GB2302365A - Apparatus for adding water to the intake and to the exhaust of an i.c.engine - Google Patents

Abstract

Water from container 1 passes through isolating valve 7, main pump 8, non-return valve 9, adjustable indicator 10 to a float chamber 11 on a header tank 12. An ignition-controlled solenoid 13 allows the water to pass to T-piece 14 from which it passes through flow meters 15, 15 to the inlet manifold 16 and, via needle valve 17, to the exhaust system where it may be mixed with the exhaust gases by an impeller (19, fig. 3). Suitable control of the supply of water to the combustion chamber promotes combustion and economy while similar treatment of the exhaust gases reduces emissions eg of particulates.

Description

EXHAUST GAS CLEANER The present invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning exhaust gases emitted from a vehicle.

Various sophisticated devices such as catalytic converters have been developed to reduce the undesirable emissions from vehicle engines.

Such devices work reasonably effectively but are expensive and not suitable for retro-fitting to many millions of vehicles which are currently in use.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an effective exhaust gas cleaning device which is economical and can be retro-fitted to vehicles.

According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for cleaning exhaust gases emitted from a vehicle, comprising means for supplying water to an exhaust pipe of the vehicle such that the supplied water absorbs some of the chemical products contained in the exhaust gas and is then discharged from the exhaust pipe.

The apparatus may be supplied as a component part of a complete exhaust system or alternatively may be supplied as a simple additional set of components which can be fitted to an existing exhaust system.

Furthermore the device could be fitted as original equipment on new vehicles.

The exhaust pipe may incorporate an impeller which is driven by the exhaust gas and is positioned so as to convert the water into a fine spray that Is intimately mixed with the exhaust gas. Alternatively static components may be incorporated into the exhaust pipe which generate a vortex so as to intimately mix the water and exhaust gas.

The supply of water may be controlled by the flow of gas through exhaust pipe. The control may be effected by means of a simple valve which is opened when exhaust gas is flowing, or by a pump. The pump may be a mechanical device, for example driven by an impeller positioned in the exhaust so as to be rotated by the exhaust gas, or an iindependent component energised when the vehicle ignition is energiset or a static component such as a Venturi, water being fed to the ' Yenturi t a position such that the differential pressures generated by the Nenturi draw water into the exhaust pipe.

Water may be supplied by a simple pipe connected to a reservoir such that a plastic container mounted in a vehicle boot or similar convenient location.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing, a vehicle exhaust pipe 1 of entirely conventional design supports a device in accordance with the present invention. That device comprises a cylindrical body 2 which is a tight push fit on the end of the exhaust pipe 1. Within the body an impeller 3 is supported on a shaft 4 journalled in a bearing mounted on radial ribs forming part of an impeller support ring 5. An inlet pipe 6 opens adjacent the upstream side of the impeller 3.

In use, exhaust gas flows in the direction of arrow 7 and impinges upon the impeller 3, causing it to rotate. Water is supplied through the pipe 6 and is thoroughly mixed with the exhaust gas as a result of the action of the impeller 3. Soluble chemical components of the exhaust gas are absorbed by the fine drops of water formed downstream of the impeller 3. The droplets of water and the chemical components absorbed thereby are ejected from the body 2 and fall to the ground. As a result the exhaust gases are less apparent and less obnoxious.

Slots 8 may be provided in the lower part of the body 2 downstream of the impeller 3 to permit condensate to drop directly from the body 2. This reduces the possibility of relatively large droplets of water being ejected from the body 2 through the axial outlet opening.

It will be appreciated that a deflector may be provided adjacent the outlet opening of the body 2 to direct any water droplets downwards, thereby reducing the risk of a person standing adjacent the exhaust gas from being contaminated by water droplets.

Various alternative embodiments of the present invention to that illustrated are of course possible. For example, the rotating impeller 3 could be replaced by static vanes arranged to generate a vortex suitable for mixing the water and gas. Such an approach would reduce the risk of the impeller 3 becoming stuck due to contaminants within the exhaust gas.

Water may be supplied through the pipe 6 as a result of simple gravity feed initiated by the opening of a valve when the engine is started. Preferably, however, more direct control of the water supply is achieved by providing some form of pump structure. For example an electro-mechanical pump could be provided which turns on automatically with turning on of the engine. As a further possibility however a Venturi device could be provided with the inlet from the pipe positioned so that water is pumped through the pipe 6 as a result of passage of exhaust gas through the Venturi. Such an arrangement would be equivalent to the Venturi structure conventionally used in many carburettors to supply fuel to an engine.

Embodiments of the present invention can be incorporated in relatively small structures adding only a few centimetres to the length of the existing exhaust pipe. An increase in length of the order of 10cm Is contemplated. Thus the invention can be easily retro-fitted to many conveniently located exhaust pipe. It would of course be possible however to incorporate the invention in replacement exhaust pipe subassemblies or even in original equipment.

