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Muffler apparatus for reducing both sound and particulates from exhaust gases from an engine. The apparatus includes resonating chambers, flow distribution structure and a cellular ceramic core filter module. Filter regeneration mechanism includes a heating element for heating the carbon on the inle

Muffler apparatus for reducing both sound and particulates from exhaust gases from an engine. The apparatus includes resonating chambers, flow distribution structure and a cellular ceramic core filter module. Filter regeneration mechanism includes a heating element for heating the carbon on the inlet end of the ceramic core to combustion temperature. Particulate ignition resulting in regeneration occurs when combustion air is provided; in alternate embodiments, combustion air first flows through a preheater system. A processor unit with particular logic controls the apparatus.

대표청구항 ▼

A method for removing oxidizable particulates from a filter trap in a muffler apparatus, said muffler apparatus including a housing having an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid flow passage for exhaust gases leading from said inlet upstream to said outlet downstream, said fluid flow passage including a r

A method for removing oxidizable particulates from a filter trap in a muffler apparatus, said muffler apparatus including a housing having an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid flow passage for exhaust gases leading from said inlet upstream to said outlet downstream, said fluid flow passage including a reactive acoustic element, said muffler apparatus also including in said fluid flow passage means for filtering the particulates from the exhaust gases, said muffler apparatus still further including means for heating an inlet end of said filtering means and means for blowing air through said heating means toward the inlet end of said filtering means, said muffler apparatus yet further including valve means for controlling the flow of exhaust gases to said housing, said muffler apparatus also including first means for sensing a first pressure differential upstream of said filtering means and a second pressure differential across said filtering means and first means for comparing said first and second pressure differentials to a predetermined value to identify a first triggering relationship, said particulates having a combustion temperature, said muffler apparatus also including a second means for sensing one of temperature of said heating means, temperature of fluid between said heating means and said filtering means and temperature of said filtering means inlet end, second means for comparing said temperature relative to a predetermined temperature less than the combustion temperature to identify a second triggering relationship, and third means for comparing said temperature relative to the combustion temperature to identify a third triggering relationship, said muffler apparatus also including means for timing a predetermined period, said method comprising the steps of: identifying the first triggering relationship; closing with said valve means flow of exhaust gases to said housing after said first triggering relationship; turning on said heating means after said valve means closing step; starting said air blowing means after said valve means closing step; identifying said second triggering relationship; stopping said air blowing means after said second triggering relationship; identifying said third triggering relationship; starting said air blowing means after said third triggering relationship; starting said timing means after said third triggering relationship; stopping said heating means during the timing of said timing means; stopping said air blowing means after said timed period; and opening with said valve means flow of exhaust gasses to said housing after said timed period.