By Electrolysis, Electrical Discharge, Electrical Field, Or Vibration Generator Patents (Class 60/275)
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Patent number: 7721536Abstract: A combustion engine comprising an exhaust system containing a particulate filter (10, 52) for trapping particulate matter in engine exhaust passing through the exhaust system. A particulate trapping medium (18) inside a casing is selectively operable to a relatively lesser porosity for trapping particulate matter in the exhaust and to a relatively greater porosity for facilitating removal of trapped particulate matter during cleaning.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2007Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLCInventors: James C. Bradley, Rodney J. Klinger, Joseph T. Penaloza
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Patent number: 7698887Abstract: An apparatus comprises an emissions trap and a loading determination device. The emissions trap is configured to trap emissions present in exhaust gas and comprises a first local region and a second local region. The loading determination device is configured to determine emissions loading of the first local region and emissions loading of the second local region. An associated method is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2005Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: EMCON Technologies LLCInventors: Helmut Venghaus, Lee Watts, Andreas Mayr, Clive D. Telford, Marco Ranalli, Peter Kroner, David Herranz, Gregg Speer, Stefan Schmidt, A. Steven Walleck
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Patent number: 7695551Abstract: An inlet air filtration system for a gas turbine includes, in an exemplary embodiment, an air plenum, and a plurality of filter elements mounted inside the air plenum, with each filter element including a support structure. The inlet air filtration system also includes a plurality of electrodes positioned proximate the plurality of filter elements, where the electrodes are coupled to a power source which supplies a voltage to the electrodes. The voltage is sufficient to establish an electrostatic field between the electrodes and the filter elements, and at the same time, the voltage is sufficient to produce a corona discharge from the electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2008Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: BHA Group, Inc.Inventors: Jamison W. Janawitz, Bradley S. Rogers, James Easel Roberts, Thomas Shannon Eckhoff
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Publication number: 20100083939Abstract: This invention is for a simple device for converting the oxygen in air to ozone which then passes into the combustion chamber of a diesel fueled engine. When this device is used the amount of energy obtained from the diesel is greatly increased.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2009Publication date: April 8, 2010Inventors: Leslie G. Hammer, Gabor Nemeth
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Patent number: 7677031Abstract: A particulate trap regeneration system is provided, which may include a particulate trap having a filter medium configured to remove one or more types of particulate matter from an exhaust flow of an engine and a regeneration device configured to reduce an amount of particulate matter in the particulate trap, as well as a radio frequency-based particulate loading monitoring system configured to determine an amount of particulate matter trapped by the filter medium. The particulate loading monitoring system may include at least one radio frequency probe configured to transmit radio frequency signals of predetermined magnitude and predetermined frequency toward the filter medium and at least one radio frequency probe configured to receive and measure the magnitude of received radio frequency signals that pass through the filter medium. Further, the system may be configured to transmit radio frequency signals along a length of the exhaust conduit.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2006Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Andrew A. Knitt
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Patent number: 7679374Abstract: Method for determining loading of a filter. The filter has a first dielectric constant. The filter becomes loaded with contaminant material that has a second dielectric constant. The filter, such as a diesel particulate filter, is contained within a metallic enclosure forming a microwave cavity. The method includes establishing microwave energy in the cavity and monitoring changes in the cavity microwave response, the changes being related to filter loading.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2007Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Leslie Bromberg, Alex Sappok, Ronald Parker, Peter Koert, Victor Wong
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Publication number: 20100018850Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a system for removing particulate matter from an exhaust stream. The system may include an ionization device configured to ionize particles of an exhaust stream. The system may further include an electromagnetic field generating device configured to deflect the ionized particles onto an inner-surface of an exhaust passageway, the inner-surface of the exhaust passageway being coated with a substance for lowering activation energy for a reaction of the ionized particles. The system may further include a regeneration means configured to remove particles from the exhaust passageway.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2008Publication date: January 28, 2010Inventors: Atanu Adhvaryu, Herbert Florey Martins DaCosta
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Publication number: 20100018476Abstract: A hydrogen generator for use with an engine is disclosed. The hydrogen generator has an exhaust duct situated to receive exhaust from the engine, and an SCR device located within the exhaust duct. The hydrogen generator also has a housing in fluid communication with the exhaust duct upstream of the SCR device, an electrolyte solution disposed within the housing, and a plurality of electrodes at least partially submerged in the electrolyte solution. The electrodes are electrically powered to produce hydrogen gas, and the hydrogen gas is directed to mix with the exhaust.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2007Publication date: January 28, 2010Inventors: Svetlana Mikhailovna Zemskova, Herbert Florey Martins DaCosta, Mark Jay Andrews
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Patent number: 7617671Abstract: A motor exhaust ozonator adapter is connected with the end of a motor vehicle exhaust pipe for receiving and passing exhaust gas. One arm of the adapter is connected with the end of the exhaust pipe and another arm of the adapter houses a powerful ozone light for ozonating intake air. The ozonated air thereby converts carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and oxidizes other noxious chemicals therein.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2006Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Inventor: Richard Menelly
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Publication number: 20090277157Abstract: A system for realizing improved fuel efficiency and reduced fuel emissions in an internal combustion engine. The system comprises a nano-jet filter includes a fuel channeling chamber having a set of aligned magnetic members such that the flow of fuel passes through a magnetic field created by the set of aligned magnetic members. The system further comprises a nano-jet saver, having a chamber equipped with additional sets of magnets in order to magnetize larger fuel molecules and traverse hyper magnet gradients. The purpose of using a hyper magnetic field is to change conventional fuel into “nano” fuel. Having fuel particles with a smaller diameter, both better fuel efficiency and reduced emissions are achieved as the fuel burns more completely and more cleanly. With any fossil-fuel internal-combustion engine, an operator can expect to see a reduction in emissions to the environment, fuel savings, and better performance while using an apparatus that consumes no external energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2008Publication date: November 12, 2009Applicant: HITOR GROUP, INC.Inventors: Ken Martin, Lin Xiao
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Patent number: 7607294Abstract: Disclosed is a method of processing a composition comprising soot. The method includes supplying a first composition comprising soot particles to a first chamber. The first chamber is separated from a second chamber with a filter wall located therebetween. The soot particles are collected with the filter wall in the first chamber while substantially passing gaseous components of the first composition to the second chamber. A photocatalyst configured to facilitate generating at least one oxidant is activated, and the at least one oxidant oxidizes at least part of the soot filtered in the first chamber. Further disclosed is a soot processing apparatus, which includes a first electrode, a second electrode opposing to the first electrode, a first cell, a second cell and at least one porous wall. The first and second electrodes create a plasma state between them. The first cell and second cell are located between the first and second electrodes, and each has an opening.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2005Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: Ordeg Co., Ltd.Inventor: Geon Seog Son
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Patent number: 7600375Abstract: An apparatus comprising an internal combustion engine, an exhaust system for conducting exhaust emitted by the engine, and a catalytic device associated with the exhaust system is disclosed, wherein the catalytic device comprises a catalytic conversion portion and a fuel cell portion.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2006Date of Patent: October 13, 2009Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Shane Elwart, James Kerns, Gopichandra Surnilla, David Bidner
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Patent number: 7596943Abstract: Disclosed is a method of processing a composition comprising soot. The method includes supplying a first composition comprising soot particles to a first chamber. The first chamber is separated from a second chamber with a filter wall located therebetween. The soot particles are collected with the filter wall in the first chamber while substantially passing gaseous components of the first composition to the second chamber. A photocatalyst configured to facilitate generating at least one oxidant is activated, and the at least one oxidant oxidizes at least part of the soot filtered in the first chamber. Further disclosed is a soot processing apparatus, which includes a first electrode, a second electrode opposing to the first electrode, a first cell, a second cell and at least one porous wall. The first and second electrodes create a plasma state between them. The first cell and second cell are located between the first and second electrodes, and each has an opening.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2005Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Assignee: Ordeg Co., Ltd.Inventor: Geon Seog Son
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Publication number: 20090241514Abstract: A catalytic converter for the treatment of combustion exhaust gases includes a first large surface, which is exposed to the exhaust gas to be purified and which has a layer of a catalytically active material suitable for converting gas components, and a planar first electrode which is in physical contact with the layer made of a catalytically active material suitable for converting gas components, and which is able to receive an electric pumping voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2008Publication date: October 1, 2009Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Matthias GERNSBECK, Andreas MATTERN, Raphaelle SATET, Ulrich EISELE, Sven KURETI, Henning BOCKHORN
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Publication number: 20090211231Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment system for an internal combustion engine reduces the amount of NOx in exhaust gas flowing through an exhaust passage of the engine. The system has a plasma generator including two electrodes spaced away from each other in the exhaust passage, a high-frequency power supply connected to one of the electrodes, and a NOx absorber provided between the electrodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2008Publication date: August 27, 2009Inventors: Koji YOSHIDA, Sakutaro Hoshi
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Publication number: 20090205315Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for PM purification, where good PM purification performance can be achieved. The PM purification apparatus 10 of the present invention comprises (a) a honeycomb support 13 having an outer periphery-side region 13a and an inner-side region 13b, which carries a PM oxidation catalyst and in which the PM oxidation catalyst loading per unit volume of support in the outer periphery-side region 13a is greater than the PM oxidation catalyst loading per unit volume of support in the inner-side region 13b, (b) a center electrode 12 passing through the center part of the honeycomb support 13 and extending to the exhaust gas flow upstream side, and (c) an outer peripheral electrode 14 disposed on the outer periphery of the honeycomb support 13 and electrically insulated from the center electrode 12 by the honeycomb support 13. The PM purification method of the present invention can be performed using the PM purification apparatus 10 of the present invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2006Publication date: August 20, 2009Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masaru Kakinohana, Hirohito Hirata, Masaya Ibe
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Patent number: 7568473Abstract: An auxiliary-gas supplying apparatus A for combustion engine B according to the invention includes: an ozone generator 3; an auxiliary gas generator 8 for generating an auxiliary gas containing ionized oxygen; and an intake auxiliary-gas supply path 4 for supplying the auxiliary gas to an intake member (intake manifold) 1, the ozone generator, auxiliary gas generator and intake auxiliary-gas supply path disposed externally of the intake member (intake manifold) 1 communicated with a combustion chamber. Thus, the combustion engine may be increased in combustion efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2008Date of Patent: August 4, 2009Inventor: Kazuo Motouchi
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Patent number: 7559195Abstract: The invention concerns a procedure to heat a reducing agent generation system of an exhaust gas aftertreatment system of an internal combustion engine by combustion of fuel, whereby the reducing agent is produced for the selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine in the intermittently operated reducing agent generation system, whereby the reducing agent generation system consists of a plasma burner, a mixing chamber located downstream or upstream from the plasma chamber, an oxidation reformation unit as well as a nitrogen oxide storage/ammonia production unit and whereby nitrogen oxide is produced in a plasma in the plasma burner. The invention concerns additionally a corresponding device. The task of the invention concerning the procedure is thereby solved, in that the combustion of the fuel is ignited by the plasma.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2006Date of Patent: July 14, 2009Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Peter Riegger, Franz Josef Trompeter, Ralf Wegst, Thorsten Raatz
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Publication number: 20090165439Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment system for an internal combustion engine includes an exhaust pipe and an energy applying device. Exhaust gas discharged from the internal combustion engine flows into the exhaust pipe. The energy applying device applies energy to the exhaust gas flowing through the exhaust pipe. The energy applied to the exhaust gas is greater than the energy for decomposing nitrogen monoxide (NO) and less than the energy for decomposing nitrogen (N2).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2008Publication date: July 2, 2009Inventors: Sakutaro HOSHI, Koji Yoshida, Atsushi Kidokoro, Toru Sasatani
