Methods for inserting wires into a gaseous emissions treatment unit
First Claim
1. A method for loading elongate wire lengths into elongate cells of a honeycomb ceramic substrate unit for a gaseous emissions treatment assembly, the method comprising, forming lengths of the wire with generally pointed profile tips, aligning axes of the wire lengths with axes of respective selected ones of the cells, moving the wire lengths so that the tips enter into ends of the respective selected cells, and pushing the wire lengths to desired positions within the respective cells;
- monitoring a reactive force acting on a wire length as it is inserted into a respective cell and, on the basis of the monitored reactive force, adjusting insertion conditions to limit or reduce the reactive force; and
wherein the monitoring of the reactive force is effected using a sensor mounted near a leading end of a wire length insertion arm or in a drive to the insertion arm.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method is disclosed for loading elongate wire lengths into elongate cells of a honeycomb ceramic substrate unit for a gaseous emissions treatment assembly, the cells each having a small cross-sectional area, the area shape matching the cross-sectional shape of the loaded wire lengths and marginally greater in area size than the wire lengths. A wire length is formed with a generally pointed end tip by pulling adjacent parts of a wire along the wire axis respectively in opposite directions from a desired wire breakage site. The tension and timing of the pulling operation are selected so that a desired tip profile is achieved. Initial alignment is done using machine vision. Subsequent adjustment is effected in dependence on feedback from sensors mounted close to the end of a wire insertion arm. Breakage and push insertion of wires is done using alternating gripping and moving of chucks or collets which have aperture shapes close in profile to the outer profile of the wire lengths.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for loading elongate wire lengths into elongate cells of a honeycomb ceramic substrate unit for a gaseous emissions treatment assembly, the method comprising, forming lengths of the wire with generally pointed profile tips, aligning axes of the wire lengths with axes of respective selected ones of the cells, moving the wire lengths so that the tips enter into ends of the respective selected cells, and pushing the wire lengths to desired positions within the respective cells;
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monitoring a reactive force acting on a wire length as it is inserted into a respective cell and, on the basis of the monitored reactive force, adjusting insertion conditions to limit or reduce the reactive force; and wherein the monitoring of the reactive force is effected using a sensor mounted near a leading end of a wire length insertion arm or in a drive to the insertion arm. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification