Particulate trap system for engine exhaust using electrically po

Details Particulate trap system for engine exhaust using electrically po Particulate trap system for engine exhaust using electrically po

1983-12-27

1986-01-07

Hart, Douglas

Power plants

Internal combustion engine with treatment or handling of...

By means producing a chemical reaction of a component of the...

60288, 60303, 60311, F01N 302

Patent

active

045626952

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to the technology of periodically oxidizing particulates collected from the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART STATEMENT

Particulate emissions from an engine can be reduced with a particulate filter trap and a regeneration system to periodically clean the filter trap of particulates by incineration. Generally, durable and acceptable filters for particulate traps have been developed by the art which have included wire mesh (see U.S. Pat. No. 3,499,269) and, more advantageously, rigid ceramics preferably in a monolithic honeycomb cellular wall structure (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,276,071; 4,329,162; and 4,340,403).
Systems of regeneration, developed by the state of the art using filters may now be categorized as: (a) electrical heating, (b) hydrocarbon fuel fed burners, (c) catalyst impregnated traps, and (d) engine throttling. Regeneration systems (b) through (d) have undesirable aspects associated therewith. With fuel fed burners, complex hardware is required, which affects reliability and safety (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,167,852 and Japanese Pat. No. 55-19934). With known catalyst impregnated traps, there is increased sulphate formation, less than desirable durability, generation of unnecessary unburned hydrocarbons and CO, and hardware complexity. With engine throttling, regeneration cannot be carried at low vehicle speeds and light loads (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,211,675 and 3,499,269).
Regeneration by electrical heating is advantageous because it offers reliability and simplicity. It can be carried out under any vehicle operating condition, with a minimum increase in fuel economy without affecting emissions content at the outlet of the automotive exhaust system (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,270,936; 4,276,066; and 4,319,896). However, the electrical heating regeneration systems to date have not proven successful because they have required an inordinate amount of electrical energy to raise the temperature of the particulates to a level where ignition takes place, such requirement being beyond the on-board capabilities of the vehicle.
What is needed is a regeneration system for a filter trap that (a) is electrically powered but requires a much reduced on-board power supply, and (b) achieves quicker, more efficient regeneration of a particulate laden trap.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is an improved apparatus for removing oxidizable particulates from the exhaust gases of an automotive engine. The apparatus provides for an alternator generated supply of electrical energy with increased wattage that heats electrical elements in the absence of a fluid flow to promote particulate ignition conditions. The apparatus comprises (1) a particulate filter trap disposed in a stream of exhaust gases from the automotive engine, (2) electrically heated elements in close proximity to the filter trap and in the fluid flow area to promote oxidation of the particulates collected in the filter trap, (3) alternator means for converting the motion of the engine to a supply of electrical energy connectable to the electrically heated elements and effective to heat the elements to at least the incineration temperature of the particulates while the engine is at an idle condition, (4) electrically actuated means for diverting the stream of exhaust gases away from at least a portion of the filter trap and for admitting a flow of a fluid medium effective to transfer heat between the elements and the particulates and to supply oxygen for supporting oxidation of the particulates, and (5) control means for (i) selectively connecting the supply of energy to the elements while energizing the electrically actuated means to divert exhaust gases from at least a portion of the filter trap, and (ii) further actuating the actuating means to admit the flow of fluid medium to the filter trap portion when the elements have been substantially heated to the incineration temperature.
Preferably, the alternator means generates a supply of energy to heat the element

REFERENCES:
patent: 3723070 (1973-03-01), Houdry
patent: 4281512 (1981-08-01), Mills
patent: 4404795 (1983-09-01), Oishi
patent: 4427418 (1984-01-01), Kogiso
patent: 4450682 (1984-05-01), Sato

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Particulate trap system for engine exhaust using electrically po does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Particulate trap system for engine exhaust using electrically po, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Particulate trap system for engine exhaust using electrically po will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-106402