US3708980A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Internal combustion engine and method of operation
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1971-07-26
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Granted: 1973-01-09
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Expires: 1991-07-26
Abstract
Abstract Alternate combustion chambers in the engine operating sequence are supplied rich and lean mixtures, respectively. The exhaust gases from the combustion chambers receiving a rich mixture are conducted to an exhaust gas treating unit which reduces oxides of nitrogen formed during combustion, and the exhaust gases from all combustion chambers are conducted to an exhaust gas treating unit which oxidizes hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide remaining after combustion.
Inventors
- 👤 R Truxell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 14:03
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02B; F02B25/00; F02B25/02; F02B25/08; F02B25/10; F01; F01N; F01N3/00; F01N3/08; F01N3/10; F01N3/18; F02B1/00; F02B1/02; F02B1/04; F02B1/06; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S60/00; Y10S60/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
The method of operating an internal combustion engine having a plurality of combustion chambers in which a first combustion chamber initially begins a series of combustion events, a second combustion chamber begins a series of combustion events after said first combustion chamber begins its series, a third coMbustion chamber begins a series of combustion events after said second combustion chamber begins its series, and a fourth combustion chamber begins a series of combustion events after said third combustion chamber begins its series, said method comprising the steps of: delivering an air-fuel charge substantially richer than stoichiometric to said first and third combustion chambers, delivering an air-fuel charge substantially leaner than stoichiometric to said second and fourth combustion chambers, delivering the exhaust gases from said first and third combustion chambers through a reducing catalyst adapted to promote reduction of oxides of nitrogen in such exhaust gases, and delivering the exhaust gases from all of said combustion chambers through an oxidizing catalyst adapted to promote oxidation of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide in such exhaust gases.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
An internal combustion engine comprising a pair of combustion chambers, means for delivering an air-fuel charge substantially richer than stoichiometric to one combustion chamber and an air-fuel charge substantially leaner than stoichiometric to the other combustion chamber, a reducing catalytic converter adapted to promote reduction of oxides of nitrogen in internal combustion engine exhaust gases, an oxidizing catalytic converter adapted to promote oxidation of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide in internal combustion engine exhaust gases, first exhaust passage means connecting said one combustion chamber to said reducing converter to direct exhaust gases resulting from combustion of the rich mixture to said reducing converter, second exhaust passage means connecting said other combustion chamber to said oxidizing converter to direct exhaust gases resulting from combustion of the lean mixture to said oxidizing converter, and means connecting said reducing converter to said oxidizing converter to direct exhaust gases resulting from combustion of the rich mixture to said oxidizing converter after passing through said reducing converter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
188 words
An internal combustion engine comprising: a plurality of sequentially operative combustion chambers, first induction system means connected to a first set of combustion chambers and delivering thereto an air-fuel charge substantially richer than stoichiometric and second induction system means connected to a second set of the remaining combustion chambers and delivering thereto an air-fuel charge substantially leaner than stoichiometric, the combustion chambers in said first set alternating in operation with the combustion chambers in said second set, a first device effective to reduce oxides of nitrogen in combustion chamber exhaust gases, exhaust passage means connecting said first set of combustion chambers to said first device, a second device effective to oxidize hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide in combustion chamber exhaust gases, and exhaust passage means connecting said second set of combustion chambers and said first device to said second device, whereby oxides of nitrogen formed during combustion of the rich air-fuel charge in said first set of combustion chambers are reduced in said first device and whereby hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide remaining after combustion of both the rich and the lean air-fuel charge are oxidized in said second device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
135 words
The internal combustion engine of claim 4 wherein: said plurality of combustion chambers consists of eight combustion chambers, said combustion chambers are arranged in two groups with one group consisting of combustion chambers numbered 1, 3, 5 and 7 disposed serially on one side of the engine and with the other group consisting of combustion chambers numbered 2, 4, 6 and 8 disposed serially on the other side of the engine, said first set of combustion chambers consists of combustion chambers numbered 1, 4, 6 and 7 and said second set of combustion chambers consists of combustion chambers numbered 8, 3, 5 and 2, and said induction systems inClude a bilevel manifold having an upper level connected to one set of combustion chambers and a lower level connected to the other set of combustion chambers.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
146 words
The method of operating a vehicle powering internal combustion engine having a plurality of combustion chambers in which a first combustion chamber initially begins a series of combustion events, a second combustion chamber begins a series of combustion events after said first combustion chamber begins its series, a third combustion chamber begins a series of combustion events after said second combustion chamber begins its series, and a fourth combustion chamber begins a series of combustion events after said third combustion chamber begins its series, said method comprising the steps of: delivering an air-fuel charge substantially richer than stoichiometric to said first and third combustion chambers, and delivering, over the entire range of engine operation, an air-fuel charge substantially leaner than stoichiometric to said second and fourth combustion chambers, whereby the formation of oxides of nitrogen during combustion may be minimized without sacrificing driveability of the vehicle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-09 | 1976-07-10 | 1977-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-09 | 1980-07-10 | 1981-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-09 | 1984-07-10 | 1985-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |