U.S. patent application number 12/791919 was filed with the patent office on 2011-12-08 for engine exhaust gas treatment device including electrically actuated hydrocarbon adsorber bypass valve.
This patent application is currently assigned to GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.. Invention is credited to RANDY L. DUFRESNE, HALIM G. SANTOSO.
Application Number | 20110296820 12/791919 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44974051 |
Filed Date | 2011-12-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110296820 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SANTOSO; HALIM G. ; et
al. |
December 8, 2011 |
ENGINE EXHAUST GAS TREATMENT DEVICE INCLUDING ELECTRICALLY ACTUATED
HYDROCARBON ADSORBER BYPASS VALVE
Abstract
An engine exhaust gas treatment device may include a housing, a
hydrocarbon adsorber, an adsorber bypass passage, and a bypass
valve assembly. The hydrocarbon adsorber may be located within the
housing and may define a first flow path between an exhaust gas
inlet and an exhaust gas outlet of the housing. The adsorber bypass
passage may define a second flow path between the exhaust gas inlet
and the exhaust gas outlet. The bypass valve assembly may include a
bypass valve and an electric actuation mechanism engaged with the
bypass valve. The bypass valve may be displaceable between open and
closed positions by the electric actuation mechanism.
Inventors: |
SANTOSO; HALIM G.; (NOVI,
MI) ; DUFRESNE; RANDY L.; (ORCHARD LAKE, MI) |
Assignee: |
GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS,
INC.
DETROIT
MI
|
Family ID: |
44974051 |
Appl. No.: |
12/791919 |
Filed: |
June 2, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
60/311 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F01N 3/28 20130101; F01N
2470/30 20130101; Y02T 10/20 20130101; F01N 13/1805 20130101; F01N
3/0835 20130101; F01N 3/0878 20130101; F01N 2470/20 20130101; Y02T
10/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
60/311 |
International
Class: |
F01N 3/00 20060101
F01N003/00 |
Claims
1. An engine exhaust gas treatment device comprising: a housing
defining an exhaust gas inlet and an exhaust gas outlet; a
hydrocarbon adsorber located within the housing between the exhaust
gas inlet and the exhaust gas outlet and defining a first flow path
between the exhaust gas inlet and the exhaust gas outlet; an
adsorber bypass passage within the housing between the exhaust gas
inlet and the exhaust gas outlet and defining a second flow path
between the exhaust gas inlet and the exhaust gas outlet, the first
and second flow paths forming parallel flow paths between the
exhaust gas inlet and the exhaust gas outlet; and a bypass valve
assembly including a bypass valve and an electric actuation
mechanism engaged with the bypass valve, the bypass valve located
within the housing and displaceable between open and closed
positions by the electric actuation mechanism, the bypass valve
providing communication between the exhaust gas inlet and the
exhaust gas outlet through the adsorber bypass passage when in the
open position and inhibiting communication between the exhaust gas
inlet and the exhaust gas outlet through the adsorber bypass
passage when in the closed position.
2. The engine exhaust gas treatment device of claim 1, wherein the
exhaust gas inlet of the housing includes a nozzle having a nozzle
outlet located adjacent an inlet of the adsorber bypass passage,
the nozzle outlet and the inlet of the adsorber bypass passage
defining a spacing therebetween.
3. The engine exhaust gas treatment device of claim 2, wherein the
nozzle outlet has a first inner diameter less than a second inner
diameter of the inlet of the adsorber bypass passage.
4. The engine exhaust gas treatment device of claim 3, wherein the
nozzle outlet is axially spaced from the inlet of the adsorber
bypass passage.
5. The engine exhaust gas treatment device of claim 4, wherein the
nozzle outlet is axially spaced less than 10 millimeters from the
inlet of the adsorber bypass passage.
6. The engine exhaust gas treatment device of claim 4, wherein the
nozzle outlet and the inlet of the adsorber bypass passage are
concentrically aligned with one another.
7. The engine exhaust gas treatment device of claim 3, wherein the
first inner diameter is between 80 percent and 95 percent of the
second inner diameter.
8. The engine exhaust gas treatment device of claim 2, wherein the
adsorber bypass passage is formed by an adsorber bypass conduit
defining the inlet of the adsorber bypass passage and extending
axially beyond the hydrocarbon adsorber toward exhaust gas
inlet.
9. The engine exhaust gas treatment device of claim 8, wherein the
housing defines an annular chamber surrounding the adsorber bypass
conduit at a location axially between the inlet of the adsorber
bypass passage and the hydrocarbon adsorber.
10. The engine exhaust gas treatment device of claim 9, wherein the
annular chamber is in communication with the exhaust gas inlet
through the spacing between the nozzle outlet and the inlet of the
adsorber bypass passage.
11. The engine exhaust gas treatment device of claim 10, wherein
the annular chamber operates at a first pressure less than a second
pressure within the housing at an outlet of the adsorber bypass
passage when the bypass valve is in the open position, an exhaust
gas provided to the engine exhaust gas treatment device flowing in
a first direction from the exhaust gas inlet to the exhaust gas
outlet through the adsorber bypass passage and flowing in a second
direction from the exhaust gas outlet to the exhaust gas inlet
through the hydrocarbon adsorber when the bypass valve is in the
open position, the exhaust gas flowing through the hydrocarbon
adsorber in the first direction when the bypass valve is in the
closed position.
12. The engine exhaust gas treatment device of claim 1, wherein the
first flow path is an annular flow path surrounding the second flow
path.
13. The engine exhaust gas treatment device of claim 1, wherein the
hydrocarbon adsorber is formed from a zeolite for treatment of
ethanol emissions.
14. The engine exhaust gas treatment device of claim 1, further
comprising a catalyst member located within the housing between the
hydrocarbon adsorber and the exhaust gas outlet.
15. An engine exhaust gas treatment device comprising: a housing
defining an exhaust gas inlet and an exhaust gas outlet; a
hydrocarbon adsorber located within the housing between the exhaust
gas inlet and the exhaust gas outlet and defining a first flow path
between the exhaust gas inlet and the exhaust gas outlet; an
adsorber bypass conduit extending through the hydrocarbon adsorber
and defining a second flow path between the exhaust gas inlet and
the exhaust gas outlet, the first and second flow paths forming
parallel flow paths between the exhaust gas inlet and the exhaust
gas outlet; and a bypass valve assembly including a bypass valve
and an electric actuation mechanism engaged with the bypass valve,
the bypass valve located within the housing and displaceable
between open and closed positions by the electric actuation
mechanism, the bypass valve providing communication between the
exhaust gas inlet and the exhaust gas outlet through the adsorber
bypass conduit when in the open position and inhibiting
communication between the exhaust gas inlet and the exhaust gas
outlet through the adsorber bypass conduit when in the closed
position.
16. The engine exhaust gas treatment device of claim 15, wherein
the exhaust gas inlet of the housing includes a nozzle having a
nozzle outlet located adjacent an inlet of the adsorber bypass
conduit, the nozzle outlet and the inlet of the adsorber bypass
conduit defining a spacing therebetween.
17. The engine exhaust gas treatment device of claim 16, wherein
the nozzle outlet has a first inner diameter less than a second
inner diameter of the inlet of the adsorber bypass conduit and the
nozzle outlet is axially spaced from the inlet of the adsorber
bypass conduit.
18. The engine exhaust gas treatment device of claim 17, wherein
the nozzle outlet is axially spaced less than 10 millimeters from
the inlet of the adsorber bypass conduit and the first inner
diameter is between 80 percent and 95 percent of the second inner
diameter.
19. The engine exhaust gas treatment device of claim 18, wherein
the housing defines an annular chamber surrounding the adsorber
bypass conduit at a location axially between the inlet of the
adsorber bypass conduit and the hydrocarbon adsorber, the annular
chamber being in communication with the exhaust gas inlet through
the spacing between the nozzle outlet and the inlet of the adsorber
bypass conduit, the annular chamber operating at a first pressure
less than a second pressure within the housing at an outlet of the
adsorber bypass conduit when the bypass valve is in the open
position, an exhaust gas provided to the engine exhaust gas
treatment device flowing in a first direction from the exhaust gas
inlet to the exhaust gas outlet through the adsorber bypass conduit
and flowing in a second direction from the exhaust gas outlet to
the exhaust gas inlet through the hydrocarbon adsorber when the
bypass valve is in the open position, the exhaust gas flowing
through the hydrocarbon adsorber in the first direction when the
bypass valve is in the closed position
20. The engine exhaust gas treatment device of claim 15, further
comprising a catalyst member located within the housing between the
hydrocarbon adsorber and the exhaust gas outlet.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to engine exhaust systems,
and more specifically, engine exhaust gas treatment devices
including hydrocarbon adsorbers.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This section provides background information related to the
present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
[0003] Engine emissions standards include limits on hydrocarbon
emissions. Hydrocarbon emissions may be difficult to treat at cold
start operating conditions due to available temperature of
catalysts used to treat hydrocarbon emissions. Engine exhaust gas
treatment devices may include a hydrocarbon adsorber to trap
hydrocarbon emissions during cold operation and treat the
hydrocarbon emissions once the catalyst reaches an operating
temperature.
SUMMARY
[0004] An engine exhaust gas treatment device may include a
housing, a hydrocarbon adsorber, an adsorber bypass passage, and a
bypass valve assembly. The housing may define an exhaust gas inlet
and an exhaust gas outlet. The hydrocarbon adsorber may be located
within the housing between the exhaust gas inlet and the exhaust
gas outlet and may define a first flow path between the exhaust gas
inlet and the exhaust gas outlet. The adsorber bypass passage may
be defined within the housing between the exhaust gas inlet and the
exhaust gas outlet and may define a second flow path between the
exhaust gas inlet and the exhaust gas outlet. The first and second
flow paths may form parallel flow paths between the exhaust gas
inlet and the exhaust gas outlet. The bypass valve assembly may
include a bypass valve and an electric actuation mechanism engaged
with the bypass valve. The bypass valve may be located within the
housing and may be displaceable between open and closed positions
by the electric actuation mechanism. The bypass valve may provide
communication between the exhaust gas inlet and the exhaust gas
outlet through the adsorber bypass passage when in the open
position and may inhibit communication between the exhaust gas
inlet and the exhaust gas outlet through the adsorber bypass
passage when in the closed position.
[0005] An adsorber bypass conduit may extend through the
hydrocarbon adsorber and may define the adsorber bypass
passage.
[0006] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the
description provided herein. The description and specific examples
in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and
are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes
only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present
disclosure in any way.
[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a vehicle according to
the present disclosure;
[0009] FIG. 2 is perspective section view of an engine exhaust gas
treatment device shown in FIG. 1; and
[0010] FIG. 3 is an additional perspective section view of the
engine exhaust gas treatment device shown in FIG. 1.
[0011] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] Examples of the present disclosure will now be described
more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. The
following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not
intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.
[0013] Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure
will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are
skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as
examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a
thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It
will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details
need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in
many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit
the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments,
well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known
technologies are not described in detail.
[0014] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on,"
"engaged to," "connected to" or "coupled to" another element or
layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the
other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be
present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being
"directly on," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to" or
"directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no
intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to
describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in
a like fashion (e.g., "between" versus "directly between,"
"adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the
term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of
the associated listed items.
[0015] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used
herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers
and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or
sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be
only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or
section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as
"first," "second," and other numerical terms when used herein do
not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the
context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section
discussed below could be termed a second element, component,
region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of
the example embodiments.
[0016] As used herein, the term "module" refers to an application
specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a
processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and memory that execute one
or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic
circuit, or other suitable components that provide the described
functionality.
[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary vehicle 10 may include an
engine assembly 12, a transmission 14, a driveline assembly 16, an
exhaust assembly 18, and a control module 20. The engine assembly
12 may include an internal combustion engine 22 having a crankshaft
24 rotationally driven by pistons 26, an intake manifold 28
providing an air flow (A) to the engine 22 and exhaust manifolds
30, 32 receiving exhaust gas (E) exiting the engine 22. The
driveline assembly 16 may include an output shaft 34 and a drive
axle 36. The engine 22 may be coupled to the transmission 14 to
drive the output shaft 34 and power rotation of the drive axle
36.
[0018] The exhaust assembly 18 may include an engine exhaust gas
treatment device 40 in communication with the exhaust manifolds 30,
32 via an exhaust gas conduit 42. With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3,
the engine exhaust gas treatment device 40 may include a housing
44, a hydrocarbon adsorber 46, an adsorber bypass conduit 48, a
catalyst member 50, and a bypass valve assembly 52. The housing 44
may define an exhaust gas inlet 54 and an exhaust gas outlet 56 and
may include a nozzle 58 at the exhaust gas inlet 54. The
hydrocarbon adsorber 46 may be located within the housing 44
between the exhaust gas inlet 54 and an exhaust gas outlet 56
forming a first flow path between the exhaust gas inlet 54 and the
exhaust gas outlet 56. By way of non-limiting example, the
hydrocarbon adsorber 46 may be formed from a zeolite material. In
the present non-limiting example, the zeolite material may be for
treatment of ethanol emissions. The catalyst member 50 may include
a three-way catalyst.
[0019] The adsorber bypass conduit 48 may extend through the
hydrocarbon adsorber 46 and define an adsorber bypass passage 60.
The adsorber bypass passage 60 defines a second flow path between
the exhaust gas inlet 54 and the exhaust gas outlet 56 parallel to
the first flow path defined through the hydrocarbon adsorber 46.
The first flow path may generally form an annular flow path
surrounding the second flow path.
[0020] The catalyst member 50 may be located between the
hydrocarbon adsorber 46 and the adsorber bypass conduit 48 and the
exhaust gas outlet 56. The catalyst member 50 may receive exhaust
gas exiting the hydrocarbon adsorber 46 and/or the adsorber bypass
conduit 48 depending on the position of the bypass valve assembly
52 as discussed below.
[0021] The bypass valve assembly 52 may include an electrically
actuated bypass valve 62 located in the adsorber bypass passage 60
and an electric actuation mechanism 64 engaged with the
electrically actuated bypass valve 62 to displace the electrically
actuated bypass valve 62 between a closed position (FIG. 2) and an
open position (FIG. 3). The electrically actuated bypass valve 62
provides communication between the exhaust gas inlet 54 and the
exhaust gas outlet 56 when in the open position and inhibits (or
prevents) communication between the exhaust gas inlet 54 and the
exhaust gas outlet 56 when in the closed position.
[0022] The nozzle 58 may form a converging nozzle including a
nozzle outlet 66 defining a first inner diameter (D1). The nozzle
outlet 66 may be located adjacent to an inlet 68 of the adsorber
bypass passage 60 defined at an end 70 of the adsorber bypass
conduit 48. The nozzle outlet 66 and the inlet 68 of the adsorber
bypass passage 60 may define a spacing therebetween. The nozzle
outlet 66 may be concentrically aligned with the inlet 68 of the
adsorber bypass passage 60.
[0023] The inlet 68 of the adsorber bypass passage 60 may define a
second inner diameter (D2). The first inner diameter (D1) may be
less than the second inner diameter (D2). By way of non-limiting
example, the first inner diameter (D1) may be eighty percent to
ninety-nine percent of the second inner diameter (D2), and more
specifically eighty percent to ninety-five percent of the second
inner diameter (D2). The nozzle outlet 66 may also be axially
spaced a distance (L) from the inlet 68 of the adsorber bypass
passage 60. In the present non-limiting example, the nozzle outlet
66 is axially spaced less than ten millimeters from the inlet 68 of
the adsorber bypass passage 60. The difference between the first
and second inner diameters (D1, D2) and/or distance (L) may form
the spacing between the nozzle outlet 66 and the inlet 68 of the
adsorber bypass passage 60.
[0024] The end 70 of the adsorber bypass conduit 48 defining the
inlet 68 may extend axially outward from the hydrocarbon adsorber
46 in a direction from the exhaust gas outlet 56 toward the exhaust
gas inlet 54. The housing 44 may define an annular chamber 72
surrounding the adsorber bypass conduit 48 at a location axially
between the inlet 68 of the adsorber bypass passage 60 and the
hydrocarbon adsorber 46. The annular chamber 72 may be in
communication with the exhaust gas inlet 54 through the spacing
defined between the nozzle outlet 66 and the inlet 68 of the
adsorber bypass passage 60.
[0025] The control module 20 may be in communication with the
electric actuation mechanism 64 to displace the electrically
actuated bypass valve 62 between the closed position (FIG. 2) and
the open position (FIG. 3). When the electrically actuated bypass
valve 62 is in the closed position (FIG. 2), the exhaust gas may
flow through the hydrocarbon adsorber 46 in a first direction (A1)
from the exhaust gas inlet 54 to the exhaust gas outlet 56. The
exhaust gas may flow from the exhaust gas inlet 54 through the
hydrocarbon adsorber 46 to the catalyst member 50 and out the
exhaust gas outlet 56. The housing 44 may include a diffuser 74
between the hydrocarbon adsorber 46 and the catalyst member 50 and
defining openings 76 to control exhaust flow rate through the
hydrocarbon adsorber 46.
[0026] When the electrically actuated bypass valve 62 is in the
open position (FIG. 3), the exhaust gas may flow through the
hydrocarbon adsorber 46 in a second direction (A2) opposite the
first direction (A1) and from the exhaust gas outlet 56 to the
exhaust gas inlet 54. The exhaust gas flows through the adsorber
bypass passage 60 in the first direction (A1) to the catalyst
member 50 and out the exhaust gas outlet 56. The exhaust gas flow
through the hydrocarbon adsorber 46 in the second direction (A2)
may be generated by the arrangement between the nozzle outlet 66
and the inlet 68 of the adsorber bypass conduit 48. More
specifically, the spacing between the nozzle outlet 66 and the
inlet 68 of the adsorber bypass conduit 48 may create a localized
low pressure region within the annular chamber 72. As a result, a
portion of the exhaust gas may flow from the higher pressure region
of the housing 44 between the hydrocarbon adsorber 46 and the
catalyst member 50 through the hydrocarbon adsorber 46 in the
second direction (A2). The exhaust gas may flow to the adsorber
bypass conduit 48 through the spacing defined between the nozzle
outlet 66 and the inlet 68 of the adsorber bypass conduit 48.
* * * * *