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An exhaust gas cooling and particulate scrubbing system for automobiles includes a first stage intercooler for initial, indirect cooling of the exhaust gas and a direct exhaust gas cooling and scrubbing device preferably positioned downstream in the exhaust system therefrom. The intercooler is desi

An exhaust gas cooling and particulate scrubbing system for automobiles includes a first stage intercooler for initial, indirect cooling of the exhaust gas and a direct exhaust gas cooling and scrubbing device preferably positioned downstream in the exhaust system therefrom. The intercooler is designed to provide circulation of a liquid cooling medium by convection and has airflow ducts positioned within a surrounding jacket oriented to permit air to move therethrough during movement of the automobile. The a direct exhaust gas cooling and scrubbing device passes the exhaust gas through a liquid cooling medium whereby the exhaust gas is cooled in an effort to trap suspended particulates in the liquid cooling medium.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. In an automotive exhaust system, the improvement comprising a direct exhaust gas cooling and scrubbing device comprising: a body defining a chamber and a passage for directing exhaust gas to the chamber; a liquid cooling medium held within the chamber and operable to be

The invention claimed is: 1. In an automotive exhaust system, the improvement comprising a direct exhaust gas cooling and scrubbing device comprising: a body defining a chamber and a passage for directing exhaust gas to the chamber; a liquid cooling medium held within the chamber and operable to be in direct contact with exhaust gas; and a sparger including a gas-diffusing wall having a plurality of holes therein, said sparger including a removable gas-diffusing cartridge mounted in the body and overlying the wall, said cartridge being configured and oriented to receive and pass therethrough exhaust gas exiting the holes of the wall, said wall and removable cartridge being submerged in the liquid cooling medium so as to cooperatively diffuse the exhaust gas into the liquid cooling medium. 2. An automotive exhaust system as set forth in claim 1, said removable cartridge including a sparging material having at least one gas-diffusing layer adapted to permit the flow of exhaust gas therethrough. 3. An automotive exhaust system as set forth in claim 2, said at least one gas-diffusing layer comprising material selected from the group consisting of a mesh screen, steel wool, glass fiber wool, and combinations thereof. 4. An automotive exhaust system as set forth in claim 2, said removable cartridge including a frame receiving the sparging material, said cartridge presenting an opening for inserting or removing the sparging material therethrough. 5. An automotive exhaust system as set forth in claim 4, said frame including a mounting tab, said body including a mount that engages the mounting tab and thereby at least partly attaches the removable cartridge to the body. 6. An automotive exhaust system as set forth in claim 4, said frame presenting opposite open areas that overlie one another with said sparging material positioned between said open areas such that the exhaust gas may pass through said open areas and through said sparging material. 7. An automotive exhaust system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said direct exhaust gas cooling and scrubbing device includes a reservoir adapted for holding a quantity of the liquid cooling medium and separated from said chamber by a wall, and having at least one passage fluidly communicating between said reservoir and said chamber for supplying the liquid cooling medium from said reservoir to said chamber. 8. An automotive exhaust system as set forth in claim 7, including a flow regulating device for adjusting a flow of the liquid cooling medium from said reservoir to said chamber. 9. An automotive exhaust system as set forth in claim 8, said flow regulating device comprising a shiftable element mounted for movement relative to said at least one passage for selectively restricting the flow of liquid cooling medium through the at least one passage. 10. An automotive exhaust system as set forth in claim 1, said body defining a plurality of chambers in fluid communication with one another and having at least one opening positioned in spaced relationship to the liquid cooling medium and oriented for enabling a flow of exhaust gas from a first of said chambers to a second of said chambers. 11. An automotive exhaust system as set forth in claim 10, said body defining a plurality of reservoirs, with each of the plurality of reservoirs being in fluid communication with a corresponding one of the chambers. 12. An automotive exhaust system as set forth in claim 10, wherein said body includes a top wall and wherein said chambers are separated by a partition having an opening therein, said opening being positioned proximate said top wall. 13. A conditioning device for conditioning ambient air comprising: a body defining a chamber, said body including an inlet and exit and a passage fluidly connected to the inlet and exit for directing a flow of air into the chamber; a liquid cooling medium primarily consisting of water, said liquid cooling medium being held within the chamber and operable to be in direct contact with air; a sparger positioned within the body for dispersing and directing the flow of air into the liquid medium, said sparger including an air-diffusing wall having a plurality of holes therein, said sparger including a removable air-diffusing cartridge mounted in the body and overlying the wall, with air being configured to pass through the wall and cartridge, said wall and removable cartridge submerged in the liquid cooling medium so as to cooperatively diffuse the air within the liquid cooling medium; and a blower for pumping air into the chamber for passage through the liquid cooling medium in direct contact with the liquid cooling medium. 14. A conditioning device as set forth in claim 13, said removable cartridge including a sparging material having at least one gas-diffusing layer adapted to permit the flow of air therethrough. 15. A conditioning device as set forth in claim 14, said at least one gas-diffusing layer comprising material selected from the group consisting of a mesh screen, steel wool, glass fiber wool, and combinations thereof. 16. A conditioning device as set forth in claim 15, said removable cartridge including a frame receiving the sparging material, said cartridge presenting an opening for inserting or removing the sparging material therethrough. 17. A conditioning device as set forth in claim 16, said frame including a mounting tab, said body including a mount that engages the mounting tab and thereby at least partly attaches the removable cartridge to the body. 18. A conditioning device as set forth in claim 16, said frame presenting opposite open areas that overlie one another with said sparging material positioned between said open areas such that airas may pass through said open areas and through said sparging material. 19. A conditioning device as set forth in claim 13, wherein said body includes a reservoir adapted for holding a quantity of the liquid cooling medium and separated from said chamber by a wall, and having at least one passage fluidly communicating between said reservoir and said chamber for supplying the liquid cooling medium from said reservoir to said chamber. 20. A conditioning device as set forth in claim 19, including a flow regulating device for adjusting a flow of the liquid cooling medium from said reservoir to said chamber. 21. A conditioning device as set forth in claim 20, said flow regulating device comprising a shiftable element for restricting the flow of liquid cooling medium through the at least one passage. 22. A conditioning device as set forth in claim 13, said body defining a plurality of chambers in fluid communication with one another and having at least one opening positioned in spaced relationship to the liquid cooling medium and oriented for enabling a flow of air from a first of said chambers to a second of said chambers. 23. A conditioning device as set forth in claim 22, said body defining a plurality of reservoirs, with each of the plurality of reservoirs being in fluid communication with a corresponding one of the chambers. 24. A conditioning device as set forth in claim 13, wherein said body includes a top wall and wherein said chambers are separated by a partition having an opening therein, said opening being positioned proximate said top wall. 25. In an automotive exhaust system, the improvement comprising a direct exhaust gas cooling and scrubbing device comprising: a body defining a chamber for holding liquid cooling medium, a chamber gas inlet for directing exhaust gas to the chamber, and a chamber gas outlet for directing exhaust gas out of the chamber; said body defining a refillable reservoir for holding liquid cooling medium, said body defining a passage that fluidly connects the chamber and reservoir, with liquid cooling medium being configured to flow through the passage, and a flow regulating device mounted to said body and operatively positioned between the reservoir and the chamber for adjusting a flow of liquid cooling medium through the passage from the reservoir to the chamber, said flow regulating device including a shiftable element for selectively restricting the flow of liquid cooling medium from the reservoir to the chamber, said chamber and reservoir being fluidly connected between the inlet and outlet in a non-series arrangement so that exhaust gas is permitted to flow substantially only through the chamber. 26. An automotive exhaust system as set forth in claim 25, said body presenting an external fill port that fluidly communicates with the reservoir for permitting liquid cooling medium to be added to the reservoir. 27. An automotive exhaust system as set forth in claim 25, said body defining a plurality of chambers in fluid communication with one another for enabling a flow of exhaust gas from a first of said chambers to a second of said chambers. 28. An automotive exhaust system as set forth in claim 27, said body defining a plurality of reservoirs, with each of the plurality of reservoirs being in fluid communication with a corresponding one of the chambers. 29. An automotive exhaust system as set forth in claim 27, said plurality of chambers being fluidly connected between the chamber gas inlet and the chamber gas outlet in series and whereby said body is configured for directing a flow of exhaust gas sequentially through the plurality of chambers. 30. An automotive exhaust system as set forth in claim 29, said body including a top wall and wherein said chambers are separated by a partition having an opening therein, said opening being positioned proximate said top wall.