The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 21, 1999
Filed:
May. 29, 1997
David Frank Swanson, Howell, MI (US);
Stephen Wayne Anderson, Anderson, IN (US);
STMicroelectronics, Inc., Carrollton, TX (US);
General Motors Corporation, Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
A catalytic converter of an engine, such as might be found in an automotive engine system, is capable of being quickly and electrically heated in order to reduce pollution emissions during critical cold start conditions. During cold start conditions, i.e. upon starting the engine, for a predetermined period of time the catalytic converter directly receives electrical power via a quick heating path connecting a catalyst power switch to the catalytic converter. Following the predetermined period of time after which the catalytic converter has been electrically heated, the catalyst power switch is connected to a junction block, such as a starter motor assembly, of the automotive engine system via a normal path.