Power plants – Internal combustion engine with treatment or handling of... – Common receiver having inlets from plural cylinder
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-07
2001-12-04
Denion, Thomas (Department: 3748)
Power plants
Internal combustion engine with treatment or handling of...
Common receiver having inlets from plural cylinder
C060S324000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06324838
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
I. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to control of combustion gases through an exhaust manifold and, in particular, to a deflector member mounted at an outlet of the exhaust manifold to optimize exhaust flow through the exhaust system particularly the catalytic converter.
II. Description of the Prior Art
As restrictions on exhaust emissions and fuel economy in passenger vehicles have increased, and market demands for passenger comfort have increased, vehicle manufacturers must continuously seek design improvements. These improvements are implemented within the engine compartment as well as the passenger compartment. Improved emission control devices are being added within the exhaust system. At the same time, manufacturers must fit these devices within an increasingly cramped space in order to maintain the roominess of the passenger compartment. As a result, exhaust manifolds are designed to strict tolerances to direct combustion gases from the exhaust ports of the engine through a collector to the remainder of the exhaust system.
As part of the emission control system of modern vehicles a catalytic converter has been inserted at the outlet of the exhaust manifold to reduce emissions prior to the main catalytic converter. It has been determined that the compact design of modern exhaust manifolds tends to direct a significant volume of the exhaust towards the outside of manifold bends. This proportion of the exhaust gas will affect the emission control materials within the converter.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior known exhaust manifolds by providing a deflector member positioned within the collector chamber of the manifold to optimize exhaust flow from the manifold.
The present invention embodies a deflector member positioned proximate the outlet of an engine exhaust manifold. The deflector is in the form of a ring having a center port such that exhaust flow is directed away from the outer walls of the manifold and toward the center of the catalytic converter.
The exhaust manifold includes a plurality of arms corresponding to the number of exhaust chambers of the engine. The arms are connected to the exhaust ports to provide fluid communication between the engine and the exhaust system. The exhaust arms are in communication with a collector chamber having an outlet port connected to the remainder of the exhaust system. Proximate the outlet of the exhaust manifold is a catalytic converter or similar emission control device which provides a first stage of emission control. However, because of the proximity of the emission control device to the outlet of the exhaust manifold, the flow distribution of the exhaust gases through the converter must be optimized to prevent premature erosion of some sections of the converter while also enhancing the overall performance of the converter.
In order to distribute exhaust flow, a deflector member is positioned at the outlet of the manifold. In a preferred embodiment, the deflector is a ring conforming to the configuration of the manifold walls with a central opening through which the exhaust is directed. The body of the ring includes an outer wall of securing the deflector member to the manifold and an inwardly angled wall for directing exhaust flow away from the manifold walls through the deflector ring. The deflector for redirecting the gas flow improves utilization of the catalytic converter brick while also reducing wear of the catalytic material by reducing convergence of the exhaust gases.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
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Kenyon Paul Wesley
Ketelhut Thomas
Stempien Vincent
Denion Thomas
Doigan Lloyd D.
Metaldyne Tubular Products, Inc.
Nguyen Tu M.
Zarins Edgar A.
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