Induction Heating Coil for Catalytic Converter Light-Off
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Solution Overview
Problem
Catalytic converters in vehicles have low efficiency at cold start-ups, as they require time to reach the high temperature necessary for effective pollutant conversion, leading to increased emissions during this period.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of induction heating using a varying electromagnetic field to quickly heat the catalytic converter, accelerating the light-off process by inducing eddy currents and transferring heat to the ceramic substrate and exhaust gases, thereby enhancing catalytic reactions at start-up.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional catalytic converters are used without heating assistance, then the device structure remains simple, but the emissions control efficiency is poor during cold start-up period
Solution Approach 1:
The induction heating coil is activated before the catalytic converter reaches its light-off temperature to preheat the catalyst substrate. This preliminary heating action ensures the catalyst is already at optimal temperature when exhaust gases arrive, immediately improving emissions control efficiency during cold start-up without requiring complex structural modifications to the catalyst itself
Solution Approach 2:
An induction heating coil serves as an intermediary component between the power source and the catalytic converter. This mediator transfers electromagnetic energy to heat the catalyst substrate, bridging the gap between cold start-up conditions and the temperature required for effective catalytic action, thereby improving emissions control without fundamentally altering the catalyst structure
2Reliability
If the catalytic converter is heated rapidly to light-off temperature, then the emissions control efficiency improves, but the time required to reach operating temperature increases during cold start-up
Solution Approach 1:
The induction heating coil operates in periodic cycles during cold start-up, alternating between high-power heating phases and lower-power maintenance phases. This periodic action rapidly brings the catalyst to light-off temperature while managing the overall time required, preventing continuous high-power operation that would excessively extend the start-up period
Solution Approach 2:
The heating power and frequency of the induction coil are dynamically adjusted based on the catalyst temperature. By changing these parameters, the system achieves rapid initial heating to reach light-off temperature quickly, then transitions to maintenance mode, optimizing the balance between reaching operating temperature fast and minimizing total time to effective emissions control
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method significantly reduces emissions during cold start-ups by rapidly achieving the necessary temperature for effective catalytic reactions, improving the efficiency and performance of the catalytic converter system.
Implementation Method 1
induction heating using a varying electromagnetic field to quickly heat the catalytic converter, accelerating the light-off process by inducing eddy currents
Implementation Method 2
accelerating the light-off process by inducing eddy currents and transferring heat to the ceramic substrate and exhaust gases
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, an emission control system that includes an emission control device having a plurality of passages to facilitate emission control of an exhaust gas from a vehicle engine. A controller generates a control signal to initiate induction heating of the emission control device. An electromagnetic field generator responds to the control signal by generating a power signal applied to a coil to cause the induction heating of the emission control device, wherein a frequency of the power signal is adjusted to control a power transferred to the coil.