Regenerative catalytic apparatus in hybrid vehicle

A regenerative catalytic apparatus in a hybrid vehicle, comprising:

• a hybrid mechanism for driving the vehicle by selectively operating an internal combustion engine and an auxiliary power source, whereby the internal combustion engine may be operated exclusively to generate heat when the auxiliary power source alone powers the vehicle;
• an exhaust-purifying catalyst provided in an exhaust passage of the internal combustion engine for purifying exhaust flowing in the exhaust passage;
• heat-storage means, enveloped by a vacuum layer, for storing heat generated in the internal combustion engine while the internal combustion engine is in an operating state, and utilizing the stored heat to suppress decrease in the temperature of the exhaust-purifying catalyst after the internal combustion engine is stopped, wherein the vacuum layer inhibits the radiation of heat from the catalyst and heat storage means and transmits heat from the heat storage means to the catalyst;
• and
• engine control means for controlling the operating state of the internal combustion engine through the hybrid mechanism so that an amount of heat stored in the heat-storage means becomes equal to or more than a predetermined amount.