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Publication number: 20090151322Abstract: A plasma assisted combustion device includes a dielectric housing that defines a plasma chamber having an input that receives media for processing and an output that passes processed media. A ground electrode plate is positioned proximate to a first surface of the dielectric housing forming a first dielectric barrier. A hot electrode plate is positioned proximate to a second surface of the dielectric housing forming a second dielectric barrier. A power supply generates a waveform that energizes the hot electrode plate with a voltage that strikes a double dielectric barrier plasma discharge in the plasma chamber. A media injector is positioned at an input of the plasma chamber. The media injector includes a nozzle that converts a liquid media into an aerosolized media and then sprays the aerosolized media into the plasma chamber. The plasma in the plasma chamber processes the aerosolized media into at least some lower molecular weight media and activating at least some free radicals.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2007Publication date: June 18, 2009Applicant: PERRIQUEST DEFENSE RESEARCH ENTERPRISES LLCInventor: Don M. Coates
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Publication number: 20090145108Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying system is used for purifying exhaust gas discharged from an internal combustion engine installed in a vehicle. The exhaust gas purifying system includes an electrochemical device and a control device. The electrochemical device includes an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte layer disposed between the anode and the cathode. The control device is operable to control the internal combustion engine and the electrochemical device. The control device receives data on condition of the internal combustion engine and controls amount of electric current to be supplied to the electrochemical device based on the data. The data represents amount of exhaust gas. When the control device recognizes that the amount of exhaust gas is increased, the control device increases the amount of electric current to be supplied to the electrochemical device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2008Publication date: June 11, 2009Inventors: Naotaka KOIDE, Nami IKEDA, Hiroyasu KAWAUCHI, Yoshifumi KATO
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Publication number: 20090107112Abstract: This invention is for a simple device for converting the oxygen in air to Ozone which then passes into the combustion chamber for a diesel fueled engine. When this device is used the amount of energy obtained from the diesel fuel combustion is is increased by about 25%.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2007Publication date: April 30, 2009Inventor: Leslie G. Hammer
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Patent number: 7514047Abstract: The present invention relates to an exhaust gas purifying apparatus, for trapping and burning PM, which comprises electrodes and an insulative honeycomb structure. The apparatus is characterized in that the electrodes make an electric field in the honeycomb structure, the electric field not being parallel with the cell passages of the honeycomb structure. Further the apparatus is characterized in that the electrodes make an electric field in the honeycomb structure, and that the honeycomb structure carries at least one metal selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal and an alkali earth metal; a material that generates oxygen radical by conducting an electric current therethrough; a manganese dioxide; and/or a material having a high dielectric constant.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2004Date of Patent: April 7, 2009Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hirohito Hirata, Masaru Kakinohana, Hideo Yahagi
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Patent number: 7513921Abstract: An exhaust gas filter apparatus includes a particulate filter for collecting a particulate from an exhaust gas. The exhaust gas filter also includes a electromagnetic radiation resonator to heat a portion of the particulate to ignite the particulate and regenerate the particulate filter.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2005Date of Patent: April 7, 2009Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Amanda C. Phelps, Kevin W. Kirby, Daniel Gregoire
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Patent number: 7510600Abstract: A gas purifying apparatus includes an adsorption member (e.g., a honeycomb structural body) that adsorbs particulate matter contained in the gas by the action of an electric field. The apparatus also includes a supply device (e.g., an ozone generator including a discharger, a pulsed power supply, a pump, and a discharge port) that supplies a pro-oxidant to the adsorption member.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2006Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masaya Ibe, Hirohito Hirata, Masaru Kakinohana
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Patent number: 7497889Abstract: Arranged within a cylindrical housing are capturing cells each including a cylindrical outer electrode capable of capturing particulates and an inner electrode inserted into the outer electrode and lined at its outer surface with a dielectric. A divergent exhaust unit is arranged on an end of the housing so as to guide exhaust to interiors in the respective capturing cells. A convergent exhaust unit is arranged on the other end of the housing so as to communicate with a gap between an inner surface of the housing and outer surfaces of the outer electrodes in the respective cells. The inner and outer electrodes are connected to an electric discharge controller.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2004Date of Patent: March 3, 2009Assignee: Hino Motors, Ltd.Inventors: Takatoshi Furukawa, Yoshihide Takenaka, Koichi Machida
