Apparatus for periodically oxidizing particulates collected from exhaust gases

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed for regenerating a filter trap used to collect particulates from the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine. The apparatus comprises: (a) an assembly providing a flow of a heat transfer medium through the filter trap: (b) an assembly for heating the heat transfer medium to a temperature effective to incinerate the particulates in the filter trap: and (c) a flow mask stationed in the flow of heat transfer medium, upstream from said filter trap, effective to divert the heat transfer medium away from the radially inner zone of the filter trap while guiding the heat transfer medium to engage and ignite the particulates along a radially outer region of the filter trap. The mask is a circular disc and spaced upstream from the filter trap effective to mask a central core area of the flow of heat transfer medium. The assembly for heating comprises one or more electrically heated resistance elements arranged in a planar coil configuration extending transversely across the flow of heat transfer medium. A flow diffuser is stationed upstream from the mask and is comprised of a plurality of foraminous plates effective to diffuse and slow down the flow of heat transfer medium for increasing heat exchange. The flow diffuser has a radiation reflective coating to limit heat losses and a member is employed for depressing the temperature required to ignite the particulates.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.