Abstract: A fuel reforming catalyst is installed in an internal combustion engine, the catalyst generating a combustible gas from a reforming fuel by using heat of the exhaust gas. In the reforming control, the combustible gas generated by action of the fuel reforming catalyst is refluxed into the intake system. An ECU varies a lower limit temperature of the reforming control depending on a mixture ratio of a gasoline and an ethanol in the reforming fuel. If the temperature of the fuel reforming catalyst is lower than the lower limit temperature, the ECU suspends the injection of the reforming fuel. The device can enlarge a temperature range to perform reforming control as much as possible, and perform the reforming control under suitable temperature conditions.

Abstract: Fuel reforming catalysts 28 generate a hydrogen-containing reformed gas when they come into contact with exhaust gas that contains a reforming fuel. Upstream and downstream air-fuel ratio sensors 58, 60 are respectively installed upstream and downstream of the fuel reforming catalysts 28. The upstream air-fuel ratio sensor 58 outputs a upstream sensor signal in accordance with oxygen concentration. The downstream air-fuel ratio sensor 60 outputs a downstream sensor signal in accordance with oxygen concentration and hydrogen concentration by using zirconia's oxygen detection capability and a change of a diffusion layer's hydrogen-concentration-dependent oxygen detection capability. An ECU 50 detects the hydrogen concentration without being affected by the oxygen concentration through the use of the upstream sensor signal in which only the oxygen concentration is reflected and the downstream sensor signal in which the oxygen concentration and hydrogen concentration are reflected.

Abstract: Fuel reforming catalysts 28 generate a hydrogen-containing reformed gas when they come into contact with exhaust gas that contains a reforming fuel. Upstream and downstream air-fuel ratio sensors 58, 60 are respectively installed upstream and downstream of the fuel reforming catalysts 28. The upstream air-fuel ratio sensor 58 outputs a upstream sensor signal in accordance with oxygen concentration. The downstream air-fuel ratio sensor 60 outputs a downstream sensor signal in accordance with oxygen concentration and hydrogen concentration by using zirconia's oxygen detection capability and a change of a diffusion layer's hydrogen-concentration-dependent oxygen detection capability. An ECU 50 detects the hydrogen concentration without being affected by the oxygen concentration through the use of the upstream sensor signal in which only the oxygen concentration is reflected and the downstream sensor signal in which the oxygen concentration and hydrogen concentration are reflected.

Abstract: A fuel reforming catalyst is installed in an internal combustion engine, the catalyst generating a combustible gas from a reforming fuel by using heat of the exhaust gas. In the reforming control, the combustible gas generated by action of the fuel reforming catalyst is refluxed into the intake system. An ECU varies a lower limit temperature of the reforming control depending on a mixture ratio of a gasoline and an ethanol in the reforming fuel. If the temperature of the fuel reforming catalyst is lower than the lower limit temperature, the ECU suspends the injection of the reforming fuel. The device can enlarge a temperature range to perform reforming control as much as possible, and perform the reforming control under suitable temperature conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an exhaust gas purifying apparatus, for trapping and burning PM, which comprises electrodes and an insulative honeycomb structure. The apparatus is characterized in that the electrodes make an electric field in the honeycomb structure, the electric field not being parallel with the cell passages of the honeycomb structure. Further the apparatus is characterized in that the electrodes make an electric field in the honeycomb structure, and that the honeycomb structure carries at least one metal selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal and an alkali earth metal; a material that generates oxygen radical by conducting an electric current therethrough; a manganese dioxide; and/or a material having a high dielectric constant.

