Abstract: Hybrid seals (117) are provided which include a metallic component (127) and a flexible, non-metallic, heat resistant component (129), e.g., graphite, which are fully integrated in the finished seal and thus not subject to delamination. The hybrid seals (117) can be produced from hybrid heat resistant strips (107) that can be wrapped into a preform (109) and then compression molded to form the hybrid seal (117). The hybrid strips (107) have a core (111) that comprises a flexible, non-metallic, heat resistant material and a metal mesh (113) knitted around the core. Prior to being formed into a preform (109), the core and the metal mesh are crimped together to begin the process of integrating the metallic and non-metallic components of the seal. The compression molding completes the integration.

Abstract: A compressed knitted wire mesh article having soft and hard wires, some of which are flat and some of which are round, is used a bushing, seal, seat, bushing, or catalyst support, and is especially useful as an end seal for a catalytic converter. The soft wire can be flat and disposed on the outside to aid it shielding the internal wire from corrosion due to impingement of hot exhaust gasses, and provides increased surface area for better sealing around the catalytic monolith. The hard and soft wires can be co-knit in the same knitting head as alternating wires or in any order, or with one wire wrapped around the other being fed to the knitting needle, or as a striped pattern. The mesh can be textured by precompression, such as crimping between rolls.

Abstract: Two gas conduits of different sizes are connected in a sliding arrangement using a combination of a seal and a bushing, each independently made from knitted wire mesh or wound wire. If a mesh is used, it can be impregnated with a filler, such as mica or graphite, for increased density. Especially useful for vehicle exhaust systems, the arrangement facilitates the use of after-market parts that may have different dimensions than OEM parts. This design slidably connects two gas conduits of different sizes and/or geometries.

Abstract: A compressed knitted wire mesh article having soft and hard wires, some of which are flat and some of which are round, is used a bushing, seal, seat, bushing, or catalyst support, and is especially useful as an end seal for a catalytic converter. The soft wire can be flat and disposed on the outside to aid it shielding the internal wire from corrosion due to impingement of hot exhaust gasses, and provides increased surface area for better sealing around the catalytic monolith. The hard and soft wires can be co-knit in the same knitting head as alternating wires or in any order, or with one wire wrapped around the other being fed to the knitting needle, or as a striped pattern. The mesh can be textured by precompression, such as crimping between rolls.

Abstract: A wire mesh element having soft wire on the outside and precipitation-hardened wire on the inside is used a bushing, seal, seat, or support, and is useful as an end seal for a catalytic converter. The soft wire on the outside can be flat to aid it shielding the internal wire from corrosion due to impingement hot exhaust gasses.

Abstract: A wire mesh element having soft wire on the outside and precipitation-hardened wire on the inside is used a bushing, seal, seat, or support, and is useful as an end seal for a catalytic converter. The soft wire on the outside can be flat to aid it shielding the internal wire from corrosion due to impingement hot exhaust gasses.

Abstract: A mechanical damper and support, especially suitable for supporting a catalytic converter ceramic monolith within a metal housing, is provided by two or more layers of a knitted wire mesh crimped into a bidirectional pattern such as a herringbone pattern.

Abstract: High temperature resistant materials, one including between approximately 45 and 55 dry weight percent of high temperature resistant Silica fibers, and the other including between approximately 50 and 60 dry weight percent of magnesium silicate, that have improved physical properties, such as being capable of withstanding temperatures in excess of 2,000° F., effective sealing, and being sufficiently resiliently compressible for cushioning a monolithic catalyst structure against breakage due to external physical shocks.

Abstract: A high temperature, composite structure includes a blank of wire mesh material fabricated from drawn wire from a stainless steel rod. The drawn wire is annealed and mixed to create raw material. The mixed raw material is knitted to create the blank of wire mesh material, the blank of wire mesh material having voids formed therein. A dispersion comprising vermiculite as a binder is impregnated within the blank of wire mesh material. The dispersion substantially fills the voids of the blank of wire mesh material. A method of manufacturing the structure is further disclosed. Specifically, the method includes the steps of providing a blank of wire mesh material having voids formed therein, impregnating the blank of wire mesh material with a dispersion consisting of vermiculite, the dispersion substantially filling the voids, eliminating a water fraction of the dispersion, and pressing the impregnated blank of wire mesh material to a desired shape and density.