Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a particulate retention and cleaning system which is used in the retention and storage of particulate matters in the exhaust gases that are discharged as waste in all devices such as vehicles, and in the retention of all particulates contained in exhaust gases occurring as a result of combustion and cleaning of them before being discharged into the environment.

Background of the Invention

Internal combustion engines are used in the vast majority of passenger vehicles used in transportation today. The 3 main pollutants which these engines discharge to the atmosphere as a combustion byproduct are CO, HC and NOX. In Turkey, together with the world, by means of the standards and laws that have become more environmentally friendly, it is desired that the toxic gases emitted from the vehicle’s exhaust are discharged to the air in a state as clean as possible. In the state of the art, a catalytic converter is used to mix the toxic gases, which are generated during combustion and emitted from the vehicle exhaust, into the air as cleanly as possible. With the use of catalytic converters in vehicles, harmful gases such as CO, NOX, and CH react and generate CO2, N2, O2, and H2O. Here, CO burns with oxygen and turns into CO2, which is about 1.5 times of the weight of air. CH bums with oxygen and it turns into CO2 + water. Oxygen separates from NO, and N2 and CO2 are generated.

The purpose of the catalytic converter or emission control system is to make harmful pollutants discharged from the exhaust harmless. Due to their poor mixture compared to gasoline -powered vehicles, diesel engine vehicles produce less carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbon (HC) and carbon dioxide (C02) exhaust emissions, while producing more particulate (PM) and nitrous oxide (NOX) emissions. Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF) are used in diesel engines to retain particulates present in the exhaust gas. The filter member is usually formed by coating a porous ceramic or SiC based material on a stainless steel carrier with a plurality of holes on it. The particulates are retained on the surface while exhaust gases pass through the ceramic surface filter. It has been observed in studies conducted so far that particulate filters work with an efficiency of around 80%. The meaning of this is that 80% of the particulates visible in the exhaust gas can be retained in the filter.

In the state of the art, the accumulation of particulates retained in the exhaust filter reduces the efficiency of the filter. For this reason, it is required to clean the particulates accumulated in the filter regularly. When the exhaust gases exiting from the combustion chamber in the passenger car groups enter the catalytic converter, the toxic gases are retained as described above, while the particulate matter, PM, which is among the combustion byproducts fill up the pores in the ceramic structure, and the material accumulated over time narrows the passage volume and causes a decrease in power by increasing the engine back pressure. The regeneration process that is activated in this case, that is, increasing the filter temperature bums these particulate matters that are accumulated, and the ashes, which are the byproducts of burning, are discharged to the air we breathe as ashes this time, not as particulate matter. In addition, some particulates comprising components such as sulfur, potassium, etc. generated as a result of combustion cannot be burned by the regeneration process. These particulates, which comprise approximately 5% by mass of the particulates in the exhaust gases, accumulate in the filter pores and shorten the filter life very quickly.

It is required to reach high temperature so that the regeneration process used in the state of the art is activated. However, during heavy traffic in the city, regeneration does not occur since the vehicles cannot reach high and standard speed, and malfunction is experienced in most of the vehicles due to diesel particulate system clogging. On the other hand, the process of cleaning by burning in vehicles poses great risk. In addition, ashes, which are the byproducts of burning, are discharged into the air we breathe in a more volatile way as ashes this time, not as particulate matter; since their specific gravity is reduced.

Korean patent document no KR100670939, an application in the state of the art, discloses process of spraying compressed air to separate the burnt particulates from the filter in the diesel particulate filter. There is an air nozzle in the said application, and compressed air transferred onto the filter through the said air nozzle. In the aforementioned application, since the particulates removed from the filter do not will remain around the filter, this is not a definitive solution.

European patent document no EP0682174, an application known in the state of the art, discloses a diesel particulate filter comprising electric resistance thereon in order to burn the particulates accumulated thereon. In the said document, ashes which are byproducts of burning are formed after the burning process and these ash products are discharged into the air we breathe.

The Problems Solved with the Invention

The objective of the present invention is to provide a particulate retention system which is used in all applicable devices such as vehicles to retain the particulate matters in the exhaust gases discharged as waste without any burning process and to store them without being discharged to the outside and being released to the environment in any way.

The objective of the present invention is to provide a particulate retention system which enables to capture and store not only certain particulates, but all particulates with different components in the exhaust gas. The objective of the present invention is to provide a particulate retention system which enables to clean particulate matters by means of a mechanical action without performing a chemical process and to be discharged as waste without being released into the nature (without harming the environment).

Detailed Description of the Invention

A particulate retention system developed to fulfill the objective of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying figures wherein:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of the particulate retention system of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the particulate retention system of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a front detailed cross-sectional view of scraping assembly inside outer body in the particulate retention system of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a front detailed cross-sectional view of the scraping assembly and filter inside outer body in the particulate retention system of the present invention. Figure 5 is a front detailed cross-sectional view of the filter and reservoir inside outer body in the particulate retention system of the present invention.

The components given in the figures are individually numbered where the numbers refer to the following.

1. Particulate retention system

2. Outer body

3. Filter assembly 31. Filter

4. Scraping assembly

41. Movable body

42. Cleaning rods 421. Head

5. Drive apparatus

6. Drive shaft

7. Drive bushing

8. Reservoir

81. Reservoir cover

82. Valve

83. Pressure spring

9. Intermediate wall

A particulate cleaning system (1) which is used to retain particulate matter in gases generated due to combustion in all solid and/or liquid fuel burning devices (vehicles, generators, burners, ships, etc.) comprises o at least one outer body (2) which is located in the part where the waste gases pass in all solid and/or liquid fuel burning devices (vehicles, generator, burners, ships, etc.), and comprises a gas inlet and a gas outlet, o at least one filter assembly (3) which is provided in the outer body (2), is used to retain the particulates in the waste gas and comprises a plurality of filters (31) with a hollow structure, o a scraping assembly (4) which is used for cleaning filters (31), is provided in the outer body (2), and comprises at least one movable body (41) movable inside the interior volume of the outer body (2), and a plurality of cleaning rods (42) extending over the movable body (41) to match with the inner parts of the filter (31) and insertable to the inner part of the filters (31) upon the movement of the movable body (41).

The particulate cleaning system (1) of the present invention is used to retain particulate matter in gases generated due to combustion in all solid and/or liquid fuel burning devices (vehicles, generators, burners, ships, etc.) and it is comprised of an outer body (2), a filter assembly (3) comprising a plurality of tubular filters (31) inside the outer body (2), and a scraping assembly (4) comprising a cleaning rod (42) thereon for each filter (31) and formed of a movable body (41) to which the cleaning rods (42) are connected. The gas generated as a result of combustion (exhaust gas) enters into the outer body (2) through the gas inlet of the outer body (2). The gases passing through the outer body (2) pass through the filters (31) in the filter assembly (3) and the filters (31) retain the particulates in the gas in the inner part thereof. In case the particulates are accumulated in the filter (31), the scraping assembly (4) is operated by the user or automatically and the movable body (41) is moved towards the filter assembly (3), and the cleaning rods (42) on the movable body (41) pass through the filters (31) and scrape the particulates accumulated inside the filter (31) thereby cleaning the interior part of the filter

(31).

In one embodiment of the present invention, there is at least one drive apparatus (5) which is used to move the movable body (41) linearly inside the outer body (2). In another embodiment of the invention, the drive apparatus (2) is in the inner part of the outer body (2), and it is used for transferring drive to the movable body. In another embodiment of the invention, the drive apparatus (5) is a motor. In another embodiment of the invention, the drive apparatus (5) is a pneumatic or hydraulic system. The piston arm of the pneumatic/hydraulic system is connected to the movable body (41) and moves the movable body (41) back and forth inside the outer body (2).

In one embodiment of the invention, the drive apparatus (5) comprises belt and pulley and/or gear mechanisms. Movement is transferred via the belt and pulley and/or gear mechanisms in the drive apparatus (5). In addition, the movable body (41) can be moved back and forth within the outer body (2) by changing the speed of rotation with belt and pulley and/or gear mechanisms.

In one embodiment of the present invention, there is at least one drive shaft (6) which is connected to the drive apparatus (5) from one side and passes through a hole on the movable body (41) and has a screw pitch on it. Upon the drive shaft (6) performs rotational movement around its own axis, it moves inside the outer body (2) in a linear way with the screw pitch on the hole of the movable body (41). In another embodiment of the present invention, there is a drive bushing (7) located on the hole of the movable body (41) and comprising a screw pitch compatible with the screw pitch of the drive shaft (6). With the rotational movement of the drive shaft (6) around its own axis, the movable body (41) is forced to make a rotational movement and moves linearly along the drive shaft (6) since the rotational movement of the movable body (41) is prevented.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the outer body (2) and the movable body (41) are connected to each other by a channel protrusion connection. In this way, when a rotational movement is applied on the movable body (41), it will move in the direction of the channel structure inside the outer body (2) without rotating around its own axis. In one embodiment of the invention, the channel is provided on the inner wall of the outer body (2), and the protrusion part is provided on the movable body (41). In one embodiment of the invention, the channel is provided on the movable body (41), and the protrusion is on the outer body (2).

In one embodiment of the present invention, the drive apparatus (5), the scraping assembly (4) and the filter assembly (3) are positioned in the outer body (2) respectively according to the direction of the waste gas intake direction. In this way, the waste gas first passes through the drive apparatus (5), then passes through the scraping assembly (4) and finally passes through the filter assembly (3) and goes out through the outlet of the outer body (2). In this way, when the drive apparatus (5) is operated, the particulates scraped when the movable body (41) passes the cleaning rods (42) through the interior part of the filter (31) are pushed outward from the outer body (2) in the direction of the gas outlet direction. In one embodiment of the present invention, there is at least one reservoir (8) located on the gas outlet side of the outer body (2) and used for the accumulation of particulates scraped from the filter (31) therein. In another embodiment of the present invention, the reservoir (8) is removably mounted on the outer body (2) and in this way, the user can install the reservoir (8) on the outer body (2) again after removing the reservoir (8) and collecting the waste at certain intervals. In another embodiment of the present invention, the drive apparatus (5), the scraping assembly (4), the filter assembly (3), and the reservoir (8) are positioned in the outer body (2) respectively, according to the direction of the waste gas intake. In this way, when the drive apparatus (5) is operated, the particulates scraped when the movable body (41) passes the cleaning rods (42) through the interior part of the filter (31) come to the reservoir (8) and accumulate therein. The discharged particulates are collected in the closed reservoir (8), and they can be completely discharged at certain intervals. By this means, the main filters (31) are kept clean at all times and the collected particulates are prevented from being released back to the environment.

