U.S. patent application number 12/568893 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-23 for burner for diesel particulate filter regeneration.
Invention is credited to Soon Chul Hong, Hong Suk Kim.
Application Number | 20100319330 12/568893 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41683787 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100319330 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hong; Soon Chul ; et
al. |
December 23, 2010 |
BURNER FOR DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER REGENERATION
Abstract
Provided is a burner using electric discharge as an ignition
source such as arc or plasma rotating with flow, and more
particularly, to a DPF regenerating burner that improves ignition
performance of the burner by having a metal ball on a conical
electrode surface where electricity is discharged, inducing
accurate electric discharge through a metal ball, and supplying a
fuel-air mixture toward the metal ball. The DPF regeneration burner
includes a fuel-air mixture supplying unit having an injecting unit
be connected to a reaction unit to supply the fuel-air mixture to
the reaction unit; and a metal ball on a circumference of the
electrode to ignite the injected fuel-air mixture. The DPF
regenerating burner generates electric discharge in an electrode
surface where a metal ball is located. The ignition performance is
improved by accurately supplying a fuel-air mixture at a location
where the electric discharge is generated.
Inventors: |
Hong; Soon Chul; (Daejeon,
KR) ; Kim; Hong Suk; (Daejeon, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CLARK & BRODY
1700 Diagonal Road, Suite 510
Alexandria
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
41683787 |
Appl. No.: |
12/568893 |
Filed: |
September 29, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
60/295 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F01N 2240/28 20130101;
F01N 3/0256 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
60/295 |
International
Class: |
F01N 3/025 20060101
F01N003/025 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 19, 2009 |
KR |
10-2009-0054833 |
Claims
1. A burner for regenerating diesel particulate filter (DPF) which
generate rotating electric discharge such as plasma or arc by
applying high voltage to a reaction unit where there is rotation
flow of fuel and air and generates ignition, comprising: an outer
casing 110 which has a hollow inside to be a portion of an exhaust
pipe for connecting a Diesel particulate filter for filtering
particulate matters generated from an engine, and which includes a
fixing unit 111 to be coupled with the exhaust pipe in both sides;
a body 120 which is formed inside the outer casing 110 and includes
a reaction unit 121; an electrode supporting insulation unit 122
which is formed inside the body 120; an electrode 130 whose one
side is fixed to the electrode supporting insulation unit 122 and
which is installed on the reaction unit 121 of the body 120; a
conducting bar 125 for supplying electric power to the electrode
130; a supplying unit for supplying fuel and air from the fuel
supplying unit 141 and the air supplying unit 140 to the reaction
unit 121; and an injecting unit 146 which is formed to be connected
to the supplying unit and injects fuel and air to the reaction unit
121.
2. The burner of claim 1, wherein the supplying unit includes a
fuel-air mixture supplying unit 142 for supplying a fuel-air
mixture to the reaction unit 121 by being connected to the air
supplying unit 140 and the fuel supplying unit 141, and the
injecting unit 146 injects the supplied fuel-air mixture to the
reaction unit 121; and a metal ball 150 is included on a
circumference of the electrode 130 to initiate electric discharge
at that point and ignite the injected fuel-air mixture.
3. The burner of claim 2, wherein the fuel-air mixture supplying
unit 142 includes a rotational passage 143 between an inner wall
and an outer wall of the body 120 along with a circumferential
direction of the body 120; and the injecting unit 146 injects the
fuel-air mixture passing through the rotational passage 143 to the
inside of the body 120.
4. The burner of claim 2, wherein a cross-sectional area of the
electrode 130 decreases gradually along with the moving direction
of the exhaust gas.
5. The burner of claim 2, further comprising: a secondary air
supplying unit 160 which is connected to an outer side of the body
120 and which has an outlet end 162 be connected to the reaction
unit 121 in order to supply air to the reaction unit 121, wherein
the secondary air supplying unit 160 includes the outlet end 162,
which is formed to be inclining at a selected angle with respect to
the electrode 130, such that air supplied through the secondary air
supplying unit 160 flows in a moving direction of the exhaust gas
by swirling along with a circumference of the electrode 130.
6. The burner of claim 1, wherein the supplying unit is formed on a
center of the electrode supporting unit 122 and includes the fuel
passage 123 connected to the fuel supplying unit and an air passage
connected to the air supplying unit which covers a surface of the
fuel passage 123, such that the fuel and the air are mixed in end
units of the fuel passage and the air passage and are supplied to
the reaction unit 121; and since a plurality of nozzles 131 are
formed on an upper portion of the electrode 130, the mixed fuel and
air moves outside the reaction unit 121 along with the nozzle
131.
7. The burner of claim 6, wherein the nozzle 131 is formed to be
inclining at a selected angle with respect to a tangential
direction of the electrode 130 such that the mixed fuel and air
swirls.
8. The burner of claim 7, wherein the secondary air supplying unit
160 including a secondary air passage 161, which includes the
outlet end 162 connected to the reaction unit 121 such that
auxiliary air flows outside the electrode 130 of the reaction unit
121, supplies air to the secondary air passage 161, wherein the
secondary air supplying unit 160 is formed to be inclining at a
selected angle with respect to a longitudinal direction of the body
120 such that air supplied by the secondary air supplying unit 160
swirls.
9. The burner of claim 1, wherein the burner 100 includes an
electric heater 170 installed on the supplying unit, wherein the
electric heater 170 is controlled by a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)
control method.
