US3837165A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic device for controlling catalytic mufflers
Assignee: SnamProgetti SpA
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Filing: 1972-09-07
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Granted: 1974-09-24
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Expires: 1992-09-07
Abstract
Abstract A device for automatically controlling a by-pass electro-valve of a catalytic muffler comprising three inlet stages, the first inlet stage is responsive to the speed or number of engine revolutions, the second inlet stage is responsive to the throttle position and includes a retarding circuit and store, and the third inlet stage is responsive to the temperature of the catalyst and includes means for comparing the temperature of the catalyst with a maximum allowable temperature (TMAX.) and a predetermined running temperature (TS). The three inlet stages are electrically coupled to an outlet stage which includes a timer for producing a pulse of predetermined duration.
Inventors
- 👤 V Arrigoni
- 👤 G Zanoni
- 👤 B Gaetani
- 👤 G Marchesi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 21:00
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02D; F02D41/00; F02D41/02; F02D41/14; F02D41/1438; F02D41/1444; F02D41/1446; F01; F01N; F01N3/00; F01N3/08; F01N3/10; F01N3/18; F01N3/20; F01N3/2053; F01N2390/00; F01N2390/02; F01N2410/00; F01N2410/02; F01N2410/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
202 words
An automatic control device for controlling a by-pass electro-valve in an arrangement comprising an engine having a throttle and an exhaust system, said exhaust system having a catalytic muffler containing a catalyst and a by-pass duct, around said muffler, containing said by-pass electro-valve, comprising: three inlet stages; said first inlet stage being responsive to the speed or number of revolutions of the engine; said second inlet stage being responsive to the position of the throttle, including a level discriminator for receiving at its input a difference voltage including a voltage proportional to the position of the throttle and a reference voltage, retarding circuit electrically coupled to said level discriminator for producing an output pulse after a predetermined time in response to an output signal from said level discriminator, coincident gate means electrically coupled to the output of said level discriminator and said retarding circuit to produce an output signal in response to signals from said level discriminator and said retarding circuit, a store electrically coupled to the output of said coincident gate means; Said third inlet stage being response to the temperature of the catalyst; and an outlet stage for actuating the by-pass electro-valve in response to signals from said inlet stages.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
202 words
An automatic control device for controlling a by-pass electro-valve in an arrangement comprising an engine having a throttle and an exhaust system, said exhaust system having a catalytic muffler containing a catalyst and a by-pass duct, around said muffler, containing said by-pass electro-valve, comprising: three inlet stages; said first inlet stage being responsive to the speed or number of revolutions of the engine; said second inlet stage being responsive to the position of the throttle, including a level discriminator for receiving at its input a difference voltage including a voltage proportional to the position of the throttle and a reference voltage, retarding circuit electrically coupled to said level discriminator for producing an output pulse after a predetermined time in response to an output signal from said level discriminator, coincident gate means electrically coupled to the output of said level discriminator and said retarding circuit to produce an output signal in response to signals from said level discriminator and said retarding circuit, a store electrically coupled to the output of said coincident gate means; Said third inlet stage being response to the temperature of the catalyst; and an outlet stage for actuating the by-pass electro-valve in response to signals from said inlet stages.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
An automatic control device as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said store includes a plurality of flip-flops or ''''NOR'''' gates; an inverter also electrically couples the output of said level discriminator directly to said store to set the output signal from said store to zero in the absence of an output signal from said coincident gate means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
175 words
An automatic control device for controlling a by-pass electro-valve in an arrangement comprising an engine having a throttle and an exhaust system, said exhaust system having a catalytic muffler containing a catalyst and a by-pass duct, around said muffler, containing said by-pass electro-valve, comprising: three inlet stages; said first inlet stage being responsive to the speed or number of revolutions of the engine; said second inlet stage being responsive to the position of the throttle; said third inlet stage being responsive to the temperature of the catalyst, including thermoelement means for providing an output signal proportional to the temperature of the catalyst, an operational amplifier electrically coupled to said thermoelement, differentiating circuit means electrically coupled to the output of said operational amplifier, potentiometer means for providing a reference signal corresponding to a maximum temperature limit (TMAX), a level discriminator electrically coupled to said potentiometer means and said differentiating circuit means for receiving at its input a difference signal; and an outlet stage for actuating the by-pass electro-valve in response to signals from said inlet stages.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
