Abstract: A method for adapting a lean NOx trap (LNT) in an exhaust system of a motor vehicle is provided. The method comprises if a difference between an estimated NOx concentration and a measured NOx concentration in exhaust downstream of the LNT is greater than a threshold, calculating an adaptation value, the estimated NOx concentration downstream of the LNT based on a kinetic model, and adapting the kinetic model, adjusting one or more operating parameters of the LNT, and indicating an aging state of the LNT based on the adaptation value. In this way, the model may be updated in real time to produce a robust prediction of LNT function.

Abstract: Modification of reductant (e.g., diesel exhaust fluid, DEF) tank location, for example during vehicle up-fitting may result in less than optimal operation of the DEF system due to inaccurate DEF system calibration. In one example approach, the above issue can be at least partially addressed by adjusting control system parameters for system control and diagnostics based on an input indicative of, or any modification to, the DEF tank location. In this way, DEF tank location flexibility is maintained, while also maintaining emission control and diagnostic accuracy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for reducing emissions of particulates from diesel engines. Exhaust is passed through a diesel particular filter having at least two stages comprised of (a) a catalyst section having a platinum group metal catalyst on contact surfaces within the catalyst section and (b) a filter section comprised of passages effective to remove particulates from a moving stream of combustion gases generated by combusting the fuel in the engine and holding them therein to permit their oxidation. Carbon removal is enhanced by utilizing levels of platinum group metal composition, cerium compositions, fuels and/or optional chemical enhancers to generate NO2 in the catalyst section in amounts sufficient to form cerium nitrates in the filter section. The cerium oxide is associated with and maintains dispersion of the platinum in the filter section, and the cerium nitrates are available at the surface and within the soot particles to provide enhanced soot oxidation at a lower balance point.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for efficiently increasing exhaust flow temperature for an internal combustion engine. The method includes excepting a user input to disable an exhaust valve opening mechanism. The method further includes monitoring exhaust gas mass flows and temperatures, interpreting required exhaust temperatures for aftertreatment devices, and surveying a plurality of operating conditions for a combustion engine. The method includes determining a crankshaft angle for dynamically engaging an exhaust valve open mode based on the exhaust temperature, the required exhaust temperature, and the engine operating conditions. Dynamically engaging the exhaust valve open mode includes selecting a specific crankshaft angle for each combustion cycle of the engine.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a main body that has an inlet for a purification target gas and an outlet for a purified gas, an insulator honeycomb that includes a plurality of cells that are partitioned by a partition wall and serve as gas passages, a conductor honeycomb that is disposed to be able to transmit heat to the insulator honeycomb, a discharge electrode that is disposed opposite to the conductor honeycomb and forms a pair of electrodes with the conductor honeycomb, and a pulse power supply that applies a pulse voltage between the pair of electrodes, the insulator honeycomb, the conductor honeycomb, and the discharge electrode being disposed in an inner space of the main body. The plasma processing apparatus generates plasma by applying a pulse voltage to promote purification of the purification target gas in the insulator honeycomb by utilizing heat generated by plasma.

Abstract: It is suppressed that nanoparticles generated in an internal combustion engine are discharged into the atmosphere. In a cylinder or an exhaust system of the internal combustion engine, microparticles having a particle diameter larger than that of the nanoparticles are generated, and the nanoparticles generated in the internal combustion engine are adsorbed by the microparticles, thereby increasing the diameter of the nanoparticles. The microparticles can be generated in the cylinder as the soot, for example. Additionally, by providing a carbon microparticle generation device in the exhaust system, the microparticles can be generated, too. By making the nanoparticles adsorbed by the microparticles and increasing the diameter of the nanoparticles, discharging of the nanoparticles can be suppressed.

Abstract: A method for regenerating a particulate filter in an exhaust system of a combustion engine. The method: (a) measures, every time the combustion engine is started, a parameter representative of a condition of the combustion engine and/or of the exhaust system, (b) when the measured parameter reveals that the engine and/or the exhaust system are cold, the parameter representative of the mass of accumulated soot measured before the engine was last turned off is frozen, (c) the deviation between the frozen mass parameter and the parameter representative of the mass measured at time t is continuously determined, and (d) when the deviation has been resolved by convergence, it is added to the frozen mass parameter and the resulting corrected value is used in an ongoing regeneration process.

