Exhaust Treatment Patents (Class 55/DIG30)
  • Patent number: 6120583
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purifier, having three or more filter units parallel, wherein if at least one filter unit fails during its generation, it is compensated by the cyclic operation of the maining filter units so that the total function of the exhaust gas purifier is practically maintained. Electric heaters 14 are provided for regenerating individual filter units 3, and valves 4 are placed either at the entrances or at the exits of the units 3. While filter units 3 with opened valves 4 trap particulates, at least one filter unit 3's valve 4 is closed to send an electric current into the heater 14 for regenerating the filter unit 3. If the detected current is beyond a predetermined range, the current supply is shut off with the valve 4 still kept closed, and another filter unit 3 is regenerated in the same manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Saito, Kenji Matsunuma
  • Patent number: 6112519
    Abstract: A foreign matter-removing filter is provided upstream of an electrically-heated heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignees: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichi Shimasaki, Hironao Fukuchi, Hiroaki Kato, Kazutomo Sawamura, Yasushi Kato
  • Patent number: 6102976
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purifier which can efficiently eliminate particulate matter discharged from an engine, and which has a long life. The purifier is attached to a discharge passage of an engine, and includes a filter constituted by a plurality of cylindrical filter elements each formed of porous metal. The filter elements are different in diameter from each other, and disposed concentrically and assembled radially apart from each other through a space. The filter has an exhaust gas inlet passage side end and an exhaust gas outlet passage side end, the exhaust gas inlet side end being closed, by a shielding plate, up to the cylindrical filter element of the largest outer diameter, and the exhaust gas outlet passage side end being closed at a portion between an outer circumferential case and the cylindrical filter element of the smallest outer diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masataka Oji, Hidetoshi Saito, Shiro Nakajima, Satoru Okamoto
  • Patent number: 6101793
    Abstract: An exhaust gas filter having a ceramic filter body is configured such that a specific heat h (cal/g.degree. C.) of ceramic powder constituting the body, and a bulk specific gravity d (g/cm.sup.3) of the filter, satisfy the relation 0.12 (cal/cm.sup.3 .degree. C.).ltoreq.h.times.d.ltoreq.0.19 (cal/cm.sup.3 .degree. C.). The ceramic filter body includes a plurality of cells which extend axially to open at opposite ends of the body. One of the opposite axial ends of each of the cells is closed by a filler in such a manner that the closed ends of the cells and the open ends of the cells are arranged in an alternating configuration. The filter traps particulates in the exhaust gas, and the trapped particulates are removed by regeneration combustion of the filter. The filter exhibits excellent durability, thus preventing the formation of cracks in the surface and interior of the filter. When the filter is mounted on a diesel engine, the diesel engine advantageously does not discharge black smoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuaki Nagai, Shinji Wada, Yuichi Murano, Sachinori Ikeda
  • Patent number: 6090172
    Abstract: The present invention is a filtering unit providing after-treatment of the gases emited in the exhaust of Diesel engines, comprising a filtering set which includes at least one filtering element (11, 12, 13); at least one resistive element (3) which heats a zone (121, 122, 123) of one of the at least one filtering element; at least one detection device which determines fouling of the filtering set (1); a control (5), responsive to the at least one detection device, which controls independently each of the resistive elements, according to the fouling of the filtering set and electrical power available to the at least one resistive element. The resistive elements (3) can be each wound around a zone of a filtering element. The invention further relates to the associated process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Institut Francias du Petrole
    Inventors: Jean-Baptiste Dementhon, Brigitte Martin, Olivier Pajot
  • Patent number: 6090187
    Abstract: Two filters provided in an exhaust path of an internal combustion engine are used to simultaneously collect particulate in an exhaust gas and are alternately refreshed. When a refresh timing of the filters comes, a determination is made as to which of the filters has a larger accumulation amount. The plurality of filters are refreshed in an order from the filter determined as having the larger accumulation amount, and variation of accumulation amounts of particulate of the filters is corrected, so that both of the filters are refreshed within a tolerable temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuaki Kumagai
  • Patent number: 6077490
