Combustion chamber

Abstract

A system for treating particulates of an engine's exhaust is provided. The system comprises a filter configured to collect particulate matter and a device for regenerating the filter. The device comprises a housing, a fuel injector configured to inject fuel, an igniter configured to ignite the injected fuel, and a combustion chamber. The device is characterized in that the cross section of the combustion chamber converges from an inlet to an outlet.

1 . A device for regenerating a particulate filter, comprising: 
 a housing;    a fuel injector configured to inject fuel;    an igniter configured to ignite the injected fuel;    a combustion chamber; and    an intake air line configured to provide combustion air from an intake system of an engine,    characterized in that a cross section of the combustion chamber converges from an inlet to an outlet.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , further characterized in that the combustion chamber comprises a first section of decreasing diameter.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , further characterized in that the combustion chamber comprises a second section of substantially constant diameter.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a flame stabilizer connected to an end of the combustion chamber.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , further characterized in that the combustor housing is coaxial with the combustion chamber.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a combustion air inlet configured to provide combustion air to the combustion chamber.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a flame detector configured to detect a flame within the combustor housing.  
   
   
       8 . A system for treating particulates of an engine's exhaust, comprising: 
 a filter configured to collect particulate matter; and    the device of  claim 1 .    
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8 , further characterized in that the device receives exhaust gas downstream of a turbine exhaust.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 8 , further characterized in that the intake air line receives combustion air downstream of a compressor discharge.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 8 , further characterized in that the device uses the same fuel as the engine.  
   
   
       12 . An aftertreatment system for an engine, comprising: 
 a filter configured to collect particulates from the engine's exhaust; and    a burner configured to regenerate the filter, said burner receives combustion air from an intake system of the engine,    characterized in that the burner comprises a conical combustion chamber.    
   
   
       13 . The aftertreatment system of  claim 12 , further comprising a fuel supply valve configured to control injection of fuel into the burner.  
   
   
       14 . The aftertreatment system of  claim 12 , further comprising a combustion air control valve configured to regulate an amount of combustion air sent to the burner.  
   
   
       15 . The aftertreatment system of  claim 12 , characterized in that the burner further comprises a flame detector configured to detect the presence of a flame in the combustor chamber.  
   
   
       16 . The aftertreatment system of  claim 12 , characterized in that the burner further comprises a flame stabilizer.  
   
   
       17 . An internal combustion engine, comprising: 
 an exhaust system configured to receive engine exhaust;    a filter configured to collect particulate matter within the exhaust;    a burner configured to regenerate at least some of the particulate matter within the filter, characterized in that the burner comprises a conical combustion chamber;    an intake air line configured to carry combustion air from an intake system of the engine to the burner; and    an engine control module configured to control when the burner regenerates the filter.    
   
   
       18 . The engine of  claim 17 , further comprising a turbocharger configured to compress engine intake air, wherein at least some compressed intake air is provided to the burner.  
   
   
       19 . The engine of  claim 17 , further characterized in that the filter comprises a temperature sensor.  
   
   
       20 . The engine of  claim 17 , further characterized in that the engine control module controls a timing of injection of fuel into the burner.  
   
   
       21 . The engine of  claim 17 , further comprising a combustion air valve configured to regulate a flow of combustion air to the burner.  
   
   
       22 . The engine of  claim 17 , further characterized in that the combustion chamber comprises a flame stabilizer.