Abstract: The invention is a flexible mask for use in charging a flowable material into selected cells of a honeycomb structure and is of particular utility in charging a sealing material into the ends of selected cells of such a structure during fabrication of solid particulate filter bodies and other selectively plugged honeycomb structures. The mask has a central body with a set of openings extending therethrough which allow passage of the flowable material through to the selected cells and a second set of protrusions extending from one of the surfaces of the mask which are used to align the mask to the end face of the structure and which extend into and sealably cover the cells which are not to receive the flowable material. The mask may be formed from a polymer, preferably an elastomer, using any of three disclosed die apparatuses.

Abstract: The invention is a flexible mask for use in charging a flowable material into selected cells of a honeycomb structure and is of particular utility in charging a sealing material into the ends of selected cells of such a structure during fabrication of solid particulate filter bodies and other selectively plugged honeycomb structures. The mask has a central body with a set of openings extending therethrough which allow passage of the flowable material through to the selected cells and a second set of protrusions extending from one of the surfaces of the mask which are used to align the mask to the end face of the structure and which extend into and sealably cover the cells which are not to receive the flowable material. The mask may be formed from a polymer, preferably an elastomer, using any of three disclosed die apparatuses.

Abstract: The invention is a flexible mask for use in charging a flowable material into selected cells of a honeycomb structure and is of particular utility in charging a sealing material into the ends of selected cells of such a structure during fabrication of solid particulate fitler bodies and other selectively plugged honeycomb structures. The mask has a central body with a set of openings extending therethrough which allow passage of the flowable material through to the selected cells and a second set of protrusions extending from one of the surfaces of the mask which are used to align the mask to the end face of the structure and which extend into and sealably cover the cells which are not to receive the flowable material. The mask may be formed from a polymer, preferably an elastomer, using any of three disclosed die apparatuses.

Abstract: Silicon-carbide-whisker-reinforced cordierite ceramic products are prepared by uniformly incorporating the whiskers in the ceramic batch, forming the batch into a product preform, e.g. by extrusion, and firing the preform according to a process wherein the conversion of the oxide batch materials to cordierite occurs under a non-oxidizing atmosphere. Significant improvements in product strength and thermal downshock resistance are obtained.

Abstract: The invention is a flexible mask for use in charging a flowable material into selected cells of a honeycomb structure and is of particular utility in chraging a sealing material into the ends of selected cells of such a structure during fabrication of solid particulate filter bodies and other selectively plugged honeycomb structures. The mask has a central body with a set of openings extending therethrough which allow passage of the flowable material through to the selected cells and a second set of protrusions extending from one of the surfaces of the mask which are used to align the mask to the end face of the structure and which extend into and sealably cover the cells which are not to receive the flowable material. The mask may be formed from a polymer, preferably an elastomer, using any of three disclosed die apparatuses.

Abstract: This invention is directed to means for expediting the fabrication of selectively-manifolded honeycomb structures for use as fluid filter elements. The method comprises the use of flexible masks which are properly aligned to the end faces of a honeycomb structure utilizing vibratory motion in conjunction with a locating wire. By varying the configuration of the masks, it is possible to fabricate a fluid filter element having a center zone which is selectively manifolded and an outer portion wherein at least the ends of the honeycomb structure cells are completely filled.

Abstract: The invention comprises solid particulate filter bodies having so-called "sloppy" plugging configurations in which clusters of mutually adjoining cell ends are plugged at the two end faces of a honeycomb structure such that the clusters at each end face adjoin or partially overlap one another and at least some of the cells of the structure are closed at both end faces while the remaining cells of the structure are closed at only one end face. Preferably "sloppy" plugging is accomplished by providing a pair of masks each having a plurality of opening extending therethrough which are sufficiently large to expose clusters of mutually adjoining cell ends and are positioned so as to partially overlap one another when the two masks are aligned opposing one another on opposite end faces of a honeycomb structure. A flowable plugging material charged through the masks plugs the clusters of cell ends at each end face.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical waveguide fiber coating system having means for cooling the hot fiber prior to the time that the fiber enters the coating apparatus. The cooling means comprises an elongated coolant tube through which the fiber passes. Cool dry helium is flowed into that end of the coolant tube into which the fiber enters. In a preferred embodiment, the coolant tube is surrounding by a chamber containing a liquified gas. The helium is cooled by flowing through a coil submerged in the liquified gas prior to being flowed into the tube. An iris diaphragm located at the fiber input end of the coolant tube prevents the entry of moist, warm air into that tube.

Abstract: The invention comprises solid particulate filter bodies having so-called "sloppy" plugging configurations in which clusters of mutually adjoining cell ends are plugged at the two end faces of a honeycomb structure such that the clusters at each end face adjoin or partially overlap one another and at least some of the cells of the structure are closed at both end faces while the remaining cells of the structure are closed at only one end face. Preferably "sloppy" plugging is accomplished by providing a pair of masks each having a plurality of opening extending therethrough which are sufficiently large to expose clusters of mutually adjoining cell ends and are positioned so as to partially overlap one another when the two masks are aligned opposing one another on opposite end faces of a honeycomb structure. A flowable plugging material charged through the masks plugs the clusters of cell ends at each end face.

Abstract: A solid particulate filtering apparatus employs a plurality of unidirectional flow type honeycomb filter elements operating in parallel to provide improved particulate loading and useful operating time than was provided by the single, long, narrow type of unidirectional flow filter previously employed. The effective collective diameter of the plurality of elements is greater than their effective length and, preferably, their individual effective diameters approximate or exceed their individual effective lengths to maximize the improved particulate loading capacity and operating time characteristics of the apparatus. The plurality of smaller elements are also subjected to lower thermally induced stresses than would be a single larger filter of the same effective aspect ratio and the described filter housing fosters flow about the outside of the elements further reducing the occurrence of stresses induced by thermal gradients within the filters.

Abstract: Filtering capacity of a honeycomb filter having a plurality of cells formed by a matrix of thin, porous intersecting walls and used for removing solid particulates mixed in fluids is improved by providing a porous outer wall around the thin walls through which the fluid is also filtered. A particulate barrier is provided between the outer wall and a conduit carrying the contaminated fluid to and filtered fluid from the filter which allows the fluid to flow along and through a substantial portion of the porous outer surface of the filter while preventing contaminated fluid from bypassing the filter. The barrier is preferably formed near an inlet or an outlet end face of the filter and those cells which are located around the periphery of the end faces are preferably open at that same end face and closed at the remaining end face to assure fluid flow across the porous outer wall.

Abstract: In a solid particulate filter of honeycomb structure comprising a matrix of thin, interconnecting porous walls defining groups of inlet and outlet cells, the characteristics of fluid flow through a first subset of the thin walls, being shared in common between adjoining inlet and outlet cells, are differentially controlled relative to that of a second subset of thin walls, being shared in common between adjoining inlet cells, by forming each subset with uniform thicknesses which differ between the subsets. In a brittle solid particulate filter of honycomb structure having opposing inlet and outlet end faces and cells extending therebetween, improved thermal shock capability is provided by selecting outlet cell geometries and orientations with respect to the inlet cells so as to form flexing or movable joints between some or all of the thin walls shared by adjoining inlet and outlet cells and the thin walls shared between adjoining inlet cells.

Abstract: A honeycomb filter having improved particulate capacity is provided by forming the filter from a matrix of thin interconnected porous walls defining a plurality of cells extending between opposing inlet and outlet end faces and closed near the outlet end face and, preferably, a porous outer skin surrounding the matrix of thin walls and extending between the inlet and outlet end faces of the filter. The thin walls and porous skin, if provided, have interconnected open porosity of a volume and size sufficient to enable the fluid to pass into and through the thin walls and skin to and through the outlet end face of the filter and/or to pass across the thickness of the porous skin (if provided) between the interior and exterior of the filter, while entrapping at least a significant portion of the solid particulates present in the fluid. The described filters may be formed from ceramic materials having primarily cordierite crystal phases for moderately high (up to at least 1200.degree. C.

Abstract: A diesel particulate filter for removing particulates from the exhaust gases of smaller displacement light duty vehicle diesel engines (about 3.0 liters or less cylinder displacement or more refined larger engines) which typically generate particulates at an average rate of about 0.45 gm./mile or less in a normal driving cycle comprising a honeycomb structure formed by a matrix of thin interconnected porous walls defining a multiplicity of cells extending, in preferred embodiments, in a substantially longitudinal and mutually parallel fashion through the filter. An inlet group of the cells is open at and define an inlet open end face of the filter. An outlet group of the cells is open at and define an outlet end face of the filter. The inlet cells are closed adjacent to the outlet end face and the outlet cells are closed adjacent to inlet end face.

Abstract: The invention is a flexible mask for use in charging a flowable material into selected cells of a honeycomb structure and is of particular utility in charging a sealing material into the ends of selected cells of such a structure during fabrication of solid particulate filter bodies and other selectively plugged honeycomb structures. The mask has a central body with a set of openings extending therethrough which allow passage of the flowable material through to the selected cells and a second set of protrusions extending from one of the surfaces of the mask which are used to align the mask to the end face of the structure and which extend into and sealably cover the cells which are not to receive the flowable material. The mask may be formed from a polymer, preferably an elastomer, using any of three disclosed die apparatuses.