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for filtering oxidizable particles from hot synthesis gas or syngas uses a pair of candle filters each having an inlet side for receiving the hot unfiltered syngas to be filtered, and an outlet side for discharging hot filtered syngas. One housing contains both filters or a separate housing is provided for each filter. Each housing has an inlet for receiving hot unfiltered syngas and for supplying the hot unfiltered syngas to each of the filter inlet sides. Each housing also has an outlet for discharging hot filtered syngas from each of the filter outlet sides. Air is supplied to each housing for supplying combustion air alternately to each of the candle filters for burning oxidizable particles trapped on each respective filter to clean each filter while the other filter is filtering the hot unfiltered syngas. One or more switching valves are connected to the combustion air supplies for alternating the supply of combustion air between the candle filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: McDermott Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. McIlroy, Mark A. Perna, Kurt E. Kneidel, Andrew F. Kisik
  • Patent number: 6063150
    Abstract: A self-cleaning particle filter for Diesel engines is provided. The filter includes a filter housing, control circuitry, a removable filter sandwich and independent power source. The removable filter sandwich includes a number of sintered metal strips sewn and positioned between two sheets of inorganic material to provide a filter sandwich. Current is delivered to the metal filter strips to efficiently burn off carbon, lube oil and unburned fuel particulates which have been filtered from exhaust gas. The filter sandwich is formed into a cylindrical configuration and mounted onto a perforated metal carrier tube for receiving and filtering exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Rypos, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaus J. Peter, Osama M. Ibrahim
  • Patent number: 6063272
    Abstract: An activated carbon filter is regenerated while it remains positioned in a filter vessel by first draining both unfiltered and filtered water out of the vessel and then applying an electric current through the activated carbon body of the filter to drive off contaminants. An inert gas is directed through the filter in a direction opposite to that of the liquid flow and then contaminants are moved from the filter vessel to a multi-stage catalytic converter where they are completely oxidized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Screen Lore Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Herbst
  • Patent number: 6045618
    Abstract: An apparatus for minimizing deposition in an exhaust line of a substrate processing chamber. The apparatus includes first and second members having opposing surfaces that define a fluid conduit between them. The fluid conduit includes an inlet, an outlet and a collection chamber between the inlet and the outlet. The apparatus is connected at its inlet to receive the exhaust of the substrate processing chamber, and the collection chamber is structured and arranged to collect particulate matter flowing through the fluid conduit and to inhibit egress of the particulate matter from the collection chamber. A microwave plasma generation system supplies microwave energy within the fluid conduit to form a plasma from etchant gases within the fluid conduit. Constituents from the plasma react with the particulate matter collected in the collection chamber to form gaseous products that may be pumped out of the fluid conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Sebastien Raoux, Tsutomu Tanaka, Mukul Kelkar, Hari Ponnekanti, Kevin Fairbairn, David Cheung
  • Patent number: 6032462
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for cleansing and filtering exhaust gas of a vehicle having an internal combustion engine including an exhaust gas cleansing chamber having an exhaust gas inlet and an exhaust gas outlet, the exhaust gas inlet connected to the exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine, a vaporizer connected to the exhaust pipe so as to introduce water vapor into the exhaust gas before the exhaust gas enters the exhaust gas cleansing chamber, and a sprinkler connected to the exhaust gas cleansing chamber so as to provide a spray curtain of water between the exhaust gas inlet and the exhaust gas outlet to filter impurities from and reduce the temperature of the exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Inventor: Rey-Chin Chu
  • Patent number: 6024927
    Abstract: A particulate trap for use in a diesel engine can efficiently trap particulates contained in exhaust gas with low pressure drop and can burn collected particulates for regeneration with less power consumption. A filter element having a built-in electric heater is mounted in a case provided in the exhaust line of a diesel engine. The filter has two mutually opposed surfaces between which is mounted the electric heater. With this arrangement, it is possible to increase the filtration area and also the heating efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunsuke Ban, Takao Maeda, Hiroshi Yoshino, Tsutomu Ooka
  • Patent number: 6013118
    Abstract: An object is to provide a particulate trap for a diesel engine which can efficiently burn particulates trapped by a filter while supplying oxygen by natural convection so that the filter can be regenerated in a short time while minimizing the power consumed by the heater. To accomplish this purpose, end plates 6, 7 and brackets 9 may be welded to compressed portions 4a, 5a of an inner cylinder 4 and an outer cylinder 5; heater-supporting ceramic insulators are mounted, spaced from each other, on a heater 14; and/or an ambient air introducing passage 36 is provided to extend from outside the case into a multiple-cylinder filter provided in the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Matsunuma, Naruhito Nakajima
  • Patent number: 6012285
    Abstract: A vertically-extending L-shaped exhaust pipe and method of manufacturing same are disclosed. The exhaust pipe includes a drain hole located at the bottom of the horizontal portion of the exhaust pipe for allowing liquids to drain from the pipe in order to avoid harming upstream exhaust system or engine components. An elliptically shaped guide is welded into an arcuate slot immediately upstream of the drain hole and is angled in the downstream direction so as to direct the flow of liquid toward the drain opening and away from upstream exhaust system components. The present invention is simple to manufacture, eliminates the need for a noisy flapper lid, and maintains the structural integrity of the exhaust pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Wacker Corporation
    Inventors: Todd J. Lutz, David N. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 6010547
    Abstract: Disclosed is a counterflow type filter trap system for filtering particulate matters from engine exhaust gases. A controller for receiving and sending information signals, is included. A metal fiber filter for capturing particulate matters included in the engine exhaust gases is provided. A back pressure sensor for sensing pressure difference between the inlet and the outlet of the metal fiber filter, is formed. A compressed air supplying portion is formed for injecting a compressed air in the opposite direction to the flow of the exhaust gases to separate the captured particulate matters from the metal fiber filter. A particulate matters collecting box for collecting the separated particulate matters and a guiding valve for guiding the separated particulate matters are provided. The life of the filter is lengthened and the apparatus has a simple structure. The filtering efficiency of the exhausted fumes is very high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials
    Inventors: Young-Il Jeong, Jin-Wook Lee
  • Patent number: 5993502
    Abstract: A sintered porous metal filter permitting passage of gases therethrough comprises a filter portion having specified pores for trapping dust as separated from the gas to be treated, and a support portion for supporting the filter portion, the support portion having pores greater than the pores of the filter portion to diminish the pressure loss of the gas to be treated, the filter portion comprising metal particles of small diameter, the support portion comprising metal particles having a greater diameter than the filter portion forming metal particles, the filter portion and the support portion being formed to provide an outer side and an inner side integral therewith by sintering the two kinds of metal particles by hot isostatic pressing. A catalyst reaction portion for rendering noxious components of the gas to be treated harmless is formed in the filter portion or the support portion, or as an independent catalyst layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Ryutaro Motoki, Takashige Ishida, Shigeru Tanaka, Jun Funakoshi, Takashi Nishi, Akira Kosaka, Tetsuo Kimura
  • Patent number: 5976224
    Abstract: A method of separating unburned Carbon, as particulate matter, from the flyash produced as a result of the combustion process occurring in a pulverized-coal fired steam generating power plant is disclosed. More particularly the invention separates the flyash into a coarse product group and a fine product group by utilizing the differences in specific gravity between the Carbon particles and remaining flyash as well as utilization of the dynamic classification characteristics of a rotary classifier to effect the separation whereby at least one of the two product groups comprises a relatively low weight percentage of unburned Carbon while yet comprising a relatively high percentage of the total mass of product recovered after separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventors: James F. Durant, Glen D. Jukkola, Michael S. McCartney, Nicole M. Phyfe, Reed S. C. Rogers, Gregory R. Strich
  • Patent number: 5972075
    Abstract: In a purifier for removing particulates from an exhaust gas, a pressure difference, and a flow rate of the air supplied to the filter element is adjusted in such a manner that a difference between a pressure difference of an air across a substantially invariable air flow resistance before the air reaches a filter element collecting and storing the particulates therein and a reference pressure difference is a predetermined value, while heating the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kensei Fukuda, Yoshinobu Kuwamoto, Yasuhiro Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 5962820
    Abstract: A modable acoustic tubular device is coupled internally in the clean air tube of a vehicle engine inlet assembly. The moldable acoustic tubular device is made of an acoustic absorbing material provided with controlled porosity or a set of acoustic materials having controlled porosity, superimposed and glued to each other. The tubular device has the shape thereof predetermined pursuant to the internal characteristics of the conventional clean air passage tube which is made of rubber or plastic and which interconnects the air filter and the carburetor of a vehicle engine. The tubular device absorbs sound waves caused by the inlet noises. The device is applied internally inside the inlet tube by gluing or other adhesion and may remain integral with the inside of the tube or be removable therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Westaflex Tubes Flexiveis, Ltda.