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Publication number: 20090049821Abstract: An exhaust gas purer (100) includes a plasma reactor (10) that includes a plasma generating electrode (1) formed by hierarchically stacking a plurality of unit electrodes (2) at specific intervals, the plasma reactor generating plasma in a space formed between the unit electrodes (2) by applying a pulse voltage between the unit electrodes (2) so that exhaust gas can be treated via a reactions and a power supply that generates the pulse voltage, each of the unit electrodes (2) including a conductive film (4) and a dielectric (3) disposed on at least one side of the conductive film (4), the unit electrodes (2) being stacked so that the dielectric (3) is positioned on at least one of opposing sides of the unit electrodes (2), the pulse voltage having a pulse width of 1 ?m to 1 mm and a field intensity of 5 kV/cm or more, and the amount of energy supplied when applying the pulse voltage being 10 J or less per microgram of a treatment target substance.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2008Publication date: February 26, 2009Applicants: NGK INSULATORS, LTD., HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Takeshi SAKUMA, Atsuo KONDO, Kenji DOSAKA, Masanobu MIKI
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Publication number: 20090049820Abstract: A device for purifying exhaust gases of a vehicle by selective catalytic reduction including a heated piping. The heated piping comprises a fluid conveying pipe including a thermoplastic elastomer, a heating element arranged inside the conveying pipe, and an anti-abrasive layer. Preferably, the conveying pipe is made of a polyolefinic matrix based thermoplastic elastomer in which it is intimately dispersed a dynamically vulcanised and EPDM based elastomeric phase.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2005Publication date: February 26, 2009Applicant: DAYCO FLUID TECHNOLOGIES S.P.A.Inventors: Franco Colosimo, Mario Zasa, Simone Cavanna
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Publication number: 20090031703Abstract: A plasma burner and a diesel particulate filter (DPF) trap that can effectively oxidize and remove a particulate material (PM) within an exhaust gas by preheating fuel and mixing the fuel with the exhaust gas are provided. The DPF includes: a filter that is connected to an exhaust conduit at a side opposite to that of an engine; a plasma burner that is provided within the exhaust conduit between the engine and the filter, and that includes a fuel inlet that supplies fuel and a flame vent that projects a flame by a plasma discharge, and that heats exhaust gas; and a fuel inflow conduit that connects the fuel inlet and a fuel tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2008Publication date: February 5, 2009Applicant: KOREA INSTITUTE OF MACHINERY & MATERIALSInventors: Dae-Hoon LEE, Kwan-Tae Kim, Young-Hoon Song, Min-Suk Cha, Jae-Ok Lee
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Patent number: 7484358Abstract: Raw diesel fuel is reformed to produce partially oxygenated hydrocarbons in the liquid fuel by use of a nonthermal plasma reactor. The reformed diesel fuel is formed by passing a stream of air plasma bubbles through a liquid volume of diesel fuel to strip low molecular weight hydrocarbons from the fuel, while partially oxygenating an abundance of them as a reformate for addition to the exhaust. This reformed diesel fuel is introduced as a sidestream into the exhaust of a diesel engine or other lean-burn power plants as reactants for selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides in the exhaust. Fresh fuel is added to the liquid volume as diesel reformate is stripped from it, and a portion of the stripped fuel is withdrawn from the liquid volume.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2005Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Byong K. Cho, Keith L. Olson
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Patent number: 7481043Abstract: The present invention provides a plasma injector wherein a reducing agent injected from an injection port (19) at the distal end portion of an injection nozzle (18) is at least partially converted into a plasma; an exhaust gas purifying system; and a method for injecting a reducing agent. Using the plasma injector, the exhaust gas purifying system, and the method for injecting a reducing gas of the present invention, it is possible to vaporize a reducing agent supplied in an injection manner and/or to provide a highly reactive reducing agent from the reducing agent.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2004Date of Patent: January 27, 2009Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hirohito Hirata, Eriko Matsumura
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Patent number: 7475533Abstract: The present invention provides an exhaust gas purifying apparatus 10 which can effectively purify an exhaust gas with the use of a plasma. The present exhaust gas purifying apparatus 10 comprises a NOx purifying catalyst 1 disposed in an exhaust gas pipe 11 for an internal combustion engine (ENG); a plasma generator 2 for converting a gas into a plasma and supplying the plasma to the exhaust pipe at the upstream of the NOx purifying catalyst; a switching device 3 for selectively supplying one of a recirculated exhaust gas 13 and air 12 as a gas to be converted into a plasma to the plasma generator 2; and an injector 4 for adding a reducing agent to the gas 14 to be converted into a plasma or a plasma 15 converted from the gas by the plasma generator. The present invention further provides a method for controlling the exhaust gas purifying apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2005Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hirohito Hirata, Kazunobu Ishibashi
