Internal Combustion Engine With Treatment Or Handling Of Exhaust Gas Patents (Class 60/272)
  • Patent number: 7617675
    Abstract: In order to make available an exhaust gas system for a combustion engine with an external housing, which contains at least one rear shell and one front shell, and with a catalyst chamber, in which at least one catalyst element is arranged, and with an exhaust gas duct, from which exhaust gas is conveyed from the catalyst chamber, said exhaust gas system including few components and being able to be produced cost-effectively and wherein harmful thermal stresses in the components of the exhaust gas system are largely avoided, the catalyst chamber also forms the exhaust gas duct. The catalyst chamber has at least two chamber halves, and the exhaust gas duct is provided materially uniform and in one piece in at least one chamber half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: DOLMAR, GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Kellermann
  • Patent number: 7618605
    Abstract: An exhaust emission control device for an internal combustion engine, which is capable of supplying a just enough amount of reducing agent to a NOx catalyst, thereby reducing exhaust emission and improving fuel economy. The device includes a three-way catalyst, a NOx catalyst provided downstream of the three-way catalyst, and an ECU. The ECU carries out rich spike control such that exhaust gases flowing into the NOx catalyst form a reducing atmosphere. During the control, the ECU calculates a reducing agent consumption amount of reducing agent in the exhaust gases consumed by the three-way catalyst, calculates a cumulative reducing agent amount as a total amount of reducing agent supplied to the NOx catalyst, depending on the reducing agent consumption amount, and terminates the control when the cumulative reducing agent amount becomes larger than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoko Morita, Norio Suzuki, Hiroshi Ohno
  • Publication number: 20090272107
    Abstract: An exhaust gas control apparatus (2) for an engine includes a filter case (3) that has an internal space; a filter (4) that is arranged in the filter case (3) and that purifies exhaust gas; and a mat (5) that is arranged, in a compressed state, between the filter case (3) and the filter (4). The filter (4) is arranged in the filter case (3) with a first flange (45) of the filter (4) engaged with the mat (5) and with a second flange (46) engaged with a retainer (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Kawakubo
  • Patent number: 7596944
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mixing element and an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine. The mixing element has two inlet openings and two outlet openings, wherein each inlet opening communicates with both outlet openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: J. Eberspaecher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Manfred Mueller, Juergen Kobe, Joachim Braun
  • Publication number: 20090241512
    Abstract: The invention relates to an exhaust gas treatment device for an exhaust gas system of an internal combustion engine, in particular in a motor vehicle, having at least one exhaust gas treatment element, which is supported radially on a housing by a bearing material and is supported axially on the housing by a supporting device, such that the supporting device has a carrier which is connected to the housing by at least one connection site and has at least one receptacle for holding a supporting material which is in contact with the exhaust gas treatment element axially such that the carrier has a cross-sectional contour that widens from the respective receptacle to the respective connection site in the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: J.Eberspaecher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Georg Wirth
  • Publication number: 20090173058
    Abstract: A system is provided for the on-board production of reductants. The system comprises a fuel tank adapted to directly or indirectly supply a first fuel stream and a second fuel stream. An engine is in fluid communication with the fuel tank, and is configured to receive the first fuel stream and create an exhaust stream. The system further includes an emission treatment unit to treat the exhaust stream. A fuel conversion unit is configured to receive the second fuel stream, and also receive a stream comprising oxygen to partially oxidize at least a portion of the second fuel stream thereby forming reductants. In addition, the fuel conversion unit is configured to supply a reductant stream comprising the reductants to the exhaust stream. The invention further provides a method for the on-board production of reductants including supplying a first fuel stream to an engine, wherein the engine is configured to create an exhaust stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Frederic Vitse, Dan Hancu, Benjamin Hale Winkler, Gregg Anthony Deluga
  • Publication number: 20090113874
    Abstract: A method of operating a generator set includes steps of operating an internal combustion engine of the generator set and driving an electrical generator of the generator set with the internal combustion engine. The method also includes a step of determining if an excess amount of electrical power is sufficient to regenerate a particulate filter assembly positioned downstream of the internal combustion engine. The excess electrical power includes a difference between electrical power produced by the electrical generator and electrical power requested by a load requestor. The particulate filter assembly is regenerated if it is determined that the excess electrical power is sufficient for regeneration by energizing at least one electrical heating element using the excess electrical energy. The regeneration is delayed if a predetermined criteria is satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventor: Kent M. McKee
  • Patent number: 7503171
    Abstract: An exhaust system for an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders is disclosed. The exhaust system comprises a plurality of exhaust branch passages, an intermediate exhaust pipe section, a partition plate and a downstream pipe section. Each exhaust branch passage is in communication with a respective cylinder. The intermediate exhaust pipe section forms a passage that is in communication with the exhaust branch passages. The partition plate is provided in the intermediate passage and divides the intermediate passage into first and second flow paths. The partition plate further includes a projection positioned on a first surface thereof that is oriented so as to be generally perpendicular to the direction of exhaust flow. The partition plate is disposed within the intermediate passage so as to position the projection in the first flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takatoshi Saito
  • Patent number: 7484362
    Abstract: A method of avoiding damage to a decoupling hose mounted between two tubes of a motor vehicle exhaust system, said hose comprising a deformable inner portion, an outer sealing leakproofing portion in the form of a continuous and leaktight sleeve having a flexible central zone and two rigid endpieces, and an intermediate portion in the form of a wad of thermal lagging extending substantially over the entire length of the outer sleeve, each rigid endpiece extending at least over a length such that its peripheral end edge connected to the flexible central zone overlies the inner portion of the hose which is subjected to deformation, wherein, in order to avoid any damage to the wad of thermal lagging by said peripheral end edge of each endpiece, the method consists in defining the effective length of the endpieces in such a manner that for the wad of thermal lagging having an initial thickness H0 and a compressed thickness Hc when compressed by said peripheral edge of each endpiece during maximum transverse defle
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Hutchinson
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Simon, Claire Girot
  • Patent number: 7485270
    Abstract: A process for treating exhaust gas from a compression ignition engine wherein substantially all fuel for combustion is injected into a combustion chamber prior to the start of combustion comprises contacting the exhaust gas with a catalyst comprising a supported palladium (Pd) catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Martyn Vincent Twigg, Paul Richard Phillips
  • Patent number: 7469177
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling automotive powertrains using a distributed control architecture are disclosed. A distributed control system may include a supervisory control unit for controlling one or more powertrain subsystems, and one or more subsystem control units in communication with the supervisory control unit. The supervisory control unit can be configured to execute a central optimization algorithm that computes variables from across multiple powertrain subsystems, and then outputs a number of globally approximated command values to each associated subsystem control unit. In some embodiments, the central optimization algorithm can be configured to solve a global cost function or optimization routine. One or more of the subsystem control units can be configured to execute a lower-level algorithm or routine, which can comprise a higher-fidelity model than that used by the central optimization algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Tariq Samad, Syed M. Shahed, Joseph Z. Lu, Gregory E. Stewart, Vladimir Ravlena
  • Publication number: 20080295483
    Abstract: A method is provided for compensating for variability in ash accumulation rates within an aftertreatment element of an engine exhaust system. The method includes determining flow resistance values through the aftertreatment element and tracking minimum flow resistance values over time. The method also includes correlating the tracked minimum flow resistance values over time, with a model of engine oil consumption rate that is based on predetermined values for model engine oil consumption. The method further includes adjusting the predetermined values based on the tracked minimum flow resistance values over time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Mark Scaife, Trent Cleveland, Michael Lowe, Cornelius Opris, Evan Jacobson
  • Patent number: 7451849
    Abstract: An exhaust gas pollution treatment device, having an inlet pipe, an outlet pipe with an exhaust path extending between the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe. A gas permeable backbone member is positioned in the exhaust path and a substantially fibrous nonwoven refractory material is disposed on the backbone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: GEO2 Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bilal Zuberi, Robert G. Lachenauer
  • Patent number: 7444805
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an exhaust system conduit, including a generally cylindrical outer portion and a generally cylindrical inner portion disposed within the generally cylindrical outer portion and defining a generally cylindrical fluid-flow path. The generally cylindrical inner portion further includes a substantially fibrous porous nonwoven refractory monolith and a catalyst material at least partially coating the monolith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: GEO2 Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bilal Zuberi, Robert G. Lachenauer
  • Patent number: 7434386
    Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring exhaust gas concentrations in an exhaust stream from an engine. The system may include the exhaust system configured to carry an exhaust stream generated by the engine. The system may further include at least one sensor in communication with the exhaust stream and configured to generate an output indicative of a concentration of NOx and a concentration of at least one sulfur-containing compound in the exhaust stream. The system may further include a controller configured to selectively produce one of a rich condition and a lean condition in the exhaust stream and to determine, during the rich condition, the concentration of the at least one sulfur-containing compound in the exhaust stream based on the output from the at least one sensor and to determine, during the lean condition, the concentration of NOx in the exhaust stream based on the output from the at least one sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Julie M. Faas, James Joshua Driscoll, Bryan Anthony Silletti, Maarten Verkiel
  • Patent number: 7430875
    Abstract: The exhaust heat recovery system of the invention includes: a thermoelectric conversion element that generates electric energy by thermoelectric conversion using heat of exhaust gas discharged from an engine; and a heat pump including a heat recovery unit that absorbs the heat contained in the exhaust gas through an endothermic reaction using a heating medium, and a heat generation unit which generates heat through an exothermic reaction of the heating medium and which supplies the heat to the thermoelectric conversion element. With this configuration, the thermoelectric conversion element and the heat generation unit are movably attached to each other such that they can be placed in contact with and separated from each other, and the heat recovery unit is positioned in an exhaust gas passage in an exhaust gas downstream flow direction from the heat generation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshitake Sasaki, Kiyohito Murata, Yuji Itoh
  • Publication number: 20080236919
    Abstract: An electric machine including an engine, generator, and motor. The electric grid is positioned between an input passage and output passage of an exhaust system of the engine. While in retard mode, excess electric power is dumped to the electric grid. Continuous airflow from the engine through the exhaust system removes the energy, in the form of heat, away from the electric grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: Trevor N. Iund
  • Publication number: 20080241028
    Abstract: A method for reducing an amount of mercury in flue gas is provided. The method includes injecting a quantity of coal having a fineness of less than 70%<200 mesh and greater than or equal to 50%<200 mesh. The quantity of coal is combusted in a quantity of air such that at least carbon-containing fly ash and mercury are formed. Mercury is oxidized using at least the carbon-contain fly ash.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Vitali Victor Lissianski, Peter Martin Maly, William Randall Seeker
  • Publication number: 20080241027
    Abstract: A method for reducing mercury emissions in combustion flue gas is provided. The method includes combusting coal such that a flue gas flow is created. The flue gas flow includes at least mercury and carbon-containing fly ash. The method further includes cooling the flue gas flow within a duct and creating turbulence in the flue gas flow. The mercury is removed from the flue gas flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Vitali Victor Lissianski, Peter Martin Maly, William Randall Seeker, Robert Warren Taylor