    Inventor: Edmond Pol Jean LePoutre
  • Patent number: 5958095
    Abstract: Thin plate-like electric heaters are disposed among multi-layer cylindrical filters for capturing particulates in positions without contacting with the filters. As the means for more reducing the power supply to the heater as the position of the heater is closer to the central cylinder of the multi-layer filters, the thicknesses of the thin plate-like electric heaters or the geometrical patterns of the electric conduction paths are changed to thereby set the resistance values of the heaters in advance in order to reduce the temperature of the central-side cylinder which is apt to be high to thereby realize the balance with the temperature of the outer-circumferential cylinder, or the electric conduction quantity to the heaters is selectively more reduced as the position of the heater is closer to the central cylinder to realize the balance of temperature distribution with the filter on the outer-circumferential side filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Yoro, Tutomu Ooka, Masataka Oji
  • Patent number: 5952622
    Abstract: A moldable acoustic device is internally coupled to a vehicle engine's air filter. The moldable acoustic device has the shape of a circular box or of any other shape, and includes a plate of acoustic absorbing material provided with porosities or a set of plates of acoustic materials provided with porosities, superimposed and glued to each other, having its shape predetermined pursuant to the internal and acoustic characteristics of the conventional air filter to which it will be internally coupled. The moldable acoustic device is essentially an acoustic internal lining for the purpose of absorbing acoustic waves generated by engine inlet noises, that is coupled by gluing or otherwise inside the air filter's upper compartment and/or lower compartment. The moldable acoustic device is also removable or not from the compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Inventor: Edmond Pol Jean LePoutre
  • Patent number: 5950424
    Abstract: A collection device for collecting, under electrical control, particles (10) in an exhaust from a diesel engine is disclosed. The device has a needle electrode (8) having a needle tip (8a) for charging up the particles (10) by creating a corona discharge around the needle tip (8a) collecting electrode (11) for collecting the charged particles (10a) by electrostatic force and a high voltage power source (13) for applying prescribed high voltage between the needle electrode (8) and the collecting electrode (11), the high voltage power source (13) electrically being connected with the needle electrode (8) and the collecting electrode (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisya O - Den
    Inventor: Kouzaburou Nojima
  • Patent number: 5941066
    Abstract: A device for purifying the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The device comprises a collision collecting type filter for collecting particulates which is arranged in an exhaust passage, can vary a pressure in the exhaust passage on at least one of the upstream side and downstream side of said filter, determines that the collected particulates have been burned and the filter has been regenerated, and suddenly changes the pressure in the exhaust passage when it is determined that the filter has been regenerated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasushi Araki, Yoshimitsu Henda, Yoshimasa Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5938802
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purifier which can regenerate its trapper for trapping particulate matter (PM) in exhaust over the entire area of its filter portion, even if a large amount of PM is trapped. PM trapped on the trapper is burned by heating the trapper with an electric heater inserted in the trapper on its downstream side. With this arrangement, PM is less likely to accumulate between the electric heater and the trapper. Also, PM is less likely to adhere to the surface of heater supporting insulators. Thus, it is possible to prevent short-circuiting between the heater and the trapper through PM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Saito, Katsuhiko Yoro, Shiro Nakajima, Noboru Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 5930994
    Abstract: A reverse cleaning regeneration type exhaust emission control device includes two exhaust emission routes communicated with an inlet port of an exhaust emission path. The device includes first path A having a filter A1, a valve A2 and a nozzle A3 and a second path B having a filter B1, a valve B2 and a nozzle B3, and a third path C arranged at an upstream side of the filters A1 and B1 separately from the exhaust emission path extending from the inlet port of the exhaust emission and having a filter C1, a valve C2 and a nozzle C3. The reverse cleanings of the filters A1 and B1 are alternately carried out during the working of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Ibiden Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Shimato, Kazuya Naruse, Norihiko Yamamura, Hirosi Demati, Takaya Naiki
  • Patent number: 5930995
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purification device of a compression-ignition combustion engine comprises exhaust branch passages each being connected to a corresponding cylinder of the engine at one end thereof and connected to a common exhaust passage at the other end thereof, and a filter arranged in at least one of the exhaust branch passages to trap particulates in the exhaust gas discharged from the engine. Pressure in the exhaust branch passage upstream of the filter is controlled to continuously make the pressure equal to or greater than a pressure in the exhaust branch passage downstream of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshimasa Watanabe, Yasushi Araki, Kiyoshi Kobashi, Yoshimitu Henda
