COMPONENT OF AN EXHAUST SYSTEM REPLACING A PARTICULATE FILTER

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a component of an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine comprising a tubular housing.

BACKGROUND

A particulate filter, often used in internal combustion engines, serves to remove soot particles or other fine dust from the exhaust gases or the air. Measuring points upstream and downstream of the particulate filter play a crucial role in monitoring the filter condition and the efficiency of the system.

The particle filter consists of a porous material (e.g. ceramic or metal mesh) that traps particles while gases flow through it.

Measuring points upstream and downstream of the filter usually use one or more pressure sensors and sometimes temperature sensors to measure the pressure. This determines the differential pressure between the inlet and outlet sides.

Temperature sensors help to assess operating conditions, e.g. during regeneration.

The exhaust gases flow through the particulate filter.

Particles, such as soot, remain trapped in the filter, while the cleaned gases escape.

Upstream of the filter, the first measuring point measures the pressure and, if necessary, the temperature of the unfiltered exhaust gases.

After the filter, the second measuring point measures the pressure and, if applicable, the temperature of the cleaned exhaust gases.

The differential pressure is the pressure difference between the inlet and outlet of the filter.

A low differential pressure indicates that the filter is clean. A high differential pressure indicates that the filter is clogged and needs to be cleaned (regenerated).

If the differential pressure is high, the control unit triggers a regeneration in which the particles (e.g. soot) accumulated in the filter are burnt off.

The publications JP 2013-117 204 A, U.S. Pat. No. 8,152,912, CN 1 14 183 226 A disclose particulate filters and their sensor tube arrangement.

Regeneration can be triggered automatically (by high exhaust gas temperatures) or manually.

The task of the invention is to provide an alternative sensor arrangement or measuring points or a system that replaces the particulate filter without the control unit having to be replaced or reporting an error.

OVERVIEW OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprises a component of an exhaust system comprising a tubular housing for passing exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine. As a rule, this component is a pipe or an extended pipe that is arranged in the exhaust system, often as a replacement for the particulate filter, with the corresponding transitions, possibly also clamps and sleeves.

The tubular housing comprises a first pressure inlet pipe extending into the tubular housing from the outside. The first pressure inlet pipe has a first opening that is arranged inside the tubular housing. This first opening is directed towards an exhaust gas flow in such a way that a back pressure can be built up in the pressure inlet pipe by the exhaust gas flow. A second opening of the first pressure inlet pipe is located outside the tubular housing and is connected to a control unit.

Furthermore, the invention comprises a second pressure inlet pipe that extends from the outside into the tubular housing, the opening of which in the tubular housing is aligned with the exhaust gas flow such that a lower pressure is built up in it than the dynamic pressure of the first pressure inlet pipe. As with the first pressure inlet pipe, the second outlet is arranged outside the tubular housing and is connected to a control unit.

The first pressure inlet pipe has an opening that is directed against the direction of the exhaust gas flow in the tubular housing, so that part of the exhaust gas flow presses into the opening of the first pressure inlet pipe.

Preferably, an axis runs through the center of the opening of the first pressure inlet pipe parallel to the exhaust gas flow so that the maximum pressure can be built up.

In a possible embodiment, the second pressure inlet pipe has an opening that points in the direction of the exhaust gas flow in the tubular housing, so that essentially no pressure or a lower pressure is generated in the second pressure inlet pipe, since the exhaust gases do not flow directly or only partially into the second pressure inlet pipe.

In a preferred embodiment, the axis through the center of the opening of the second pressure inlet pipe runs parallel to the exhaust gas flow.

The size of the opening of the first and/or second pressure inlet pipe, the orientation of the opening of the first and/or second pressure inlet pipe in relation to the exhaust gas flow and/or the positioning of the pressure inlet pipe within the tubular housing are coordinated in such a way that the differential pressure is recognized as permissible for the control unit. The diameters of the pressure inlet pipes can be changed. Funnel-shaped pressure inlet pipes are also conceivable. There are also bends or angles in the pressure inlet pipes or alternatively on actuators that reduce the passage in the pressure inlet pipes.

