Material From Exhaust Structure Fed To Engine Intake Patents (Class 60/278)
  • Patent number: 7509798
    Abstract: A method and system for more safely operating a diesel engine in a methane-rich environment, such as a mine. The method includes providing a diesel engine having an air intake, a combustion chamber, and an exhaust. Methane-rich air is introduced into the engine through the air intake and mixed with diesel fuel, which is combusted. The exhaust gases are introduced into a converter comprising a bed of silica. The converter generates highly reactive hydroxyl radicals that are attracted to the combustion temperature at the cylinders. The hydroxyl radicals form supercritical water in the cylinders, and eliminate soot formation, increases engine efficiency, and reduce top combustion temperature. The disclosed methods and systems significantly reduce pollutants and the risk of explosions within or near the diesel engine. The methods and systems also result in single phase emissions, whether or not operated in a methane-rich environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas C. Maganas
  • Patent number: 7509800
    Abstract: An exhaust system of an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder comprises a main exhaust passage connected to the cylinder; a main catalytic converter disposed in the main exhaust passage; a bypass exhaust passage that diverges from the main exhaust passage, the bypass exhaust passage having a gas flow resistance larger than that of the main exhaust passage and having a downstream end connected to the main exhaust passage at a position upstream of the main catalytic converter; an auxiliary catalytic converter disposed in the bypass exhaust passage; and a gas flow switching device that is capable of forcing exhaust gas from the cylinder of the engine to flow toward the bypass exhaust passage when assuming a given operation position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sungi I, Takao Inoue, Kimiyoshi Nishizawa
  • Publication number: 20090076713
    Abstract: A spark ignited gaseous fuel engine including an exhaust gas recirculation system and method for operating a gaseous fuel engine are provided. The exhaust gas recirculation system has an adjustable flow and is operable to supply exhaust gas to at least one engine cylinder. The engine further includes means for determining a value indicative of a charge density of a combustion mixture that includes gaseous fuel, air and exhaust gas supplied to the at least one cylinder, and adjusting a flow quantity through the exhaust gas recirculation system based at least in part on the value. The charge density may permit the controller to set a NOx output rate from the engine via a pre-determined correlation between charge density and NOx output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Brett M. Bailey, William C. Boley
  • Patent number: 7500357
    Abstract: A system for assisting regeneration of a storage/release NOx trap integrated in an exhaust line (5) of a motor vehicle diesel engine (4) is characterized in that it comprises gas admission means for admitting gas into the engine, means for injecting fuel (11) into the cylinders thereof in the form of at least pilot and main injections, and means for controlling (12) said gas admission and/or fuel injection means for periodically switching the engine (4) between a lean-mixture standard operating mode in which NOx is stored in the trap (6) and a rich-mixture regeneration operating mode, with at least two pilot injections (1, 2) and one main injection (3), in which NOx is released from the trap (6) and the trap is regenerated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Peugeot Citron Automobiles SA
    Inventors: Ali Chaouche, Djamal Medioun, Yvon Beauge, Piet Ameloot, Mickael Gascoin
  • Publication number: 20090056314
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purification system (1) provided with an exhaust gas purification device (4), such as a NOx occlusion-reduction catalyst, in an exhaust passage (3) of an internal combustion engine (E), the exhaust gas purification device (4) purifying exhaust gas when the air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas in a lean state, and recovering purification ability when in a rich state. The system prevents highly dense, uncombusted fuel from acting as a binder that causes soot, together with the uncombusted fuel, to adhere to an EGR cooler (7) in an EGR passage (6) and thus clogging the EGR cooler (7). An uncombusted fuel adsorption device (20) for adsorbing uncombusted fuel is provided upstream to the EGR cooler (7) in the EGR passage (6), the uncombusted fuel adsorption device (20) adsorbing uncombusted fuel passing through the EGR passage (6) during a rich control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Masashi Gabe, Daiji Nagaoka
  • Patent number: 7490466
    Abstract: A power source is provided for use with an exhaust gas recirculation and selective catalytic reduction system. The power source has a main air-intake passage fluidly connected to a first air-intake passage and a second air-intake passage. A first cylinder group may be fluidly connected to the first air-intake passage and a first exhaust passage, wherein the first exhaust passage may include an ammonia-producing catalyst configured to convert at least a portion of a fluid in the first exhaust passage into ammonia. Further, a second cylinder group may be fluidly connected to the second air-intake passage and a second exhaust passage. A third cylinder group may be fluidly connected to the second air-intake passage. The power source may have a recirculation loop that includes the second air-intake passage and the third cylinder group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Wade J. Robel, Brett M. Bailey
  • Patent number: 7490595
    Abstract: An exhaust gas system for an internal combustion engine includes an intake system and an exhaust outlet interconnected by an exhaust gas recirculation line having an exhaust treatment unit and a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger has a first back pressure and the exhaust treatment unit has a second back pressure, smaller than the first back pressure. The exhaust treatment unit is disposed at such a first distance from the heat exchanger in flow direction that, during operation, a gas flow entering the exhaust treatment unit is homogenized. The exhaust gas system permits an advantageous configuration of a heat exchanger and an exhaust treatment unit, such as for example a honeycomb body in the exhaust gas recirculation line, in which both the heat exchanger and the exhaust treatment unit can have a smaller structure than in conventional systems. This reduces costs considerably for equipping such a system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignees: Emitec Geseelschaft fur Emissionstechnologie MBH, Behr GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rolf Brück, Andreas Scheeder, Peter Geskes, Ulrich Maucher, Jens Ruckwied
  • Patent number: 7490462
    Abstract: An exhaust recirculation system includes a power source including at least one cylinder outputting exhaust gas and a particulate reducing device fluidly connected to at least one exhaust duct of the power source. The particulate reducing device is configured to reduce an amount of particulates in the exhaust gas. The exhaust recirculation system also includes a recirculation compressor configured to receive and compress at least a portion of the exhaust gas. An intake duct of the at least one cylinder of the power source is fluidly connected to the recirculation compressor to receive the compressed reduced-particulate exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Stephan Donald Roozenboom, Andrew John Kieser
  • Publication number: 20090032000
    Abstract: A hydrated EGR system, method and apparatus for a vehicle, in which heat from an exhaust pipe is used to heat an aqueous fluid solution in a water tank. A portion of the hot exhaust gas is diverted from the main exhaust flow, and the diverted portion is bubbled through the heated aqueous fluid solution to form a hydrated EGR mixture containing water vapor. The hydrated EGR mixture is then fed back to an intake portion of the engine, is mixed with an incoming fuel/air mixture, and is burned with the fuel air mixture inside the engine. The use of the hydrated EGR mixture, including heated water vapor, as part of the intake charge simultaneously reduces harmful exhaust emissions, improves engine performance, and improves fuel economy of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventor: Julius J. Rim
  • Publication number: 20090031968
    Abstract: A process for operating a compression ignition internal combustion engine (1) in combination with a catalytic partial oxidation reformer (2) and, optionally, an exhaust gas aftertreater (3), wherein: (a) a mixture of a first fuel and air, wherein the first fuel comprises Fischer-Tropsch derived fuel, is introduced in the combustion chamber of the engine (1); (b) exhaust gas is discharged from the engine and optionally partly recirculated to the combustion chamber of the engine (1); (c) a second fuel and oxygen and/or steam are supplied to the catalytic partial oxidation reformer (2) to produce synthesis gas, wherein the second fuel comprises Fischer-Tropsch derived fuel; (d) at least part of the synthesis gas is supplied to: (i) the exhaust gas aftertreater (3); (ii) the combustion chamber of the engine (1); or to both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: SHELL OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Roger Francis Cracknell, Gert Jan Kramer, Eric Johannes Vos
  • Publication number: 20090031705
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine in which an SOx trapping catalyst (12) and particulate filter (13) are arranged in a engine exhaust passage and in which a recirculation exhaust gas takeout port (17) is formed in the engine exhaust passage downstream of the particulate filter (13). Inside the engine exhaust passage downstream of the recirculation exhaust gas takeout port (17), an NOx storing catalyst (15) and a reducing agent feed valve (21) are arranged. When NOx should be released from the NOx storing catalyst (15), reducing agent is fed into the exhaust passage from the reducing agent feed valve (21).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kohei Yoshida, Shinya Hirota, Kotaro Hayashi, Takamitsu Asanuma, Atsushi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7481041
    Abstract: An exhaust system for a mobile combustion engine includes at least one exhaust pipe. The exhaust pipe has at least one catalytically active reaction chamber, inside which long-chain hydrocarbons contained in the exhaust gas are cracked. A method for operating such an exhaust system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Emitec Gesellschaft fuer Emissionstechnologie mbH
    Inventors: Thomas Nagel, Andrée Bergmann
  • Patent number: 7481040
    Abstract: The invention relates to an exhaust-gas heat exchanger, in particular an exhaust-gas cooler (1) for exhaust-gas recirculation (AGR) in motor vehicles equipped with channels, through which exhaust gas flows. According to the invention, a catalyst (8), in particular an oxidation catalyst, is connected upstream of the exhaust-gas heat exchanger (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: BEHR GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Rainer Lutz
  • Publication number: 20090020102
    Abstract: An Engine Control Module includes an electronic controller for controlling the position of an EGR valve, the timing of opening and closing of the engine combustion valves, and the timing of the individual cylinder fuel injectors of an engine. Each engine cylinder includes a pressure sensor. Peak cylinder pressure is sent to the ECM during each firing cycle. The ECM is programmed with required maximum percentages of EGR and optimal combustion valve timing for each engine operating condition, and sets the EGR valve and/or the camshaft phaser accordingly to adjust combustion in all the engine cylinders. The ECM also compares the measured peak pressure for each cylinder and adjusts the timing of fuel injection for the next firing cycle to trim the measured peak pressure in each cylinder to a predetermined level at or below the maximum allowable peak firing pressure for the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventor: Gerald T. Fattic
  • Publication number: 20090013668
    Abstract: As one embodiment, a method of operating an engine including at least a first cylinder and a second cylinder is provided. The method comprises operating the first cylinder of the engine to provide a net flow of gases from an intake manifold to an exhaust manifold for a plurality of cycles of the first cylinder and combusting a first mixture including the gases in the first cylinder by auto-ignition; and during the operation of the first cylinder, repetitively operating the second cylinder of the engine to admit gases from the intake manifold into the second cylinder and retaining the admitted gases within the second cylinder for a period before exhausting the admitted gases into the intake manifold; and adjusting an operating parameter of the second cylinder to vary a timing of the auto-ignition by the first cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Vincent J. Winstead
  • Publication number: 20090013669
    Abstract: A method of operating an engine including at least a first cylinder and a second cylinder, the method comprising operating the first cylinder of the engine to provide a net flow of gases from an intake manifold to an exhaust manifold while combusting a mixture including said gases in said first cylinder during each cycle of the first cylinder; and during said operation of the first cylinder, operating the second cylinder of the engine to provide a net flow of gases from the exhaust manifold to the intake manifold, wherein said net flow of gases from the exhaust manifold to the intake manifold includes at least a portion of said combusted mixture by the first cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Vincent J. Winstead
  • Publication number: 20090013667
    Abstract: As one embodiment, a method of operating an engine including at least a first cylinder and a second cylinder is provided. The method comprises operating the first cylinder of the engine to provide a net flow of gases from an intake manifold to an exhaust manifold over a plurality of cycles of the first cylinder and performing auto-ignition in said first cylinder of a mixture including said gases; and during said operation of the first cylinder, operating the second cylinder of the engine to provide a net flow of gases from the exhaust manifold to the intake manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Vincent J. Winstead
  • Patent number: 7475533
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirohito Hirata, Kazunobu Ishibashi
  • Publication number: 20090007891
    Abstract: A device for distributing recirculated gases to a component of an exhaust gas recirculation system. The device includes an inlet and an outlet for recirculated gases, an inlet port and an outlet port to the component, and a mechanism to reverse the stream of recirculated gases flowing through the component. A device for cooling recirculated exhaust gases is equipped with a mechanism to reverse the stream of recirculated gases inside the exchanger. A method of recirculating exhaust gases includes cleaning the EGR system, which is triggered by an electronic unit, and which includes reversing the stream of EGR gases flowing through an EGR cooling device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventor: Bernard Rollet
  • Publication number: 20090000275
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine (100) includes an intake manifold (106) and at least one exhaust manifold (108). A first compressor (120) that is operably associated with a first turbine (128) has a first air inlet (126) and a first air outlet (118). The first air inlet (126) is adapted to admit air into the first compressor (120), and the first air outlet (118) is fluidly connected to the intake manifold (106). The first turbine (128) fluidly communicates with a tailpipe (138). A second compressor (124) is operably associated with a second turbine (160) and has a first tributary fluid inlet (152), a second tributary fluid inlet (154), and a second fluid outlet (122). The first tributary fluid inlet (152) is fluidly connected to the tailpipe (138) at a junction (147), the second tributary fluid inlet (154) is adapted to admit air into the second compressor (124), and the second fluid outlet (122) is fluidly connected to the intake manifold (106).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Martin R. Zielke, Qianfan Xin
  • Patent number: 7469684
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle, comprising of an engine, an air intake passage coupled to the engine, an exhaust passage coupled to the engine, a fuel vapor storage system fluidly coupled with the intake air passage and the exhaust passage, said fuel vapor storage system configured to store and release fuel vapors, a control system configured to during a first mode, route exhaust gas from the engine to the fuel vapor storage system via at least the exhaust passage, and during a second mode, route at least fresh air to the fuel vapor storage system to release fuel vapors from the fuel vapor storage system before being inducted into the engine via the air intake passage to be burned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Leone, Ralph Wayne Cunningham
  • Publication number: 20080309087
    Abstract: A power generation system includes a gas turbine system. The turbine system includes a combustion chamber configured to combust a fuel stream a compressor configured to receive a feed oxidant stream and supply a compressed oxidant to the combustion chamber and an expander configured to receive a discharge from the combustion chamber and generate an exhaust comprising carbon dioxide and electrical energy. The system further includes a retrofittable exhaust gas recirculation system including a splitter configured to split the exhaust into a first split stream and a second split stream, a heat recovery steam generator configured to receive the first split stream and generate a cooled first split stream and a purification system configured to receive the first cooled split stream and the second split stream and generate a recycle stream, wherein the recycle stream is mixed with the fresh oxidant to generate the feed oxidant stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Andrei Tristan Evulet, Ahmed Mostafa ElKady, Michael John Bowman
  • Patent number: 7464539
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a combustion engine, an emission abatement device, and a turbocharger. The emission abatement device is fluidly coupled to the engine to receive exhaust gas therefrom. The turbocharger comprises an air compressor that is fluidly coupled to the engine to supply pressurized air to the engine and that is fluidly coupled to the emission abatement device via a flow path not including any combustion section of the engine to supply pressurized air to the emission abatement device. An associated method is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Emcon Technologies LLC
    Inventors: William Taylor, III, Yougen Kong, Christopher R. Huffmeyer, Tomasz Kozakiewicz, John Abel
  • Patent number: 7464540
    Abstract: A power system is provided having a power source, a first power source section with a first intake passage and a first exhaust passage, a second power source section with a second intake passage and a second exhaust passage, and an oxygen separator. The second intake passage may be fluidly isolated from the first intake passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: William Lanier Easley, Jr., Gerald Nelson Coleman, Wade James Robel
  • Publication number: 20080295484
    Abstract: A method is provided for compensating for factors affecting particulate matter accumulation within an aftertreatment element of an engine exhaust system. The method comprises determining rate of change of flow resistance through the aftertreatment element with time. Regeneration is periodically initiated to reduce particulate matter accumulation within the aftertreatment element. Rate of change of flow resistance through the aftertreatment element over time is correlated with at least a model of particulate matter accumulation within the aftertreatment element and a model of regeneration frequency of the aftertreatment element, based on predetermined values for particulate matter accumulation and regeneration frequency. Action, at least including increasing regeneration frequency, is initiated to compensate for an increased rate of particulate matter accumulation in the aftertreatment element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Mark Scaife, Trent Cleveland, Michael Lowe, Cornelius Opris, Evan Jacobson, Matthew R. Roth
  • Patent number: 7454897
    Abstract: A controller for an exhaust purifier performs idle-up to increase the idle speed of a diesel engine when an intake air amount, which is based on the atmospheric pressure and the engine speed, is less than a reference air amount of when a throttle valve is completely open and an EGR valve is completely closed during the regeneration of the filter. The controller performs idle-up by increasing the amount of fuel injected from the fuel injection valves of the diesel engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventor: Keiichi Mizuguchi
  • Patent number: 7454896
    Abstract: A vehicle thermal management system includes an exhaust gas cooler configured to receive exhaust gas from the engine and to cool the exhaust gas before it is recirculated back into the engine. A valve is located downstream from the exhaust gas cooler, and is operable to control the amount of exhaust gas passing through the exhaust gas cooler. Intake air mixes with the exhaust gas downstream from the first valve. The mixed gas is then cooled by a mixed gas cooler before it enters the engine intake manifold. A coolant is circulated through the mixed gas cooler and a heat exchanger. The mixed gas rejects heat to the coolant via the mixed gas cooler, and the coolant rejects heat to the ambient air via the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: EMP Advanced Development, LLC
    Inventors: Robert D. Chalgren, Michael P. Lasecki, Michael W. Martin, Thomas J. Hollis, Mark S. Bader, David J. Allen
  • Publication number: 20080282682
    Abstract: An integrated DPF loading and failure sensor with two particulate matter sensors one located upstream of the filter and the other located downstream of the filter. The sensors are integrated into the leading and trailing edges of the filter. Integrating two particulate matter sensors with the DPF will allow the proper interval between reconditioning of DPF, since the particulate matter collected on the filter is measured and not estimated. The upstream sensor determines the amount of particulate matter entering the filter. In addition to using the first sensor for loading, the second sensor, at the trailing face of the filter, can be used to determine break-through of the DPF. The second sensor measures the particulate matter escaping the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Brian Krafthefer C., Michael L. Rhodes, Bradley R. Postage