  • Patent number: 5914415
    Abstract: Disclosed are a first vent filter member which includes: an elastomer member made of a thermoplastic elastomer to which a water-repellent film can be fixed by fusion and having a cylindrical form whose one end part serves as an opening for insertion of a mounting part of a base; a water-repellent film thermally fusion-bonded to the other end part of the elastomer member; and a covering cap which protects the water-repellent film and has been fitted and fixed to the elastomer member in such a manner that a vent passageway is formed between the elastomer member and the covering cap, and a second vent filter member which includes: an elastomer member made of a thermoplastic elastomer to which a water-repellent film can be fixed by fusion and having a disk form which has on one side thereof a tapered insertional part to be inserted into a mounting part, is blocked on the other side with a mist barrier cover, and has a sealing/fixing part on the outer periphery thereof and a vent passageway extending from said one
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Tago
  • Patent number: 5912370
    Abstract: An emission filter is provided including a tube attachment removably coupled to an exhaust pipe. A filter is mounted on the tube for filtering exhaust emitted from the exhaust pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Inventor: James H. McConkey
  • Patent number: 5908480
    Abstract: A particulate trap for use in a diesel engine which is inexpensive, and which is high in particulate trapping efficiency, regeneration properties and durability, and low in pressure loss due to particulates trapped. An even number of flat filters made from a non-woven fabric of heat-resistant metallic fiber are laminated alternately with the same number of corrugated sheets made of a heat-resistant metal. The laminate thus formed are rolled into a columnar shape. Each space between the adjacent flat filters in which every other corrugated sheet is inserted is closed at one end of the filter element by a closure member. The other spaces between the adjacent flat filters are closed at the other end of the filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignees: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shunsuke Ban, Youichi Nagai, Kiyoshi Kobashi, Hiromichi Yanagihara
  • Patent number: 5902361
    Abstract: A filter device for filtering a fluid, in particular for filtering the air flowing into the passenger compartment of a vehicle. The filter element (10; 60) including filter material (12; 62) with a border (14; 64) and a filter element frame (20; 70) connected with the filter material (12; 62) and extending at least partly along the border (14; 64), the filter element frame (20; 70) being provided with a projecting resilient sealing lip (24; 74) for abutting a device (42, 44, 48) receiving the filter element (10; 60), the sealing lip (24; 74) having at least one bending section (26) of a first thickness (30) facing the filter element frame (20; 70) and at least one enlarged section (28) adjoining the at least one bending section (26) and facing away from the filter material (12; 62), at least a part (40) of the enlarged section being of a second thickness (32) greater than the first thickness (30) in the at least one bending section (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Klaus Pomplun, Roland Beck
  • Patent number: 5894013
    Abstract: A catalyst for purifying an exhaust gas includes a substrate, a catalyst carrier layer, a catalyst ingredient and a hydrocarbons supplier. The catalyst carrier layer is formed on the substrate. The catalyst ingredient is loaded on the catalyst carrier layer. The hydrocarbons supplier is disposed in the substrate, and supplies supplementary hydrocarbons into the catalyst carrier layer so as to securely react the supplementary hydrocarbons with NO.sub.x included in an exhaust gas. Hence, the catalyst can purify not only CO but also NO.sub.x over a wide temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshihiro Takada
  • Patent number: 5888260
    Abstract: A high performance air intake for an automotive engine has an oiled gauze filter of inverted conical form, including an inverted, shaped inner apex, the filter fitting within an in-line filter body that forms a part of a slender intake line. The in-line form of the filter enables the pick-up of intake air from a cool zone below the engine, with little subsequent heating of the air, resulting in enhanced breathing of the engine, with observable performance enhancement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Inventor: Gerardo Sica
  • Patent number: 5888456
    Abstract: A catalytic converter includes a housing, a honeycomb heater fixed to inside the housing, and a catalytic element disposed downstream of the honeycomb heater. The honeycomb heater has a first honeycomb structure made of metal having a first partition wall having a plurality of first throughholes, and at least one electrode for electrifying the first honeycomb structure. The catalytic element fixed to inside the housing and disposed downstream of the honeycomb heater has a second honeycomb structure having a second partition wall having a plurality of second throughholes, and a catalytic compound loaded on the second honeycomb structure. A horizontal cross-section of the honeycomb structure is made smaller than that of the honeycomb structure. Further, a gap between an outflow end surface of the honeycomb structure and an inflow end surface of the honeycomb structure is made large.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeharu Hashimoto, Takahisa Kaneko, Tomoharu Kondo, Yasushi Kato
