Electrically heatable catalytic converter

• US 6,562,305 B1
• Filed: 08/14/2000
• Issued: 05/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Emitec Gesellschaft für Emissionstechnologie mbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Emitec Gesellschaft für Emissionstechnologie mbH (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Vierkötter, Manfred, Swars, Helmut
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAN, HIEN THI
• Application Number:
  US09/637,587
• Time in Patent Office: 1,002 Days
• Field of Search: 422/171, 422/174, 422/177, 422/179, 422/180, 422/221, 422/222, 422/211, 602/99, 603/00
• US Class Current: 422/174
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 15/04 comprising metal as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material next to a bituminous or tarry layer B32B11/08; next to a water-setting substance layer B32B13/06; next to a glass layer B32B17/061; next to a cellulosic plastic layer B32B23/042
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/206 Insulating
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2311/00 Metals, their alloys or their compounds
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2330/02 Metallic plates or honeycombs, e.g. superposed or rolled-up corrugated or otherwise deformed sheet metal
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/2026 directly electrifying the catalyst substrate, i.e. heating the electrically conductive catalyst substrate by joule effect
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/281 Metallic honeycomb monoliths made of stacked or rolled sheets, foils or plates
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/2853 using mats or gaskets between catalyst body and housing
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/2864 the mats or gaskets comprising two or more insulation layers
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49345 Catalytic device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49885 with coating before or during assembling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49888 Subsequently coating
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1234 Honeycomb, or with grain orientation or elongated elements in defined angular relationship in respective components [e.g., parallel, inter- secting, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24149 Honeycomb-like

Abstract

An electrically heatable catalytic converter has first and second, electrically conductive and electrically separated components and an electrically insulating, stabilizing supporting structure being mechanically loadable in all directions for metallic bonding to the components. The supporting structure includes a first metallic structure, a second metallic structure, and an electrically insulating, ceramic material being disposed between the first and second metallic structures and being three-dimensionally pressed-in from substantially all sides. The first and second metallic structures are shaped to exert pressure from substantially all sides onto said ceramic material, without touching one another, and they are respectively secured to the first and second components for fixing the components relative to one another.

Claims

1. An electrically heatable catalytic converter, comprising:

first and second, electrically conductive and electrically separated components; and

an electrically insulating, stabilizing supporting structure being mechanically loadable in all directions for metallic bonding to said components, said supporting structure including;

a first metallic structure;

a second metallic structure; and

an electrically insulating, ceramic material being disposed between said first and second metallic structures and being under three-dimensional pressure by contact of said first metallic structure and said second metallic structure from substantially all sides;

said first and second metallic structures being shaped to substantially surround said ceramic material and exert pressure from substantially all sides onto said ceramic material, without touching one another; and

said first metallic structure and said second metallic structure being respectively secured to said first and second components for fixing said components relative to one another.

2. The catalytic converter according to claim 1, including an interior of the catalytic converter, said supporting structure being disposed in said interior.

3. The catalytic converter according to claim 1, including end surfaces of the catalytic converter, said supporting structure being disposed at said end surfaces.

4. The catalytic converter according to claim 1, wherein:

said components are part of an electrically conductive honeycomb body having an interior and having an electrical subdivision into various partial regions;

said supporting structure is disposed between said partial regions in the interior of said honeycomb body for electrical subdivision and for mutual fixation of said various partial regions; and

said first metallic structure of said supporting structure is metallically firmly joined to one of said partial regions, and said second metallic structure is metallically firmly joined to another of said partial regions.

5. The catalytic converter according to claim 4, wherein said first and second metallic structures are joined to said partial regions by at least one joining technique selected from the group consisting of hard soldering, brazing, welding and sintering.

6. The catalytic converter according to claim 1, wherein:

said components are part of an electrically conductive honeycomb body having end surfaces and having an electrical subdivision into various partial regions;

said supporting structure is disposed on said end surfaces of said honeycomb body and supports said various partial regions against one another; and

said first metallic structure of said supporting structure is metallically firmly joined to one of said partial regions, and said second metallic structure is metallically firmly joined to another of said partial regions.

7. The catalytic converter according to claim 6, wherein said first and second metallic structures are joined to said partial regions by a joining technique selected from the group consisting of hard soldering, brazing, welding and sintering.