Abstract: An electrically-heated catalyst is disclosed. The catalyst may include a carrier; more than two comb-shaped electrode portions extending in a longitudinal direction; an electrically conductive underlying layer provided between the carrier and the comb-shaped electrode portions; and more than two electrically conductive fixing layers bonding to at least one of the comb-shaped electrode portions and to the underlying layer to fix the comb-shaped electrode portions to the carrier at more than two points spaced apart.

Abstract: An electrically-heated catalyst is disclosed. The catalyst may include a carrier; more than two comb-shaped electrode portions extending in a longitudinal direction; an electrically conductive underlying layer provided between the carrier and the comb-shaped electrode portions; and more than two electrically conductive fixing layers bonding to at least one of the comb-shaped electrode portions and to the underlying layer to fix the comb-shaped electrode portions to the carrier at more than two points spaced apart.

Abstract: A tandem support structure for an exhaust gas purifying catalyst comprises a sleeve, a first honeycomb disposed on an upstream side of exhaust gases, and a second honeycomb disposed on a downstream side of exhaust gases at a position axially separated from the first honeycomb. The second honeycomb is fixed to the sleeve, and the first honeycomb is held by a holding member which axially extends in an upstream direction from said second honeycomb, without contacting the sleeve. Since an air layer exists between the first honeycomb and the sleeve, heat radiation from the first honeycomb is prevented and temperature rising characteristics of the first honeycomb are improved.

Abstract: A catalytic converter for use in the gas exhaust system of an internal combustion engine. The converter includes two honeycomb cores which are disposed in the direction of the exhaust gas flow in the gas exhaust. The honeycomb cores include a catalyst for purifying the exhaust gas. The converter also includes an outer tube for housing the honeycomb cores and an intermediate tube which is disposed between the outer tube and the honeycomb cores. The intermediate tube includes a plurality of flexible portions for absorbing dimensional variations in the honeycomb cores and the outer tube.

Abstract: A metallic support for an exhaust gas purifying catalyst includes a honeycomb body, an outer cylinder, and an intermediate cylinder interposed between the honeycomb body and the outer cylinder. The intermediate cylinder has flexible portions disposed on at least one of ends thereof at predetermined intervals in series in a circumferential direction thereof, and the flexible portions are joined to one of the honeycomb body and the outer cylinder. Thus, the flexible portions are made deformable in directions reducing and enlarging the intervals, and the expansion and contraction forces of the honeycomb body and the outer cylinder are absorbed by the deformations of the flexible portions. Consequently, it is possible to prevent thermal stress from generating in the honeycomb body. Thus, breakage of the honeycomb body has been prevented further reliably.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a hydraulic valve lifter used in an internal combustion engine. The valve lifter has a body consisting of a hollow cylindrical portion accommodating a cylindrical plunger and a lower end portion engaging with a cam controlling the valve motion. The two portions are joined together by welding. The bottom of the plunger is cut out annularly for preventing interference between the plunger and flash, which flash is caused by welding and remains in the inner recess of the lifter body.