  • Patent number: 5882608
    Abstract: A pollution control device has a metal housing, a solid pollution control device disposed within the metal housing, and a mounting mat disposed between the pollution control element and the housing for positioning the pollution control element and for absorbing mechanical and thermal shock. The mounting mat includes a layer of intumescent material having at least one insert formed of a resilient, flexible, fibrous non-intumescent material. The insert is positioned along at least a portion of at least one lateral edge of the mounting mat to prevent erosion of the intumescent material and to provide a seal between the pollution control element and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Stephen M. Sanocki, Loyd R. Hornback, III, Richard P. Merry, Joel H. Sabean, Paul D. Stroom
  • Patent number: 5879640
    Abstract: A pollutant-reducing catalytic converter for an internal combustion engine. The catalytic converter is of ceramic and operates at higher temperatures for increased efficiency. A ceramic foam is used as the substrate for the catalyst. The foam is an open-celled foam and the substrate is deposited on the walls of the cells. Thus, there is a maximum area of catalyst with a minimum amount of catalyst required. The catalytic converter can be placed in the engine compartment adjacent the engine for maximum efficiency without causing temperature problems within the engine compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Donald Atmur, Thomas Edward Strasser
  • Patent number: 5873918
    Abstract: In a filter cartridge for insertion in a housing for the removal of combustible substances from exhaust gases, with a regeneration of the charged filter material by combustion of the substances, the filter consists of a metallic fiber mat welded together so as to form a hollow cylinder which is disposed tightly on an electrically conductive lattice structure. The ends of the hollow filter cylinder are compressed and tightly held, by metal sleeves, in engagement with a cartridge head and a cartridge foot structure and they are welded together by an end face weld seam. Current is supplied to the filter cylinder by way of the cartridge head and foot structure for heating the filter cylinder directly so that the combustible substances collected on the inside of the filter cylinder are efficiently burnt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Georg Dillman, Jurgen Furrer
  • Patent number: 5865864
    Abstract: A honeycomb body, in particular a catalyst carrier body, includes a multiplicity of channels through which a fluid can flow. A first group of channels has a higher flow resistance than a second group of channels and the honeycomb body has at least one cross-sectionally asymmetrical accumulation or collection of channels of higher flow resistance covering only part of the cross-sectional area of the honeycomb body in the circumferential direction. The channels of higher flow resistance in particular have smaller hydraulic diameters than the other channels or are provided at inlet and/or the outlet ends and/or in their interiors with additional structures for hindering flow. Honeycomb bodies can thus be produced in which distributions of flow resistances over the cross-sectional area can be defined and matched to flow conditions, which can be particularly advantageous when such a honeycomb is disposed downstream of electrically heatable honeycomb bodies with slits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Emitec Gesellschaft fuer Emissionstechnologie mbH
    Inventor: Rolf Bruck
  • Patent number: 5863311
    Abstract: A particulate trap for a diesel engine use which is less likely to vibrate or deform under exhaust pressures and achieves good results in all of the particulate trapping properties, pressure drop, durability and regenerating properties. This trap has a filter element made of plurality of flat or cylindrical filters. Longitudinally extending exhaust incoming and outgoing spaces are defined alternately between the adjacent filters by alternately closing the inlet and outlet ends of the spaces between the adjacent filters. Gas permeable reinforcing members are inserted in the exhaust outgoing spaces to prevent the filter from being deformed due to the difference between the pressure upstream and downstream of each filter produced when exhausts pass through the filters. Similar gas permeable reinforcing members may also be inserted in the exhaust incoming spaces or at both ends of the filter element to more positively prevent vibration of the filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignees: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Youichi Nagai, Syunsuke Ban, Tomohiko Ihara, Kiyoshi Kobashi, Hiromichi Yanagihara
  • Patent number: 5857326
    Abstract: An exhaust poison trap for protection of catalytic converters in automotive exhaust systems includes a tubular housing having open ends and a peripheral wall internally defining an exhaust chamber, a helical wall longitudinally dividing the exhaust chamber into at least two longitudinally extending helical passages for exhaust gas flow and porous means substantially covering the interior of the peripheral wall and forming an outer periphery of each of said helical passages, whereby exhaust gas passing through the exhaust chamber is directed in a helical path through the helical passages, causing particulate matter in the gas to be accelerated outwardly by centrifugal force and trapped in the porous means, thus protecting a downstream catalytic converter from trapped catalyst poisoning particles such as zinc and phosphorous. The porous means may be coated to improve trapping or to aid catalytic reactions in the exhaust gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Scott Christopher Blanchet
  • Patent number: 5855781
    Abstract: A monolithic ceramic filter having a portion of the partition wall of a honeycomb structure exposed with its end face on an outer wall surface of the structure and increased in thickness as compared to the remaining portion of the partition wall to form a flow resistance relaxing portion is disclosed. The monolithic ceramic filter may also have a groove-shaped recess which is separated via a partition from a liquid supply passage of a honeycomb structure and is in communication with the outside of the structure. The flow resistance of the filtrate within the partition walls may be diminished to enable efficient filtration. The filter is produced simply by extrusion molding. There is no necessity of forming holes for discharging the filtrate in some cases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Noritake Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yorita, Hisatomi Taguchi, Yuji Kamei
  • Patent number: 5855854
    Abstract: An oxidizing catalytic converter is provided in an exhaust passage of a diesel engine. A catalyst is formed by coating a wash coat comprising platinum onto a substrate The converter is divided into a high temperature part through which high temperature exhaust is circulated and a low temperature part through which low temperature exhaust is circulated, and the platinum particle diameter of the catalyst in the low temperature part is arranged to be less than that in the high temperature part. It is preferable that the wash coat amount of the low temperature part is less than that of the high temperature part. It is moreover preferable that the platinum amount in the low temperature part is greater than that in the high temperature part. In this way, the soluble organic fraction, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide are effectively and continuously purged from the exhaust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motohiro Shinzawa, Yasuyuki Murofushi
  • Patent number: 5853438
    Abstract: A filter regenerating mechanism for a reverse-cleaning regenerative exhaust black smoke removing system, wherein the air injection quantity is reduced, and the filter regenerating effect is improved to reduce a pressure loss due to the filter. Each time exhaust gas is passed through the filter for a predetermined period of time, a solenoid valve is opened for an extremely short period of time, thereby allowing compressed air to be supplied into an exhaust chamber through the solenoid valve, an air nozzle, etc. so as to flow in a direction reverse to the flow direction of exhaust gas. Particulates deposited on the wall surfaces of first passages in the filter are removed therefrom by the action of pressure waves and cleaning air stream produced upon opening of the solenoid valve, and gravitationally drop into a hopper where they are incinerated. A perforated plate having a large number of small holes is disposed between the air nozzle and an outlet surface of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Hino Motors, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuki Igarashi
  • Patent number: 5853444
    Abstract: A porous permeable molded body designed especially for use in the removal of diesel soot particles from the exhaust gas of diesel engines is disclosed. The body includes an alternatingly closed honeycombed body made of silicon carbide and possessing the following features:______________________________________ wall thickness: 1.25 .+-. 0.5 mm; porosity: 55 to 60%; average pore diameter: 25 to 70 .mu.m; specific permeability: 20 to 100 nPm. ______________________________________In the production method, a starting powder of silicon or a mixture of silicon with portions of silicon carbide and/or carbon is combined with an organic binding agent that can be coked and molded into a green body. This is then subjected to a coking fire in an inert-gas atmosphere; the molded body obtained in this manner is then heated in the presence of nitrogen or a nitrogenous inert gas to a temperature where free silicon is converted with the carbon, in a reaction firing, to silicon carbide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Thomas Josef Heimbach GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Horst R. Maier, Uwe Schumacher, Walter Best, Wolfgang Schafer
  • Patent number: 5853459
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying method, an exhaust gas filter and an exhaust gas filter purifying apparatus reduce the quantity of collected particulates on the outer periphery of the exhaust gas filter and prevent insufficient combustion of particulates during regeneration. The exhaust gas purifying method purifies an exhaust gas by using an exhaust gas filter including a throughhole diaphragm formed into a honey-comb shape in an outer peripheral wall integrally with this outer peripheral wall. A sealing portion is formed on an end portion of a plurality of throughholes partitioned by the throughhole diaphragm, so that the quantity of particulates collected in the throughholes adjacent to the outer peripheral wall and the throughhole diaphragm is reduced as compared with the other portions. The exhaust gas filter has a second sealing portion formed in the throughholes adjacent to the outer peripheral wall and the sealing portion on one end surface of the exhaust gas filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Kuwamoto, Kensei Fukuda, Yasuhiro Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 5853437