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Publication number: 20090007544Abstract: A device for reducing the number of particles in the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine includes at least two structures through which an exhaust gas can flow, initially through a first structure and then through a second structure during operation. An electrical potential difference can be generated between the structures. In this way, the exhaust gas downstream of the second structure has fewer particles, averaged over time, than the exhaust gas upstream of the first structure. In addition, the particles downstream of the second structure have a larger mean diameter than those upstream of the first structure, so that it is possible to reduce emissions, in particular of fine dust, in the exhaust gas of internal combustion engines. A method for reducing the number of particles in the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine, is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2008Publication date: January 8, 2009Applicant: EMITEC GESELLSCHAFT FUR EMISSIONSTECHNOLOGIE MBHInventor: Rolf Bruck
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Patent number: 7468085Abstract: A system for removing particulates from a filtering device of a machine. The system may include a flow assembly configured to direct a flow of gas through the filtering device, with one or more elements of the flow assembly being removably attached to a first opening of the filtering device. The system may also include a sound generation assembly configured to direct sound waves toward the filtering device to remove particulates from the filtering device.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2005Date of Patent: December 23, 2008Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: John D. Goddard
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Patent number: 7464538Abstract: In an exhaust gas purifying technique in which discharge is utilized, the invention provides a technique in which purification efficiency can be enhanced while an increase in electric power consumption is suppressed. A discharge mode including a discharge period and an undischarged period is adopted in a configuration in which a plasma process is performed to exhaust gas from a Diesel engine by generating the discharge in a plasma generator. A basic waveform periodically exists in a repeated manner in the discharge period, and the discharge is not performed in the undischarged period. An amplitude and/or a period of the basic waveform is controlled according to a load on the Diesel engine, a continuous iteration count of the basic waveform is controlled according to purification reaction efficiency in the plasma process, and the burst period is controlled according to an exhaust gas flow rate.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2006Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masanobu Miki, Kenji Dosaka, Keizo Iwama
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Patent number: 7454895Abstract: The invention is a method for diagnosing operation of a nonthermal plasma discharge device and a lean NOx trap disposed in the exhaust of an internal combustion engine. The method further includes reducing power to the nonthermal plasma discharge device and determining that the nonthermal plasma discharge device is operating properly when a concentration of NOx of exhaust gases exiting the lean NOx trap increases in response to reducing power to the nonthermal plasma discharge device. Additionally, the nonthermal plasma discharge device is found not to be operating when the NOx concentration remains substantially constant in response to a decrease in power supplied to the nonthermal plasma discharge device.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2004Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: John W. Hoard, Gopichandra Surnilla, David K. Bidner
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Publication number: 20080276600Abstract: A reduction system for particulate materials in exhaust gas, which is connected to a tailpipe of an engine that burns a hydrocarbon-based fuel supplied from a fuel storage tank, and collects and removes particulate materials within the exhaust gas, may include a plasma reactor having a gas inlet and an outlet, and a DPF (diesel particulate filter) trap having a filter. The tailpipe of the engine may communicate with the gas inlet of the plasma reactor, and the outlet of the plasma reactor may communicate with the DPF trap. The exhaust gas exhausted from the engine may be transferred to the DPF trap after being heated while passing through the plasma reactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2007Publication date: November 13, 2008Applicant: Korea Institute of Machinery & MaterialsInventors: Dae-hoon Lee, Kwan-tae Kim, Young-hoon Song, Min-suk Cha, Jae-ok Lee
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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: 7435288Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for effectively filtering particulate matter from exhaust gas. Exemplary embodiments of the invention provides a system for capturing diesel-powered vehicle particulate matter in exhaust gas, the system including: a detour channel at the interior of the entrance to the diesel particulate filter, an electrode located in front of the detour channel and operable to ionize the particulate matter, and a control unit operable to control operation of the electrode.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2006Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Kangsoo Lee