10. The burner of claim 9, wherein the body 120 includes a
magnifying pipe 180 on a rear end, wherein the magnifying pipe 180
includes a through hole 181.
11. The burner of claim 10, wherein the magnifying pipe 180 is
located in a front position of the end of the electrode 130 in an
inflow direction of the exhaust gas.
12. The burner of claim 2, wherein the burner 100 includes an
electric heater 170 installed on the supplying unit, wherein the
electric heater 170 is controlled by a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)
control method.
13. The burner of claim 3, wherein the burner 100 includes an
electric heater 170 installed on the supplying unit, wherein the
electric heater 170 is controlled by a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)
control method.
14. The burner of claim 4, wherein the burner 100 includes an
electric heater 170 installed on the supplying unit, wherein the
electric heater 170 is controlled by a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)
control method.
15. The burner of claim 5, wherein the burner 100 includes an
electric heater 170 installed on the supplying unit, wherein the
electric heater 170 is controlled by a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)
control method.
16. The burner of claim 6, wherein the burner 100 includes an
electric heater 170 installed on the supplying unit, wherein the
electric heater 170 is controlled by a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)
control method.
17. The burner of claim 7, wherein the burner 100 includes an
electric heater 170 installed on the supplying unit, wherein the
electric heater 170 is controlled by a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)
control method.
18. The burner of claim 8, wherein the burner 100 includes an
electric heater 170 installed on the supplying unit, wherein the
electric heater 170 is controlled by a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)
control method.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a burner using electric
discharge as an ignition source such as arc or plasma rotating
along with flow, and more particularly, to a burner for
regenerating diesel particulate filter (DPF) which can trap
hazardous particulates, i.e., sooty smoke and which further can
improve ignition performance of the burner by having a metal ball
on a conical electrode surface where electricity is discharged and
supplying a fuel-air mixture toward the metal ball.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Since a diesel vehicle has a better fuel-efficiency and
greater power than a gasoline vehicle, the diesel vehicle is
applied a lot as heavy duty vehicles. However, in the diesel
engine, differently from a gasoline engine, emits the particulate
emissions because fuel is injected into the engine combustion
chamber directly during compression stroke and it is burns
incompletely due to insufficient mixing of fuel and air in the
above process.
[0003] According to a report, the exhaust gas is formed of
hazardous particles of small sizes, which are harmful to a human
body, and hazardous particles by the diesel vehicle take 40% of
total air pollution. Accordingly, many countries regulate diesel
particulate emissions and a Diesel particulate filter for reducing
particulate emissions has been commonly used.
[0004] However, the typical Diesel particulate filter adopts a
passive regeneration method in which the trapped particulates in a
catalyst coated filter and oxidized by the catalyst. However, when
there are a lot of slow driving loads, for example of terrible
traffic congestion, the temperatures of the exhaust gas are too low
to regenerate the filter passively. When the filter is not
regenerated properly, power is reduced and fuel consumption rate
increases due to increased exhaust back pressure. When such a
status continues, an engine as well as the filter will be
damaged.
[0005] A complex method that combines the passive regeneration
method by the catalyst with an active regeneration method using an
electric heater, a burner, and throttling is suggested in order to
solve the above problem. For example, KR Patent Publication No.
2004-68792 discloses a diesel exhaust gas aftertreatment device
using electric heater. There is a benefit in using the diesel
exhaust gas aftertreatment device since it activates the reaction
of a catalyst by the electric heater to thereby help passive
regeneration. However, since a large capacity of battery is
required in order to raise the temperature of the exhaust gas, it
is practically difficult to apply the diesel exhaust gas
aftertreatment device.
[0006] In order to solve the problem, KR Patent No. 10-0699495
discloses a plasma reactor for a DPF system, and a PM reduction
device using the same and it is shown in FIG. 1.
[0007] As shown in FIG. 1, the burner for the DPF system and the PM
reduction device using the same include an engine 20, an exhaust
pipe 40, which is connected to a Diesel particulate filter 10 for
oxidizing and removing particulate matters (PM) generated from the
engine 20 through an oxidation catalyst 10', a burner 50 for
activating reaction of a catalyst by plasma reaction of an
electrode by injecting liquid fuel to an outer side of the exhaust
pipe 40, and a fuel storage tank 30 for supplying fuel to the
burner 50 and an engine 20.
[0008] The burner shown in FIG. 1 has a benefit that the
performance of the Diesel particulate filter is improved by burning
and warming Diesel particulate. However, since the burner is
installed vertically to the exhaust pipe, non-uniformity of
temperature distribution inside the exhaust pipe is caused as a
temperature of a region close to the burner is high but a
temperature of a region far from the burner falls down.
[0009] According to the above problem, regeneration load is
centralized to a specific portion of an oxidization filter, which
is the Diesel particulate filter thereby cause reduction of a
life-span of filter. In order to achieve uniformity of the
temperature distribution, an additional mixing chamber is
required.
[0010] In addition, since the burner is formed on an outer side of
the exhaust pipe, a space for forming the burner is additionally
required and there is a strong possibility that an error occurs due
to external shocks.
DISCLOSURE
Technical Problem
[0011] An embodiment of the present invention is directed to
provide a burner which can improve filtering performance and extend
a life span of a Diesel particulate filter by uniformly forming
temperature distribution in an entire region of an exhaust pipe by
providing the burner as a portion of the exhaust pipe and forming
flame by an electrode to be in parallel with a direction of the
exhaust gas, and a particulate matters (PM) reduction device having
the same. Also, since an additional space for providing the burner
is not required, special efficiency and durability are improved to
reduce occurring of errors due to external shocks.
[0012] Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to
provide a burner for regenerating a diesel particulate filter (DPF)
which can accurately control a location of starting electric
discharge by having a metal ball on an electrode of the burner,
accurately providing a fuel-air mixture to an electric discharging
unit, and providing fuel which is efficiently vaporized through
exhaust heat and an additionally installed electric heater before
igniting the mixture.
Technical Solution
[0013] To achieve the object of the present invention, the present
invention provides a burner for regenerating diesel particulate
filter (DPF) which generates rotating electric discharge such as
plasma or arc by applying high voltage to a reaction unit where
there is rotation flow of fuel and air and generates ignition,
includes: an outer casing 110 which has a hollow inside to be a
portion of an exhaust pipe for connecting a Diesel particulate
filter for filtering particulate matters (PM) generated from an
engine, and which includes a fixing unit 111 to be coupled with the
exhaust pipe in both sides; a body 120 which is formed inside the
outer casing 110 and includes a reaction unit 121; an electrode
supporting unit 122 which is formed inside the body 120; an
electrode 130 whose one side is fixed to the electrode supporting
unit 122 and which is installed on the reaction unit 121 of the
body 120; a conducting bar 125 for supplying power to the electrode
130; a supplying unit for supplying fuel and air from the fuel
supplying unit 141 and the air supplying unit 140 to the reaction
unit 121; and an injecting unit 146 which is formed to be connected
to the supplying unit and injects fuel and air to the reaction unit
121.
[0014] The supplying unit may include a fuel-air mixture supplying
unit 142 for supplying a fuel-air mixture to the reaction unit 121
by being connected to the air supplying unit 140 and the fuel
supplying unit 141, and the injecting unit 146 injects the supplied
fuel-air mixture to the reaction unit 121; and
[0015] a metal ball 150 is included on a circumference of the
electrode 130 to ignite the injected fuel-air mixture.
[0016] The fuel-air mixture supplying unit 142 may include a
rotational passage 143 between an inner wall and an outer wall of
the body 120 along with a circumferential direction of the body
120; and the injecting unit 146 injects the fuel-air mixture
passing through the rotational passage 143 into the body 120.
[0017] A cross-sectional area of the electrode 130 may decrease
gradually along with the moving direction of the exhaust gas.
[0018] The burner, further includes: a secondary air supplying unit
160 which is connected to an outer side of the body 120 and which
has an outlet end 162 be connected to the reaction unit 121 in
order to supply air to the reaction unit 121,
[0019] wherein the secondary air supplying unit 160 includes the
outlet end 162, which is formed to be inclining at a selected angle
with respect to the electrode 130, such that air supplied through
the secondary air supplying unit 160 flows in a moving direction of
the exhaust gas by swirling along with a circumference of the
electrode 130.
[0020] The supplying unit is formed on a center of the electrode
supporting unit 122 and includes the fuel passage 123 connected to
the fuel supplying unit and an air passage connected to the air
supplying unit which covers a surface of the fuel passage 123, such
that the fuel and the air are mixed in end units of the fuel
passage and the air passage and are supplied to the reaction unit
121; and
[0021] since a plurality of nozzles 131 are formed on an upper
portion of the electrode 130, the mixed fuel and air moves outside
the reaction unit 121 along with the nozzle 131.
[0022] The nozzle 131 may be formed to be inclining at a selected
angle with respect to a tangential direction of the electrode 130
such that the mixed fuel and air swirls.
[0023] The secondary air supplying unit 160 including a secondary
air passage 161, which includes the outlet end 162 connected to the
reaction unit 121 such that auxiliary air flows outside the
electrode 130 of the reaction unit 121, supplies air to the
secondary air passage 161,
[0024] wherein the secondary air supplying unit 160 is formed to be
inclining at a selected angle with respect to a longitudinal
direction of the body 120 such that air supplied by the secondary
air supplying unit 160 swirls.
[0025] The burner 100 may include an electric heater 170 installed
on the supplying unit,
[0026] wherein the electric heater 170 is controlled by a Pulse
Width Modulation (PWM) control method.
[0027] The body 120 may include a magnifying pipe 180 on a rear
end,
[0028] wherein the magnifying pipe 180 includes a through hole 181
and the magnifying pipe 180 is located in a front position of the
end of the electrode 130 in an inflow direction of the exhaust
gas.
[0029] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will
be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a diesel particulate
reduction device at which a burner of the present invention is
installed. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a burner in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 4 and
5 are cross-sectional views taken along the lines AA' and BB' in
FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a view showing an operation state of FIG. 4. FIG.
7 is a front view showing an expansion pipe in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] The diesel particulate reduction device having a burner 100
of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
2. The diesel particulate reduction device includes the burner 100,
which is installed on an exhaust pipe through which exhaust gas
generated from an engine 200 moves and heat the exhaust gas, and a
Diesel particulate filter 400, which is installed on a rear end of
the burner 100 and has an oxidation catalyst 410 on a front end to
filter particulate matters of exhaust gas.
[0032] As shown, the burner 100 forms a specific portion of an
exhaust pipe connecting the engine and a Diesel particulate filter,
and exhaust gas generated from the engine moves through an exhaust
pipe connected to the engine, the burner 100, and an exhaust pipe
connected to the Diesel particulate filter, to thereby efficiently
warm up the exhaust gas generated from the engine.
[0033] The burner 100 shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 is a format of the
burner 100 but may have diverse formats. The burner 100 will be
described in detail with reference to drawings below.
[0034] The embodiment of the present invention will be described in
detail with reference to drawings.
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 6, the burner 100 of the present
invention includes an outer casing 110 for forming a part of the
exhaust pipe, a body 120 for forming a reaction unit having flame
inside, an electrode 130 which is included inside the body 120, a
fuel-air mixture supplying unit 142 for supplying a fuel-air
mixture as a supplying unit for supplying fuel and air to the
inside of the body 120, a metal ball 150 included on the surface of
the electrode 130, and a secondary air supplying unit 160 for
preventing reverse-current of the fuel-air mixture.
[0036] The burner 100 includes most constituent elements inside the
outer casing 110 not to form a part extruding to the exhaust pipe
outer side except a conducting bar 125 for applying voltage to the
fuel-air mixture supplying unit 142, the secondary air supplying
unit 160 and the electrode 130. At this time, the outer casing 110
is formed to have a hollow inside to be a specific portion of the
exhaust pipe and includes a fixing unit 111 for connection with
exhaust pipes of both sides at both end units.
[0037] That is, the outer casing 110 includes a constituent element
such as the body 120 to form a specific portion of the exhaust
pipe. Accordingly, exhaust gas flows by fixing the outer casing 110
to the exhaust pipe through the fixing unit 111 of the outer casing
110. The burner 100 of the present invention has a benefit that it
can be easily installed on the exhaust pipe by using the fixing
unit 111 by removing the exhaust pipe as large as the space that
the burner 100 occupies without additional processes of inserting
and fixing the constituent elements such as the body 120 formed
inside the exhaust pipe.
[0038] The body 120 includes a reaction unit 121, an electrode
supporting unit 122, the conducting bar 125 and the electrode 130
as portions that form a space where a flame is formed in the hollow
inside and that are formed inside the outer casing 110.
[0039] One end unit of the body 120 is formed vertically to the
moving direction of the exhaust gas to form the electrode
supporting unit 122 for supporting the electrode 130. The body 120
is formed in a center of the outer casing 110 such that an exhaust
gas flowing unit 112 where exhaust gas flows is formed between the
body 120 and the outer casing 110. The body 120 may be supported by
an additional supporting unit, the conducting bar 125 or the
fuel-air mixture supplying unit 142 to be described below. The body
120 includes the reaction unit 121 that has a hollow inside and
where flame ignited by a fuel-air mixture is formed. The inside of
the body 120, i.e., the reaction unit 121, may have any shapes that
can form flame but the body 120 has a cylindrical shape in this
embodiment.
[0040] In the burner 100 of the present invention, the exhaust gas
generated from the engine 200 enters the outer casing 110, passes
through the exhaust gas flowing unit 112 between the body 120 and
the outer casing 110, and moves to an exhaust gas passage 300
connected the Diesel particulate filter 400. Since one side of the
body 120 has a center which is formed to be extruded toward an
upper steam of the exhaust gas, it is preferred that as shown in
FIG. 6, the exhaust gas, i.e., arrows, that entered the one side of
the outer casing 110 is guided toward the exhaust gas flowing unit
112 along with one side of the body 120
[0041] One side of the body 120 may have a center of a protrusive
shape. The center may have any shape, e.g., a conical shape, that
the flow of the exhaust gas can be guided to the exhaust gas
flowing unit 112 between the body 120 and the outer casing 110,
without limitation.
[0042] The electrode supporting unit 122 supports the electrode 130
and fixes the conducting bar 125 for applying the voltage to the
electrode 130. The electrode supporting unit 122 is formed on the
upper stream of the exhaust gas of the body 120 and the direction
of the flame by the electrode 130 is the same as that of the
exhaust gas. When the electrode supporting unit 122 is formed on
the opposite side, i.e., a downstream of the exhaust gas, and the
flow of the exhaust gas is formed oppositely to the flame of the
electrode 130, the flow of the exhaust gas is not smooth and it is
difficult to form the flame due to the exhaust gas, thereby to
cause a difficulty in heating the exhaust gas. Accordingly, it is
preferable that the burner 100 of the present invention is formed
such that the flame direction of the electrode 130 is the same as
the flow direction of the exhaust gas. The electrode supporting
unit 122 is formed of an insulating material such as a ceramic to
be insulated from the body 120 and the electrode 130.
[0043] The conducting bar 125 is screwed to the electrode 130
without an additional wiring, to thereby prevent that wires are
down due to vibration and friction. It is preferred that the
conducting bar 125 includes an electrode cover 126 for covering a
circumference with a material such as a ceramic to be insulated
from the body 120.
[0044] The electrode 130 is formed in a longitudinal direction
inside the body 120. The electrode 130 is formed of steel but may
be formed of any materials that have superior electric conductivity
and strong heat-resisting property. One side of the electrode 130
is fixed to the electrode supporting unit 122 and connected to the
conducting bar 125 to receive power from the conducting bar 125.
Other side of the electrode 130 is formed to be exposed to the
reaction unit 121. The cross-sectional area of the electrode 130
decreases along with the moving direction of the exhaust gas. When
power is applied to the electrode 130, electricity is discharged in
the body 120, which is the closest to the surface of the electrode
130. The electric discharge starts in a neck unit of the electrode
130 to move with a swirl shape. The neck unit of the electrode 130
has a diameter which is the thickest on the electrode 130 and is a
place, which is the closest point between the circumference of the
electrode 130 and the body 120.
[0045] The metal ball 150 is formed on the surface of the electrode
130 in order to accurately control the point where the electric
discharge starts. To be specific, the metal ball 150 may be formed
on the circumference of the neck unit of the electrode 130. Since
it is not possible to accurately control the point where the
electric discharge starts in the neck unit of the electrode 130 due
to errors in manufacture, it is for leading the electric discharge
in the metal ball 150 by having the metal ball 150 in any one of
the circumference of the neck unit in the electrode 130. Also,
since the metal ball 150 is located in a place closest to the body
120 on the surface of the electrode 130, electricity is stably and
accurately discharged on the surface of the electrode 130 where the
metal ball 150 is located. It is preferred that the metal ball 150
is located in a place close to the point where fuel is injected in
the circumference of the neck unit in the electrode 130. It is
because the closer place is more advantageous in that fuel is
injected accurately to the point where the electricity is
discharged. It is also because when fuel injection point is far
from the electric discharge point, igniting performance is
deteriorated. The metal ball 150 has a hemisphere shape. The metal
ball 150 is formed of steel same as the material of the electrode
130 but may be formed of any material which has a superior electric
conductivity and strong heat-resisting property. It is obvious that
the metal ball 150 may have any shape that has an effect for
leading the electric discharge, e.g., a circular or multi-angular
cone as well as a hemisphere shape. It is preferred in the
electrode 130 that the cross-sectional area decreases gradually to
the moving direction of the exhaust gas, i.e., from the point where
the metal ball 150 is included to the other side. That is, it is
preferred that when the other side of the electrode 130 is cut in a
longitudinal direction, a section has a parabolic shape.
Accordingly, the electric discharge that starts in the metal ball
150 moves with a swirl shape such as a spiral shape that starts in
the metal ball 150 shown in FIG. 6.
[0046] With reference to FIGS. 4 to 5, the fuel-air mixture
supplying unit 142 includes an air supplying unit 140, a rotational
passage 143, an injecting unit 146 and a block 147. The air
supplying unit 140 is formed on one side of the body 120 to supply
air. The rotational passage 143 is connected to the fuel supplying
unit 141 for supplying fuel and is formed on an inner wall of the
body 120 as a means for supplying fuel and air to the inside of the
reaction unit 121. The injecting unit 146 connects the rotational
passage 143 and the reaction unit 121 to inject fuel and air. The
block 147 is formed inside the rotational passage 143.
[0047] The fuel supplying unit 141 connects a fuel storage (not
shown) and the outer side of the body 120 to supply fuel. The air
supplying unit 140 is formed on the outer side of the body 120 and
neighbors to the fuel supplying unit 141 to supply air.
[0048] The amount of fuel and air supplied from the fuel supplying
unit 141 and the air supplying unit 140 is controlled through a
control unit (not shown) and fuel mixed with air controlled by the
control unit is supplied to the rotational passage 143 of the
fuel-air mixture supplying unit 142. The air supplied through the
air supplying unit 140 may be oxygen for oxidizing the fuel or air
including the oxygen. The fuel mixed with the air supplied through
the fuel supplying unit 141 and the air supplying unit 140 is
vaporized by passing through the rotational passage 143 and
discharged through the injecting unit 146.
[0049] The rotational passage 143 is a space though which a
fuel-air mixture moves inside a wall forming the body 120. To be
specific, the rotational passage 143 is formed between an inner
wall and an outer wall of the body 120 along with a circumferential
direction of the body 120. The fuel mixed with air is vaporized by
passing through the wall of the body 120 heated through the exhaust
gas mixed with air. Accordingly, ignition performance is improved
in comparison with the case when fuel is supplied in a liquid
state. Since the cross section of the body 120 has a circular
shape, it is possible to inject the fuel mixed with air through the
injecting unit 146 by generating turning force in the fuel.
[0050] When the fuel-air mixture moves to the injecting unit 146,
the rotational passage 143 may be formed to lead the fuel-air
mixture in a single direction. Since it takes a lot of time and
costs to manufacture the rotational passage 143 inside the body 120
in one direction, a space, i.e., a groove, is formed by cutting the
circumference of the body 120, and the rotational passage 143 is
formed by covering and welding a body cover 145 of a ring shape.
Since the rotational passage 143 formed by the above method is
formed while drawing a circle inside the body 120, the fuel mixed
with inflow air is bisected and transported to the injecting unit
146. In this case, the moving speed decreases and the fuel flows
along with a comparatively fast path, there may be a section in
which the fuel remains. It is possible in the above configuration
to lead the fuel in a single direction by forming the block 147 in
any one of from an inlet of the rotational passage 143 to the
injecting unit 146 as shown in FIG. 5. Since maximizing the path of
the rotational passage 143 is advantageous to vaporize the fuel
mixed with air, it is preferred to lead the fuel-air mixture to
another section which is formed to be comparatively long by
minimizing a distance between the inlet and the injecting unit 146,
and forming the block 147 in a near section.
[0051] The injecting unit 146 may be formed toward the metal ball
150 in order to inject the fuel vaporized toward the metal ball 150
where the electric discharge starts, to thereby improve ignition
performance of the fuel supplied from the fuel-air mixture
supplying unit 142.
[0052] With reference to FIGS. 3 to 6, the burner 100 of the
present invention is connected to the outer side of the body 120
and additionally includes the secondary air supplying unit 160 for
supplying air. The secondary air supplying unit 160 includes an
outlet end 162 for inducing air from outside and injecting the air
into the body 120. The secondary air supplying unit 160 plays a
role of leading that the flame ignited in the metal ball 150 is
formed in an exhaust gas flowing direction and also supplies oxygen
required for ignition. The secondary air supplying unit 160 may be
formed in the neck unit of the electrode 130, i.e., in a place
between a point where the metal ball 150 is formed and the
electrode supporting unit 122. Also, the outlet end 162 may be
formed to be inclining at a selected angle in a vertical direction
of the body 120 such that the induce air can move for the electrode
130. The air discharged through the outlet end 162 is shown as
arrows in FIG. 6.
[0053] The vertical direction of the body 120 means a vertical
direction to the flowing of the exhaust gas. Since the outlet end
162 is not to be formed in a central axis direction, but is formed
to be inclining at a selected angle, the fuel and the air injected
through the outlet end 162 flow while swirling around the electrode
130.
[0054] With reference to FIGS. 7 to 10, a second embodiment of the
present invention will be described in detail while laying stress
on a difference between the second embodiment and the first
embodiment.
[0055] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a burner in accordance
with the second embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 8 and 9
cross-sectional views taken along the lines AA' and BB' in FIG. 7.
FIG. 10 is a view showing an operating state of FIG. 7. FIG. 11 is
a front view showing a magnifying pipe of the present
invention.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 8, the body 120 is supported not by the
conducting bar 125, but by an additional supporting unit.
[0057] The fuel supplying unit 141 and the air supplying unit 140
for supplying fuel and air are connected with the electrode
supporting unit 122. A supplying unit for supplying fuel and air to
the reaction unit 121 by being connected with the above constituent
elements is formed on the center of the electrode supporting unit
122. The supplying unit is formed on a center of the electrode
supporting unit 122 and includes a fuel passage 123 for passing
fuel and an air passage 124 connected to the air supplying unit
which covers a surface of the fuel passage 123. The fuel and the
air are mixed in the end unit of the fuel passage 123 and the air
passage 124 and supplied to the inside of the electrode 130 of the
reaction unit 121.
[0058] Since the fuel passage 123 is formed in the central portion
and the air passage 124 is formed to cover around the fuel passage
123, the fuel and the air are efficiently mixed and the fuel is
atomized. Accordingly, combustion efficiency is improved. The air
flowing inside the electrode 130 through the air passage 124 and
the fuel flowing inside the electrode 130 through the fuel passage
123 become main materials to be reacted with the plasma.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of nozzles 131 are formed on
the upper part of the electrode 130 and the fuel mixed with air
inside the electrode 130 moves outside the electrode 130 through
the nozzle 131. The nozzle 131 is formed to be swirling at a
selected angle with respect to a tangential direction of the
electrode 130 such that the mixed fuel and air can rotationally
flow while passing through the nozzle 131.
[0060] In addition, a voltage supplying unit for supplying voltage
to the electrode 130 is extended from the outside of the outer
casing 110 to be connected to the electrode 130 of the electrode
supporting unit 122. The voltage supplying unit plays an additional
role of fixing a location of the body 120 as well as a role of
supplying voltage to the electrode 130.
[0061] Also, the burner 100 in accordance with the second
embodiment of the present invention includes a secondary air
passage 161 for supplying auxiliary air to the outside of the
electrode 130 of the reaction unit 121, and further includes a
secondary air supplying unit 160, which is extended from the
outside of the outer casing 110 to supply auxiliary air to the
secondary air passage 161.
[0062] The secondary air supplying unit improves combustion
efficiency by being connected to the secondary air passage 161 such
that the primarily mixed fuel and air are remixed with auxiliary
air inside the electrode 130.
[0063] An outlet end 162 of the secondary air passage 161 for
discharging auxiliary air to the outside of the electrode 130 may
be formed to be inclining to the longitudinal direction of the body
120 in order to control flow of the auxiliary air such that the
auxiliary air can rotationally flow the outside of the electrode
130.
[0064] The secondary air passage 161 is connected to the air
passage 124 such that the amount of the air supplied to the inside
of the electrode 130 can increase.
[0065] To have a look at the flow of fuel and air, the fuel
supplied to the inside of the electrode 130 of the reaction unit
121 is supplied through the fuel passage 123 from the fuel
supplying unit. The air supplied to the inside of the electrode 130
is supplied through the air passage 124 from the air supplying
unit.
[0066] The auxiliary air supplied to the outside of the electrode
130 of the reaction unit 121 is supplied after passing the
secondary air passage 161 through the secondary air supplying unit
160. The partial air enters the air passage 124. The mixed fuel,
which is primarily mixed through the fuel passage 123 and the air
passage 124 and supplied to the inside of the electrode 130 moves
outside the electrode 130 through the nozzle 131 of the electrode
130 and secondarily mixed with the auxiliary air incoming through
the secondary air passage 161.
[0067] The mixed fuel supplied by the nozzle 131 of the electrode
130 forms a flame in an entry direction of the exhaust gas by
high-voltage current applied to the electrode 130. The flame heats
the exhaust gas entering the outer casing 110 through the exhaust
pipe.
