US5348562A — Exhaust gas scrubber and filter assembly

Claim 1

Independent Claim 105 words

A vehicle exhaust treatment apparatus for use with an exhaust gas water scrubber, the apparatus comprising: a water trap wall encompassing and defining a water trap chamber oriented on a chamber axis, the wall having at least one flared portion offset at an angle from the chamber axis; inlet means in communication with the chamber for directing exhaust into the chamber against the at least one flared portion, circulating exhaust within the chamber; a drain in communication with the chamber and defining a passage for flow of fluid from the chamber; and an outlet in communication with the chamber to exhaust gas from the chamber.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 105 words

A vehicle exhaust treatment apparatus for use with an exhaust gas water scrubber, the apparatus comprising: a water trap wall encompassing and defining a water trap chamber oriented on a chamber axis, the wall having at least one flared portion offset at an angle from the chamber axis; inlet means in communication with the chamber for directing exhaust into the chamber against the at least one flared portion, circulating exhaust within the chamber; a drain in communication with the chamber and defining a passage for flow of fluid from the chamber; and an outlet in communication with the chamber to exhaust gas from the chamber.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 30 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the inlet means comprises a conduit having a conduit aperture facing the water trap wall at an angle offset from perpendicular from the wall.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 30 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the inlet means comprises a conduit having a conduit aperture facing in a direction having a directional component tangential to the water trap wall.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 22 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the inlet means comprises a plurality of conduits, each facing in substantially the same rotational direction.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 21 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the inlet means comprises means for directing exhaust toward the wall at an oblique angle.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 26 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the inlet means is positionally fixed relative to the water trap wall, whereby the inlet means includes no moving parts.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 21 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the inlet means includes means for generating an orbital flow of exhaust within the chamber.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 20 words

The apparatus of claim 1 including a base plate attached to the water trap wall to further define the chamber.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 25 words

The apparatus of claim 8 including a dam plate opposite the base plate and having a peripheral portion sealably attached to the water trap wall.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 16 words

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the outlet comprises an aperture defined by the dam plate.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 18 words

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the base plate defines an aperture in communication with the inlet means.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 15 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the water trap wall has a frustoconical interior surface.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 20 words

The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the interior surface of the water trap wall is oriented on a vertical axis.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 17 words

The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the interior surface is tapered such that it is downwardly open.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 15 words

The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a filter chamber adjacent the water trap wall.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 14 words

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the filter chamber surrounds the water trap wall.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 14 words

The apparatus of claim 15 including an annular filter received within the filter chamber.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 13 words

The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the filter comprises a paper filter element.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 118 words

A water trap for a vehicle exhaust treatment system comprising: a water trap wall having an interior surface encompassing and defining a water trap chamber, the water trap wall having at least one sloped portion having a lower edge and an upper edge, the lower edge encompassing a larger area than the upper edge; an inlet in communication with the chamber and having an aperture facing the at least one sloped portion at an oblique angle, whereby a circulating flow is generated within the chamber; a drain in communication with the chamber and defining a passage for flow of fluid from the chamber; and an outlet in communication with the chamber to emit exhaust gas from the chamber.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 118 words

A water trap for a vehicle exhaust treatment system comprising: a water trap wall having an interior surface encompassing and defining a water trap chamber, the water trap wall having at least one sloped portion having a lower edge and an upper edge, the lower edge encompassing a larger area than the upper edge; an inlet in communication with the chamber and having an aperture facing the at least one sloped portion at an oblique angle, whereby a circulating flow is generated within the chamber; a drain in communication with the chamber and defining a passage for flow of fluid from the chamber; and an outlet in communication with the chamber to emit exhaust gas from the chamber.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 29 words

The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the inlet comprises a conduit having a conduit aperture facing the water trap wall at an angle offset from perpendicular from the wall.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 29 words

The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the inlet comprises a conduit having a conduit aperture facing in a direction having a directional component tangential to the water trap wall.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 21 words

The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the inlet comprises a plurality of conduits, each facing in substantially the same rotational direction.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 20 words