The water supply can be stored in a simple plastic container positioned in for example the boot of a car. The car user would simply have to periodically check that the container was full of water and refill as necessary. Relatively small volumes of water should be sufficient to substantially reduce the unpleasant gaseous emissions from vehicles.

APPARATUS FOR ADDING WATER TO DIESEL AND PETROL ENGINES This invention relates to apparatus fôr adding water to diesel and petrol driven engines. The addition of water to diesel/petrol fuel can promote combustion and economy providing care is taken that the quantity is not so high that combustion is prevented.

According to the invention an apparatus to supply water to said combustion zone SUPPLY weans regulating the flow rate of water by means of a signal to function the flow as deemed by the invention this giving a determined amount so that combustion is not prevented The water supply regulating means may comprise a plurality of water flow paths @penable and closable , the number of. flow paths may be two or more ,each flow pathmay comprise respective valve means arranged go set a preditermined flow rate along that path, the input ofwater to said flow paths may be an outlet from water metering means which may be arranged to give a constant output and may be at a preditermimed substantially constant pressure.

THE INVENTION DIAGRAM IS EXPLIANED AS FOLLOWS I. Vessel to contain water (Plastic or Metal) briller cap and opening.

3. Overflow.

4. High water level warning.

5. Air vent.

6. Low water level warning.

7. Iolating valve.

8. Pump.

9. Non return valve.

IO.Flow indicator switch.

FIG 2.

II. Float switch.

I2. Header tank.

I3.Solenoid.

15. & I5s Adjustable flow meters.

I6.Mechanically operated butterfly valve or more.

I7. Electrcally driven inpeller (s) 17. Adjustable noddle valve.

FIG. 3.

18. Adjustable jets.

19. Two or rore bladed fan or impeller.

20. Fine mesH 2I. Cylinder body made of staimless steel or other non-rust materials.

22. Fan supporting frame.

THE OPERATION OF THE INVENTION.

Water is taken from the container (1) and passed through isolating valve (7) to main pump (8) which will only eperate when ignition is switched to on and main container has sufficient water to make the contacts of low level switch (6) the pump will then lift the water via non-return valve (9) and adjustable indicator (IO) filling the float chamber (ii) on the headed tank (I2) an electrical operated selnoid attached to the ignition allowing water to a tee piece (i4) in line with two adjustable flow meters (i5) (I5a) (15) being dirested to the exhaust s@ stem as explained below. (15) will now so to the inlet manifold (I6) is mechanically operated or may be electrically operated or by a impeller pump from the fan pulley so each can be adjusted to give various speeds there-in. (i5a) passes through adjustable needle valve to fig. 4. to the exhaust system dais titled... EXHAUST GAS CLEANER . Applicant .. GEORGE SMITH dated I6 August I990 it is wished to include this in the new application.

FIG.6. will new show all electrical connections between i & 0.

flat we elain in this invention That by controlling a given amount of water to the combustion chamber of the engine a better and faster burn will occur by using the oxygen and hydrogen giving a better perforiance with less output to the exhaust. This in turn will join Fi6 4 where water is in use (see exhaust cleaner) lowering the particulates and giving less emissions to atnosphere.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (1)

1. **WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

   FIG. 3.

   18. Adjustable jets.

   19. Two or rore bladed fan or impeller.

   20. Fine mesH 2I. Cylinder body made of staimless steel or other non-rust materials.

   22. Fan supporting frame.

   THE OPERATION OF THE INVENTION.

   Water is taken from the container (1) and passed through isolating valve (7) to main pump (8) which will only eperate when ignition is switched to on and main container has sufficient water to make the contacts of low level switch (6) the pump will then lift the water via non-return valve (9) and adjustable indicator (IO) filling the float chamber (ii) on the headed tank (I2) an electrical operated selnoid attached to the ignition allowing water to a tee piece (i4) in line with two adjustable flow meters (i5) (I5a) (15) being dirested to the exhaust s@ stem as explained below. (15) will now so to the inlet manifold (I6) is mechanically operated or may be electrically operated or by a impeller pump from the fan pulley so each can be adjusted to give various speeds there-in. (i5a) passes through adjustable needle valve to fig. 4. to the exhaust system dais titled... EXHAUST GAS CLEANER . Applicant .. GEORGE SMITH dated I6 August I990 it is wished to include this in the new application.

   FIG.6. will new show all electrical connections between i & 0.

   flat we elain in this invention That by controlling a given amount of water to the combustion chamber of the engine a better and faster burn will occur by using the oxygen and hydrogen giving a better perforiance with less output to the exhaust. This in turn will join Fi6 4 where water is in use (see exhaust cleaner) lowering the particulates and giving less emissions to atnosphere.