175 words
An automatic control device for controlling a by-pass electro-valve in an arrangement comprising an engine having a throttle and an exhaust system, said exhaust system having a catalytic muffler containing a catalyst and a by-pass duct, around said muffler, containing said by-pass electro-valve, comprising: three inlet stages; said first inlet stage being responsive to the speed or number of revolutions of the engine; said second inlet stage being responsive to the position of the throttle; said third inlet stage being responsive to the temperature of the catalyst, including thermoelement means for providing an output signal proportional to the temperature of the catalyst, an operational amplifier electrically coupled to said thermoelement, differentiating circuit means electrically coupled to the output of said operational amplifier, potentiometer means for providing a reference signal corresponding to a maximum temperature limit (TMAX), a level discriminator electrically coupled to said potentiometer means and said differentiating circuit means for receiving at its input a difference signal; and an outlet stage for actuating the by-pass electro-valve in response to signals from said inlet stages.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
173 words
An automatic control device as claimed in claim 3 including: second potentiometer means electrically coupled to the output of said operational amplifier to provide a reference signal corresponding to a predetermined running temperature (TS); a relay having one of its terminals electrically coupled to the output of said operational amplifier to receive a difference signal representing the sum of output of said operational amplifier and the reference signal from said second potentiometer means; a second level discriminator also electrically coupled to the output of said operational amplifier to actuate said relay; an integrator electrically coupled to another terminal of said relay, said integrator providing an output signal in response to actuation of said relay by said second level discriminator; third potentiometer means electrically coupled to the output of said integrator to provide a reference signal corresponding to an integral threshold temperature limit (TI); a third level discriminator electrically coupled to the output of said integrator and said third potentiometer means; and a store electrically coupled to the output of said third level discriminator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
An automatic control device as claimed in claim 4 wherein: said store includes a plurality of flip-flops or ''''NOR'''' gates; an inverter also electrically couples the output of said second level discriminator to said store to set the output signal from said store to zero in the absence of an output signal from said third level discriminator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
179 words
An automatic control device for controlling a by-pass electro-valve in an arrangement comprising an engine having a throttle and an exhaust system, said exhaust system having a catalytic muffler containing a catalyst and a by-pass duct, around said muffler, containing said by-pass electro-valve, comprising: three inlet stages; said first inlet stage being responsive to the speed or number of revolutions of the engine; said second inlet stage being responsive to the position of the throttle; said third inlet stage being responsive to the temperature of the catalyst; and an outlet stage including a First ''''OR'''' gate to receive the output signals from said inlet stages, a second ''''OR'''' gate having a first input terminal electrically coupled to the output of said first ''''OR'''' gate, a timer electrically coupled to the output of said first ''''OR'''' gate and to a second input terminal of said second ''''OR'''' gate, said timer producing an output pulse of predetermined duration in response to an output signal from said first ''''OR'''' gate, the output from said second ''''OR'''' gate directly controlling the by-pass electro-valve.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
179 words
An automatic control device for controlling a by-pass electro-valve in an arrangement comprising an engine having a throttle and an exhaust system, said exhaust system having a catalytic muffler containing a catalyst and a by-pass duct, around said muffler, containing said by-pass electro-valve, comprising: three inlet stages; said first inlet stage being responsive to the speed or number of revolutions of the engine; said second inlet stage being responsive to the position of the throttle; said third inlet stage being responsive to the temperature of the catalyst; and an outlet stage including a First ''''OR'''' gate to receive the output signals from said inlet stages, a second ''''OR'''' gate having a first input terminal electrically coupled to the output of said first ''''OR'''' gate, a timer electrically coupled to the output of said first ''''OR'''' gate and to a second input terminal of said second ''''OR'''' gate, said timer producing an output pulse of predetermined duration in response to an output signal from said first ''''OR'''' gate, the output from said second ''''OR'''' gate directly controlling the by-pass electro-valve.
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) | 1977-09-23 | 1978-03-25 | 1978-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-23 | 1982-03-25 | 1982-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-23 | 1986-03-25 | 1986-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |