Methods Patents (Class 60/273)
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Publication number: 20090113883Abstract: A system includes a particulate matter (PM) filter with multiple zones, an electric heater and a control module. The electrical heater includes heater segments, which each correspond with a respective one of the zones. The electrical heater is arranged upstream from and is proximate with the PM filter. The control module selectively applies a first energy level to a first one of the zones via a first one of the heater segments to initiate regeneration in the first zone. The control module also selectively applies a second energy level that is less than the first energy level to a second one of the zones via a second one of the heater segments to initiate regeneration in the second zone.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2008Publication date: May 7, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Garima Bhatia, Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, JR.
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Inlet metallic foam support coupled to precious metal catalyst for application on 4 stroke platforms
Patent number: 7527774Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved dual phase muffler for the abatement of reduction of sound and emission pollutants such as hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides. More specifically, the muffler comprises a muffler casing, an inner chamber formed in the muffler, and a catalytically coated supported material contained within the inner chamber. The present invention is also directed to a catalytically coated metallic foam catalyst support, which optionally can be pre-coat with a metallic thermal arc sprayed layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2005Date of Patent: May 5, 2009Assignee: BASF Catalysts LLCInventor: Michael Patrick Galligan -
Publication number: 20090094988Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine, such as a diesel engine, includes an air cycle and an exhaust cycle. During the air cycle, atmospheric air and fuel are combusted within the engine. During the exhaust cycle, no atmospheric air is introduced into the engine. Instead, exhaust gas is recirculated into to the engine. The exhaust gas provides a working fluid for a compression ignition cycle and the fuel is capable of air-independent combustion.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2007Publication date: April 16, 2009Inventor: PAUL M. DUNN
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Publication number: 20090090097Abstract: A quantity of unburned fuel is provided through a combustion chamber of an engine and an exhaust conduit to a catalytic converter. The catalyst in the converter is determined to be non-operational if a post-catalyst temperature sensor does not indicate a sufficient temperature increase between readings before and after provision of the unburned fuel to the combustion chamber. The unburned fuel may be provided by withholding spark ignition to create a misfire in the combustion chamber or, particularly in a direct injection engine, by injecting the fuel during the exhaust stroke.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2007Publication date: April 9, 2009Inventor: Ronald E. Gaskins
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Publication number: 20090084083Abstract: An exhaust system associated with a power source is disclosed. The exhaust system may have an exhaust stack extending from the power source to an exterior of the exhaust system and a moisture collection device disposed within the exhaust stack to collect moisture from the exhaust stack. The exhaust system may also have a moisture entrainment device associated with the moisture collection device to facilitate entrainment of the collected moisture into an exhaust flow of the power source.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2007Publication date: April 2, 2009Inventors: Louis Foster Vachon, Chandrasen Rameshlal Rathod, John Timothy Feeney, Michael Brian Bour, Chad Wayne Burman, Douglas Edgar Wilson
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Publication number: 20090084089Abstract: A regeneration method for a storage catalytic converter in an exhaust-gas purification system of an internal combustion engine, has the following steps: (a) switching of the internal combustion engine from a standard operating mode with a lean exhaust gas to a regeneration mode with a rich exhaust gas, (b) measurement of a nitrogen oxide concentration in the exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine after the switchover to the regeneration mode, (c) determination of a characteristic variable of a desorption peak of the measured nitrogen oxide concentration after the switchover to the regeneration mode, and (d) minimization of the characteristic variable of the desorption peak through controlling of the internal combustion engine as a function of the measured characteristic variable of the desorption peak.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2008Publication date: April 2, 2009Inventors: Tino Arlt, Thomas Baumann, Gerd Rosel
