US5404720A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Alternator powered electrically heated catalyst
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
•
Filing: 1993-08-16
•
Granted: 1995-04-11
•
Expires: 2013-08-16
Abstract
Abstract An assembly is disclosed for reducing emissions produced by an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. The assembly comprises a catalyst, a battery, an alternator, and a control relay. The catalyst is disposed in a catalytic converter downstream of the engine and receives exhaust gases therefrom. The catalyst is disposed proximate a substrate of the catalytic converter, which heats the catalyst when electrical power is supplied to the substrate. The alternator is in selective electrical communication with the battery and with the substrate, and is electrically connectable to the substrate to supply power thereto when the engine is operating. The control relay puts the alternator in electrical communication with either the battery, or with the substrate when the engine is started. A voltage regulator is also preferably provided in communication with the battery and with the alternator.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul M. Laing
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 16:51
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01N; F01N3/00; F01N3/08; F01N3/10; F01N3/18; F01N3/20; F01N3/2006; F01N3/2013; F01N9/00; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A50/00; Y02A50/20; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12; Y02T10/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
An assembly for reducing emissions produced by an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, the assembly comprising: a catalyst disposed downstream of the engine and adapted to receive exhaust gases therefrom; heating means disposed proximate the catalyst for heating the catalyst when electrical power is supplied to the heating means; a battery for selectively powering electrical systems of the vehicle; an alternator; switching means for putting the alternator in electrical communication with the battery or with the heating means; a voltage regulator in communication with the alternator; and an electronic controller in communication with the voltage regulator for regulating the operating voltage of the alternator according at least to the age of the catalyst.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
An assembly for reducing emissions produced by an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, the assembly comprising: a catalyst disposed downstream of the engine and adapted to receive exhaust gases therefrom; heating means disposed proximate the catalyst for heating the catalyst when electrical power is supplied to the heating means; a battery for selectively powering electrical systems of the vehicle; an alternator; switching means for putting the alternator in electrical communication with the battery or with the heating means; a voltage regulator in communication with the alternator; and an electronic controller in communication with the voltage regulator for regulating the operating voltage of the alternator according at least to the age of the catalyst.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein the switching means puts the alternator in electrical communication with the heating means when the engine is started.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein the switching means comprises a control relay.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein the alternator is electrically connected to the heating means within two seconds after the engine is started.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein the alternator is electrically connected to the heating means for up to thirty seconds after the engine is started.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The assembly of claim 1 further comprising means for sensing the operating voltage of the battery.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The assembly of claim 6 wherein the means for sensing comprises the voltage regulator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The assembly of claim 6 wherein the alternator is connected to the battery when the operating voltage of the battery falls below a predetermined level.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The assembly of claim 8 wherein the predetermined level is 11 volts.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein the alternator generates between about 30 and 70 volts when connected to the heating means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The assembly of claim 10 wherein the voltage generated by the alternator is a function of the speed at which the engine is operating.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein the alternator has a first relatively lower speed and a second relatively higher speed when connected to the heating means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein the heating means comprises a substrate of a catalytic converter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The assembly of claim 13 wherein the substrate has a resistance of about 0.5 ohms.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
149 words
An assembly for reducing emissions produced by an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, the assembly comprising: a catalyst disposed in a catalytic converter downstream of the engine and adapted to receive exhaust gases therefrom; a battery for selectively powering electrical systems of the vehicle; an alternator in selective electrical communication with the battery and with a substrate of the catalytic converter, the alternator being electrically connectable to the substrate to supply power thereto when the engine is operating; a control relay for putting the alternator in electrical communication with the battery or with the substrate, the control relay putting the alternator in electrical communication with the substrate when the engine is started; a voltage regulator in communication with the alternator; and an electronic controller in communication with the voltage regulator for regulating the power supplied by the alternator according at least to the age of the catalyst.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
149 words
An assembly for reducing emissions produced by an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, the assembly comprising: a catalyst disposed in a catalytic converter downstream of the engine and adapted to receive exhaust gases therefrom; a battery for selectively powering electrical systems of the vehicle; an alternator in selective electrical communication with the battery and with a substrate of the catalytic converter, the alternator being electrically connectable to the substrate to supply power thereto when the engine is operating; a control relay for putting the alternator in electrical communication with the battery or with the substrate, the control relay putting the alternator in electrical communication with the substrate when the engine is started; a voltage regulator in communication with the alternator; and an electronic controller in communication with the voltage regulator for regulating the power supplied by the alternator according at least to the age of the catalyst.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The assembly of claim 15 wherein the alternator generates between about 30 to 70 volts when connected to the resistor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The assembly of claim 16 wherein the voltage generated by the alternator is a function of the speed at which the engine is operating.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The assembly of claim 15 wherein the alternator has a first relatively lower speed and a second relatively higher speed when connected to the resistor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The assembly of claim 16 wherein the substrate has a resistance of about 0.5 ohms.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4673797A
Cited
US4862055A
Cited
US4911894A
Cited
US5094074A
Cited
US5265418A
Cited
US5072098A
Cited
US5155995A
Cited
USH1113H
Cited
US5327991A
Cited
US5163290A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-04-10 | 1998-10-10 | 1999-04-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-04-10 | 2002-10-10 | 2003-04-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-04-10 | 2006-10-10 | 2007-04-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |