Abstract: The present invention provides a car exhaust purifying filter member which is high in the capacity to collect solid and liquid contents in exhausts and which has such high heat resistance as to be capable of withstanding heat when burned for cleaning and a method of manufacturing the same. A three-dimensional mesh-like metallic porous member made from Ni--Cr--Al and having a three-dimensional framework is heated at 800-1000 .degree. C. in the atmosphere to form on its surface a densely grown fibrous alumina crystal. This member is used as a filter member. Such a filter member shows excellent collecting capacity and corrosion resistance and can withstand high temperatures. Also, it is possible to firmly carry a catalyst on the fibrous alumina crystal formed on the surface. Because of its increased surface area, it has an increased catalyst carrying capacity.

Abstract: A regenerable gas filter cartridge for filtering particles from an exhaust gas includes a hollow tube having a perforated portion and an open end portion. The perforated portion has a diameter larger than the diameter of the open end portion. A filtering element is disposed on the hollow tube, and the filtering element extends over the larger diameter of the perforated portion and the smaller diameter of the open end portion.

Abstract: A filter device inserts into a duct having flow passing from upstream to downstream. The filter device includes fluted filter media having flutes formed therein. The filter forms a seal between the outer edge of the filter and the downstream side of the duct. The filter media may be rolled or stacked in layers to match the shape of the duct.

Abstract: The present invention provides an exhaust gas purifier for collecting particulates with fiber filters while reducing NO.sub.x by the action of granulated materials disposed on the outer sides of the fiber filters and having an NO.sub.x -reducing action. In this exhaust gas purifier, the fiber filters for collecting particulates contained in exhaust gas are constituted of a randomly laminated nonwoven fabric, and electric wire nets are disposed on the inner sides of the fiber filters. The granulated materials made of Ba.sub.3 Y.sub.4 O.sub.9, BaLa.sub.2 O.sub.4 or Ba.sub.2 In.sub.2 O.sub.5 having an NO.sub.x -reducing action are filled in a large numbers of cells of porous members disposed on the downstream sides of the fiber filters.

Abstract: A device for the treatment of exhaust gases such as a catalytic converter, a diesel particulate trap and the like, includes a housing having an inlet at one end and an outlet at its opposite end through which exhaust gases flow; a structure resiliently mounted within the housing, the structure having an outer surface and an inlet end surface at one end in communication with the inlet of the housing and an outlet end surface at an opposite end in communication with the outlet of the housing; and mounting element, disposed between the structure and the housing, for selectively exerting substantially stable mounting pressure against the housing and the structure over a temperature range of from about 20.degree. C. to at least about 1200.degree. C., wherein the mounting element is a flexible mounting mat including an integral, substantially non-expanding sheet comprising ceramic fibers, wherein the fibers are substantially shot free. The mat has flexible, structural integrity.

Abstract: In this DPF apparatus, the filters have large trapping areas and three-dimensionally and efficiently trap particulates contained in the exhaust gas thereby cleaning the gas and reducing the size of the apparatus. The DPF apparatus has the main filter installed in the case incorporated into the exhaust system, the sub-filter arranged in the central portion of the main filter, and the bypass cylinder interposed between these filters. The bypass valve is installed on the exhaust gas inflow side of the sub-filter to open and close the inflow port of the sub-filter. The main filter and the sub-filter are made from ceramics porous sheet filters, or comprise a nonwoven cloth made of silicon carbide fibers and a woven cloth made of ceramics long fibers chosen from Si-C and Si-C-Ti-O long fibers and arranged adjacent to and downstream of the nonwoven cloth. The mesh heaters are laminated over the main filter on the exhaust gas inflow side.

Abstract: An electrically heated catalyst installed in an exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine, featuring simple construction, without causing the flow resistance of the exhaust gases to increase, and consuming small amounts of electric power. The electrically heated catalyst has two electrodes of different polarities in a casing through which the exhaust gases flow and has at least one catalyst support that is folded plural times in a zig-zag manner in a direction intersecting the direction of flow of the exhaust gases without coming into contact with itself, the two ends of the catalyst support being connected to these two electrodes. The catalyst support is constituted by a flat foil and a corrugated foil that are joined together, and electric insulators are provided at the folding portions of the catalyst support to stretch and support the catalyst support inside the casing. Owing to the insulators, the catalyst support is held in the casing in a state of receiving tension.

