Patents by Inventor Houliang Li

Houliang Li has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7238327
    Abstract: A catalytic converter and method for its assembly including an external shell formed in two halves containing a catalytic substrate, two internal shields and two-piece inlet and outlet cones. The inlet and outlet cones are attached as halves to each side of the external shell, and are assembled to each other as the external shells are assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Automotive Components Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Carl Irving, Joseph Michael Lanzesira, Chris Darr, Houliang Li, Darren Nance
  • Publication number: 20040109796
    Abstract: A catalytic converter assembly made up of a two-piece external shell containing a catalytic substrate and two two-piece inlet and outlet cones. The inlet and outlet cones are attached as halves to each side of the external shell, and are assembled to each other as the external shells are assembled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl Irving, Joseph Michael Lanzesira, Chris Darr, Houliang Li, Darren Nance
  • Publication number: 20040081594
    Abstract: A catalytic converter for an automotive exhaust system or the like comprises a catalyst substrate disposed within a seamless metal housing preferably formed by a spin-forming process. The housing includes a midsection surrounding a catalyst substrate and an end section that extends from the midsection and defines an opening, which may be either an inlet or an outlet for the converter. An inner heat shield is affixed to the housing end section at the opening and includes a frustoconical section that is disposed about the substrate such that the substrate end is received in the frustoconical section. The frustoconical section is spaced apart from the first housing end section to insulate the housing end section from the heat of the exhaust gases and thereby reduces the temperature of the metal housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Houliang Li, Joseph Michael Lanzesira, Earl T. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6701617
    Abstract: A method is provided for forming a catalytic converter that includes a catalyst substrate having a noncircular circumference and surrounded by a metal housing. The catalyst substrate is initially measured to determine the radial dimension of the substrate circumference relative to a central axis. The substrate is wrapped in a compressible mat and arranged within a metal tube. The arrangement is subjected to a spin-forming process that forms the metal tube about the catalyst substrate. The spin-forming process includes rotating the metal tube about the substrate axis, while concurrently urging a metal-forming tool against the metal tube. The metal-forming tool is programmed to follow a metal-forming path corresponding to the substrate circumference plus a predetermined radial distance. In this manner, a metal housing is formed having a noncircular circumference corresponding in shape to the catalyst substrate and spaced apart by a uniform insulative layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Houliang Li, Joseph Michael Lanzesira, Earl T. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20040025341
    Abstract: A method is provided for forming a catalytic converter comprising a catalyst substrate having a noncircular circumference and a metal housing disposed about the substrate. The catalyst substrate is initially measured to determine the radial dimension of the substrate circumference relative to a central axis. The substrate is wrapped in a compressible mat and arranged within a metal tube. The arrangement is subjected to a spin-forming process that forms the metal tube about the catalyst substrate. The spin-forming process includes rotating the metal tube about the substrate axis, while concurrently urging a metal-forming tool against the metal tube. The metal-forming tool is programmed to follow a metal-forming path corresponding to the substrate circumference plus a predetermined radial distance. In this manner, a metal housing is formed having a noncircular circumference corresponding in shape to the catalyst substrate and spaced apart by a uniform insulative layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Houliang Li, Joseph Michael Lanzesira, Earl T. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20020062562
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed towards a catalytic converter installed in the motor vehicles. More specifically to a method of forming the end portion of the catalytic converter using the spinform technique. The catalytic converter defines a central axis and is rotated around the central axis. At least one roller is placed perpendicular to the central axis. The roller moves in a transverse direction with respect to the central axis such that the axis of the end portion is at an angle with respect to the central axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventors: Houliang Li, Earl Nelson, Joseph M. Lanzesira