Honeycomb body with an at least partially ceramic honeycomb structure and a receptacle for a measurement sensor, and process for producing such a honeycomb body

• US 8,080,081 B2
• Filed: 07/02/2007
• Issued: 12/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Emitec Gesellschaft für Emissionstechnologie mbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Emitec Gesellschaft für Emissionstechnologie mbH (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Brück, Rolf
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Duane
• Assistant Examiner(s): ORLANDO, AMBER ROSE
• Application Number:
  US11/825,081
• Publication Number:
  US 20070266686A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,632 Days
• Field of Search: 55522-524, 422168-182
• US Class Current: 55/523
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 35/56 Foraminous structures having flow-through passages or channels, e.g. grids or three-dimensional monoliths
• 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 2350/02 Fitting ceramic monoliths in a metallic housing
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/2828 Ceramic multi-channel monoliths, e.g. honeycombs
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/2853 using mats or gaskets between catalyst body and housing
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 50/20 Air quality improvement or preservation, e.g. vehicle emission control or emission reduction by using catalytic converters

Abstract

A honeycomb body, in particular for use in the exhaust system of a motor vehicle, includes an at least partially ceramic honeycomb structure through which a fluid can flow. The honeycomb structure is disposed in a tubular casing and has cavities. The honeycomb body has at least two axial subregions in a longitudinal direction. The honeycomb structure is connected to the tubular casing in an axial securing region and an axial measurement sensor region has a recess for accommodating a measurement sensor in the honeycomb structure. The honeycomb body has a permanent connection between the tubular casing and the ceramic honeycomb structure due to its preferably force-locking and/or form-locking connection between the tubular casing and the honeycomb structure in the securing region. Despite the recess, further damage to the honeycomb structure in the measurement sensor region is avoided. A process for producing such a honeycomb body is also provided.

Claims

1. A honeycomb body, comprising:

a tubular casing;

an extruded ceramic honeycomb structure through which a fluid can flow, said honeycomb structure being disposed in said tubular casing, said honeycomb structure having cavities and walls at least partially formed by porous material, said honeycomb structure having a circumferential outer surface;

at least three axial subregions disposed along a longitudinal direction of the honeycomb body, said at least three axial subregions including at least one axial securing region, at least one axial sealing region and at least one axial measurement sensor region;

at least one flexible or elastic mat disposed between said honeycomb structure and said tubular casing in said at least one axial securing region and said at least one axial sealing region;

said honeycomb structure being connected to said tubular casing in said at least one axial securing region with a connection applying greater holding forces to said honeycomb structure in said at least one securing region than in said at least one measurement sensor region, said connection between honeycomb structure and said tubular casing being produced by said mat, said connection being a force locking connection through the use of a press fit, a quotient of holding force in said at least one securing region to a holding force in the sealing region is greater than or equal to two; and

said at least one axial measurement sensor region having a recess formed therein for accommodating at least one measurement sensor in said honeycomb structure, said recess being formed in said circumferential outer surface, said at least one measurement sensor region being at least a circumferential region of the recess.

2. The honeycomb body according to claim 1, wherein said measurement sensor region is disposed between said sealing region and said securing region along said longitudinal direction.

3. The honeycomb body according to claim 1, wherein said sealing region is disposed in vicinity of an end side of the honeycomb body.

4. The honeycomb body according to claim 3, wherein said sealing region has a blow-out protector in direction of an end side of the honeycomb body.

5. The honeycomb body according to claim 1, which further comprises at least one connection between said honeycomb structure and said tubular casing being selected from the group consisting of:

a) a form-locking connection; and

b) a materially cohesive connection.

6. The honeycomb body according to claim 1, wherein said securing region has axial and circumferential subregions, and a connection between said tubular casing and said honeycomb structure is formed in at least one of said axial and circumferential subregions.