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Publication number: 20090007553Abstract: An inlet face for an aftertreatment device that prevents and/or eliminates face-plugging for a passageway where the inlet face is disposed. The inlet face includes a particular end surface disposed on an outer surface at the end of a substrate. The end surface includes at least one of a three-dimensional topographical configuration disposed at the end of the substrate, a chemical coating applied on the end of the substrate, or both a three-dimensional topographical configuration disposed on the end of the substrate and a chemical coating applied on the three-dimensional topographical configuration. As one example, the inlet face can be helpful in preventing carbonaceous fouling, which can result from engine exhaust material, such as carbon soot and other engine exhaust by-products.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2007Publication date: January 8, 2009Applicant: CUMMINS FILTRATION IP, INC.Inventors: Conrad J. SIMON, III, Thomas M. YONUSHONIS, Bryan E. BLACKWELL
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Publication number: 20080307770Abstract: A method of operating a diesel engine and an emission control system including a diesel particulate filter comprising of The inventors herein have realized that accurate particulate matter information for controlling processes and parameters may be realized by a method for operating an engine comprising of correlating a measured property associated with a carbon nanostructure layer to an amount of particulate matter from an exhaust stream of the engine, wherein the carbon nanostructure includes a plurality of carbon nanostructures, and adjusting engine operation based on the amount of particulate matter.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2007Publication date: December 18, 2008Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Avra Brahma, Jagjit Nanda
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Publication number: 20080295492Abstract: An injector cleaning system for use with an exhaust treatment device is disclosed. The injector cleaning system may have a supply of injection fluid and an injector configured to receive and inject the injection fluid. The injector cleaning system may also have a pressure sensor associated with the injector to generate a signal indicative of the pressure of the injection fluid supplied to the injector. The injector cleaning system may further have a controller in communication with the injector and the pressure sensor. The controller may be configured to determine a pressure decay rate of injection fluid supplied to the injector during a normal injection event based on the signal. The controller may be further configured to compare the determined pressure decay rate to an expected pressure decay rate, and supply cleaning fluid to the injector based on the comparison.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2007Publication date: December 4, 2008Inventors: Kevin James Karkkainen, Curtis John Graham, Xiaohui Gong, Kyle B. Walton, Tamara S. Hofstetter
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Publication number: 20080295515Abstract: The invention is based on an arrangement of supercharging units (1, 5, 6, 7), which arrangement is to be attached in the construction space of a motor vehicle, for supercharging an internal combustion engine with a fluid (23) comprising charge air and/or exhaust gas, wherein the supercharging units (1, 5, 6, 7) comprise at least one heat exchanger (5, 6, 7) and at least one compressor (1). According to the concept of the invention, the supercharging units (1, 5, 6, 7) are arranged combined in a module (10A, 10B) and, in order for the same to be kept together in the module (10A, 10B), the supercharging units (1, 5, 6, 7) are connected at any rate partially to one another in a fluid-conducting manner, and at least one of the supercharging units (1, 5, 6, 7) is held on a holding structure. This enables the supercharging units to be handled flexibly, simply and nevertheless in a manner saving on construction space and outlay on connection. The invention also leads to a production method.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2008Publication date: December 4, 2008Inventor: Jurgen WEGNER
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Publication number: 20080295482Abstract: An exhaust system may include a canister that is disposed downstream from an engine. A particulate filter (PF) is disposed within the canister and filters particulates within an exhaust from the engine. A reducing catalyst is disposed within the canister, is on the PF, and promotes reaction of a liquid reductant in the exhaust after reception by the PF. A heating element is disposed within the canister and heats particulate matter in the PF.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2007Publication date: December 4, 2008Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, JR., Yongsheng He
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Patent number: 7451849Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 7, 2005Date of Patent: November 18, 2008Assignee: GEO2 Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Bilal Zuberi, Robert G. Lachenauer
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Patent number: 7445761Abstract: A method and system of providing compressed substantially oxygen-free exhaust gas for industrial purposes including the steps of extracting exhaust gas from a lean burn engine consuming a mixture of natural gas fuel and air, passing the extracted exhaust gas through a cooling step to cause entrained water vapor therein to condense out, separating and disposing of the condensed water, measuring the oxygen content of the exhaust gas, using the measurement to regulate the quantity of natural gas fed into an igniter into which the exhaust gas is also fed so that substantially all of the oxygen in the exhaust gas is consumed by combustion with the natural gas in the igniter to provide at an outlet of the igniter substantially oxygen-free exhaust gas, and compressing the substantially oxygen-free exhaust gas to provide compressed exhaust gas for industrial applications.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2003Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Inventor: Wade J. Alexander
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Patent number: 7445757Abstract: A device for catalytic treatment of cooking smells includes a monolithic support (10), including passage channels (11) for cooking fumes and active treating particles deposited on the monolithic support (10), an apparatus for generating a discharge plasma (12,13) arranged on either side of the monolithic support.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2001Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Assignee: Fagorbrandt SASInventors: Francis Autin, Joel Barrault, Jean-Paul Chevrier, Stephane Pasquiers, Antoine Rousseau, Jean-Michel Tatibouet
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Patent number: 7434386Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 23, 2004Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Julie M. Faas, James Joshua Driscoll, Bryan Anthony Silletti, Maarten Verkiel
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Publication number: 20080236141Abstract: An exhaust emission data processing system for inspecting automatically exhaust emission of the vehicle and wirelessly transmitting exhaust emission inspection data to a remote server is provided. The system includes an exhaust emission processing module, a wireless connection module, and a remote server. The exhaust emission processing module receives OBD data indicating the exhaust emission inspection data from an OBD system embedded in the vehicle via an OBD connector. The exhaust emission processing module creates an exhaust emission inspection package with the vehicle identification and the exhaust emission inspection data. The exhaust emission processing module transmits the package to the remote server for further diagnosis through the wireless connection module. The remote server sends the diagnosis reports back to the vehicle through the wireless connection module.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2007Publication date: October 2, 2008Inventors: Xinsheng Peng, Xiaoguang Yu, Geen Sui
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Publication number: 20080229727Abstract: An oxygen storage capacity (OSC) monitoring system for a vehicle having a catalytic converter includes a control module that determines a measured OSC based on an inlet sensor signal (ISS) that is responsive to an oxygen content of exhaust flowing into the catalytic converter. The control module determines a normalization ratio based the measured OSC and determines a PASS/FAIL status of the catalytic converter based on the normalization ratio.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2007Publication date: September 25, 2008Inventors: Wenbo Wang, Richard B. Jess, David N. Belton
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Publication number: 20080184699Abstract: An exhaust gas cleaning apparatus is provided that has a main exhaust passage, a main catalytic converter disposed in the main exhaust passage, a bypass exhaust passage, a bypass catalytic converter disposed in the bypass exhaust passage, a selector valve and a controller. The controller controls the internal combustion engine to a rich combustion state with a rich air fuel ratio while the controller controls the selector valve to block the flow of the exhaust gas through the main exhaust passage, and then, afterwards, controls the selector valve to direct the flow of the exhaust gas through the main exhaust passage such that residual air remaining in the main exhaust passage mixes with rich exhaust gas from the bypass exhaust passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2008Publication date: August 7, 2008Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Motoharu AKABA, Suki I, Takao INOUE, Kimiyoshi NISHIZAWA
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Patent number: 7409247Abstract: The inventive system for estimating quantities of pollution compounds emitted in the exhaust gas of a diesel engine for a motor vehicle comprises means for regenerating a solid particle filter and an electronic control unit which manages the engine operation and is provided with one or several data memories. Said system also comprises one or several neurone networks (1) and networks (2) of input data representative for the engine operation and possibly for the vehicle motion, said data is available in the electronic control unit for managing the engine operation without an additional sensor. Said system also comprises means (4) for cumulating estimated quantities.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2004Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Renault s.a.s.Inventors: Marc Daneau, Caroline Netter
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Patent number: 7402292Abstract: One embodiment of a method of operating a NOx abatement system comprises: introducing an exhaust stream to an ammonia generator in a normal flow direction, adsorbing NOx from the exhaust stream in the ammonia generator, diverting the exhaust stream around the ammonia generator, introducing hydrogen to the ammonia generator in a direction opposite the normal flow direction, and generating ammonia within the ammonia generator.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2005Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Mark D. Hemingway, William J. LaBarge, Haskell Simpkins
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Publication number: 20080163611Abstract: The invention suggests a procedure for the desulfurization of a storage catalyst, whereby the storage catalyst is run with a desulfurization temperature range that is required for the desulfurization, and whereby the storage catalyst is admitted with a regeneration gas with an air lambda of max. 1, as well as a device for the implementation of the procedure. During the desulfurization the storage catalyst is admitted in temporal shifts with a regeneration gas with an air lambda of max. even 1 during a desulfurization phase and a regeneration gas with an air lambda of higher than 1 during a desulfurization pause. Upstream before the storage catalyst an incoming lambda signal and downstream after the storage catalyst an outgoing lambda signal is acquired. By comparing the two signals that have been acquired during a desulfurization phase at least one favorable point of time for terminating the desulfurization process can be noticed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2007Publication date: July 10, 2008Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Juergen Junginger, Stefan Scherer, Simone Hingst, Christian Covini
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Publication number: 20080155962Abstract: An exhaust throttling valve (ETV) system (10) is provided for a vehicle. The system includes an ETV (12) having a housing (14), a valve member (16) movable with respect to the housing between at least one state and another state within an exhaust gas flow path, and an actuator (18) for moving the valve member. Sensor structure (20) in the form of a pressure sensor or a temperature sensor is mounted upstream or downstream of the valve member in the exhaust gas flow path. The sensor structure is constructed and arranged to determine an operating condition of the valve member such as position of the valve member and/or whether the valve member has moved from one state to the other state.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2007Publication date: July 3, 2008Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive Canada Inc.Inventors: Ben Williams, Robert D. Jefford
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Publication number: 20080155963Abstract: A soot accumulation amount estimation method for an exhaust gas purification filter according to the present invention includes: a first step of burning soot collected in pores of the exhaust gas purification filter to regenerate the filter; a second step of detecting a temperature of exhaust gas flowing into the filter, to judge whether or not the exhaust gas temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature at which a soot amount flowing into the filter is substantially equal to a soot amount to be burnt in the filter; a third step of adding up a period of time during which the exhaust gas temperature is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature, when the exhaust gas temperature is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature; a fourth step of judging whether or not the added up period of time is equal to or longer than a period of time during which a predetermined amount of soot is accumulated in the pores after the first step; and a fifth step of estimating a soot accumuType: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2008Publication date: July 3, 2008Applicant: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.Inventor: Tomohiro Iida
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Publication number: 20080154476Abstract: An air fuel ratio control apparatus for an internal combustion engine can improve accuracy in catalyst degradation diagnosis. The apparatus includes a first air fuel ratio feedback control section that adjusts the air fuel ratio of a mixture supplied to an engine in accordance with an output of an upstream air fuel ratio sensor and a predetermined control constant thereby to make the air fuel ratio periodically oscillate in rich and lean directions, an average air fuel ratio oscillation section that operates the control constant based on an amount of oxygen occlusion of a catalyst so that an average air fuel ratio obtained by averaging the periodically oscillating air fuel ratio is caused to oscillate in the rich and lean directions, and a catalyst degradation diagnosis section that diagnoses catalyst degradation based on correlation between the oscillation of the average air fuel ratio and an output of the downstream oxygen sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2007Publication date: June 26, 2008Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventor: Hideki TAKUBO
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Publication number: 20080127631Abstract: Disclosed herein is a catalyst composition comprising a halide of a Group Ib element and an inert powder. Disclosed herein too is a composition comprising a reaction product of a halide of a Group Ib element, an inert powder and mercury. Disclosed herein too is a method comprising injecting a catalyst composition comprising a halide of a Group Ib element and an inert powder into an emissions stream of a thermoelectric power plant; converting an elemental form of mercury present in the emissions stream into an oxidized form, an amalgamated form and/or a particulate bound form of mercury; and collecting the oxidized form, the amalgamated form and/or the particulate bound form of mercury prior to the entry of the emissions stream into the atmosphere.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2006Publication date: June 5, 2008Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Deborah Ann Haitko, Vitali Lissianski, Alison Liana Palmatier
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Publication number: 20080053065Abstract: A method and apparatus for the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, particularly for use as a hydrocarbon well bore and pipeline cleaning and maintenance aid. The apparatus includes a decomposition engine having an inlet manifold extending centrally within the housing and having means for passage of hydrogen peroxide through the manifold wall through a catalyst stack. The decomposition products produced are directed through an exit venturi. The decomposition products are passed through a piping system which allow the selective venting or introduction of the products into a facility to be cleared. Control means are coupled to the engine and valving to allow for the selective adjustment of temperature and or pressure of the decomposition products, as well as the introduction and diversion of the blend into the facility.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2007Publication date: March 6, 2008Inventors: Russell B. Hobson, Samuel A. Miller
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Publication number: 20080000218Abstract: A procedure to diagnose a particle filter disposed in an exhaust gas area of an internal combustion engine as well as a device to implement the procedure is proposed. Provision is made to ascertain the degree of efficiency of the particle filter on the basis of the upstream particle flow occurring upstream in front of the particle filter and on the basis of the downstream particle flow occurring downstream behind the particle filter. The ascertainment of the degree of efficiency of the particle filter allows for an On-Board-Diagnosis of the particle filter, with which compliance with specified exhaust gas threshold values can be assured.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2007Publication date: January 3, 2008Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Torsten Handler, Michael Kolitsch, Tobias Pfister
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Patent number: 7296399Abstract: Methods for extracting and compressing an inert gas from an exhaust gas of an engine relate to providing an inert gas processing system including a multi-stage gas compressor to receive the exhaust gas from an exhaust gas processing system, a cooling and extraction system to receive the exhaust gas from each stage of the multi-stage gas compressor and remove liquids from the exhaust gas, and a controller to monitor operation of the inert gas processing system. The methods include processing the exhaust gas before each stage of the multi-stage gas compressor to clarify the inert gas in the exhaust gas, processing the exhaust gas after each stage of the multi-stage gas compressor to clarify the inert gas in the exhaust gas and compressing the inert gas processed for export from the inert gas processing system.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2006Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Inventor: Robert A. Hoff, Jr.
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Patent number: 7296562Abstract: A control system for estimating the performance of a compressor is disclosed. The control system has a compressor fluidly connected to an inlet manifold of a power source. The control system also has a power source speed sensor to provide an indication of a rotational speed of the power source, an inlet pressure sensor to provide an indication of a pressure of a fluid within the inlet manifold, an inlet temperature sensor to provide an indication of a temperature of the fluid within the inlet manifold, an atmospheric pressure sensor to provide an indication of an atmospheric pressure, and a control module in communication with each of the sensors. The control module is configured to monitor an engine valve opening duration and an exhaust gas recirculation valve position, and estimate a compressor inlet pressure based on the provided indications, the monitored duration, and the monitored position.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2006Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Assignee: Caterpiller Inc.Inventors: Michael P. Withrow, Kevin L. Dea, Christopher R. Gehrke, Michael R. Donoho, II
