Ionization of exhaust gases

Claim 2

Apparatus for electrically treating exhaust gases emanating from an internal combustion engine comprising: a closed elongated casing having inlet means adjacent one end for the exhaust gases, means for establishing a high intensity electrical field radially of the casing comprising, electrical conductor means extending longitudinally within the casing radially spaced from the inner wall thereof, and mounted for rotation about a longitudinal axis, the wall of said casing being provided interiorly thereof with a conductive surface extending entirely about the path of the conductor means, means for connecting said conductor means and conductive surface to a high voltage source to establish an electrical field therebetween, means for rotating the conductor means about said longitudinal axis to sweep the field in a path normal to the flow of gases within the casing, and means at the other end of the casing for receiving the gases subjected to said rotating electric field.

Claim 3

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the conductor means and conductive surface extend along a major length of the casing.

Claim 4

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the conductor means comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending conductors angularly spaced about said axis and radially spaced from the interior wall of the casing.

Claim 5

Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the conductors conductive surface extend along a major length of said casing.

Claim 6

Apparatus for electrically treating exhaust gases emanating from an internal combustion engine comprising: a closed elongated casing, inlet means for the exhaust gases adjacent one end of the casing, means for producing a high intensity electrical field along the interior of said casing, means for propelling the gases toward the other end of the casing, means for rotating said electrical field through said propelled gases and about the axis of the casing, and means at said other end of the casing for receiving the gases subjected to said moving electric field, wherein the means for propelling the gases comprises rotatable fan blades within the casing, said means for producing said electrical field within the casing comprising a plurality of conductors parallel to the axis of the casing and connected to a high voltage source, at least some of said fan blades being spaced axially along the casing, said conductors being supported by and between said axially spaced blades.

Claim 7

Apparatus for electrically treating exhaust gases emanating from an internal combustion engine comprising: a closed elongated casing, inlet means for the exhaust gases adjacent one end of the casing, means for producing a high intensity electrical field along the interior of said casing, means for propelling the gases toward the other end of the casing, means for rotating said electrical field through said propelled gases and about the axis of the casing, and means at said other end of the casing for receiving the gases subjected to said moving electric field, wherein the means for propelling the gases comprises rotatable fan blades within the casing, said means for producing said electrical field within the casing comprising a plurality of conductors parallel to the axis of the casing and connected to a high voltage source, at least some of said fan blades being spaced axially along the casing, said conductors being supported by and between said axially spaced blades.

Claim 8

Apparatus according to claim 5 including means for supplying said means for producing the high intensity electric field with an intermittent direct-current voltage.

Claim 9

Apparatus for electrically treating exhaust gases emanating from an internal combustion engine comprising: a closed elongated casing, inlet means for the exhaust gases adjacent one end of the casing, means for producing a high intensity electrical field along the interior of said casing, means for propelling the gases toward the other end of the casing, means for rotating said electrical field through said propelling gases and about the axis of the casing, and means at said other end of the casing for receiving the gases subjected to said moving electric field, further including a tubular member within the casing extending longitudinally therealong and spaced from the inner peripheral wall thereof, said tubular member being provided with a plurality of openings therealong through its peripheral wall, and means for introducing mixing fluids into one end of said tubular member, whereby the fluids emanating from the openings in the tubular member mix with the exhaust gases.

Claim 10

Apparatus for electrically treating exhaust gases emanating from an internal combustion engine comprising: a closed elongated casing, inlet means for the exhaust gases adjacent one end of the casing, means for producing a high intensity electrical field along the interior of said casing, means for propelling the gases toward the other end of the casing, means for rotating said electrical field through said propelling gases and about the axis of the casing, and means at said other end of the casing for receiving the gases subjected to said moving electric field, further including a tubular member within the casing extending longitudinally therealong and spaced from the inner peripheral wall thereof, said tubular member being provided with a plurality of openings therealong through its peripheral wall, and means for introducing mixing fluids into one end of said tubular member, whereby the fluids emanating from the openings in the tubular member mix with the exhaust gases.

Claim 11

Aparatus according to claim 7 wherein the means for propelling the gases comprises rotatable fan blades within the casing.

Claim 12

Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said means for producing said electrical field within the casing comprises a plurality of conductors parallel to the axis of the casing and connected to a high voltage source.

Claim 13

Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein at least some of said fan blades are spaced axially along the casing, said conductors being supported by and between said axially spaced blades.

Claim 14

Apparatus according to claim 7 including means for supporting said tubular member within said casing for rotation about its axis, and means for rotating said tubular member.

Claim 15

Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the means for propelling the gases comprises rotatable fan blades within the casing.

Claim 16

Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said means for producing said electrical field within the casing comprises a plurality of conductors parallel to the axis of the casing and connected to a high voltage source.

Claim 17

Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein at least some of said fan blades are spaced axially along the casing, said conductors being supported by and between said axially spaced blades.

Claim 18

Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said fan blades are secured to said tubular member, at least some of said blades being axially spaced along said member.

Claim 19

Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said means for producing said electrical field within the casing comprises a plurality of conductors parallel to the axis of the casing and connected to a high voltage source.

Claim 20

Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein at least some of said fan blades are spaced axially along the casing, said conductors being supported by and between said axially spaced blades.

Claim 21

Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said casing is provided with a closed compartment at one end thereof having an inlet opening for the mixing fluids, one end of said tubular member extending into said compartment, said means for introducing the fluids into the tubular member comprising a scoop member supported on said tubular member adjacent said one end thereof for rotation therewith for scooping up the mixing fluids entering said inlet opening in the compartment and forcing them into said one end of the tubular member.

Claim 22

Apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the means for propelling the gases comprises rotatable fan blades within the casing.

Claim 23

Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said means for producing said electrical field within the casing comprises a plurality of conductors parallel to the axis of the casing and connected to a high voltage source.

Claim 24

Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein at least some of said fan blades are spaced axially along the casing, said conductors being supported by said axially spaced blades.

Claim 25

Apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said means for producing said electrical field within the casing comprises a plurality of conductors parallel to the axis of the casing and connected to a high voltage source.

Claim 26

Apparatus according to claim 22 wherein at least some of said fan blades are spaced axially along the casing, said conductors being supported by and between said axially spaced blades.

Claim 27

Apparatus according to claim 23 including means for supplying said means for producing the high intensity electric field with an intermittent direct-current voltage.