The invention relates to an exhaust system for an internal combustion engine that may be both a two-stroke or a four-stroke Otto cycle engine. Thanks to its compact construction, this exhaust system may also be utilized in hand-operated machines such as gasoline-powered chain saws, hedge trimmers or the like. The exhaust system thereby comprises a housing provided with at least one exhaust inlet port and another exhaust discharge port. In order to prevent the exhaust gases of the internal combustion engine from being discharged un-purified into the atmosphere, a catalyst element is additionally disposed in the housing of the exhaust system so that at least a major part of the exhaust is caused to flow through the catalyst element before the entire exhaust is discharged into the atmosphere through the exhaust discharge port.
It has been known in prior art to utilize catalyst elements in the exhaust system to reduce the emissions of air contaminants from internal combustion engines. Said catalyst elements permit to subsequently treat the exhaust with the components contained therein. The exhaust's hydrocarbons are converted to carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide respectively using therefore the residual oxygen content. To ensure, as far as practicable, that the entire exhaust flows through the catalyst element for purification, complex and, as a result thereof, expensive catalyst elements are finding application. Usually, coated honeycomb catalysts are utilized for this purpose. These are positioned in the exhaust system by means of a complex mechanical construction.
One problem however lies in the high production expense and in the resulting high production cost of such type exhaust systems. Also, the construction for positioning the catalyst element results in a considerable flow resistance leading, inter alia, to a power loss of the internal combustion engine. Furthermore, the respectable increase in temperature the exhaust experiences while flowing through the catalytic converter affects the usable life of the latter so that additional technical measures have to be taken to reduce the exhaust temperature.
In view thereof, it was the object of the invention to provide an exhaust system having a catalyst element of the type mentioned herein above that is readily manufacturable at a low cost while still allowing for all the exhaust to be purified by the catalyst element without resulting in power loss of the internal combustion engine.
This object is solved by the features recited in claim 1, said features being of particular importance as will be explained herein after.
The exhaust system for an internal combustion engine of the invention comprises a housing in which there is provided at least one exhaust inlet port and another exhaust discharge port. In order to comply with the ever more stringent environmental guidelines, a catalyst element is disposed in the housing of the exhaust system, said catalyst element serving to purify at least the major part of the combustion exhaust before these exhaust gases are discharged into the atmosphere. In order however to ensure that all of the exhaust gases generated by the internal combustion engine are purified, there is provided an additional exhaust conducting means that alternately forces the exhaust gases to flow through-the catalyst element. The particular arrangement of the catalyst element in the exhaust conducting means can be directly compared to a connection in series of a plurality of catalyst elements or rather to a plurality of catalyst elements being connected one behind the other and through which the exhaust gases are conducted step by step. It is thus made certain that the exhaust or part of it is in any case prevented from being discharged into the atmosphere in an unpurified state. Since the exhaust gases are forced by the additional exhaust conducting means to alternately pass through the catalyst element, an almost complete chemical reaction (hydrocarbon conversion) is allowed to take place to purify the exhaust. In accordance with the invention, the expression “to alternately flow through” means that the exhaust stream flows through the catalyst element from alternate sides, i.e., for example alternately from the top and from the bottom or from the right and from the left side so that, from its entry into the housing to its exit therefrom, the exhaust stream is conducted several times through the catalyst element, more specifically through consecutive portions thereof. Also, the additional exhaust conducting means allows for a particular simple mechanical construction of the exhaust system as this will still be shown in the description given herein after.
There is more specifically provided that the catalyst element (22-25) be even, or rather largely even and planar, and that portions of the catalyst element are configured so that the exhaust is allowed to alternately flow consecutively through said portions so that the exhaust gases (27) are caused by an exhaust conducting means (17) to alternately flow several times through the catalyst element (22).
As a result, the catalyst element is optimally made use of along its entire length and can be combined with a simple exhaust conducting element.