Abstract: A method which comprises subjecting fuel to combustion while the combustion atmosphere of the fuel is oscillated periodically and alternately between rich and lean conditions, leading the exhaust gas formed to a catalytic reactor, and bringing the exhaust gas into contact with a catalyst in the catalytic reactor to conduct catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides contained in the exhaust gas, wherein the catalyst comprises as catalyst components: (A) an oxide catalyst component A comprising (a) ceria or (b) praseodymium oxide or (c) a mixture of oxides and/or a composite oxide of at least two elements selected from the group consisting of cerium, zirconium, praseodymium, neodymium, terbium, samarium, gadolinium and lanthanum; and (B) (d) a noble metal catalyst component B selected from the group consisting of platinum, rhodium, palladium and oxides thereof; under an oxygen concentration adjusted to be in the range of 0.1-1.0% at the exit of the catalytic reactor under the rich conditions.

Abstract: In an exhaust gas control apparatus and exhaust gas control method for an internal combustion engine, in which fuel is supplied to a purification mechanism provided in an exhaust passage so that a function of the purification mechanism is recovered. A flow rate of exhaust gas flowing in the exhaust passage or a value correlated with the flow rate is detected, and fuel supply timing is controlled based on a result of the detection. Accordingly, even when the flow rate of the exhaust gas flowing in the exhaust passage is variously changed based on the engine operating state, the fuel supply timing can be set based on the flow rate that is appropriately detected. Thus, it is possible to appropriately convey the supplied fuel to the purification mechanism using force of the exhaust gas.

Abstract: The invention proposes an exhaust-gas purification unit for purifying the exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine which is preferably operated in lean-burn mode, in particular a diesel engine used in motor vehicles, in which a particulate filter and a SCR catalytic converter are arranged in the exhaust pipe in succession in the direction of flow, and having a reducing-agent supply, it being possible for ammonia to be added to the exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine on the entry side of the SCR catalytic converter by the reducing-agent supply. According to the invention, the exhaust-gas purification unit includes a hydrogen-generating unit for enriching the exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine with the hydrogen which it generates. Use in motor vehicles.

Abstract: A method in which all or some of the particles contained in the exhaust gases of a diesel engine are retained on particle filters and burnt due to the action of a combustion catalyst. At least a part of the particle filters are obstructed when the temperature ?g of the exhaust gases for filtration is equal to or less than a threshold temperature ?s, so as to limit or avoid cooling of the obstructed part of the particle filters and to maintain the same at a temperature ?o greater than or equal to ?s up until the time when ?g becomes greater than ?s again and thus permit accelerated regeneration of the obstructed part of the particle filters. Also disclosed is an exhaust gas filtration device which permits the carrying out of the filtration method with continuous and regular regeneration of the particle filters.

Abstract: An adsorbent-catalyst for exhaust gas purification, has a honeycomb structure having a large number of passages divided by partition walls, substantially parallel to the flow direction of an exhaust gas to be purified, an adsorbent layer having a hydrocarbon adsorbability, supported on the honeycomb structure, and a catalyst layer having a three-way catalytic activity or an oxidizing ability, supported on the honeycomb structure, in which adsorbent-catalyst the adsorbent layer and the catalyst layer are separately supported on the honeycomb structure in all or part of the cross sections of the adsorbent-catalyst perpendicular to the flow direction of the exhaust gas.

Abstract: A device for regenerating a soot burn-off filter in an exhaust gas conduit of a diesel engine by means of a fuel/air mixture, part of which at least is ignited in the combustion space of at least one cylinder. The fuel/air mixture is guided out of the combustion space through a gas duct in the cylinder head, controlled by a by-pass valve, into the exhaust gas conduit upstream of the soot burn-off filter. The simple and low-cost device is suitable for reliable ignition of a soot burnoff filter located relatively far from the engine. The by-pass valve can be actuated by the driver in order to increase the engine braking power and can be driven into an open position by a control unit as a function of the parameters describing the regeneration phase.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes fuel injectors which directly inject high pressure fuel into combustion chambers of the engine. Spark plugs are provided in the combustion chambers, a catalytic converter is provided in the middle of the exhaust pipe for purifying the exhaust, and a temperature sensor is provided for detecting the temperature of a catalyst of the catalytic converter. A control unit which receives as input the engine rotational speed, load, and the detection value of the catalyst temperature sensor controls the engine such that, when the temperature of the catalyst is lower than a predetermined target temperature, the fuel injectors inject additional fuel into the combustion chambers during at least one of the expansion stroke and the exhaust stroke to mix the fuel with the exhaust. Thereafter, the exhaust having the additional fuel mixed in is reignited upstream of the catalytic converter to heat the catalyst to the target temperature.