In one embodiment of the present invention, there is at least one passage hole on the surface of the reservoir (8) matching with the hollow filters (31) to match with at least one filter (31) , and at least one valve fixed on the passage hole in a flip- open manner. The cleaning rods (42) pass through the passage holes after passing through the filter (31) together with the particulates they scraped, and they open the valves with the pushing force and ensure that the scraped particulates are discharged into the reservoir (8). In one embodiment of the present invention, the valves are connected on the reservoir (8) by a pin or hinge, and in this way they flip-open on the passage hole. In another embodiment of the invention, there is at least one spring on the valves which applies continuous pressure to close the valves.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the reservoir (8) has at least one reservoir cover which is located on the gas outlet side of the outer body (2) and which can be opened. In case the particulates accumulate in the reservoir or when the reservoir is desired to be cleaned, the reservoir cover is opened and the reservoir (8) can be emptied or cleaned. In another embodiment of the present invention, the reservoir cover is fixed on the reservoir (8) with a connection member (bolt/hole) hole connection.

In one embodiment of the invention, there is at least one pressure spring which is provided inside the reservoir to apply force in order to open the reservoir cover. In case the said spring is released from the lock, it pushes the reservoir cover and enables the reservoir cover to open easily.

In one embodiment of the present invention, there is a detector (sensor, etc.) which is provided on/inside the reservoir (8) and which is used to measure the fill rate of the reservoir, and the said detector transmits information to the user when the fill rate increases. In one embodiment of the present invention, the detector transmits a signal to the vehicle control unit and the vehicle control unit audibly or visually warns the user to empty /clean the reservoir.

In one embodiment of the invention, the reservoir (8) is fixed on the outer body (2) with a connection member (screw, bolt, etc.). Therefore, the reservoir (8) is detachable on the outer body (2).

In one embodiment of the present invention, there is a fixed intermediate wall (9) which is located at the front of the filter assembly (3) in the outer body (2) according to the gas intake direction. There are holes on the said intermediate wall (9) for the passage of the cleaning rods (42), and the intermediate wall (9) forms a support and a bearing for the said cleaning rods (42) for linear movement.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the drive shaft (6) is connected to the drive apparatus (5) on its one side and it is pivotally mounted on the intermediate wall (9) on its other side. In one embodiment of the present invention, there is a receiver on the drive apparatus (5) and a transmitter located on or outside the vehicle for controlling the drive apparatus (5). When a signal is transmitted over the transmitter to the receiver, the drive apparatus (5) is operated. In another embodiment of the invention, the transmitter is a button or interface (touch screen, radio, keypad, etc.) which is used for transmitting the command of the user. In another embodiment of the invention, the button or the interface is provided inside the vehicle.

In one embodiment of the present invention, there is a control unit which operates the drive apparatus (5) in rotation when the command of the cleaning operation of the filter (31) is generated, and operates the drive apparatus in the reverse (opposite) direction after the cleaning process.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the filters (31) in the filter assembly (3) are tubular and the cleaning rods (42) passing through the filters (31) are cylindrical. In another embodiment of the invention, the outer body (2) is cylindrical.

In one embodiment of the present invention, there is a scraping head (421) which is provided at the end part or along the surface of the cleaning rods (42), and the said scraping head provides a more effective cleaning (scraping) process by performing scraping in the inner part of the filter (31). In another embodiment of the invention, the scraping head (421) is formed of a flexible material. In another embodiment of the invention, the scraping head is formed of a plastic material. In another embodiment of the invention, the head (421) is elliptical. In another embodiment of the invention, the head (421) is rigid.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the filter (31) consists of one or more layers and porous structures on a framework structure. In another embodiment of the invention, the pore sizes on the filter can vary. In another embodiment of the present invention, a filter structure with a different structure and different number of layers is created according to varying pore sizes. In another embodiment of the present invention, there is at least one vacuum system which is connected on a reservoir (8) and used to collect the matters (unwanted particulates) accumulated in the reservoir (8) from the reservoir (8). In an embodiment of the present invention, there is an air pump (vacuum device) in the vacuum system used to suck matters (particulates) from the reservoir (8). In another embodiment of the invention, there is an additional vacuum chamber for collecting the matters sucked with vacuum. In another embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum system is connected onto the reservoir (8) with an intermediate conveyor like a pipe (hose, etc.).