U.S. patent application number 11/956369 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-23 for fluid heating device and exhaust gas purifying apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to DENSO CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Kazunori SUZUKI.
Application Number | 20080256937 11/956369 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39768064 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080256937 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SUZUKI; Kazunori |
October 23, 2008 |
FLUID HEATING DEVICE AND EXHAUST GAS PURIFYING APPARATUS
Abstract
A fluid heating device includes a heating part and a plurality
of heat transfer sections. The heating part is disposed in a fluid
stored in a container and is elongated in an axial direction for
heating the fluid between a lower portion and an upper portion of
the container by being supplied with electricity. The heat transfer
sections arranged along the axial direction of the heating part.
Each of the heat transfer sections has a plate shape extending from
the heating part to a radial outside of the heating part
approximately perpendicularly to the axial direction of the heating
part.
Inventors: |
SUZUKI; Kazunori;
(Nagoya-city, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NIXON & VANDERHYE, PC
901 NORTH GLEBE ROAD, 11TH FLOOR
ARLINGTON
VA
22203
US
|
Assignee: |
DENSO CORPORATION
Kariya-city
JP
|
Family ID: |
39768064 |
Appl. No.: |
11/956369 |
Filed: |
December 14, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
60/300 ;
392/455 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F01N 2610/02 20130101;
F01N 13/02 20130101; Y02T 10/24 20130101; F01N 3/105 20130101; F01N
2610/10 20130101; F01N 3/2066 20130101; B60K 2015/03427 20130101;
F01N 2610/1406 20130101; B60K 13/04 20130101; F01N 13/0093
20140601; F01N 2610/14 20130101; Y02A 50/2325 20180101; F01N 3/106
20130101; Y02A 50/20 20180101; Y02T 10/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
60/300 ;
392/455 |
International
Class: |
F01N 3/28 20060101
F01N003/28; F24H 1/20 20060101 F24H001/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 19, 2007 |
JP |
2007-110689 |
Claims
1. A fluid heating device comprising: a heating part disposed in a
fluid stored in a container and elongated in an axial direction for
heating the fluid between a lower portion and an upper portion of
the container by being supplied with electricity; and a plurality
of heat transfer sections arranged along the axial direction of the
heating part, wherein each of the heat transfer sections has a
plate shape extending from the heating part to a radial outside of
the heating part approximately perpendicularly to the axial
direction of the heating part.
2. The fluid heating device according to claim 1, wherein: one of
the heat transfer sections extending from a lower portion of the
heating part has a dimension larger than that of another one of the
heat transfer sections extending from an upper portion of the
heating part, in a radial direction of the heating part.
3. The fluid heating device according to claim 1, wherein, each of
the heat transfer sections has a plurality of through holes.
4. The fluid heating device according to claim 1, wherein: the heat
transfer sections are made of a material having a high thermal
conductivity.
5. The fluid heating device according to claim 1, further
comprising: a tank for defining the container, the tank having an
inlet portion from which the fluid is introduced, and an outlet
portion from which the fluid flows out, wherein: the heating part
is located at a position near the outlet portion.
6. The fluid heating device according to claim 1, wherein: the
heating part has an approximately cylindrical shape elongated in
the axial direction; and the heat transfer sections are separated
from each other in the axial direction.
7. An exhaust gas purifying apparatus for purifying exhaust gas
passing through an exhaust pipe from an engine comprising: a
reducing catalyst disposed in the exhaust pipe; a reducing agent
supplying device disposed to extend into the exhaust pipe on an
upstream side of a flow of exhaust gas with respect to the reducing
catalyst, for supplying a reducing agent into the exhaust pipe; a
tank for storing the reducing agent therein; a supply passage
connecting the reducing agent supplying device and the tank; and
the fluid heating device according to claim 1 disposed in the tank
to heat the reducing agent.
8. The exhaust gas purifying apparatus according to claim 7,
wherein: the reducing agent includes a urea aqueous solution.
9. A fluid heating device comprising: a heating part disposed in a
fluid stored in a container and elongated in an axial direction for
heating the fluid between a lower portion and an upper portion of
the container by being supplied with electricity; and a heat
transfer section located on the heating part and having a spiral
shape extending along the axial direction of the heating part.
10. The fluid heating device according to claim 9, wherein: the
heat transfer section has an upper part and a lower part in the
axial direction of the heating part and the upper part has a
dimension smaller than that of the lower part in a radial direction
of the heating part.
11. The fluid heating device according to claim 9, wherein: the
heat transfer section has a plurality of through holes.
12. The fluid heating device according to claim 9, wherein: the
heat transfer section is made of a material having a high thermal
conductivity.
13. The fluid heating device according to claim 9, further
comprising: a tank for defining the container, the tank having an
inlet portion from which the fluid is introduced, and an outlet
portion from which the fluid flows out, wherein: the heating part
is located at a position near the outlet portion.
14. The fluid heating device according to claim 9, wherein: the
heat transfer section continuously extends in the spiral shape
along the axial direction.
15. An exhaust gas purifying apparatus for purifying exhaust gas
passing through an exhaust pipe from an engine, comprising: a
reducing catalyst disposed in the exhaust pipe; a reducing agent
supplying device disposed to extend into the exhaust pipe on an
upstream side of a flow of exhaust gas with respect to the reducing
catalyst, for supplying a reducing agent into the exhaust pipe; a
tank for storing the reducing agent therein; a supply passage
connecting the reducing agent supplying device and the tank; and
the fluid heating device according to claim 9 disposed in the tank
to heat the reducing agent.
16. The exhaust gas purifying apparatus according to claim 15,
wherein: the reducing agent includes a urea aqueous solution.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No.
2007-110689 filed on Apr. 19, 2007, the content of which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a fluid heating device and
an exhaust gas purifying apparatus including the fluid heating
device.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Conventionally, an exhaust gas purifying apparatus using a
urea reducing catalyst, such as a urea SCR (selective catalytic
reduction) system, is suitably used for reducing nitrogen oxide
(NOx) in exhaust gas from a vehicle engine. In an example of the
conventional urea SCR system 9 shown in FIG. 9, a SCR catalyst 620
is disposed in an exhaust pipe 60. The SCR catalyst 620 reduces
urea selectivity by an action of a reducing agent. An injection
valve 40 is disposed on an inlet side of the SCR catalyst 620, for
supplying a urea aqueous solution 20 from the tank 900. The urea
aqueous solution 20 supplied into the exhaust pipe 60 is thermally
decomposed and hydrolyzed, and thereby ammonia is generated. The
generated ammonia removes NOx at the SCR catalyst 620.
[0006] The urea aqueous solution 20 as a reducing agent is stored
in the tank 900, and is supplied via a supply passage 904 to the
injection valve 40 after passing through a filter (not shown). The
urea aqueous solution 20 is harmless and is easy to handle compared
with ammonia. Thus, the urea aqueous solution 20 can be suitably
used for the urea SCR system 9. Specifically, about 32.5% urea
aqueous solution is mainly used because it has the lowest frozen
temperature (i.e., about -11.degree. C.).
[0007] However, when the urea SCR system 9 is used at an extremely
low temperature environment, e.g., a cold region or midwinter, a
temperature of the urea aqueous solution 20 may decrease under the
frozen temperature (about -11.degree. C.) at portions adjacent to a
bottom and a wall of the tank 900. Thus, the urea aqueous solution
20 may be frozen locally or wholly in the tank 900. Therefore, it
is required for restricting the freezing of the urea aqueous
solution 20 at a low temperature.
[0008] For example, an electric heater 910 may be disposed in the
tank 900 for heating the urea aqueous solution 20. However, the
electric heater 910 can melt only a part of the frozen urea aqueous
solution 20 that is located at a position near the electric heater
910.
[0009] US 2007/0059222 A (corresponding to JP-2005-351253A)
discloses an exhaust gas purifying apparatus in which a heat
transfer medium heated by an engine is circulated and heat
exchanges with a liquid reducing agent stored in a container and
thereby the liquid reducing agent is restricted from freezing. When
a vehicle is running stably, heat from the engine is sufficient to
restrict the liquid reducing agent from freezing. However, just
after starting the engine, a temperature of the engine as a heat
source is low. Thus, a temperature of a coolant as the heat
transfer medium is also low and may not have enough heat quantity
to melt the liquid reducing agent.
[0010] Alternatively, US 2007/0035832 A (corresponding to
JP-2005-282413A) discloses an exhaust gas purifying apparatus that
has a main tank having a urea aqueous solution therein and a sub
tank having a smaller capacity than the main tank and disposed in
the main tank. The sub tank stores the urea aqueous solution
supplied from the main tank and melts a frozen urea aqueous
solution by using an electric heater. The frozen urea aqueous is
rapidly melted in the small sub tank. However, the exhaust gas
purifying apparatus has a complicated structure. Additionally, the
urea aqueous solution in the sub tank may have different
concentration with that in the main tank, and a concentration of
the urea aqueous solution supplied to exhaust gas may be
unstable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide a fluid
heating device that has a high thermal efficiency with a simple
structure. Another object of the invention is to provide an exhaust
gas purifying apparatus for purifying exhaust gas from an engine
that can stably supply a reducing agent to exhaust gas even just
after the engine is started in a low temperature environment.
[0012] According to a first aspect of the invention, a fluid
heating device includes a heating part and a plurality of heat
transfer sections. The heating part is disposed in a fluid stored
in a container and is elongated in an axial direction for heating
the fluid between a lower portion and an upper portion of the
container by being supplied with electricity. The heat transfer
sections arranged along the axial direction of the heating part.
Each of the heat transfer sections has a plate shape extending from
the heating part to a radial outside of the heating part
approximately perpendicularly to the axial direction of the heating
part.
[0013] When the heating part is supplied with electricity, heat of
the heating part is transferred to the heat transfer sections.
Thus, the fluid is heated by the heat transfer sections in addition
to the heating part, and thereby a frozen fluid in the container
can be melted rapidly.
[0014] According to a second aspect of the invention, a fluid
heating device includes a heating part and a heat transfer section.
The heating part is disposed in a fluid stored in a container and
is elongated in an axial direction for heating the fluid between a
lower portion and an upper portion of the container by being
supplied with electricity. The heat transfer section is located on
the heating part and has a spiral shape extending along the axial
direction of the heating part.
[0015] When the heating pad is supplied with electricity, a flow of
the fluid is generated due to a thermal conviction, and the fluid
flows spirally along the spiral shape of the heat transfer section.
Thus, the fluid in the container is stirred and a frozen fluid is
melted effectively.
[0016] According to a third aspect of the invention, an exhaust gas
purifying apparatus includes a reducing catalyst, a reducing agent
supplying device, a tank for storing the reducing agent therein, a
supply passage connecting the reducing agent supplying device and
the tank, and one of the above-described fluid heating devices for
heating the fluid in the tank. The reducing catalyst is disposed in
the exhaust pipe, and the reducing agent supplying device is
arranged to extend into the exhaust pipe on an upstream side of a
flow of exhaust gas with respect to the reducing catalyst, for
supplying a reducing agent into the exhaust pipe.
[0017] The exhaust gas purifying apparatus can stably supply the
reducing agent to exhaust gas even just after the engine is started
in a low temperature environment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] Additional objects and advantages of the present invention
will be more readily apparent from the following detailed
description of preferred embodiments when taken together with the
accompanying drawings. In the drawings:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a partially sectional view of a heating device
according to a first embodiment of the invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exhaust gas purifying
apparatus according to the first embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state of a urea
aqueous solution in the heating device when the urea aqueous
solution is almost frozen;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a state of the urea
aqueous solution in the heating device after the whole urea aqueous
solution is melted;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a heat generator according
to a second embodiment of the invention;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a state of the urea
aqueous solution in a heating device according to the second
embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a heating device
according to a third embodiment of the invention;
[0026] FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic diagrams showing a heating
device according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; and
[0027] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of an exhaust gas purifying
apparatus according to a related art.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
First Embodiment
[0028] Referring to FIG. 1, a heating device 10 according to a
first embodiment of the invention will be now described. The
heating device 10 is suitably used for heating a urea aqueous
solution 20, for example. The heating device 10 includes a tank 100
and a heat generator 110. The heat generator 110 includes a heating
part 115 having a bottomed cylindrical shape, an insulating member
114 disposed in the heating part 115, a heat-generating element 111
having a rod shape and disposed in the heating part 115 through the
insulating member 114, and a plurality of heat transfer sections
116. Each of the heat transfer sections 116 has a plate shape
extending from an outer peripheral side of the heating part 115 to
a radial outside of the heating part 115. A length of the heat
generator 110 is set so that the heat generator 110 can heat the
urea aqueous solution 20 between an upper portion and a lower
portion of the tank 100. Each of the heat transfer sections 116 has
a plurality of opening portions 117.
[0029] The heat transfer sections 116 are plates, for example,
arranged in an axial direction of the heating part 115 in plural
layers to be parallel with each other. For example, a lower one of
the heat transfer sections 116 may have the larger outside
diameter. Alternatively, the lower one of the heat transfer
sections 116 may have the more opening portions 117. The numbers of
the heat transfer sections 116 and the opening portions 117 are not
limited to those shown in the example of FIG. 1. The plural heat
transfer sections 116 can be separated from each other in the axial
direction at equal distance or different distances.
[0030] The heat-generating element 111 is fixed in the heating part
115 by a sealing member 113. The heat-generating element 111 is
connected with a control device (ECU) 50 in FIG. 2 through a pair
of conductive wires 112.
[0031] At upper portions of the tank 100, an opening part 103 and
an inlet part 101 are provided. The heat generator 110 is inserted
in the tank 100 through the opening part 103 and is fixed to a
cover 118. The cover 118 seals the opening part 103 through a
sealing member 120 by using bolts 119, after the heat generator 110
is inserted into the tank 100.
[0032] The urea aqueous solution 20 is filled in the tank 100
through the inlet part 101. The inlet part 101 is sealed by a cap
102 having a vent 121. The vent 121 has a check valve 122 for
providing ventilation into the tank 100. At a lower portion of the
tank 100, a first supply passage 104 for supplying the urea aqueous
solution 20 to an injection valve 40 is disposed. It is preferred
that the first supply passage 104 is disposed adjacent to the heat
generator 110.
[0033] The tank 100, the heating part 115, and the heat transfer
sections 116 may be made of a material having a corrosion
resistance to the urea aqueous solution, e.g., stainless.
Alternatively, the heat transfer sections 116 may be made of a
ceramic that has a high thermal conductivity in addition to a
corrosion resistance, e.g., alumina or aluminum nitride.
[0034] An exhaust gas purifying apparatus 1 according to the first
embodiment will now be described with reference to FIG. 2. The
exhaust gas purifying apparatus 1 may be suitably used for
purifying exhaust gas from an engine, e.g., a multicylinder engine
(not shown).
[0035] Exhaust gas from the engine passes through the exhaust gas
purifying apparatus 1 disposed at an exhaust pipe 60 and flows out
to an outside of the vehicle. The exhaust gas purifying apparatus 1
has a first oxidization catalyst 610, a urea reduction catalyst
(SCR catalyst) 620, and a second oxidization catalyst 630, for
purifying NOx in exhaust gas. The first oxidization catalyst 610,
the SCR catalyst 620, and the second oxidization catalyst 630 are
arranged in the exhaust pipe 60 in this order from an upstream side
of a gas flow. The first oxidization catalyst 610 oxidizes nitrogen
monoxide (NO) in exhaust gas into nitrogen dioxide (NO.sub.2) for
increasing NO.sub.2 ratio in NOx and facilitating a reduction
reaction of NOx by the SCR catalyst 620. Additionally, the first
oxidization catalyst 610 oxidizes a carbon hydride (HC) and carbon
monoxide (CO). The SCR catalyst 620 and the second oxidization
catalyst 630 may be formed integrally or separately.
[0036] The SCR catalyst 620 reduces and purifies NOx by using a
reducing agent. Thus, an injection valve 40 for supplying the
reducing agent to the SCR catalyst 620 is arranged to extend into
the exhaust pipe 60 at a position between the first oxidization
catalyst 610 and the SCR catalyst 620.
[0037] In the exhaust gas purifying apparatus 1, urea as a
precursor of ammonia is used as the reducing agent. Thus, the urea
aqueous solution 20, which is easy to handle compared with urea, is
supplied into the exhaust pipe 60 from the injection valve 40. The
second oxidization catalyst 630 oxidizes and purifies ammonia
generated from urea and passing through the SCR catalyst 620
without reacting with NOx, and thereby ammonia is not discharged to
the outside of the vehicle.
[0038] The urea aqueous solution 20 to be supplied to the injection
valve 40 is stored in the tank 100. The tank 100 and the injection
valve 40 are connected through the first supply passage 104, a pump
30, and a second supply passage 106. The urea aqueous solution 20
is drawn from the tank 100 by an operation of the pump 30, which is
disposed on a downstream side of a flow of the urea aqueous
solution 20, and is supplied to the injection valve 40 through a
filter (not shown) disposed at the second supply passage 106.
[0039] At an upper portion of the tank 100, a first return passage
105 is connected. When a supply pressure of the injection valve 40
is higher than a predetermined pressure, the injection valve 40 is
opened and a surplus urea aqueous solution 20 flows back to the
tank 100 through a second return passage 107 and the first return
passage 105. The injection valve 40 may have an air-assist type
valve structure, for example. When the injection valve 40 has the
air-assist type valve structure, the injection valve 40 is
connected with the second supply passage 106 and an air supply
passage (not shown). The injection valve 40 is supplied with air
from the air supply passage, and a nozzle portion at an end of the
injection valve 40 is opened or closed for supplying the urea
aqueous solution 20 into the exhaust pipe 60.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 2, the injection valve 40 is arranged to
incline with respect to the exhaust pipe 60. Thus, an injection
direction of the nozzle portion, which extends into the exhaust
pipe 60, is approximately parallel to a direction of the gas flow,
so that the urea aqueous solution 20 can be supplied to the whole
surface of the SCR catalyst 620 on an inlet side. The injected urea
aqueous solution 20 is thermally decomposed and hydrolyzed by heat
of exhaust gas, and thereby ammonia is generated as shown in
formulas (1) and (2).
(NH.sub.2).sub.2CO+H.sub.2O.fwdarw.NH.sub.3+NHCO (1)
NHCO+H.sub.2O.fwdarw.NH.sub.3+CO.sub.2 (2)
[0041] The generated ammonia functions as the reducing agent for
NOx at the SCR catalyst 620 and promotes a reduction reaction shown
in formula (3).
NO+NO.sub.2+2NH.sub.3.fwdarw.N.sub.2+3H.sub.2O (3)
[0042] Ammonia passing through the SCR catalyst 620 without
reacting with NOx is removed at the second oxidation catalyst 630
as shown in formula (4).
4NH.sub.3+3O.sub.2.fwdarw.2N.sub.2+6H.sub.2O (4)
[0043] The tank 100 is a closed container having a predetermined
capacity, and having therein the urea aqueous solution 20 as a
precursor of ammonia. As the urea aqueous solution 20, about 32.5%
urea aqueous solution, which has the lowest frozen temperature
(about -11.degree. C.), is generally used. When the exhaust gas
purifying apparatus 1 is used in an extremely low temperature
environment, e.g., a cold region, a temperature of the urea aqueous
solution 20 may decrease under the frozen temperature, and a part
of the urea aqueous solution 20 may be frozen. Thereby, a
concentration of the urea aqueous solution 20 supplying to the
injection valve 40 may be unstable. In the low temperature
environment, a temperature of the urea aqueous solution 20 is
decreased from portions adjacent to a bottom surface and a wall
surface of the tank 100, which are exposed to an outside air, and
solid urea may be generated due to freezing or uneven temperature.
In this case, a concentration of an unfrozen urea aqueous solution
20 drawn from the tank 100 may be higher than a predetermined
concentration. In contrast, when the whole urea aqueous solution 20
is melted, the concentration may be lower than the predetermined
concentration.
[0044] Thus, the heating device 10 is provided for heating urea
aqueous solution 20 in the tank 100. The control device 50 controls
electricity supplied to the heat generator 110 based on a freezing
monitoring information of the urea aqueous solution 20, so that the
urea aqueous solution 20 is not frozen in the tank 100. As a power
source of the heating device 10, a vehicle battery (not shown) or
an alternator (not shown) may be used.
[0045] For example, a freezing monitor for monitoring a freezing
state of the urea aqueous solution 20 may be a temperature detector
(not shown) for detecting the temperature of the urea aqueous
solution 20 at a lower portion of the tank 100 and the detected
temperature may be output to the control device 50. Alternatively,
the freezing monitor may be another temperature detector (not
shown) for detecting a temperature of outside air, and the detected
temperature may be output to the control device 50.
[0046] The heat generator 110 is supplied with electricity for
heating the urea aqueous solution 20 in the tank 100 when the
control device 50 determines that the urea aqueous solution 20 has
a possibility of freezing and an operation of the heating device 10
is required, based on the detected temperature of the urea aqueous
solution 20 or the outside air.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 3, when the urea aqueous solution 20 in the
tank 100 is almost frozen and then the heat generator 100 is
supplied with electricity, a frozen urea aqueous solution 21 is
widely melted by receiving heat from a surface of the heating part
115 and surfaces of the heat transfer sections 116 extending
radially outwardly from the heating part 115. Additionally, the
dimension of the lower one of the heat transfer sections 116 is
larger than that of the upper one of the heat transfer sections 116
in the radial direction. When the urea aqueous solution 20 heated
by the lower one of the heat transfer sections 116 convects upward,
the urea aqueous solution 20 is not interrupted by the upper one of
the heat transfer sections 116. Thus, the urea aqueous solution 20
is stirred due to a thermal conviction from the lower portion to
the upper portion of the heating part 115, and unevenness in the
temperature and concentration of the urea aqueous solution 20 can
be reduced. As a result, the urea aqueous solution 20 is melted
easily and is restricted from refreezing.
[0048] Additionally, each of the heat transfer sections 116 has the
plural through holes 117. Thus, a surface area of the heat transfer
section 116 increases and a melting rate of the urea aqueous
solution 20 further increases. In addition, the urea aqueous
solution 20 passes through the trough holes 117, and thereby the
urea aqueous solution 20 convicts rapidly and a melting rate of the
urea aqueous solution 20 further increases. Furthermore, because
the first supply passage 104 is provided just under the heat
generator 110, the urea aqueous solution 20 can be supplied even
just after the engine is started.