[0068] The supplying unit of the burner 100 may include an electric
heater 170. With reference to FIG. 4, the electric heater 170 is
formed inside the fuel-air mixture supplying unit 142 and may adopt
any method for receiving power and heating air and fuel flowing
inside the fuel-air mixture supplying unit 142. The electric heater
170 may be formed on the upper stream of the fuel-air mixture
supplying unit 142. The electric heater 170 plays a role of
vaporizing fuel by heating the incoming air and fuel. The electric
heater 170 is used when it is difficult to vaporize fuel by using
the rotational passage 143 due to low temperature of the exhaust
gas during start-up or at idle.
[0069] Accordingly, the electric heater 170 may adopt a Pulse Width
Modulation (PWM) control method by detecting the temperature of the
exhaust gas and controlling the operation based on the value of the
detection temperature.
[0070] With reference to FIGS. 6, 10 and 11, a magnifying pipe 180
is formed at the end of the exhaust gas downstream of the body 120.
When a cross section of the magnifying pipe 180 is getting closer
to the end, a diameter of the cross section of the magnifying pipe
180 is lengthening longer than that of a cross section of the body
120. That is, the cross section of the magnifying pipe 180 may have
a tapered shape. Since particulate matters (PM) included in the
exhaust gas inside the reaction unit 121 are not trapped by
preventing that the exhaust gas entering the inside of the outer
casing 110 enters the inside of the body 120, i.e., the reaction
unit 121. Accordingly, insulation effect is superior and
malfunction of the burner 100 can be reduced.
[0071] In an inclined plane of the magnifying pipe 180, through
holes 181 may be formed in a radial shape at regular distances
centering around a central axis. Since the amount of oxygen
supplied through the fuel-air mixture supplying unit 142 and the
secondary air supplying unit 160 is insufficient as the amount of
oxygen for ignition and combustion inside the reaction unit 121, it
is required to induce some of the exhaust gas to the inside of the
reaction unit 121 through the through hole 181. The flame generated
through combustion inside the reaction unit 121 is combined with
oxygen included inside the exhaust gas and formed more actively.
Additionally, when oxygen is consumed through the through hole 181,
it cause reduction of the exhaust gas.
[0072] It is possible to maximize combustion performance through
the through hole 181 by forming one side of the magnifying pipe 180
in a front part on the body 120 in an incoming direction of the
exhaust gas instead of the end of the electrode 130.
[0073] The terms and words used in the present specification and
claims should not be construed to be limited to the common or
dictionary meaning, because an inventor defines the concept of the
terms appropriately to describe his/her invention as best he/she
can. Therefore, they should be construed as a meaning and concept
fit to the technological concept and scope of the present
invention. Therefore, the embodiments and structure described in
the present specification are nothing but one preferred embodiment
of the present invention, and do not satisfy all of the
technological concept and scope of the present invention.
Therefore, it should be understood that many equivalents and
modified embodiments that can substitute those described in this
specification exist.
Advantageous Effects
[0074] According to a burner of the present invention, since flame
of the burner is formed to be in parallel with exhaust gas, exhaust
gas passing through an exhaust pipe is generally warmed up.
Accordingly, a filtering performance of a Diesel particulate filter
is consistently maintained and a life span of the Diesel
particulate filter is improved.
[0075] Accordingly to the present invention, since the burner is
formed to be a portion of the exhaust pipe, an additional space for
having the burner is not required and durability can be
improved.
[0076] The DPF regeneration burner of the present invention
generates electric discharge in an electrode surface where a metal
ball is located. The ignition performance of the burner is improved
by accurately supplying a fuel-air mixture at a location where the
electric discharge is generated.
[0077] Also, since fuel mixed with air is vaporized while passing
through a passage of a rotation type existing inside a burner body
heated by exhaust heat, ignition performance is improved in the
fuel mixed with air in comparison with the fuel in a liquid
state.
[0078] Ignition performance is improved by vaporizing fuel by using
exhaust heat under the condition that the fuel is not sufficiently
vaporized when an engine is cold or idles by primarily heating the
fuel mixed with air by an electric heater and cooled before being
transported to the inside of the burner body or when the engine
idles.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0079] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent from the following
description of preferred embodiments given in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0080] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional
plasma reactor.
[0081] FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a Diesel particulate
reduction device at which a burner of the present invention is
installed.
[0082] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a burner in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0083] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA' in
FIG. 3.
[0084] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB' in
FIG. 3.
[0085] FIG. 6 is a view showing an operation state of FIG. 3.
[0086] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a burner in accordance
with the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0087] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA' in
FIG. 7.
[0088] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB' in
FIG. 7.
[0089] FIG. 10 is a view showing an operating state of FIG. 7.
[0090] FIG. 11 is a front view showing a magnifying pipe of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF MAIN ELEMENTS
TABLE-US-00001 [0091] 100: burner 110: outer casing 111: fixing
unit 112: exhaust gas flowing unit 120: body 121: reaction unit
122: electrode supporting unit 123: fuel passage 124: air passage
125: conducting bar 126: electrode cover 130: electrode 131: nozzle
140: air supplying unit 141: fuel supplying unit 142: fuel-air
mixture supplying unit 143: rotational passage 145: body cover 146:
injecting unit 147: block 150: metal ball 160: secondary air
supplying unit 161: secondary air passage 162: outlet end 170:
electric heater 180: magnifying pipe 181: through hole
BEST MODE
[0092] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will
be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.
[0093] A burner for regenerating diesel particulate filter (DPF)
which generates rotating electric discharge such as plasma or arc
by applying high voltage to a reaction unit where there is rotation
flow of fuel and air and generates ignition, includes: an outer
casing which has a hollow inside to be a portion of an exhaust pipe
for connecting a Diesel particulate filter for filtering
particulate matters generated from an engine, and which includes a
fixing unit 111 to be coupled with the exhaust pipe in both sides;
a body which is formed inside the outer casing and includes a
reaction unit; an electrode supporting unit which is formed inside
the body; an electrode whose one side is fixed to the electrode
supporting unit and which is installed on the reaction unit of the
body; an electrode for supplying power to the electrode; a
supplying unit for supplying fuel and air from the fuel supplying
unit and the air supplying unit to the reaction unit; and an
injecting unit which is formed to be connected to the supplying
unit and injects fuel and air to the reaction unit.
[0094] The supplying unit may include a fuel-air mixture supplying
unit for supplying a fuel-air mixture to the reaction unit by being
connected to the air supplying unit and the fuel supplying unit,
and the injecting unit injects the supplied fuel-air mixture to the
reaction unit; and
[0095] a metal ball is included on a circumference of the electrode
to initiate electric discharge at that point and ignite the
injected fuel-air mixture.
[0096] The fuel-air mixture supplying unit may include a rotational
passage between an inner wall and an outer wall of the body along
with a circumferential direction of the body; and the injecting
unit injects the fuel-air mixture passing through the rotational
passage to the inside of the body.
[0097] A cross-sectional area of the electrode may decrease
gradually along with the moving direction of the exhaust gas.
[0098] The burner, further includes: a secondary air supplying unit
which is connected to an outer side of the body and which has an
outlet end be connected to the reaction unit in order to supply air
to the reaction unit,
[0099] wherein the secondary air supplying unit includes the outlet
end, which is formed to be inclining at a selected angle with
respect to the electrode, such that air supplied through the
secondary air supplying unit flows in a moving direction of the
exhaust gas by swirling along with a circumference of the
electrode.
[0100] The burner may include an electric heater installed on the
supplying unit,
[0101] wherein the electric heater is controlled by a Pulse Width
Modulation (PWM) control method.
[0102] The body may include a magnifying pipe on a rear end,
wherein the magnifying pipe includes a through hole and the
magnifying pipe is located in a front position of the end of the
electrode in an inflow direction of the exhaust gas.
MODE FOR INVENTION
[0103] A burner for regenerating diesel particulate filter (DPF)
which generate rotating electric discharge such as plasma or arc by
applying high voltage to a reaction unit where there is rotation
flow of fuel and air and generates ignition, includes: an outer
casing which has a hollow inside to be a portion of an exhaust pipe
for connecting a Diesel particulate filter for filtering
particulate matters generated from an engine with the engine, and
which includes a fixing unit 111 to be coupled with the exhaust
pipe in both sides; a body which is formed inside the outer casing
and includes a reaction unit; an electrode supporting unit which is
formed inside the body; an electrode whose one side is fixed to the
electrode supporting unit and which is installed on the reaction
unit of the body; an electrode for supplying power to the
electrode; a supplying unit for supplying fuel and air from the
fuel supplying unit and the air supplying unit to the reaction
unit; and an injecting unit which is formed to be connected to the
supplying unit and injects fuel and air to the reaction unit.
[0104] The supplying unit is formed on a center of the electrode
supporting unit 122 and includes the fuel passage 123 connected to
the fuel supplying unit and an air passage connected to the air
supplying unit which covers a surface of the fuel passage 123, such
that the fuel and the air are mixed in end units of the fuel
passage and the air passage and are supplied to the reaction unit;
and
[0105] since a plurality of nozzles are formed on an upper portion
of the electrode, the mixed fuel and air moves outside the reaction
unit along with the nozzle.
[0106] The nozzle may be formed to be inclining at a selected angle
with respect to a tangential direction of the electrode such that
the mixed fuel and air swirls.
[0107] The secondary air supplying unit including a secondary air
passage, which includes the outlet end connected to the reaction
unit such that auxiliary air flows outside the electrode of the
reaction unit, supplies air to the secondary air passage,
[0108] wherein the secondary air supplying unit is formed to be
inclining at a selected angle with respect to a longitudinal
direction of the body such that air supplied by the secondary air
supplying unit swirls.
[0109] The burner may include an electric heater installed on the
supplying unit,
[0110] wherein the electric heater is controlled by a Pulse Width
Modulation (PWM) control method.
[0111] The body may include a magnifying pipe on a rear end,
[0112] wherein the magnifying pipe includes a through hole and the
magnifying pipe is located in a front position of the end of the
electrode in an inflow direction of the exhaust gas.
[0113] The present application contains subject matter related to
Korean Patent Application No. 10-2009-0054833, filed in the Korean
Intellectual Property Office on Jun. 19, 2009, the entire contents
of which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0114] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
conceptions and specific embodiments disclosed in the foregoing
description may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or
designing other embodiments for carrying out the same purposes of
the present invention. Those skilled in the art will also
appreciate that such equivalent embodiments do not depart from the
spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended
claims.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0115] A burner of the present invention relates to a force
ignition burner for regenerating diesel particulate filter (DPF)
and may be applied to a diesel particulate reduction device of a
low-speed diesel vehicle. In addition, the burner may be used
together with a burner using a passive regeneration method. The
burner may be used in Diesel particulate reduction devices of
diverse internal combustion engines which require force ignition
due to insufficient heat of the exhaust gas although incomplete
combustion of fuel occurs.
* * * * *