U.S. patent application number 12/210220 was filed with the patent office on 2010-03-18 for carbon deposition elimination method.
Invention is credited to WEN-LO CHEN.
Application Number | 20100064666 12/210220 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42006002 |
Filed Date | 2010-03-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100064666 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHEN; WEN-LO |
March 18, 2010 |
CARBON DEPOSITION ELIMINATION METHOD
Abstract
A carbon deposition eliminating method includes the steps of: a)
providing an exhaust pipe having a waste gas inlet and an air inlet
at one end and an exhaust gas purifier at the other end and a
combustion chamber on the middle, b) using a sensor to detect the
pressure of the waste gas in the combustion chamber, c) enabling an
automatic control system to open the air inlet for guiding outside
fresh air into the combustion chamber when the waste gas pressure
in the combustion chamber is high, d) starting a flamethrower to
heat the combustion chamber to about 350.degree.
C..about.600.degree. C., e) enabling the heated high temperature
waste gas to pass through the exhaust gas purifier and to carry
cumulated carbon away from the exhaust gas purifier, and f)
enabling the automatic control system to close the air inlet and to
open the waste gas inlet for letting engine exhaust gas to pass
through the exhaust pipe when the waste gas pressure in the
combustion chamber drops below the predetermined pressure
level.
Inventors: |
CHEN; WEN-LO; (Taipei City,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LEONG C LEI
PMB # 1008, 1867 YGNACIO VALLEY ROAD
WALNUT CREEK
CA
94598
US
|
Family ID: |
42006002 |
Appl. No.: |
12/210220 |
Filed: |
September 15, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
60/286 ; 422/173;
60/311 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F01N 2240/14 20130101;
F01N 9/002 20130101; F01N 3/30 20130101; Y02T 10/40 20130101; Y02T
10/47 20130101; F01N 3/025 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
60/286 ; 60/311;
422/173 |
International
Class: |
F01N 3/023 20060101
F01N003/023; F01N 11/00 20060101 F01N011/00; F01N 3/30 20060101
F01N003/30 |
Claims
1. A carbon deposition eliminating method, comprising the steps of:
a) providing an exhaust pipe, said exhaust pipe comprising an input
end and an output end, a waste gas inlet and an air inlet provided
at said input end, an exhaust gas purifier disposed in said output
end, and a combustion chamber in communication between said waste
gas inlet and said air inlet at said input end and said exhaust gas
purifier in said output end; b) using a sensor to detect the
pressure of the waste gas being delivered through said combustion
chamber toward said exhaust-gas purifier; c) enabling an automatic
control system to open said air inlet for guiding outside fresh air
into said combustion chamber when the pressure of the waste gas
being delivered through said combustion chamber toward said
exhaust-gas purifier surpasses a predetermined pressure level; d)
starting a flamethrower to project a long controllable stream of
fire into said combustion chamber to heat said combustion chamber
to a temperature range of 350.degree. C..about.600.degree. C.; e)
enabling the heated waste gas to pass from said combustion chamber
through said exhaust gas purifier toward said output end of said
exhaust pipe to remove cumulated carbon from said exhaust gas
purifier; and f) enabling said automatic control system to close
said air inlet and to open said waste gas inlet for guiding a waste
gas from a diesel engine into said combustion chamber toward said
output end of said exhaust pipe via said exhaust gas purifier when
the pressure of the waste gas pressure of the waste gas being
delivered through said combustion chamber toward said exhaust-gas
purifier drops below said predetermined pressure level.
2. The carbon deposition eliminating method as claimed in claim 1,
wherein said automatic control system is provided with a timer and
a milometer for enabling a user to set a predetermined time
interval and a predetermined mileage so that when the set
predetermined time internal is up or when the travel distance of
the vehicle in which said exhaust pipe is installed reaches the set
mileage, said automatic control system opens said air inlet and
closes said waste gas inlet and then turns on said
flamethrower.
3. The carbon deposition eliminating method as claimed in claim 1,
wherein said air inlet has mounted therein a one-way valve to
prohibit reverse flow of intake air; said waste gas inlet has
mounted therein a one-way valve to prohibit reverse flow of intake
waste gas.
4. The carbon deposition eliminating method as claimed in claim 1,
wherein said sensor is a backpressure sensor.
5. The carbon deposition eliminating method as claimed in claim 1,
wherein said exhaust gas purifier is a honeycomb novel metal
catalyst converter.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] (a) Technical Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a carbon deposition
technology and more particularly, to a carbon deposition
eliminating method that effectively eliminates cumulated carbon
from the exhaust gas purifier of the exhaust pipe of a diesel
engine vehicle.
[0003] (b) Description of the Prior Art
[0004] A diesel engine discharges a big amount of waste gas to
pollute the atmosphere during operation. Exhaust gases in the
atmosphere causes a greenhouse effect, i.e., the rise in
temperature that the Earth experiences. A strong greenhouse effect
in the atmosphere makes the Earth warmer than usual. An extra
warning of the Earth may cause problems for humans, plants, and
animals. Since the late 20th century, the strong greenhouse effect
in the atmosphere has aroused great concern among people around
use. More particularly, the automotive industry has been
continuously proposing new measures to reduce the exhaust amount of
waste gas. One of the best way to reduce the exhaust amount of
waste gas from the diesel engine of a diesel vehicle is to install
an exhaust gas purifier in the exhaust pipe of the diesel vehicle.
However, carbon will deposit in the filter element of the exhaust
gas purifier to block the passage after a certain period of use,
thereby affecting exhausting effect and normal functioning of the
diesel engine.
[0005] When a certain amount of carbon is cumulated in the filter
element of the exhaust gas purifier of the exhaust pipe of a diesel
vehicle, the passage of the exhaust gas purifier will be partially
blocked, causing a rise in pressure (back pressure) in the exhaust
pipe. Therefore, a backpressure sensor may be installed in the
exhaust pipe of a diesel engine to detect the pressure level of the
waste gas in the filter element of the exhaust gas purifier,
monitoring the status of deposition of carbon. When the deposition
of carbon in the inside wall of the exhaust pipe reaches a certain
thickness, the backpressure sensor will detect a high level of back
pressure, and the engine management system will give a signal to
increase the working temperature of the diesel engine, thereby
burning out cumulated carbon. However, when a vehicle stops
frequently due to a poor traffic condition or frequently runs at
idle speed due to driver's personal driving habit, the low engine
speed cannot raise the engine working temperature for enabling the
cumulated carbon to be burned out. When an excessive amount of
carbon is cumulated in the exhaust gas purifier of the exhaust
pipe, the driver may have to send the vehicle to an auto repair and
service center, asking a mechanic to clean the exhaust pipe and to
remove deposition of carbon from the exhaust gas purifier. This
manner is inconvenience and time-wasting.
[0006] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a measure that
effectively removes cumulated carbon from the exhaust gas purifier
of the exhaust pipe of a diesel vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The primary purpose of the present invention is to provide a
carbon deposition eliminating method, which effectively removes the
carbon deposited on the inside surface of the filter element of the
exhaust gas purifier of the exhaust pipe of a diesel engine. It is
another object of the present invention to provide a carbon
deposition eliminating method, which automatically removes the
carbon deposited on the inside surface of the filter element of the
exhaust gas purifier of the exhaust pipe of a diesel engine without
increasing the engine working temperature, and therefore carbon
deposition can be effectively eliminated under any traffic
conditions or driver's personal driving habit so that the engine
performance is maintained.
[0008] To achieve these and other objects of the present invention,
the carbon deposition eliminating method comprises the steps of: a)
providing an exhaust pipe, the exhaust pipe comprising an input end
and an output end, a waste gas inlet and an air inlet provided at
the input end, an exhaust gas purifier disposed in the output end,
and a combustion chamber in communication between the waste gas
inlet and air inlet at the input end and the exhaust gas purifier
in the output end; b) using a sensor to detect the pressure of the
waste gas being delivered through the combustion chamber toward the
exhaust-gas purifier; c) enabling an automatic control system to
open the air inlet for guiding outside fresh air into the
combustion chamber when the pressure of the waste gas being
delivered through the combustion chamber toward the exhaust-gas
purifier surpasses a predetermined pressure level; d) starting a
flamethrower to project a long controllable stream of fire into the
combustion chamber to heat the combustion chamber to a temperature
range of 350.degree. C..about.600.degree. C.; e) enabling the
heated waste gas to pass from the combustion chamber through the
exhaust gas purifier toward the output end of the exhaust pipe to
remove cumulated carbon from the exhaust gas purifier; and f)
enabling the automatic control system to close the air inlet and to
open the waste gas inlet for guiding a waste gas from a diesel
engine into the combustion chamber toward the output end of the
exhaust pipe via the exhaust gas purifier when the pressure of the
waste gas pressure of the waste gas being delivered through the
combustion chamber toward the exhaust-gas purifier drops below the
predetermined pressure level.
