Self-mode-stirred microwave heating for a particulate trap
AssigneeGeneral Motors Corporation
InventorsTod Williamson, Kevin W. Kirby, Amanda Phelps
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for initiating regeneration in a particulate trap including the steps of locating self-mode-stirring microwave-absorbing material in the particulate trap in areas that particulates build up, generating microwaves, absorbing microwaves with the microwave-absorbing material, and controlling the microwaves to initiate a burn-off of particulates.
Claims15
A particulate filter for an internal combustion engine comprising:
- a substantially microwave transparent material forming the structure of the particulate filter, the particulate filter including alternating closed and open channels in a honeycomb configuration;
- and
- microwave-absorbing materials coupled to the microwave transparent materials, said microwave absorbing materials having a Curie temperature threshold to absorb said microwaves and generate heat to burn particulates.
A method of regenerating a particulate trap comprising:
- generating microwave radiation;
- providing self-mode-stirring microwave-absorbing material in the particulate traps;
- and
- absorbing microwaves with the self-mode-stirring microwave material to generate heat to burn particulates in the particulate trap;
- determining exhaust gas flow using a pressure sensor;
- and
- regenerating the particulate trap based upon a pressure reading from said pressure sensor.
A system for removing particulates in a particulate trap comprising:
- a microwave power source;
- a microwave antenna coupled to said power source for generating microwaves;
- a microwave wave guide operatively coupled to sold microwave antenna to guide said microwaves;
- a pressure sensor detecting exhaust gas pressure in said particulate trap;
- and
- microwave-absorbent material having a Curie temperature located in said particulate trap, wherein said microwaves are incident upon said microwave-absorbent material to generate hear to burn off particulates located in said particulate trap based upon said pressure sensor output.
A method of initiating regeneration in a particulate trap comprising the steps of:
- locating self-mode-stirring microwave-absorbing material in the particulate trap in areas that particulates build up;
- generating microwaves;
- absorbing microwaves with the microwave-absorbing material;
- and
- controlling the microwaves to initiate a burn-off of particulates in response to a pressure in the particulate trap.
A particulate filter for an internal combustion engine comprising:
- a housing forming channels in the particulate filter, said channels alternately closed and open and arranged in honeycomb fashion;
- and
- self-mode-stirring microwave-absorbing materials coupled to walls of the channels to absorb said microwaves and generate heat to burn particulates.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.