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  Device for purifying exhaust gasesUSPTO Application #: 20060185348Title: Device for purifying exhaust gases Abstract: Device and method for purifying exhaust gases from motor vehicles. A housing includes an intake opening, an outlet opening, an exhaust gas inflow area, an exhaust gas outflow area, and a longitudinal axis. At least one module for purifying exhaust gas is arranged in the housing and has a module axis. The at least one module connects the exhaust gas inflow area and the exhaust gas outflow area, and the module axis is tilted relative to the longitudinal axis of the housing. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. (end of abstract)
Agent: Greenblum & Bernstein, P.L.C - Reston, VA, US Inventors: Hanspeter Mayer, Dominikus Klawatsch, Alexander Male USPTO Applicaton #: 20060185348 - Class: 060274000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Power Plants, Internal Combustion Engine With Treatment Or Handling Of Exhaust Gas, Methods, Anti-pollution The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060185348. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119 of Austrian Patent Application No. A 169/2005, filed on Feb. 2, 2005, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The invention relates to a device for purifying motor vehicle exhaust gases. The device includes a housing with an intake opening and an outlet opening, and at least one module for purifying exhaust gas arranged in the housing and connecting an exhaust gas inflow area and an exhaust gas outflow area. [0004] 2. Discussion of Background Information [0005] Motor vehicle exhaust gases that are emitted unpurified or little purified from automobiles and commercial vehicles during their operation are considered to be one of the main causes of environmental pollution. Therefore, in many nations and regions, attempts are being made to combat this adverse pollution load on the environment that is on the rise. This is being accomplished statutory measures, for example by imposing maximum permissible pollutant levels for exhaust gases from motor vehicles. [0006] Since the maximum pollutant levels for exhaust gases are regularly further lowered with new statutory measures or standards, there is a constant requirement on the part of automobile manufacturers to purify exhaust gases from motor vehicles better or more effectively. Intensive efforts are therefore being made to increase the efficiency of purification modules for motor vehicle exhaust gases. [0007] The efforts have hitherto been directed at increasing an efficiency or purification effect of modules for purifying motor vehicle exhaust gases by improving a quality of the modules. This is accomplished, for example, by applying more effective catalysts for converting nitrogen oxides or by more effective particulate filters. [0008] Modules for purifying motor vehicle exhaust gases are provided in the exhaust trains of motor vehicles. Particulate filters can be installed in the housings of rear mufflers that are easily accessible, providing a simple retrofit of motor vehicles supplied without particulate filters. Two problems are associated with such retrofits, however. First, installation space is limited for modules to be retrofitted. Second, it is not possible to install any desired number of modules one behind the other, because then such a high pressure is built up at the modules arranged between the exhaust gas inflow area and the exhaust gas outflow area that a motor performance decreases. To put it differently: an installation space and a reliable pressure difference between exhaust gas inflow area and exhaust gas outflow area are predetermined. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] Recognizing these problems, the present invention relates to a device for purifying exhaust gasses from motor vehicles that provides a great volume of modules for purifying while taking into account installation space and reliable pressure difference. [0010] This is attained with a device where the module(s) is/are arranged tilted towards a longitudinal axis of the housing. Advantageous embodiments of a device according to the invention are described. [0011] An advantage achieved with the invention is that, even taking into consideration a reliable pressure difference between a tilted arrangement of the module(s) relative to a longitudinal axis of the housing, larger modules can be accommodated in the housing than with an arrangement perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Module volume, or a catalytically effective or filter-active module surface, is thus maximized and utilization of a predetermined volume of the installation space is improved. The length of a flow path from exhaust gas inflow area to exhaust gas outflow area can be kept constant compared to an arrangement of the module(s) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Flow cross section is increased despite increased module volume. A reduction of pressure difference between an exhaust gas inflow area and outflow area occurs. [0012] In a preferred embodiment, the module is tilted at a tilt angle of 15.degree. to 75.degree. relative to the longitudinal axis of the housing. In this range of tilt angle, an advantageously effective increase in the module surface can be achieved with good flow over the module front sides by exhaust gas. [0013] In a preferred embodiment, the housing is essentially cylindrical. If the cylindrical housing has an intake opening on the front and an outlet opening on the end (for example, if the device is a muffler), then the module(s) can be arranged essentially over an entire length of the housing. [0014] According to the invention, the module is made at least partially of metal foam. When exhaust gas flows through metal foam, due to a labyrinthine pore structure of the metal foam, a homogenization of the exhaust gas flow occurs over its cross section and any inhomogeneities can be offset. The invention provides modules with several connected lamellar filter and catalyst elements, with an element of a pure metal foam facing towards the exhaust gas inflow area. The metal foam preferably has a porosity of 80 to 98% and a pore size of 4 to 30 ppi (pores per inch). Downstream catalyst and/or filter elements of the module may include metal foam, or at least have such as a substrate for catalytically active substances. In this case, a well-balanced flow distribution and flow speed result in the module, and pressure and temperature inhomogeneities are effectively counteracted. [0015] The module may comprise several filter elements and/or catalyst elements in order to purify as completely as possible the exhaust gas guided through the module. [0016] One or several modules spaced apart from one another can be arranged in a device according to the invention in order to optimize an exhaust gas flow within the housing. [0017] An advantageously large inflow surface for exhaust gas is given if, in a cross-sectional view, the module covers the entire cross section of the housing. [0018] In an embodiment of the invention, the module is connected to the housing. For example, with corresponding sizing, the module can be clamped in the housing. This approach is suitable in particular for a retrofit of motor vehicles, because expenditure for retrofitting modules for purifying exhaust gases can be kept low. However, it is also possible to connect the module to the housing in another way, e.g., by metallic connection such as welding or soldering or indirectly by a swelling mat. [0019] In another embodiment, the module is kept spaced apart from the housing by a gas-tight support element connected to the housing. The module penetrates the support element in order to provide a gas flow between exhaust gas inflow area and exhaust gas outflow area. In particular, when several modules are provided, a support element allows individual modules to be adjusted as needed and adapted in their alignment to the flow conditions within the housing or the device. [0020] The support element is preferably a metal plate due to thermal and mechanical loadability of the support element and in order to keep the space necessary for the support element small. [0021] The module(s) can be of any geometric shape. A cylindrical embodiment is preferable in terms of flow technology. An arrangement in the support element is then made such that the module penetrates the support element with a module longitudinal axis. Accordingly, the modules are encased in a gas-tight manner in some areas so that exhaust gas must flow through the module completely after entering the exhaust gas inflow area. Continue reading... Full patent description for Device for purifying exhaust gases Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Device for purifying exhaust gases patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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