The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the inlet comprises means for directing exhaust toward the wall at an oblique angle.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 24 words

The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the inlet is positionally fixed relative to the water trap wall, whereby the inlet includes no moving parts.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 109 words

An exhaust gas treatment system for a low profile vehicle comprising: an exhaust gas water scrubber contained in a scrubber housing having a scrubber outlet; a single trap and filter housing having an inlet in communication with the scrubber outlet; a water trap contained within the trap and filter housing and in communication with the inlet for collecting water droplets emitted by the scrubber; and the housing defining an annular filter chamber adjacent the water trap and being suitable for receiving a ring-shaped exhaust gas particulate filter, such that exhaust gases may be sequentially cooled by the scrubber, dewatered by the water trap, and filtered within the filter chamber.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 109 words

An exhaust gas treatment system for a low profile vehicle comprising: an exhaust gas water scrubber contained in a scrubber housing having a scrubber outlet; a single trap and filter housing having an inlet in communication with the scrubber outlet; a water trap contained within the trap and filter housing and in communication with the inlet for collecting water droplets emitted by the scrubber; and the housing defining an annular filter chamber adjacent the water trap and being suitable for receiving a ring-shaped exhaust gas particulate filter, such that exhaust gases may be sequentially cooled by the scrubber, dewatered by the water trap, and filtered within the filter chamber.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 15 words

The system of claim 25 wherein the water trap is encircled by the filter chamber.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 20 words

The system of claim 25 including a curved wall separating at least a portion of the trap from the filter.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 17 words

The system of claim 25 wherein the scrubber housing is contiguous with the trap and filter housing.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 18 words

The system of claim 25 wherein the trap and filter housing is positioned vertically above the scrubber housing.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 18 words

The system of claim 25 including a single wall separating the scrubber from the trap and filter housing.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 29 words

The system of claim 25 wherein a flat portion of the scrubber housing and a flat portion of the trap and filter housing are fastened face-to-face with each other.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 18 words

The system of claim 25 wherein the scrubber housing and trap and filter housing are each generally cylindrical.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 17 words

The system of claim 32 wherein the scrubber housing and trap and filter housing are coaxially aligned.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 17 words

The system of claim 32 wherein the scrubber housing and trap and filter housing are stacked end-to-end.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 13 words

The system of claim 25 including a filter having a paper filter element.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 90 words

A water trap and filter assembly for installation on a vehicle exhaust gas water scrubber having a scrubber outlet, the assembly comprising: a housing including a base plate defining an inlet aperture, the housing being partitioned to define a water trap chamber and an annular filter chamber adjacent the water trap chamber; a water trap attached within the water trap chamber and through which exhaust gases entering the inlet aperture must pass prior to entering the filter chamber; and a coupling for connecting the scrubber outlet to the inlet aperture.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 90 words

A water trap and filter assembly for installation on a vehicle exhaust gas water scrubber having a scrubber outlet, the assembly comprising: a housing including a base plate defining an inlet aperture, the housing being partitioned to define a water trap chamber and an annular filter chamber adjacent the water trap chamber; a water trap attached within the water trap chamber and through which exhaust gases entering the inlet aperture must pass prior to entering the filter chamber; and a coupling for connecting the scrubber outlet to the inlet aperture.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 13 words

The assembly of claim 36 wherein the water trap includes a curved wall.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 36 words

The assembly of claim 37 wherein the filter chamber is defined at least in part by the curved wall such that a filter may be received in the filter chamber and positioned proximate the water trap.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 13 words

The assembly of claim 36 wherein the filter chamber encircles the water trap.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 42 words

The assembly of claim 36 wherein the scrubber includes a scrubber housing panel and the base plate is attachable in face-to-face relation with the housing panel such that the scrubber and housing are in communication for exhaust flow therebetween without a conduit.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1997-09-19	1998-03-21	1998-09-20	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2001-09-19	2002-03-21	2002-09-20	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2005-09-19	2006-03-21	2006-09-20	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Exhaust gas scrubber and filter assembly

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