Abstract: A two-stroke cycle spark ignition cylinder fuel injection engine is provided with an exhaust emission control system that separately treats hot blowdown gases and uses the hot treated gases to warm the scavenging gases for further treatment. Various exhaust gas separation concepts are described for use in separating the blowdown and scavenging portions of the exhaust gas discharged from the cylinder exhaust ports.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purifier suitable for use in a diesel engine of the type in which the intake air is throttle by a throttle valve provided in an intake passage during engine idling to reduce engine vibration and noise. Unburned combustibles produced by intake air throttling are treated by the exhaust gas purifier having a main passage and a bypass passage in which an oxidation catalyst is received. A bypass control valve, operable in synchronization with the throttle valve, urges the exhaust gas to flow through the bypass passage during engine idling. Preferably, means for preheating the catalyst is provided, which comprises an injector and an igniting glow plug.

Abstract: A diesel engine is provided with a soot particle catcher. When the soot particle catcher is heavy with accumulation of soot, while the engine is operating a combustion chamber thereof is supplied with a purging supply of diesel fuel at a timing point at which heat produced by combustion of this diesel fuel within the combustion chamber is not substantially converted into mechanical work, but is vented to the exhaust system in the exhaust gases substantially completely. Thus the soot catcher is heated up, and is purged by combusting the accumulation of soot particles in it. This timing point may be the later part of the expansion stroke of the piston of the combustion chamber. The amount of this purging fuel supply may be arranged to be just enough completely to use up by combustion all excess oxygen in the combustion chamber at the timing point.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for efficiently reducing the amounts of nitrogen oxides contained in a combusted gas stream from an engine combustion chamber (14). Ammonia is reliably and instantaneously metered to the combusted gas stream conduit (24) in a preselected proportion to the fuel mass flow rate and only in response to the sensed temperature of the combusted gas stream in the reactor (26) being within a preselected range.

Abstract: A method and means for controlling diesel particulate emissions involves providing an exhaust trap filter to collect exhaust particulates at a point near the engine exhaust ports and providing means to periodically vent burning combustion chamber gases to the exhaust filter to initiate combustion and incineration of the collected particulates. Various means for conducting burning mixture to ignite the particulates in the filter are disclosed.

Abstract: An exhuast gas purifying apparatus for use in an automobile multi-cylinder engine of the type which has exhaust ports communicating with engine cylinders and through which exhaust gases are emitted subsequent to combustion of an air-fuel mixture. The exhaust gas purifying apparatus comprising a reducing catalyst unit and a three-way catalyst unit which are disposed in a main exhaust manifold which is connected at one end to a first group of the exhaust ports and at the other end to the atmosphere, and an auxiliary exhaust manifold connected at one end to a second group of the exhaust ports and at the other end to a portion of the main exhaust manifold at a location downstream of the reducing catalyst unit and upstream from the three-way catalyst unit. A pressure operated valve is disposed in a secondary air supply passage for introducing a secondary air into the auxiliary exhaust manifold by the utilization of the pulsating flow of the exhaust gases through the auxiliary exhaust manifold.

Abstract: Disclosed are an exhaust gas cleaning apparatus of an internal combustion engine, which is provided with a three-way catalytic converter, and an air injection system responsive to the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas in the exhaust pipe for increasing or decreasing the amount of secondary air directed to the exhaust pipe so that the air-fuel ratio in the converter is maintained near the stoichiometric value. Means are provided for obtaining a high rate of increase in the introduction of secondary air when the acceleration pump is operated for introducing an amount of excess fuel into the engine during acceleration of the engine. Thus, the air fuel ratio occurring during this condition can be effectively controlled near the stoichiometric value.

Abstract: An engine having an even number of cylinders is caused to produce two differently composed exhaust gases, one rich in air and the other in unburned fuel and CO, from the two groups of cylinders each consisting of half the number of cylinders being fired in succession, which exhaust gases are fed separately to a thermal reactor and allowed to gradually mix with each other for mild and slow reaction therein.

Abstract: An additional oxidation catalyst containing section is disposed in engine exhaust gas passageway upstream of a reduction catalyst containing section in said exhaust gas passageway at a location downstream of which an oxidation catalyst containing section is disposed.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine provided with an EFI (electronic fuel injection) system, in which the ratio of the amount of air introduced into the engine intake system to the amount of fuel supplied to the combustion chamber is controlled to a predetermined constant ratio irrespective of engine operating conditions, is disclosed. A part of the introduced air is diverted from the intake pipe in accordance with the engine operating condition, and is introduced into the exhaust system or re-introduced into the intake system of the engine when the engine is operating under particular conditions. Thus, a rich air-fuel mixture, which is, for example, suitable for a particular engine operating condition, can be supplied to the engine combustion chamber.

Abstract: A valve regulates the pressure of secondary air discharged from a pump to a constant value. A second valve then meters the flow in accordance with the amount of air taken into the engine.

Abstract: An apparatus cleans the exhaust gases of a motorcycle by feeding secondary air to the exhaust path of the engine. The amount of secondary air fed is controlled in proportion to the speed of the motorcycle. The apparatus includes a control valve which is operated to be opened and closed in response to the opening and closing of the throttle valve of a carburetor of the engine.

Abstract: Exhaust gas is passed through a thermal reactor at high exhaust gas temperature and flow rate, and through a catalytic converter at low values of these parameters. Alternatively, exhaust gas may be passed through the thermal reactor at high values of the parameters, and through both the thermal reactor and the catalytic converter at low values.

Abstract: A fuel control for an engine is normally operated closed loop with a feedback signal from an air-fuel ratio sensor in the engine exhaust. However, during idle, wide open throttle and engine warm up operating modes, the closed loop control is cut out and the engine is run rich with air injected into the exhaust system to reduce carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the air flow in an internal-combustion engine that comprises an unthrottled variable-timing third valve engine modification. An unthrottled full charge of air is drawn into the cylinders during the standard intake stroke of a four-stroke internal-combustion engine. During the initial portion of the succeeding compression stroke, a portion of that full charge is discharged through a third valve. Thus, the same mass of air that would result from throttled engine remains in the cylinders to be compressed. This air quantity is adjusted by means of adjusting the timing of the opening and closing of the third valve in accordance with the power requirements of the engine. A full charge of air is utilized for a full load, while a lesser charge is utilized for a partial load. Power losses which result from conventional intake air throttling are thereby eliminated.

Abstract: Means to divert engine exhaust gases around a catalytic converter when the xhaust gases are too cool to support catalytic combustion or treatment of objectionable pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and unburned hydrocarbons. The diverted gases are delivered to the engine's combustion air intake system for recycle in the engine. At normal operating temperatures (after initial warm-up) the diverter line is closed so that all of the exhaust gases are directed through the catalytic converter.

Abstract: A valve disposed in the central space of the manifold normally divides the space into two halves to avoid mutual interference of exhaust gas flows. At low engine speeds, the valve causes the exhaust gas flows from all branches to be disturbed and to mix with each other, to promote oxidation of HC and CO.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprising a first exhaust valve arranged in an exhaust port in the exhaust system of said internal combustion engine, and a second exhaust valve arranged in the exhaust port downstream from said first exhaust valve, the timing of the opening of the first exhaust valve being earlier than that of the second exhaust valve, whereby the two valves temporarily form a secondary combustion chamber therebetween.

Abstract: This specification discloses an exhaust gas cleaning device which is intended for removing harmful substances from exhaust gases of internal combustion engine, especially for removing carbon particles or the like.The device has a body accomodating a filter element adapted to catch the particles in the exhaust gases. The device is attached to the engine as if it were an exhaust manifold so that the clogging particles are conveniently burned by hot gases, whereby the filter element is conveniently recovered.

Abstract: An air-pollution preventive arrangement for use with an internal combustion engine for motor vehicles, adapted to reduce the concentrations of noxious compounds such as unburned hydrocarbons and carbonmonoxides contained in the engine exhaust gases. The arrangement comprises a thermal reactor for primarily re-combusting the exhaust gases and a catalytic converter for secondarily recombusting the exhaust gases passed from the thermal reactor so as to oxidize the residual unburned compounds. An air injection unit supplies additional air which is admixed, in a limited proportion, to the exhaust gases entering the thermal reactor to aid in the primary re-combustion of the exhaust gases therein. The noxious unconsumed hydrocarbons and carbon-monoxides are thus converted into innocuous compounds at efficiencies which are far higher than those attained where the thermal reactor or the catalytic converter is employed independently.