Coated honeycomb body assembly with measurement sensor and exhaust system having the assembly

• US 20060165567A1
• Filed: 03/30/2006
• Published: 07/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Emitec Gesellschaft für Emissionstechnologie mbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Emitec Gesellschaft für Emissionstechnologie mbH (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Hirth, Peter, Bruck, Rolf, Konieczny, Jorg-Roman
• Granted Patent: US 7,700,050 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/168
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 11/007 the diagnostic devices measuring oxygen or air concentration downstream of the exhaust apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 13/008 Mounting or arrangement of exhaust sensors in or on exhaust apparatus sensor arrangements for engine control F02D41/1439
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2330/38 flow channels with means to enhance flow mixing,(e.g. protrusions or projections)
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2560/02 the means being an exhaust gas sensor
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/2821 the support being provided with means to enhance the mixing process inside the converter, e.g. sheets, plates or foils with protrusions or projections to create turbulence
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/2825 Ceramics F01N3/2832, F01N3/2835 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/2842 specially adapted for monolithic supports, e.g. of honeycomb type F01N3/2853 - F01N3/2871 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 50/20 Air quality improvement or preservation, e.g. vehicle emission control or emission reduction by using catalytic converters
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

A honeycomb body assembly includes a honeycomb body with channels through which a fluid can flow. The channels extend between two end faces. At least one sensor extends at least partly into the honeycomb body. A first partial volume of the honeycomb body is defined between a first end face and the at least one first sensor. The honeycomb body has a lower capacity for oxygen in the first partial volume than in at least one further partial volume. An exhaust system with a space-saving configuration of such a honeycomb body is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A honeycomb body assembly, comprising:

a honeycomb body having one partial volume, at least one further partial volume, two end faces and passages through which a fluid can flow, said passages extended between said two end faces; and

at least one measurement sensor at least partially extended into said honeycomb body;

said one partial volume being disposed between one of said two end faces and said at least one measurement sensor, and said one partial volume having a lower capacity to take up oxygen than said at least one further partial volume.

2. The honeycomb body assembly according to claim 1, which further comprises a coating disposed in at least part of said one partial volume.

3. The honeycomb body assembly according to claim 1, wherein said one partial volume has an exchange of fluid flows between adjacent passages.

4. The honeycomb body assembly according to claim 3, which further comprises passage walls defining said passages, said passage walls having apertures formed therein at least in said one partial volume.

5. The honeycomb body assembly according to claim 4, wherein said apertures have a mean diameter in a range from 2 mm to 10 mm.

6. The honeycomb body assembly according to claim 4, wherein said apertures have microstructures, at least in said one partial volume.

7. The honeycomb body assembly according to claim 6, wherein said honeycomb body has an axis, and said microstructures divert the fluid in a direction transverse to said axis.

8. The honeycomb body assembly according to claim 1, wherein said honeycomb body has a total volume, and said one partial volume lies in a region of less than 30% of said total volume.

9. The honeycomb body assembly according to claim 1, wherein said honeycomb body has a total volume, and said one partial volume lies in a region of from 10% to 25% of said total volume.

10. The honeycomb body assembly according to claim 1, wherein said one partial volume has a length of from 10 mm to 40 mm, starting from said one end face.

11. The honeycomb body assembly according to claim 1, wherein said at least one measurement sensor is a single lambda measurement sensor.

12. The honeycomb body assembly according to claim 1, wherein said honeycomb body has an axis, a peripheral surface, and a recess starting from said peripheral surface and extending radially in direction of said axis, for accommodating said at least one measurement sensor.

13. The honeycomb body assembly according to claim 12, wherein said recess has at least one of a maximum extent in a range from 15 mm to 35 mm or a depth in a range from 15 mm to 40 mm.

14. The honeycomb body assembly according to claim 12, wherein said recess has a shape selected from the group consisting of oval-cylindrical, quadrilateral, and narrowing conically in direction of said axis.

15. The honeycomb body assembly according to claim 12, wherein said honeycomb body has a section at least partially surrounding said recess and not permitting exchange of adjacent flows.

16. The honeycomb body assembly according to claim 15, wherein said section has no apertures.

17. The honeycomb body assembly according to claim 16, wherein said section has a width in a range from 1 mm to 5 mm.

18. The honeycomb body assembly according to claim 1, wherein:

said at least one measurement sensor is a first measurement sensor disposed near said one end face and constructed as a lambda sensor;

a second measurement sensor is disposed between said first measurement sensor and the other of said two end faces;

said one partial volume is a first partial volume;

a second partial volume is disposed between said second measurement sensor and said-first measurement sensor; and

a third partial volume is disposed between said second measurement sensor and said other end face.

19. The honeycomb body assembly according to claim 18, which further comprises a first coating disposed in said first partial volume, and a second coating disposed in at least part of said second partial volume, said second coating having a greater capacity to take up oxygen than said first coating.

20. The honeycomb body assembly according to claim 19, which further comprises a third coating disposed in at least part of said third partial volume, said third coating having a lower catalytic activity than at least one of said first or second partial volumes.

21. The honeycomb body assembly according to claim 18, wherein at least one of said second or third partial volumes provide for an exchange of fluid flows between adjacent passages.

22. The honeycomb body assembly according to claim 18, wherein said second measurement sensor is positioned at a distance in a range of from 10 mm to 30 mm from said other end face.

23. The honeycomb body assembly according to claim 18, wherein said second measurement sensor is a sensor for monitoring nitrogen oxide levels in a fluid flow.

24. The honeycomb body assembly according to claim 1, wherein said honeycomb body is formed of at least partially structured sheet-metal foils defining said passages.

25. The honeycomb body assembly according to claim 1, which further comprises a housing surrounding said honeycomb body, said housing having at least one cutout formed therein for gastight fixing of said at least one measurement sensor.

26. An exhaust system, comprising:

a pipe section for positioning components for exhaust-gas aftertreatment, said pipe section having a longitudinal axis, a base with a lowest point, and a secondary axis intersecting said longitudinal axis and said lowest point of said base; and

at least one honeycomb body assembly according to claim 1 disposed in said pipe section;

said at least one measurement sensor being positioned within an angular range of 270°

disposed opposite said lowest point of said base.

27. The exhaust system according to claim 26, wherein said pipe section has a tertiary axis extended perpendicular to said secondary axis and extended through said longitudinal axis, and said at least one measurement sensor is positioned within an angular range of 45°

extended from said tertiary axis toward said lowest point of said base.