  • Patent number: 7451593
    Abstract: An exhaust gas cleaning method capable of maintaining an optimum NOx purification ratio in the continuously regenerative range of DPF in an exhaust gas cleaning system (1) having an NOx purification function and a PM purification function combined with each other and the exhaust gas cleaning system (1). In the exhaust gas cleaning system (1), NOx purification by an NOx occlusion/reduction type catalyst (42) and PM purification by a continuous regeneration type DPF (41) are preformed for exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Daiji Nagaoka, Masashi Gabe, Takayuki Sakamoto
  • Publication number: 20080276604
    Abstract: An exhaust gas cleaning apparatus is provided with an exhaust gas particulate filter, an oxidation catalytic converter and a regeneration control component. The exhaust gas particulate filter is arranged in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine for capturing particulate matter in exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine. The oxidation catalytic converter is arranged upstream of the exhaust gas particulate filter in the exhaust passage. The regeneration control component is configured to control an exhaust gas recirculation rate and a temperature of recirculated exhaust gas being recirculated to an air induction system of the internal combustion engine for controlling a temperature of the exhaust gas particulate filter and a concentration of nitrogen dioxide in the exhaust gas particulate filter such that nitrogen dioxide generated by the oxidation catalytic converter is used to burn the particulate matter captured in the exhaust gas particulate filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuuichi HOSAKA
  • Patent number: 7448203
    Abstract: An exhaust gas decontamination system and a method of exhaust gas decontamination wherein in the regeneration of NOx occlusion reduction type catalyst with respect to a lean-burn engine or diesel engine, even in the instance of rich burning accompanied by EGR the NOx released from the NOx occlusion reduction type catalyst can satisfactorily be reduced and purged to thereby exhibit a high NOx removal ratio. The exhaust gas decontamination system (1) provided with the NOx occlusion reduction type catalyst (30) includes a control unit (C1) comprising a.norrnal control operation feature (C10), a regeneration control initiation judging feature (C20), a catalyst activation control-operation feature (C30) and a rich-burn control operation feature (C40) capable of lowering the concentration of oxygen in the exhaust gas so as to realize such a constitution that the catalyst is carried out just before rich burning accompanied by EGR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Masashi Gabe, Daiji Nagaoka
  • Patent number: 7448205
    Abstract: Catalysts are respectively provided in a plurality of parallel exhaust paths of an internal combustion engine. A flow rate adjusting section adjusts a flow rate of an exhaust gas discharged from a first exhaust path to a downstream side, and a flow rate of an exhaust gas supplied to an intake path from the first exhaust path via a first exhaust gas recirculating path. A control section controls the flow rate adjusting section in such a manner that a ratio of the flow rate of the exhaust gas discharged from the first exhaust path with respect to the flow rate of the exhaust gas discharged from the other exhaust paths than the first exhaust path becomes smaller in the case that a temperature of the catalyst exists in a preset low temperature region than in other cases. Accordingly, it is possible to achieve an early activation in at least one of a plurality of catalysts while avoiding an addition of mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Takahashi, Hisanobu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7444804
    Abstract: In an exhaust gas control apparatus for an internal combustion engine, in a case where an internal combustion engine is in a high load operating state while a PM trapping ability forcible recovery process for a particulate filter is being performed, EGR gas is caused to flow back from a portion downstream of the particulate filter in an exhaust passage to a portion upstream of a compressor housing in an intake passage, whereby the EGR gas is cooled by an intercooler. In a case where the internal combustion engine is in a low load operating state while the PM trapping ability forcible recovery process is being performed, the EGR gas is caused to flow back from the portion downstream of the particulate filter in the exhaust passage to a portion downstream of the intercooler in the intake passage, whereby the EGR gas is prevented from being unnecessarily cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeshi Hashizume
  • Publication number: 20080264038
    Abstract: An exhaust treatment system for a power source has an air induction system, an exhaust system and a recirculation system. The exhaust system includes a particulate filter. The recirculation system is configured to draw exhaust from downstream of the particulate filter and direct the exhaust to the air induction system. The recirculation system includes an exhaust gas cooler, and an acidic debris filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Hind M. Abi-Akar, Dennis Lee Endicott, James R. Weber, Erin Elizabeth Atterberry
  • Publication number: 20080264036
