Catalytic converter and method for manufacture thereof
US7032312B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 16, 2002 |
| Grant date | Apr 25, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 25, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49915
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A system and method for the manufacture of a laser-welded cone-shell catalytic converter (100) is provided. An unformed shell blank (111) is formed into a cylindroid shell (110) having overlapping edges (112), which are then resistance welded to produce a shell seam (116). The shell seam (116) is planished to a thickness (120) less than 125 percent of a thickness (119) of the unformed shell blank (111). A ceramic catalytic substrate (130) is wrapped in a ceramic-fiber mounting mat (131) and inserted into the shell (110). Ends (125) of the shell (110) are crimped to form a 1 mm turndown (134). A pair of endcones (140) is assembled, where for each endcone (140) an outer cone (141) is loaded with an endcone insulation (142), and an inner cone (143) is pressed into and spot-welded to the outer cone (141). The endcones (140) are fitted to the shell (110) so as to form an overlap zone (151). The endcones (140) and shell (110) are then laser welded by an Nd:YAG laser (253) in the overlap zone (151).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.