  • Publication number: 20080196386
    Abstract: A connecting element between a housing and an exhaust pipe, particularly a cone, is characterized in that the connecting element is provided at its interior with at least one guide surface capable of pulsing the exhaust gas flow into rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventor: Marco Ranalli
  • Patent number: 7396516
    Abstract: A three-way catalyst (TWC) composition comprises a manganese-containing oxygen storage component (OSC) and at least one optionally doped alumina wherein where the at least one alumina is gamma-alumina it is doped with at least one of a rare earth metal, silicon, germanium, phosphorus, arsenic, calcium, strontium or barium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Janet Mary Fisher, Timothy Ian Hyde, David Thompsett
  • Publication number: 20080104941
    Abstract: Mounting an exhaust cone of composite material. The exhaust cone is mounted to extend an adapter ring and it is held in particular by elastic stress means that act axially.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventors: Stephane Pierre Guillaume BLANCHARD, Laurent Bernard Cameriano, Mathieu Dakowski, Alain Pierre Page
  • Publication number: 20080105841
    Abstract: Dosing structure (30) supplies diesel fuel to an exhaust passage of a diesel system. The dosing structure includes an electrically operated control valve (31). An inlet tube (45) is coupled with an inlet of the control valve. A first welded joint (6) is between the inlet tube and the control valve. The inlet tube is constructed and arranged to be coupled to a supply of diesel fuel for feeding fuel to the control valve. A dosing valve (32) is constructed and arranged to receive fuel from the control valve and deliver the fuel to the exhaust passage. An extension tube (33) is fluidly coupled between the control valve and the dosing valve to space the control valve from the dosing valve. A second welded joint (62) is between the extension tube and the control valve and a third welded joint (64) is between the extension tube and the dosing valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Hornby, Stephen C. Bugos, Hamid Sayar, David Stockmaster
  • Publication number: 20080099276
    Abstract: An exhaust diffuser is disclosed for coupling to an exhaust system of a vehicle that, when in one orientation, is designed to exhaust gasses laterally and downwardly from the exhaust diffuser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventor: Travis Bach
  • Publication number: 20080098721
    Abstract: A shield device for an exhaust pipe includes a socket, a shield board and a fastening device. The socket defines a connecting portion extending crookedly downwards from two ends thereof The socket is attached onto the exhaust pipe by the connecting portion. A shield board defines a shield piece and a plug. A fastening portion extends backwards from the shield piece. The plug is set on the inside wall of the shield piece, and the fastening device is set on the fastening portion of the shield piece. The shield board is attached onto the exhaust pipe by inserting the plug into the socket and fixing the fastening device onto the exhaust pipe. The shield device is easily assembled, its appearance is attractive, and the shield device and the exhaust pipe are integrated together stably. The shield device isn't prone to shaking, noise is reduced, and its life-span is protracted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventor: Chin-Chi Liu
  • Publication number: 20080072575
    Abstract: A low temperature lean NOx catalyst is configured in a diesel exhaust treatment system upstream of a fuel reformer-LNT system to provide low temperature performance. During system warm-up and anytime the LNT falls below an effective operating temperature, the exhaust aftertreatment system is provided with hydrocarbons at a rate proportional to the exhaust NOx flow rate, whereby NOx is reduced over the lean NOx catalyst. Optionally, the lean NOx catalyst is also adapted for use warming up the fuel reformer and or catalyzing NO to NO2 conversion. These concepts allow the reformer and LNT to be designed for high temperature performance and durability without also having to be adapted for NOx mitigation at the exhaust system's lowest temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Jiyang Yan
  • Publication number: 20080053076
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an exhaust device for internal-combustion-engine-driven small appliances. The exhaust device includes a housing which has at least one exhaust inlet opening and at least one exhaust outlet opening, and a flame resonator for suppressing flames emerging from the exhaust device. The flame resonator is arranged inside the housing and is configured as a channel-like resonator cavity into which the exhaust gas flows at least partly, whereby flames emerging from the housing can be avoided in the exhaust gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: DOLMAR GMBH
    Inventors: Christian Kellermann, Henning Schweinberger
  • Patent number: 7328574
    Abstract: The invention concerns an internal combustion engine exhaust line comprising an active noise reduction system with variable choke device, continuously regulated based on the instantaneous discharge rate pulses of exhaust gases exiting from the internal combustion engine, including an expansion chamber for closing phases of the variable choke device arranged upstream of said active noise reduction system and a cavity dispersing medium and high frequencies arranged downstream of the active noise reduction system. The expansion chamber for the closing phases of the variable choke device is integrated in a first depolluting system arranged upstream of said active noise reduction system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignees: Renault V.L., Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Philippe Vignassa, Franck Le Brazidec
  • Publication number: 20070289296
    Abstract: A burner module for burning injected reformate mixed with engine exhaust in an exhaust pipe ahead of aftertreatment devices, comprising an exhaust flow divider that creates a localized region of exhaust flow for mixture of the reformate. The amount of reformate required to produce a burnable composition in the localized area is less than what is required in the prior art to provide the same composition over the entire cross-sectional region of the exhaust pipe. An igniter is provided within the localized region. Upon ignition of the reformate, the flow of reformate may be increased to the point of a stoichiometric mixture for the entire exhaust, to produce the maximum heat for warm up. The exhaust flow divider may comprise a divider tube mounted in the exhaust pipe or may be simply a protrusion from a wall of the exhaust pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventors: David A. Goulette, Kevin S. Hoyer, Giulio A. Ricci-Ottati, Daniel B. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 7192463
    Abstract: An exhaust gas aftertreatment filter system for an internal combustion engine includes an aftertreatment filter disposed in-line with an exhaust gas conduit coupled to an internal combustion engine, a mounting bracket defining a mounting surface and at least one leg extending from the mounting bracket, the at least one leg defining a mounting foot at a distal end thereof with the mounting foot of the at least one leg and the mounting surface of the mounting bracket defining a first air gap therebetween, the mounting foot of the at least one leg secured to the aftertreatment filter, and at least one electrical component secured to the mounting surface of the mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.
    Inventors: John V. Shutty, Eric B. Andrews
  • Patent number: 7185490
    Abstract: An exhaust manifold has a head flange constructed for receiving at least two exhaust pipes arranged side-by-side, and includes spaced apart first and second longitudinal flange portions. A mounting assembly is provided for sealingly securing the exhaust manifold to a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine and includes a mounting rail formed with a shoulder which laps over the first longitudinal flange portion and contacts the first longitudinal flange portion in a spring-elastic manner. Plural screw fasteners at least indirectly clamp the second longitudinal flange portion to the cylinder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Benteler Automobil Technik GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Smatloch, Wilfried Rostek, Graham Bush
  • Patent number: 7178616
    Abstract: An extended rich mode engine configured and operated extremely rich of stoichiometric to produce a substantially continuous hydrogen rich engine exhaust. Oxygen enrichment devices further optimize production of hydrogen rich engine exhaust. Engines include a free piston gas generator with rich homogenous charge compression, a rich internal combustion engine cylinder system with an oxygen generator, and a rich inlet turbo-generator system with exhaust heat recovery. Oxygen enrichment devices to enhance production of hydrogen rich engine exhaust include pressure swing absorption with oxygen selective materials, and oxygen separators such as a solid oxide fuel cell oxygen separator and a ceramic membrane oxygen separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean Joseph Botti, Malcolm James Grieve, Carl Elmer Miller
  • Patent number: 7162868
    Abstract: A heat shield structure of an exhaust manifold and a catalyst has a flange which is provided in a connecting portion connecting the exhaust manifold and catalyst and forms an open channel, an exhaust manifold heat shield member which covers an upper surface of the exhaust manifold, and a catalyst heat shield member which covers an upper surface of the catalyst. In the heat shield structure, an open side of the channel faces to the catalyst's side, a rear end of the exhaust manifold heat shield member is arranged on a vehicle body upper side of an end portion of the flange, and a front end of the catalyst heat shield member is arranged on a vehicle body floor side of the end portion of the flange. By this structure, heat from the exhaust manifold and catalyst can be efficiently released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Makoto Funakoshi
  • Patent number: 7155902
    Abstract: For fixing a catalytic body, which has a cylindrical case and is housed in an exhaust pipe, to the exhaust pipe that serves as part of an exhaust system connected to an engine. The catalytic body can be housed in and fixed to the exhaust pipe even if the catalytic body and the exhaust pipe are made of different materials, thus increasing the freedom in choosing materials for the case of the catalytic body and the exhaust pipe. A bracket, which is made of the same material as an exhaust pipe, is welded to an inner circumferential surface of the exhaust pipe. The bracket is crimped on the case of the catalytic body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Nakagome
  • Patent number: 7101531
    Abstract: A fuel reforming system has a reformer (4) for reforming a fuel to produce a reformate gas; a shift converter (5) for reacting carbon monoxide (CO) contained in a reformate gas with water to produce hydrogen (H2); a CO oxidizer (6) which removes CO discharged from the shift converter; and a startup combustor (11) for supplying combustion gas to the reformer (4), a shift converter (5) and CO oxidizer (6) to warm up them. An NOx trap (16) is disposed downstream of the startup combustor so as to adsorb nitrogen oxides (NOx) in combustion gas. A fuel reforming system further has a controller for controlling warm-up operations. When the warm-up operation for the reformer, the shift converter and the CO oxidizer is completed, the reformate reactions are commenced in the reformer (4). The NOx trapped by the NOx trap is decomposed by the reformate gas which contains CO gas and H2 gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Motohisa Kamijo
  • Patent number: 7081231
    Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a system and method for treatment of oxygen rich exhaust and more specifically to a method and system that combines non-thermal plasma with a metal doped ?-alumina catalyst. Current catalyst systems for the treatment of oxygen rich exhaust are capable of achieving only approximately 7 to 12% NOx reduction as a passive system and only 25–40% reduction when a supplemental hydrocarbon reductant is injected into the exhaust stream. It has been found that treatment of an oxygen rich exhaust initially with a non-thermal plasma and followed by subsequent treatment with a metal doped ?-alumina prepared by the sol gel method is capable of increasing the NOx reduction to a level of approximately 90% in the absence of SO2 and 80% in the presence of 20 ppm of SO2. Especially useful metals have been found to be indium, gallium, and tin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignees: Caterpillar Inc., Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Christopher L. Aardahl, Mari Lou Balmer-Miller, Ashok Chanda, Craig F. Habeger, Kent A. Koshkarian, Paul W. Park
  • Patent number: 7065963
    Abstract: A vibration and heat insulating board fixed so as to cover at least part of a heat source while forming a gap against the heat source surface, in order to lessen diffusion of heat from the heat source fixed in a vibration source, in which the heat source and the vibration and heat insulating board are coupled by means of a collar member having a pair of locking pieces fitted to the vibration and heat insulating board main body and bolted to a mounting part of the heat source, and ring-shaped coil members interposed between the pair of locking pieces of the collar member and the vibration and heat insulating board main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Nichias Corporation
    Inventor: Takahiro Niwa
  • Patent number: 7051523
    Abstract: Exhaust system assemblies employ wire bushings for thermal compensation to minimize noise due to “stick-slip” while the system cools. In a preferred embodiment, the wire bushings are formed of at least one strand of wire coiled about male end portions of pipe sections used in the system, each of which male end portions are inserted into a female end portion and held therein by an interference fit. The strand of wire is spot welded at spaced locations to the male end portions to provide bearing surfaces between the spot welds that move slightly as the exhaust system heats and cools to relieve thermal stress in small, substantially inaudible increments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Douglas M. Kerchner
  • Patent number: 7037430
    Abstract: A system and method of desalinating brackish water from an inland, underground water supply is disclosed. The system includes a source of underground water, at least one distillation and/or non-distillation desalination stage, and a source of waste heat from a power generator. The method includes desalinating brackish water drawn from an underground source using waste heat from a power generator and one or more non-distillation and/or distillation desalination stages. Potable water is recovered from both the brackish underground water using waste heat from the power generator, while dissolved salts are taken to dryness and removed as solids and from the flue gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Efficient Production Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Burl Donaldson, Joseph Genin, Matthew S. Lavery
  • Patent number: 6996977
    Abstract: A method of avoiding damage to a decoupling hose mounted between two tubes of a motor vehicle exhaust system, said hose comprising a deformable inner portion, an outer sealing leakproofing portion in the form of a continuous and leaktight sleeve having a flexible central zone and two rigid endpieces, and an intermediate portion in the form of a wad of thermal lagging extending substantially over the entire length of the outer sleeve, each rigid endpiece extending at least over a length such that its peripheral end edge connected to the flexible central zone overlies the inner portion of the hose which is subjected to deformation, wherein, in order to avoid any damage to the wad of thermal lagging by said peripheral end edge of each endpiece, the method consists in defining the effective length of the endpieces in such a manner that for the wad of thermal lagging having an initial thickness H0 and a compressed thickness Hc when compressed by said peripheral edge of each endpiece during maximum transverse defle
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Hutchinson
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Simon, Claire Girot
  • Patent number: 6996976
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a device to a pipe. The apparatus is particularly useful for the installation and/or replacement of retrofit sensors and injectors to the piping of engine exhaust systems and emission control systems, and is designed to be used on pipes of different dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Cleaire Advanced Emmision Controls
    Inventors: Marc D. Rumminger, Michael Streichsbier, Dean B. Wehrley, Richard G. Lemke
  • Patent number: 6976382
    Abstract: At a time point at which an ignition switch is made OFF and an engine is stopped, an output of a downstream gas sensor is read, thereafter, at a time point at which a predetermined time period has elapsed from stopping the engine, the output of the downstream gas sensor changed by flowing the atmosphere back into an exhaust pipe is read. Thereafter, a change in the output of the downstream gas sensor until the predetermined time period has elapsed from stopping the engine is calculated, the change in the output is compared with an abnormality determinant and when the change in the output is smaller than the abnormality determinant, response of the downstream gas sensor is determined to be abnormal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Hisashi Kadowaki, Syujiro Morinaga, Yukihiro Yamashita, Hideyuki Maeji
  • Patent number: 6918246
    Abstract: A structure of an exhaust manifold branch collecting portion includes a double collecting pipe 21 for collecting a plurality of exhaust openings 11A, 17A. The double collecting pipe 21 is comprised of an inner pipe 21-1 and an outer pipe 21-2, which are connected integrally to each other. In a space formed between the inner pipe 21-1, the outer pipe 21-2, and a ring-shaped stainless steel cushion member 22-2, a tubular cushion member 22-1, which is thermally expanded and foamed, is arranged as a restricted cushion structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignees: Yumex Corporation, Nichias Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Fukumoto, Katsumi Tateiwa, Takashi Yasuda, Kazuya Tominaga, Hideaki Shimamoto, Hideaki Madono, Syuuichi Ishiwa
  • Patent number: 6890660
    Abstract: A combustion chamber, in particular for a rocket drive, comprises at least one jacket made of a composite material with a ceramic matrix. The composite material contains a fibrous structure made of carbon-containing fibers, and the fibrous structure comprises layers of fibers that form a three-dimensional matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Astrium GmbH
    Inventors: Steffen Beyer, Helmut Knabe, Dieter Preclik
  • Patent number: 6878354
    Abstract: A catalyst for internal combustion engine exhaust purification without frequently switching to a rich burn mode. The catalyst includes a catalyst A containing an NOx absorbing substance and an NOx reducing catalyst, a catalyst B containing a hydrogen adsorption substance and a hydrogen oxidizing catalyst, an electron conductive substance C, and an ion conductive substance D. Electrons move between the catalyst A and the catalyst B through the electron conductive substance C, ions move through the ion conductive substance D, and an electrochemical reducing reaction and an electrochemical oxidizing reaction respectively occur on the catalyst A and on the catalyst B. Therefore, it is possible to quickly reduce the adsorbed NOx using the adsorbed hydrogen without depending on the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenro Mitsuda, Minoru Satou, Hiroaki Sigeoka, Ryoji Nishiyama, Yuji Kishimoto, Hideaki Katashiba, Hirofumi Oouchi
  • Patent number: 6874317
    Abstract: A double pipe exhaust manifold includes an inner pipe, an outer pipe formed in a cylindrical shape by joining at least one side edge thereof by welding, a space retaining member disposed in an annular space defined between the inner pipe and the outer pipe, a connection pipe connecting to a exhaust gas recirculation valve, and a mesh ring. Opening holes are formed in the inner pipe and the outer pipe so that the opening holes are opposed to each in a radial direction of the pipes. The connection pipe is connected to the opening hole of the outer pipe. The mesh ring is interposed between the inner pipe and the outer pipe in a state that the mesh ring plugs an annular opening part defined between opening edges of the opening holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Sugaya, Katsumi Amada, Satoshi Azuma
  • Patent number: 6812029
    Abstract: In order to prevent a catalyst for an internal combustion engine from decreasing efficiency by deterioration after long time use of the catalyst, the decreased efficiency of the catalyst is determined, and the internal engine is controlled based on results of the determination so as to maintain high efficiency of the catalyst. The catalyst is installed in an exhaust pipe of the engine. Sensors for detecting conditions of exhaust gas both at upstream side and downstream side of the catalyst are provided, respectively. As for the sensor, for example, an oxygen sensor of which output varies stepwise at &lgr;=1, or a sensor of which output varies in proportion to air-fuel ratio can be used. Detected values of the sensors are taken into a control unit, eliminating efficiency and deteriorating degree of the catalyst are estimated by comparison of the detected values, and the engine is controlled so that the eliminating efficiency becomes maximum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Ohsuga, Mamoru Fujieda, Nobuo Kurihara
  • Patent number: 6804949
    Abstract: The present invention provides a self-replenishing liquid water source onboard an automobile for supplying liquid water to an electrolyzer, such as an on-board hydrogen generator useful for the suppression of unwanted emissions. While automobiles typically have water reservoirs resupplied by a person, the invention provides a passive means of water collection for reliable replenishment due to operations of the automobile itself. The invention provides condensate from the engine exhaust gas by cooling a region of the exhaust system using cooling fluid from the engine coolant system. The cooling fluid is circulated during a period following the engine cold start event when the heat load on the engine coolant system is low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignees: Lynntech, Inc., The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Craig C. Andrews, Alan J. Cisar, Carlos Salinas, Oliver J. Murphy, A. John Appleby
  • Patent number: 6778884
    Abstract: A method for generating a power setting parameter table. The method includes the steps of generating an index from a plurality of first and second inputs and determining a power setting parameter corresponding to each index and second input. The first inputs may include flight speed and temperature values and the second inputs may include altitude values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Chapman, John J. Rushinsky
  • Publication number: 20040103641
    Abstract: A device for exhaust gas after treatment of motor vehicles has a pump device for supplying a solution to the exhaust gas manifold. The pump device is a metering pump having a connecting part that opens into the exhaust gas manifold. The pump device has a piston and a piezo element for actuating the piston. The pump device has a housing provided with a housing chamber. The connecting part is arranged in the housing chamber that is located at an end face of the housing. The pump device has a pressure chamber for receiving the solution. A first check valve closes off the pressure chamber relative to the connecting part. The housing of the pump device has a supply line, and the piston sucks in the solution from the supply line. The pump device has a second check valve for closing off the supply line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: HYDRAULIK-RING GMBH
    Inventor: Dieter Maisch