Particulate trap
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsKartik Ganesan Iyer, Kerry Allen Delvecchio, Joanna Louise Costura
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A particulate trap has a plurality of filters and an air distributor. The air distributor has a first flow member and a second flow member. Each of the first and second flow members have a plurality of openings to allow exhaust flow through the plurality of filters. At least one of the first and second flow members is movable to selectively block exhaust flow to at least one of the plurality of filters at a given time.
Claims48
A particulate trap, comprising:
- a plurality of filters;
- and
- an air distributor having a first flow member and a second flow member, wherein the first and second flow members have a plurality of selectively alignable openings to allow exhaust flow through the plurality of filters in parallel relation, and at least one of the first and second flow members is movable to selectively block exhaust flow through at least one of the plurality of filters at a given time.
A method of removing particulates from an exhaust flow, the method comprising:
- selectively directing exhaust flow to at least one filter;
- filtering particulates out of the exhaust flow with the at least one filter;
- moving at least one of a first flow member and a second flow member of an air distributor to selectively block the exhaust flow through at least one of a plurality of sections of the at least one filter, wherein the first flow member is at least partially disposed within the second flow member;
- and
- controllably applying electrical current to the at least one filter section to cause regeneration of the at least one filter section.
An engine system, comprising:
- an engine operable to produce an exhaust air flow;
- a particulate trap operatively connected to the engine and configured to receive the exhaust air flow, the particulate trap including:
- a plurality of filters;
- and
- an air distributor having a first flow member and a second flow member, wherein the first and second flow members have a plurality of openings to allow exhaust flow through the plurality of filters in parallel relation, and wherein at least one of the plurality of openings of the first flow member are moveable relative to at least one of the plurality of openings of the second flow member to selectively block exhaust flow through at least one of the filters at a given time.
A particulate trap, comprising:
- a plurality of filters configured to remove particulates from an exhaust flow;
- and
- at least two flow members, each flow member having at least one opening, the at least one opening of each of the flow members being movable relative to the other flow member for selectively blocking the exhaust flow through at least one of the plurality of filters.
An apparatus, comprising a system configured to regenerate at least one filter while blocking exhaust flow to the at least one filter, the blocking being accomplished by selectively moving at least one of a first flow member and a second flow member of an air distributor, each of the first and second flow members having a body surface including a plurality of openings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.