For, in a variant of the exhaust system in accordance with dependent claim 9, at least one portion of the exhaust conducting means is preferably configured like a conduit-(such as a water or a gas conduit), with the shape of the cross-sectional area of the portion through which the exhaust gases are caused to flow being of no importance. Additionally, the catalyst element is fixed in this conduit-like portion by the very exhaust conducting means. Accordingly, no further measures are needed in terms of construction to hold the catalyst element stationary in the exhaust system.
Another object of the invention was to increase durability of the catalyst element by dissipating the additional heat generated therein. This further object is solved by the features recited in the claim.
In an exhaust system in accordance with the preamble of claim 11, an outer shell of the housing is used as a part of the conduit-type exhaust conducting means. Accordingly, a major portion of the heat generated in the catalyst element is dissipated through the outer shell of the housing. By thus cooling the exhaust gases, the durability of the catalyst element is increased. Moreover, the mechanical construction of the exhaust system can be further simplified.
Further advantageous implementations of the exhaust system are described in the subordinate claims 2 through 19.
In order to improve the purification effect of the exhaust system of the invention, the catalyst element can be disposed in the exhaust conducting means in such a manner that the exhaust is forced to alternately flow therethrough several times. Accordingly, the exhaust gases are forced to flow at least once on the left and on the right side through the catalyst element before they are discharged into the atmosphere. This permits to achieve an optimal effect with but one catalyst element. Accordingly, a simple flat catalyst element suffices to achieve the purification desired. If, by contrast, it suffices to achieve a lower conversion rate only, a partially coated catalyst element can also be utilized since the exhaust gases are conducted through the catalyst element several times anyway. Overall, a low cost exhaust system can thus be manufactured.
In an additional embodiment of the exhaust system, a catalyst element is utilized that is built to be self-supporting. This measure dispenses with the need for additional supporting or holding constructions for positioning the catalyst element within the housing since it is capable of being supported all by itself in the housing or in the exhaust conducting means.
Since the exhaust gases are forced through the catalyst element several times anywa; it suffices, in another embodiment of the exhaust system of the invention, to use a mesh-type catalyst element. As contrasted to a honeycomb catalyst element, a mesh-type catalyst element comprises a much lower flow resistance. For this purpose, metal wire meshes provided with a particular coating that are commercially available in the form of low cost wrought products can be utilized as the catalyst elements. Usually, said catalyst elements also are self-supporting so that the afore mentioned advantages apply here as well. Moreover, these catalyst elements can be readily adapted at low cost to the respective conditions of utilization, e.g. by deforming them into any shape.
As an alternative to a mesh-type catalyst element, a catalyst element in the form of a perforated plate may also be inserted into the exhaust system, this catalyst element also exhibiting the advantages mentioned herein above. Accordingly, the catalyst element can contain perforated metal plates provided with a particular coating. The shape of the holes in the perforated plates is optional.
In a particular exemplary embodiment, the catalyst element is disposed in the exhaust conducting means where it is held stationary by fastening means. Said fastening means may thereby be provided both inside and outside of the exhaust conducting means. As a self-supporting catalyst element can also be used, one or two fastening means provided on one or on both front sides of the catalyst element will suffice to secure them in the exhaust conducting means. It may for example be envisaged to clamp the catalyst element at one or at both sides between two parts of the housing, said parts serving as the fastening means. In this exemplary embodiment, it is readily possible to realize a bypass for the exhaust gases in the exhaust conducting means so that the conversion rate of the exhaust system can be readily adjusted. Moreover, this particular way of fastening the catalyst element allows for higher overall process tolerances of the exhaust system and its associated parts. Further, a heat-dependent change in the shape, e.g. as a result of expansion under the action of heat followed by cooling, may be excluded, thus preventing the assembled parts from “clattering”.
In a variant of the exhaust system, the conduit-type exhaust conducting means as set forth in claim 9 is appropriately built from two parts. As a result, mounting the catalyst element within the exhaust conducting means is particularly simple and fast to perform. For this purpose, the catalyst element needs merely be placed onto the first portion of the exhaust conducting means to then cause it to compressively and frictionally interlock with the second portion in the exhaust conducting means.
