Filter regeneration using ultrasonic energy

Abstract

An exhaust treatment system of a power source system includes a filter having an inlet and an outlet and a first exhaust line located between the filter and a power source of the power source system. The exhaust treatment system further includes an ultrasonic energy generating device coupled to the filter. In addition, the exhaust treatment system includes a second exhaust line coupled downstream of the filter.

1 . An exhaust treatment system of a power source system, comprising:
 a filter having an inlet and an outlet;   a first exhaust line located between the filter and a power source of the power source system;   an ultrasonic energy generating device coupled to the filter; and   a second exhaust line coupled downstream of the filter.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic energy generating device is coupled to the inlet of the filter. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic energy generating device includes a plurality of ultrasound transducers coupled to the filter. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , further including a regeneration device disposed upstream of the filter. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the regeneration device is a fuel-driving burner coupled to the first exhaust line. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the filter is a diesel particulate filter. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the filter includes catalyst materials. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , further including an exhaust recirculation line located downstream of the filter. 
   
   
       9 . A method of regenerating a filter of a combustion engine system, comprising:
 directing a portion of engine exhaust flow through the filter to collect particulate matter in the filter; and   exposing at least a portion of the filter to ultrasonic energy to bum particulate matter in the filter.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the filter is exposed to ultrasonic energy when liquid resides in the filter. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the ultrasonic energy burns the particulate matter indirectly through heating of the liquid. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the filter is exposed to the ultrasonic energy when a temperature of the exhaust flow is approximately 100° C. or below. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the filter is exposed to the ultrasonic energy only when the engine is operating in an idle condition. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the filter is exposed to the ultrasonic energy according to a predetermined schedule. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 9 , further including actively heating the exhaust gas upstream of the filter to further regenerate the filter. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the actively heating of the exhaust gas includes igniting a fuel-driven burner located between the engine and the filter. 
   
   
       17 . An exhaust treatment system of a diesel combustion engine system, comprising:
 a diesel particulate filter having an inlet and an outlet;   a first exhaust line located between the filter and a diesel combustion engine of the engine system;   an ultrasonic energy generating device coupled to the exhaust treatment system;   a controller coupled to the ultrasonic energy generating device and configured to actuate the ultrasonic energy generating device when conditions indicate that liquid is present in the filter; and   a second exhaust line located downstream of the filter.   
   
   
       18 . The exhaust treatment system of  claim 17 , further including a regeneration device disposed upstream of the filter and downstream of the diesel combustion engine. 
   
   
       19 . The exhaust treatment system of  claim 17 , wherein the ultrasonic energy generating device is coupled to the inlet of the filter. 
   
   
       20 . The exhaust treatment system of  claim 17 , wherein the ultrasonic energy generating device includes a plurality of ultrasound tranduces coupled to the filter.