purifying catalyst; means for terminating the reduction control when the amount of reduced NOx exceeds a prescribed reduction termination threshold value; means for detecting a degree of deterioration of the exhaust purifying catalyst based on an output from the upstream and downstream A/F detecting sensors; a threshold value correcting means for correcting the reduction termination threshold value according to the degree of deterioration of the exhaust purifying catalyst; and a correction prohibiting means for prohibit

Abstract: An exhaust purification device for an engine comprises a catalytic device for purifying exhaust by using an additive, a deflecting device for allowing the exhaust to flow through and causing the exhaust to be agitated, upstream of the catalytic device, an additive injection device for injecting an additive, downstream of the deflecting device, a temperature detection device for detecting exhaust temperature, downstream of the deflecting device, and a control unit for controlling the additive injection device on the basis of the exhaust temperature detected by the temperature detection device. The temperature detection device has a temperature detection part located within a region where the exhaust having passed through the deflecting device has increased velocity.

Abstract: Heat generation is not caused by friction in a phase varying apparatus for use with a vehicle engine. A phase varying apparatus for use with a vehicle engine varies the opening/closing timing of an intake valve or an exhaust valve. The phase varying apparatus includes a rotary drum (44A) screwed to an intermediate member (30); an electromagnetic clutch (42) including a plurality of magnets (80) that are fixedly arranged at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction of the rotary drum and that are magnetized alternately in opposite directions and a coil wound around an iron core (60); and ferromagnetic-material-made magnetic flux induction members (82, 84) having a plurality of claws (82B, 84B) close to magnetic poles of a magnet, having a slight gap between the iron core and the magnetic flux induction member, and forming a magnetic path (85) made up of the iron core and the magnets. The magnetic flux induction member is fixed to an outer cylinder part (10) or to an inner cylinder part (20).

Abstract: Temperature control devices have become common to cool the exhaust stream from a diesel particulate filter before release into the environment. To further cool the filtered exhaust stream and to protect the temperature control device, a duct can be used to surround the inlets of the temperature control device. The duct has a head section surrounding the inlets at one end and a base section extending from the head section with a vent at the other end. Ambient air is drawn through the vent into the duct and into the inlets of the temperature control device to further cool the filtered exhaust stream.

Abstract: Turbine exhaust steam, axially fed between counter-rotating radial flow disk turbines, separates into: (1) a radially inward flow of low enthalpy dry steam, and (2) a radially outward flow of high enthalpy steam, noncondensibles, and condensate. The radially inward flow goes to a conventional condenser. The radially outward flow loses enthalpy turning the disk turbines as it passes in the boundary layers against the disks, thus becoming low enthalpy dry steam, and the counter-rotation of the disks by impinging mass flow of condensate, high enthalpy steam, and noncondensibles sustains a cascade of dynamic vortex tubes in the shear layer between the boundary layers. The low enthalpy dry steam resulting from work being done flows into the condenser through the vortex cores of fractal turbulence. Condensate exits the periphery of the workspace, ready to be pumped back into the Rankine cycle.