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Patent number: 7428809Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine; in the exhaust area of this engine there is at least one catalytic converter and downstream from the catalytic converter there is an NOx sensor. A device for carrying out this method is also provided. The NOx sensor has a cross-sensitivity to a reagent needed in the catalytic converter. In predefined operating states of the internal combustion engine, e.g., idling and/or overrun, a selection signal is supplied; when this selection signal occurs, the sensor signal supplied by the NOx sensor is interpreted as at least a measure of the reagent leakage.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2005Date of Patent: September 30, 2008Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Stefan Wickert, Torsten Handler, Dirk Samuelsen, Christian Walz
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Patent number: 7418815Abstract: A particulate trap has a housing with an inlet and an outlet. The particulate trap also has a plurality of filters disposed within the housing in parallel relation. The particulate trap further has at least one electrode disposed within the housing and configured to impart a charge to particulates entrained within an exhaust flow as the particulates pass near the at least one electrode.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2004Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: David Michael Thaler
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Patent number: 7398643Abstract: A combined EGR cooler and non-thermal plasma device has first and second fluid passageways which are in heat exchange communication with one another. One or more electrodes are located in the second fluid passageway. The electrodes are connected to a voltage source. When a voltage of sufficient magnitude is applied to the electrodes, a non-thermal plasma is generated in the second fluid passageway. The device can be constructed in the form of a shell-and-tube heat exchanger or a stacked-tube type heat exchanger, wherein the electrodes extend through the heat exchange tubes. Hot exhaust gases preferably flow through the tubes in heat exchange contact with a liquid coolant, thereby cooling the exhaust gases. The electrodes generate non-thermal plasma inside the tubes, converting at least a portion of the NO in the exhaust to NO2, which reacts with soot in the exhaust gases to generate CO2 and N2, thereby cleaning the exhaust gases.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2006Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Assignee: Dana Canada CorporationInventor: James Scott Cotton
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Patent number: 7389638Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved exhaust gas cleaning system and method for a combustion source comprising a hydrogen generation system, a sulfur oxides trap, and a nitrogen storage reduction (NSR) catalyst trap. The improved exhaust gas cleaning system and method of the present invention also provides for a water-gas-shift catalyst between the sulfur oxides trap and the NSR catalyst trap, and a clean-up catalyst downstream of the NSR catalyst trap. The invention provides also a sulfur trap regenerable at moderate temperatures with rich pulses, rather than at high temperatures. The improved exhaust gas cleaning system of the present invention provides for the sulfur released from the sulfur trap to pass through the nitrogen oxide trap with no or little poisoning of NOx storage and reduction sites, which significantly improves NSR catalyst trap lifetime and performance to meet future emissions standards.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2005Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: Walter Weissman, El Mekki El Malki
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Patent number: 7377101Abstract: The invention provides a NOx adsorber aftertreatment system for internal combustion engines which utilizes a plasma fuel converter operatively coupled to at least one NOx adsorber to aid in the regeneration of the NOx adsorber. Fuel and engine exhaust is injected into a plasma fuel converter upstream of a NOx absorber producing reductant such as H2, and CO, which are inlet into the NOx absorber. Reductants such as H2 and CO acting along and together help to efficiently regenerate the NOx Adsorber which in turn releases exhausts products such as CO2 and N2. Using the reductants generated by the plasma fuel converter NOx adsorbers, catalytic soot filter, and the like can be regenerated at exhaust temperatures less than 250° C. The plasma fuel converter, NOx adsorber regenerating aftertreatment system of the present invention may be used with any suitable control system.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2004Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.Inventors: Rahul Mital, Bradlee J. Stroia, Robert C. Yu
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Patent number: 7356987Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation system for a power source, has at least one inlet port configured to receive at least a portion of a flow of exhaust produced by the power source. The exhaust gas recirculation system also has an electrode disposed upstream of the at least one inlet port and configured to charge particulate matter in the flow of exhaust. The exhaust gas recirculation system further has at least one collection surface configured to allow the at least one electrode to repel the charged particulate matter away from the at least one inlet port towards the at least one collection surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2004Date of Patent: April 15, 2008Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Matthew Thomas Kiser, David Michael Thaler, Anthony Clark Rodman, Matthew Earnest Williams
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Patent number: 7354558Abstract: An exhaust gas purification system includes a honeycomb structural member and a center electrode. The honeycomb structural member is disposed in an exhaust emission flow path from an engine. The center electrode extends along an axis of the honeycomb structural member from an upstream side thereof. A voltage of a polarity opposite from the polarity of the honeycomb structural member is applied to the center electrode. Sub-electrodes are further provided for controlling an electric field between the center electrode and the honeycomb structural member.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2004Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kimitoshi Tsuji
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Patent number: 7331170Abstract: Provided is an exhaust emission control device which can properly burn off soot and soluble organic fraction attached to and accumulated on electrodes of a plasma generator. The exhaust emission control device with a post-processing device (catalyst regenerative particulate filter) for allowing exhaust gas to pass therethrough for gas purification incorporated in an exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine (diesel engine) comprises a plasma generator arranged upstream of the post-processing device for discharging electricity in the exhaust gas to generate plasma, flow-through type oxidation catalyst arranged upstream of the plasma generator, fuel adding means (controller) arranged upstream of the oxidation catalyst for adding fuel into the exhaust gas, temperature increasing means (suction throttling valve or controller) for increasing the exhaust temperature to a level enough for oxidation reaction on the oxidation catalyst of the fuel added by said fuel adding means.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2004Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Hino Motors, Ltd.Inventor: Masatoshi Shimoda
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Patent number: 7325392Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for controlling a catalytic process. The control system includes: an electroconductive support having a layer of a catalyst thereon; a first electrode in contact with said electroconductive support; a second electrode in contact with said catalyst layer; a current control unit for applying a current to said first and second electrodes and for controlling and varying the amount of current applied; an impedance measurement unit for continuously, monitoring and measuring the polarization impedance across an interface between the catalyst layer and the electroconductive support; a processing-unit for comparing the measured polarization impedance with a reference value. The amount of current applied to the catalyst layer and the electroconductive support via the first and second electrodes is varied to change the polarization impedance when the measured polarization impedance differs from the reference value.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2003Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: Catelectric Corp.Inventors: Victor Stancovski, Sridhar Seetharaman
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Patent number: 7326264Abstract: A method for reducing the particulate emissions containing carbon of diesel motors uses surface discharges to regenerate a filter. An appropriate wall flow filter is configured from alternately closed longitudinal channels. The electrodes are embedded in the filter material and are thus protected from erosion. Two electrodes are sufficient for selectively generating the surface discharges in the inlet channel of the wall flow filter as a result of a suitable geometric arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2003Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Thomas Hammer
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Patent number: 7316106Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a method for processing exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine such as a diesel engine. The disclosed system and method can be particularly suitable to the diesel engine that usually operates in a lean burn condition without the occurrence of a periodic high-load condition in view of its combustion characteristics. According to the system and method, an exhaust composition containing soot particles and gaseous components are processed to remove the soot particles and to reduce the amount of NOx compounds. The soot particles are first filtered with a filter that passes gaseous components of the composition and collecting the soot particles. The collected soot particles are oxidized in the presence of a light-activated redox catalyst to turn to smaller molecules that can pass through the filter. The NOx compounds are temporarily adsorbed by an adsorber and reduced in the presence of a light-activated redox catalyst to turn to N2.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2005Date of Patent: January 8, 2008Assignee: GM Daewoo Auto & Technology CompanyInventor: Geon-Seog Son