US3124930A - Exhaust system - Google Patents

Description

March 17, 1964 w. H. POWERS EXHAUST SYSTEM Filed March 20, 1959 w v? a INVENTOR. )4 d/Z er azaers.

/ JW Yz/S United States Patent O 3,124,930 EXHAUST SYSTEM Walter H. Powers, Jackson, Mich, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Walker Manufacturing Company, Racine, Wis, a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 2:0, 1959, Ser. No. 800,670 1 Claim. (6i. 60-40) My invention relates to internal combustion engines, and in particular to apparatus for burning unburned hydrocarbons found in the exhaust gases of internal combustion engines.

The aim of my invention is to provide a smog eliminating device which will be less expensive to install on an automobile than devices of the type currently being considered.

Briefly, in accordance with my invention I provide an internal combustion engine with a hydrocarbon burner that is located close to and preferably in the exhaust manifold and which acts as a smog eliminator. Preferably, the pre-burner comprises a catalyst screen or element which is attached to the gasket between the exhaust manifold and engine block. Thus, the gases leaving the cylinders will, while very hot, be in contact with the catalyst member. At the high temperatures available at this point, it is possible to effectively remove a substantial percentage of the unburned hydrocarbons.

By locating the burner in a position close to or within the manifold, I utilize the available heat to burn the excess hydrocarbons and permit downstream silencing of the exhaust gases to be carried out without special regard for smog elimination. Thus, optimum silencing can be obtained along with elimination of excessive hydrocarbons.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of a six cylinder internal combustion engine embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the exhaust manifold showing the secondary air harness attached to the exhaust manifold.

FIG. 3 is a section taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2, and

FIG. 4 is a section taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

The exhaust manifold 1 that is associated with the internal combustion engine 3 is entirely conventional in all respects. Thus, it has branch lines 5 which receive the exhaust gases from the outlet ports 6 of the cylinders of the engine and feed them into a common chamber 7 which empties into the exhaust line 9. Each branch 5 3,124,930 Patented Mar. 17, 1964 See terminates in a pad 11 which is bolted to the engine block and has a flat face 13 hearing against a gasket 15.

In accordance with my invention I attach a catalytic element to each gasket 15 so that gases flowing into the manifold will pass through or in contact with the element. The catalytic element in combination with the high temperatures at the inlet to the exhaust manifold will cause a more complete combustion of the unburned hydrocarbons to occur in the exhaust manifold. While it is broadly within the scope of my invention to use any suitable catalyst in any suitable form, I presently prefer that the catalytic element be the metal nickel in the form of a screen cup 17. Each nickel screen cup 17 is preferably secured by a suitable retainer or by an interlock fit to a gasket 15 around the edge of the opening in the gasket. Thus, the combined gasket and catalyst can be supplied as an inexpensive, easily installed replacement part.

In the event that it is necessary for complete combustion, I provide means for the introduction of secondary air to the branches 5 at points adjacent the screen 17, i.e. where combustion will occur. The air is fed into the manifold sections 5 by branch lines 19 from a header 21. Air is supplied under pressure to header 21 by line 23 connected to the outlet of an 'air pump 25 which is mounted on the side of the engine and driven by the fan belt 27 of the engine. Broadly speaking, the air pump may be of any suitable type that is available on the open market and can either furnish air at high pressure and low volume or at low pressure and high volume.

I claim:

A smog reducing element comprising a gasket to fit between an exhaust manifold and an engine and a catalytic element attached to the gasket.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,179,145 Southern Apr. 11, 1916 1,532,473 Byrne Apr. 7, 1925 1,690,080 Seng et al Oct. 30, 1928 1,736,132 Rippingille Nov. 19, 1929 1,789,812. Frazer Jan. 20, 1931 2,004,865 Grison June 11, 1935 2,217,241 Tendler Oct. 8, 1940 2,263,318 Tifft Nov. 18, 1941 2,503,289 Nettel Apr. 11, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 38,371 France May 30, 1931 (Addition to No. 691,110) 338,933 Great Britain Nov. 24, 1930

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