Pollution reduction by pulsed engine compression braking
OwnerLoran Suttoninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for reducing pollutants in engine exhaust through the use of pulsed engine compression braking. The apparatus includes a controller, a number of engine sensors connected to the controller, and connections from the controller to the exhaust valves. Bases on data from the engine sensors, the invention opens the exhaust valves during either the compression stroke, the exhaust stroke, or both. Hot fuel mixture or hot gases are then injected into the exhaust manifold, where they burn pollutants. Optionally, pressurized air can be injected into the exhaust manifold to assist in burning pollutants.
Claims20
Apparatus for reducing pollutants in engine exhaust through the use of pulsed engine compression braking, the engine having cylinders, a crankshaft, and an exhaust manifold and a plurality of exhaust valves connected to the exhaust manifold, the engine operating in a cycle that includes a compression stroke and an exhaust stroke, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) a controller;
- (b) a plurality of sensors connected to the controller, the sensors detecting a plurality of engine conditions;
- and
- (c) connections from the controller to the exhaust valves
- wherein the controller reads data from the sensors and controls the opening of the exhaust valves based on piston position
- wherein hot gases from the cylinders are injected into the exhaust manifold to burn pollutants therein.
Apparatus for reducing pollutants in engine exhaust through the use of pulsed engine compression braking, the engine having cylinders, a piston, and an exhaust manifold and a plurality of exhaust valves connected to the exhaust manifold, the engine operating in a cycle that includes a compression stroke and an exhaust stroke, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) a controller;
- (b) a plurality of sensors connected to the controller, the sensors detecting a plurality of engine conditions;
- (c) connections from the controller to the exhaust valves;
- and
- (d) an air pump connected to the exhaust manifold and controlled by the controller to inject pressurized air into the exhaust manifold thereby increasing the temperature of pollutants burning in the exhaust manifold;
- wherein the controller reads data from the sensors and controls the opening of the exhaust valves based on piston position;
- wherein hot gases from the cylinders are injected into the exhaust manifold to burn pollutants therein.
A method for reducing pollutants in engine exhaust through the use of pulsed engine compression braking, the engine having cylinders, a piston, and an exhaust manifold and a plurality of exhaust valves connected to the exhaust manifold, the engine operating in a cycle that includes a compression stroke and an exhaust stroke, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) sensing a plurality of engine conditions;
- (b) opening the exhaust valves based on the sensed engine conditions, the opening of the exhaust valves causing engine compression braking;
- (c) injecting hot gases from the cylinders into the exhaust manifold through the exhaust valves;
- and
- (d) using the hot gases to burn pollutants in the exhaust manifold.
A method for reducing pollutants in engine exhaust through the use of pulsed engine compression braking, the engine having cylinders, a piston, and an exhaust manifold and a plurality of exhaust valves connected to the exhaust manifold, the engine operating in a cycle that includes a compression stroke and an exhaust stroke, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) sensing a plurality of engine conditions;
- (b) opening the exhaust valves based on the sensed engine conditions, the opening of the exhaust valves causing engine compression braking;
- (c) injecting hot gases from the cylinders into the exhaust manifold through the exhaust valves;
- (d) injecting pressurized air into the exhaust manifold;
- and
- (e) using the hot gases and pressurized air to bum pollutants in the exhaust manifold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.