US3744251A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Engine emission control device
Assignee: Lanteris Space LLC
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Filing: 1972-05-01
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Granted: 1973-07-10
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Expires: 1992-05-01
Abstract
Abstract The engine discharges exhaust gases into a vortex chamber that either provides essentially no resistance to discharge of the flow or variably increases the impedance or resistance to flow as a function of the entry of flow from a radial to a tangential direction, the tangential direction applying centrifugal force to the flow and creating turbulance and thus increasing resistance to discharge; the means for switching the flow from a radial to a tangential direction in one instance consisting of a source of compressed air provided by the engine that also combines with the unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide elements to reduce them to less harmful forms; or alternatively, fluidic diverter valves that automatically switch the flow from a stable direction to an alternate direction by means of an electrically actuated tab or air signal force.
Inventors
- 👤 C Hallum
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 11:00
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01N; F01N3/00; F01N3/08; F01N3/10; F01N3/24; F01N3/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
Emission control means for reducing the output of undesirable elements from an internal combustion engine comprising in combination an engine having an output conduit for conveying exhaust gases discharged from the engine, a vortex chamber means in the conduit for selectively impeding the flow of exhaust gases through the conduit to increase the back pressure iN the cylinders of the engine and thereby reduce exhaust gas scavenging with a resultant lowering of the engine combustion temperature and formation of oxides of nitrogen, the vortex chamber having a central discharge opening and a peripheral inlet portion with the inlet normally directing fluid in a path creating little resistance to flow, means directing the fluid in a second path tangentially interiorly of the chamber increasing impedance to flow through the outlet, and control means to divert the flow in selective proportions from the first to the second paths.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
Emission control means for reducing the output of undesirable elements from an internal combustion engine comprising in combination an engine having an output conduit for conveying exhaust gases discharged from the engine, a vortex chamber means in the conduit for selectively impeding the flow of exhaust gases through the conduit to increase the back pressure iN the cylinders of the engine and thereby reduce exhaust gas scavenging with a resultant lowering of the engine combustion temperature and formation of oxides of nitrogen, the vortex chamber having a central discharge opening and a peripheral inlet portion with the inlet normally directing fluid in a path creating little resistance to flow, means directing the fluid in a second path tangentially interiorly of the chamber increasing impedance to flow through the outlet, and control means to divert the flow in selective proportions from the first to the second paths.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
An emission control means as in claim 1, the first path directing flow radially inwardly of the vortex chamber directly towards the outlet in a smooth manner, the second path directing the fluid tangentially with respect to the vortex chamber to subject the fluid to centrifugal forces creating impedance to flow towards the outlet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A control means as in claim 2, the means for switching the flow paths comprising a fluidic diverter valve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A control means as in claim 3, including tab means movable into or out of the diverter inlet to switch the flow paths.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A control means as in claim 1, in which the paths are switched by an injected air signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A control means as in claim 1, the switching means comprising a source of injected air that also combines with the exhaust gases to reduce emissions of unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxides.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
152 words
Emission control means for reducing the output of undesirable elements from an internal combustion engine comprising in combination, an engine having an exhaust gas outlet connected to an exhaust conduit for the discharge of gases therefrom, a vortex chamber in the conduit having a cross section in the shape of a circle in one plane, the vortex chamber having a radially directed peripheral inlet and a central outlet, and fluid containing signal conduit means having an output tangentially arranged with respect to the vortex chamber and joined to the inlet whereby introduction of a fluid signal force in the signal conduit means diverts the exhaust gases from a normal radially directed minimum resistance flow path into the vortex chamber to a tangential path providing impedance to the output, the flow impeding path increasing the engine exhaust back pressure to decrease output of oxides of nitrogen, the fluid signal means being selectively activated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
152 words
Emission control means for reducing the output of undesirable elements from an internal combustion engine comprising in combination, an engine having an exhaust gas outlet connected to an exhaust conduit for the discharge of gases therefrom, a vortex chamber in the conduit having a cross section in the shape of a circle in one plane, the vortex chamber having a radially directed peripheral inlet and a central outlet, and fluid containing signal conduit means having an output tangentially arranged with respect to the vortex chamber and joined to the inlet whereby introduction of a fluid signal force in the signal conduit means diverts the exhaust gases from a normal radially directed minimum resistance flow path into the vortex chamber to a tangential path providing impedance to the output, the flow impeding path increasing the engine exhaust back pressure to decrease output of oxides of nitrogen, the fluid signal means being selectively activated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
A control as in claim 1, including fluidic diverter means adjacent the inlet to the vortex chamber and including the first and second paths, the paths being connected respectively to discharge fluid radially and tangentially into the vortex chamber to provide smooth flow or create turbulence, respectively, with respect to the exhaust gases towards the outlet as a function of signal means controlling the switching of the fluidic diverter.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-09 | 1977-01-08 | 1977-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-09 | 1981-01-08 | 1981-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-09 | 1985-01-08 | 1985-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |