Emission control device

• US 7,159,387 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2004
• Issued: 01/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Surnilla, Gopichandra, Smith, Stephen B., Goralski, Christian T. Jr., Zawacki, Garry, O'Neill, James P.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TU MINH
• Application Number:
  US10/794,824
• Publication Number:
  US 20050193721A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,040 Days
• Field of Search: 602/74, 602/76, 602/85, 602/86, 602/87, 602/88, 602/95, 123/198.F, 123/481
• US Class Current: 60/285
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 13/009 having two or more separate purifying devices arranged in series
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 13/011 having two or more purifying devices arranged in parallel
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 13/107 More than one exhaust manifold or exhaust collector
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2330/02 Metallic plates or honeycombs, e.g. superposed or rolled-up corrugated or otherwise deformed sheet metal
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2330/06 Ceramic, e.g. monoliths
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 17/02 Cutting-out cutting-out engines in multiple engine arrangements F02D25/04
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/001 for engines with variable valve actuation
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/003 Adding fuel vapours, e.g. drawn from engine fuel reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0087 Selective cylinder activation, i.e. partial cylinder operation deceleration cut-off F02D41/123
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0275 the exhaust gas treating apparatus being a NOx trap or adsorbent
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/3029 further comprising a homogeneous charge spark-ignited mode

Abstract

Various systems and methods are disclosed for carrying out combustion in a fuel-cut operation in some or all of the engine cylinders of a vehicle. Further, various subsystems are considered, such as fuel vapor purging, air-fuel ratio control, engine torque control, catalyst design, and exhaust system design.

Claims

1. A method for treating exhaust gasses produced by an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, the gasses treated at least by an emission control device, the method comprising:

passing a first exhaust gas stream to a first portion of the device;

passing a second exhaust gas stream to a second portion of the device, said first and second exhaust gas stream prevented from mixing before being at least partially treated by said device; and

passing a mixture of said first and second streams exiting said device to a downstream emission control device.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein both said first and second stream pass through said device in the same direction.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said first and second exhaust gas streams are prevented from mixing in said device.

4. A method for treating exhaust gasses produced by an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, the gasses treated at least by an emission control device, the method comprising:

passing a first exhaust gas stream to a first portion of the device;

passing a second exhaust gas stream to a second portion of the device, said first and second exhaust gas stream prevented from mixing before being at least partially treated by said device; and

passing a mixture of said first and second streams exiting said device to a downstream emission control device wherein said first stream is generated from cylinders of an engine pumping air without fuel injection.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said second stream is generated from cylinders of said engine combusting air and fuel.

6. An emission control device for treating exhaust gasses of a vehicle'"'"'s internal combustion engine, comprising:

a substrate material having a washcoat thereon including at least one precious metal;

a first passageway coupled to one end of said substrate to pass a first gas stream from a first cylinder bank to a first side of the device; and

a second passageway coupled to said one end of said substrate to pass a second gas stream from a second cylinder bank to a second side of the device, said first and second passageways preventing mixing of said first and second gas stream before contacting said substrate.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein said substrate comprises metal.

8. The device of claim 6 wherein said substrate comprises a ceramic.

9. The device of claim 6 wherein said precious metal comprises platinum.

10. The device of claim 6 wherein said washcoat comprises rhodium.

11. The device of claim 6 wherein said first and second passageways are formed with a plate, with said plate positioned with a face of said plate substantially perpendicular to a direction of flow through said substrate.

12. The device of claim 6 further comprising at least one boss upstream of said substrate, said boss adapted to be connected to an exhaust gas oxygen sensor.

13. The device of claim 6 further comprising at least one boss downstream of said substrate, said boss adapted to be connected to an exhaust gas oxygen sensor.