In the already described, particularly advantageous implementation of the invention as set forth in claim 11, at least one outer shell of the housing forms a part of the exhaust conducting means. Likewise, it is envisaged that another part of the conduit-type exhaust conducting means may be configured to be a deflecting shell that is retained by the outer shells of the housing. The housing may thereby consist of at least two outer shells, namely a rear shell and a front shell. One of these two shells can be chosen to be used as a part of the exhaust conducting means, the deflecting shell, which is another part of the exhaust conducting means, being retained by assembly with the other outer shell. Accordingly, the exhaust systems of the invention can be readily produced at a low cost.
Another variant of the exhaust system is provided if the deflecting shell, that is, the second part of the exhaust conducting means, and an outer shell of the housing are made from one piece. Accordingly, it is envisaged that, overall, the housing and the exhaust conducting means may be built from two parts. A rear shell of the housing and a deflecting shell of the exhaust conducting means may for example be made from one piece. A front shell of the housing may concurrently serve as another part of the exhaust conducting means. It is understood that front and rear shell can be interchanged in this example. A particularly simple variant of the exhaust system is thus achieved, which is readily manufacturable at a low cost.
In order to assemble the outer shells of the housing, one of which is designed as a part of the exhaust conducting means, and the deflecting shell forming the other part of the exhaust conducting means, it is proposed to bead the rim of one of the two outer shells in such a manner that the very housing and the exhaust conducting means are solidly joined together. This measure dispenses with the need for a welded or soldered joint for assembling the various parts which brings further cost saving.
Appropriately, the conduct-type exhaust conducting means can be devised with meanders with undulated portions of the exhaust conducting means fixating an even or flat catalyst element within. A longitudinal section through such an exhaust conducting means resembles a meandering river. The undulated portions cause on the one side the catalyst element to be clamped within the exhaust conducting means and on the other side the surfaces of the two exhaust conducting means to become larger. As a result, the undulated portions act as additional cooling ribs. The cooling effect thereby is particularly great if one part of the exhaust conducting means is configured to be the outer shell of the housing. Moreover, the undulated portions of the exhaust conducting means have a silencing effect without however substantially increasing the flow resistance.
In the embodiment described herein above, the undulated portions of the exhaust conducting means may be disposed so as to be parallel to each other. The size of the cross-sectional area through the exhaust conducting means does not vary along the longitudinal direction. If, by contrast, in another embodiment, the undulated portions of the exhaust conducting means exhibit a relative phase offset, the size of the cross-sectional area through the exhaust conducting means also varies along the longitudinal direction. The flow conditions of the exhaust can be readily influenced by a selective phase offset between the two undulated portions of the exhaust conducting means. The sound may for example be absorbed if the reflection behaviour of the acoustic waves of the exhaust can be varied by the phase offset. The acoustic waves may even be cancelled as a result thereof.
It is further envisaged, in another exemplary embodiment, that the conduct-type exhaust conducting means be configured as zigzags and that the key-shaped portions of the exhaust conducting means fixate an even or flat catalyst element. The key-shaped as well as the undulated portions can thereby be disposed both parallel and phase offset (laterally offset) relative to each other. The key-shaped portions are cheaper to manufacture than the undulated portions. It is understood that other portions of the exhaust conducting means that are implemented in another way and concurrently clamp an even or flat catalyst element may be envisaged.
In another exemplary embodiment of the exhaust system, the conduit-type exhaust conducting means is configured to be more or less linear or rectilinear and comprises a cross-sectional area that remains constant along the longitudinal direction. In this rectilinear exhaust conducting means, there is provided an undulated or a zigzag-shaped catalyst element that is clamped therein so as to be stationary. In this exemplary embodiment, the flow resistance is substantially dictated by the catalyst element. The surface however is smaller than with an exhaust conducting means having undulated or key-shaped portions. As a result, additional cooling ribs should be mounted to the even surface of the rectilinear exhaust conducting means in order to achieve a comparable cooling effect.
The invention will be explained in closer detail herein after with reference to the appended drawing illustrating various exemplary embodiments. In the schematic drawing:
a is a schematic sectional illustration of a rectilinear, conduit-type exhaust conducting means having a zigzag-type catalyst element,
b is a schematic sectional illustration of a rectilinear, conduit-type exhaust conducting means having an undulated catalyst element,
c is a schematic sectional illustration of a meander-type exhaust conducting means having an even catalyst element,
d is a schematic sectional illustration of a zigzag-type exhaust conducting means having an even catalyst element, with the cross section of the exhaust conducting means being constant,
e is a schematic sectional illustration of a zigzag-type exhaust conducting means having an even catalyst element, with the cross section of the exhaust conducting means varying in the longitudinal direction,
f is a schematic sectional illustration of a meander-type exhaust conducting means having undulations of various radii and an even catalyst element,
g is a schematic sectional illustration of a meander-type exhaust conducting means like in
The functioning principle of the exhaust system 100 becomes more apparent from
In the concrete example of
In the exemplary embodiment of
In a similar exemplary embodiment of the exhaust system 100 of the invention that has not been illustrated herein, it is envisaged that even the deflecting shell 19 be formed integral with the rear shell 14 or the front shell 11. As a result, the entire housing 10 and the additional exhaust conducting means 17 would be made from two parts.
The
In the
The last two examples mentioned have the advantage that the exhaust conducting means 17 offers a particularly low flow resistance and that it is easy to manufacture.
c illustrates a meander-type exhaust conducting means 17 comprising undulated portions 12, 20. Within the meander-type exhaust conducting means 17, there is disposed an even or flat catalyst element 22. This embodiment substantially corresponds to the example of the exhaust conducting means 17 of
By contrast,
e also illustrates a zigzag-type exhaust conducting means 17 with key-shaped portions 13, 21. The key-shaped portions 13, 21 however exhibit a phase offset in the longitudinal section, i.e., they are laterally offset relative to each other. As is evident from the cross sections 18 shown, the cross sectional area of the exhaust conducting means 17 varies along the longitudinal axis (parallel to the edge of cut of the catalyst element 22). This measure permits to achieve a particular silencing effect.
f further shows a sectional view of an exhaust conducting means 17 that consists of an undulated profile and is formed into a meander-type configuration. In this exemplary embodiment as well, a flat catalyst element 22 is held stationary by the exhaust conducting means 17 inside thereof. However, the peaks and depressions of the undulation-type exhaust conducting means 17 have different radii R1 and R2. The undulated curve may for example be formed by the two radii R1 and R2 that are joined together by their corresponding tangents. This measure permits to positively influence the flow properties of the exhaust conducting means 17. Moreover, the contact surface between the catalyst element 22 and the exhaust conducting means 17 may thus be minimized so that, as far as practicable, the entire surface of the catalyst element 22 is available for the exhaust gases to flow through. Or, to put it another way, the catalyst surface is more readily accessible for the exhaust gases. For this purpose, the smaller one of the two radii (here radius R2) is directed in the direction of the catalyst element 22. The larger radius (here radius R1), by contrast, is disposed on the sides of the exhaust conducting means 17 that are turned away from the catalyst element 22.
A particular arrangement of the catalyst element 22 in the exhaust conducting means 17 is shown in
It should be noted that the exhaust system 100 of the invention can be used both as a complete exhaust system and as a complementary initial, central or end system for a partially existing exhaust system. Likewise, two or more flat or even catalyst elements 22 may be used concurrently. Further, two or more exhaust conducting means 17, which are for example disposed so as to be parallel to each other, can be additionally provided in an exhaust system 100. Also, the most varied combinations of the exemplary embodiments are possible, provided they are not mutually exclusive from a technical point of view.
To conclude, it should be noted that the exhaust system 100 of the invention may also comprise other technical features than the ones described herein as long as they have the same function.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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20 2004 009 506 U | Jun 2004 | DE | national |
20 2004 019 896 U | Dec 2004 | DE | national |
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