Sabertec "Blade" -- Sergio SANGIOVANI -- Auto Exhaust Filter

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**[rexresearch.com](../index.htm)**

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**Sergio SANGIOVANI**

**"BLADE" Auto Exhaust Filter**

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***SABERTEC " BLADE "***

![](Blade_Chrome.jpg)  
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![](new-blade.jpg)  
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**<http://www.bladeyourride.com/whatitdoes.html>**

What is BLADE?

BLADE attaches to your tailpipe and reduces emissions of CO2
and toxic particulate material, and it improves fuel economy to
save you hundreds of dollars per year on gas.

Its good for you because it saves you money on gas; and it's
good for the environment, which is good for all of us.

**Gas Mileage & Cost Savings**

Laboratory testing using the EPA 511 Protocol shows gas mileage
increases of as much as 6 MPG. Consumer experiences conducted on
a wide variety of cars, light duty trucks and SUVs in the U.S.,
Europe, and Latin America have resulted in gas mileage increase
up to:

34% on 4-cylinder cars, e.g. Honda Civics, Toyota Corollas,
Ford Focuses, etc.   
21% on light duty trucks and SUVs, e.g. GMC 2500s, Chevy
Avalanches, Range Rovers, etc.   
16% on dual exhaust 8-cylinder sedans, e.g. Lincoln Town Cars,
Crown Victorias, etc.   
24% on 10 cylinder Box-style trucks, e.g. U-Haul moving trucks.

**CO2 Reduction**

Laboratory test results show decreases of carbon dioxide (CO2)
up to 12%.  CO2 is a potent greenhouse gas and is the
primary cause of manmade global warming.

**Particulate Material (PM) Filtration**

Particulate Material (soot) is an air pollutant known to cause
grave environmental and human health consequences.
Environmentalvconsequences of PM include: air pollution, water
pollution, deforestation, crop degradation, acid rain,
acidification of waterwaysv and smog. Health consequences of PM
include: cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory disease,
fibrosis, asthma, reduced pulmonary function and increased
mortality.

**Proven Results -- EPA 511 Testing at ATDS**

*Testing at ATDS using The EPA 511 Protocol --* The
Blade's laboratory fuel economy and emission testing were
conducted by Lactec Laboratories in Curitiba, Brazil, and
Automotive Testing and Development Services, Inc. (ATDS), a
California based independent testing laboratory which is
accepted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) and is licensed by the California Air Resources Board
(CARB).

At ATDS the Blade was tested on a 2004 Honda Civic using the
EPA 511 Testing Protocol  is a combination of the EPA's FTP-75
and High-way Fuel Economy Tests. The EPA 511 test Protocol is
the most rigorous EPA recognized test procedure in existence,
and it is the only test procedure that the EPA considers
statistically valid.

The Blade has also been tested for fuel economy and durability.
Endurance road tests conducted in the United States, Europe and
Latin America have shown up to 34% increases in overall fuel
savings, while causing no adverse effects to test vehicles after
35,000 miles.

**What About My Car?**

The The BLADE works on a wide range of passenger cars, hybrids,
light duty trucks and   
SUVs.

The BLADE is NOT a high performance product. Extreme driving
may cause damage to   
the filter carteridge which could require cartridge replacement.

*The BLADE will fit your vehicle if:*

Your vehicle has a straight 1 7/8 - 2 inch tail pipe.

Note: many vehicles have decorative exhaust tips which may give
the appearance that the Blade will not fit. In most instances,
removing the decorative tip will reveal a 1 7/8 2 inch tail
pipe. If you need to remove your exhaust tip, we recommend that
you see a professional for installation. A normal exhaust shop,
i.e. Midas, Meineke, etc. can do this easily.

Your vehicle has an exposed straight tailpipe measuring 1 7/8 
2 inches in diameter. Examples  2004 Honda Civic

You have duel exhaust pipes that are both straight 1 7/8 - 2
inch pipes (in which case you will need two BLADEs).

You have a tailpipe larger than 2 1/4 inches. In this case you
will need to get a splitter adapter on which you can mount 2
Blades.

You have two 1 7/8 - 2 inch tail pipes coming out of the same
muffler. In this case, you will need to make sure that these
pipes are not too close together.

Still not sure about your car? Then ask Skip. Be sure to
provide the make, model and year of   
your car as well as description of your tail pipe configuration.
**askskip@BladeYourRide.com**.

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**<http://www.bladeyourride.com/howitworks.html>**

BLADE works in three ways:

1. BLADE reduces emissions of Particulate Material by filtering
them from the exhaust stream.

Particulate Material (or, PM) emissions are composed of
unburned or partially burned fuel. PM emissions vary in size and
composition, and they are very hazardous to human health and the
environment.

BLADEs patented bobbin and cartridge technology effectively
reduces post-catalytic particulate emission by physically
capturing them and removing them the exhaust stream.  This
reduces the emission of these particulates into the environment.

2. BLADE reduces emissions and improves fuel economy by
decreasing the duration of "cold start" operations.

The second way that BLADE reduces emissions and improves fuel
economy is by decreasing the duration of your vehicles period of
cold start operations. Cold start is the time between when you
start your cars engine, and the time when your catalytic
converter reaches its minimum operating temperature.  Cold
start is also the period when your vehicle emits its greatest
amount of pollution, and when it consumes higher than normal
amounts of fuel.

Your catalytic converter is like a furnace that sits between
your engine and your tailpipe. Its job is to burn or oxidize
harmful emissions like hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and,
nitrogen oxides into benign emissions like water vapor, carbon
dioxide, and elemental nitrogen and oxygen.

In order for your converter to do this however, it needs to be
very hot about 400 degrees C. So when you start your engine,
your converter needs to heat up before its able to start
working.

Late model cars employ different strategies in order to
accelerate the converters heating process. A common strategy is
to use additional fuel in order to create a richer (hotter
burning) air/fuel mixture. A richer mixture not only results in
an increased amount of emissions being produced by your engine
during this period, but it also results in your engine burning
excessive amounts of fuel.

Laboratory testing shows that the BLADE decreases cold start
operation times by over 20%. Decreasing cold start times in this
manner does three things : it decreases the amount of harmful
emissions that escape from your tailpipe before your converter
starts working; it decreases the amount of emissions produced by
your engine that result from running a richer-than normal- fuel
mixtures,  and it decreases the amount of gas that your car
consumes during this process.

3.  BLADE decreases emissions and increases fuel economy
by increasing the Volumetric Efficiency (VE) of your engine.

Volumetric efficiency (VE) is defined as amount of air that an
engine ingests, relative to its theoretical maximum.

An internal combustion engine can be thought of as an air
pumping station: air is pulled in through one end and pushed out
the other.  During this process, the air is mixed with fuel
and exposed to a spark to create combustion, which in turn
generates mechanical power.

An engine's control systems  attempt to maximize the
efficiency of combustion by carefully controlling the amount of
air and fuel that is mixed together before exposing that mixture
to a spark.Combustion is efficient when the mixture in the
combustion chamber burns completely.  The more completely
it burns, the more energy it releases, and the less pollutive
emissions it produces.

In theory, all of the exhaust gas that is produced from
combustion is expelled out of the combustion chamber during the
exhaust stroke.In practice however, that isnt what actually
happens. When a piston pushes the exhaust gas through the
exhaust valve, not all of the exhaust gas gets expelled from
chamber, i.e. not all of the gas gets pumped out.  As a
result, exhaust gas is present inside the chamber during the
following intake stroke.

Not only does this residual exhaust gas distort the composition
of the new mixture after it enters the chamber, the volume that
this gas occupies creates resistance against the mixture that is
being pumped in. This reduces the pumping efficiency of your
engine.  This phenomenon is called pumping loss, and it
is an inherent inefficiency of four-stroke internal combustion
engines.

In addition, some of the exhaust gas that is actually expelled
out of the chamber during the exhaust stroke slides back through
the exhaust valve and into the combustion chamber immediately
before the exhaust valve closes. This phenomenon is called
backsliding; and it is a major cause of the pumping loss.

When combustion occurs, it expels two things from the
combustion chamber: 1) a pulse or wave of exhaust gas, and 2)
a pulse, or wave of energy.

A big difference between the gas wave and the energy wave
is that the energy wave travels about 5-times faster than the
gas wave  at a rate of approximately 1,500 feet per second.When
the energy wave travels through the exhaust system, it
encounters obstacles, such as bends in the manifold, or the
catalytic converter.  These obstacles cause the energy wave
to bounce or revert backwards in the form of a reversion
wave.Reversion waves transmit energy back towards the
engine.  At supersonic speeds, it doesnt take long for a
reversion wave to reach the engines exhaust valve, which is
still in the process of releasing the much slower-traveling wave
of exhaust gas.  When a wave of reverted energy encounters
the gas wave, the more energy intensive reversion wave forces
pressure upon it  pushing, or backsliding some of its gas
back into the combustion chamber.  And this is how
reversion waves create backsliding!  And backsliding is a
major cause of pumping loss.

In the presence of pumping loss of backsliding, instead of
having only clean air and fuel in the combustion chamber, you
now have: clean air and fuel, plus dirty exhaust gas.  This
means that combustion is actually occurring at a CLEAN air/fuel
ratio of less than 14.7/1, and this is inefficient. Remember
that Volumetric Efficiency is the amount of air that an engine
ingests relative to its theoretical maximum.

In practice, The amount of air that an engine ingests can be
described as the actual amount of good, clean air, plus the
dirty exhaust gas that remains inside the chamber.  The
theoretical maximum describes the potential of having exactly
the right amount of air in the chamber  a ratio of 14.7/1  and
that all of that air is CLEAN air.

Therefore, the closer you are to the theoretical maximum, the
greater amount of volumetric efficiency you achieve. When you
increase volumetric efficiently, you increase the efficiency of
internal combustion.  And when you increase the efficiency
internal combustion, you get better fuel economy and less
pollutive emissions.

BLADE increases volumetric efficiency by reducing pumping loss
and backsliding.

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**<http://www.thedailygreen.com>**
  
October 26, 2008

**Can the Bolt-on Blade Really Boost Gas
Mileage?**

*Shiny Car Accessory Promises Reduced Emissions and Gas
Savings. But Does it Work?*

by **Jim Motavalli**

Wouldn't it be great if you could buy a device on the Internet
for, I don't know, $200, bolt it onto your car and enjoy an
instant reduction in emissions and an increase in fuel economy?

Claims like that are as old as the hills. We've all heard about
the 100-miles-per-gallon carburetor that "they" don't want you
to have, and the scientist whose invention was mysteriously
suppressed just as he was about to bring incredibly cheap
people's power to the world (think Nikola Tesla).

It's inevitable that when fuel prices zoomed up, these devices
would see a revival. (Yes, I know gas has come down, but is
anyone really happy with $3 a gallon?)

Free lunches are hard to come by, however. Popular Mechanics
tested a bunch of "fuel savers" back in 2005 and concluded that
absolutely none of them worked. One even started a fire. These
devices use miracle magnets, vortex generators, ionizers and
water injection. But the only thing they reduced, PM said, was
the cash in your wallet.

And this brings us to the latest device, The Blade, which bolts
on to the exhaust pipe. It's kind of cool looking in a retro
way. Remember those chrome exhaust tips people put on their cars
to create a fake hot rod? I've only seen pictures on the
website, and I have no idea if the Brazil-sourced Blade actually
works. But, given the history, I think caution might be in
order.

Don't worry, though, because actress Laura Dern says it works.
"Having a Blade on my hybrid car allows me to continue driving
with the satisfaction that I am lowering my carbon footprint and
burning less fuel," she says.

The Blade is definitely more credible than most. The company
paid for independent testing by the respected Automotive Testing
and Development Services (ATDS) in Canada. On a 2004 Honda
Civic, the Blade allegedly achieved a 57 percent reduction in
hydrocarbons, 14 percent in carbon monoxide, 34 percent in
nitrogen oxides and six percent in carbon dioxide (the main
global warming gas). And on the highway, the numbers show it
achieving a five percent fuel economy improvement.

ATDS Vice President Lin Farmer, who conducted the tests, said
the Blade "seemed to be doing something on the positive side."
He pointed out, however, that the 2004 Civic is a very
low-emission car (the numbers for emissions of hydrocarbons, for
instance, ranged from 0.0010 without the Blade, to 0.0004 with
it).

"It's possible that some of the large improvements in gases are
due to test-to-test variability and the fact that we were
working with such small numbers," Farmer said. He added,
however, that the Blade "performed better than other devices we
tested." And the fuel economy numbers impressed him.

William J. O'Brien founded parent company Sabertec in 2005,
after he came across the Blade on a visit to Brazil in his role
as a venture capitalist. He's a great talker, and I can't
pretend to understand everything he said. Luckily, there's a You
Tube video that lets you judge for yourself. Here's some of what
he said to me when I asked him how a device bolted on to the
tailpipe can increase fuel economy. It's unfortunately somewhat
paraphrased, because he talks fast:

"There's a phenomenon called backsliding. When the spark goes
off and the piston fires, there is both an exhaust wave and an
energy or sound wave (which is five times faster than the
exhaust wave). When the reversion wave bounces out, some of it
goes back into the exhaust chamber, affecting fuel economy. The
ratio of air to fuel is affected. The Blade compresses the sound
wave, with a vacuum effect, so the exhaust is sucked more freely
toward the tailpipe. You end up with a cleaner charge."

O'Brien said it was "difficult to put all this in layman's
terms," and related the effect to something called "exhaust
scavenging." The website goes into great detail. O'Brien: "Talk
to someone who says he knows a lot about engines, and they'll
say, "No way will this work.' But if you talk to someone who's
really knowledgeable, they say, 'Oh, sure, that's exhaust
scavenging.'"

To his credit, O'Brien says he's funding $250,000 worth of
further testing, on several different vehicles, including a Ford
E250 van and a Toyota Prius. The results aren't out yet. And he
admits that some of his earlier emissions numbers are based on
trace readings, and thus the 57 and 34 percent reductions may
not mean a whole lot. "We're moving away from some of that," he
said. "We want to stress the fuel economy advantages, and what
the Blade does as a fine particulate filter and reducer of
greenhouse gases."

For further enlightenment, I went to an expert, Jim Kliesch, a
senior engineer at the Union of Concerned Scientists. "I wish
them all the best, but I'm dubious," he said. "On some of those
readings the numbers are so small that the changes are actually
minimal. And I don't see any proof of their mileage claims. If
they had a variety of vehicles independently tested, then I
could take it seriously."

So we await the further testing results. The mileage claims
Kliesch was referring to are not from the test data, but are on
the website. According to what O'Brien calls "customer
experience," the Blade has achieved 34 percent improved fuel
economy on four-cylinder cars, 21 percent on light-duty trucks
and 16 percent on dual-exhaust eight-cylinder sedans. There's no
way to verify any of that.

It's hard to believe there's a free lunch, or a bolt-on device,
that can achieve improvements like that. Popular Mechanics
reports, "There's no ignoring the laws of physics, people. Your
vehicle already burns over 99 percent of the fuel you pay for.
Less than one percent is squandered as partially burned
hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide before the exhaust hits the
catalytic converter for the last laundering. Even if one of
these miracle gadgets could make the combustion process 100
percent complete, the improvement in mileage resulting would be
one percent."

So when it comes to the Blade, let's see those independent test
results!

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**IMPACT DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER**

**WO2007131102 (A2)**   
**2007-11-15**

**[ United States Patent Application 20080066446 ]**

Inventor : **SANGIOVANI, Sergio**   
Applicant : SABERTEC L L C [US]; SANGIOVANI, S.   
Classification : - international:  F02B23/08; F02B23/08 :-
European: F01N7/02; F01N1/08K; F01N1/10; F01N3/022E; F01N3/033B;
F01N7/08B; F01N7/18B; F01N7/18D1B   
Also published as: WO2007131102 //  WO2007131083 //
US2008066446 //  US2008053068   
Cited documents: US5248481 (A) // US4469079 // US2005109023)   
**Abstract** -- An emission reduction device which may be
removably affixed to a diesel engine's exhaust system. The
device comprises an outer casing which may be divided into a
lower portion and an upper portion, the lower portion of which
is removably attachable to the exhaust system of a diesel
engine; a carcass for holding a bobbin wherein the carcass is
attached to the lower portion of the outer casing at the point
where the exhaust enters the outer casing and the carcass has a
beveled opening in a diagonal line in its proximal part and a
bobbin positioned in its distal part; one or more fibrous
blanket cylinders; and a guide for arranging and securing the
one or more fibrous blanket cylinders within the outer casing.
The fibrous blanket cylinders may be wrapped in a wire mesh.; In
an alternative embodiment, a second fibrous blanket formed into
a cone with the larger diameter of the cone positioned
proximally may be removably inserted in the carcass.

U.S. Current Class:  60/274; 60/272   
U.S. Class at Publication:  060/274; 060/272   
Intern'l Class:  B01D 53/92 20060101 B01D053/92

**BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION**

[0002] There is a need for a method and system capable of
efficiently and effectively filtering pollutants from exhaust
gases. Although there are a number of devices available which
are useful for filtering exhaust gases from diesel engines, each
of these devices is incapable of providing an effective method
for reducing pollutants cost effectively for the reasons
described herein.

[0003] In a diesel engine, air is drawn into the cylinders and
is compressed by the pistons at compression ratios as high as
25:1, much higher than used for spark-ignited combustion
engines. Near the end of the compression stroke, diesel fuel is
injected into the combustion chamber through an injector (or
atomizer). The fuel ignites from contact with the air that due
to compression has been heated to a temperature of about
700-900.degree. C. The resulting combustion causes increased
heat and expansion in the cylinder which increases pressure and
moves the piston downward. A connecting rod transmits this
motion to a crankshaft to convert linear motion to rotary motion
for use as power in a variety of applications. Intake air to the
engine is usually controlled by mechanical valves in the
cylinder head. For increased power output, most modern diesel
engines are equipped with a turbocharger, and in some
derivatives, a supercharger to increase intake air volume. Use
of an aftercooler to cool intake air that has been compressed,
and thus heated, by the turbocharger increases the density of
the air and typically leads to power and efficiency
improvements.

[0004] In general, diesel emissions are bi-products of diesel
combustion. This can be a function of injection within the
engine. For example, advancing the start of injection (injecting
before the piston reaches top of dead center) results in higher
in-cylinder pressure and temperature, and higher efficiency, but
also results in higher emissions of oxides of nitrogen oxides
through higher combustion temperatures. At the other extreme,
delayed start of injection causes incomplete combustion and
emits visible black smoke made of particulate matter and
unburned hydrocarbon. While many diesel emissions are
problematic, the most highly regulated diesel emissions are:
[0005] 1. Diesel Particuiate Material ("PM", or "DPM") (also
referred to as "Diesel Particulate Matter", "Particulate
Material", or "Particulate Matter"): Particulate matter is an
aerosol comprised of complex physical and chemical structures.
Particulate matter contributes to the greenhouse effect, it
causes grave environmental damage, and it seriously affects
human health. Particulate matter is primarily responsible for
the black smoke normally associated with diesel exhaust. It is
also a primary source of urban smog. [0006] 2. Nitrogen Oxides
(NO.sub.x): Nitrogen Oxides are highly active ozone precursors
and account for a large component of visible smog. Besides
particulate matter, nitrogen oxides are one of the most
pollutive diesel emissions. [0007] 3. Hydrocarbons (HC): The
production of hydrocarbons is often a result of the inefficient
combustion of fuel and engine lube oils. In the atmosphere,
hydrocarbons undergo photochemical reactions with nitrogen
oxides leading to formation of smog and ground level ozone.
[0008] 4. Carbon Monoxide (CO): This is a highly toxic
greenhouse gas that is poisonous to humans and is a contributor
to global warming.

[0009] Examples of non-regulated bi-products of diesel
combustion include polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, aldehydes,
sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxide, and metal oxide.

[0010] Inefficient combustion of diesel fuel produces emissions
that pollute the environment and harm human health. The
environmental consequences of particulate material emissions
include air pollution, water pollution, acid rain, acidification
of waterways, deforestation, smog, reduced atmospheric
visibility, crop degradation, global warming, and climate
forcing. In addition, the human health consequences of
particulate material emissions include cardiovascular disease,
respiratory disease, cancer, fibrosis, allergic responses,
reduced pulmonary function, worsening of asthmatic symptoms and
occurrences, increased morbidity, and premature death. Moreover,
a number of internationally publicized studies demonstrate a
high correlation between ambient particulate material and
increases in adverse health outcomes such as respiratory
hospital admissions, emergency room visits, restricted activity
days, respiratory symptoms for adults, lower respiratory tract
illnesses for children, asthmatic attacks, chronic diseases, and
mortality.

[0011] Although conventional diesel emission filtration
technologies are numerous, there are essentially two categories
into which all such technologies fall: [0012] 1. Catalyzed
Diesel Particulate Filters ("CDPFs"): catalyzed diesel
particulate filters are referred to by many different names.
Some of the most commonly used--and misused--are: "catalytic
converters," "catalytic Reactors," "catalytic purifiers,"
"exhaust purifiers," "trap filters," "diesel traps," "exhaust
scrubbers," "catalyst filters," "catalyzed wall-flow filters,"
"wall-flow filters," and "catalytic mufflers." [0013] 2. Diesel
Oxidation Catalysts ("DOCs"): diesel oxidation catalysts are
also commonly referred to as "oxidation catalysts,"
"flow-through catalysts," and "flow-through devices."

[0014] Both catalyzed diesel particulate filters and diesel
oxidation catalysts employ the same basic method to achieve the
reduction of particulate materials; they utilize heat to
"oxidize" or bun the particulate material. In most cases, the
heat from the engine's exhaust system is used to achieve
oxidation. The reoccurring process of oxidation is also often
referred to "regeneration" because the process of oxidation not
only reduces particulate material emissions, it also regenerates
the catalytic device's filtration capacity.

[0015] In order for the process of regenerative oxidation to
occur, high temperatures, normally between 250.degree. and
350.degree. C., must be attained and preferably sustained during
operation. In many operating conditions, attaining sufficiently
high temperatures can prove difficult or unattainable. Catalytic
devices (CDPF's and DOC's) employ precious metals such as
platinum, palladium and rhodium as catalysts to lower the
minimum temperatures necessary to achieve "light off", the point
at which oxidation of the particulate material is initiated.
Manufactures use these highly conductive, and very expensive,
metals to coat or impregnate the substrate surfaces of their
catalytic devices.

[0016] The catalytic devices discussed above can generally be
described as either active or passive. Catalytic technologies
which rely on heat from an engine's exhaust system in order to
achieve oxidation are frequently referred to as "passive"
catalytic devises. Other systems may incorporate fuel burners,
electric heating elements, and fuel-borne additives which aid in
attaining the temperatures at which oxidation occurs.
Technologies which employ these types of components are often
referred to as "active" catalytic devices.

[0017] For purposes of eliminating potential confusion, it
should be noted that some manufacturers define catalyzed diesel
particulate filters which only contain precious metal catalysts
as "active" devices, even though these devices rely solely upon
the heat contained in an engine's exhaust to achieve oxidation.
This classification usually occurs when the manufacturer also
produces a diesel particulate filter which contains no catalyst,
i.e. a device which is in all other ways similar to a catalyzed
diesel particulate filter, however; the device relies solely
upon the heating of its component base metal to achieve
temperatures sufficient to initiate oxidation. Because exhaust
temperatures are commonly required to exceed 500.degree. C. for
these non-catalyzed devices to affect oxidation, their
widespread use is significantly restricted.

[0018] The primary difference between catalyzed diesel
particulate filters and diesel oxidation catalyst technologies
is that catalyzed diesel particulate filter technologies
physically trap and store particulate material--usually by using
catalyzed ceramic, cordierite or silicon carbide wall flow
monoliths, or ceramic fiber or ceramic cartridge filters. Once
the particulate material becomes trapped, it is oxidized and
particulate material emissions are reduced.

[0019] Conversely, diesel oxidation catalyst technologies do
not trap particulate material emissions. Rather, particulate
materials "pass-through" the internal structures of these
devices. When exhaust gases traverse the catalyst, carbon
monoxide, gaseous hydrocarbons and liquid hydrocarbon particles
are oxidized, thereby reducing total particulate material
emissions.

[0020] There are a number of other differences between
catalyzed diesel particulate filters and diesel oxidation
catalyst technologies as well. For example, catalyzed diesel
particulate filters can achieve particulate material filtration
rates of .gtoreq.90% given specific, controlled operating
conditions. Moreover, catalyzed diesel particulate filters
reduce each sub-category of particulate material (i.e. solid
inorganic fractions, solid organic fraction and sulfate
particulates). It is necessary to note however, the application
and effectiveness of catalyzed diesel particulate filters
technology is significantly constrained by the following
limitations: [0021] Catalyzed diesel particulate filters are
very expensive. The California Air Resources Board provides
cost-range information for DPF's corresponding to the following
engine capacitates: [0022] 100 horsepower: US$5,000-US$7,000
[0023] 275 horsepower: US$6,900-US$9,000 [0024] 400 horsepower:
US$10,000 average [0025] 1,400 horsepower: US$32,000+ [0026]
Catalyzed diesel particulate filters are incapable of affecting
particulate material emissions reductions when using fuels that
exceed 150 ppm Sulfur. [0027] Catalyzed diesel particulate
filters performance is adversely affected by insufficient
operating temperatures. [0028] In less-than-optimal conditions,
catalyzed diesel particulate filters are prone to clogging and
failure. When failure occurs, the potential for engine damage or
destruction is significant. [0029] Because catalyzed diesel
particulate filters can create significant engine back pressure,
expensive engine recalibrations are often required upon their
installation. [0030] catalyzed diesel particulate filters often
need to be equipped with expensive electronic back pressure
monitoring devices, such as data loggers. [0031] Because passive
catalyzed diesel particulate filters regeneration is entirely
dependent on operating temperature, passive catalyzed diesel
particulate filters do not work under "low load" conditions.
[0032] "Active" components in catalyzed diesel particulate
filter technologies significantly increase catalyzed diesel
particulate filters unit price and complexity. [0033] Catalyzed
diesel particulate filters do not work well on older engines.
[0034] Catalyzed diesel particulate filters can become a source
of hazardous zinc, sulfuric, calcium, and phosphorus ash
particulate. [0035] Catalyzed diesel particulate filters can
reduce engine performance. [0036] Catalyzed diesel particulate
filters often produce fuel economy penalties.

[0037] According to the United States Department of Energy
(USDOE), fuel sulfur has significant effects on post-filter
total particulate material emissions, and, as fuel sulfur levels
increase, catalyzed diesel particulate filter reduction
efficiencies decreases to a point where they actually becomes a
source of particulate emissions when using fuels with sulfur
concentrations .gtoreq.150 PPM.

[0038] Tests conducted by the USDOE report that catalyzed
diesel particulate filters that achieved 95% reductions of
particulate material emissions when using fuels with 3 ppm
sulfur concentrations had their filtration efficiencies reduced
to only 74% when using fuels with 30 ppm sulfur concentrations.
Further, these same devices were reduced to particulate material
filtration rates of 0% to -3% when using fuels with 150 ppm
sulfur concentrations, and they experienced total particulate
material emissions increases of 122% to 155% when using fuels
with sulfur concentrations .gtoreq.350 ppm.

[0039] Moreover, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
has stated that catalytic technologies can not work properly if
there is sulfur in the fuel--and in some cases, sulfur in the
fuel will render the catalytic filtration equipment and even the
vehicle inoperable.

[0040] By comparison, diesel oxidation catalyst technologies
are generally less expensive than catalyzed diesel particulate
filter technologies, and because diesel oxidation catalysts are
"flow through", instead of "wall flow" devises, they do not have
the same propensity to create engine back pressure, clog and/or
cause potential engine damage like their catalyzed diesel
particulate filter counterparts. Diesel oxidation catalysts can
achieve particulate material filtration rates between 19% and
50%. However, the application of diesel oxidation catalyst
technology is constrained by the following: [0041] Diesel
oxidation catalysts are too expensive for wide-spread
application. The California Air Resources Board provides cost
average information for diesel oxidation catalysts corresponding
to the following engine capacitates: [0042] 275 horsepower:
US$2,100 [0043] 400 horsepower: US$20,000+ [0044] The Everett
School District in Washington state reported an average
per-unit-cost of US$2,500 per DOC for each bus in its fleet
[0045] Diesel oxidation catalyst reduction of total particulate
material is significantly reduced when using fuels with high
sulfur fuels. [0046] Diesel oxidation catalysts do not filter
solid organic fraction sometimes called "dry") particulate and
dry particulates typically comprise the majority of total
particulate material. [0047] Diesel oxidation catalysts do not
work well on older engines. [0048] Diesel oxidation catalyst
effectiveness is extremely dependent upon operating
temperatures. [0049] When operating at higher temperatures,
diesel oxidation catalysts oxidize sulfur oxides, and in doing
so become generators of sulfuric acid. When this occurs, diesel
oxidation catalysts create a net increase total particulate
material emissions by increasing production of sulfate
particulates at rates that offset soluble organic fraction
reductions

[0050] The University of Washington's Extension Energy Program
has stated that diesel oxidation catalysts can oxidize sulfur
dioxide to form sulfate particulates (sulfuric acid
(H.sub.2SO.sub.4)). Therefore, high sulfur content fuels can
increase total particulate emissions via the production of
sulfuric acid, which can offset soluble organic fraction
(sometimes called "wet" particulate material) reductions."

[0051] The United States Department of Energy has found
statistically significant increases in particulate material with
high sulfur fuel due almost exclusively to the increase in the
SO.sub.4 fraction of the total particulate material. At this
high exhaust temperature (405.degree. C. at catalyst inlet), the
diesel oxidation catalyst accelerates the conversion of SO.sub.2
to SO.sub.3, thereby increasing the SO.sub.4 fraction of the
particulate material. As expected, the effect is seen only with
the higher sulfur (150 ppm and 350 ppm sulfur content) fuels.
With the 350 ppm sulfur content fuel, post catalyst particulate
material emissions were approximately 200% higher than those
measured without an active catalyst.

[0052] Despite the promoted efficiency of the methods and
systems of the prior art, many are impracticable from the
commercial point of view for the reasons set forth above.
Moreover, the use of fuel with low concentration of sulphur
(below 130 ppm) is an essential factor in the employment of
catalytic regeneration filters. In Brazil and in the majority of
the countries, the diesel is sold with 2000 ppm of sulphur.
Therefore using the catalytic regeneration filters in diesel
that contains more than 300 ppm of sulphur, turn the filters
into a source of pollution.

**SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION**

[0053] The system and method described herein relate to a novel
solution for the improved use of fuel and the treatment of gases
emitted from diesel engines and, more specifically, the gases
that are emitted through exhaust pipes of vehicles such as
automobile vehicles and industrial equipment. An objective of
the present invention is to reduce environmental pollution and,
as a result, to improve the conditions of life, including the
quality and quantity of the flora and fauna on the planet Earth.
The emission of pollutant gases in the atmosphere has
significantly contributed to contamination of the environment.
There is an overwhelming demand for a solution capable of
curbing the alarming effects caused by worldwide environmental
degradation.

[0054] The present invention provides a variety of ecologic and
economic advantages. For example, because the present invention
filters particulates and greatly reduces the amount of carbon
monoxide, hydrocarbons and other gases produced by the
combustion of fuel, this invention has direct effect in the
improvement of the environment. This minimizes the damaging
effects of the environmental phenomenon known as the "greenhouse
effect" and improves the air quality in urban centers.

[0055] In one embodiment, the present invention comprises an
outer casing which may be divided into a lower portion and an
upper portion, the lower portion of which is removably
attachable to the exhaust system of a diesel engine; a carcass
for holding a bobbin wherein the carcass is attached to the
lower portion of the outer casing at the point where the exhaust
enters the outer casing and the carcass has a beveled opening in
a diagonal line in its proximal part and a bobbin positioned in
its distal part; one or more fibrous blanket cylinders; and a
guide for arranging and securing the one or more fibrous blanket
cylinders within the outer casing. The fibrous blanket cylinders
may be wrapped in a wire mesh. In an alternative embodiment, a
second fibrous blanket formed into a cone with the larger
diameter of the cone positioned proximally may be removably
inserted in the carcass.

[0056] Results from initial tests of one embodiment of the
present invention show that the device filters up to 69% of
total particulate matter at a cost that is significantly less
than either catalyzed diesel particulate filters or diesel
oxidation catalysts. Moreover, the device is extremely effective
with high sulfur content fuels (i.e. greater than 500 ppm
sulfur). The device performs effectively on older engines, does
not create engine back pressure, does not reduce engine fuel
economy, captures both wet and dry particulate matter, is
extremely durable, is easy to install and maintain, lasts
indefinitely, and does not produce hazardous sulfur, lead or
zinc bi-products. In addition, the device is effective under
both high and low load conditions and its efficacy is not
affected by engine operating temperatures.

[0057] In addition, the invention also reduces the level of
noises emitted from the exhaust system by acting as a sound
baffle, thereby reducing noise pollution.

[0058] For all these reasons, and many others, the device and
method of the present invention represents an innovation in the
field of emission control.

[0059] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features
and technical advantages of the present invention in order that
the detailed description of the invention that follows may be
better understood. Additional features and advantages of the
invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject
of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by
those skilled in the art that the conception and specific
embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for
modifying or designing other structures or processes for
carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It
should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such
equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope
of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

**BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS**

[0060] For a more complete understanding of the present
invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to
the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:

[0061] **FIG. 1** shows a top view of the lower portion of
the outer casing of one embodiment of the device of the present
invention;

![](wo1.jpg)

[0062] **FIG. 2** shows a side view of the carcass of one
embodiment of the device;

![](wo2.jpg)

[0063] **FIG. 3** shows the carcass installed in the lower
portion of the outer casing in one embodiment of the device of
the present invention;

![](wo3.jpg)

[0064] **FIG. 4** shows a perspective view of the guide for
the fibrous blanket cylinders;

![](wo4.jpg)

[0065] **FIG. 5** shows a perspective view of one fibrous
blanket cylinder installed in the guide;

![](wo5.jpg)

[0066] **FIG. 6** shows a perspective view of six fibrous
blanket cylinders installed in the guide;

![](wo6.jpg)

[0067] **FIG. 7** shows a side view of the fibrous blanket
cylinders installed in the guide;

![](wo7.jpg)

[0068] **FIG. 8** shows a bottom view of one of the fibrous
blanket cylinders;

![](wo8.jpg)

[0069] **FIG. 9** shows a bottom view of the fibrous
blanket cylinders affixed in the guide; and

![](wo9.jpg)

[0070] **FIG. 10** shows one embodiment of the device of
the present invention with the upper portion of the outer casing
attached.

![](wo10.jpg)

**DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS**

[0071] The present invention provides an efficient device and
method for reducing the emission of harmful gases in the
environment, reducing noise, reducing the consumption of fuel,
and improving an engine's performance, all in a cost effective
manner. The making and using of the presently preferred
embodiments are discussed in detail below. It should be
appreciated, however, that the present invention provides many
applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide
variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed
are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the
invention, and do not limit the scope of the invention.

[0072] In one embodiment, the present invention comprises an
outer casing which may be divided into a lower portion and an
upper portion, the lower portion of which is removably
attachable to the exhaust system of a diesel engine; a carcass
for holding a bobbin wherein the carcass is attached to the
lower portion of the outer casing at the point where the exhaust
enters the outer casing and the carcass has a beveled opening in
a diagonal line in its proximal part and a bobbin positioned in
its distal part; one or more fibrous blanket cylinders; and a
guide for arranging and securing the one or more fibrous blanket
cylinders within the outer casing. The fibrous blanket cylinders
may be wrapped in a wire mesh. In an alternative embodiment, a
second fibrous blanket formed into a cone with the larger
diameter of the cone positioned proximally may be removably
inserted in the carcass.

[0073] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows one
embodiment of the lower portion of the outer casing 1 wherein an
exhaust inlet 3 is positioned in the proximal end thereof. The
proximal end of the exhaust inlet 3 may be affixed to the
exhaust system of a diesel engine and the distal end of the
exhaust inlet is affixed to, and forms an integral part of, the
lower portion of the outer casing 1. The exhaust inlet 3 may be
attached to the exhaust system in a variety of ways using a
variety of attachment devices known in the art. The exhaust
inlet 3 may be either permanently or removably attached to the
exhaust system. The lower portion of the outer casing 1 may be
made of any material capable of withstanding the heat and
pressure of the application, such as for example, steel,
aluminum, aluminized steel or stainless steel.

[0074] FIG. 2 shows a side view of one embodiment of the
carcass 5. The carcass 5 is generally cylindrical with a beveled
opening 7 in a diagonal line in its proximal part where it is
affixed to the distal end of the exhaust inlet. The distal end
of the carcass 5 is configured for the passage of air, either
through the placement of a screen or mesh at the end thereof, or
by perforating the material used to construct the carcass 5. The
distal end of the carcass 5 is also adapted to receive and to
fix a bobbin 9. The carcass 1 may be made of any material
capable of withstanding the heat and pressure of the
application, such as for example, steel, aluminum, aluminized
steel or stainless steel. The screen may be metallic such as,
for example, a punched metal web or a wire mesh. The bobbin 9
may be made of one or more metals or of other materials capable
of withstanding the heat and pressure of an exhaust system and
may be constructed by wrapping two metal fabrics around a
central point. The carcass 5 may be attached to the exhaust
inlet 3 in a variety of ways using a variety of attachment
devices known in the art. The carcass 5 may be either
permanently or removably attached to the exhaust inlet 3.

[0075] In an alternative embodiment, a diaphragm formed by
wrapping a fibrous blanket into a cone with the larger radius
positioned proximally and the smaller radius positioned distally
may be removably inserted in the carcass 5. In one embodiment of
the invention, the diaphragm is constructed in such a manner
that the overlapping ends at the narrow end of the cone are
secured together and, in another configuration, the overlapping
ends at the narrow end of the cone are allowed to overlap but
are not secured to one another. The diaphragm may be removably
attached to the carcass 5. The diaphragm may be made of any
material capable of filtering particulate materials including
one or more of an aramid, a meta-ararmid, a polyamide, a
polyphenylene sulfide, a p-phenylene-1,3,4-oxadiazole,
polytetrafluoroethylene, and basalt.

[0076] FIG. 3 shows the carcass 5 attached to the distal end of
the exhaust inlet 3. The bobbin 9 is visible through the
perforations in the distal end of the carcass 5.

[0077] FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of a guide 11 for arranging
and securing fibrous blanket cylinders 13 within the outer
casing. In the configuration shown, the guide is configured for
the placement of seven cylinders however more or fewer cylinders
may be used as desired. As shown, the distal end of the carcass
5 is visible through the center hole in the guide 11 although
that configuration is not essential to the operation of the
device. The guide 11 may be made of any material capable of
withstanding the heat and pressure of the application, such as
for example, steel, aluminum, aluminized steel or stainless
steel.

[0078] FIG. 5 shows a fibrous blanket cylinder 13 being
positioned in the center hole of the guide 11. In one
configuration, the fibrous blanket cylinder 13 is made by
wrapping the fibrous blanket in a punched metal web and/or metal
mesh and overlapping the ends. Although the word cylinder is
used in the nomenclature of the fibrous blanket cylinders 13,
they may be configured as an oval, square, triangular or any
other shape in which a tube may be formed. The fibrous blanket
used to construct the fibrous blanket cylinder 13 may be made of
any material capable of filtering particulate materials,
including one or more of an aramid, a meta-aramid, a polyamide,
a polyphenylene sulfide, a p-phenylene-1,3,4-oxadiazole,
polytetrafluoroethylene, and basalt. A cap of the same or
similar material may be placed over the distal end of the
fibrous blanket cylinders 13. In addition, a bobbin 9 may be
affixed at the distal end of one or more of the fibrous blanket
cylinders 13.

[0079] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of seven fibrous blanket
cylinders 13 configured in the guide 11 and FIG. 7 shows a side
view of the fibrous blanket cylinders 13 configured in the guide
11. It is important to note that, while seven fibrous blanket
cylinders 13 are depicted, the number may be increased or
decreases as the application may require.

[0080] FIG. 8 shows a bottom view of one of the fibrous blanket
cylinders 13 and FIG. 9 shows a bottom view of the fibrous
blanket cylinders 13 affixed in the guide 11.

[0081] FIG. 10 shows one embodiment of the device of the
present invention with the upper portion of the outer casing 15
attached. The upper portion of the outer casing 15 is configured
with an exhaust outlet 17 may be made of any material capable of
withstanding the heat and pressure of the application, such as
for example, steel, aluminum, aluminized steel or stainless
steel. The upper portion of the outer casing 15 may be attached
to the lower portion of the outer casing 1 in a variety of ways
using a variety of attachment devices known in the art. The
upper portion of the outer casing 15 may be either permanently
or removably attached to the lower portion of the outer casing
1.

[0082] When the device of the resent invention is installed on
the exhaust system of a diesel engine, gas leaves the exhaust
pipe and enters the exhaust inlet 3. The gas flows through the
bobbin 9 or, in an alternative embodiment, flows first through
the diaphragm and then through the bobbin 9. In either case, a
portion of the gas is allowed to escape through the side of the
carcass 5 due to the bevel 7. Some portion of the gas proceeds
through the bobbin 9 and out the distal end of the carcass 5
through the perforations or screen. The gas then proceeds
through the fibrous blanket cylinders 13 and out the exhaust
outlet 17.

[0083] Both the bobbin 9 and the fibrous blanket cylinders 13
act as material particle filters. In the bobbin 9, the gathering
of material particles is accomplished by the collection of
particles in the walls of the bobbin 9. The particles
agglutinate as a result of the lost of speed and due to their
own physical characterstics. The fibrous blanket cylinders 13
collect material particles that do not pass through the
material. These two systems of gathering of material particles
are efficient and can be cleaned and reused.

[0084] The bobbin 9 may be constructed using different metals,
such as aluminum, zinc, copper, iron and others, to generate an
electric or voltage differential that makes ions available to
the system.

[0085] Another important effect is the reduction of the sound
emitted from the device resulting from the dampening of the
shockwaves of gases against the bobbin 9 and the fibrous blanket
cylinders 13

[0086] While the present system and method has been disclosed
according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, those of
ordinary skill in the art will understand that other embodiments
have also been enabled. Even though the foregoing discussion has
focused on particular embodiments, it is understood that other
configurations are contemplated. In particular, even though the
expressions "in one embodiment" or "in another embodiment" are
used herein, these phrases are meant to generally reference
embodiment possibilities and are not intended to limit the
invention to those particular embodiment configurations. These
terms may reference the same or different embodiments, and
unless indicated otherwise, are combinable into aggregate
embodiments. The terms "a", "an" and "the" mean "one or more"
unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0087] When a single embodiment is described herein, it will be
readily apparent that more than one embodiment may be used in
place of a single embodiment. Similarly, where more than one
embodiment is described herein, it will be readily apparent that
a single embodiment may be substituted for that one device.

[0088] In light of the wide variety of possible filters, the
detailed embodiments are intended to be illustrative only and
should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention.
Rather, what is claimed as the invention is all such
modifications as may come within the spirit and scope of the
following claims and equivalents thereto.

[0089] None of the description in this specification should be
read as implying that any particular element, step or function
is an essential element which must be included in the claim
scope. The scope of the patented subject matter is defined only
by the allowed claims and their equivalents. Unless explicitly
recited, other aspects of the present invention as described in
this specification do not limit the scope of the claims.

---



**US Patent Application  
20080053068**

**Device & Method for the Reduction of
Emissions**

**March 6, 2008**   
**Abstract --** An emission reduction device which may
be removably affixed to an engine's exhaust system. The device
comprises a cylindrical carcass with a beveled opening in a
diagonal line in its proximal part A bobbin is affixed in the
distal portion of the carcass. A cylindrical-shaped fibrous
blanket may be inserted in the carcass and the fibrous blanket
may be wrapped in a wire mesh. A second fiber mesh formed into a
cone may be removably inserted in the cylindrical-shaped fibrous
blanket with the larger diameter of the cone positioned
proximally.

U.S. Current Class:  60/282   
U.S. Class at Publication:  060/282   
Intern'l Class:  F01N 3/00 20060101 F01N003/00

**Description**

**BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION**

[0002] There is a need for a method and system capable of
efficiently and effectively filtering pollutants from exhaust
gases. Although there are a number of devices available which
are useful for filtering and catalyzing combustion gases or
chemical reactions, each of these devices is incapable of
providing an effective method for reducing pollutants cost
effectively for the reasons described herein. It is generally
acknowledged that the functional efficiency of combustion
engines is directly related to the engine's ability to discharge
gas created during the combustion process. One key element of
the efficient discharge of gas is the existence of an adequate
amount of counter-pressure at the precise time during the
combustion process. This is an issue that has largely been
ignored in creating these devices.

[0003] In general, an internal engine of combustion operates
from the explosion of an air/fuel mixture that causes the
expansion of the gases that move the piston of a cylinder. At
the end of this cycle, an escape valve opens and the burnt gases
are expelled at an extraordinary speed and sound. The
performance of a combustion engine is affected by a variety of
factors, including the quality of the fuel, pressure under which
the fuel ignites, etc.

[0004] Because of the importance of relationship between fuel
and air in the combustion mixture, the engines in most vehicles
or devices are controlled by an electronic injection system.
When fuel and air are mixed, the spark plug ignites and causes
the explosion that puts into motion some parts of the engine,
thus enabling the vehicle or device to move. The result of this
"explosion" inside the engine also produces a variety of
pollutant gases which are eliminated through the exhaust system.
Some of these gases are: water vapor (H.sup.2O); carbon dioxide
(CO.sup.2); nitrogen (N.sup.2); carbon monoxide (CO);
hydrocarbons (HxCy; nitrogen oxide (N.sup.2O); hydrogen Fit;
methane (CH4); and oxygen (O.sup.2). The most toxic gases to
human beings are: carbon monoxide (CO) which reduces the
oxygenation of the blood, affects the nervous system, worsens
cardiac and respiratory illnesses, and can cause fatigue and
migraine in low concentrations and death in high concentrations;
hydrocarbon (HxCy); and nitrogen oxide (N.sup.2O) which affects
the lungs and heart, can cause bronchitis, acid deposition and
diminishes the atmospheric visibility.

[0005] Once a optimal performance of a combustion engine is
achieved, the system metrics of the optimal system can be used
as a reference against which to measure the effect of various
changes to the exhaust system, such as the collector, the
catalytic converter, the diameters of the pipe, and the systems
for the elimination of noise. By altering characteristics of the
system, it is possible to minimize the emission of harmful gases
generated during combustion by increasing the periods of low
pressure between gas emissions from the explosions.

[0006] Besides the production of gases, burning fuel produces
material particles (MP) that vary in composition in relation to,
among other things, the type of fuel, the quality of the engine
maintenance and also in relation to the working temperature of
the engine. The material particles are formed from the
agglomeration of hydrocarbons that are not combusted and water
and impurities of the fuel to the nuclei of chemical carbon
element. Material particulates can be inhaled and lodged in deep
areas of the human lung, for example, and are widely considered
to be an irritating agent for respiratory airways. These
particles cause pulmonary illnesses that afflict the elderly and
children mainly and in particular during the colder months of
the year, when the temperatures are extremely low, a fact that
increases the concentration of material particles. This process
of contamination increases the cancerous elements that might
possibly exist in material particles. It is also important to
consider the other undesirable effects in the atmosphere, such
as the reduction of visibility and the worsening of the
"greenhouse effect".

[0007] The material particles generally show a great
dimensional variation. This variation causes any type of porous
filter to a precocious saturation that, in turn, provokes
functional overload to the components of the engine, resulting
in an increase of fuel consumption, diminished power of the
engine, increase of the volume of gases emitted during the
combustion process, increase of temperature, and possible
destruction of the engine.

[0008] With the knowledge about problems caused by these gases,
several components designed to assist in the emission control
have been developed. Amongst the most important are electronic
control unit ("E.C.U."), the lambda sensor, the EGR valve and
the catalytic converter. The control of the air/fuel admission
made by the E.C.U. is simply a microcontroller (microprocessor
with embedded RAM and ROM memories, wherein the ROM already
comes from the factory with specific program recorded on to it)
making use of entrances of analog and digital exits, gathering
the signals such as temperature and speed obtained from sensors.
The E.C.U. searches in its entries for the sensors conditions.
The software program recorded in its ROM analyses this data and,
according to the programmed information, considers power,
economy, and pollution factors to determine and implement the
point of work of the valve of shock and the actuator of the
impeller.

[0009] The lambda sensor is typically located in the exhaust
system. It measures the amount of oxygen molecules that have not
been consumed in the combustion process and which are therefore
expelled together with the combusted gases through the exhaust
pipe. This way, the computer will command the injection of more
fuel in case there are excess oxygen molecules or,
alternatively, to inject less fuel in cases where there are
fewer oxygen molecules. By enriching or impoverishing the
air/fuel mixture, the engine will work more efficiently,
polluting much less, wasting less fuel and with less
maintenance. Lambda is the ratio of amount of air available for
combustion to the amount of air required for combustion to be
stoichiometric. The desired value of lambda is one (1) which
indicates that the combustion is perfect.

[0010] At the exit of the sensor is an electric signal of a
voltage that is proportional to the amount of oxygen in the
combusted gases and this voltage, in turn, is proportional to
the air/fuel ratio. The ECU controls adjustments in the position
in the actuator of the impeller and in the position of the shock
valve, resulting in a richer air/fuel mixture (more combustible)
or a leaner air/fuel mixture (less combustible). While the
engine is warming up, the shock valve is kept partially closed,
thereby allowing a richer air/fuel mixture (i.e. more fuel). In
the neutral gear, the shock valve is adjusted to a lambda value
of 1, while during low speed the impeller is kept partially
closed, thus saving in fuel. In the other gears, the ECU shock
valve is adjusted according to settings which are adopted to
optimize power and economy and minimize pollution. In electronic
management, this valve is controlled by the Electronic Control
Module which uses actuators to determine the moment and the time
where it must operate and its real performance monitored for a
present potentiometer in the proper valve. This, in effect, will
be part of the subject matter described herein.

[0011] The EGR valve controls the flux and the moment where
these gases must be absorbed in the combustion chamber. The
valve must be open under each of the following conditions: warm
engine; rotation of the superior engine to the one of the
idling; diverse conditions of acceleration and deceleration of
the engine. The amount of the exhaust gases existing in the
chamber, and the time that the valve remains open, will depend
on the changes in the vacuum and the pressure of the exhaust
pipe gases, in accordance with the pattern of the work of the
engine. The exhaust gases are a mixture of combusted fuels and,
as a result, they are no longer combustible. Moreover, if they
occupy too much space in the chamber, they will limit the
combustion of the air/fuel mixture, consequently diminishing its
temperature. By reducing the temperature, the level of formation
of nitrogen oxides produced by the engine is also reduced.

[0012] The catalytic converter, located in the exhaust system
behind the lambda sensor, functions as a filter that reacts
chemically, transforming the harmful gases that still remain in
the exhaust stream. Behind the catalytic converter, is the
muffler or silencer which must attenuate the sound and dampen
the vibrations from the beat of the chain of gases (through
bulkheads and with the flux passing through a series of punched
pipes and chambers,) absorb the sound waves and control the
counter-pressure.

[0013] Both the catalytic converter and the muffler are
designed to cause a certain counter-pressure in the exhaust
system. Without the correct control of the counter-pressure, the
exhaust system becomes extremely damaging to the performance of
the engine. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that
an engine at optimal performance gets the maximum power from a
displacement of the piston, and proper discharge of the exit
gases serves to generate maximum power and, therefore, the best
performance. A double valve/escape system offers restrictive
conditions, creating the counter-pressure.

[0014] Even the fuel engine, with the current technology,
presents an excess of emissions of gases and material particles
in the atmosphere. The ability to get the maximum power and
performance is directly linked to the exhaust of the gases from
the exhaust pipe. The exhaust process must account for the
emission of gases when the engine is running at maximum power.
When the engine operates outside of this parameter, resulting in
a super dimensioned exhaustion, it will not have the proper
restriction of the gases to get the best power and performance
from the engine. This causes areas of low pressure resulting in
waves of explosion of the gases in the engine causing an
unnecessary increase of the emissions of gases and the increase
of fuel consumption.

[0015] Mercedes-Benz of Brazil has published a report on the
development and manufacturing of devices such as filter for
material particles entitled "The Commercial Vehicles and the
Environment" which verifies much of the foregoing information.
Besides this report, it is generally known that a test using a
filter of material particles in a fleet of vehicles that
circulates in the urban environment was conducted by
Mercedes-Benz GAC.--Germany. The filter in this study was made
by means of a rolled ceramic wire net in a pipe that, in turn,
was installed in the interior of a carcass, which replaces the
muffler installed in the exhaust pipe of the automobile. In this
configuration, a system of catalytic regeneration is used in the
burning of the material particles that are deposited in the
filter, keeping the restriction of the gases to the acceptable
levels for the current environmental legislation once the device
is automatically set in motion during the operation of the
automobile.

[0016] Despite the promoted efficiency of the methods and
systems of the prior art, many are encumbered by high costs of
manufacturing and therefore are impracticable from the
commercial point of view, particularly for use with existing
automobiles.

**SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION**

[0017] The system and method described herein relate to a novel
solution for the improved use of fuel and the treatment of gases
emitted from combustion engines and, more specifically, the
gases that are emitted through exhaust pipes, such as automobile
vehicles and industrial equipment An objective of the present
invention is to reduce environmental pollution and, as a result,
to improve the conditions of life, including the quality and
quantity of the flora and fauna on the planet Earth. The
emission of pollutant gases in the atmosphere has significantly
contributed to contamination of the environment. There is an
overwhelming demand for a solution capable of curbing the
alarming effects caused by worldwide environmental degradation.

[0018] The present invention provides a variety of ecologic and
economic advantages. For example, because the present invention
filters particulates and greatly reduces the amount of carbon
monoxide, hydrocarbons and other gases produced by the
combustion of fuel, this invention has direct effect in the
improvement of the environment. This minimizes the damaging
effects of the environmental phenomenon known as the "greenhouse
effect" and improves the air quality in urban centers.

[0019] In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a
cylindrical carcass with a beveled opening in a diagonal line in
its proximal part. The carcass may be removably attached to an
engine's exhaust system. A bobbin is affixed in or to the distal
portion of the carcass. A cylindrical-shaped fibrous blanket may
be inserted in the carcass and the fibrous blanket may be
wrapped in a wire mesh. A second fibrous blanket formed into a
cone with the larger diameter of the cone positioned proximally
may be removably inserted in the cylindrical-shaped fibrous
blanket.

[0020] Results from initial tests of one embodiment of the
present invention show reduction of approximately 33% of the
emission of carbon monoxide and of approximately 43% of the
emission of hydrocarbons and particulates, thus resulting in a
more efficient use of fuel. In addition it is possible to
identify operational advantages, where the application of this
invention does not compromise the performance of the combustion
engine due to an exclusive constructive concept of a system that
reduces the periods of low pressure of the gas exhaustion
proceeding from the explosions of the fuel of the combustion
engine. The direct implications of these positive
characteristics are the reduction of fuel consumption and in the
emission of gases. It brings the engine closer to the point of
peak performance avoiding overloading its components while
working, as it has significant improvement of the burning of the
gases of combustion. It also reduces the formation of impurities
in the system, thus increasing the time of useful life and
minimizing the need of corrective maintenance.

[0021] Tune device also presents advantages from the point of
view of the product itself, where the constructive concept shows
extreme simplicity and practicality, factors that contribute to
the reduction of fixed costs involved in its manufacture and
therefore making the final price accessible to the consumer
market.

[0022] The economic aspect is even more evident when we take
into account that the device can be used indefinitely, as it can
be washed with anti-grease products, thus eliminating
accumulated particles, and yet cleaned in compliance with
environmental regulations.

[0023] In addition, the invention also reduces the level of
noises emitted from the exhaust system by acting as a sound
baffle thereby reducing noise pollution.

[0024] For all these reasons, and many others, the device and
method of the present invention represents an innovation in the
field of emission control.

[0025] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features
and technical advantages of the present invention in order that
the detailed description of the invention that follows may be
better understood. Additional features and advantages of the
invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject
of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by
those skilled in the art that the conception and specific
embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for
modifying or designing other structures or processes for
carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It
should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such
equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope
of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

**BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS**

[0026] For a more complete understanding of the present
invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to
the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] **FIG. 1** shows a blown up perspective view of the
set of components that compose one embodiment of the device of
the present invention;

[0028] **FIG. 2** shows The view representing the
attachment of one embodiment of the device to the end of an
exhaust system;

[0029] **FIG. 3** shows a view of one embodiment of the
device installed on the end of an exhaust system;

[0030] **FIG. 4** shows a side cut view of one embodiment
of the device, indicating the flow of the gas waves proceeding
from the engine's exhaust system;

[0031] **FIG. 5** shows a side cut view of one embodiment
of the device, indicating the behavior of the gas waves
proceeding from the engine's exhaust system;

[0032] **FIG. 6** shows an interior side cut view of one
embodiment of the device inside the carcass of the exhaust
system indicating the flow of the gas waves;

[0033] **FIG. 7** shows alternate ways of applying one
embodiment of the device in an engine's exhaust system;

[0034] **FIG. 8** shows a representation of the gas waves
originated from the exhaust system without the device of the
present invention; and

[0035] **FIG. 9** shows a representation of the gas waves
originated from the exhaust system with the device of the
present invention.

**DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS**

[0036] The present invention provides an efficient device and
method for reducing the emission of harmful gases in the
environment, reducing noise, reducing the consumption of fuel,
and improving an engine's performance, all in a cost effective
manner. The engine may be any form of combustion engine such as,
for example, an engine in a car, truck, lawnmower, or other
vehicle or device. The making and using of the presently
preferred embodiments are discussed in detail below. It should
be appreciated, however, that the present invention provides
many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a
wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments
discussed are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and
use the invention, and do not limit the scope of the invention.

[0037] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows one
embodiment of the device 101 comprising a cylindrical carcass 1
with a beveled opening 2 in a diagonal line in its proximal part
where it is fixed by a clamp 3 for attaching the device 101 to
an engine's exhaust system and its frontal part is adapted to
receive and to fix a capsule 4. The carcass 1 and the capsule 4
may be made of any material capable of withstanding the heat and
pressure of the applications including, for example, aluminum,
steel, stainless steel or aluminized steel. The capsule 4 is
generally cylindrical with an internal reflux 4a in its frontal
part to receive and to fix a screen under pressure 5. The
capsule may also have a cylindrical lateral reflux 5a to receive
and fix a combination of a bobbin 6 and/or a fibrous blanket
cylinder 7. The screen 5 may be metallic such as, for example, a
punched metal web or a wire mesh or, alternatively, may be
constructed by perforating the material used to construct the
capsule. The bobbin 6 may be made of one or more metals or of
other materials capable of withstanding the heat and pressure of
an exhaust system and may be constructed by wrapping two metal
fabrics around a central point.

[0038] In another configuration, the carcass 1 and the capsule
4 are integrated together into one cylinder. In this case, the
screen may be affixed, or perforations may be made, in the
distal end of the cylinder and the bobbin may be placed inside
the cylinder at the distal end. By configuring the cylinder in
this manner, there is no seam where the carcass 1 and the
capsule 4 come together.

[0039] In one configuration, the fibrous blanket 7 cylinder is
made by wrapping the fibrous blanket in a punched conductive web
6a and/or mesh 6b and overlapping the ends to form a spiral
spring. The fibrous blanket 7 may be made of any material which
can withstand the heat and pressure of the application. Examples
include the combination of one or more of an aramid, a
meta-aramid, a polyamide, a polyphenylene sulfide, a
p-phenylene-1,3,4-oxadiazole, polytetraflouroethylene, and
basalt. In addition, each case where reference is made herein to
a fibrous blanket 7, it should be understood that the material
may be removed from the carcass for replacement and/or cleaning
at any time.

[0040] A diaphragm 8 formed by wrapping a fibrous blanket 8a
into a cone with the larger radius positioned proximally and the
smaller radius positioned distally. In one embodiment of the
invention, the fibrous blanket 8a is wrapped in such a manner
that the overlapping ends at the narrow end of the cone are
secured together and, in another configuration, the overlapping
ends at the narrow end of the cone are allowed to overlap but
are not secured to one another. The diaphragm 8 may be removably
attached to the carcass 1. The diaphragm 8 may be made of any
material which can withstand the heat and pressure of the
application. Examples include the combination of one or more of
an aramid, a meta-aramid, a polyamide, a polyphenylene sulfide,
a p-phenylene-1,3,4-oxadiazole, polytetraflouroethylene, and
basalt. In addition, each case where reference is made herein to
a diaphragm 8, it should be understood that the material may be
removed from the carcass for replacement and/or cleaning at any
time.

[0041] Once assembled, the proximal end of the carcass 1 is
attached to an engine's exhaust system. One manner in which one
embodiment of the present invention may be attached to an
exhaust system is show in FIG. 2 and 3. The device may be
attached in a variety of ways using a variety of attachment
devices known in the art. The device may be either permanently
or removably attached to the exhaust system. In the
configuration shown in FIG. 2 and 3, the device is attached
using a U-bolt which wraps around the engine's exhaust pipe and
through the carcass and is thereafter secured using machine
bolts.

[0042] The effect produced by each explosion of the fuel in a
combustion engine provokes a high-pressure wave of gases (shown
in FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9) that is sent quickly to the
collector. This wave will flow through the exhaust system until
being expelled in the atmosphere through the exhaust pipe.
Between the serial explosions that transform the chemical energy
to mechanical energy, there are periods of low pressure. These
periods of low pressure are variable in relation to the rhythm
of the explosions. The faster the engine works, the fewer areas
of low pressure. One result of the use of this device is the
transformation of these variable periods of low pressure into
small constant periods. As a result, the exhaust system is able
to produce the necessary counter-pressure for better use in the
system involving valves, gas escape, and fuel injection. The
result is the reduced emission of gases and reduced fuel
consumption.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 4, the gas 402 leaves the exhaust pipe
401 and enters the proximal end of the device 101. In the
illustrated embodiment, the gas flows first through the
diaphragm 8 and, because the diaphragm is formed into a conical
shape in such a manner that a portion of the gas 402 is allowed
to escape through the side of the diaphragm 8 because, as
discussed above, the sides of the diaphragm 8 may not be secured
together. Some portion of the gas 402 also passes through the
diaphragm whereupon particulates in the gas 402 are removed and
the cleaned gas escapes into the atmosphere. Finally, a portion
of the gas proceeds past the distal end of the diaphragm 8 and
enters the proximal end of the bobbin 6.

[0044] FIG. 5 shows a side cut view of one embodiment of the
device, indicating the flow of the gas waves proceeding from the
engine's exhaust system. The serial explosions that transform
the chemical energy to mechanical energy, there are periods of
low pressure. These periods of low pressure are variable in
relation to the rhythm of the explosions.

[0045] As illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the device 101
carries through various functions in its operation, being able
to be installed in any part of the exhaust system, meaning,
after the collector 601, or before, of the catalytic converter
602, or before, of after the muffler 603, or intercalated or
later. In short, the efficacy of the device of the present
invention does not depend on the positioning inside the exhaust
system.

[0046] So that the device 101 can be installed in the various
parts of the exhaust system as described in the paragraph above
and illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, in an alternative
embodiment the device 101 is installed internally to a lodging
carcass 9, endowed with entrance 9a and exit 9b for the gas 402.
Its functioning depends on the combustion engine to be working
and emitting gas 402 to create the explosions. Periods of low
pressure (LP) are produced during low rotation of the engine.
When gas 402 enters the device 101 the amplitude is reduced by
the conical configuration of the diaphragm 8, this effect
reduces the potential energy of the gas 402, reduces its speed,
distributes it across the area impacted by the gas 402 in the
bobbin 6, and spreads the energy of shock of the wave 402 across
the bobbin 6.

[0047] The bobbin 6 causes a restriction in the flow of the gas
402 thereby restricting the necessary compression to reduce the
periods of low pressure (LP) between the waves of gas 402. This
effect causes a chain of events in the waves of gas 402 during
exhaust, reducing the periods of low pressure (LP) between the
waves. By increasing the speed of the cycle of the explosions,
the pressure of the waves 402 on the diaphragm 8 and on the
bobbin 6 increases. The increase of the pressure on the walls of
the diaphragm 8 causes the fibers to allow a bigger gas outflow
between them, balancing with the elastic energy of the fibrous
material thereby regulating the excess of the counter-pressure
returned to the system. The increase of the cycle of the
explosions also increases the waves of shocks on the bobbin 6 by
the energy stored from its spring effect. When the bobbin is
configured by wrapping two metals together, the energy of the
shock waves of gas 402 causes the bobbin 6 to move in the
opposite direction to its mechanic memory, thereby producing a
bigger gap between its parallel segments and regulating the
counter-pressure with the increase of the permission of flow of
the gas waves 402. With the energy in the shock of the wave, the
elastic energy of the bobbin 6 increases, and the bobbin allows
greater gas flow between coated plates in a circular movement.
Once the balance of the bobbin 6 is reestablished it returns to
its initial configuration.

[0048] When the speed of the explosions reach the point when
periods of low pressure (LP) are de minimus, it causes the
counter-pressure offered by the diaphragm 8, in the overlapping
of the material in its conical form, to be moved allowing extra
flow of gases, thereby normalizing the counter-pressure of the
exhaust system. When moving to the overlapping of the material
of the diaphragm 8 it offers a radial increase of the proximal
side of the cone, having its maximum opening limited by the
fibrous blanket 7. This causes the waves of gases 402 to be
radially shocked against the walls of the fibrous blanket 7,
allowing a regulable counter-pressure in relation to the gases
that enter its walls and in relation to the forced passage until
the exit of the gases. The metallic carcass 1 concentrates and
directs the exit of the gases through its exit in diagonal cut 2
directed towards the ground. This effect produces a controllable
counter-pressure in the exhaust system taking advantage of the
system of exhaust versus valves, resulting in improvement in the
engine's performance and reducing the consumption of fuel.

[0049] Both the bobbin and the fibrous blanket 6 and 7 that are
part of the device 101 act as material particle filters. In the
bobbin 6, the gathering of material particles is accomplished by
the collection of shock of particles in the walls of the mesh of
the fibrous blanket 7a and of the bobbin 6b. The particles
agglutinate as a result of the lost of speed and due to their
own physical characteristics. The fibrous blanket 7 and 8a
collects material particles that do not pass through the
material. These two systems of gathering of material particles
are efficient and can be cleaned and reused.

[0050] The bobbin 6 may be constructed using different metals,
such as aluminum, zinc, copper, iron and others, to generate an
electric or voltage differential that makes available ions to
the system. These ions generated in the bobbin 6 affect the
catalytic capacity in the gases emitted in the fuel engines at
low temperatures, or until the end of the process of catalyses
of gases initiated in the catalytic system of the fuel engines
that, due to the speed of the waves 402 in the exhaust system,
did not provide enough time to conclude the necessary catalytic
reactions, or even when there is deactivation, for diverse
reasons (temperature, contamination of the oil of the engine,
excess of SO2) in the catalytic converter.

[0051] Another important effect is the reduction of the sound
emitted from the device resulting from the dampening of the
shockwaves of gases against the bobbin 6 and the fibrous
blankets 7a and 8a.

[0052] While the present system and method has been disclosed
according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, those of
ordinary skill in the art will understand that other embodiments
have also been enabled. Even though the foregoing discussion has
focused on particular embodiments, it is understood that other
configurations are contemplated. In particular, even though the
expressions "in one embodiment" or "in another embodiment" are
used herein, these phrases are meant to generally reference
embodiment possibilities and are not intended to limit the
invention to those particular embodiment configurations. These
terms may reference the same or different embodiments, and
unless indicated otherwise, are combinable into aggregate
embodiments. The terms "a", "an" and "the" mean "one or more"
unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0053] When a single embodiment is described herein, it will be
readily apparent that more than one embodiment may be used in
place of a single embodiment. Similarly, where more than one
embodiment is described herein, it will be readily apparent that
a single embodiment may be substituted for that one device.

[0054] In light of the wide variety of possible filters, the
detailed embodiments are intended to be illustrative only and
should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention.
Rather, what is claimed as the invention is all such
modifications as may come within the spirit and scope of the
following claims and equivalents thereto.

[0055] None of the description in this specification should be
read as implying that any particular element, step or function
is an essential element which must be included in the claim
scope. The scope of the patented subject matter is defined only
by the allowed claims and their equivalents. Unless explicitly
recited, other aspects of the present invention as described in
this specification do not limit the scope of the claims.

---



**United States Patent Application   20070012006**

**Constructive disposition in a particulate matter sealing
device existing in gas originating from fuel burning and/or
chemical reaction when running internal combustion engines**

**January 18, 2007**

**Abstract -- A** value-adding solution to the sealing
product both from the point of view of minimizing the impact
caused in nature by particulate matter uncontrolled emission,
that its application on mobile or stationary combustion engines,
does not interfere with their good performance, thanks to an
unpublished constructive and functional concept that in addition
to the technical nature advantages allows it to present low
manufacturing cost. In order to make the hereinafter-claimed
invention feasible, a functional concept is applied to the
particulate matter sealing device, which leads to particulate
matter flow speed reduction (Fp), which is released in the
exhaust pipe (1), a reduction verified thanks to mechanical
shocks of these particles at manifold blade components (C4) and
manifold coil (C5), causing particles to agglutinate, by
obtaining as a practical result a reduction between 60 and 90%
in their emission to the environment. One also considers as a
differential of the invention the fact that it reduces the noise
level transmitted through the exhaust pipe (1). Particularly the
hereinafter claimed invention is shown to be extremely valuable
to the extent that in a saturation situation of the manifold
coil component (C5) it does not cause the back compression
effect, preventing combustion engine overload, which in turn
prevents fuel consumption increase, and further may in this
saturation condition be removed for washing and reutilization.
Its applicability shows great flexibility and it may replaced
the muffler component, and by applying to all kinds of
combustion engines, such as those used by automotive vehicles
and further in stationary engines.

U.S. Current Class:  55/525; 123/434; 277/590; 422/176;
55/410; 60/272   
U.S. Class at Publication:  055/525; 422/176; 060/272;
123/434; 277/590; 055/410   
Intern'l Class:  B01D 46/00 20070101 B01D046/00; F01N 3/10
20060101 F01N003/10; F02M 37/00 20060101 F02M037/00; F01N 7/14
20060101 F01N007/14

**Description**

**CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS**

[0001] Applicant claims priority under 35 U.S.C..sctn.119 of
European Application No. 05380147.8 filed on Jul. 1, 2005.

[0002] This patent application deals with a "CONSTRUCTIVE
DISPOSITION INTRODUCED INTO A PARTICULATE MATTER SEALING DEVICE
EXISTING IN GAS ORIGINATING FROM FUEL BURNING AND/OR CHEMICAL
REACTIONS WHEN RUNNING COMBUSTION ENGINES" where applicant
presents an unpublished solution for treating gases emitted by
combustion engines, commonly released into the environment
through exhaust pipes of moving equipment, such as automotive
vehicles and/or stationary equipment, for industrial use, whose
aim is to cooperate with environmental pollution rate reduction,
and consequently improve living conditions, as far as the flora
and fauna of planet Earth are concerned.

[0003] The demand for a solution of this nature is latent to
the extent in which present-day mankind sees at naked eyes the
nefarious effects caused by environmental degradation,
worldwide, pollutant gas emission having consistent
participation in forming the contaminated environment to which
the entire planet population is exposed.

[0004] In this manner the now claimed invention presents a
series of advantages, which can be ranked as ecological order
advantages, namely the invention directly implies improvements
in the environment, because one sees significant reduction of
high-particulate matter content gases, a fact contributing to
minimize, for instance, the harmful effects of the environmental
phenomenon known as "greenhouse effect", being that all
preliminary data obtained from the particulate matter seal
indicate a reduction ranging between 60% and 90% of particulate
matter emission.

[0005] In turn, it is possible to identify operating order
advantages, where by using the now claimed invention the
combustion engine performance is not compromised, thanks to an
exclusive constructive concept that does not interfere with back
compression in exhaust pipes, this positive feature having
direct implication in fuel consumption saving and further it
does not overload the engine components during its running,
increasing its service life and minimizing the need for
corrective maintenance.

[0006] The now claimed seal also has an advantage from the
point of view of the retaining product itself, where said
constructive concept is shown to be of outmost simplicity and
practicability, a factor that collaborates to reducing overhead
involved in its manufacture and therefore make the end price
accessible to a more popular consumer market.

[0007] The economic aspect is further evidenced when one takes
into account that the now claimed seal can be used indefinitely,
because when it is shown to be saturated it can be removed and
washed in a proper location, eliminating accumulated particulate
matter, always in compliance with environmental legislation
standards in effect, and can be reinstalled and allowed to
return to its operation.

[0008] There is still one last differential to be mentioned,
referring to ergonomic features, in this specific case that
translated into low-level noises and vibration of the exhaust
pipe system.

[0009] Due to all these aspects applicant understands that the
now claimed solution represents an innovation known by the
technical state, notoriously in the application area of the
technology industry for sealing element devices.

[0010] As already known by the technical state a wide variety
for particulate matter present in gases generated by combustion
and/or chemical reactions is made available. However, after a
detailed study of results obtained from using these devices,
applicant can, via value analysis, identify a series of faulty
points in their constructive and functional system, that leads
to compromise the main goal to be achieved, namely, reducing
environmental pollution rates.

[0011] For this assertion to become affirmative applicant has
based his studies from the premise that the functional
efficiency of combustion engines is directly related to correct
air and fuel exhaust, or in other words, there must be a
suitable amount of these components and at a given, precise
time, which becomes fundamental to gas emission control, such
gases that take with them a considerable amount of particulate
matter.

[0012] Upon defining the mandatory condition for a perfect
combustion engine performance applicant begins to have a
consistent reference to identify the causes of low performance
of these engines, wherever they are in intended manner or
further by sheer negligence in relation to preventive and
corrective maintenance, the lack of suitable engine tune-up
makes a difference in the ideal proportion of air and fuel,
preventing obtaining at the precise time the mandatory condition
for its correct operation, having as a consequence particulate
matter gas emission increase top the environment, being that,
poor fuel burning is also translated by the amount of oxygen in
the air 23% remaining air is burned making final quality of fuel
burning difficult.

[0013] Particulate matter composition varies in accordance with
the composition of the fuel to be burned, with the engine state
of conservation and further its operating temperature, being
that this particulate matter is formed from the agglutination of
unburned hydrocarbons, water and impurities of this same fuel to
a carbon chemical element core.

[0014] In turn, particulate matter shows a large dimensional
variation of particles, such variation leading any kind of
porous filter to early saturation, which in turn cause
functional overload on engine components, such overload
resulting in increased fuel consumption, engine power drop and
increase of emitted gases during the combustion process.

[0015] One has further to consider the fact that particulate
matter remains suspended in the air, because the above-mentioned
filtering ensure its full sealing, and in this manner,
smaller-size particles can be inhaled by the individual, lodging
themselves in deep areas of the human lungs, for example, being
an irritating agent to sight and the breathing system, which
mainly afflict children and the elderly, particularly in the
season of the year when temperatures are extremely low, a fact
that potentializes particulate matter concentration.

[0016] This entire contamination process potentializes
carcinogenic action that possible exists in particulate matter.
One further considers the undesirable effects observed in the
atmosphere, such and visibility and contrast reduction, and also
increased "greenhouse effects", where, studies show that
particulate material when deposited on mountaintop glaciers or
the planet's poles concentrates solar energy producing thawing
and increased global temperature.

[0017] In order to bestow more credibility on the
above-described subject applicant mentions an official document
issued by the renowned, trustworthy company of the automotive
industry, Mercedes-Benz do Brasil, issuing in the form of a
report by the Development and Experimental Engineering
Management, upon the development of a filter type for
particulate matter, such document being called "Commercial
vehicles and the environment". In addition to this study, the
existence is known of specific tests for a particulate matter
filter version used by the vehicle fleet circulating in the
urban area, this study, in turn, being undertaken by
Mercedes-Benz AG. Germany, where a version of the sealing device
is used whose filtering is performed by a ceramic wire network
rolled in a pipe, which in turn is installed inside a housing,
which replaces the muffling element installed in the exhaust
pipe of the automotive vehicle.

[0018] In this case a catalytic regeneration system is employed
in particulate matter burning, which is deposited in the filter,
keeping gas restriction within levels acceptable by
environmental legislation in force, being that the device is
automatically activated during the automotive vehicle operation.
Notwithstanding the rumored efficiency of the described and
known technical state of the seal system, it is known that it
has high manufacturing costs, and therefore being impracticable
from the commercial point of view, at least for its application
in the great majority of automotive vehicles in circulation.
Having said this, applicant, taking advantage of undeniable
available advances and also using a serious study and
observation of particulate matter behavior, characteristics and
composition, a study backed by conclusive trials and tests on
obtained effectiveness, particulate matter sealing type product
has been developed, identified in this paper by the initials
"R.M.P.", highly efficient, reducing its level in the
environment, in order to cooperate with improving environmental
conditions on planet Earth, where allied to this aspect keeps
usual back compression conditions found in combustion engines,
preventing fuel consumption increase and reducing the need for
corrective maintenance, being a supplement to a feasible
solution from the industrial and commercial point of view.

[0019] Supplementing this description, in order to obtain
better understanding of this characteristics of this invention
claim and application, this description is accompanied, as
attachment, a set of drawings where a form of preferred
performance is made graphically for the particulate matter
sealing device, which is accompanied by five constructive
variants, aimed at demonstrating how encompassing its
application is, where:

[0020] **FIG. 1** is a representation in view perspective
of the preferred form of performing the now claimed particulate
matter sealing device invention;

[0021] **FIG. 2** is a view perspective of the preferred
performance manner of the now claimed particulate matter sealing
device invention;

[0022] **FIG. 3** is a blown up perspective of the
preferred performance manner of the now claimed particulate
matter sealing device invention;

[0023] **FIG. 4** is a side-section view representation of
the preferred performance manner of the now claimed particulate
matter sealing device invention, demonstrating its functional
concept;

[0024] **FIG. 5** is a blown up perspective view of the
first variant of the preferred performance manner of the now
claimed particulate matter sealing device invention;

[0025] **FIG. 6** is a side-section view perspective of the
first variant of the preferred performance manner of the now
claimed particulate matter sealing device invention,
demonstrating its functional concept;

[0026] **FIG. 7** is perspective view representation of a
second variant of the preferred performance manner of the now
claimed particulate matter sealing device invention;

[0027] **FIG. 8** is a blown up perspective view of a
second variant of the preferred performance manner of the now
claimed particulate matter sealing device invention;

[0028] **FIG. 9** is a side-section view perspective of a
second variant of the preferred performance manner of the now
claimed particulate matter sealing device invention,
demonstrating its functional concept;

[0029] **Detail 1** is a blown up front view representation
of a blade element pertaining to the manifold blades;

[0030] **Detail 2** is a blown up view representation of
the manifold coil component with its respective component
elements;

[0031] **FIG. 10** is an upper view representation a third
variant of the preferred performance manner of the now claimed
particulate matter sealing device invention;

[0032] **FIG. 11** is a an upper view representation a
fourth variant of the preferred performance manner of the now
claimed particulate matter sealing device invention;

[0033] **FIG. 12** is a frontal view representation a
fourth variant of the preferred performance manner of the now
claimed particulate matter sealing device invention;

[0034] **FIG. 13** is a back view representation a fifth
variant of the preferred performance manner of the now claimed
particulate matter sealing device invention;

[0035] **FIG. 14** is a side-section view perspective of a
fifth variant of the preferred performance manner of the now
claimed particulate matter sealing device invention,
demonstrating its functional concept; and

[0036] **FIG. 15** is a front sectional view of the
embodiment of FIG. 14.

[0037] With reference to the drawings illustrating this
invention patent application, FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 respectively
refer to the manner of preferred performance for the horizontal
particulate matter sealing device (A), applied in
horizontal-type exhaust outlets, which shows a constructive
concept consisting of a frontal canopy (A1), notably with
tubular wall and frontal cover (A1'), which is formed by hollow
elements, forming a sieve-shaped representation, where treated
gas outflow is possible (Fa). The frontal canopy component (Al),
receives inside the manifold coil component (A2), which presents
a braided mesh element (A2'), concocted in (Fp) originating from
the gas flow (Fg). In turn, the set consisting of the frontal
canopy components (A1) and manifold (A2) is fastened to the main
housing component (A3), which presents a tubular shape, being
that in its back and lower portion, a chamfer is defined (A3'),
whose primary function resides in assisting gas outflow (Fg),
required for relieving the saturation of the manifold coil
component (A2) as indicated in FIG. 4.

[0038] In time, the main housing component (A3) is fastened to
the exhaust type (1) through a clamping component (A4). A first
variant to the preferred performance manner is graphically
represented through FIGS. 2, 5 and 6 respectively, through the
vertical particulate matter sealing device (B), being that it
presents the same frontal canopy components (A1) and manifold
coil (A2), being differentiated in relation to the main housing
component (A5), where it has a horizontal packing nozzle (A6)
where the exhaust pipe fastening is located (1), being that in
perpendicular position to the main body a vertical packing
nozzle is predicted (A7), which receives the vertical exhaust
pipe fastening (2) whereby part of the treated gas flow passes
(Fa), as represented by FIG. 6.

[0039] A second variant to the preferred performance manner is
graphically represented through FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 respectively
and detail 1, through the enclosed particulate matter retaining
device C), which presents a differentiated constructive concept
in relation to the previously described models, that obeys the
constructive similarity criterion, and can therefore be an
integral part of the patent claiming picture in description. The
constructive concept of the enclosed particulate matter sealing
device (C), is based on a front cover component (Cl),
trapezoidal trunk-shaped, being that in its end portion the
front fitting area is defined (C1') destined for fastening it to
the exhaust pipe (2).

[0040] This font cover component (C1) is assembled together
with the main housing component (C2), which is in tubular shape
with rectangular cross-section.

[0041] The interior of the main housing component (C2),
receives the manifold blade component assembly (C4), whose
useful area is permeated by retaining holes (C4''), which are
supported by structural rod elements (C4'), as indicated in
detail 1 In turn, manifold blade components (C4) present a
hollow area (C6) in their central region.

[0042] Together with the manifold blade component frontal
portion (C4) the manifold coil component is fastened (C5)
presenting a braided mesh element (C5'), concocted in knitted
steel-based material, as indicated in detail 2.

[0043] The above-described constructive concept further results
from the formation of a main decompression (C6'), as represented
in FIG. 9.

[0044] Finally, the back portion of the main housing component
(C2), is contemplated with a back cover (C3), this one with a
similar profile and structure to the one observed for the front
cover component (C1), being that in its end portion the front
fitting area is defined (C3') destined for fastening it to the
exhaust pipe (1).

[0045] The front cover component inner walls (C1) and the back
cover (C3), present the trapezoidal trunk-shaped profile as in
order to provide a suitable assembly of the manifold blade
components (C4) through their interference with structural rod
elements (C4').

[0046] Applicant stresses that the economic aspect refers to a
low-cost solution for solution performance manners described in
this paper, where the particulate matter sealing device (A),
vertical particulate matter sealing device (B) and enclosed
particulate matter sealing device (C) are manufactured by using
low-cost raw material, such as steel and aluminum. The enclosed
particulate matter-sealing device (C) can be credited with a
last positive aspect, which resides in the fact that once it is
installed it allows eliminating the automotive vehicle-muffling
component.

[0047] In order to bestow greater credibility to the
constructive and functional concepts introduced in order to make
the now claimed invention feasible, applicant now describes, in
the following paragraphs, the scientific foundation that has
generated the differentiated qualities previously described in
this paper.

[0048] Applicant has based his studies on the knowledge that in
gas emission (Fg) with particulate matter (Fp), chemical element
molecules when released from the exhaust pipe to the atmosphere,
perceive an expansion, where particulate matter is committed by
the release inertia, tending in this manner to make a
straight-line route with a small dispersal degree caused by the
mentioned gas expansion.

[0049] The primary function of the enclosed particulate matter
sealing device (C) resides in causing the particulate matter
(Fp) released by gases (Fg), once it is involved by said
inertia, to have its speed reduced, a reduction that should
reach zero speed, which is justified by a series of mechanical
shocks against the walls of the manifold blade components (C4)
and manifold coil component (C5), retaining and agglutinating
said particles, therefore, such agglutination is characteristic
of carbon-based elements making up the particulate matter.

[0050] Manifold blade components (C4) in turn are structured by
structural rod elements (C4'), so that it allows them to be
spatially positioned and parallel among them.

[0051] In turn, the manifold coil component (C5) shows a
braided mesh element (C5'), concocted in knitted steel-based
material, but this component creates a treated gas outflow
restriction around 27%.

[0052] In order to prevent a back compression effect at the
exhaust system, caused by the above-mentioned gas outflow
restriction, the constructive concept of the enclosed
particulate matter-sealing device (C) defines that manifold
blade components (C4) present a hollow area (C6) in their
central region. Allied to this hollow area (C6) a main
decompression area is also defined (C6'), being that their sum
potentializes decompression inside the enclosed particulate
matter-sealing device (C) upon gas expansion.

[0053] In order to have the desired effect feasible a mandatory
condition is that the area resulting from the sum between the
hollow area (C6) between the manifold blade components (C4) and
the main decompression area (C6'), is to be at least equal to
the area found in the exhaust pipe (1).

[0054] Applicant further makes a reservation in order the make
the nature of the particulate matter sealing device explicit (C)
which does not have the primary function of a filter, because it
prevents with the above-described feature loss of the combustion
engine output, keeping fuel consumption suitable and increasing
its service life time.

[0055] The particle sealing capacity afloat the manifold coil
component (C5), can be predicted through a simplified formula,
upon its utilization in automotive vehicles, where:
Ssaturation=Vr\*Ts, being:

[0056] Ssaturation=Space run by the vehicle until saturation of
the manifold coil component saturation;

[0057] Vr=Relative average speed of the combustion engine shaft
transfer to the vehicle's tires;

[0058] Ts=Saturation time analyzed by the particulate matter
emission volume emitted by the combustion engine versus filling
the total volume of the manifold coil component.

[0059] The practical result observed by applying this formula
reports to an estimated mean for an automotive vehicle emitting
0.0048849 grams of particulate matter per minute, where
saturation of the manifold coil component (C5) will occur after
running approximately 13,000 kilometers, which is translated
into high durability, allied to the fact that once saturation is
reached the enclosed particulate matter sealing device (C) can
be easily removed for washing in an appropriate location, where
at the end of this washing it can be assembled again at the
automotive exhaust system, being renewed to perform without
problems for the next 13,000 kilometers.

[0060] Finally, in relation to ergonomic use features it is
translated into low-level noises and vibration of the exhaust
pipe system, this vibration is obtained thanks to the
transformation sound waves into mechanical energy at the
manifold blade component walls (C4) and manifold coil (C5).

[0061] In order to expand the scope of possible applications
for the now claimed particulate matter seal applicant
illustrates a third constructive variant for it, represented by
FIG. 10, being very resembling to the model presented for the
vertical particulate matter sealing device (B), but it presents
as a differential the main housing (D), whose end portion is
defined by a closed ball-shaped terminal (D1).

[0062] In turn, FIGS. 11-12 are part of graphic representation
of the fourth constructive variant, which presents a main
housing (E) whose end portion receives the assembly of a screen
(E1), whose function resides in providing first stage of treated
gas release (Fa).

[0063] Applicant further presents a fifth constructive variant,
represented by FIGS. 13-15 respectively, where the particulate
matter seal (F) is installed at the end of a vertical exhaust
pipe (2), in the back upper portion of a collective transport
vehicle, being defined by a main housing (F1), whose side
presents a decompression hole (3), this housing receiving in its
nozzle the assembly of a cover component (F2), which presents
hollow elements (F2').

[0064] The interior of the main housing (F1) receives the
assembly of manifold blade components (C4), which are permeated
by sealing holes (C4'') and manifold coil (C5), this assembly
being supported by structural rod elements (C4'), where said
components are identical to the ones applied at the second
constructive variant, called enclosed particulate material
sealing device (C). Though the hereinafter-claimed invention has
been explained with reference to the graphic representation of
its specific drawings the hereinafter-mentioned explanation is
of illustrative nature, the invention being limited only by the
claims attached to this paper.