    Abstract: A method for controlling an internal combustion engine to maintain a predetermined combustion efficiency, comprises: measuring the concentration of CO in an engine-out emission; determining whether the measured concentration of CO is above or below a target CO concentration for the engine under the operating conditions in use; and if the concentration of CO is above the target CO concentration, adjusting one or more engine and/or combustion parameters so as to reduce the concentration of CO in the engine-out emission, and if the concentration of CO is below the target CO concentration, adjusting one or more engine and/or combustion parameters so as to increase the concentration of CO in the engine-out emission; wherein the target CO concentration is determined on the basis of a correlation with indicators of combustion efficiency under known engine operating conditions. Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) is one such engine and/or combustion parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Nicholas J. Bellovary
  • Patent number: 7441400
    Abstract: An exhaust system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The exhaust system includes at least one main exhaust path connected to at least one cylinder, an exhaust recirculation path that is branched out from the main exhaust path so that part of exhaust gas is recirculated to an inlet system, a bypass that is branched out from the exhaust recirculation path in which the bypass has a higher path resistance than that of the exhaust recirculation path and a bypass catalytic converter that is provided in the bypass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Inoue, Kouichi Mori, Sunki I
  • Publication number: 20080256929
    Abstract: Under the condition that a catalyst temperature Tc of a purification catalyst reaches or exceeds a preset reference temperature Tcref, when a cooling water temperature Tw of an engine is not lower than a preset reference temperature Twref, the internal combustion engine system of the invention sets a target exhaust recirculation rate EGR* based on a given rotation speed Ne of the engine and a given load factor KL and performs exhaust recirculation control to open an EGR valve at a specific angle or opening corresponding to the set target exhaust recirculation rate EGR*.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventor: Hitoki Sugimoto
  • Publication number: 20080256930
    Abstract: A closed energy system using carbon-containing fuels is described. The system includes a utilization portion, where a fuel is stored and consumed, and a recycling portion, where the products of utilization are recycled into fuel. In one embodiment, dimethyl ether is used as a fuel. The utilization of the fuel produces carbon dioxide, which is stored for later recycling. In one embodiment, solar energy is used in the recycling of materials. In certain embodiments, a fueling station is provided that recycles waste from the utilization of the fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Mark Wechsler, Arthur M. Shulenberger
  • Patent number: 7428809
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Wickert, Torsten Handler, Dirk Samuelsen, Christian Walz
  • Publication number: 20080178577
    Abstract: The invention relates to an exhaust gas heat exchanger, in particular, to an exhaust gas cooler for exhaust gas recirculation in a motor vehicle comprising heat exchanging channels (3) which are coolable by a fluid and passed through by the exhaust gas, wherein the inventive exhaust gas heat exchanger (1) is integrated into an oxidation catalyst comprising a support provided with an oxidation catalyst coating (6) in such a way a deposit (5) is formed in the channels (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: BEHR GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Jens Ruckwied
  • Patent number: 7395661
    Abstract: 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 (22) to regenerate the filter (22); a second step of detecting a temperature of exhaust gas flowing into the filter (22), 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 (22) is substantially equal to a soot amount to be burnt in the filter (22); 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, when the 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 fift
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomohiro Iida
  • Publication number: 20080162019
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided with a control arrangement for influencing exhaust gas pressures and the level of In-Cylinder-Charge-Dilution (ICCD) so as to provide cycles with different emission characteristics. The exhaust gas pressure may be influenced by adjusting a combustion parameter between various cycles. The adjustment of the combustion parameter may, for example, include an adjustment of the injection timing, a change in shot mode, or a change in fuel quantity. By making such adjustments, cycle-to-cycle exhaust gas pressure variations may be introduced so as to influence future combustion events and reduce overall emissions and noise levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas W. Carlill
  • Publication number: 20080141657
    Abstract: A by-pass valve to regulate the passage of a gas towards two areas of a device, comprising a body coupled to said device, with an internal chamber in which the inlet gas is received through an inlet pipe, and two outlet pipes directed towards said areas and having a planar face with an access opening to its internal chamber through which there is inserted a planar plate on which the closing member and its actuation means are assembled, the closing member being duly positioned so as to close the outlet pipes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: DAYCO ENSA, S.L.
