Abstract: The regeneration responses of diesel engine exhaust filters are mapped by conducting multiple regeneration runs under controlled conditions of soot loading, exhaust temperature, exhaust flow rate, exhaust oxygen content and/or other regeneration condition variables to generate a multivariate response surface or filter map that can be used to predict regeneration response under other conditions and aid in the design and active management of the filters to improve filter efficiency and extend filter service life.

Abstract: The regeneration responses of diesel engine exhaust filters are mapped by conducting multiple regeneration runs under controlled conditions of soot loading, exhaust temperature, exhaust flow rate, exhaust oxygen content and/or other regeneration condition variables to generate a multivariate response surface or filter map that can be used to predict regeneration response under other conditions and aid in the design and active management of the filters to improve filter efficiency and extend filter service life.

Abstract: A method of assembling a catalytic converter comprising the steps of: (1) providing a metal shell exhibiting a predetermined shape that substantially matches the shape of the ceramic substrate; (2) inserting into the metal shell a sufficient amount of a resilient supporting mat material to form a encircling mat layer; (3) compressing the encircling mat layer to an initial gap bulk density, the initial gap bulk density being higher than the final gap bulk density; (4) releasing the compression-on the mat layer and prior to the mat layer reaching its final gap bulk density, inserting at least a portion of the substrate into the encircling mat layered metal shell and then allowing the mat layer to further release until the mat layer is compressed against the ceramic substrate at the final predetermined gap bulk density.

Abstract: A catalytic converter for purifying exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine includes a monolithic ceramic substrate having a peripheral surface encircled by a non-intumescent supporting mat material. A metal shell comprising a wider portion which is adjacent to and encloses the mat material and the substrate. The metal shell further comprises a narrower portion which overlaps and is attached to the outer surface of the wider metal shell portion. The wider and narrower metal shell portions combine to exert a compressive force on the wrapped substrate.

Abstract: A method of assembling a catalytic converter comprising the steps of: (1) providing a metal shell exhibiting a predetermined shape that substantially matches the shape of the ceramic substrate; (2) inserting into the metal shell a sufficient amount of a resilient supporting mat material to form a encircling mat layer; (3) compressing the encircling mat layer to an initial gap bulk density, the initial gap bulk density being higher than the final gap bulk density; (4) releasing the compression on the mat layer and prior to the mat layer reaching its final gap bulk density, inserting at least a portion of the substrate into the encircling mat layered metal shell and then allowing the mat layer to further release until the mat layer is compressed against the ceramic substrate at the final predetermined gap bulk density.

Abstract: A catalytic converter for purifying exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine includes a monolithic ceramic substrate having a peripheral surface encircled by a non-intumescent supporting mat material. A metal shell comprising a wider portion which is adjacent to and encloses the mat material and the substrate. The metal shell further comprises a narrower portion, preferably triangularly shaped, that overlaps and is attached to the outer surface of the wider metal shell portion. The wider and narrower metal shell portions combine to exert a compressive force on the wrapped substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing the durability of a catalytic converter incorporating a catalyst support honeycomb supported by a resilient mounting material within an exterior converter enclosure, the method comprising vibrating the exterior of the converter enclosure while the converter is heated to a predetermined testing temperature and while the force or acceleration applied to the catalyst support honeycomb by the vibrating exterior enclosure and resilient mounting layer is measured.

Abstract: Ceramic honeycombs used as catalyst supports for combustion engine exhaust pollution control are provided with insulating porous refractory thermal barrier coatings disposed on and bonded to at least a portion of the external skins of the honeycombs, reducing the outer barrier coating surface temperature to provide thermal protection for the resilient fiber support materials used to mount the supports in catalytic converter enclosures.

Abstract: A mineral-insulated cable termination offering hermetic sealing of the cable end at temperatures in excess of 300.degree. C. having a metal spacer or extension sealed to the cable sheath which matches the cable conductor in thermal expansion, and a high-expansion, refractory glass, ceramic, or glass-ceramic seal filling the gap between and sealed to each of the spacer and the cable sheath, the termination offering stable protection for the cable insulation under corrosive high-temperature operating conditions.

Abstract: Plasticized inorganic powder batches comprising a cellulosic binder, water, and at least one inorganic powder exhibiting relatively high water affinity are compounded by combining the inorganic powder, prior to any contact with the water or cellulosic binder, with an organic surface treatment agent to decrease the water affinity thereof; subsequent mixing of the treated powder with the water and the cellulosic binder forms a plasticized inorganic powder batch with improved extrusion, molding, or other shaping characteristics.

Abstract: In a process of forming cordierite-containing bodies, the water absorption capability or shrinkage of the bodies is controlled using the alumina-yielding ingredients. The process of controlling the water absorption capability or shrinkage includes the steps of providing alumina-yielding ingredients in the form of two aluminas having different particle sizes, wherein the ratio of the two particle sizes is in the range of from about 3:1 to 30:1 or 1:3 to 1:30. Next, a linear relationship between the cordierite-containing body's water absorption capability or shrinkage and the relative percentage of the alumina-yielding ingredients made up by the two aluminas is determined. After determining the linear relationship, a water absorption capability or shrinkage of the cordierite-containing body is selected in accordance with that relationship by adjusting the relative percentages of the two aluminas.

Abstract: Cordierite-containing articles are produced by a method comprising the steps of providing raw materials including including alumina-yielding ingredients, magnesia-yielding ingredients, and silica-yielding ingredients, suitable to form an analytical batch composition by weight on an oxide basis of 9-20 weight percent MgO, 30-50 weight percent Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, and 41-56.5 weight percent SiO.sub.2. The raw materials include talc having a BET surface area of no greater than about 4.0 m.sup.2 /g, and uncalcined clay having an average particle size of no greater than about 2.0 .mu.m. The raw materials are blended with an effective amount of vehicle and forming aids to form a plastic mixture. The plastic mixture is anisostatically formed into a green body and dried. The dried green body is fired at a temperature and for a time effective to form a cordierite/containing ceramic article. The cordierite-containing articles exhibit a coefficient of thermal expansion of not greater than about 4.0.times.10.sup.-7 /.

Abstract: This invention relates to the high temperature stabilization of aluminum titanate and aluminum titanate-mullite compositions by the addition of iron oxide. It has been found that iron oxide concentrations greater than 5 weight percent and as high as approxkmately 25 weight percent have a stabilization effect at high temperatures on aluminum titanates. The resultant ceramic body is further enhanced by the addition of from 0.1 to 5 weight percent rare earth oxide.

Abstract: This invention relates to the high temperature stabilization of aluminum titanate and aluminum titanate-mullite compositions by the addition of iron oxide. It has been found that iron oxide concentrations greater than 5 weight percent and as high as approximately 25 weight percent have a stabilization effect at high temperatures on aluminum titanates. The resultant ceramic body is further enhanced by the addition of from 0.1 to 5 weight percent rare earth oxide.