US5342591A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Catalytic method
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1991-02-26
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Granted: 1994-08-30
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Expires: 2011-02-26
Abstract
Abstract A catalytic reactor for oxidation of carbonaceous fuels comprising at least one microlith catalytic element having flow channels with a flow path length no longer than about two times the diameter of the largest flow channel. The initial catalyst element is advantageouly electrically conductive to permit electrical heating.
Inventors
- 👤 William C. Pfefferle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 10:27
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D53/00; B01D53/34; B01D53/92; B01D53/94; B01D53/9445; B01D53/9454; B01J; B01J12/00; B01J12/007; B01J19/00; B01J19/0093; F; F01; F01N; F01N13/00; F01N13/009; F01N13/0097; F01N3/00; F01N3/08; F01N3/10; F01N3/18; F01N3/20; F01N3/2006; F01N3/2013; F01N3/2026; F01N3/24; F01N3/28; F01N3/2803; F01N3/2807; F01N3/2825; F01N3/2835; B01J2219/00; B01J2219/00781; B01J2219/00783; B01J2219/00819; B01J2219/00822; B01J2219/00824; B01J2219/00835; B01J2219/00873; F01N2330/00; F01N2330/06; F01N2330/10; F01N2330/12; F01N2330/14; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
55 words
The method of controlling automotive emissions during less than about five seconds of initial engine operation wherein engine exhaust gases are contacted with a microlith catalytic element having flow channels with flow paths less than about two millimeters and having a ratio of channel length to channel diameter of less than about five to one.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
55 words
The method of controlling automotive emissions during less than about five seconds of initial engine operation wherein engine exhaust gases are contacted with a microlith catalytic element having flow channels with flow paths less than about two millimeters and having a ratio of channel length to channel diameter of less than about five to one.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said microlith catalyst element is the initial catalytic element in a reaction system comprising a multiplicity of catalytic elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said microlith catalyst element is mounted at the exit of the engine exhaust manifold.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said microlith catalyst element is electrically conductive and comprises the additional step of electrically heating said catalyst element prior to termination of engine cranking.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said catalyst element reaches an operating temperature within the range of from 550° Kelvin to 1500° Kelvin within two seconds of start of engine cranking.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said microlith catalyst element is mounted within the engine exhaust manifold.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
58 words
The method of combusting a carbonaceous fuel wherein said fuel is combusted by passage of an admixture of said fuel with air through a reactor comprising a microlith catalyst element heated to a temperature within the range of from 550° Kelvin to 1500° Kelvin, said element having flow channels with flow passages shorter than one mm in length.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
58 words
The method of combusting a carbonaceous fuel wherein said fuel is combusted by passage of an admixture of said fuel with air through a reactor comprising a microlith catalyst element heated to a temperature within the range of from 550° Kelvin to 1500° Kelvin, said element having flow channels with flow passages shorter than one mm in length.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said catalyst element is brought to said range of temperature by electrical heating.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the temperature of said catalyst element is at least about 1000 degrees Kelvin.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said admixture is a gaseous fume and said reactor comprises a multiplicity of microlith elements.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said flow passages are shorter than 0.5 mm in length.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said reactor comprises a multiplicity of microlith catalyst elements.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-08-29 | 1998-02-28 | 1998-08-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-08-29 | 2002-02-28 | 2002-08-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-08-29 | 2006-02-28 | 2006-08-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |