Exhaust filter
AssigneeAir Filter Plus Inc.
InventorDavid J. Hoffmann
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An exhaust filter (10) removes pollutants from exhaust emitted by an internal combustion engine without producing substantial back pressure on the engine. The exhaust filter (10) is assembled from a frame (16), a mounting sleeve (14), and a replaceable filter cartridge (12). A series of baffles (40, 42, 44, 46, 48, and 50) are located along an exhaust passageway (84) within the cartridge (12) for diverting a first portion (88) of a flow of exhaust (80) through a filter media (78). An outlet (86) passes a second portion (90) of the flow of exhaust (80) from the exhaust filter (10) independently of the filter media (78).
Claims43
An exhaust filter for removing pollutants from a flow of exhaust comprising:
- a canister having porous inner and outer walls that are spaced apart for holding a filter media;
- said inner wall surrounding an exhaust passageway within said canister;
- an inlet for admitting the flow of exhaust into said exhaust passageway;
- a series of baffles located along said exhaust passageway for diverting a first portion of the flow of exhaust through the filter media;
- an outlet for passing a second portion of the flow of exhaust from the filter independently of the filter media;
- and
- said outer wall providing for passing the first portion of the flow of exhaust from the filter independently of said outlet.
A filter for use in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine comprising:
- a frame having two ends;
- a first of said ends adapted for connection to the exhaust system;
- a series of baffles supported by said frame between said two ends;
- a cartridge removably mounted on said frame and having porous inner and outer walls separated by a space containing filter media;
- said inner wall forming a passageway for channeling exhaust between said two ends;
- said baffles being aligned along said passageway for deflecting a first portion of the exhaust through said filter media for removing pollutants from the exhaust;
- and
- said outer wall having a substantial area exposed to ambient air for passing the first portion of the exhaust to the ambient air without developing significant back pressure on the internal combustion engine.
A method of filtering pollutants from exhaust emitted by an internal combustion engine without producing substantial back pressure on the engine comprising the steps of:
- connecting a filter to an exhaust system of the engine;
- directing said exhaust through an inlet into a passageway through the filter;
- deflecting a first portion of the exhaust through a filter media contained within an outer wall of the filter;
- passing a second portion of the exhaust from the filter through an outlet independently of the filter media;
- and
- passing the first portion of the exhaust from the filter through the outer wall independently of the outlet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.