Mixer for an exhaust gas duct system of an internal combustion engine

Abstract

A mixer for an exhaust gas duct system of an internal combustion engine includes a flow channel element ( 16 ) with a flow channel ( 14 ), through which exhaust gases can flow in a main direction of flow (S). At least one mixer element ( 12 ) in the flow channel element ( 16 ) is movable in the flow channel element ( 16 ) to change a mixing effect.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mixer for an exhaust gas duct system of an internal combustion engine, the mixer comprising
 a flow channel element with a flow channel through which exhaust gases can flow in a main direction of flow; and   at least one mixer element mounted in the flow channel element to be movable in the flow channel element to change a mixing effect.   
     
     
         2 . A mixer in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the at least one mixer element is pivotable about a pivot axis extending essentially at right angles to the main direction of flow. 
     
     
         3 . A mixer in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the at least one mixer element is pivotable about a pivot axis extending essentially in the main direction of flow. 
     
     
         4 . A mixer in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the at least one mixer element is displaceable in a direction extending essentially at right angles to the main direction of flow. 
     
     
         5 . A mixer in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the at least one mixer element is moveable into a first operating state with maximum mixing effect of the mixer and into a second operating state with minimal mixing effect of the mixer. 
     
     
         6 . A mixer in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the at least one mixer element is positioned essentially completely in the flow channel in the first operating state and in the second operating state. 
     
     
         7 . A mixer in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the at least one mixer element is not positioned essentially completely in the flow channel in the second operating state. 
     
     
         8 . A mixer in accordance with  claim 7 , further comprising a mixer element mounting chamber adjoining the flow channel, the mixer element mounting chamber receiving the mixer element in the second operating state thereof. 
     
     
         9 . A mixer in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein:
 the at least one mixer element has at least one flow deflection element; and   the at least one flow deflection element has at least one flow deflection surface arranged at an angle in relation to the main direction of flow at least in the first operating state.   
     
     
         10 . A mixer in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the at least one mixer element comprises the at least one flow deflection element and at least an additional flow deflection element to form at least one row of flow deflection elements following each other in a row direction. 
     
     
         11 . A mixer in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein:
 the at least one mixer element is pivotable about a pivot axis extending essentially at right angles to the main direction of flow;   the pivot axis extends essentially in a direction of or at right angles to the row direction.   
     
     
         12 . A mixer in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein at least one of:
 the at least one mixer element comprises at least an additional row of deflection elements to provide at least two rows of flow deflection elements arranged next to each other essentially at right angles to the main direction of flow are provided; and   the at least one mixer element comprises at least an additional row of deflection elements to provide at least two rows of flow deflection elements following each other in the main direction of flow.   
     
     
         13 . A mixer in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a moving drive connected to the at least one mixer element. 
     
     
         14 . An exhaust gas duct system for an internal combustion engine, the exhaust gas duct system comprising at least one mixer comprising:
 a flow channel element with a flow channel through which exhaust gases can flow in a main direction of flow; and   at least one mixer element mounted in the flow channel element to be movable in the flow channel element to change a mixing effect.   
     
     
         15 . An exhaust gas duct system in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein the at least one mixer element is pivotable about a pivot axis extending essentially at right angles to the main direction of flow. 
     
     
         16 . An exhaust gas duct system in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein the at least one mixer element is pivotable about a pivot axis extending essentially in the main direction of flow. 
     
     
         17 . An exhaust gas duct system in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein the at least one mixer element is displaceable in a direction extending essentially at right angles to the main direction of flow. 
     
     
         18 . An exhaust gas duct system in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein:
 the at least one mixer element is moveable into a first operating state with maximum mixing effect of the mixer and into a second operating state with minimal mixing effect of the mixer; and   the at least one mixer further comprises a mixer element mounting chamber adjoining the flow channel, the mixer element mounting chamber receiving the mixer element in the second operating state thereof.   
     
     
         19 . An exhaust gas duct system in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein:
 the at least one mixer element is moveable into a first operating state with maximum mixing effect of the mixer and into a second operating state with minimal mixing effect of the mixer; and   the at least one mixer element has at least one flow deflection element; and   the at least one flow deflection element has at least one flow deflection surface arranged at an angle in relation to the main direction of flow at least in the first operating state.   
     
     
         20 . An exhaust gas duct system in accordance with  claim 14 , further comprising a moving drive connected to the at least one mixer element.