GB2135208A - Exhaust filter - Google Patents

Abstract

An exhaust filter comprises a chamber (1) having an exhaust inlet (2) and a porous exhaust outlet (3). The chamber (1) is partially filled with a liquid (4). The chamber has four compartments formed by dividing walls (7, 8, 9). The compartments communicate below the liquid level so exhaust fumes pass from the inlet (2) to the outlet (3) through the liquid (4) and are filtered out. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Exhaust filter The present invention relates to an exhaust filter, for example for use in motor vehicle exhaust systems and industrial chimnies.

In conventional car exhaust systems and industrial chimnies particles in the exhaust fumes are often allowed to escape into the atmosphere causing harmful pollution.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an exhaust filter which reduces the amount of harmful particles emitted from exhaust systems.

According to the present invention there is provided an exhaust filter comprising a chamber having an exhaust inlet and a porous exhaust outlet, the chamber being at least partially filled with a liquid whereby particles in exhaust fumes can be filtered out.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below, by example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of an exhaust filter in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a partially cut-away perspective view of the exhaust filter of Figure 1; and Figure 3 shows three vertical sectional views perpendicular to the sectional view of Figure 1.

As shown in Figure 1, the exhaust filter comprises a chamber 1 having an exhaust inlet 2 and a porous exhaust outlet 3. The chamber is partially filled with a liquid 4.

As seen clearly from Figure 2, the chamber 1 is defined by a cylinder having end walls 5 and 6.

Along the length of the chamber 1 are arranged three inner dividing walls 7, 8 and 9, identified at B, A and C respectively. The inlet tube 2 extends in the upper region of the chamber 1 through the end wall 5 and the inner wall 7 into the space between walls 7 and 8. The outlet tube 3, also in the upper region of the chamber 1, extends in alignment with inlet tube 2 from inner wall 8 through inner wall 9 and end wall 6. Inner wall 8 closes the end of tube 3. The outlet tube 3 is only porous in the region between the inner wall 8 and the end wall 6.

The level of the fluid 4 is shown in Figure 1 at 10.

Below the level 10, near the bottom of the chamber 1, a fluid return tube 11 extends through inner walls 7, 8 and 9. Each inner wall 7, 8 and 9 also has a hole 12,13 on both sides of the tube 11. The three holes 12 in the inner walls are substantially in alignment as are the three holes 13. The diameter of the holes 12,13 is approximatelythe same as that of the tube 11.

The arrangement of the tube 11 and the holes 12 and 13 is clearly shown in the sectional views at A, B and C in Figure 3.

The outlet tube 3 is made porous by having a perforated wall.

In use, the exhaust fumes are introduced into the space between inner walls 7 and 8 in chamber 1 from the inlet 2. The hot fumes are then forced by their own back pressure through the cold liquid 4 which can pass along chamber 1 through the holes 12,13 in the inner walls 8 and 9. The particles in the fumes condense and are filtered out by the liquid 4 and collect in the bottom of the chamber 1. The cleansed fumes can then escape from the fluid 4 and be expelled through the porous outlet tube 3 between inner walls 8 and 9 and end wall 6. The filtered fumes will thus be substantially free from particles and will cause much less damaging pollution.

The fluid 4 can circulate in the chamber 1 by passing through holes 12 and 13 in the inner walls 7, 8 and 9 and returning along the chamber 1 via the fluid return tube 11. The fluid 4 must be changed at intervals dependent on its contamination and buildup of particles.

The exhaust filter of the invention can replace the silencer on conventional vehicle exhaust systems.

Also, it can be adapted to be incorporated into industrial chimnies and other systems where pollution is a problem.

CLAIMS (Filed on 22.4.83) 1. An exhaust filter comprising a chamber having an exhaust inlet and a porous exhaust outlet, the chamber being at least partially filled with a liquid whereby particles in exhaust fumes can be filtered out.

2. A filter according to claim 1, wherein the chamber comprises a plurality of compartments which communicate with each other below the level of the liquid, the exhaust inlet opening into one of the compartments and the exhaust outlet extending through at least one other compartment.

3. A filter according to claim 2, wherein a fluid return tube extends between a first and last of the compartments across any intermediate compartments.

