Abstract: In a transverse-mounted cylinder-in-line internal combustion engine (1) fitted in a motor vehicle, the exhaust gases from the side of the internal combustion engine opposite to the direction of travel are led forwardly round the internal combustion engine and from there reach an NOx trap (8) arranged in the middle region of the vehicle. For rapid heating up on cold starting the three-way converter (12) is arranged immediately after the exhaust manifold (2), and in addition when a valve (9) is closed the exhaust gases are led through a short supply duct (5) directly to an exhaust duct (13) which opens into an NOx trap.

Abstract: An inlet arrangement is provided for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine. Each cylinder has an air inlet passage and a pair of inlet valves. A control flap is disposed within the inlet passage of one of the cylinders, the flap being pivotable about a pivot axle. The axle is disposed transverse to the length of the inlet passage. The flap has an operative position in which swirling of the air occurs and a starting position. The flap has a pair of wings provided on opposite sides of the pivot axle. The control flap has a base profile substantially corresponding to the internal profile of the inlet passage and a base area. One of the wings has a greater base area than the second of the wings. The first wing has a recess adjacent to the outer circumference of the wing. The recess, in the starting position of the control flap, faces away from direction from which the air flows.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a multicylinder internal combustion engine having a device, preferably an asymmetric swirl valve, located in the cylinder inlet passage and selectively movable by means of a control unit from a starting position into an effective position, for influencing the flow conditions in the cylinder inlet passage. In known methods the swirl control valve is brought into its effective position in a predetermined rotational speed/torque region and the engine is operated with a stoichiometric or rich mixture. Outside this region the swirl control valve is brought into its starting position and the engine is operated using a substantially stoichiometric or rich mixture.

Abstract: An exhaust system is provided for a motor vehicle having a V-type internal combustion engine forming two banks of cylinders. The exhaust system includes first and second exhaust manifolds, the first manifold connected to the first cylinder bank and the second manifold connected to second cylinder bank. A pair of catalytic converters communicate exhaust from the exhaust manifolds. An exhaust pipe communicates exhaust from each manifold. The first exhaust pipe extends from a first side of the vehicle to a second side of the vehicle. The second exhaust extends from the second side of the vehicle first side of the vehicle. A NOx trap receives exhaust from the second exhaust pipe. A third exhaust pipe communicates exhaust between the first catalytic converter and the NOx trap. The third exhaust pipe does not extend to the second side of the vehicle. A control valve selectively blocks exhaust flow through the first pipe to direct the exhaust through the third exhaust pipe.

Abstract: A thermal management system for catalytic converters of an automotive internal combustion engine includes exhaust pipes from one bank of cylinders crossing over to a second side of the engine to a catalytic converter, while the exhaust pipe from the other bank of cylinders crosses over to the first side of the engine to connect to a corresponding catalytic converter, thereby resulting in a crosswise pattern of exhaust flow. Bypass pipes connect between the exhaust pipes of one bank of cylinders directly to the catalytic converter located on the same side of the engine to provide a short exhaust path to rapidly heat the converter.

Abstract: A valve having a plurality of movable, coaxially arranged annular plates is characterized by the use of fiber reinforced plate members having a thickness of greater than 0.2 inches and, in a preferred embodiment, a thickness to width ratio in excess of 0.5. A valve in accordance with the present invention is also characterized by the ratio of the number of biasing springs associated with each plate to the mean diameter of the plate being greater than 1.2 per inch.

Abstract: A plate valve is presented in which flow losses are reduced and effective flow area is maximized by establishing a ratio of effective seat area (Fs) to area between the plates (Fb) such that Fs/Fb is between 0.4 and 0.8. The spacing between plates is higher compared to the width of the plates than in the prior art, and the width of the plates may decrease for plates of increasing diameter.

Abstract: A feather valve is presented having shock absorbing strips in the guard section to absorb impact loads and dampen vibration of the feather strips.