[0009] Further, to prevent reverse flow of air or engine waste gas,
the air inlet and the waste gas inlet have a respective one-way
valve mounted therein. Further, to obtain excellent waste gas
filtering effect, the exhaust gas purifier is formed of a honeycomb
novel metal catalyst converter.
[0010] When compared with a conventional exhaust gas purifier for
diesel engine, the carbon deposition eliminating operation of the
present invention is free from the influence of the engine working
temperature, and therefore the invention achieves a better
performance in eliminating carbon deposition, improving the
performance of the engine.
[0011] The foregoing object and summary provide only a brief
introduction to the present invention. To fully appreciate these
and other objects of the present invention as well as the invention
itself, all of which will become apparent to those skilled in the
art, the following detailed description of the invention and the
claims should be read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings. Throughout the specification and drawings identical
reference numerals refer to identical or similar parts.
[0012] Many other advantages and features of the present invention
will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making
reference to the detailed description and the accompanying sheets
of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment
incorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by
way of illustrative example.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a carbon deposition eliminating
method in accordance with the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing showing the structure of a
carbon deposition eliminating system in accordance with the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0015] The following descriptions are of exemplary embodiments
only, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability or
configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following
description provides a convenient illustration for implementing
exemplary embodiments of the invention. Various changes to the
described embodiments may be made in the function and arrangement
of the elements described without departing from the scope of the
invention as set forth in the appended claims.
[0016] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a carbon deposition eliminating
method in accordance with the present invention comprises the steps
of:
[0017] a) providing an exhaust pipe 1 having an input end 11 and an
output end 12 and having installed therein a waste gas inlet 13 and
an air inlet 14 at the input end 11 and an exhaust gas purifier 5
near the output end 12 and a combustion chamber 15 on the middle
between the waste gas inlet 13 and air inlet 14 at the input end 11
and the exhaust gas purifier 5 near the output end 12;
[0018] b) using a pressure sensor 6 to detect the pressure of the
waste gas in front of the exhaust-gas purifier 5;
[0019] c) enabling an automatic control system to open the passage
of the air inlet 14 for guiding outside fresh air into the
combustion chamber 15 of the exhaust pipe 1 when the pressure of
the waste gas in front of the exhaust gas purifier 5 surpasses a
predetermined level;
[0020] d) starting a flamethrower to project a long controllable
stream of fire into the combustion chamber 15 to burn the mixture
of waste gas and air to the temperature range of 350.degree.
C..about.600.degree. C.;
[0021] e) enabling the heated gas to pass from the combustion
chamber 15 through the exhaust gas purifier 5 toward the output end
12 of the exhaust pipe 1 to remove cumulated carbon from the
exhaust gas purifier 5; and
[0022] f) enabling the automatic control system to close the
passage of the air inlet 14 and to open the passage of the
waste-gas inlet 13 for guiding waste gas from the diesel engine
into the combustion chamber 15 toward the output end 12 of the
exhaust pipe 1 via the exhaust gas purifier 5 when the pressure of
the waste gas in front of the exhaust gas purifier 5 drops below
the aforesaid predetermined level.
[0023] In the aforesaid step b), a pressure sensor 6 is used to
detect the pressure of the waste gas in front of the exhaust gas
purifier 5 so that an automatic control system can control
closing/opening of the waste gas inlet 13 and the air inlet 14
automatically subject to the detection status of the pressure
sensor 6. Alternatively, a timer and a milometer may be installed
and electrically connected to the automatic control system such
that the user can set to start the automatic control system subject
to a predetermined time interval or a predetermined travel, causing
the automatic control system to open the air inlet 14 for guiding
outside fresh air into the combustion chamber 15 and to drive a
flamethrower for projecting a long controllable stream of fire into
the combustion chamber 15 to burn the mixture of waste gas and air.
Thus, the exhaust pipe 1 can periodically and automatically clean
the deposition of carbon.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 2, the waste gas inlet 13 at the input end
11 of the exhaust pipe 1 is connected to the exhaust manifold of
the diesel engine, and a one-way valve 131 is installed in the
waste gas inlet 13 to prohibit reverse flow of waste gas; the air
inlet 14 at the input end 11 of the exhaust pipe 1 is extended to
the outside of the diesel engine for guiding inside outside fresh
air, and a one-way valve 141 is installed in the air inlet 14 to
prohibit reverse flow of intake fresh air.
