Patent ID: 8544257

Claim:
An electrically stimulated catalytic converter apparatus for treating engine exhaust from a vehicle engine, said electrically simulated catalytic converter apparatus comprising: an exhaust conduit having a first end and a second end; said first end adapted to be operatively connected to an exhaust pipe and defining a main flow path therethrough; a housing unit operatively attached to the exhaust conduit, the housing unit having a hollow space formed therein which is in fluid communication with the exhaust conduit and disposed in fluid communication with the main flow path; a corona charger apparatus disposed in the housing unit; said corona charger apparatus comprising a first charger grid section disposed proximate an inlet of the housing and comprising at least four spaced apart alternating positive and negative electrodes connected to a voltage supply unit, and a second charger grid section disposed proximate an outlet of the housing and comprising at least four spaced apart alternating positive and negative electrodes connected to said voltage supply unit; and a porous ceramic monolith disposed between the first and second charger grid sections and having a coating therein comprising a metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, rhodium and mixtures thereof; wherein the corona charger apparatus is operable, when energized, to produce charged gaseous ions which interact with the engine exhaust.