Exhaust gas treatment device

Abstract

An exhaust gas treatment device, in particular for an internal combustion engine, is fitted with a housing including an entrance and an exit. At least one porous substrate is accommodated in the housing and has an exhaust gas flowing through the substrate. The porous substrate is arranged in the flow path from the entrance to the exit. At least one thermoelectric generator is provided on the housing.

1 . An exhaust gas treatment device for an internal combustion engine, comprising:
 a housing including an entrance and an exit;   at least one porous substrate accommodated in said housing wherein an exhaust gas flows through said at least one porous substrate, and wherein said at least one porous substrate is arranged in a flow path from said entrance to said exit; and   at least one thermoelectric generator provided on said housing.   
   
   
       2 . The exhaust gas treatment device according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one thermoelectric generator is applied on an outside of said housing. 
   
   
       3 . The exhaust gas treatment device according to  claim 1 , wherein said exhaust gas flows against an inner wall of said housing. 
   
   
       4 . The exhaust gas treatment device according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one porous substrate consists of at least one of a metal foam, metal sponge, and a metallic hollow sphere structure. 
   
   
       5 . The exhaust gas treatment device according to  claim 1 , including heat conducting fins provided on at least one of an inside and an outside of said exhaust gas treatment device. 
   
   
       6 . The exhaust gas treatment device according to  claim 1 , including a cooling device for said thermoelectric generator. 
   
   
       7 . The exhaust gas treatment device according to  claim 6 , wherein said cooling device surrounds an outside of said thermoelectric generator. 
   
   
       8 . The exhaust gas treatment device according to  claim 6 , wherein said cooling device includes at least one cooling duct having a cooling medium flowing through said at least one cooling duct. 
   
   
       9 . The exhaust gas treatment device according to  claim 8 , wherein said cooling medium is air. 
   
   
       10 . The exhaust gas treatment device according to  claim 9 , wherein said cooling device includes at least one inlet having a supply opening so that air from surroundings of said exhaust gas treatment device flows through said supply opening into said cooling device. 
   
   
       11 . The exhaust gas treatment device according to  claim 10 , wherein said at least one inlet widens in a vehicle driving direction towards an open end. 
   
   
       12 . The exhaust gas treatment device according to  claim 11 , wherein said at least one inlet comprises a plurality of inlets arranged one behind each other, said plurality of inlets widening in the vehicle driving direction towards said open end.