[0025] The combustion chamber, referenced by 15 has mounted therein
a cylindrical strainer 2 mounted therein in a concentric manner
relative to the exhaust pipe 1 so that gas flows smoothly through
the combustion chamber 15. Further, the aforesaid flamethrower
comprises a fuel nozzle 3 installed in the exhaust pipe 1 and
connected to an external fuel source (not shown) through a fuel
pipe 31 for ejecting fuel into the combustion chamber 15, an
automatic ignition system 4 disposed around the fuel nozzle 3 and
controllable to ignite the stream of fuel ejected by the fuel
nozzle 3. Further, a pressure pump may be used to pump fuel out of
the fuel source into the fuel pipe 31 and the fuel nozzle 3 so that
the fuel nozzle 3 can project a mist of fuel into the combustion
chamber 15 for burning. The automatic ignition system 4 is
electrically connected to the automatic control system and the car
battery of the vehicle so that the automatic control system
automatically controls the automatic ignition system 4 to generate
sparks upon ejection of a mist of fuel into the combustion chamber
15 by the fuel nozzle 3. Further, the aforesaid sensor 6 is a
backpressure sensor installed in the peripheral wall of the
combustion chamber 15 at a suitable location and electrically
connected to the automatic control system.
[0026] Further, the exhaust gas purifier 5 according to the present
preferred embodiment is a honeycomb novel metal catalyst converter
installed in the exhaust pipe 1 and abutted to the inside of the
output end 12. According to the present invention, the flamethrower
normally does no work, the one-way valve 141 in the air inlet 14 is
closed to prohibit outside fresh air from entering the exhaust pipe
1, and the one-way valve 131 in the waste gas inlet 13 is opened to
let exhaust gas go from the diesel engine through the waste gas
inlet 13 into the combustion chamber 15 and then the exhaust gas
purifier 5, so that the filter element of the exhaust gas purifier
5 removes solid matter from the exhaust gas that goes through the
exhaust gas purifier 5 toward the output end 12 of the exhaust pipe
1. When the waste gas exhausting status of the exhaust pipe 1 is
smooth and the back pressure of the exhaust waste gas detected by
the sensor 6 is below the predetermined level, or when the travel
time does not reach the set time interval, or when the travel
distance does not reach the set mileage, the automatic control
system does not start the flamethrower. After a certain period in
operation, the performance of the exhaust gas purifier 5 may be
lowered due to a deposition of carbon, and the backpressure in the
combustion chamber 15 may be increased. When the backpressure in
the combustion chamber 15 reaches the predetermined level and is
detected by the sensor 6, the sensor 6 immediately gives a signal
to the automatic control system. Upon receipt of the signal from
the sensor 6, or when the travel time reaches the set time interval
or the travel distance reaches the set mileage, the automatic
control system immediately opens the one-way valve 141 and closes
the one-way valve 131 to let outside fresh air enter the combustion
chamber 15 and to stop engine exhaust gas from entering the exhaust
pipe 1 and, at the same time the automatic control system drives
the pressure pump to pump fuel out of the fuel source into the fuel
nozzle 3 for ejection into the combustion chamber 15 to mix with
the intake flow of fresh air and turns on the automatic ignition
system 4 to generate sparks for burning the fuel mixture to the
expected temperature range of 350.degree. C..about.600.degree. C.
This high temperature is immediately transferred to the exhaust gas
purifier 5 to burn out the cumulated carbon. Thus, the exhaust gas
purifier 5 returns to a smooth status without blocking. When the
back pressure of the combustion chamber 15 detected by the sensor 6
drops below the predetermined pressure level or after the set
carbon burning time is up, a signal is produced and sent to the
automatic control system, causing the automatic control system to
close the one-way valve 141 and at the same time to turn off the
flamethrower and to open the one way valve 131. Thus, when the
diesel engine is started again, the exhaust gas goes through the
exhaust pipe 1 and filtered by the exhaust gas purifier 5 before
passing out of the output end 12 of the exhaust pipe 1. The
aforesaid operation procedure is repeated again and again, and
therefore carbon deposition is effectively eliminated.
[0027] It will be understood that each of the elements described
above, or two or more together may also find a useful application
in other types of methods differing from the type described
above.
[0028] While certain novel features of this invention have been
shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claim, it is
not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be
understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and
changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in
its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without
departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.
* * * * *