Abstract: The invention relates to a particle filter, especially for exhaust gases of diesel-fuelled internal-combustion engines, with a plurality of filter walls that can be flowed through by the fluid for separating particles from a fluid stream, where the filter walls form a filter body, where the filter displays an inflow side and an outflow side and can be flowed through by the fluid to be cleaned in one direction of flow. In order to create a particle filter that can be regenerated quickly and easily, flow ducts for a purging fluid are provided in a direction transverse to the direction of flow of the fluid to be cleaned, extending through it and having a purging fluid inlet opening and a purging fluid outlet opening, through which the particles retained by the filter walls can be discharged from the filter body through the purging fluid flow ducts by means of the purging fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a particle filter with a plurality of filter walls with filter surfaces to be flowed through, where the filter displays an inflow side and an outflow side and the filter can be flowed through in one direction of flow, where the filter walls consist of a fabric that can be structured by deformation and are connected to each other in at least essentially particle-tight fashion on the inflow side and the outflow side of the filter. In the particle filter, a plurality of filter walls is formed by a continuous strip of filter material deposited into a three-dimensional body, forming deflection areas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a honeycomb (14), particularly a catalytic converter substrate, with a honeycomb structure comprising a large number of ducts (16) running in the longitudinal direction of the honeycomb, through which a fluid can flow, where the honeycomb possesses foil layers (15) arranged one above the other. In order to create a honeycomb permitting high efficiency of the catalytic conversion reactions with low thermal inertia, as well as inexpensive manufacture, it is proposed to provide ducts (16) whose cross-sectional dimension in a first direction is several times the cross-sectional dimension in another direction. In particular, the ducts can extend over the entire width of the honeycomb. In order to stabilise the honeycomb, stiffening elements (19, 20) can be provided, which are either integrated in the foil layers or separate (FIG. 3).

Abstract: The invention relates to a honeycomb (1), particularly a catalytic converter substrate, with a honeycomb structure comprising a large number of ducts (3) running in the longitudinal direction of the honeycomb (1), through which a fluid can flow, consisting of smooth and/or structured foils arranged to form plane or curved foil layers, and a housing (2) surrounding the honeycomb structure. In order to manufacture an inexpensive honeycomb that displays a sufficiently stable honeycomb structure under the anticipated stresses and that, in addition, is particularly resistance to thermal shocks, it is proposed that stiffening elements (7a, b) connected to the foils be provided that are capable of bearing tensile stresses, at least in their longitudinal directions, and that at least partially pass through the honeycomb structure and/or are located on the outside and at least partially surround the honeycomb.

Abstract: A catalytic converter substrate is provided with a large number of continuous flow paths for a fluid medium and with carrier elements for a catalyst material extending in the longitudinal direction of the flow paths. In order to create a substrate that leads to a catalytic converter with low pressure losses and low inertia with increased efficiency, carrier elements are provided that display edges around which flow is possible in the longitudinal direction of the flow paths. The carrier elements are designed in the form of wires 45, which are located in the middle of flow ducts 41, where the flow ducts are formed by an arrangement of foil layers 40. Stiffening wires 42, extending perpendicular to the foil layers, are provided for stabilisation of the substrate.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a honeycomb, particularly a catalytic converter substrate, with a honeycomb structure comprising a large number of ducts running in the longitudinal direction of the honeycomb, through which a fluid can flow, where the honeycomb displays structured foils arranged one above the other that are arranged to form plane or curved foil layers, and at least one stiffening element, introduced into the honeycomb structure, that extends essentially parallel to the foils, at least in parts. In order to create a honeycomb that displays sufficient stability with high resistance to thermal shocks, that permits the most favourable possible design of the flow ducts in terms of flow and that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, it is proposed that stiffening elements be introduced into the honeycomb, the dimensions of which transverse to their longitudinal direction are small compared to the dimensions of the honeycomb structure in this direction.

Abstract: A method of making a hollow shaft having multiple functional elements arranged along the axis of an inner shaft tube is provided. Several multiple shafts equipped with functional elements may be joined by expansion using probes inserted into the shafts and connected to a high pressure generator. In addition, a method of providing functional elements to an inner tube wherein the individual non-round functional elements have annular projections concentric to the base circle is provided, where the internal diameter of the functional elements is slightly larger than the external diameter of the shaft tube. The functional elements have an annular region on their lateral edges of approximately half the wall thickness that complements the adjacent non-round functional element to achieve a full wall thickness and the annular projections are produced by re-formation of the profile tube.

Abstract: A method for producing the supporting structure includes pressing-in an electrically insulating ceramic material, preferably in powdered form, on substantially all sides between the structures, and shaping the structures to be both accessible, at least in partial regions, and to exert pressure from substantially all sides onto the ceramic material, without touching one another, for metallic bonding to further structures. Another method for producing the supporting structure includes joining together the structures with three-dimensional form-locking connections by joint deformation, forming a surface or a surface layer being convertible chemically into an electric insulating layer on at least one of and between the structures, and subsequently converting the convertible surface or surface layer into an electrically insulating ceramic layer, in particular by oxidation, for creating an insulating layer being pressed-in on substantially all sides between the connections.

Abstract: An assembled hollow shaft, including an inner shaft tube with external functional elements mounted to the tube by radial expansion of axial sections of the tube that lie between the functional elements. Whereby the internal shaft tube is plastically deformed in the expansion sections and the external elements are resiliently deformed in the expansion sections. The functional elements are combined, at least in part, into multiple functional elements that include multiple individual parts which are combined in the axial direction. The parts include non-round individual parts that have annular projections in the axial direction concentric to a base circle. The annular projections have an internal diameter which is slightly larger than an external diameter of the inner shaft tube.

