US3911675A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Keep-hot catalytic converter
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1974-03-25
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Granted: 1975-10-14
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Expires: 1994-03-25
Abstract
Abstract In an automobile having an internal combustion engine whose exhaust is passed through a catalytic converter for decreasing the discharge of products of combustion, a converter heating system to maintain the catalytic converter at a predetermined temperature so that it is effective upon engine start-up to diminish products of combustion. The converter heating system includes in combination a small pump which draws an air-fuel vapor mixture from the fuel tank, an igniter and a pilot burner which is mounted on the converter. Dilution air is mixed with the air-fuel vapor in the pilot burner and ignited by a spark pluglike device which is powered by a vibrator coil system.
Inventors
- 👤 James R Mondt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 09:07
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01N; F01N3/00; F01N3/08; F01N3/10; F01N3/24; F01N3/30; F01N3/32; F01N3/18; F01N3/20; F01N3/2006; F01N3/2033; F01N3/22; F01N3/28; F01N3/2803; F01N3/2832; F01N3/2839; F01N3/2846; F01N3/36; F01N3/38; F01N2240/00; F01N2240/14; F01N2270/00; F01N2270/10; F01N2330/00; F01N2330/08; F01N2610/00; F01N2610/08; F01N2610/14; F01N2610/1453; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A50/00; Y02A50/20; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
350 words
A heated catalytic converter for use in a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine comprising: a converter housing defining an interior space and having an inlet and an outlet for the flow of exhaust gases from the engine into said interior space and from said interior space to the atmosphere; separation means in said interior space between said inlet and said outlet including a bed of catalytic material supported so as to cause the exhaust gases to pass through said catalytic material; a pilot burner assembly attached to said converter housing having an open discharge end communicated with said interior space upstream from said converter bed; said pilot burner assembly including nozzle means therein fluidly connected to the upper portion of the vehicle fuel tank by a fuel-air line to pass a fuel-air mixture thereto for subsequent flow through said nozzle into said interior space of the converter; said nozzle means including an enlarged open-ended portion communicated with said interior space of the converter and fluidly connected to said fuel-air line by an orifice which controls the flow of the fuel-air mixture entering said interior space and increases its velocity; said pilot burner assembly also including an open-ended nozzle housing encircling said enlarged open-ended portion to define an annular passage therebetween communicated with said interior space for the passage of supplemental air into said interior space; a plurality of small openings in said enlarged open-ended portion encircling said fuel-air orifice, extending from the interior of said nozzle housing to the interiors of said enlarged open-ended portion and said converter for introducing a secondary supply of air to said interior space; the interior of said nozzle housing being fluidly connected to a source of pressurized air for introduction into the interior of said conveRter through said secondary air openings and said annular passage; pump means including said source of secondary air for passing the fuel-air mixture and the secondary and supplemental air into the interior of said converter through said pilot burner assembly; a spark-producing member for igniting said fuel-air mixture within said interior space upstream from said catalytic bed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
350 words
A heated catalytic converter for use in a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine comprising: a converter housing defining an interior space and having an inlet and an outlet for the flow of exhaust gases from the engine into said interior space and from said interior space to the atmosphere; separation means in said interior space between said inlet and said outlet including a bed of catalytic material supported so as to cause the exhaust gases to pass through said catalytic material; a pilot burner assembly attached to said converter housing having an open discharge end communicated with said interior space upstream from said converter bed; said pilot burner assembly including nozzle means therein fluidly connected to the upper portion of the vehicle fuel tank by a fuel-air line to pass a fuel-air mixture thereto for subsequent flow through said nozzle into said interior space of the converter; said nozzle means including an enlarged open-ended portion communicated with said interior space of the converter and fluidly connected to said fuel-air line by an orifice which controls the flow of the fuel-air mixture entering said interior space and increases its velocity; said pilot burner assembly also including an open-ended nozzle housing encircling said enlarged open-ended portion to define an annular passage therebetween communicated with said interior space for the passage of supplemental air into said interior space; a plurality of small openings in said enlarged open-ended portion encircling said fuel-air orifice, extending from the interior of said nozzle housing to the interiors of said enlarged open-ended portion and said converter for introducing a secondary supply of air to said interior space; the interior of said nozzle housing being fluidly connected to a source of pressurized air for introduction into the interior of said conveRter through said secondary air openings and said annular passage; pump means including said source of secondary air for passing the fuel-air mixture and the secondary and supplemental air into the interior of said converter through said pilot burner assembly; a spark-producing member for igniting said fuel-air mixture within said interior space upstream from said catalytic bed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
265 words
A heating system for a catalytic converter for use in a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine comprising: a pilot burner assembly including a housing attached to the converter housing and having an open end connected to the interior of said catalytic converter upstream from a bed of catalyst material therein; said pilot burner assembly including nozzle means fluidly connected to a fuel-air line extending from the upper portion of the vehicle fuel tank for the passage of a fuel-air mixture into the converter interior; said nozzle having an enlarged open-ended portion communicated with said converter interior and fluidly connected to said fuel-air line by an orifice which regulates the flow of the fuel-air mixture and increases its velocity as it is introduced into said converter interior; said pilot burner assembly also including an open-ended nozzle housing encircling said enlarged open-ended portion to define an annular passage therebetween communicated with the converter interior space for introduction of supplemental air; a plurality of small openings in said open-ended enlarged portion encircling said orifice, extending from the interior of said nozzle housing to the interiors of said enlarged open-ended portion and the catalytic converter for introducing secondary air to combine with said fuel-air mixture; pump means for introducing the fuel-air mixture to said enlarged open-ended portion and secondary and supplemental air to the nozzle housing interior for subsequent discharge into the converter interior through said orifice, small openings and annular passage; a spark-producing member located within the converter interior located upstream from the catalytic bed for igniting the fuel-air mixture and resultantly heating the catalyst bed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
265 words
A heating system for a catalytic converter for use in a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine comprising: a pilot burner assembly including a housing attached to the converter housing and having an open end connected to the interior of said catalytic converter upstream from a bed of catalyst material therein; said pilot burner assembly including nozzle means fluidly connected to a fuel-air line extending from the upper portion of the vehicle fuel tank for the passage of a fuel-air mixture into the converter interior; said nozzle having an enlarged open-ended portion communicated with said converter interior and fluidly connected to said fuel-air line by an orifice which regulates the flow of the fuel-air mixture and increases its velocity as it is introduced into said converter interior; said pilot burner assembly also including an open-ended nozzle housing encircling said enlarged open-ended portion to define an annular passage therebetween communicated with the converter interior space for introduction of supplemental air; a plurality of small openings in said open-ended enlarged portion encircling said orifice, extending from the interior of said nozzle housing to the interiors of said enlarged open-ended portion and the catalytic converter for introducing secondary air to combine with said fuel-air mixture; pump means for introducing the fuel-air mixture to said enlarged open-ended portion and secondary and supplemental air to the nozzle housing interior for subsequent discharge into the converter interior through said orifice, small openings and annular passage; a spark-producing member located within the converter interior located upstream from the catalytic bed for igniting the fuel-air mixture and resultantly heating the catalyst bed.
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) | 1978-10-13 | 1979-04-14 | 1979-10-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-13 | 1983-04-14 | 1983-10-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-13 | 1987-04-14 | 1987-10-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |