Filter for internal combustion exhaust gases

• US 4,039,294 A
• Filed: 05/21/1975
• Issued: 08/02/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Charles A. Ropes Jr, Edward A. Mayer, John M. Crone Jr, John T. Brandenburg
• Original Assignee: Charles A. Ropes Jr, Edward A. Mayer, John M. Crone Jr, John T. Brandenburg
• Inventors: Mayer, Edward A., Crone, John M. Jr., Brandenburg, John T., Ropes, Charles A. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Scovronek, Joseph
• Application Number:
  US05/579,513
• Time in Patent Office: 804 Days
• Field of Search: 23/288 F, 23/288 FA, 23/288 FB, 23/288 FC, 55/DIG. 30, 60/299
• US Class Current: 422/171
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/86 Catalytic processes
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2330/10 Fibrous material, e.g. mineral or metallic wool
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/2807 Metal other than sintered metal F01N3/2832 and F01N3/2835 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/2835 fibrous
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/285 specially adapted for fibrous supports, e.g. held in place by screens
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/2892 Exhaust flow directors or the like, e.g. upstream of catalytic device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 55/30 Exhaust treatment

Abstract

A smoke filter adapted to receive a stream of hot engine exhaust gas and to remove particulate carbon particles therefrom. The hot exhaust gas stream is passed progressively across catalytic beds which are spaced slightly apart within a closed casing. Each catalytic bed is mounted to an individual support member which is in turn cross braced with tension elements to protect the catalyst material from damage due to shock loading and high localized temperatures experienced within the catalyst bed.

Claims

1. A catalytic filter for cleaning a high temperature exhaust gas stream discharged from an internal combustion engine as a result of the combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel and air mixture, which catalytic filter includes an elongated closed casing having opposed end walls,

inlet and outlet means disposed at the respective opposed end walls, and casing side walls which define a longitudinal gas passage therethrough communicating the respective inlet and outlet means,

a plurality of discrete gas permeable catalytic beds disposed in longitudinally spaced relationship within said longitudinal passage to contact said stream of hot exhaust gas which passes therethrough, each of said discrete gas permeable catalyst beds including;

a central core member having opposed core ends, and end panels carried on the respective core ends,

said end panels including an outer ring adapted to be slidably inserted within said casing, and radially positioned fins extending between a core end and the outer ring adjacent thereto,

support tension members extending between, and fixed to, an outer ring and the opposite core end, and

a catalytic material disposed intermediate said respective end panels and surrounding said support tension members and supported by the latter,

said support tension members including a plurality of discrete elements, spaced equidistant apart about said outer ring and said core end respectively, to define a conical pattern.

2. In the apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said support tension members include a plurality of flexible wires.

3. In the apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said support tension members include a plurality of rigid elements.

4. In the apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said closed casing includes a plurality of coaxially aligned frusto conical members positioned concentrically one within the other to define a plurality of annular outwardly divergent passages between adjacent walls thereof for dispersing said exhaust gas toward the catalyst bed.