    Inventors: Carlos Manuel Castano Gonzalez, Xoan Xose Hermida Dominguez, Jose Antonio Sanroman Prado
  • Publication number: 20080140298
    Abstract: An engine torque control apparatus is applied to an engine control system comprising an engine for rotating an output shaft by using torque generated through combustion in cylinders. In the apparatus, exhaust gas passing through an exhaust passage of the engine is partially recirculated into an intake passage of the engine. Also, variable control is conducted in the apparatus, when an air-fuel ratio indicating a proportion between air and fuel supplied into the cylinders of the engine is changed to a leaner air-fuel ratio, so that torque parameters for increasing/decreasing output torque of the engine can be variably controlled. As a result, torque fluctuation associated with a temporarily changing recirculated uncombusted fuel quantity can be cancelled in a manner suitable for the temporarily changing recirculated uncombusted fuel quantity, at least during a predetermined period immediately after timing for changing the air-fuel ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Youhei MORIMOTO, Hiroshi Haraguchi, Kazuo Kojima, Jyun Kawamura
  • Patent number: 7367181
    Abstract: The system for assisting the regeneration of depollution means (1) integrated in an exhaust line (2) of a heat engine (3) of a motor vehicle, by switching the engine between operation in lean mode and operation in rich mode in accordance with various parameters (7, 8) for controlling the operation of the engine, is characterized in that it comprises means (9) for measuring the temperature of the gases for supplying the engine and means (8) for correcting at least one parameter for controlling the operation of the engine in rich mode as a function of the measured temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventors: Piet Ameloot, Pascal Folliot
  • Publication number: 20080098723
    Abstract: An exhaust-treatment system is provided having an oxidation catalyst configured to heat exhaust gas flowing through the oxidation catalyst. The system also has a particulate filter configured to receive the heated exhaust gas, and a recirculation loop configured to receive a portion of heated exhaust gas downstream of the oxidation catalyst and deliver the portion of exhaust gas upstream of the oxidation catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas W. Carlill
  • Patent number: 7356987
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Thomas Kiser, David Michael Thaler, Anthony Clark Rodman, Matthew Earnest Williams
  • Patent number: 7353648
    Abstract: An engine (10) uses a method for counteracting the effect of soot accumulation in a diesel particulate filter (DPF 38) in a diesel engine exhaust system (16) on the control of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) through an EGR system (40). Engine speed (N) and indicated engine torque (TQI) data are processed to select from a map (62) a data value for present EGR volumetric efficiency. The selected data value and certain other data, including data that accounts for present soot accumulation in the DPF, are processed to develop a data value indicative of present total mass flow. The data value indicative of present total mass flow and still other data are processed to develop flow control data for controlling flow of exhaust gas through the EGR system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Gregory Guoqing Zhang
  • Publication number: 20080060350
    Abstract: A regeneration control system for a particulate filter (PF) includes a condition module and an oxygen-level module. The condition module determines whether an oxygen limiting event is required for the PF during a regeneration event. The oxygen-level control module communicates with the condition module and selectively limits an oxygen level in the PF during the regeneration event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Frank Ament, David B. Brown
  • Patent number: 7334397
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for purifying exhaust gases from a combustion engine (1), comprising an arrangement (30) for recirculating exhaust gases from the engine to an air intake (2) thereof, a valve device (12) controlled by a control device (13) for regulating the relation between fresh air and recirculated exhaust gases supplied to the engine, and a regenerable filter (8) adapted to catch particulate constituents of the exhaust gases. The device further comprises means (14) for recording the temperature of the exhaust gases from the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: STT Emtec AB
    Inventor: Micael Blomquist