It is possible for the first and/or second pressure inlet pipe within the housing to have a bend in the range of 0 to 90 degrees in order to be directed against the exhaust gas flow or with the exhaust gas flow. This allows different differential pressures to be generated to suit the control unit.

The position and/or orientation of the first or second pressure inlet pipe in the tubular housing can be adjusted and fixed in order to set different differential pressures. This can be done using screw connections with nuts and lock nuts that secure the pressure inlet tube to the housing. Alternatively, adjustment means can be used to change the opening or flow rate of the pressure inlet pipe.

The control unit is a control unit for a particulate filter.

In one possible embodiment, a catalytic converter and/or a metal substrate is arranged in the tubular housing between the first and second pressure inlet pipes, through which the exhaust gas flow extends.

The housing has the external shape and connections of a particulate filter so that it can be used as a replacement component.

This prevents the control unit from issuing an error message after the OEM particulate filter has been removed and the vehicle no longer functions correctly. (e.g. for test purposes or racetrack operation).

This can be remedied by designing the pressure measuring points with a pressure inlet pipe that is aligned with the exhaust gas flow. The shape of the pipe can vary and is adapted to the respective system.

An element that increases the dynamic pressure (sports catalytic converter or other) can be located between the measuring points. Measuring points 1 and 2 can also be located inside the element that increases the dynamic pressure (through holes etc.). However, it can also be a continuous pipe or a similar empty hollow body.

The pressure measuring points are connected to the vehicle manufacturer's control unit (like the original particulate filter) and supply it with measurable values that are then within the range of the OEM particulate filter.

It is no longer necessary to reprogram the software or make any other changes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an exhaust system with a control unit arranged with two pressure inlet pipes upstream and downstream of the particulate filter.

FIG. 2 shows an exhaust system with a control unit arranged with two pressure inlet pipes before and after a through pipe.

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C show different arrangements and shapes of the pressure inlet pipe 3.

FIG. 4 shows the arrangement of the pressure inlet pipe within the substrate inside the particle filter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows an exhaust gas system 1 with an exhaust gas flow 2 that is represented by arrows. In the exhaust gas flow there is a pressure inlet pipe 3 as measuring point 1 and a pressure inlet pipe 4 as measuring point 2. Both pressure inlet pipes are connected to a control unit 5 of the vehicle manufacturer. A metal substrate 6 or a ceramic is arranged in the tubular housing of the particulate filter. Alternatively, a continuous tube 7 can also be used as shown in FIG. 2.

The pressure measuring points are designed with a pressure inlet pipe 3 and 4 that are arranged in the exhaust gas flow 2 and aligned differently.

The shape and orientation of the pipe can vary and is adapted to the respective system (FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C).

An element that increases the dynamic pressure, such as a metal substrate, can be located between the measuring points (FIG. 1); alternatively, it can be a sports catalytic converter. The measuring points 1 and 2 can also be located alone or together within the dynamic pressure-increasing element in which the pressure inlet pipe is guided, e.g. through holes, as shown in FIG. 4.

However, it can also be a continuous tube 7 or a similar empty hollow body as shown in FIG. 2.

The pressure inlet pipes 3 and 4 are connected (like the original particulate filter) to the vehicle manufacturer's control unit 5 and supply it with measurable values that are then within the range of the OEM particulate filter.

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C show the different arrangement and design of a pressure inlet pipe 3 or 4, which can be bent at a 90-degree angle. It can be bent at an angle of approx. 45 degrees or project straight into the housing without an angle.

It is no longer necessary to reprogram the software or make any other changes.

While the invention has been described with respect to certain illustrative examples, it should be understood that various revisions can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

• • 1. Exhaust gas system
  • 2. 2 Exhaust gas flow
  • 3. 3 Pressure inlet pipe measuring point 1
  • 4. 4 Pressure inlet pipe measuring point 2
  • 5. 5 Control unit of the vehicle manufacturer
  • 6. 6 Metal substrate
  • 7. 7 Continuous pipe