Exhaust Treatment Patents (Class 55/DIG30)
  • Patent number: 5135551
    Abstract: The invention relates to an improved muffler for an automobile that filters the exhaust and eliminates noise and odor as well as forces steam back into the engine to improve gas mileage. The muffler uses replaceable cartridges that serve as filters to divide the muffler into chambers that filter and eliminate the noise of the exhaust. Each filter can be removed and cleaned as the need arises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Inventor: James L. Fielding
  • Patent number: 5130109
    Abstract: A catalyst composition suitable for three-way conversion of internal combustion engine, e.g., automobile gasoline engine, exhaust gases, includes a catalytic material disposed in two discrete coats on a carrier. The first coat includes a stabilized alumina support on which a first platinum catalytic component is dispersed and bulk ceria, and may also include bulk iron oxide, a metal oxide (such as bulk nickel oxide) which is effective for the suppression of hydrogen sulfide emissions, and one or both of baria and zirconia dispersed throughout the first coat as a thermal stabilizer. The second coat, which may comprise a top coat overlying the first coat, contains a co-formed (e.g., co-precipitated) rare earth oxide-zirconia support on which a first rhodium catalytic component is dispersed, and a second activated alumina support having a second platinum catalytic component dispersed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Inventor: Chung-Zong Wan
  • Patent number: 5130100
    Abstract: An exhaust gas cleaning device is constructed of a honeycomb core body. The honeycomb core body has been formed by superposing a planar band made of a metal sheet and a corrugated band made from another metal sheet one over the other in a contiguous relationship and then rolling the thus-superposed bands into a multi-layered spiral form. The honeycomb core body defines a number of network-patterned axial gas flow passages and is adapted to carry an exhaust gas cleaning catalyst. The honeycomb core body is divided into a central honeycomb core section of a smaller diameter and an outer honeycomb core section of a larger diameter. A separator is interposed between an outer peripheral wall of the central honeycomb core section and an inner peripheral wall of the outer honeycomb core section. The outer honeycomb core section may be divided further into plural honeycomb core sub-sections having different diameters and a additional separator may be interposed between each two adjacent core sub-sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Usui Kokusai Sangyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Haruo Serizawa
  • Patent number: 5125230
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing soot from an exhaust gas stream wherein the exhaust gas stream is contacted with water to provide a substantially water saturated exhaust gas stream, particles and droplets in the water saturated gas stream then are electrically charged to produce a gas stream containing electrically charged particles and droplets, and an electric field is established for electrostatically attracting and de-entraining soot and soot containing water droplets from the gas stream containing electrically charged particles and droplets to provide a substantially soot free exhaust gas stream. The present invention includes a precipitator wherein the insulators are positioned in low dew point relatively clean locations and, in one embodiment, includes the use of the exhaust gas stream to maintain the temperature level of the insulators above dew point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: Kerr-McGee Coal Corporation
    Inventor: Robert E. Leonard
  • Patent number: 5125938
    Abstract: A muffler for a vehicle exhaust has anterior, intermediate and posterior sections. An array of parallel lateral plates are located in the upper part of the anterior section. Exhaust gas is introduced to the anterior section above the plates from an inlet duct opening into a header above the plates. A gas recirculation duct leads from the header back into the inlet duct to promote turbulent flow of gas through the plates. The posterior section of the muffler has a pair of filters through which the exhaust gas passes and an inflow duct leading into one of the filters into which air under pressure is introduced to mix with the exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Inventor: Eugenio Gamez Anguiano
  • Patent number: 5123243
    Abstract: A method of removing solid particulate matter from the exhaust of a diesel engine, which comprises passing the engine's exhaust flow through at least a part of filter means to trap solid particulate matter contained initially in the exhaust, thereby to remove said matter from said exhaust flow, interrupting the exhaust flow through at least said part of the filter means, at a time when the preceding period of exhaust flow therethrough is of sufficiently brief duration that the trapped particulate matter has not become resistant to subsequent combustion in the engine, during said interruption backflushing at least said part of the filter means thereby to dislodge from the filter means, and entrain, said solid particulate matter for the purpose of removing it from the filter means, and transporting said dislodged solid particulate matter to the intake of said engine so that said matter can be combusted in the engine; and apparatus for accomplishing same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Assignee: Brehk Ventures
    Inventor: Raymond F. Baddour
  • Patent number: 5119551
    Abstract: A catalytic converter with a one piece housing is made by inserting catalyst elements into opposite open ends of a sheet metal tube until their support mats abut against preformed annular ribs after which annular ribs are formed in the tube to engage the other ends of the support mats and the ends of the tube are pinched together to form sealed end closures with gas flow passages in them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Assignee: Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company
    Inventor: James R. Abbott
  • Patent number: 5118475
    Abstract: There is provided a core element, especially useful in fabricating an electrically heatable catalytic converter, which element comprises a thin stainless steel strip having an area on at least one surface coated with a masking alloy, especially a nickel-containing brazing alloy, and a contiguous area coated with a refractory metal oxide, e.g., alumina. This structure enables the production of catalytic cores exhibiting minimum voltage drop at the interconnections between foil laminae to be heated electrically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Richard C. Cornelison
  • Patent number: 5110560
    Abstract: A conduit for carrying fluid in a downstream direction includes a diffusing section. Downstream extending convolutions in the wall of a diffusing section energize the boundary layer and delay boundary layer separation from the wall surface of the diffusing section or permit an increase in the diffusion angle without the occurrence of separation. Such convolutions are particularly useful when rapid diffusion is required in a short distance, such as in the diffusing section of automotive catalytic converter systems. Such a system carries engine exhaust products from a small, cylindrical pipe into a typically larger elliptical cross-section catalyst filled portion. The convolutions help to more uniformly disperse the exhaust gas throughout the catalyst bed using a relatively short diffusion section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Walter M. Presz, Jr., Robert W. Paterson, Michael J. Werle, Robert H. Ealba
  • Patent number: 5110561
    Abstract: An exhaust gas cleaning device is constructed of a honeycomb core body. The honeycomb core body is formed by superposing a planar band made of a metal sheet and a corrugated band made from another metal sheet, one over the other in a contiguous relationship, and then rolling the thus-superposed planar band and corrugated band together into a multilayered spiral form, defines a number of network-patterned axial gas flow passages, and is further processed to carry an exhaust gas cleaning catalyst thereon. The honeycomb core body defines, along the central axis of rolling thereof, an open cylindrical hollow space of a diameter .phi..sub.2 satisfying the following formula: ##EQU1## wherein .phi..sub.1 is the outer diameter of the honeycomb core body, and.phi..sub.2 is the outer diameter of the cylindrical hollow space.In other aspects of the invention, reinforcing cylinders or ribs are disposed to strengthen the overall structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: Usui Kokusai Sangyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuzo Hitachi, Haruo Serizawa
  • Patent number: 5108716
    Abstract: A catalytic converter for purification of exhaust gas discharged from an automotive internal combustion engine. The catalytic converter is comprised of first and second three-way catalysts disposed in a casing. The first catalyst is located upstream of the second catalyst relative to the stream of exhaust gas in the catalytic converter. Each catalyst is formed therein with many exhaust gas passages through which exhaust gas passes. Each catalyst includes a honeycomb type monolithic ceramic substrate having many cells each defined by walls in the substrate. At least a part of each cell serves as the exhaust gas passage. A wash coating is formed on the surface of the walls in the substrate and contains cerium. Catalytic noble metals are carried by the wash coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Kimiyoshi Nishizawa
  • Patent number: 5105619
    Abstract: A regeneration system for a particulate trap provided in an exhaust pipe of an engine in which the temperature rising rate of the front temperature of the trap is calculated from the output of a temperature sensor to control the air flow from an air pump, so that the temperature rising rate may be confined within a predetermined range and the front temperature may be raised up to a predetermined ignition value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventor: Minoru Arai
  • Patent number: 5104627
    Abstract: In an exhaust gas cleaning apparatus, at least two honeycomb core bodies each carrying a cleaning catalyst are arranged, with at least one axial space therebetween, in a metal casing having an enlarged-diameter portion. The outer peripheral surfaces of the core bodies are fixed to the inner surface of the casing so that each core body is expandable and contractible axially. The result is that separation between each core body and the casing can be prevented, thus improving the durability. Further, an excellent cleaning performance can be achieved not only due to the heat insulating effect as well as the gas stirring effect by the enlarged-diameter casing portion, but also due to the gas turbulent effect by the inter-body space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Usui Kokusai Sangyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masayoshi Usui, Haruo Serizawa
  • Patent number: 5102431
    Abstract: A Smog and Particulate Collection System for Use on Vehicles with Internal Combustion Engines is disclosed. The present invention not only removes pollutants from the exhaust gases of diesel trucks, but also collects and stores the carbon black byproduct produced by the burning of diesel fuel so that the carbon can be recycled. The preferred embodiment of the invention (10) is mounted on a truck cab (11). The exhaust manifold of the truck (13) is attached to an air intake (12) and transports exhaust gases (14) mixed with particulates (16) to an air cyclone accelerator (23). After the exhaust gases (14) and particulates (16) are accelerated, they are fed into a spiral vortex separation column (21), where fine dust particles of carbon black (28) are removed from the exhaust gases (14). The column (21) includes a metal housing (22) that surrounds an outer vortex chamber (24) and an interior exhaust tube (30) and terminates in a constricted portion (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Inventor: William R. Barry
  • Patent number: 5101095
    Abstract: A filter apparatus for reducing particulates from exhaust gases from a diesel engine having a housing containing a ceramic filter unit with an array of spirally mounted resistance rods electrically connected in parallel. A ceramic foam element is located behind the array, and is used to reflect heat back to the ceramic filter. A 12 or 24 volt battery is used as the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne M. Wagner, Eugene D. Wilson, Douglas E. Flemming, Ed Steinbrueck
  • Patent number: 5097665
    Abstract: A flattened profile emission oxidizing device for removing soot and other particulates from the exhaust gases of a diesel engine having an enclosure with a forward inlet for receiving diesel engine exhaust, a main flow path through the enclosure, a bypass through the enclosure for diverting flow from the main flow path, and a control means for selectively controlling the flow through the main flow path and the bypass in accordance with certain sensed conditons relating to the status of engine operation and the condition of a particulate trapping medium that is disposed in the main flow path. The main flow path has an electrostatic precipitator that is disposed in underlying relationship to the particulate trapping medium in the main flow path and a series of vanes are disposed in underlying relationship to the electrostatic precipitator and serve to redirect the exhaust flow passing through the main flow path and distribute the exhaust flow over the electrostatic precipitator and the trapping medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Inventor: Refaat A. Kammel
  • Patent number: 5098455
    Abstract: A regenerable exhaust gas filter element for diesel engines includes an interlaced network of mullite crystals grown together forming a rigid porous body. Soot carried by exhaust gas from a diesel engine flowing through the filter is trapped in the porous body and thereafter burned off to regenerate the element. A network of mullite crystals in accordance with the invention is automatically interlaced and fused with one another to form the porous body of the filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Peter A. Doty, John R. Moyer, Neal N. Hughes
  • Patent number: 5094073
    Abstract: Device for the catalytic cleaning of or soot removal from exhaust gases of internal combustion engines, comprising a housing that has two open end zones connected to an exhaust gas line and a flow passage for the exhaust gases between the end zones. Two flow-carrying exhaust gas treating bodies are held in housing one behind another in the direction of flow and at spaced locations from one another. A protective ring, is provided surrounding the space between the two exhaust gas treating bodies on the outside. The protective ring is held in the housing in a form-fit manner in the axial direction by a holding member surrounding it on the outside. An axial clearance is provided between the protective ring and at least of the two exhaust gas treating bodies in the installed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Assignee: J. Eberspacher
    Inventors: Siegfried Worner, Georg Wirth, Peter Zacke
  • Patent number: 5094075
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for regenerating a particulate filter of a diesel engine. Disclosed is a particulate filter that, at all operating points of the diesel engine, can be regenerated by means of a burner working in the main engine exhaust stream. Regeneration is achieved by means of a burner (3) to which fuel and oxygen-containing gas is supplied in a variable proportion. By this means, the burner can produce the output required to achieve the regeneration temperature at any operating point of the diesel engine. The apparatus is suitable for diesel engines having thermally regenerable particulate filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Assignee: Kloeckner-Humboldt-Deutz AG
    Inventor: Heinrich Berendes
  • Patent number: 5090200
