US5397550A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Catalytic converter and cleaning system
Assignee: ESW Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1994-02-14
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Granted: 1995-03-14
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Expires: 2014-02-14
Abstract
Abstract A ceramic exhaust trap regenerator provides a push-pull heat channeling method of transferring heat to and through the ceramic monolith with a flow of super-heated air. The application of heat is controlled by pulling the hot air through the monolith and away from the downstream side of the monolith through a vacuum hose. The regeneration process is started and completely controlled by an off-board mobile regeneration console with the engine off. The console is a wheeled cart with attachments that include an air heater, vacuum and positive pressure air pumps with attaching hoses, a temperature-actuated relay, a particulate filter, process timers, a heat exchanger, a cooling fan, and an electrical controller.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert R. Marino, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 08:08
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01N; F01N3/00; F01N3/02; F01N3/021; F01N3/023; F01N3/08; F01N3/10; F01N3/24; F01N3/28; F01N3/2882; F01N2250/00; F01N2250/02; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A50/00; Y02A50/20; Y10; Y10S; Y10S55/00; Y10S55/10; Y10S55/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
An apparatus for regenerating a filter trap used to collect particles from the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine, comprising: an outer casing containing a filter trap centrally located therein, said casing having entrance and exit ports, the entrance port connected to and receiving exhaust gas from an exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine and the exit port connected to and discharging filtered exhaust gas into a tailpipe; means for providing a flow of super-heated air to a point just upstream of the filter trap to ignite particulates contained therein; and a vacuum pump connected to said casing just downstream of said filter trap to assist the flow of said super-heated air through the filter trap and to draw off said exhaust gas.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
125 words
An apparatus for regenerating a filter trap used to collect particles from the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine, comprising: an outer casing containing a filter trap centrally located therein, said casing having entrance and exit ports, the entrance port connected to and receiving exhaust gas from an exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine and the exit port connected to and discharging filtered exhaust gas into a tailpipe; means for providing a flow of super-heated air to a point just upstream of the filter trap to ignite particulates contained therein; and a vacuum pump connected to said casing just downstream of said filter trap to assist the flow of said super-heated air through the filter trap and to draw off said exhaust gas.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The filter trap regenerating apparatus of claim 1, further including a vacuum air hose which is detachably connected between said vacuum pump and an outside of the casing just downstream of said filter trap.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The filter trap regenerating apparatus of claim 2, wherein said means for providing a flow of super-heated air to said filter trap comprises an air delivery hose detachably connected to the outside of the casing just upstream of said filter trap.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The filter trap regenerating apparatus of claim 3, further including a transversally extending air channeling tube affixed to an inside of said casing just upstream of said filter trap and connected to said air delivery hose, said tube including ports facing said filter trap for directing said super-heated air thereto.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The filter trap regenerating apparatus of claim 4, further including a vacuum probe affixed to said casing in fluid communication with said vacuum air hose and extending inside of said casing just downstream of said filter trap.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The filter trap regenerating apparatus of claim 5, wherein said filter trap is a ceramic monolith having a honeycomb structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The filter trap regenerating apparatus of claim 6, further including means for measuring pressure within said casing at points just upstream of, and just downstream of, said filter trap.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The filter trap regenerating apparatus of claim 7, further including a tailpipe valve for closing off airflow through said tailpipe downstream of said vacuum probe.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
The filter trap regenerating apparatus of claim 8, further including a regeneration console detachably connected to said filter trap casing by said air delivery hose and said vacuum air hose, said console containing an air pump connected to said air delivery hose for providing super-heated air to said filter trap, and further including said vacuum pump for drawing the exhaust gas from a downstream side of said filter trap.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The filter trap regenerating apparatus of claim 9, further including an air-heating element affixed to an end of said air delivery hose adjacent to said casing for heating the flow of air through said air delivery hose to a temperature of at least 1,000 degrees F.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
The filter trap regenerating apparatus of claim 10, wherein said air and vacuum pump within said console are controlled by a timer switch which interrupts an electrical supply to said pumps to limit operating to said pumps to a preset time.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The filter trap regenerating apparatus of claim 11, further including a controller interconnecting a temperature sensor on said filter trap, said air pumps, said timer switch and said heating element to control the heat within said filter trap.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The filter trap regenerating apparatus of claim 12, wherein said temperature sensor is located centrally within said filter trap which signals said controller.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The filter trap regenerating apparatus of claim 13, further including means within said console for cooling and filtering said vacuum hose airflow upstream of said vacuum pump.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The filter trap regenerating apparatus of claim 14, wherein said console is carried on a wheeled cart.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The filter trap regenerating apparatus of claim 15, wherein said hoses are flexible.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for regenerating a filter trap used to collect particles from the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine comprising: providing an outer casing containing a filter trap centrally located therein, said casing having entrance and exit ports, the entrance port connected to and receiving exhaust gas from an exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine and the exit port connected to and discharging filtered exhaust gas into a tailpipe; providing a flow of super-heated air to a point just upstream of the filter trap to ignite particulates contained therein; and applying a vacuum just downstream of said filter trap with a vacuum pump to assist the flow of super-heated air through the filter trap and to draw off said exhaust gas.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for regenerating a filter trap used to collect particles from the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine comprising: providing an outer casing containing a filter trap centrally located therein, said casing having entrance and exit ports, the entrance port connected to and receiving exhaust gas from an exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine and the exit port connected to and discharging filtered exhaust gas into a tailpipe; providing a flow of super-heated air to a point just upstream of the filter trap to ignite particulates contained therein; and applying a vacuum just downstream of said filter trap with a vacuum pump to assist the flow of super-heated air through the filter trap and to draw off said exhaust gas.
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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) | 1998-03-13 | 1998-09-12 | 1999-03-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-03-13 | 2002-09-12 | 2003-03-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-03-13 | 2006-09-12 | 2007-03-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |