Abstract: An apparatus for dissipating energy into the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine includes a container for confining a flow path for exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine where the container has an inlet and an outlet. A porous, electrically conductive mesh is placed in the container such that exhaust gas can flow through the conductive mesh. At least two electrical terminals are in permanent electrical contact with the conductive mesh. An electrical power supply completes an electrical circuit through the conductive mesh with the power supply having two or more electrical outputs electrically connected to an equal number of electrical terminals on the conductive mesh. The apparatus provides a filter, heater, electrical load and silencer.

Abstract: A diesel particulate filter construction, for filtering particulate from a flow of exhaust, includes a first layer of electrically resistive metal filter material in line with the flow of exhaust with particulate therein and a second layer of electrically resistive filter material which is also in line with the flow of exhaust with particulate therein. The layers are pleated cylinders concentrically positioned relative to one another. Current from a power supply is routed through the first layer and the second layer, which are electrically connected in series to one another. The layers are positioned so that exhaust flows through both the layers. Sufficient heat is generated by the flow of current through the layers to generate heat to, in turn, burn off entrapped particulate.

Abstract: A diesel particulate filter construction, for filtering particulate from a flow of exhaust, includes a first layer of electrically resistive metal filter material in line with the flow of exhaust with particulate therein and a second layer of electrically resistive filter material which is also in line with the flow of exhaust with particulate therein. The layers are pleated cylinders concentrically positioned relative to one another. Current from a power supply is routed through the first layer and the second layer, which are electrically connected in series to one another. The layers are positioned so that exhaust flows through both the layers. Sufficient heat is generated by the flow of current through the layers to generate heat to, in turn, burn off entrapped particulate.