Patent GB-1372160-A (GB)
Title: Exhaust cleaning apparatus for internal combustion engines
IPC: F01N13/02
Filed: 1973-03-16
Abstract: 1372160 Treating exhaust gas NISSAN MOTOR CO Ltd 16 March 1973 [22 March 1972 (2)] 12799/73 Heading F1B Exhaust cleaning apparatus for an I.C. engine comprises reducing catalyst means, oxidizing catalyst means downstream of the reducing catalyst means, means for supplying and admixing additional hydrocarbon fuel to the exhaust gases entering the reducing catalyst means and control means for interrupting the supply of additional fuel in response to engine operating conditions producing enrichment of an air-fuel mixture supplied to the engine. A converter unit 12 consists of a reducing catalyst 14, an oxidizing catalyst 16, an air injection nozzle 18 and a fuel injection nozzle 20, including a solenoid operated valve 22, connected to a control unit 26. The control unit receives signals from an oxygen sensor 28 and temperature sensitive elements 32 and 34, and also receives signals S 1  which are representative of engine rotational speed, intake manifold vacuum, degree of throttle opening and/or crank-shaft torque. These signals S 1  indicate light-load and heavy-load driving conditions, including acceleration. In series between the control unit 26 and the solenoid 22 are a switch 42 which is open when the starter motor is energized and a switch 40 which is opened by a cam 44, mounted on the throttle valve spindle, when the throttle valve is turned to the closed or wide open position. Operation. The engine is normally supplied with a heavier-than-stoichiometric air-fuel mixture, so that during medium-load driving conditions there is excess oxygen present in the exhaust gases. To produce a net reducing atmosphere conducive to optimum effectiveness of the reducing catalyst, additional fuel is supplied through the nozzle 20. The supply of additional fuel is discontinued if the control unit receives a signal which indicates that the amount of oxygen in the exhaust gases is lower than a predetermined level, the catalysts are not at their operating temperature or the throttle valve is not in a part-load position. Oxygen probe. The probe consists of a porous sintered zirconium oxide tube, the sealed interior of which contains oxygen and has an electroplated platinum lining to which an electrical lead is attached. The outer surface also has a platinum film deposited thereon and has an electrical lead attached to it. The outer surface is exposed to the exhaust gases and the electrical leads 24 are connected to the control unit. In a modification. Fig.7, signals T 2  which are of variable pulsewidth and determine the timing and duration of opening of the cylinder fuel injection nozzles, are also fed to a signal modifier 62 which shortens the pulse widths in a predetermined ratio and then feeds the modified signals through an engine temperature switch 64 and a switch 66 which is open when the starter motor is energized, to the control valve 22. In series between the starter switch 66 and the control valve 22 are switches responsive to throttle position, acceleration and catalyst temperature. In a second modification. Fig.8 (not shown) the switch responsive to degree of throttle opening is omitted and is replaced by two switches in series, one of which is closed when the inlet manifold vacuum is lower than a first value P  1  or higher than a second value P 2  and the other of which is open when the engine speed is lower than a first value N 1  or higher than a second value N 2 . The circuit also includes a switch which opens in response to an angular velocity of the throttle valve when it is turned for acceleration.