    Abstract: A regeneration system for a particulate trap provided in an exhaust pipe of an engine, determines the flow rate of regenerating air in relation to atmospheric pressure and temperature upon the regeneration. The determined flow rate is corrected on the basis of the trap inlet temperature at the time of initiation of the regeneration, and the regenerating air is controlled according to the corrected flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventor: Minoru Arai
  • Patent number: 5087272
    Abstract: Method and filter apparatus for the removal of volatilizable particulate material from gas streams containing the same, and the regeneration of the apparatus when removal efficiency has decreased to a selected value. The apparatus includes a filter element fabricated, in the preferred embodiment from silicon carbide whiskers which are capable of converting microwave energy to thermal energy, with the porosity of the filter element being about 25 microns.+-.50%. This filter element, when removal efficiency has decreased to the selected value, is heated uniformly with microwave energy, which couples to the silicon carbide whiskers to convert the microwave energy to thermal energy, for a time sufficient to raise the silicon carbide whisker temperature to a value to volatilize the volatilizable particulate matter for discharge as a gas. Typically, the microwave energy is about 2.45 GHz and 1000 to 3000 watts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Inventor: Richard D. Nixdorf
  • Patent number: 5085049
    Abstract: A diesel engine exhaust filtration system and method which removes both diesel particulate matter (DPM) and unburned hydrocarbons (UHC) from the exhaust gases. Two filters in parallel are used, each alternating operation as the other regenerates. Each filter is preferred to be constructed in a conventional manner and operates at between 100 to 300 degrees Centigrade. A microprocessor controlled valve system regulates which filter is active and which is regenerating and/or inactive. DPM accumulates at the active filter, with UHC condensing on the DPM. When the active filter becomes clogged, the microprocessor switches it to inactive status, and switches the other filter to active status. Low temperature regeneration is initiated by the microprocessor in which DPM and UHC burn slowly across the entire filter. A recirculation conduit provides for the gases produced by the regeneration to be directed to the air intake of the diesel engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Inventors: Julius J. Rim, Ho Rim
  • Patent number: 5082479
    Abstract: A particulate trap assembly including a tourniquet shell for applying a predetermined radial pressure to a particulate trap which is mounted in an outer housing having wide manufacturing tolerances which do not effect the radial pressure applied to the trap by the tourniquet shell. A mounting strucuture is disclosed for replaceably monting the particulate trap in the outer housing in a manner providing substantially no obstruction to the full cross-sectional flow area of the gas flow path throughout the axial length of the particulate trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul R. Miller
  • Patent number: 5082480
    Abstract: A cordierite ceramic filter structure of the type having a plurality of clean gas channels forming outlets at the one end thereof, a plurality inlet channels forming inlets on said side surfaces for gas to be filtered, and thin porous sections separating said inlet channels from the outlet channels for removing particulate from the gas to be filtered, wherein the filter structure includes a plurality of stacked filter elements with each of the elements comprising a pair of marginal serrated side portions and a plurality of ribs intermediate the marginal side portions with thin porous sections joining and extending therebetween wherein the marginal sections have a substantially uniform width of greater than about 1 inch which are interrupted by a vertically extending notch adjacent for mounting said filter structure to a housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventor: Raymond E. Dorazio
  • Patent number: 5082478
    Abstract: A particulate trap filter regenerative system for eliminating the fullness of particulates to a particulate trap filter, which collects particulates in the exhaust gas of diesel engines and the like, by burning off the particulates causing the loading with the flame injected from a burner disposed on the upper flow side of the filter, wherein the burner is installed in such a way that the flame injection axis thereof crosses with the extension line of the axis of the particulate trap filter at an angle of 35 to 55 degrees and a flame distributor provided with plural through holes is disposed in such a way that it crosses with the extension line of the axis of the particulate trap filter at an angle which is greater by 10 to 20 degrees than the flame injection angle of the burner. A honeycomb disc body made of ceramics may be installed between the flame distributor and the particulate trap filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Michio Oono, Meiro Nagata
  • Patent number: 5069697
