Patents by Inventor Douglas E. Lercher

Douglas E. Lercher has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7866145
    Abstract: Particulate emission reducing devices reduce particulate emissions from a vehicle. A housing is attached to a vehicle's exhaust pipe downstream of its muffler by an intake funnel having a desiccant bed and check valve. An ionizer is connected to the intake funnel. A collection unit is removably inserted into the housing through a collection unit opening with support bar notches in the housing's top downstream of the ionizer. Contacts in the bottom of the housing negatively charge collector plates, which collect positively charged particulates from the exhaust stream. Exhaust gases are emitted by an exhaust funnel attached to the housing downstream of the collection unit. A handle attached to the access panel of the collection unit facilitates removal of the collector plates for cleaning. The vehicle may include an indicator light to remind the user to clean the collector plates. The vehicle's trunk may include an access opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Inventor: Douglas E. Lercher