Abstract: An exhaust emission control system capable of enhancing a purifying performance by increasing a catalyst temperature rising speed (warm-up speed) after starting the internal combustion engine, includes a box body formed with an exhaust gas inlet and an exhaust gas outlet, a catalyst support incorporated into the box body, and a catalyst substance supported on the catalyst support. A part of the catalyst support of the exhaust gas purifying catalyst is a low resistance area formed so that a gas flow resistance is lower than in other areas. The low resistance area is disposed in such a position that a flow velocity of the exhaust gas flowing to the catalyst support is high. A temperature rising speed in the low resistance area is increased, and a temperature rising characteristic is further enhanced with this low resistance area serving as a high density support area for supporting a larger quantity of a catalyst substance such as platinum etc than in other areas.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purification system including a catching reactor for attracting particulate matters in an exhaust gas from an engine by electrostatic force, a main exhaust path and an auxiliary exhaust path provided on the exit side of the catching reactor, a PM filter provided in the auxiliary exhaust path for filtrating and processing the exhaust gas, and a flow path control valve for selectively connecting the exit side of the catching reactor to the main exhaust path or the auxiliary exhaust path.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purification system including a catching reactor for attracting particulate matters in an exhaust gas from an engine by electrostatic force, a main exhaust path and an auxiliary exhaust path provided on the exit side of the catching reactor, a PM filter provided in the auxiliary exhaust path for filtrating and processing the exhaust gas, and a flow path control valve for selectively connecting the exit side of the catching reactor to the main exhaust path or the auxiliary exhaust path.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an exhaust gas purifying apparatus, for trapping and burning PM, which comprises electrodes and an insulative honeycomb structure. The apparatus is characterized in that the electrodes sake an electric field in the honeycomb structure, the electric field not being parallel with the cell passages of the honeycomb structure. Further the apparatus is characterized in that the electrodes make an electric field in the honeycomb structure, and that the honeycomb structure carries at least one metal selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal and an alkali earth metal; a material that generates oxygen radical by conducting an electric current therethrough; a manganese dioxide; and/or a material having a high dielectric constant.

Abstract: An exhaust emission control system capable of enhancing a purging performance by increasing a catalyst temperature rising speed (warm-up speed) after starting the internal combustion engine, includes a box body formed with an exhaust gas inlet and an exhaust gas outlet, a catalyst support incorporated into the box body, and a catalyst substance supported on the catalyst support. A part of the catalyst support of the exhaust gas purging catalyst is a low resistance area formed so that a gas flow resistance is lower than in other areas. The low resistance area is disposed in such a position that a flow velocity of the exhaust gas flowing to the catalyst support is high. A temperature rising speed in the low resistance area is increased, and a temperature rising characteristic is further enhanced with this low resistance area serving as a high density support area for supporting a larger quantity of a catalyst substance such as platinum etc than in other areas.

Abstract: To provide an exhaust pipe joint structure which positively absorb vibrations from an internal combustion engine without any leakage or the like and in addition may prevent an enlargement of a system, the joint is connected to the internal combustion engine. When a plurality of first exhaust pipes 2a and 2b juxtaposed to each other is to be connected through a joint 3 to a plurality of second exhaust pipes 4a and 4b juxtaposed to each other, joints 3 having spherical flanges are provided for two or more joint pairs so that a line (V) connecting spherical surface centers of the respective spherical flanges of the respective joint pairs is substantially in parallel with a roll axis (A) of the internal combustion engine. Thus, the shift around the roll axis may be absorbed by a bend of the joint.

Abstract: A vortex gasket for automotive exhaust system, preferably used with a special flange having a conical seal surface, is formed by spirally overlaying a metal hoop (2) of flat strip, and an inorganic filler (3) of tape form, and annularly spot welding a winding start portion (2a) and a winding end portion (2b) of the hoop (2) to itself. The tape form of the inorganic filler is wider than the flat strip of the metal hoop so that edges of the inorganic filler form seal contact surfaces spaced beyond edges of the metal hoop. When an external force is applied in the axial direction, slipping occurs between the hoop (2) and the filler (3), and the gasket is telescopically deformed in the axial direction, so that the seal contact surfaces 1a, 1b, at sides of the gasket, are formed in a conical shape.

Abstract: A vortex gasket for automotive exhaust system, preferably used with a special flange having a conical seal surface, is formed by spirally overlaying a metal hoop (2) of flat strip, and an inorganic filler (3) of tape form, and annularly spot welding a winding start portion (2a) and a winding end portion (2b) of the hoop (2) to itself. The tape form of the inorganic filler is wider than the flat strip of the metal hoop so that edges of the inorganic filler form seal contact surfaces spaced beyond edges of the metal hoop. When an external force is applied in the axial direction, slipping occurs between the hoop (2) and the filler (3), and the gasket is telescopically deformed in the axial direction, so that the seal contact surfaces 1a, 1b, at sides of the gasket, are formed in a conical shape.