Anti-pollution exhaust system for vehicles

Claim 2

In combination with an internal combustion engine mounted in a vehicle, an anti-pollution exhaust system for said engine mounted on said vehicle comprising: receiving tank means for holding a quantity of liquid including exhaust gas release means located below any quantity of liquid in said receiving tank means for inserting exhaust gases into said receiving tank means and for thoroughly mixing exhaust gases from said internal combustion engine with said liquid to form an exhaust-liquid mixture in said receiving tank; separating tank means for holding a quantity of liquid and receiving said mixture from said receiving tank means including separating means for separating said liquid from said gases while leaving pollutants from said gases in said liquid in said separating tank means and vent means located above the liquid in the separating tank means for venting the separated, cleansed gases to the atmosphere; means for allowing cooling air to flow against and through said separating tank means to cool any liquid and exhaust gas mixture in said separating tank means; exhaust gas conduit means for conveying exhaust gases from said engine to said receiving tank means; first fluid conduit means for conveying at least a portion of said exhaust-liquid mixture from said receiving tank means to said separating tank means; second fluid conduit means for conveying fluid, and primarily said liquid, from said separating tank means back to said receiving tank means; pump means for pumping fluid through said conduit means; and means for driving said pump means with said engine; said first and second fluid conduit means and pump means adapted to recirculate the liquid in said system for re-use whereby said exhaust gases are continuously cleansed by said liquid as they exit the engine before being released to the atmosphere.

Claim 3

The combination of claim 1 including cooling means in said exhaust gas conduit means for cooling said exhaust gases prior to their mixture with said liquid in said receiving tank means.

Claim 4

The combination of claim 2 wherein said exhaust gas conduit means includes an exhaust pipe; said exhaust gas cooling means including a portion of said pipe which is formed in a sinuous path, said pipe portion being located beneath said vehicle for exposure to the flow of air caused by movement of said vehicle for heat transfer purposes.

Claim 5

The combination of claim 3 wherein said exhaust pipe portion includes a plurality of elongated sections connected by curvilinear sections, said elongated sections extending transverse to said vehicle.

Claim 6

The combination of claim 3 wherein said exhaust pipe portion includes a plurality of elongated sections connected by curvilinear sections, said elongated sections extending lengthwise of said vehicle.

Claim 7

In combination with an internal combustion engine mounted in a vehicle, an anti-pollution exhaust system for said engine mounted on said vehicle comprising: receiving tank means for holding a quantity of liquid including exhaust gas release means located below any quantity of liquid in said receiving tank means for inserting exhaust gases into said receiving tank means and for thoroughly mixing exhaust gases from said internal combustion engine with said liquid to form an exhaust-liquid mixture in said receiving tank; separating tank means for holding a quantity of liquid and receiving said mixture from said receiving tank means including separating means for separating said liquid from said gases while leaving pollutants from said gases in said liquid in said separating tank means and vent means located above the liquid in the separating tank means for venting the separated, cleansed gases to the atmosphere; exhaust gas conduit means for conveying exhaust gases from said engine to said receiving tank means; first fluid conduit means for conveying at least a portion of said exhaust-liquid mixture from said receiving tank means to said separating tank means; second fluid conduit means for conveying fluid, and primarily said liquid, from said separating tank means back to said receiving tank means; pump means for pumping fluid through said conduit means; means for driving said pump means with said engine; said first and second fluid conduit means and pump means adapted to recirculate the liquid in said system for re-use whereby said exhaust gases are continuously cleansed by said liquid as they exit the engine before being released to the atmosphere; said receiving tank means further including a liquid-tight receiving tank, said tank being filled with liquid to a predetermined level, said means below the level of said liquid for mixing exhaust gases with liquid including an insertion conduit connected to said exhaust gas conduit means and extending internally to said tank including an outlet opening below said liquid level in said receiving tank for releasing said exhaust gases in said liquid; a return conduit connected to said second fluid conduit means and extending internally of said tank including a return outlet opening adjacent one wall inside said receiving tank for releasing said returned liquid against said tank wall to agitate the liquid to facilitate mixing of said exhaust gases therewith in said receiving tank; and at least one outlet conduit connected to said first fluid conduit means near the top of said receiving tank above said liquid level for releasing said liquid-gas mixture from said receiving tank.