[0049] When the whole urea aqueous solution 20 in the tank 100 is
melted, as shown in FIG. 4, a flow of the urea aqueous solution 20
is generated by the thermal conviction. Thus, the unevenness in the
temperature and concentration of the urea aqueous solution 20 is
further reduced, and the urea aqueous solution 20 is restricted
from freezing.
[0050] The tank 100 may be covered by a thermal insulation member
(not shown) so that the temperature in the tank 100 is restricted
from decreasing.
Second Embodiment
[0051] In the heat generator 110 in FIG. 1, the plural heat
transfer sections 116, which extend from the heating part 115 to
the radial outside of the heating part 115, are arranged to be
parallel to each other along the axial direction of the heating
part 115. Alternatively, the plural heat transfer sections 116 may
be located to be connected without being limited to the shape shown
in the example of FIG. 1.
[0052] In a heat generator 110a of a second embodiment of the
invention shown in FIG. 5, a heat transfer section 116a has a
single spiral plate shape located on the heating part 115 and
extending along the axial direction of the heating part 115.
[0053] The heat transfer section 116a extends continuously in a
spiral shape to have an upper part and a lower part in the axial
direction of the heating part 115. The upper part of the heat
transfer section 116a may have a dimension smaller than that of the
lower part, in the radial direction of the heating part 115. The
heat transfer section 116a may have a plurality of through holes
117.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 6, a heating device 10a according to the
second embodiment includes the heat generator 110a instead of the
heat generator 110 in FIG. 1. When the heating device 110a is
operated, the flow of the urea aqueous solution 20 is generated due
to the thermal conviction, and the urea aqueous solution 20 flows
spirally along the shape of the heat transfer section 116a. Thus,
the urea aqueous solution 20 in the tank 100 is stirred, and the
temperature and concentration of the urea aqueous solution 20 are
homogenized.
[0055] The heat transfer section 116a may be divided into plural
parts each having a spiral shape extending along the heating part
115, and separated from each other in the axial direction of the
heating part 115.
Third Embodiment
[0056] In a heating device 10b in a third embodiment of the
invention, a heat generator 110b are disposed at a bottom portion
of a tank 100b, as shown in FIG. 7. That is, the heat generator
110b is inserted into the tank 100b via the bottom portion, and is
fixed to the bottom portion. A cover 118b, bolts 119b, a sealing
member 120b, and a first supply passage 104b in FIG. 7 are
similarly with the cover 118, bolts 119, the sealing member 120,
and the first supply passage 104 of the heating device 10 in FIG.
1, respectively. The heating device 10b has similar effects with
those of the heating device 10.
Fourth Embodiment
[0057] A heating device 10c according to a fourth embodiment of the
invention includes a heat generator 110c having a plurality of
heat-generating elements 111c and a level sensor 130 for monitoring
a volume of the urea aqueous solution 20. The level sensor 130
outputs a detected volume to a control device 50c, and the control
device 50c controls electricity supplied to the heat generator 110c
so that a thermal quantity is appropriate for the volume of the
urea aqueous solution 20. For example, when a level of the urea
aqueous solution 20 is high, the control device 50c controls the
electricity supply so that the heat generator 110c generates heat
from an upper portion to a lower portion. In contrast, when the
level of the urea aqueous solution 20 is low, the control device
50c controls the electricity supply so that the heat generator 110c
generates heat only at the lower portion. In this case, an energy
efficiency of the heating device 110c is improved, a surplus
heating can be prevented when the level of the urea aqueous
solution 20 is low, and a precipitation of urea is restricted.
[0058] In the above-described embodiments, the heating devices 10,
10a, 10b, and 10c are typically used for the exhaust gas purifying
apparatus, such as the urea SCR system shown in FIG. 2. However,
the heating devices 10, 10a, 10b, and 10c can be used for any type
SCR system.
[0059] The heat transfer section 116a described in the second
embodiment can be also used for the heat generator 110b or
110c.
[0060] Such changes and modifications are to be understood as being
within the scope of the present invention as defined by the
appended claims.
* * * * *