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Publication number: 20070261388Abstract: The invention concerns a procedure to heat up or keep warm an exhaust gas emission control assembly of a motor vehicle with a drive train containing one transmission. The drive train is powered by an internal combustion engine and at least one second drive unit. It is proposed that also in an operating state, which lies outside of the idle speed, a rotational speed or a torque of the internal combustion engine deviating from values for the engine rotational speed and the torque is set, which would exist during an identical driving condition without the heating-up or keeping warm of the exhaust gas emission control assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2007Publication date: November 15, 2007Applicant: Robert Bosch GMBHInventors: Karsten Kroepke, Juergen Pantring, Kersten Wehmeier, Jens Wolber, Ruediger Weiss, Detlef Heinrich, Martin Streib, Karl-Bernhard Lederle, Helmut Zell
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Patent number: 7160355Abstract: A method of regenerating at least one diesel particle filter, in which exhaust gas is introduced through a supply line into the at least one diesel particle filter and is discharged from it through a discharge line, while heating of the exhaust gas flowing through the at least one diesel particle filter takes place, a closed circulating air circuit being created through which exhaust gas emerging from the at least one diesel particle filter may be introduced back into the latter.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2002Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Dietmar Steiner
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Patent number: 7147688Abstract: A map which defines a relationship of an exhaust gas pressure P2 at the outlet of a filter (13) to a load Q and rotation speed Ne of an engine (1) is prepared, and an exhaust gas pressure P1 at the inlet to the filter (13) is determined from a differential pressure ?P between the front and rear of the filter and the outlet pressure P2 obtained by referring to the map. The inlet pressure P1 determined in this manner is used to determine an exhaust gas volumetric flow rate Q1, and thus an accurate particulate accumulation SM, which is required to determine the need for regeneration of the filter (13), can be calculated.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2004Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Terunori Kondou, Junichi Kawashima, Naoya Tsutsumoto, Takao Inoue, Toshimasa Koga, Makoto Otake
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Patent number: 7081231Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 8, 2000Date of Patent: July 25, 2006Assignees: Caterpillar Inc., Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Christopher L. Aardahl, Mari Lou Balmer-Miller, Ashok Chanda, Craig F. Habeger, Kent A. Koshkarian, Paul W. Park
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Patent number: 6893487Abstract: A power generation system has a power source and an aftertreatment system connected to the power source. The aftertreatment system is adapted to treat an exhaust of the power source. The aftertreatment system has a particulate filter that is dimensioned to be interchangeable with a muffler.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2002Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventors: Matthew J. Alger, Cho Y. Liang, Edward J. Woods
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Publication number: 20040206067Abstract: A sensor and method for monitoring and controlling catalytic converters, in particular motor vehicle catalytic converters, is designed as a temperature probe which is provided with a catalytic coating. A catalytically coated temperature probe is used for control purposes, with the quantity and/or type of reagents fed to the catalytic converter being at least partially controlled by the sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2004Publication date: October 21, 2004Inventors: Thomas Birkhofer, Martin Matt, Ralf Moos, Carsten Plog, Thomas Ried
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Publication number: 20030010017Abstract: An exhaust system comprising a catalytic converter unit, a bushing element provided in a shell wall of the catalytic converter unit, and an oxygen sensor positioned within exhaust flow of the catalytic converter unit and extending through the bushing element and having a connector disposed in intimate contact with the bushing element, and a method of positioning such an oxygen sensor in an exhaust system component.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2001Publication date: January 16, 2003Inventors: Stephen J. Myers, Jeffrey B. Hardesty, Dana M. Serrels
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Patent number: 6431129Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine in response to a transient load includes the steps of providing an air charge quantity required to produce a commanded air-fuel mixture within the combustion chamber, providing a fuel quantity required to produce a commanded air-fuel mixture within the combustion chamber, and displacing a quantity of the air-fuel mixture from the combustion chamber in response to the transient load. The method is especially advantageous for rapidly affecting engine response to transient loads resulting from sudden load change events, such as traction control, transmission shift and driver demand events.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2000Date of Patent: August 13, 2002Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Mazen Hammoud, Mohammad Haghgooie, Diana Dawn Brehob
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Publication number: 20020014071Abstract: The present invention is based upon the discovery that microporous catalysts, especially zeolites in the class of metallic Faujasites, Linde Type A (LTA) and combinations thereof having a pore size greater than 3 angstroms in combination with a plasma are capable of catalyzing conversion of NOx to N2 in a real or actual exhaust stream without any gas phase additive.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 1998Publication date: February 7, 2002Inventors: MARI LOU BALMER, ANTHONY Y. KIM, RUSSELL G. TONKYN, STEPHAN E. BARLOW, THOMAS M. ORLANDO
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Patent number: 6284332Abstract: An exhaust line for an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine having a catalytic converter, the exhaust line being located upstream of the catalytic converter with respect to the flow direction of exhaust. The exhaust line has an externally applied heat-conducting layer preferably made of a metallic material and an internally disposed insulating layer made of a heat-insulating material. The insulating layer and the heat-conducting layer are connected directly and forcewise with one another. The layer thickness of the insulating layer is less than 2 mm, the specific heat capacity c of the insulating layer is less than 106 J/(m3h), and the heat diffusivity &kgr; of the insulating layer is less than 0.01 cm2/s.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 1998Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AGInventors: Ulrich Buettner, Marin Hartweg, Herbert Klein, Martin Matt, Wolfram Muench, Karl-Heinz Thiemann, Reinhard Zachai
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Publication number: 20010013220Abstract: A measuring arrangement is provided with a soot filter for use in flowing, soot particle-bearing gases, as well as a method for monitoring the operability of a soot filter arranged in an exhaust gas conduit, wherein at least one component stream of an exhaust gas stream flows through at least one molded element which is open-pored at least in the flow direction, and wherein the temperature of the molded element is measured with at least one temperature probe. In the measuring arrangement the soot filter is allocated at least one soot sensor, which has at least one molded element which is open-pored at least in the flow direction, at least one electric heating element, and at least one temperature probe. The measuring arrangement and method make possible a monitoring of the operability of a soot filter in a reliable and direct manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2000Publication date: August 16, 2001Applicant: Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.Inventor: Ulrich Schonauer
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Publication number: 20010006717Abstract: A process for coating, with a suspension, a ceramic honeycomb body which has a cylindrical shape with two flat end-faces and one jacket, and through which channels parallel to the axis, formed by channel walls, run from one flat end-face to the other, the honeycomb body being coated by suitable processes. The honeycomb body is partially wetted and then coated.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2000Publication date: July 5, 2001Inventors: Rainer Domesle, Thomas Kreuzer, Egbert Lox
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Patent number: 6218173Abstract: A reaction purifier (100) using microorganisms which feed on harmful components in exhaust gas is installed in an exhaust passage (18, 21, 22, 23, 24) of an engine (1). The microorganisms are mixed with a culture fluid, and the culture fluid is circulated through tubes (111) in which micro holes (111A) are formed. The diameter of these holes is such as not to allow culture fluid to pass, but to allow exhaust gas to pass. The tubes (111) are housed in a casing (112), and harmful components are removed by leading exhaust gas into the casing (112) to bring into contact with the microorganisms in the culture fluid. By using the reaction purifier (100) and catalytic converter (20A, 20B) in conjunction, even better exhaust gas purifying performance is obtained.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 1999Date of Patent: April 17, 2001Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Ken Naito
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Patent number: 5854079Abstract: A method for detection of the performance reduction of an exhaust gas purification catalyst used for reducing the concentration(s) of combustible components or (and) nitrogen oxides all present in an exhaust gas, which method detects a reduction in the heat amount E.sub.g generated from the exhaust gas by the reaction of the exhaust gas catalyzed by the catalyst, or a reduction in the cumulative heat amount generated from the exhaust gas by said reaction in a predetermined temperature range taken by the catalyst during its temperature increase. This method can detect the performance reduction of the catalyst accurately without conducting constant-speed vehicle running for a long time.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 1996Date of Patent: December 29, 1998Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.Inventor: Nobuhide Kato
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Patent number: 5603214Abstract: An exhaust system for an internal combustion engine including an exhaust duct having a lower portion and an upper portion with a discharge outlet. A pivotable flap is located in the upper portion of the exhaust duct to influence the discharge rate of the exhaust gases passing through the discharge outlet to provide a high rate of discharge of the exhaust gases independently of the operating speed of the internal combustion engine.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 1995Date of Patent: February 18, 1997Assignee: Linde AktiengesellschaftInventors: Theodor Abels, Siegfried Iwanowski
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Patent number: 5514348Abstract: A plated steel sheet for producing housings or tubes or the like includes a foundation material forming a middle layer having first and second sides. A coating of an austenitic special steel is disposed on the first side. A coating of a ferritic special steel is disposed on the second side. In a housing for a catalytic converter being made of the plated steel sheet, the second side having the coating of ferritic special steel forms an inner surface of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 1994Date of Patent: May 7, 1996Assignee: Emitec Gesellschaft fuer Emissionstechnologie mbHInventors: Jurgen Bayer, Klaus Haller
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Patent number: 5458850Abstract: A method and an apparatus reduces particles in exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine by passing the exhaust gases through a microwave energy field in a resonator for applying energy and burning the particles. In order to improve the application of energy, the particles are agglomerated beforehand in a high-voltage field of an electrostatic filter.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 1994Date of Patent: October 17, 1995Assignee: Daimler-Benz AktiengesellschaftInventors: Bernd Krutzsch, Guenter Wenninger, Friedrich Wirbeleit, Juergen Steinwandel, Rainer Willneff, Theodor Staneff, Hans G. Mueller, Martin Stroeer, Rainer Schmidberger
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Patent number: 5451371Abstract: A gas sensor for measuring gas constituents, particularly exhaust gas constituents for an internal combustion engine, comprising a pair of polysilicon plates, each plate supporting a pair of resistors, one serving as a heater and the other as a thermometer, one plate being coated with a catalyst to promote combustion of unburned combustible gas constituents, wherein provision is made for reducing temperature gradients across the plates and for effecting temperature uniformity of the catalyst while maintaining a high degree of structural integrity.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 1994Date of Patent: September 19, 1995Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Margherita Zanini-Fisher, Jacobus H. Visser
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Patent number: 5351481Abstract: A compact, high performance exhaust assembly (50) for an internal combustion engine (20) or the like having a balanced chamber (52). Two substantially parallel inlet exhaust pipes (38, 40) are mounted to a first wall (74) of the chamber (52) and are axially aligned with, but independent of, two output exhaust pipes (54, 56) similarly mounted to a opposing second wall (76) of the chamber (52). Exhaust gas is discharged through the inlet pipes (38, 40), preferably in an out-of-phase relationship or alternating from one inlet pipe to the other. The exhaust gas passes a short distance through the chamber (52) and out of aligned outlet pipes (54, 56). The majority of the exhaust gas flows directly through the chamber (52) without significant expansion. The exhaust assembly (50) increases the power output of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 1992Date of Patent: October 4, 1994Assignee: Flowmaster, Inc.Inventor: Ray T. Flugger
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Patent number: 5343699Abstract: A process for operating an internal combustion heat engine which comprises the steps of thermochemically regenerating waste heat rejected by the heat engine by reacting at least one conventional fuel compound containing hydrogen and carbon with an oxygen donor using substantial quantities of the waste heat to produce a mixture of engine-fuel containing substantial quantities of hydrogen and carbon monoxide and utilizing the mixture of engine-fuel to operate an internal combustion engine.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 1992Date of Patent: September 6, 1994Inventor: Roy E. McAlister
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Patent number: 5245933Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the extraction of smoke from the exhaust gases of an internal combustion of fuel in a mechanical device. It also relates to the extraction of heat from such exhaust gases. The apparatus is positioned to accept the flow of the device's hot exhaust gases through its insulated chambers and is sized to allow sufficient time of exposure of said hot exhaust gases to the high temperatures held within said chambers. The high temperatures are augmented by a heating element and the introduction of additional outside air at a venturi tube located near the entrance of the apparatus. Thus the apparatus holds the exhaust gases long enough inside its sufficiently oxidized chambers under sufficiently high temperatures to burn all the smoke particles in said exhaust gases.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 1991Date of Patent: September 21, 1993Assignee: Temperature Adjusters, Inc.Inventor: Henry T. Childs