US4899540A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Muffler apparatus with filter trap and method of use
Assignee: Donaldson Co Inc
•
Filing: 1987-10-15
•
Granted: 1990-02-13
•
Expires: 2007-10-15
Abstract
Abstract Muffler-filter apparatus for reducing both sound and particulates from exhaust gases from an engine. The apparatus includes resonating chambers, flow distribution means and a cellular ceramic core filter module. Filter regeneration mechanism includes a heating element for heating the carbon on the inlet end of the ceramic core to combustion temperature. Particulate ignition resulting in regeneration occurs when combustion air is provided. In alternate embodiments, combustion air first flows through a preheater system. A processor unit with particular logic controls the apparatus. The particular method of regeneration depends on the application in which the muffler-filter is used.
Inventors
- 👤 Wayne M. Wagner
- 👤 Douglas E. Flemming
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 11:13
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01N; F01N3/00; F01N3/02; F01N3/021; F01N3/031; F01N3/032; F01N3/0211; F01N3/023; F01N3/027; F01N3/033; F01N3/0335; F01N9/00; F01N9/002; F01N2230/00; F01N2230/02; F01N2310/00; F01N2310/12; F01N2330/00; F01N2330/06; F01N2350/00; F01N2350/02; F01N2350/04; F01N2350/06; F01N2410/00; F01N2410/04; F01N2450/00; F01N2450/02; F01N2470/00; F01N2470/02; F01N3/08; F01N3/10; F01N3/24; F01N3/30; F02; F02B; F02B1/00; F02B1/02; F02B1/04; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/40; Y10; Y10S; Y10S55/00; Y10S55/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
227 words
A method for regenerating a ceramic filter loaded with particulates from exhaust gases of a diesel engine, said ceramic filter being mounted to a housing, said method comprising the steps of: turning on a heating element to radiate heat toward one end of said ceramic filter; turning on an air source to blow a low flow of air passed said heating element and toward said one end of said ceramic filter; sensing one of a temperature of said heating element, a temperature of fluid between said heating element and said ceramic filter, and a temperature of said one end of said ceramic filter and identifying a first triggering relationship when said one temperature is no less than a predetermined temperature which is less than the combustion temperature of said particulates; turning off said air after identifying said first triggering relationship; sensing said one temperature and identifying a second triggering relationship when said one temperature is no less than the combustion temperature of said particulates; turning on said air source after identifying said second triggering relationship to blow a regular flow of air passed said heating element and toward said one end of said ceramic filter; starting a timer after identifying said second triggering relationship; turning said heating element off after identifying said second triggering relationship; and turning said air source off after said timer has timed out.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
227 words
A method for regenerating a ceramic filter loaded with particulates from exhaust gases of a diesel engine, said ceramic filter being mounted to a housing, said method comprising the steps of: turning on a heating element to radiate heat toward one end of said ceramic filter; turning on an air source to blow a low flow of air passed said heating element and toward said one end of said ceramic filter; sensing one of a temperature of said heating element, a temperature of fluid between said heating element and said ceramic filter, and a temperature of said one end of said ceramic filter and identifying a first triggering relationship when said one temperature is no less than a predetermined temperature which is less than the combustion temperature of said particulates; turning off said air after identifying said first triggering relationship; sensing said one temperature and identifying a second triggering relationship when said one temperature is no less than the combustion temperature of said particulates; turning on said air source after identifying said second triggering relationship to blow a regular flow of air passed said heating element and toward said one end of said ceramic filter; starting a timer after identifying said second triggering relationship; turning said heating element off after identifying said second triggering relationship; and turning said air source off after said timer has timed out.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
78 words
The method in accordance with claim 1 including before the step which turns on the heating element, the steps of parking a vehicle to which said housing is attached and then connecting an electrical power source to said heating element, connecting an air source to said housing for directing air past said heating element and said ceramic filter, and connecting a temperature sensor for sensing said one temperature to control means for controlling said power and air sources.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method in accordance with claim 2 including after the step which turns the air off after the timer has timed out the steps of disconnecting said electrical power source, said air source and said temperature sensor and then operating said vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
93 words
The method in accordance with claim 1 including before the step which turns on the heating element the steps of: with said housing mounted on a vehicle, directing said exhaust gases through said ceramic filter; sensing a baseline pressure differential upstream from the one end of said ceramic filter along a flow path for said exhaust gases; sensing a loading pressure differential across said ceramic filter; calculating a ratio of base line pressure differential to loading pressure differential and identifying a third triggering relationship when said ratio is greater than a predetermined value.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method in accordance with claim 4 including after identifying said third triggering relationship, sensing said one temperature and when said one temperature is greater than a predetermined low limit, closing with valve means the flow of said exhaust gases to said ceramic filter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method in accordance with claim 5 including opening said valve means after said timer has timed out.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method in accordance with claim 4 including after identifying said third triggering relationship, removing said ceramic filter from the housing on said vehicle and placing said ceramic filter in a regeneration housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method in accordance with claim 7 including after said timer has timed out removing said regenerated ceramic filter from said regeneration housing and reinstalling in said housing on said vehicle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3723070A
Cited
US3768982A
Cited
US4319896A
Cited
US4404794A
Cited
US4450682A
Cited
US4427418A
Cited
US4512786A
Cited
US4516993A
Cited
US4404796A
Cited
US4519820A
Cited
US4538412A
Cited
US4455823A
Cited
US4494375A
Cited
US4671058A
Cited
US4538411A
Cited
US4544388A
Cited
US4562695A
Cited
US4548625A
Cited
US4531363A
Cited
US4641496A
Cited
US4655037A
Cited
US4670020A
Cited
US4573317A
Cited
US4678827A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-02-12 | 1993-08-14 | 1994-02-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-02-12 | 1997-08-14 | 1998-02-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-02-12 | 2001-08-14 | 2002-02-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |