PROCESS FOR CURING A POROUS MUFFLER PREFORM
First Claim
1. A process for curing a porous muffler preform defined by a plurality of glass fibers and a heat-curing thermoset or thermoplastic materials applied to the plurality of glass fibers, the process comprising the steps of:
- enclosing the muffler preform in a chamber;
surrounding the muffler preform with steam; and
causing steam to enter the muffler preform from at least two directions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A process for curing a porous muffler preform defined by a plurality of glass fibers and a heat-curing thermoset or thermoplastic materials applied to the plurality of glass fibers is disclosed herein. The process includes the step of enclosing the muffler preform in a chamber. The process also includes the step of surrounding the muffler preform with steam. The process also includes the step of causing steam to enter the muffler preform from multiple directions.
51 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A process for curing a porous muffler preform defined by a plurality of glass fibers and a heat-curing thermoset or thermoplastic materials applied to the plurality of glass fibers, the process comprising the steps of:
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enclosing the muffler preform in a chamber; surrounding the muffler preform with steam; and causing steam to enter the muffler preform from at least two directions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A process for curing a porous muffler preform defined by a plurality of glass fibers and a heat-curing thermoset or thermoplastic materials applied to the plurality of glass fibers, the process comprising the steps of:
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enclosing the muffler preform in a chamber at a first pressure; and injecting steam into the chamber through an inlet port after the enclosing step wherein the steam is directed by baffling surfaces inside the chamber so as to not directly impinge the steam on the muffler preform. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A process for curing a porous muffler preform defined by a plurality of glass fibers and a heat-curing thermoset or thermoplastic materials applied to the plurality of glass fibers, the process comprising the steps of:
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enclosing the muffler preform at a first temperature in a chamber at first pressure; surrounding the muffler preform after the enclosing step with steam at a second pressure greater than atmospheric and the first pressure and at second temperature substantially at the boiling point of water based on the second pressure; and causing steam to enter the muffler preform wherein water is condensed on the muffler preform thereby imparting heat to the heat-curing thermoset or thermoplastic materials. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification