U.S. patent application number 14/190712 was filed with the patent office on 2014-06-26 for exhaust flow spark arrestor.
This patent application is currently assigned to Caterpillar Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Caterpillar Inc.. Invention is credited to Mohamed Daoud.
Application Number | 20140174848 14/190712 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50973380 |
Filed Date | 2014-06-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140174848 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Daoud; Mohamed |
June 26, 2014 |
EXHAUST FLOW SPARK ARRESTOR
Abstract
A spark arrestor is provided. The spark arrestor includes a
housing and an inlet tube. The inlet tube is configured to receive
an exhaust flow into the housing. A first baffle is positioned
within the housing. The first baffle has a curved configuration and
is placed such that a convex side of the first baffle faces the
exhaust flow. A second baffle is positioned within the housing. The
first baffle and the second baffle are configured to separate
particles from the exhaust flow. An outlet tube is present within
the housing and is positioned centrally in relation to the first
baffle and the second baffle. An end of the outlet tube is
configured to contact a concave side of the first baffle. Further,
the outlet tube includes a plurality of perforations at the end.
The perforations are configured to receive air separated from the
exhaust flow into the outlet tube.
Inventors: |
Daoud; Mohamed; (Dunlap,
IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Caterpillar Inc. |
Peoria |
IL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Caterpillar Inc.
Peoria
IL
|
Family ID: |
50973380 |
Appl. No.: |
14/190712 |
Filed: |
February 26, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
181/282 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F01N 1/08 20130101; F01N
3/06 20130101; F01N 2230/06 20130101; F01N 13/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
181/282 |
International
Class: |
F01N 13/08 20060101
F01N013/08 |
Claims
1. A spark arrestor comprising: a housing; an inlet tube in fluid
communication with the housing, the inlet tube configured to
receive an exhaust flow into the housing; a first baffle positioned
within the housing, the first baffle having a curved configuration,
wherein a convex side of the first baffle is configured to face the
exhaust flow; a second baffle positioned within the housing and in
relation to the first baffle, the second baffle sized smaller than
the first baffle, wherein the first baffle and the second baffle
are configured to separate particles from the exhaust flow; and an
outlet tube disposed at least partially within the housing, the
outlet tube positioned centrally in relation to the first baffle
and the second baffle, the outlet tube having an end in contact
with a concave side of the first baffle, wherein the outlet tube
includes a plurality of perforations at the end, the perforations
configured to receive air separated from the exhaust flow into the
outlet tube.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to an exhaust system of an
engine, and more particularly to a spark arrestor for the exhaust
system.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Particulate matter may be introduced into an exhaust flow
exiting an engine due to various combustion processes taking place
within the engine. In some situations, combusting particles, such
as carbon deposits, may build up on internal walls of the engine.
These carbon deposits may mix with the exhaust flow. Presence of
the carbon deposits and other combustion products in the exhaust
flow may present a fire risk in application, such as, petroleum and
chemical applications where flammability is an especial
concern.
[0003] The exhaust system may include devices, such as, a spark
arrestor, for treating the exhaust flowing therethrough so as to
reduce the particulate matter present in the exhaust flow. The
spark arrestor may be present at locations downstream of the engine
with respect to the exhaust flow.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0004] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a spark arrestor is
provided. The spark arrestor includes a housing. The spark arrestor
also includes an inlet tube. The inlet tube is in fluid
communication with the housing. The inlet tube is configured to
receive an exhaust flow into the housing. The spark arrestor
further includes a first baffle within the housing. The first
baffle includes a curved configuration. Further, a convex side of
the first baffle is configured to face the exhaust flow.
Additionally, the spark arrestor includes a second baffle
positioned within the housing. The second baffle has a size smaller
than a size of the first baffle. The first baffle and the second
baffle are configured to separate particles from the exhaust flow.
The spark arrestor also includes an outlet tube. The outlet tube is
disposed at least partially within the housing. Further, the outlet
tube is positioned centrally in relation to the first baffle and
the second baffle. An end of the outlet tube is configured to
contact a concave side of the first baffle. Further, the outlet
tube includes a plurality of perforations at the end. The
perforations are configured to receive air separated from the
exhaust flow into the outlet tube.
[0005] Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be
apparent from the following description and the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exhaust system associated
with an engine; and
[0007] FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are diagrammatic representations of
different configurations of a spark arrestor, according to various
embodiments of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0008] Wherever possible the same reference numbers will be used
throughout the drawings to refer to the same or the like parts.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exhaust system 100 associated with
an engine 102, according to one embodiment of the present
disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the engine 102 is a
multi-cylinder internal combustion (IC) engine. Alternatively, the
engine 102 may include a compression ignition engine, a spark
ignition engine such as a natural gas engine, a gasoline engine, or
any multi-cylinder reciprocating internal combustion engine known
in the art.
[0009] Further, the exhaust system 100 may include an
aftertreatment system (not shown). The aftertreatment system may
further include an exhaust gas re-circulation (EGR) system (not
shown). The EGR system is configured to decrease a content of
nitrogen oxides (NOx) in an exhaust flow from the engine 102.
[0010] The exhaust system 100 may include a muffler 104. The
muffler 104 is configured to reduce an amount of noise emitted by
the exhaust flow. Further, a spark arrestor 106 may be associated
with the exhaust system 100. The spark arrestor 106 is configured
to reduce a content of sparks or particles 112 for e.g. carbon
particles, or any other combustion products in the exhaust flow. As
shown in the accompanying figures, the spark arrestor 106 is
located downstream of the muffler 104, such that the exhaust flow
exiting the muffler 104 may flow through the spark arrestor 106.
The spark arrestor 106 may be external to the muffler 104, for
example, the spark arrestor 106 may be mounted directly to a
discharge end of the muffler 104. Alternatively, in one embodiment,
the spark arrestor 106 may be integrated with the muffler 104.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the spark arrestor 106,
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The spark
arrestor 106 includes a housing 108. The housing 108 may have a
rectangular cross section. Dimensions of the housing 108 of the
spark arrestor 106 may vary based on the application. The spark
arrestor 106 also includes an inlet tube 110 provided at one end of
the housing 108. The inlet tube 110 may have a circular cross
section. Further, the inlet tube 110 is provided in fluid
communication with the housing 108. The inlet tube 110 is
configured to receive the exhaust flow from the muffler 104. Arrows
are used in the accompanying figures to depict the exhaust flow
path.
[0012] The exhaust flow entering into the spark arrestor 106 may
include the particles 112 mixed therewith that are shown as dots in
the accompanying figures. The housing 108 of the spark arrestor 106
includes a first baffle 114. The first baffle 114 has a curved
configuration defining a convex side 116 and a concave side 118.
The convex side 116 of the first baffle 114 is configured to face
the exhaust flow entering through the inlet tube 110 such that the
exhaust flow entering the housing 108 may contact with the convex
side 116 of the first baffle 114. The positioning and orientation
of the first baffle 114 within the housing 108 may be such that the
first baffle 114 is configured to deflect or direct the exhaust
flow away from a central portion of the housing 108.
[0013] A second baffle 120 may be placed within the housing 108.
The second baffle 120 is positioned relative to the first baffle
114. Further, a size of the second baffle 120 is smaller compared
to a size of the first baffle 114. As shown in FIG. 2, the second
baffle 120 may be provided such that a concave side 122 of the
second baffle 120 faces the concave side 118 of the first baffle
114. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, the second baffle 120 may
be placed such that a convex side 124 of the second baffle 120 is
configured to face the concave side 118 of the first baffle
114.
[0014] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the combination of the first and
second baffles 114, 120 provided within the housing 108 is
configured to separate the particles 112 from the exhaust flow. As
explained earlier, the first baffle 114 may be configured to direct
the exhaust flow away from the central portion of the housing 108,
causing the exhaust flow to follow an extended path within the
spark arrestor 106. Thus, a velocity of the exhaust flow within the
housing 108 may reduce, as the exhaust flow may pass over the
convex side 116 of the first baffle 114. The reduced velocity of
the exhaust flow may in turn allow the particles 112 to be
separated out of the exhaust flow. The separated particles 112 may
be pushed towards the inner walls of the housing 108. The separated
particles 112 may be collected in a spark collector 126. The spark
collector 126 may be disengaged from the housing 108 for cleaning
purposes.
[0015] Further, the positioning of the first and second baffles
114, 120 is such that air separated from the exhaust flow may be
channelized or directed to flow over the concave side 118 of the
first baffle 114. Also, the second baffle 120 is placed such that
the separated particles 112 may be prevented from mixing with the
air.
[0016] An outlet tube 128 is positioned centrally in relation to
the first baffle 114 and the second baffle 120. Further, one end of
the outlet tube 128 is configured to contact with the concave side
118 of the first baffle 114. The outlet tube 128 may have a
circular cross section. The outlet tube 128 includes a plurality of
projections 130 provided at the end proximate to the first baffle
114. The air separated from the exhaust flow may flow into the
outlet tube 128 through the perforations 130. The air may further
flow downstream to other components in the system or may be
released into the atmosphere.
[0017] In an alternate embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the housing
108 may include only the first baffle 114. It should be noted that
the configurations of the spark arrestor 106 shown in the
accompanying figures are exemplary and do not limit the scope of
the present disclosure. Number, dimension, positioning and
orientation of the baffles 114, 120 may vary based on the
application.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0018] The present disclosure relates to the spark arrestor 106.
The first baffle 114 and/or the second baffles 120 provided within
the housing 108 are configured to circulate the exhaust flow within
the housing 108 such that the particles 112 are separated
therefrom. The spark arrestor 106 is configured to create a low
back-pressure in the exhaust flow within the housing 108. The
design of the spark arrestor 106 is easy to manufacture.
Application of the spark arrestor 106 may be extended to other
systems, for example, generator sets.
[0019] While aspects of the present disclosure have been
particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments
above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that
various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the
modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without
departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such
embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the
present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any
equivalents thereof.
* * * * *