Exhaust system component replacing a particulate filter

Abstract

Component of an exhaust system comprising a tubular housing (7) for conveying exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine, - comprising a first pressure inlet pipe (3) extending from the outside into the tubular housing, the opening of which is directed towards an exhaust gas flow (2) in such a way that a back pressure can be built up in the pressure inlet pipe (3) by the exhaust gas flow (2), - comprising a second pressure inlet pipe (4) extending from the outside into the tubular housing, the opening of which is directed towards the exhaust gas flow in such a way that a lower pressure than the back pressure of the first pressure inlet pipe (3) can be built up in it, wherein the first and second pressure inlet pipes (3,4) have connections outside the tubular housing which can be connected to a control unit of a vehicle.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a component of an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine comprising a tubular housing. Overview of the invention

[0002] A particulate filter, often used in combustion engines, serves to remove soot particles or other fine dust from exhaust gases or the air. Measuring points before and after the particulate filter play a crucial role in monitoring the filter's condition and the system's efficiency.

[0003] The particle filter consists of a porous material (e.g. ceramic or metal mesh) that traps particles as gases flow through it.

[0004] Measuring points before and after the filter typically use one or more pressure sensors and sometimes temperature sensors to measure the pressure.

[0005] This involves determining the differential pressure between the inlet and outlet sides.

[0006] Temperature sensors help in assessing operating conditions, e.g. during regeneration.

[0007] The exhaust gases flow through the particulate filter.

[0008] Particles, such as soot, remain trapped in the filter, while the purified gases escape.

[0009] The first measuring point before the filter measures the pressure and, if applicable, the temperature of the unfiltered exhaust gases.

[0010] After the filter, the second measuring point measures the pressure and, if applicable, the temperature of the cleaned exhaust gases.

[0011] The differential pressure is the pressure difference between the inlet and outlet of the filter.

[0012] A low differential pressure indicates that the filter is clean. A high differential pressure signals that the filter is clogged and needs to be cleaned (regenerated).

[0013] At high differential pressure, the control unit triggers a regeneration process in which the particles (e.g., soot) accumulated in the filter are burned off.

[0014] The publications JP 2013-117 204 A, DE 10 2008 014 528 A1, CN 1 14 183 226 A disclose particle filters and their sensor tube arrangement.

[0015] Regeneration can be triggered automatically (by high exhaust gas temperatures) or manually.

[0016] The object of the invention is to provide an alternative sensor arrangement or measuring points or a system that replaces the particulate filter without requiring the control unit to be replaced or reporting an error. Overview of the invention

[0017] The problem is solved by an invention according to the claims.

[0018] The invention comprises a component of an exhaust system comprising a tubular housing for conveying exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine. This component is typically a pipe or an expanded pipe arranged in the exhaust system, often as a replacement for the particulate filter, with the corresponding transitions, and optionally clamps and sleeves.

[0019] The tubular housing includes a first pressure inlet pipe that extends into the housing from the outside. This first pressure inlet pipe has a first opening located inside the housing. This opening is oriented towards the exhaust gas flow, allowing the exhaust gas flow to create back pressure within the pressure inlet pipe. The second opening of the first pressure inlet pipe is located outside the housing and is connected to a control unit.

[0020] The invention further comprises a second pressure inlet pipe extending from the outside into the tubular housing, the opening of which in the tubular housing is oriented towards 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.

[0021] 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 is forced into the opening of the first pressure inlet pipe.

[0022] 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.

[0023] In one 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 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.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the axis runs through the center of the opening of the second pressure inlet pipe parallel to the exhaust gas flow.

[0025] 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 so that the differential pressure is recognized as permissible by the control unit. The diameters of the pressure inlet pipes can be varied. Funnel-shaped pressure inlet pipes are also conceivable. Furthermore, bends or angles in the pressure inlet pipes are possible, or alternatively, actuators can be used to reduce the flow in the pressure inlet pipes.

[0026] It is possible that the first and / or second pressure inlet pipe inside the housing has a bend in the range of 0 to 90 degrees, either against or with the exhaust flow. This allows for the creation of different differential pressures to suit the control unit.

[0027] The position and / or orientation of the first or second pressure inlet pipe within the tubular housing are adjustable and lockable to set different differential pressures. This can be achieved using screw connections with nuts and locknuts that secure the pressure inlet pipe to the housing. Alternatively, adjusting devices can be used to change the opening or flow rate of the pressure inlet pipe.

[0028] The control unit is a control unit for a particulate filter.

[0029] In one possible embodiment, a catalyst 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.

[0030] The housing has the external shape and connections of a particle filter, so it can be used as a replacement component.