[0065] Due to all that has been described and illustrated that
it deals with a "CONSTRUCTIVE DISPOSITION INTRODUCED INTO A
PARTICULATE MATTER SEALING DEVICE EXISTING IN GAS ORIGINATING
FROM FUEL BURNING AND/OR CHEMICAL REACTIONS WHEN RUNNING
COMBUSTION ENGINES", which perfectly fits into the standards
governing the Invention Patent, in light of the Industrial
Property Law, due to filling an important gap existing in the
market, moreover because its provides a technical, operating
alternative in particulate matter sealing systems, being worthy
due to what has been exposed and as a consequence, of the
respective privilege.

---



**Installers & Retailers**

**United States**

**Arizona**

**Phoenix**

Autoworks   
645 W. 1st Street   
Casa Grande, AZ 85222-3201   
Phone: 520-421-2010   
Contact: Jim Hawver

Kenny Speed's Tire & Performance Center   
10 W. Southern   
Mesa, AZ 85210   
Phone: 480-834-1847   
Contact: Kenny Vasseur

Good Guys Automotive   
15812 North 32nd Street.   
Phoenix, AZ 85014-4744   
(602) 923-6641

Loper's Service Center   
902 East Indian School Rd.   
Phoenix, AZ 85014-4744   
Phone: 602-264-5450   
Contact: Mike Kelly

Mighty Automotive   
10034 N. Cave Creek Rd.   
Phoenix, AZ 85020   
Phone: 602-944-5785   
Contact: Jim Shaw

**California**

Alameda Oakland Complete Auto Service   
1825 Webster Street   
Alameda, CA 94501   
Phone: (510) 521-1541   
Contact: Julie

Anchor Muffler &  Auto Service   
750 N. Anaheim Blvd   
Anaheim, CA 92805   
Phone: (714) 535-7520   
Contact: Carlos, or Pat

The Muffler Shop   
10227 Canoga Avenue   
Chatsworth, CA  91311   
Phone: 818-886-4705   
Contact: John Ayvazian

Celebrity Muffler & Brake Shop   
2436 Hyperion Avenue   
Los Angeles, CA 90027   
Phone: 323-953-1666   
Contact: Greg Edahur

Collins Muffler Brake & Trailor Hitch   
25721 Obrero Drive, Suite C   
Mission Viejo, CA 92691   
Phone: 949-830-6687   
Contact: Randy Collins

Gil's Muffler Shop   
18437 Roscoe Blvd.   
Northridge, CA 91325   
Phone: 818-885-8867   
Contact: Dale Schirmeister

Sierra Muffler   
5820-B Clark Road   
Paradise, CA 95969   
Phone: 530-876-1320   
Contact: Bob Humpal

Cars Muffler Service   
2617 Artesia Blvd.   
Redondo Beach, CA 90278   
(310) 371-7055

Doug Moore's Muffler Service   
1504 N. Ave De La Estrella, Unit H   
San Clemente, CA 92672   
Phone: 949-492-5540   
Contact: Doug Moore

A New Way Auto   
2874 Garnet Avenue   
San Diego, CA 92109   
Phone: 619-263-9929   
Contact: Ed Dorszynski

South Coast Muffler Hitch & Welding   
33011 Calle Aviador   
San Juan Capistrano, CA  92675   
Phone: 949-493-5977   
Contact: Jim Tebbets

**Connecticut**

City Tire Company   
82 Boston Post Road   
Waterford, CT 06385   
Phone: 860-437-3382   
Fax: 860-437-3386

**Illinois**

Addison Shell   
3552 North Ashland Ave   
Chicago, IL 60657   
(773) 477-5242   
Ask for: David Steele

Tuffy Auto Service Centers   
1400 West Diversey Parkway   
Chicago, IL 60614   
(773) 929-3622   
Ask for Chris Zelasko, Manager

**Indiana**

Tom Cherry Muffler   
1203 N College Ave   
Bloomington, IN 47404   
Phone: (812) 323-1456   
Contact: Eric Tezer

John Staples Custom Pipes &  Mufflers   
2519 25th St   
Columbus, IN 47201   
Phone: (812) 372-6833   
Contact: John Staples

Kyle's Auto Repair Inc.   
1739 Lincoln Way E   
Mishawaka, IN 46544   
Phone: (574) 255-6152   
Contact: Kyle Patti

**Massachusetts**

Awon's Auto Repair   
530 N. Main Street   
Brockton, MA 02301   
(508) 427-0007

One Stop Auto   
(800) 290-9889   
312 N. Montello Street   
Brockton, Massachusetts 02301

Woodward's Auto Services   
148 N Montello St   
Brockton, MA 02301   
(508) 586-8032

Godfrey's International Metrowerks   
(508) 230-2100   
812 Washington Street   
Easton, Massachusetts 02334

City Tire Company   
1385 Memorial Drive   
Chicopee, MA 01020   
Phone: 413-534-2946

Jay Martin Auto   
(508) 350-0011   
394 Spring Street   
E. Bridgewater, Massachusetts 02333

Lodge Tire Company   
177 French King Highway   
Greenfield, MA 01301   
Phone: 413-772-2561   
Fax: 413-774-4106

City Tire Company   
560 Hubbard Avenue   
Pittsfield, MA 01201   
Phone: 413-445-5578   
Fax: 413-499-6318

St. Pierre's Garage   
97 Ocean Avenue   
Salem, MA 01970   
Phone: (978) 745-4508

McGillis Automotive   
55 Turnpike St.   
West Bridgewater, MA 02379   
Phone: (508) 580-8771   
Contact: Paul Mcgillis

Sparky's Repair   
(781) 857-2222   
845 A Temple Street   
Whitman, Massachusetts 02382

City Tire Company   
2830 Boston Road  Wilbraham, MA 01095   
Phone: 413-596-2514   
Fax: 413-596-5230

Worcester Tire Company   
451 Southbridge Street   
Worcester, MA 01610   
Phone: 508-755-2221   
Fax: 508-798-4999

**New Hampshire**

B&B Fabricators   
466 RT 11   
Farmington, NH 03835   
Phone: 603-755-9113

City Tire Company   
124 Main Street   
Keene, NH 03431   
Phone: 603-357-1332   
Fax: 603-357-1306

City Tire Company   
38 Railroad Avenue   
West Lebanon, NH 03766   
Phone: 603-298-0497   
Fax: 603-298-0499

**New Jersey**

Jim's Service Station   
132 N. Black Horse Pike   
Bellmawr, NJ 08031   
Phone: 856-931-8794

Meineke Car Care Center   
19 S. White Horse Pike   
Berlin, NJ 08009   
Phone: 856-768-2100   
Contact: Tammy Minghenelli

Meineke Car Care Center   
850 U.S. Highway 206   
Bordentown, NJ 08505   
Phone: (609) 324-9235   
Contact: Tom Pfau

Gattuso's Auto Service   
229 Kings Hwy   
Clarksboro, NJ 08020   
Phone: 856-423-5757   
Contact: Lou Gottuso

D. Speed Sound & Muffler   
273 12th Avenue   
Clifton, NJ 07014   
Phone: (973) 341-9646   
Contact: Junior Trump

Jafstram Import Car Specialist   
869 Haddon Ave.   
Collingswood, NJ 08108   
Phone: 856-854-8345

Connell's Transmission & Automotive Repair   
1725 Delsea Dr.   
Deptford, NJ 08096   
Phone: 856-464-9250   
Contact: Tom Connell

Dom's Auto Repair   
1255 Delsea Dr.   
Deptford, NJ 08096   
Phone: 856-845-3777   
Contact: Dominic Maiese

George Lee's Auto Service   
1348 Glassboro Rd   
Deptford, NJ 08096   
Phone: 856-468-9897

Joe's Service Center   
1251 Hurfville Rd.   
Deptford, NJ 08096   
Phone: 856-228-4420

Bruce's Used Auto Parts   
233 Pennsylvania Ave   
Franklinville, NJ 08322   
Phone: 856-694-5155   
Contact: Bruce Sharp

D & R Transmissions   
2756 Williamstown Rd.   
Franklinville, NJ 08322   
Phone: 856-728-8070   
Contact: Bill Rohe

J Auto Repair   
2406 Delsea Dr   
Franklinville, NJ 08322   
Phone: 856-694-1051

Hoagland's Auto Repair   
Broadway & Burlington   
Gloucester City, NJ 08030   
Phone: 856-742-0194   
Contact: Rich Hoagland

Arrow Auto Repair   
1174 US Highway 46   
Ledgewood, NJ 07852   
Phone: 973-927-7021

Atrex Transmissions   
1609 Route 38   
Lumberton, NJ 08048   
Phone: (609) 261-3300   
Contact: David Alberto

After Hours   
1871 Glassboro Rd   
Monroe Twp., NJ 08094   
Phone: 856-863-2121   
Contact: Forrest Reitz

Ed's Repair Service   
440 Bridgeton Pike   
Monroeville, NJ 08343   
Phone: 856-358-8750   
Contact: Ed Dorrell

Georg & Son Auto Repair   
81 Groff Rd.   
Monroeville, NJ 08343   
Phone: 856-358-8427   
Contact: Fred Lesti

Clark's Auto World   
210 N. West Blvd   
Newfield, NJ 08344   
Phone: 856-692-8788   
Contact: George Clark

Advantage Auto Repair, Inc.   
208 S Salem St   
Randolph, NJ 07869   
Phone: (973) 366-4426   
Contact: Bob Herburger

Charlie's Complete Auto Service   
349 E. Clements Bridge Rd   
Runnemede, NJ 08078   
Phone: 856-312-1624   
Contact: Charles Schmidt

Express Gas &amp; Auto Repair   
1008 Kings Hwy & Glen Echo   
Swedesboro, NJ 08085   
Phone: 856-467-5358

Ed's Auto Service   
759 Foster Avenue   
Vineland, NJ 08360   
Phone: (856) 457-3538   
Contact: Bill Michaels

Elwell's Auto Center   
228 Haddon Ave.   
West Berlin, NJ 08091   
Phone: 856-719-6881   
Contact: Chuck Elwell

Everett's Specialty Repair   
39 Saybrook Ave.   
Williamstown, NJ 08094   
Phone: 856-629-2660   
Contact: Steve Everett

Frank's Auto Repair Center   
2063 N. Black Horse Pike   
Williamstown, NJ 08094   
Phone: 856-875-0010   
Contact: Frank Camiolo

Fryer Norman Automotive   
444 Fryers Lane   
Williamstown, NJ 08094   
Phone: 856-629-6995   
Contact: Phil Fryer

Accurate Collision   
663 Mantua Pike   
Woodbury, NJ 08096   
Phone: 856-845-1333   
Contact: Sal Arena

Lakeland Supply   
536 Niagra Falls Blvd   
Buffalo, NY14223   
Phone:716-834-2777   
Contact: Bill Stanbro

**Oregon**

Quality Muffler & Brake   
5494 Table Rock Rd.   
Central Point, OR 97502   
Phone:(541) 664-5494   
Contact: Contact: Rich Aquila

**Texas**

Midas   
3120 W Pioneer Parkway   
Arlington, Texas 76013   
817-274-3393   
Contact: Bobby

Midas   
5861 S Cooper Street   
Arlington, Texas 76017   
817-468-1661   
Contact: David

Midas   
3004 E. Pioneer Parkway   
Arlington, Texas 76010   
817-640-8324   
Contact: Steven Perez

Muffin Muffler   
(512) 453-5287   
6615 Shirley Avenue   
Austin, Texas 78572

Brake Specialists   
5528 North Lamar Blvd   
Austin, Texas 78751   
(512) 450-1570

Brake Specialists   
8405 Research Boulevard   
Austin, Texas 78758   
(512) 339-4199

Brake Specialists   
12990 Research Blvd   
Austin, Texas 78750   
(512) 331-5166

Brake Specialists   
1607 West Parmer Lane   
Austin, Texas 78727

Brake Specialists   
1303 South Lamar   
Austin, Texas 78704   
(512) 447-7992

Brake Specialists   
1417 West William Cannon Blvd   
Austin, Texas 78745   
(512) 440-8878

Brake Specialists   
118 Trademark   
Buda, Texas 78610   
(512) 312-2117

Brake Specialists   
1915 South Bell Boulevard   
Cedar Park, Texas 78613   
(512) 250-8381

Brake Specialists   
3996 Hwy. 290   
Dripping Springs, TX 78620   
(512) 858-2796

Brake Specialists   
303 RR 620 South   
Lakeway, Texas 78734

Brake Specialists   
900 West Pecan   
Pflugerville, Texas 78660   
(512) 251-7037

Infinity Conversions   
1942-A Picadilly Drive   
Round Rock, Texas 78664

Brake Specialists   
1800 South IH 35   
Round Rock, Texas 78681   
(512) 310-2890

**Vermont**

City Tire Company   
740 Marshall Avenue   
P.O. Box 1546   
Williston, VT 05495   
Phone: 802-951-9999   
Fax: 802-951-9997

---