    Abstract: A self-cleaning particle filter for Diesel engines is provided. The filter includes a filter housing, control circuitry, a removable filter cartridge and independent power source. The removable filter cartridge includes a number of sintered metal strips sewn to a sheet of inorganic material to provide a filter sandwich. Current is delivered to the metal filter strips to efficiently burn off carbon, lube oil and unburned fuel particulates which have been filtered from exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Inventors: Klaus J. Peter, Osama M. Ibrahim
  • Patent number: 5851249
    Abstract: A particulate trap for a diesel engine in which at least two nonwoven sheets made of heat-durable metallic fibers and at least two corrugated plates made of heat-durable metal having a width smaller than that of the nonwoven sheets are alternately overlaid in the thicknesswise direction with each other in a spiral manner, and one surface of one of the nonwoven sheets and one surface of the other of the nonwoven sheets are in close contact and are continuously welded to each other along the upstream edges thereof as seen from the flowing direction of the exhaust gas so that a first space closed along the upstream edges and opened along the downstream edges is formed between the nonwoven sheets via one of the corrugated plates, and the other surface of the one nonwoven sheet and the other surface of the other nonwoven sheet are in close contact and are continuously welded to each other along the down stream edges thereof as seen from the flowing direction of the exhaust gas so that a second space closed along t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshimitu Henda, Kiyoshi Kobashi, Yoshimasa Watanabe, Yasushi Araki, Youichi Nagai, Syunsuke Ban
  • Patent number: 5849250
    Abstract: The present invention provides an auxiliary catalytic converter having a back pressure relief device being disposed after the main catalytic converter or after the muffler system which further reduces vehicle exhaust emissions from exhaust emission systems and that will meet the more stringent emission requirements of state and federal government regulations. The auxiliary catalytic converter includes a ceramic or steel housing of relatively small size, having a diameter in the range of 1 inch to 8 inches and a length of 4 inches to 11 inches. The housing includes a matrix core of catalytic layered materials which react with the gaseous exhaust emission pollutants, such as NO.sub.x, NHMC, HC, and CO. These pollutants are further reduced and oxidized by the auxiliary catalytic converter using typical catalytic materials of platinum, palladium, rhodium, or the like contained within the honeycombed or meshed layers of the matrix core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Inventor: Mark Timko
  • Patent number: 5849251
    Abstract: A catalytic converter for a tailpipe which further reduces vehicle exhaust emissions from exhaust emission systems and that will meet the more stringent emission requirements of state and federal government regulations. The tailpipe catalytic converter includes a ceramic or steel housing which includes a matrix core of catalytic layered materials which react with the exhaust emission pollutants, such as NO.sub.x, NMHC, HC, and CO. These pollutants are further reduced and oxidized by the catalytic converter in the tailpipe by the typical catalytic materials of platinum, palladium, rhodium, or the like contained within the honeycombed or meshed layers of the matrix core. The catalytic converter is lodged within the interior of the tailpipe adjacent the open end or as an extension to the end of the tailpipe. The tailpipe catalytic converter is held in place by any suitable device, such as a clamp, mounting screws, or mounting brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Inventor: Mark Timko
  • Patent number: 5846276
    Abstract: An exhaust gas filter for passing exhaust gas of a diesel engine or the like therethrough, thereby removing particulate matter from the exhaust gas. By suitably controlling physical properties of the exhaust gas filter such as a thermal expansion coefficient, the durability of the exhaust gas filter can be enhanced. When a constituent material for the exhaust gas filter includes aluminum titanate as a primary component, the durability can be further enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuaki Nagai, Shinji Wada, Yuichi Murano, Sachinori Ikeda, Kouichi Watanabe, Satoshi Matsueda, Makoto Ogawa
  • Patent number: 5846495
    Abstract: There is provided an improved converter body formed of thin metal core elements and a housing. The thin metal core elements have a distal end and a proximal end The distal ends are secured to the housing, and at least some, preferably all, of the proximal ends are free of attachment to any rigid member. This structure results in improved durability in severe automotive tests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Engelhard Corporation
    Inventors: William A. Whittenberger, David Thomas Sheller