[0031] This prevents the control unit from issuing an error message after removing the OEM particulate filter, thus avoiding any malfunction of the vehicle (e.g., for testing purposes or track use).

[0032] This can be remedied by equipping the pressure monitoring 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 specific system.

[0033] A pressure-increasing element (such as a sports catalytic converter) may be located between the measuring points. Measuring points 1 and 2 may each be located individually or together within the pressure-increasing element (through bores, etc.). It could also be a continuous pipe or a similar empty hollow body.

[0034] The pressure sensors are connected to the vehicle manufacturer's control unit (like the original particulate filter) and supply it with measurable values ​​that are then in the range of the OEM particulate filter.

[0035] No further software reprogramming or other modifications are necessary. Character description

[0036] Fig. 1 shows an exhaust system with a control unit that is arranged with two pressure inlet pipes before and after 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; Fig. 3 shows different arrangements and shapes of the pressure inlet pipes; Fig. 4 shows the arrangement of the pressure inlet pipe within the substrate inside the particle filter. Description of the characters

[0037] The Figure 1An exhaust system 1 branches off with an exhaust flow 2, which is represented by arrows. In the exhaust 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, as in Fig. 2 A continuous pipe 7 is shown.

[0038] The pressure sensing points are equipped with a pressure inlet pipe 3 and 4 which are arranged in the exhaust gas flow 2 and are oriented differently.

[0039] The shape and orientation of the pipe can vary and is adapted to the respective system ( FIG3 ).

[0040] An element that increases the dynamic pressure, such as a metal substrate, may be located between the measuring points ( FIG. 1Alternatively, it could be a sports catalytic converter. Measuring points 1 and 2 can each be located individually or together within the backpressure-increasing element, in which the pressure inlet pipe is guided, for example, through bores, as in FIG. 4 shown.

[0041] However, it can also be a continuous tube 7 or a similar empty hollow body as in FIG. 2 shown.

[0042] The pressure inlet pipes 3 and 4 are connected (like the original particulate filter) to the control unit 5 of the vehicle manufacturer and supply it with measurable values, which are then in the range of the OEM particulate filter.

[0043] The Fig. 3 The figure shows the different arrangement and design of a pressure inlet pipe 3 or 4; this can be bent at a 90-degree angle, kinked at an approximately 45-degree angle, or protrude straight into the housing without any angle.

[0044] Reprogramming the software or other modifications are no longer necessary. Reference symbol list

[0045] 1. Exhaust system 2. Exhaust flow 3. Pressure inlet pipe measuring point 1 4. Pressure inlet pipe measuring point 2 5. Vehicle manufacturer's control unit 6. Metal substrate 7. Continuous pipe

Claims

1. Component of an exhaust system comprising a tubular housing (7) for conveying exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine, - comprising a first pressure inlet pipe (3) extending from the outside into the tubular housing, the opening of which is directed towards an exhaust gas flow (2) such that a back pressure can be built up in the pressure inlet pipe (3) by the exhaust gas flow (2), - comprising a second pressure inlet pipe (4) extending from the outside into the tubular housing, the opening of which is directed towards the exhaust gas flow such that a pressure lower than the back pressure of the first pressure inlet pipe (3) can be built up in it, wherein the first and second pressure inlet pipes (3, 4) have connections outside the tubular housing which can be connected to a particulate filter control unit of a vehicle, characterized by the fact thatthe size of the opening of the first and / or second pressure inlet pipe (3,4), the orientation of the opening of the first and / or second pressure inlet pipe (3,4) in relation to the exhaust gas flow (4), and / or the positioning of the pressure inlet pipe within the tubular housing are coordinated such that the differential pressure is recognized as permissible by the control unit without a particulate filter being installed, and that the housing has the external shape and connections of a particulate filter so that it can be used as a replacement component, wherein the first pressure inlet pipe (3) 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 (2) pushes into the opening of the first pressure inlet pipe.

2. The component of an exhaust system according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact thatan axis through the center of the opening of the first pressure inlet pipe (3) runs parallel to the exhaust gas flow.

3. The component of an exhaust system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact the second pressure inlet pipe (4) has an opening that points in the direction of the exhaust gas flow (2) in the tubular housing, so that essentially no or a lower pressure is generated in the second pressure inlet pipe (4).

4. The component of an exhaust system according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the axis through the center of the opening of the second pressure inlet pipe (4) runs parallel to the exhaust gas flow.

5. The component of an exhaust system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the first or second (3,4) pressure inlet pipe inside the housing has a bend in the range of 0 to 90 degrees to be directed against or with the exhaust flow.

6. The component of an exhaust system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that The position and / or orientation of the first or second pressure inlet pipe in the tubular housing is adjustable and fixable in order to set different differential pressures.

Images