Claim 8

In combination with an internal combustion engine mounted in a vehicle, an anti-pollution exhaust system for said engine mounted on said vehicle comprising: receiving tank means for holding a quantity of liquid including exhaust gas release means located below any quantity of liquid in said receiving tank means for inserting exhaust gases into said receiving tank means and for thoroughly mixing exhaust gases from said internal combustion engine with said liquid to form an exhaust-liquid mixture in said receiving tank; separating tank means for holding a quantity of liquid and receiving said mixture from said receiving tank means including separating means for separating said liquid from said gases while leaving pollutants from said gases in said liquid in said separating tank means and vent means located above the liquid in the separating tank means for venting the separated, cleansed gases to the atmosphere; exhaust gas conduit means for conveying exhaust gases from said engine to said receiving tank means; first fluid conduit means for conveying at least a portion of said exhaust-liquid mixture from said receiving tank means to said separating tank means; second fluid conduit means for conveying fluid, and primarily said liquid, from said separating tank means back to said receiving tank means; pump means for pumping fluid through said conduit means; means for driving said pump means with said engine; said first and second fluid conduit means and pump means adapted to recirculate the liquid in said system for re-use whereby said exhaust gases are continuously cleansed by said liquid as they exit the engine before being released to the atmosphere; said receiving tank means further including a liquid-tight receiving tank, said tank being filled with liquid to a predetermined level, said means below the level of said liquid for mixing exhaust gases with liquid including an insertion conduit connected to said exhaust gas conduit means and extending internally to said tank including an outlet opening below said liquid level in said receiving tank for releasing said exhaust gases in said liquid; a return conduit connected to said second fluid conduit means and extending internally of said tank including a return outlet opening adjacent one wall inside said receiving tank for releasing said returned liquid against said tank wall to agitate the liquid to facilitate mixing of said exhaust gases therewith in said receiving tank; and at least one outlet conduit connected to said first fluid conduit means near the top of said receiving tank above said liquid level for releasing said liquid-gas mixture from said receiving tank.

Claim 9

The combination of claim 6 wherein said receiving tank is positioned in the engine compartment of said vehicle and includes valve means on the bottom of said tank for draining said liquid from said tank, an aperture in the top of said tank for replenishing said liquid and closure means for said top aperture.

Claim 10

In combination with an internal combustion engine mounted in a vehicle, an anti-pollution exhaust system for said engine mounted on said vehicle comprising: receiving tank means for holding a quantity of liquid including exhaust gas release means located below any quantity of liquid in said receiving tank means for inserting exhaust gases into said receiving tank means and for thoroughly mixing exhaust gases from said internal combustion engine with said liquid to form an exhaust-liquid mixture in said receiving tank; separating tank means for holding a quantity of liquid and receiving said mixture from said receiving tank means including separating means for separating said liquid from said gases while leaving pollutants from said gases in said liquid in said separating tank means and vent means located above the liquid in the separating tank means for venting the separated, cleansed gases to the atmosphere; exhaust gas conduit means for conveying exhaust gases from said engine to said receiving tank means; first fluid conduit means for conveying at least a portion of said exhaust-liquid mixture from said receiving tank means to said separating tank means; second fluid conduit means for conveying fluid, and primarily said liquid, from said separating tank means back to said receiving tank means; pump means for pumping fluid through said conduit means; means for driving said pump means with said engine; said first and second fluid conduit means and pump means adapted to recirculate the liquid in said system for re-use whereby said exhaust gases are continuously cleansed by said liquid as they exit the engine before being released to the atmosphere; said separating tank means further including a liquid-tight separating tank, said tank being filled with liquid to a predetermined level; said separating means including an insertion conduit connected to said first conduit means, extending internally of said tank, and having an outlet opening adjacent an internal wall of said separating tank above said liquid level for releasing said mixture against said wall to separate said pollutant-containing liquid from said cleansed gases; an outlet conduit connected to said second fluid conduit means and extending internally of said tank below said liquid level for removing said pollutant-containing liquid from said tank; and at least one vent conduit adjacent the top of said separating tank for releasing said cleansed gases into said atmosphere.

Claim 11

In combination with an internal combustion engine mounted in a vehicle, an anti-pollution exhaust system for said engine mounted on said vehicle comprising: receiving tank means for holding a quantity of liquid including exhaust gas release means located below any quantity of liquid in said receiving tank means for inserting exhaust gases into said receiving tank means and for thoroughly mixing exhaust gases from said internal combustion engine with said liquid to form an exhaust-liquid mixture in said receiving tank; separating tank means for holding a quantity of liquid and receiving said mixture from said receiving tank means including separating means for separating said liquid from said gases while leaving pollutants from said gases in said liquid in said separating tank means and vent means located above the liquid in the separating tank means for venting the separated, cleansed gases to the atmosphere; exhaust gas conduit means for conveying exhaust gases from said engine to said receiving tank means; first fluid conduit means for conveying at least a portion of said exhaust-liquid mixture from said receiving tank means to said separating tank means; second fluid conduit means for conveying fluid, and primarily said liquid, from said separating tank means back to said receiving tank means; pump means for pumping fluid through said conduit means; means for driving said pump means with said engine; said first and second fluid conduit means and pump means adapted to recirculate the liquid in said system for re-use whereby said exhaust gases are continuously cleansed by said liquid as they exit the engine before being released to the atmosphere; said separating tank means further including a liquid-tight separating tank, said tank being filled with liquid to a predetermined level; said separating means including an insertion conduit connected to said first conduit means, extending internally of said tank, and having an outlet opening adjacent an internal wall of said separating tank above said liquid level for releasing said mixture against said wall to separate said pollutant-containing liquid from said cleansed gases; an outlet conduit connected to said second fluid conduit means and extending internally of said tank below said liquid level for removing said pollutant-containing liquid from said tank; and at least one vent conduit adjacent the top of said separating tank for releasing said cleansed gases into said atmosphere.

Claim 12

The combination of claim 8 wherein said engine includes a cooling radiator, said separating tank being located in said vehicular engine compartment immediately in front of said cooling radiator and has top, bottom, front, back, and end walls and includes a plurality of tubular air passages extending generally horizontally through said tank between said front and back walls, said air passages providing a flow of air when said vehicle is moving to cool said separating tank and said cooling radiator.

Claim 13

In combination with an internal combustion engine mounted in a vehicle, an anti-pollution exhaust system for said engine mounted on said vehicle comprising: receiving tank means for holding a quantity of liquid including exhaust gas release means located below any quantity of liquid in said receiving tank means for inserting exhaust gases into said receiving tank means and for thoroughly mixing exhaust gases from said internal combustion engine with said liquid to form an exhaust-liquid mixture in said receiving tank; separating tank means for holding a quantity of liquid and receiving said mixture from said receiving tank means including separating means for separating said liquid from said gases while leaving pollutants from said gases in said liquid in said separating tank means and vent means located above the liquid in the separating tank means for venting the separated, cleansed gases to the atmosphere; exhaust gas conduit means for conveying exhaust gases from said engine to said receiving tank means; first fluid conduit means for conveying at least a portion of said exhaust-liquid mixture from said receiving tank means to said separating tank means; second fluid conduit means for conveying fluid, and primarily said liquid, from said separating tank means back to said receiving tank means; pump means for pumping fluid through said conduit means; means for driving said pump means with said engine; said first and second fluid conduit means and pump means adapted to recirculate the liquid in said system for re-use whereby said exhaust gases are continuously cleansed by said liquid as they exit the engine before being released to the atmosphere; said separating tank means further including a plurality of air passages extending therethrough to provide a cooling air flow when said vehicle is in motion.

Claim 14

In combination with an internal combustion engine mounted in a vehicle, an anti-pollution exhaust system for said engine mounted on said vehicle comprising: receiving tank means for holding a quantity of liquid including exhaust gas release means located below any quantity of liquid in said receiving tank means for inserting exhaust gases into said receiving tank means and for thoroughly mixing exhaust gases from said internal combustion engine with said liquid to form an exhaust-liquid mixture in said receiving tank; separating tank means for holding a quantity of liquid and receiving said mixture from said receiving tank means including separating means for separating said liquid from said gases while leaving pollutants from said gases in said liquid in said separating tank means and vent means located above the liquid in the separating tank means for venting the separated, cleansed gases to the atmosphere; exhaust gas conduit means for conveying exhaust gases from said engine to said receiving tank means; first fluid conduit means for conveying at least a portion of said exhaust-liquid mixture from said receiving tank means to said separating tank means; second fluid conduit means for conveying fluid, and primarily said liquid, from said separating tank means back to said receiving tank means; pump means for pumping fluid through said conduit means; means for driving said pump means with said engine; said first and second fluid conduit means and pump means adapted to recirculate the liquid in said system for re-use whereby said exhaust gases are continuously cleansed by said liquid as they exit the engine before being released to the atmosphere; said separating tank means further including a plurality of air passages extending therethrough to provide a cooling air flow when said vehicle is in motion.

