Vacuum-insulated exhaust treatment devices, such as catalytic converters, with passive controls
US7431896B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 2, 2005 |
| Grant date | Oct 7, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 4, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49345
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A thermally-activated exhaust treatment device, such as a catalytic converter, for vehicles includes a core having an inner housing and a catalytic material. A jacket includes an outer housing enclosing the inner housing, but characteristically not contacting the inner housing. The inner and outer housings include walls forming a vacuum-drawn sealed insulation cavity around the inner housing. A temperature-activated variable insulator device is positioned within the outer housing and includes a hydrogen source and controls for controlling the variable insulator device. A vacuum-maintenance device is incorporated into the insulation cavity, and includes a small container, getter material positioned in the container, and a porous member allowing gas in the insulation cavity to communicate with the getter material. A multi-layered radiation shield is positioned in the vacuum space and is loosely coupled to the inner housing. A vacuum detector includes a visible indicator of the vacuum in the insulation cavity.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.