7. The honeycomb body according to claim 1, which further comprises at least one of a swellable mat, a ceramic fiber mat or an intermediate layer of mica disposed at least in a subregion between said honeycomb structure and said tubular casing.

8. The honeycomb body according to claim 1, wherein said tubular casing has a first internal diameter in said securing region and a second internal diameter in said measurement sensor region, and said second internal diameter is larger than said first internal diameter.

9. The honeycomb body according to claim 8, wherein said tubular casing curves convexly outward in at least one of circumferential or axial subregions, at least in said measurement sensor region.

10. The honeycomb body according to claim 1, wherein said measurement sensor region is disposed at a distance of between 20 and 60 mm from an end side of the honeycomb body.

11. The honeycomb body according to claim 1, wherein said measurement sensor region is disposed at a distance of between 30 and 50 mm from an end side of the honeycomb body.

12. The honeycomb body according to claim 1, wherein said measurement sensor region is disposed at a distance of between 35 and 45 mm from an end side of the honeycomb body.

14. The honeycomb body according to claim 1, wherein the quotient of holding force in said at least one securing region to a holding force in the sealing region is greater than or equal to three.

15. The honeycomb body according to claim 1, wherein the quotient of holding force in said at least one securing region to a holding force in the sealing region is greater than or equal to four.

13. A honeycomb body for an exhaust system of a motor vehicle, the honeycomb body comprising:

a tubular casing;

an at least partially ceramic honeycomb structure through which exhaust gas can flow, said honeycomb structure being disposed in said tubular casing, said honeycomb structure having cavities and walls at least partially formed by porous material, said honeycomb structure having a circumferential outer surface;

at least three axial subregions disposed along a longitudinal direction of the honeycomb body, said at least three axial subregions including at least one axial securing region, at least one axial sealing region and at least one axial measurement sensor region;

at least one flexible or elastic mat disposed between said honeycomb structure and said tubular casing in said at least one axial securing region and said at least one axial sealing region;

said honeycomb structure being connected to said tubular casing in said at least one axial securing region with a connection applying greater holding forces to said honeycomb structure in said at least one securing region than in said at least one measurement sensor region, said connection between honeycomb structure and said tubular casing being produced by said mat, said connection being a force locking connection through the use of a press fit, a quotient of holding force in said at least one securing region to a holding force in the sealing region being greater than or equal to two; and

said at least one axial measurement sensor region having a recess formed therein for accommodating at least one exhaust gas measurement sensor in said honeycomb structure, said recess being formed in said circumferential outer surface, said at least one measurement sensor region being at least a circumferential region of the recess.

16. The honeycomb body according to claim 13, wherein the quotient of holding force in said at least one securing region to a holding force in the sealing region is greater than or equal to three.

17. The honeycomb body according to claim 13, wherein the quotient of holding force in said at least one securing region to a holding force in the sealing region is greater than or equal to four.

18. A honeycomb body, comprising:

a tubular casing;

a ceramic honeycomb structure through which a fluid can flow, said honeycomb structure being disposed in said tubular casing, said honeycomb structure having cavities, said honeycomb structure having a circumferential outer surface;

at least three axial subregions disposed along a longitudinal direction of the honeycomb body, said at least three axial subregions including at least one axial securing region, at least one axial sealing region and at least one axial measurement sensor region;

at least one flexible or elastic mat disposed between said honeycomb structure and said tubular casing in said at least one axial securing region and said at least one axial sealing region;

said honeycomb structure being connected to said tubular casing in said at least one axial securing region with a connection applying greater holding forces to said honeycomb structure in said at least one securing region than in said at least one measurement sensor region, said connection between honeycomb structure and said tubular casing being produced by said mat, said connection being a force locking connection through the use of a press fit, a quotient of holding force in said at least one securing region to a holding force in the sealing region is greater than or equal to two; and

said at least one axial measurement sensor region having a recess formed therein for accommodating at least one measurement sensor in said honeycomb structure.