US4630438A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Exhaust particle removing system for an engine
Assignee: Nissan Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1985-09-06
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Granted: 1986-12-23
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Expires: 2005-09-06
Abstract
Abstract A filter traps particles suspended in exhaust gas emitted from an engine. Degree of clogging of the filter is measured. It is indicated that the measured degree of clogging of the filter is equal to or greater than a first reference level. When the measured degree of clogging of the filter is equal to or greater than the first reference level and a manual switch is in an ON position, the particles deposited on the filter are burned off. When the measured degree of clogging of the filter is equal to or greater than a second reference level, the particles deposited on the filter are burned off independent of whether or not the manual switch is in the ON position. The second reference level is greater than the first reference level. It may be indicated that the particles deposited on the filter are being burned off.
Inventors
- 👤 Motohiro Shinzawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 09:07
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01N; F01N3/00; F01N3/02; F01N3/021; F01N3/023; F01N3/025; F01N9/00; F01N9/002; F01N2390/00; F01N2390/02; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/40; Y10; Y10S; Y10S55/00; Y10S55/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
218 words
An exhaust particle removing system for an engine, comprising: (a) a filter disposed in an engine exhaust passage for trapping particles suspended in exhaust gas; (b) a burner for burning off the particles deposited on the filter; (c) means for measuring the degree of clogging of the filter; (d) means for deactivating the burner when the measured degree of clogging of the filter is lower than a first reference level; (e) means for indicating when the measured degree of clogging of the filter is equal to or greater than the first reference level; (f) a manual switch movable between an ON position and an OFF position; (g) means for activating the burner when the manual switch is in the ON position and when the measured degree of clogging of the filter resides between the first reference level and a second reference level greater than the first reference level; (h) means for deactivating the burner when the manual switch is in the OFF position and when the measured degree of clogging of the filter resides between the first reference level and the second reference level; and (i) means for activating the burner independent of the position of the manual switch when the measured degree of clogging of the filter is equal to or greater than the second reference level.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
218 words
An exhaust particle removing system for an engine, comprising: (a) a filter disposed in an engine exhaust passage for trapping particles suspended in exhaust gas; (b) a burner for burning off the particles deposited on the filter; (c) means for measuring the degree of clogging of the filter; (d) means for deactivating the burner when the measured degree of clogging of the filter is lower than a first reference level; (e) means for indicating when the measured degree of clogging of the filter is equal to or greater than the first reference level; (f) a manual switch movable between an ON position and an OFF position; (g) means for activating the burner when the manual switch is in the ON position and when the measured degree of clogging of the filter resides between the first reference level and a second reference level greater than the first reference level; (h) means for deactivating the burner when the manual switch is in the OFF position and when the measured degree of clogging of the filter resides between the first reference level and the second reference level; and (i) means for activating the burner independent of the position of the manual switch when the measured degree of clogging of the filter is equal to or greater than the second reference level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising means for indicating when the burner is activated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising means for sensing rotational speed of the engine, and means for deactivating the burner independent of the degree of clogging of the filter when the sensed engine speed is lower than a reference speed.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
132 words
A method comprising the steps of: (a) measuring degree of clogging of a filter which traps particles suspended in exhaust gas emitted from an engine; (b) indicating when the measured degree of clogging of the filter is equal to or greater than a first reference level; (c) burning off the particles deposited on the filter when the measured degree of clogging of the filter is equal to or greater than the first reference level and when a manual switch is in a preset position; and (d) burning off the particles deposited on the filter independent of whether or not the manual switch is in the preset position when the measured degree of clogging of the filter is equal to or greater than a second reference level greater than the first reference level.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
132 words
A method comprising the steps of: (a) measuring degree of clogging of a filter which traps particles suspended in exhaust gas emitted from an engine; (b) indicating when the measured degree of clogging of the filter is equal to or greater than a first reference level; (c) burning off the particles deposited on the filter when the measured degree of clogging of the filter is equal to or greater than the first reference level and when a manual switch is in a preset position; and (d) burning off the particles deposited on the filter independent of whether or not the manual switch is in the preset position when the measured degree of clogging of the filter is equal to or greater than a second reference level greater than the first reference level.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of indicating when the particles deposited on the filter are being burned off.
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) | 1989-12-22 | 1990-06-23 | 1990-12-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-12-22 | 1994-06-23 | 1994-12-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-12-22 | 1998-06-23 | 1998-12-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |