Abstract:
An apparatus for regenerating a filter trap (A) used to collect particulates from the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine. The apparatus comprises: (a) apparatus (C-2) providing a flow of a heat transfer medium through the filter trap (A), (b) apparatus (C) for heating the heat transfer medium to a temperature effective to incinerate the particulates in the filter trap (A), and (c) a flow mask (22) stationed in the flow of heat transfer medium, upstream from said filter trap (A) effective to divert the heat transfer medium away from the radially inner zone of the filter trap (A) while guiding the heat transfer medium to engage and ignite the particulates along a radially outer region of the filter trap (A). The mask (22) is a circular disc and spaced upstream from the filter trap (A) effective to mask a central core area of the flow of heat transfer medium. The apparatus (C) for heating comprises one or more electrically heated resistance elements (21) arranged in a planar coil configuration extending transversely across the flow of heat transfer medium. A flow diffuser (23) is stationed upstream from the mask (22) and is comprised of a plurality of foraminous plates effective to diffuse and slow down the flow of heat transfer medium for increasing heat exchange. The flow diffuser (23) has a radiation reflective coating to limit heat losses and a member (24) is employed for depressing the temperature required to ignite the particulates.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for initiating the energization of a regenerative apparatus used with a particulate filter trap having a porosity effective to extract particulates from the exhaust gas flow of an internal combustion engine. The method comprises: (1) sensing the actual pressure drop across the filter trap and sensing the pressure drop across an open channel simulative filter structure; (2) converting the pressure drops to proportional voltages and rationing the voltage of the filter trap pressure drop to the product of a constant and the voltage of the simulative filter structure pressure drop; and (3) using the resultant voltage ratio to control the energization of the regeneration apparatus when the output exceeds a predetermined allowable limit, e.g., 2-8 volts. The apparatus employs a simulative filter structure fabricated of the same monolithic honeycomb celled ceramic as is the filter trap, except that the structure has a controlled porosity effective to permit the passage of substantially all particulates in the gas flow therethrough.
Abstract:
An apparatus which is operative to remove oxidizable particulates from the exhaust gas of an engine. It has a particulate filter trap (C-1) disposed in a stream of exhaust gases from the engine (A), and has electrically heated elements (25) effective, when at least a portion of the stream of exhaust gases is displaced with a fluid medium for transferring heat between the elements and the collected particulates, to promote oxidation of the particulates collected in the filter trap. The electrically heated elements are supplied with energy generated by an alternator (24) driven by the engine; the elements are first heated to an incineration temperature for the particulates in the absence of gas flow, and heating of the elements is continued in the presence of a flow of an oxygen carrying heat transfer medium to promote complete oxidation of the particulates.
Abstract:
A system for extracting particulates from the exhaust gases flowing from a diesel engine (A) of an automobile by the use of a filter trap (C-1) stationed adjacent a heat controlled zone (43) of the automobile and which system periodically cleanses the filter trap of the collected particulates. The system has an apparatus (20) which channels the flow of exhaust gases between a condition where the exhaust gases carried through the filter trap (C-1) for an extraction mode and a condition where the exhaust gases are diverted away from the filter trap during a cleansing mode of the trap. The apparatus (20) comprises: (a) walls (23) defining a primary flow channel for normally guiding exhaust gases through the filter trap (C-1) housed within the channel, the walls (23) comprises a roof (42) juxtaposed the zone (43); (b) a diversion flow channel (39) for diverting the exhaust gases away from the trap (C-1) during the cleansing mode, the diversion flow channel (39) being superimposed on the roof (42) to normally insulatingly separate the primary flow channel from the zone (43); and (c) a flow diverter valve for directing the flow of exhaust gases through the primary and diversion flow channels. The walls (23) defining the primary flow channel comprise a horizontal tube with an expanding conical inlet section (35). The tube has a cross-section with a height (24) no greater than substantially one-half of its horizontal dimension (25). The top of the tube forms the roof (42). The roof preferably extends horizontally and the diversion flow channel (39) is defined by an inverted U-section wall (40) extending across and attached to the roof (42).
Abstract:
A method for making wear resistant, ferrous based parts (10) by molding a uniform mixture of ferrous based powder and binder material into a compacted shape, heating the compacted shape to remove the binder and to partially sinter the mixture to a strength of 1000-8000 psi, while maintaining a porosity of 20-40 % at least along the outer region of the part, depositing a fluid suspension of wear resistant particles onto a surface zone of the shape, and heating the coated shape to bond the particles to the surface and fully sinter the part.