Claim 15

In combination with an internal combustion engine mounted in a vehicle, an anti-pollution exhaust system for said engine mounted on said vehicle comprising: receiving tank means for holding a quantity of liquid including exhaust gas release means located below any quantity of liquid in said receiving tank means for inserting exhaust gases into said receiving tank means and for thoroughly mixing exhaust gases from said internal combustion engine with said liquid to form an exhaust-liquid mixture in said receiving tank; separating tank means for holding a quantity of liquid and receiving said mixture from said receiving tank means including separating means for separating said liquid from said gases while leaving pollutants from said gases in said liquid in said separating tank means and vent means located above the liquid in the separating tank means for venting the separated, cleansed gases to the atmosphere; exhaust gas conduit means for conveying exhaust gases from said engine to said receiving tank means; first fluid conduit means for conveying at least a portion of said exhaust-liquid mixture from said receiving tank means to said separating tank means; second fluid conduit means for conveying fluid, and primarily said liquid, from said separating tank means back to said receiving tank means; pump means for pumping fluid through said conduit means; means for driving said pump means with said engine; said first and second fluid conduit means and pump means adapted to recirculate the liquid in said system for re-use whereby said exhaust gases are continuously cleansed by said liquid as they exit the engine before being released to the atmosphere; said pump means including a fluid pump in each of said first and second fluid conduit means; said engine including a shaft and a cooling fan mounted on said shaft and rotated by said engine; said drive means including belt and pulley means engaging said fan shaft for driving said fluid pumps.

Claim 16

In combination with an internal combustion engine mounted in a vehicle, an anti-pollution exhaust system for said engine mounted on said vehicle comprising: receiving tank means for holding a quantity of liquid including exhaust gas release means located below any quantity of liquid in said receiving tank means for inserting exhaust gases into said receiving tank means and for thoroughly mixing exhaust gases from said internal combustion engine with said liquid to form an exhaust-liquid mixture in said receiving tank; separating tank means for holding a quantity of liquid and receiving said mixture from said receiving tank means including separating means for separating said liquid from said gases while leaving pollutants from said gases in said liquid in said separating tank means and vent means located above the liquid in the separating tank means for venting the separated, cleansed gases to the atmosphere; exhaust gas conduit means for conveying exhaust gases from said engine to said receiving tank means; first fluid conduit means for conveying at least a portion of said exhaust-liquid mixture from said receiving tank means to said separating tank means; second fluid conduit means for conveying fluid, and primarily said liquid, from said separating tank means back to said receiving tank means; pump means for pumping fluid through said conduit means; means for driving said pump means with said engine; said first and second fluid conduit means and pump means adapted to recirculate the liquid in said system for re-use whereby said exhaust gases are continuously cleansed by said liquid as they exit the engine before being released to the atmosphere; said pump means including a fluid pump in each of said first and second fluid conduit means; said engine including a shaft and a cooling fan mounted on said shaft and rotated by said engine; said drive means including belt and pulley means engaging said fan shaft for driving said fluid pumps.

Claim 17

The combination of claim 1 wherein said receiving tank means and said separating tank means each include a quantity of liquid for cleansing said exhaust gases from said engine, said liquid being selected from the group including water and antifreeze of the ethylene glycol based type.

Claim 18

An anti-pollution exhaust system for vehicular mounted internal combustion engines comprising: receiving tank means for holding a quantity of liquid including exhaust gas release means located below any quantity of liquid in said receiving tank for inserting exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine into said receiving tank means and for thoroughly mixing exhaust gases with said liquid to form an exhaust-liquid mixture in said receiving tank means; separating tank means for holding a quantity of liquid and for receiving said mixture from said receiving tank means including separating means for separating said liquid from said gases while leaving pollutants from said gases in said liquid in said separating tank means and vent means located above the liquid in said separating tank means for venting the separated, cleansed gases to the atmosphere; exhaust gas conduit means for conveying exhaust gases from the engine to said receiving tank means, said exhaust gas conduit means including means for cooling said exhaust gases in said exhaust gas conduit means; first fluid conduit means for conveying at least a portion of said exhaust-liquid mixture from said receiving tank means to said separating tank means; said separating means including outlet means connected to said first fluid conduit means and located immediately adjacent an interior wall of said separating tank means for releasing said fluid from said receiving tank violently against said interior wall to separate said liquid from said gases; second fluid conduit means for conveying fluid, and primarily said liquid, from said separating tank means back to said receiving tank means; pump means for pumping fluid through said conduit means; and means for driving said pump with the engine whereby said exhaust gases are cleansed by said liquid before being released to the atmosphere.