    Abstract: A porous ceramic honeycomb filter having a chemical composition consisting of, as main components, 42-56 wt % SiO.sub.2, 30-45 wt % Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, and 12-16 wt % MgO and containing cordierite as a main component of a crystalline phase. The porous ceramic honeycomb filter has a porosity of at least 40% and not greater than 55%. The volume of pores having a diameter not larger than 2 .mu.m in the filter is not larger than 0.015 cc/g to thereby improve the collecting time with low pressure loss and high collecting efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1991
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunikazu Hamaguchi, Takashi Harada, Toshiyuki Hamanaka
  • Patent number: 5067973
    Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for regenerating a diesel filter (1) mounted in the exhaust pipe (3) of a diesel engine (2) wherein for initiating regeneration, the exhaust flow is throttled in the exhaust pipe (3) and/or in an exhaust feedback passage (7) by means of a control unit (10) responsive to setpoint exhaust temperatures measured upstream and downstream of the diesel filter (1) in the exhaust pipe (3), and that the air ratio is set to a value between 1.2 and 1.3 to inhibit regeneration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Inventor: Konstatin N. Pattas
  • Patent number: 5067318
    Abstract: A regeneration system for a particulate trap provided in an exhaust pipe of an engine in which the regeneration is initiated when the pressure loss across the trap has reached a preset value and then the preset value is renewed when the peak value of the trap temperature through the regeneration resides outside a predetermined range or when the pressure loss after the regeneration exceeds the preset value even though the peak value resides within said predetermined range, and the initial value of said preset value is determined on the basis of the minimum value within the variation of the pressure loss of cleaned traps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventor: Minoru Arai
  • Patent number: 5065574
    Abstract: Prior art trap regeneration devices employ one or two relatively large ceramic trap cores, and a regeneration cycle that burns off the soot in a direction that subjects the porous walls to excessive temperature spikes. Moreover, during regeneration it is normal to bypass dirty exhaust gas directly to the atmosphere. In a first embodiment the subject trap regeneration apparatus includes an electrical heating element and a reverse flow device for each of a plurality of relatively smaller trap cores arranged in a housing, with each reverse flow device constructed for directing a source of air at a controlled rate toward the normal second end of the trap core, heating the air, forcing the heated air through the trap core to the first end, and to controllably burn out particulate matter while the remaining trap cores are functioning to filter the exhaust gases in the normal flow direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Bailey
  • Patent number: 5063736
    Abstract: A particulate filter trap regeneration system and control mechanism is disclosed including a downstream vent tube section across which a pressure signal is derived as an analog of the exhaust gas stream velocity flowing through the particulate trap. A novel particulate loading parameter formula is disclosed by which the maximum acceptable pressure drop across a loaded particulate trap may be calculated and related to exhaust gas flow through the trap in order to determine when particulate trap regeneration should commence. In one embodiment, a vent tube equipped with a venturi throat for increasing the accuracy of the pressure signal indicative of exhaust gas stream velocity is disclosed along with representative dimensional parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter J. Hough, Paul R. Miller
  • Patent number: 5063029
    Abstract: A resistance adjusting type heater including a honeycomb structure having a large number of passages, at last two electrodes for energizing the honeycomb structure, and a resistance adjusting mechanism such as a slit provided between the electrodes to heat the gas flowing through the passages formed in the honeycomb structure. A catalytic converter includes a main monolith catalyst and the above-described heater placed adjacent to and upstream of the main monolith catalyst. A catalytic converter includes a honeycomb structure having a large number of passages, a catalyst carried on the honeycomb structure, at least two electrodes for energizing the honeycomb structure, and a resistance adjusting mechanism provided between the electrode. A catalytic converter includes a main monolith catalyst, and a heater placed adjacent to and upstream of the main monolith catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: NGk Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshige Mizuno, Fumio Abe, Takashi Harada
  • Patent number: 5061462
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing a stable streamer corona discharge, used for example for cleaning exhaust gases of automobiles, has a first electrode including an electrical conductor which is made of a stainless steel bar having discrete protrusions or continuously formed protrusions produced on its surface by threading, the cross section of the protrusions being triangular or trapezoidal. A second electrode includes an electrical conductor disposed opposite to the first electrode with a space therebetween, and an insulating layer formed of suitable materials having high electrical resistances such as asbestos, ceramics, organic glasses or the like covers the second electrode over at least the whole surface opposing to the first electrode. A high voltage direct current supply or a high voltage alternating supply is connected to the first electrode and the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Inventor: Nagatoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5058381
    Abstract: A low restriction exhaust treatment apparatus having a hollow outer shell into which a means for treating exhaust gas emitted from an internal combustion engine is disposed, end portions disposed at each end of the outer shell to sealingly close the inner portion of the shell, and end tubes inserted into apertures formed in the sealing end portions for facilitating exhaust flow into and out of the apparatus. The end tubes each have a plurality of axially extending, radially inwardly angled serrations formed about one end thereof to form a lead-in portion of a reduced diameter for ease of insertion of the tubes into the apertures of the end portions without creation of undesirable exhaust system back pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Barry O. Christenson, Albert H. Mayfield
  • Patent number: 5055274
    Abstract: A catalytic converter of the automotive type comprising a reduced central oval section that compresses a support mat around a catalyst substrate, the reduced central section comprising radially inwardly biased ribs that are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the converter.The converter can be made by inserting a catalyst substrate and surrounding support mat through the open end and into the central portion of an oval sheet metal tube, after which the reduced section and longitudinal ribs are formed in the central portion of the tube to compress the mat and securely engage the substrate, and the ends of the tube are pinched together to form sealed end closures with gas flow passages therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company
    Inventor: James R. Abbott
  • Patent number: 5055275
    Abstract: The invention relates to a reinforced catalytic unit intended for purifying exhaust gases. The unit is a reinforced helical catalytic unit formed from a corrugated foil band and a straight foil band. The foil bands are coated in advance with both a layer of support material and a layer of catalyst material and are placed one on top of the other. They are then secured to a central shaft around which the catalytic unit is formed by winding of the bands helically around the central shaft. Thereafter, end supports are secured to the ends of the shaft in such a way that they press somewhat to the inside of the unit and prevent movement of the foil bands in relation to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: Kemira Oy
    Inventors: Kauko Kanniainen, Veikko Loukeinen
  • Patent number: 5053062
    Abstract: A filter device for trapping particulates for diesel engine exhaust gases including an electrical heating element for regenerating the primary monolithic ceramic filter and a porous cermaic disc pre-filter between the heating element and the primary filter to provide a practical secondary source of heat when particulates on it combust during regeneration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Marty A. Barris, Wayne M. Wagner
  • Patent number: 5052178
    Abstract: A unitary system for removing particulates from the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine includes a main flow passage and a by-pass flow passage for conducting the exhaust gas from an inlet portion to an outlet portion of a housing which contains the system. A valve for selectively directing the exhaust gas through one of the passages is provided, with a particulate trap mounted in the main flow passage for trapping particulates within the exhaust gas when the exhaust gas is directed therethrough. A regeneration system is positioned intermediate the valve and the particulate trap with an oxidation catalyst being positioned downstream of the particulate trap and in both the main flow passage and the by-pass flow passage. Further, a control system is provided for selectively activating and deactivating the regeneration system in response to predetermined operating conditions of the unitary system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Clerc, John R. Gladden, Paul R. Miller
  • Patent number: 5053914
    Abstract: A safety circuit arrangement for the high-voltage generator of an electrostatic filter, in particular of an electrostatic soot trap for diesel internal-combustion engines including a grounded filter housing and a filter electrode, has a power supply (15) which is connected to the high voltage generator (20) via controllable switching means (34). A and a shielded high-voltage cable (17), the high-voltage line (18) of which connects an output (24) of the high-voltage generator (20) to the filter electrode (14). To eliminate the risk to people caused by components carrying high voltage, the shield (19) of the high-voltage cable (17) is connected at one end to the filter housing (11), and at the other end to a control device (25) in such a way that an interruption of the shield (19) leads to the generation of a control signal for the switching means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolf Wessel, Werner Fischer, Rolf Leonhard, Wilhelm Polach, Bernhard Lucas, Wilhelm Stahl
