US3771315A

US3771315A - Exhaust gas purifier

Info

Publication number: US3771315A
Application number: US00196373A
Authority: US
Inventors: G Scott
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-11-08
Filing date: 1971-11-08
Publication date: 1973-11-13
Anticipated expiration: 1990-11-13

Abstract

A combined muffler and exhaust gas purifier for internal combustion engines, in particular those for automotive vehicles. The exhaust gas is piped into the muffler casing which is filled with a porous or fibrous material, and repeatedly passed through such material to extract dust and other contaminants. The filtering material is continuously impregnated with an oxidizing and de-odorizing fluid which simultaneously with filtering, oxidizes or otherwise chemically treats dangerous ingredients of the exhaust gas and de-odorizes them. Automatically operated valve means controls the feeding of the fluid.

Description

United States Patent m1 Scott Nov. 13, 1973 1 EXHAUST GAS PUR'IFlER [76] Inventor: George H. Scott, 2635 Midlothian Pike, Apt. 19, Richmond, Va. 23224 [22] Filed: Nov. 8, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 196,373

[52] U.S. Cl. 60/297, 55/90, 55/233,

55/D1G. 30, 60/310, 60/311, 181/36 C, 181/50 [51] Int. Cl. F0ln 3/04 [58] Field of Search 60/310, 311, 299,

60/297, 290, 317, 294, 287; 55/D1G. 30, 90, 233; 23/288 F; 181/50, 53, 54, 36C

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,737,260 3/1956 Jenison 60/311 3,100,376 8/1963 Potter 60/310 3,548,591 12/1970 McKay 60/311 1,759,679 5/1930 Backman 181/53 1,988,048 1/1935 Peik 181/54 2,614,647 10/1952 Bryant.. 23/288 F 2,773,735 12/1956 Ruth 23/288 F 2,787,119 4/1957 Giambruno... 60/310 2,918,789 12/1959 Sivesind 60/294 3,383,854 5/1968 White 60/287 3,460,901 8/1969 Massa.... 60/274 3,633,343 1/1972 Mark 55/1316. 30

Primary Examiner-Douglas Hart Attorney-Elizabeth Newton Dew ABSTRACT A combined muffler and exhaust gas purifier for internal combustion engines, in particular those for automotive vehicles. The exhaust gas is piped into the muffler casing which is filled with a porous or fibrous material, and repeatedly passed through such material to extract dust and other contaminants. The filtering material is continuously impregnated with an oxidizing and de-odorizing fluid which simultaneously with filtering, oxidizes or otherwise chemically treats dangerous ingredients of the exhaust gas and de-odorizes them. Automatically operated valve means controls the feeding of the fluid.

5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PAIENTEUNHV 13 ms 3; 771. 31 5 INVENTOR GEORGE H. SCOTT BY [@ww WQ M 2w ATTORNEY EXHAUST GAS PURIFIER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an exhaust system of general application but particularly useful for vehicles and air and water craft propelled by internal combustion engines.

The concern of the public and government officials over the present pollution of the atmosphere, is due in large part to the vast volume of exhaust fumes emitted from the millions of automotive vehicles presently using the highways. The problem is aggravated by the rapidly increasing number of air and powerpropelled water craft. It has been estimated that at least 50 percent of the pollution causing smog, dust and air contamination dangerous to health, is created by emissions from such vehicles and craft.

While scientists and inventors have spent much time and thought on solution of the problem of the present intolerable pollution of the atmosphere as it presently exists in, around and over urban areas of the country, there has to date been no really satisfactory solution short of the addition to automotive vehicles of accessories and equipment which are not only expensive to manufacture and install but excessively complicated and difficult to service as well. Not only do such accessories and equipment add several hundreds of dollars to the initial cost of the vehicle but requiring, as they do, frequent servicing, are largely ignored by the average motor vehicle owner or operator. The problem grows more acute daily.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the chief purpose and object of this invention to provide a combined muffler and exhaust gas cleaner and purifier which solves the problem of contamination of the atmosphere from and by the exhaust gases emitted by internal combustion engines, in particular, those of automotive vehicles.

Another object is to provide apparatus as in the preceding paragraph, which is relatively simple and inexpensive to produce and install and which may be used instead of, or as a replacement for the conventional mufflers of existing automotive vehicles.

A still further object is to provide a combined muffler and exhaust gas purifier which can be made in a form providing readily replaceable parts such, for instance as the materials thereof and therein which absorb, treat or retain the pollutant elementsof exhaust gases.

Yet another object is the provision of a product as aforesaid, equipped with an auxiliary feed thereto for liquids andi/or pulverulent-like materials which chemically or otherwise treat, absorb and purify the exhaust fumes from an internal combustion engine, and townder them essentially harmless when passed into the atmosphere.

A still further object is to provide a combined muffler and exhaust gas purifier which employs as the cleaning agent or agents, materials readily available in the'market and at reasonably low cost.

Another object is to provide a product as in the preceding paragraphs, which can be manufactured and installed at relatively low cost, which is-efiicient for its intended purpose, has a minimum of replaceable parts, and is a general advance in the art.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become clear to those skilled in the art, following a study of the following detailed description, in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the invention with inlet and exhaust pipe connections and fluid purifier supply means;

FIG. 2 is a transverse section to an enlarged scale, in a plane identified by line 2 2, FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a vertical central longitudinal section through the casing, taken in a plane identified by line 3 3, FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring in detail to the drawing, 1 identifies generally a metallic casing of sheet metal such as low carbon, or stainless steel, generally parallelepipedal in form and as shown in transverse section upon FIG. 2.

A pipe 2 is detachably connected with an opening in end wall 3 of the casing near the top, and at its other end is detachably connected with the exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine, not shown. The other end wall 4, FIG. 3, of the casing has an opening at or near its lower edge, through which passes a pipe 5 for exhaust from, the casing, of purified gases. The

pipes

2 and 5 at the locations where they pass through the respective end walls, are sealed thereto by conventional disconnectable glands, not shown, and which enable the casing to be readily separated from the pipes when it is desired or necessary to remove the casing for renewal, reconditioning or replacement of the cleaning and filtering materials therein. Alternatively, well known flanged separable couplings may be interposed in each pipe adjacent and externally of the casing, for the same purpose. In the latter case the pipe section may be welded to the end walls of the casing at the locations where they pass therethrough. A pair of removable shock-absorbing straps, not shown, may surround the casing, spaced longitudinally thereof, and mount it to or upon the frame or chassis of the vehicle.

Within the casing are located transverse, longitudinally-spaced parallel metallic plates 8 and 9 which may be secured to casing l by spot welding at and along their edges. The plates are foraminous or pierced with a large number of regularly-spaced holes which permit the free flow of gas through them, substantially without restriction. Apart from the holes the plates are provided with aligned openings which receive and support those portions of

pipes

2 and 5 within the casing, as well as a shorter section of pipe 7. I

As seen in FIG. 3, pipe 7 is of lesser length than the distance between the end walls of the casing, and has its ends spaced from them.

Pipes

2, 5 and 7 may have a press fit within the openings in plates 8 and 9. Or they may be spot welded thereto. Where flanged or like separable couplings are provided for

pipes

2 and 5 at and near the exterior surfaces of end walls 3 and 4, respectively, the muffler-purifier may be manufactured as an integral unitary item, readily detached, repaired and replaced.

The interior of easing l is filled with fibrous material of steel wool and fiberglass, loosely packed in such a manner, as will be subsequently explained, that all exhaust gas must pass repeatedly therethrough before exit from the casing by way of pipe 5.

A tank 10, FIG. 1, of suitable form and volume has a removable filler opening cap 11. An outlet pipe 12 extends from the bottom of the tank, to a valve 13 which when open, permits the controlled fluid from the tank at a selected rate. An outlet pipe 14 connects the valve with an opening through the top wall of easing 1 so that when the valve is open, liquid may flow into the casing and impregnate the fibrous material therewithin.

It is contemplated that tank may be located under the front seat cushion of the vehicle or, alternatively, on the forward side of the fire wall of the engine compartment. Other suitable or convenient locations are comtemplated. While it is within the purview of the invention to make valve 13 manually openable and adjustable, by a remote-control flexible cable operated from a position convenient to the drivers seat of the vehicle, it is also contemplated that this .valve may be of the normally-closed, solenoid-operated type. In the latter case the solenoid will. 'be energized by and through the secondary of a relay .the primary of which will be in series or parallel circuit with the primary of the engines ignition system. Thus the valve will automatically close at all times when the engine is not running. But as soon as its ignition switch is closed, the solenoid will be energized and the valve opened. If desired, a speed-responsive device such as one built into the vehicle's speedometer, may operate a variable resistance in series with the valve solenoid circuit so that in this way the rate of feed of fluid from tank 10 to casing 1 will be in direct ratio to the speed or r.p.m. of the engine.

The fibrous filtering material generally indicated at 14, within the casing, has been previously mentioned.-

thereto as by bolts and interfitting flanges, so that when.

the casing is removed from the vehicle, the spent material therein may be readily renewed.

OPERATION Assuming valve 13 to be automatically controlled, it opens as soon as the driver closes the ignition switch of the engine, preparatory to starting. Liquid which may be an oxidizer such as hydrogen peroxide solution, and- /or a de-odorizer such as the preparation sold under the trade name Wisk, begins to flow into the muffler and permeates the fibrous material therein. When the engine starts, exhaust gases therefrom pass into the casing through the open end of pipe 2 and a multiplicity of perforations in its side walls within the casing, traverses the fibrous material therein and exits by way of pipe 5 through its open left end and a multiplicity of perforations in its side walls. The flow of exhaust gas assists by aspiration in creating a steady flow of liquid from tank In its passage through the fibrous material, the gas is cleaned of dust and carbon monoxide and thereby purified and rendered essentially less harmful when inhaled into the lungs. The intermediate pipe 7 which may likewise have a multiplicity of perforations in and through its side walls, is not filled with fibrous material but to the contrary, remains open and unobstructed and thus operates to reduce to a negligible value, back pressure generated within the muffler, in particular when the material becomes partially clogged with dust, dirt and other accretions. The steel wool not only assists in filtering and purifying the exhaust gas, it also plays a very important role in maintaining the fiberglass in proper position within the casing, and in preventing it from being blown out through pipe 5. When automatic, speed-responsive control of valve 13 is provided, the rate of flow of liquid from tank 10, into the muffler casing, is varied in proportion to the speed of the engine and, in normal driving, to the speed of the vehicle. Since the exhaust gas rate of flow is generally directly proportional to the speed of the engine, the aforesaid aspiration effect may supplement or replace the necessity for automatic control of valve 13 in response to engine speed. 3

While I have disclosed the invention as presently preferred by me, numerous changes in shapes, arrangements and relations of parts, as well as substitutions of equivalents will readily occur to those skilled in the art, after a study of the foregoing disclosure. Hence the disclosure is to be taken in an illustrative rather than a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a muffler and exhaust gas purifying apparatus for an internal'combustion engine, a casing including first and second spaced parallel end walls, first conduit means conducting exhaust gas into said casing and comprising a first pipe extending through said first end wall and terminating in an open end adjacent said second end wall, second conduit means conducting exhaust gas from said casing and comprising a second pipe extending through said second end wall and terminating in an open end adjacent said first end wall, fibrous filtering material disposed in and essentially filling said casing, and means external of said casing for supplying exhaust gas treating fluidjto said casing and the filtering material therein, said first and second pipes being free internally, of filtering material.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, said filtering material comprising a first mass of steel wool and a second mass of fiberglass, said masses being discrete and having an interface between said end walls, essentially parallel therewith, said first mass being adjacent to said first end wall, said second mass being adjacent to said second end wall.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, and a third conduit means comprising a third pipe entirely within said casing, between said first and said second pipes, and having its open ends adjacent and spaced from said first and second end walls, respectively, said third pipe being free internally of filtering material.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, said interface between i the discrete masses of filtering material within said casing being essentially in a plane normal to and between the ends of said third pipe.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, each said first, second and third pipes having a multiplicity of holes piercing its side walls within said casing, each said hole being sufficiently small to prevent the passage of filtering material therethrough.

# i I II

Claims

1. In a muffler and exhaust gas purifying apparatus for an internal combustion engine, a casing including first and second spaced parallel end walls, first conduit means conducting exhaust gas into said casing and comprising a first pipe extending through said first end wall and terminating in an open end adjacent said second end wall, second conduit means conducting exhaust gas from said casing and comprising a second pipe extending through said second end wall and terminating in an open end adjacent said first end wall, fibrous filtering material disposed in and essentially filling said casing, and means external of said casing for supplying exhaust gas treating fluid to said casing and the filtering material therein, said first and second pipes being free internally, of filtering material.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, said interface between the discrete masses of filtering material within said casing being essentially in a plane normal to and between the ends of said third pipe.