Claim 19

An anti-pollution exhaust system for vehicular mounted internal combustion engines comprising: receiving tank means for holding a quantity of liquid including exhaust gas release means located below any quantity of liquid in said receiving tank for inserting exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine into said receiving tank means and for thoroughly mixing exhaust gases with said liquid to form an exhaust-liquid mixture in said receiving tank means; separating tank means for holding a quantity of liquid and for receiving said mixture from said receiving tank means including separating means for separating said liquid from said gases while leaving pollutants from said gases in said liquid in said separating tank means and vent means located above the liquid in said separating tank means for venting the separated, cleansed gases to the atmosphere; exhaust gas conduit means for conveying exhaust gases from the engine to said receiving tank means, said exhaust gas conduit means including means for cooling said exhaust gases in said exhaust gas conduit means; first fluid conduit means for conveying at least a portion of said exhaust-liquid mixture from said receiving tank means to said separating tank means; said separating means including outlet means connected to said first fluid conduit means and located immediately adjacent an interior wall of said separating tank means for releasing said fluid from said receiving tank violently against said interior wall to separate said liquid from said gases; second fluid conduit means for conveying fluid, and primarily said liquid, from said separating tank means back to said receiving tank means; pump means for pumping fluid through said conduit means; and means for driving said pump with the engine whereby said exhaust gases are cleansed by said liquid before being released to the atmosphere.

Claim 20

The anti-pollution exhaust system of claim 13 wherein said exhaust gas conduit means includes an exhaust pipe; said exhaust gas cooling means including a portion of said pipe which is formed in a sinuous path, said pipe portion being exposed to the atmosphere whereby the flow of air caused by movement of the vehicle on which said system is adapted to be mounted contacts said pipe portion to transfer heat from said exhaust gases.

Claim 21

The anti-pollution exhaust system of claim 13 wherein said receiving tank means includes a liquid-tight receiving tank, said tank being filled with liquid to a predetermined level; said exhaust gas release means including an insertion conduit connected to said exhaust gas conduit means and extending internally of said tank including an outlet opening below said liquid level in said receiving tank for releasing said exhaust gases in said liquid; a return conduit connected to said second fluid conduit means and extending internally of said tank including a return outlet opening adjacent one wall inside said receiving tank for releasing said returned liquid against said tank wall to agitate the liquid to facilitate mixing of said exhaust gases therewith in said receiving tank; and at least one outlet conduit connected to said first fluid conduit means near the top of said receiving tank above said liquid level for releasing said liquid gas mixture from said receiving tank.

Claim 22

The anti-pollution exhaust system of claim 13 wherein said separating tank means includes a liquid-tight separating tank, said tank being filled with liquid to a predetermined level; said outlet means including an insertion conduit connected to said first conduit means, extending internally of said tank, and having an outlet opening adjacent an internal wall of said separating tank above said liquid level for releasing said mixture against said wall to separate said pollutant-containing liquid from said cleansed gases; an outlet conduit connected to said second fluid conduit means and extending internally of said tank below said liquid level for removing said pollutant-containing liquid from said tank; and at least one vent conduit adjacent the top of said separating tank for releasing said cleansed gases into said atmosphere.

Claim 23

The anti-pollution exhaust system of claim 13 wherein said pump means includes a fluid pump in each of said first and second fluid conduit means; said drive means including means for transferring power from the internal combustion engine to each of said fluid pumps for operating the same.

Claim 24

The anti-pollution exhaust system of claim 13 wherein said receiving tank means and said separating tank means each include a quantity of liquid for cleansing said exhaust gases from said engine, said liquid being selected from the group including water and antifreeze of the ethylene glycol based type.

Claim 25

The combination of claim 1 wherein said means for allowing cooling air to flow against and through said separating tank means include a plurality of air passages extending completely through said separating tank whereby air passes therethrough when said separating tank is positioned on a vehicle to be contacted by a stream of moving air.