  • Patent number: 5050377
    Abstract: An exhaust emission control apparatus for treating the exhaust of an internal combustion engine by a combined electrostatic force and cyclone centrifugal force acting together to remove solid particulates. Electrostatically generated ozone reacts with the exhaust gases to reduce them to Co and to oxidize them to harmless gases. Exhaust enters a cyclone chamber, passing through an electrode having many small pointed openings. Air is injected into the cyclone chamber to create a centrifugal flow of the air and exhaust. The electrode charges the solid particulate in the exhaust which then move toward the outer boundary of the cyclone chamber and toward a solid particulate collector. Ozone is generated near the electrode for reacting with the exhaust gases. The air and exhaust gases in the cyclone chamber are ionized in the cyclone chamber and react as the exhaust flows through the cyclone chamber and the muffler chamber to deodorize and purify the exhaust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: Joseph W. Eng
    Inventor: Joseph W. Eng
  • Patent number: 5048287
    Abstract: An exhaust processor is provided for filtering particulate matter from a combustion product. The exhaust processor includes a housing providing a main passageway having a substrate mounted therein for solid particle filtration. The housing also provides an auxiliary passageway containing a muffler for attenuating noise of combustion product. Combustion product is diverted through the auxiliary passageway after the substrate collects a predetermined amount of solid particles from combustion product to permit regeneration of the substrate by a burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Arvin Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Howe, James C. Arthur, Robert T. Usleman
  • Patent number: 5046308
    Abstract: The exhaust system is suitable for both gasoline and diesel engines, whether used for vehicle propulsion or in permanently installed power transmissions, and controls emission by trapping the solid matter and unburned hydrocarbons that escape with the exhaust gases using serviceable filters accommodated in an elongated hollow outer case (6,61) sealed at either end by removable caps (7) with axial fittings (10) that connect with the front and rear sections of the exhaust pipe (2,4); the space encompassed by the case (6) is split into two chambers (13,14) of different volume by a baffle (15), one side of which supports a housing (16) designed to contain one or more removable filter elements (19), and at the same time, to combine with the inside wall of the case (6) in creating a void (20) that communicates with the smaller chamber (13) by way of openings formed in the baffle (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Inventors: Roberto Longobardi, Raffaele Longobardi
  • Patent number: 5045097
    Abstract: A soot filter for diesel-powered vehicles has two diesel particle filters which are connected to a preliminary muffler via separate ducts, which open radially into a filter prechamber. The exhaust gases can be sent through one of the diesel particle filters or the other by a damper control device, with the dampers being arranged far away from the filters, in the vicinity of the preliminary muffler. Thus, the dampers are located at a fairly great distance from the burner, which is arranged on the front side of the diesel particle filter, and which is designed such that it produces an approximately disk-shaped flame that is directed toward the front side of the diesel particle filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: J. Eberspacher
    Inventor: Herbert Langen
  • Patent number: 5044157
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing carbon that has been collected in an exhaust gas filter of an internal combustion engine utilizing electrical energy that is introduced via an appropriate electrode arrangement. In order to obtain a more homogeneous current flow and hence a greater (more rapid) burning of carbon without great expenditure, the thermal heating-up of the carbon is effected in exhaust gas conveying chambers and in the filter with the aid of an electrostatic alternating field that is induced between the electrodes and produces radially directed, axially equalized discharge currents, so-called shift currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: MAN Nutzfahrzeuge Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Dietmar Henkel
  • Patent number: 5042249
    Abstract: A soot filter has sets of three to five filter tubes disposed in a circle and axially parallel to one another, through which exhaust flows radially from the outside in during operation, composed of refractory ceramic yarn wound spool-wise to form hollow cylinders. To permit an electrical burn-off of the deposited soot with a relatively low expenditure of energy, the clearance A of all adjacent filter tubes 30 from one another amounts to 2 to 4% of the average filter tube diameter D. In each interstice 36 formed by at least three filter tubes 30 an elongated electrical heating element 37 is disposed which can be turned on if the exhaust gas stream is interrupted by shutting down the internal combustion engine or by diverting the exhaust gas stream away from a set of filter tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: Filterwerk Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventor: Hans Erdmannsdoerfer
  • Patent number: 5043147
    Abstract: There is provided a new and useful combined muffler and catalytic converter exhaust unit for the exhaust stream from an internal combustion engine, the combined unit comprising a housing having an inlet and an outlet, first and second chambers within the housing, an oxidation/reduction catalyst within the first chamber, noise muffling means within the second chamber, and wherein the first chamber has an inlet leading to the inlet of the housing and an outlet leading to an inlet of the second chamber, and the second chamber has an outlet leading to the outlet of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Inventor: Glen Knight
  • Patent number: 5041145
    Abstract: The present invention provides a bridged stream corona generator including a first electrode comprising an electrical conductor having projections on its surface; a second electrode again comprising an electrical conductor, which is located in opposition to the first electrode; insulator means applied on at least the side of the second electrode in opposition to the first electrode; a high voltage power source connected to the first and second electrodes; and means for feeding a viscous oil onto the side of the insulator means which directs to the first electrode. With this arrangement, it is possible to smooth out irregularities caused by deposits on the side of the insulator means which faces the first electrode, thereby contributing to maintaining bridged stream corona discharge in a stable manner. The present corona generator lends itself well to purifying exhaust fumes from automobiles by corona discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: Niles Parts Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikio Kakinuma, Yukio Ikeda, Satoshi Uchida
  • Patent number: 5029535
    Abstract: Additions of conditioning agents to a particulate-containing flue gas stream are controlled by a controller operating from feedforward and feedback signals received from sensors in the combustion and gas cleanup system, and, optionally, from the power consumption level of the electrostatic precipitator. The flow rates of the conditioning agents, such as sulfur trioxide and ammonia, are thereby balanced to achieve an optimal removal of particulate matter and also sulfur and sulfur compounds from the gas stream before it is exhausted to the atmosphere. A typical feedforward signal is the boiler loading, and typical feedback signals include residual sulfur trioxide and ammonia levels and stack gas opacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: Wahlco, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry V. Krigmont, Everett L. Coe, Jr., Barry J. Southam
  • Patent number: 5019142
    Abstract: Soot filter for diesel vehicles. A filter unit within a casing, preferably with conical-shaped exhaust supply and exhaust-discharge pieces (Abgaszu und Abgasabfuhrstutzen), a filter structured with numerous, parallel channels, divided by thin filter walls, with half of the channels (unrefined gas channels) open to the exhaust supply piece and the other half (refined gas channels) to the exhaust discharge piece, while they are all sealed at the opposite end, with the unrefined gas channels leading into the soot chamber equipped with a soot discharge opening, which may be closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Inventor: Gerhard Waschkuttis
  • Patent number: 5013340
    Abstract: A rotating particulate trap is disclosed, which may find application in diesel engines, air conditioning systems, industrial air-filters and the like. The invention includes a disk or cylinder which is formed from material suitable for filtering particulates which are present in the exhaust gases of diesel engines, gas turbines, industrial air or other particulate laden gases. The disk is mounted transversely in the exhaust duct of a diesel engine and in a fresh air duct which is disposed parallel to the exhaust duct. As the disk rotates within the exhaust duct, it filters particulates from the exhaust gases of the diesel engine. The filtered particulates are expelled from the disk by fresh air blowing in the air duct as the disk rotates within the air duct. The fresh air is blown in the air duct in a direction opposite to the flow of exhaust gases within the exhaust duct by a fan or compressor or compressed air jets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Assignee: Northeastern University
    Inventors: Mohammad E. Taslim, Yiannis A. Levendis
  • Patent number: 5009065
    Abstract: An exhaust processor is provided for filtering particulate matter from a combustion product. The exhaust processor includes a partition situated inside a housing to form a first flow passage and a second flow passage in an upstream portion of the housing. A main substrate is mounted in the first flow passage for solid particle filtration. An auxiliary substrate is situated in the second flow passage to filter combustion product passing through the second flow passage during regeneration of the main substrate. A muffler is situated in a downstream portion of the housing and is arranged so that the entire spacial volume of the muffler can be utilized by combustion product passing through either the first or second flow passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1991
    Assignee: Arvin Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Howe, James C. Arthur, Robert T. Usleman