Claims:We Claim:
1. A catalytic converter (306) for an inclined longitudinally oriented engine comprising:
an exhaust manifold (302) integrated to the catalytic converter (306); and the exhaust manifold (302) including a plurality of exhaust runners (304a-d); and

a first oxygen sensor (308) provided on the cone of the catalytic converter (306) at an intersection of the catalytic converter (306) and the exhaust manifold (302),
wherein the catalytic converter (306) is mounted at an obtuse angle to the exhaust manifold (302).

2. The catalytic converter (306) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a second oxygen sensor mounted towards the rear end of the catalytic converter (306).

3. The catalytic converter (306) as claimed in any of claims 1 and 2, wherein the provision for first oxygen sensor is a provision for front oxygen sensor, and the provision for second oxygen sensor is a provision for rear oxygen sensor.

4. The catalytic converter (306) as claimed in claim 1, comprising an EGR outlet mounting (310) integrated to the catalytic converter cone (306).

Description:A CATALYTIC CONVERTER FOR AN INCLINED ENGINE
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure, in general, relates to a catalytic converter, and in particular, to an integrated exhaust manifold for an inclined longitudinally oriented engine to meet BS6, RDE and CAFÉ regulations.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Fig. 1 illustrates a conventional inclined longitudinally oriented engine in accordance with state-of-the-art. Fig. 1 illustrates a conventional exhaust manifold 102 that is connected with the inclined longitudinally oriented engine 104.
[0003] Fig. 2 illustrates positioning of the conventional inclined longitudinal type oriented engines in accordance with state-of-the-art. Fig. 2 illustrates a vehicle 202 and an exhaust manifold 204 mounted below the passenger seat underneath the floor of the vehicle 202.
[0004] Conventionally, in the inclined longitudinally oriented engines, a catalytic converter is placed far away from the engine that leads to poor light off performance and higher precious metal loading for meeting emission norms. Further, in conventional systems, there is no provision for EGR and it does not meet CAFÉ norms. Moreover, in the conventionally prevalent longitudinal type oriented engines, the exhaust manifolds are made of cast iron which is heavier in nature, thereby adding to the excess weight and mounting inadequacies. Additionally, in the conventional designs, the catalytic converter and the exhaust manifold are formed as separate components and joined together using a system of flanges and bolts, thereby adding to the excess weight and making the entire mounting structure complex and complicated in assembly.
[0005] Accordingly, it forms an object of the subject disclosure to provide a solution in the form that remediates the abovementioned limitations/shortcomings in the existing solutions and serves the need of assemblies with varying complex requirements, thereby helping provide an efficient and easy to manufacture/assemble structural configuration of the exhaust manifold.
SUMMARY
[0006] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a catalytic converter for an inclined longitudinally oriented engine. The concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0007] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to an catalytic converter for an inclined longitudinally oriented engine. The catalytic converter includes an integrated exhaust manifold , with the exhaust manifold including a plurality of exhaust runners, and a provision for first oxygen sensor mounted on the cone of the catalytic converter at an intersection of the catalytic converter and the exhaust manifold, such that the catalytic converter is mounted at an obtuse angle to the exhaust manifold.
[0008]
[0009] In an aspect, the catalytic converter includes a second oxygen sensor mounted towards the rear end of the catalytic converter.
[00010] In an aspect, the provision for first oxygen sensor is a provision for front oxygen sensor, and the provision for second oxygen sensor is a provision for rear oxygen sensor.
[00011] In an aspect, the catalytic converter includes an EGR outlet mounting integrated to the catalytic converter.
[00012] The solution proposed by the present disclosure as mentioned above provides an exhaust manifold design for an inclined longitudinally oriented engine with a closed coupled catalytic converter, thereby meeting BS6 regulations and at the same time ensuring a compact layout and maintaining required ground clearance.
[00013] To further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit the scope of the present subject matter.
[00014] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[00015] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[00016] FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional inclined longitudinally oriented engine in accordance with state-of-the-art.
[00017] FIG. 2 illustrates positioning of the conventional inclined longitudinal type oriented engines in an automobile vehicle, in accordance with state-of-the-art.
[00018] FIG. 3 illustrates the layout of a catalytic converter for an inclined longitudinally oriented engine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00019] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00020] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[00021] It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[00022] The terminology used herein is to describe particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
[00023] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
[00024] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[00025] In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
[00026] Hereinafter, a description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary, a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00027] FIG. 3 illustrates a catalytic converter 306 for an inclined longitudinally oriented engine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The catalytic converter 306 includes an exhaust manifold 302 integrated to the catalytic converter 306, thereby forming a closed coupled integrated structure helping comply with BS6 regulations, and at the same time, ensuring a compact layout and maintaining required ground clearance. The exhaust manifold 302 further includes a plurality of exhaust runners 304a-d carrying the exhaust gases. Further, according to the embodiment, the catalytic converter 306 is mounted at an obtuse angle to the exhaust manifold 302 or the runners thereto.
[00028] According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the catalytic converter 306 includes a mounting provision for first or front oxygen sensor 308 mounted on the cone of the catalytic converter at an intersection of the catalytic converter 306 and the exhaust manifold 302.
[00029] In a further embodiment, the exhaust manifold 302 includes a mounting provision for second or rear oxygen sensor and EGR outlet mounted towards the rear and forming an integrated part of the catalytic converter 306.
[00030] In yet another embodiment, the catalytic converter 306 includes an EGR outlet mounting 310 integrated to the catalytic converter 306, thereby ensuring gas recirculation post the catalytic converter 306 helping adhere to the regulations and the requirements with respect to the emission norms and standards.

TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES
[00031] The present disclosure provides a catalytic converter integrated with an exhaust manifold to help ensure proximity to the engine for faster light off and reduced metal loading required for meeting the emission norms.
[00032] The present disclosure provides an exhaust manifold made of stainless steel which is light weighted compared to cast iron based exhaust manifold.
[00033] The present disclosure provides a catalytic converter including EGR outlet mounting integrated to the catalytic converter to meet CAFÉ norms.
[00035] Furthermore, each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the “invention” may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases, it will be recognized that references to the “invention” will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.
[00036] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all groups used in the appended claims.
[00037] Furthermore, those skilled in the art can appreciate that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.
[00038] The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.
[00039] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the present disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the present disclosure is determined by the claims that follow. The present disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.