Exhaust gas combustor

Claim 1

An exhaust combuster for burning the exhaust gases emitted into an exhaust tube of a predetermined cross-sectional area from an internal combustion engine, the combuster comprising: a. a combustion chamber of a cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of the exhaust tube; b. an inlet port in the combustion chamber and of a cross-sectional area approximately the same size as the cross-sectional area of the exhaust tube; c. a flame holder in the combustion chamber and positioned to direct the exhaust gases entering through the inlet port, comprising a plate positioned downstream of the inlet port for intercepting the exhaust gases as they enter into the combustion chamber, wherein the plate is a disk positioned in coaxial relationship with the inlet port and is of a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the combustion chamber, the disk including a plurality of openings therein, through which the exhaust gases pass, the openings configured to create a turbulent flow downstream of the disk and in the combustion chamber, wherein the plurality of openings in the disk comprise. (i) a first set of openings each including a fin associated therewith for directing the exhaust gases in a clockwise direction about the axis of the combustion chamber, (ii) a second set of openings each including a fin associated therewith for directing the exhaust gases in a clockwise direction about the axis of the combustion chamber; d. an igniter in the combustion chamber and positioned in the flow of exhaust gases generated by the flame holder, whereby the exhaust gases are ignited and burned in the combustion chamber; and e. an outlet port for releasing the burned exhaust gases from the combustion chamber.