4. A filter according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the chamber comprises four compartments, the exhaust inlet opening out into the second compartment and the exhaust outlet extending through the third and fourth chambers.

5. A filter according to any preceding claim wherein the exhaust inlet and outlet are above the level of the liquid.

6. An exhaust filter substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Exhaust filter The present invention relates to an exhaust filter, for example for use in motor vehicle exhaust systems and industrial chimnies. In conventional car exhaust systems and industrial chimnies particles in the exhaust fumes are often allowed to escape into the atmosphere causing harmful pollution. It is an object of the present invention to provide an exhaust filter which reduces the amount of harmful particles emitted from exhaust systems. According to the present invention there is provided an exhaust filter comprising a chamber having an exhaust inlet and a porous exhaust outlet, the chamber being at least partially filled with a liquid whereby particles in exhaust fumes can be filtered out. A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below, by example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of an exhaust filter in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a partially cut-away perspective view of the exhaust filter of Figure 1; and Figure 3 shows three vertical sectional views perpendicular to the sectional view of Figure 1. As shown in Figure 1, the exhaust filter comprises a chamber 1 having an exhaust inlet 2 and a porous exhaust outlet 3. The chamber is partially filled with a liquid 4. As seen clearly from Figure 2, the chamber 1 is defined by a cylinder having end walls 5 and 6. Along the length of the chamber 1 are arranged three inner dividing walls 7, 8 and 9, identified at B, A and C respectively. The inlet tube 2 extends in the upper region of the chamber 1 through the end wall 5 and the inner wall 7 into the space between walls 7 and 8. The outlet tube 3, also in the upper region of the chamber 1, extends in alignment with inlet tube 2 from inner wall 8 through inner wall 9 and end wall 6. Inner wall 8 closes the end of tube 3. The outlet tube 3 is only porous in the region between the inner wall 8 and the end wall 6. The level of the fluid 4 is shown in Figure 1 at 10. Below the level 10, near the bottom of the chamber 1, a fluid return tube 11 extends through inner walls 7, 8 and 9. Each inner wall 7, 8 and 9 also has a hole 12,13 on both sides of the tube 11. The three holes 12 in the inner walls are substantially in alignment as are the three holes 13. The diameter of the holes 12,13 is approximatelythe same as that of the tube 11. The arrangement of the tube 11 and the holes 12 and 13 is clearly shown in the sectional views at A, B and C in Figure 3. The outlet tube 3 is made porous by having a perforated wall. In use, the exhaust fumes are introduced into the space between inner walls 7 and 8 in chamber 1 from the inlet 2. The hot fumes are then forced by their own back pressure through the cold liquid 4 which can pass along chamber 1 through the holes 12,13 in the inner walls 8 and 9. The particles in the fumes condense and are filtered out by the liquid 4 and collect in the bottom of the chamber 1. The cleansed fumes can then escape from the fluid 4 and be expelled through the porous outlet tube 3 between inner walls 8 and 9 and end wall 6. The filtered fumes will thus be substantially free from particles and will cause much less damaging pollution. The fluid 4 can circulate in the chamber 1 by passing through holes 12 and 13 in the inner walls 7, 8 and 9 and returning along the chamber 1 via the fluid return tube 11. The fluid 4 must be changed at intervals dependent on its contamination and buildup of particles. The exhaust filter of the invention can replace the silencer on conventional vehicle exhaust systems. Also, it can be adapted to be incorporated into industrial chimnies and other systems where pollution is a problem. CLAIMS (Filed on 22.4.83)

1. An exhaust filter comprising a chamber having an exhaust inlet and a porous exhaust outlet, the chamber being at least partially filled with a liquid whereby particles in exhaust fumes can be filtered out.

2. A filter according to claim 1, wherein the chamber comprises a plurality of compartments which communicate with each other below the level of the liquid, the exhaust inlet opening into one of the compartments and the exhaust outlet extending through at least one other compartment.

3. A filter according to claim 2, wherein a fluid return tube extends between a first and last of the compartments across any intermediate compartments.

4. A filter according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the chamber comprises four compartments, the exhaust inlet opening out into the second compartment and the exhaust outlet extending through the third and fourth chambers.

5. A filter according to any preceding claim wherein the exhaust inlet and outlet are above the level of the liquid.

6. An exhaust filter substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.