Catalytic converter and muffler
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsMirza P. Baig, Kevin J. Weiss, Raymond U. Isada, Stephan D. Roozenboom
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A catalytic converter and muffler including a housing having an inlet disposed between a first end and a second end of the housing to introduce exhaust gases into an inlet chamber. A plurality of first exhaust treatment banks disposed between the inlet and the first end of the housing to allow the exhaust gases flow towards the first end from the inlet chamber into an end chamber. A mixing tube to direct the exhaust gases towards the second end from the end chamber into a flow distributor and a plurality of second exhaust aftertreatment banks and flow into an outlet chamber. At least one resonator chamber defined within the housing to attenuate noise in the exhaust gases.
Claims20
A catalytic converter and muffler comprising:
- a housing having a first end and a second end;
- an inlet disposed between the first end and the second end of the housing, the inlet configured to introduce exhaust gases into an inlet chamber;
- a plurality of first exhaust treatment banks disposed between the inlet and the first end of the housing, the first exhaust treatment banks configured to allow the exhaust gases to flow towards the first end from the inlet chamber into an end chamber;
- a mixing tube configured to direct the exhaust gases towards the second end from the end chamber into a flow distributor;
- a plurality of second exhaust aftertreatment banks disposed between the flow distributor and the second end of the housing, the second exhaust aftertreatment banks configured to allow the exhaust gases to flow towards the second end from the flow distributor into an outlet chamber;
- and
- at least one resonator chamber defined within the housing, the resonator chamber configured to attenuate noise in the exhaust gases.
A power system comprising:
- an engine;
- an exhaust system in fluid communication with the engine, the exhaust system configured to discharge exhaust gases having by-products of combustion process in the engine;
- and
- a catalytic converter and muffler including:
- a housing having a first end and a second end;
- an inlet disposed between the first end and the second end of the housing, the inlet configured to introduce exhaust gases into an inlet chamber;
- a plurality of first exhaust treatment banks disposed between the inlet and the first end of the housing, the first exhaust treatment banks configured to allow the exhaust gases flow towards the first end from the inlet chamber into an end chamber;
- a mixing tube configured to direct the exhaust gases towards the second end from the end chamber into a flow distributor;
- a plurality of second exhaust aftertreatment banks disposed between the flow distributor and the second end of the housing, the second exhaust aftertreatment banks configured to allow the exhaust gases to flow towards the second end from the flow distributor into an outlet chamber;
- and
- at least one resonator chamber defined within the housing, the resonator chamber configured to attenuate noise in the exhaust gases.
A method of treating exhaust gases using a catalytic converter and muffler, the method comprising:
- introducing the exhaust gases into an inlet chamber of the catalytic converter and muffler along a substantially orthogonal direction with respect to a longitudinal axis of the catalytic converter and muffler;
- passing the exhaust gases through a first exhaust treatment bank disposed between the inlet chamber and an end chamber of the catalytic converter and muffler in a first flow direction substantially along the longitudinal axis;
- passing the exhaust gases into a first resonator chamber;
- passing the exhaust gases through a second exhaust aftertreatment bank disposed between the inlet and an outlet chamber of the catalytic converter and muffler in a second flow direction substantially opposite to the first flow direction;
- and
- passing the exhaust gases into a second resonator chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.