Abstract: An electrically insulating supporting structure, such as of an electrically heatable catalytic converter or honeycomb body being mechanically loadable in all directions for metallic bonding to electrically conductive components being electrically separated from one another, includes a first metallic structure, a second metallic structure and an electrically insulating, ceramic material disposed between the structures and three-dimensionally pressed-in from substantially all sides. The structures are shaped to exert pressure from substantially all sides onto the ceramic material, without touching one another.

Abstract: A hollow body and a method for producing a hollow body having at least two oval sleeves and an annular connecting journal between each of the sleeves. Each of the sleeves has uniform circumferential wall thickness and an outer peripheral region having a smaller radius and forming a crown. The annular connecting journals have a uniform circumferential wall thickness, a circular inner surface and are disposed between each of the oval sleeves. Each oval sleeve projects over the annular connecting journal in the region of the smaller radius with the projection being greatest at the crown. The wall thickness of the annular connecting journal is partly greater than the wall thickness of the oval sleeve. The annular connecting journal and the oval sleeve have equal cross-sectional areas. Material remaining between the annular connecting journal and the oval sleeves after forming is removed from the small radius region of the oval sleeve.

Abstract: A metal honeycomb body is disposed within a jacket member. At least partly structured sheet-metal layers are wrapped around one another and extend alternatingly back and forth in a curved, preferably involute, fashion between an outer annular region and an inner annular region of the honeycomb body. The sheet-metal layers form loops. At least three reversal lines are defined in the outer annular region, and the sheet-metal layers are intertwined about these reversal lines.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a condition of at least one partial volume of a catalytic converter through which a gas mixture flows, includes measuring a temperature with a sensor at least at one location or in a region within a partial volume during a change of chemical and/or physical properties of the gas mixture. The location or the region and a configuration of the sensor are selected in such a way that a reaction of the measured temperature to a change of the properties of the gas mixture is at least approximately representative of a reaction of the temperature in the partial volume of the catalytic converter. Set point values are determined for the respective change in the properties of the gas mixture on the basis of a thermodynamic model while taking physical boundary conditions and properties of the partial volume into account. The reaction of the measured temperature is determined and compared with the set point values.

Abstract: An assembly for operating an electrical heater in a catalytic converter system connected in an exhaust gas cleaning system downstream of an internal combustion engine. The electrical heater is supplied with an electrical heating current through an electronically controlled power switch. The system is heated with the electrical heater to or above a minimum temperature necessary for catalytic conversion. The temperature of the catalytic converter is measured and utilized as a controlled variable of at least two different control circuits. At least one preferred control circuit is defined from a plurality of control circuits. The system is controlled in regular operation with the preferred control circuit. The preferred control circuit is automatically monitored for malfunction and, if a malfunction is detected, control is automatically transferred to another control circuit.

Abstract: A process for producing hollow composite members, comprising the steps of: providing an outer material layer; providing a tubular supporting member within the outer layer; initially plastically expanding the supporting member to produce a connection between the outer layer and the supporting member; and subsequently plastically expanding the supporting member in a central region while simultaneously axially shortening the supporting member, so that a tensile prestress is generated in the circumferential direction and a compressive prestress is generated in the longitudinal direction of the outer layer.

Abstract: An electrically heatable honeycomb body, in particular a carrier body for a catalytic converter, includes wound, stacked or otherwise layered sheet-metal layers along which a fluid can flow in a primary flow direction, with at least some of the layers being structured. At least one layer has openings for lengthening and/or narrowing an electrically conductive path therein. The structuring of the layers and the formation and disposition of the openings cause adjacent layers to touch substantially only at locations without the openings in the at least one layer. A sheet-metal layer has raised locations and a periodic and in particular approximately undulating or trapezoidal structure with rising and falling regions and a periodicity defining a period.

Abstract: An exhaust gas system for an internal combustion engine, in particular an electrically heatable catalytic converter, includes a metallic sheath having tabs and at least one electrical conductor extending through the tabs. An electrically insulating, gas-tight leadthrough for the at least one electrical conductor in the vicinity of the tabs includes first and second successively disposed sections. The first section is closer to the exhaust gas system for electrical insulation and is resistant to temperatures up to 1300.degree. C., but need not be completely gas-tight. The second section is farther from the exhaust gas system and is gas-tight and electrically insulating for temperatures up to 500.degree. C.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a condition of at least one partial volume of a catalytic converter through which a gas mixture flows, includes measuring a temperature with a sensor at least at one location or in a region within a partial volume during a change of chemical and/or physical properties of the gas mixture. The location or the region and a configuration of the sensor are selected in such a way that a reaction of the measured temperature to a change of the properties of the gas mixture is at least approximately representative of a reaction of the temperature in the partial volume of the catalytic converter. Set point values are determined for the respective change in the properties of the gas mixture on the basis of a thermodynamic model while taking physical boundary conditions and properties of the partial volume into account. The reaction of the measured temperature is determined and compared with the set point values.

Abstract: A method for producing a honeycomb body includes the following steps: forming or winding a multi-layer hollow coil from at least one sheet-metal strip which has at least partial structuring; deforming the multi-layer hollow coil from the outside thereof towards the inside at at least three lines such that the at least one sheet-metal strip extends in loops between outer and inner reversal lines; and compacting the resulting deformed multi-layer structure about the inner reversal lines by rotationally intertwining the loops formed by the folded sheet-metal layers in a given direction.