Abstract: An ionization unit is placed in an engine exhaust system. The ionization unit comprises an inlet to a first chamber and an outlet from a second chamber. Within the first chamber there is located an anode mesh and a grid mesh adapted to place a negative charge upon particulate matter passing through the first chamber. Within the second chamber there is located an anode element positively charged to attract the negatively charged particulate matter. Relatively clean air is exhausted at the outlet.

Abstract: A reticulated ceramic filter for molten metal has an inlet portion with an inlet surface, an intermediate body portion contiguous with the inlet portion and an outlet portion with an outlet surface. The inlet surface is non-planar with upper surfaces and lower surfaces to provide a substantial contact area for molten metal supplied to the inlet surface.

Abstract: A particulate trap which can be used in a medium- or small-sized diesel engine car includes concentrically arranged cylindrical filters made of a three-dimensionally reticulated metallic porous material and a plate-shaped electric heater for regeneration having an output of 400 W or less, and is provided between the filters and spaced therefrom. The filters have a relatively shortened length. The heating amount of the filters by the heater is 0.60 W/cm.sup.2 or more. The filter has an increased thickness to make up for reduction in the filter surface area due to the shortened filter length. With this arrangement, it is possible to achieve a high regeneration efficiency with a low-output heater while suppressing heat loss.

Abstract: This diesel particulate filter comprises of a composite filter plate composed of thin filter plates formed out of ceramic fiber, and a latticed heating wire, and metal nets. The composite filter plate is bent into a bellows-like structure so as to increase a cross-sectional area of an exhaust gas passage. The latticed heating wire is formed to a current self-controlling type heating wire out of a material containing Ni as a main component the resistance value of which increases as the temperature rises. The particulates collected by the thin filter plates are burnt by supplying an electric current to the latticed heating wire. When a high-temperature region occurs on the thin filter plates, the level of an electric current flowing to the portion of the latticed heating wire which corresponds to the same region is reduced. Consequently, all the regions of the thin filter plates are heated at a uniform temperature, and the melting and breakage of the thin filter plates do not occur.

Abstract: Substantial improvements in the control of pollutants from internal combustion engines may be obtained by pre-drying a catalyst/hydrocarbon trap system and preferably incorporating a water trap in a catalyst/hydrocarbon trap system. A pre-drying system dries the water trap, HC trap and catalyst, eg upon engine switch-off.

Abstract: A modular filter for removing particulate matter from gases or liquids is disclosed. The filter includes at least two porous ceramic or ceramic composite modules and a heater structure for regenerating the modules by heating which is integral with the modules. The regenerating structure may also be a ceramic structure. The filter modules may be manufactured using micropyretic synthesis and manufactured to have interconnected porosity. The filter may be used to remove particulates from the exhaust of engines such as engines of land and water vehicles.

Abstract: A device for purifying a workstream of contaminants and method of making. One device is made of an inorganic monolithic porous particulate filter and a continuous uninterrupted coating of activated carbon impregnated into the pores of the filter. Preferably the filter has inlet and outlet faces, and a multiplicity of cells separated by porous walls and extending longitudinally and mutually parallel therethrough from inlet to outlet end, a portion of the total number of cells being plugged at the inlet end face, and the remaining portion of the total number of cells being plugged at the outlet end face of the device. Another device can be made entirely of activated carbon having the multicellular structure. A workstream containing contaminants is passed through the device to cause retention of the contaminants. The device can have electrically conducting mechanism for conducting electric current therethrough for removal of the contaminants and regeneration of the device.

Abstract: A filter assembly for use in an air remediation system is provided. The filter assembly includes a first and second filter member, each of which has a plurality of openings to define a plurality of separate flow passages. A granular filter material layer is disposed between the first and second filter members. A frame structure containing each of the first and second filter members as well as the granular filter material forms the self contained filter assembly.

Abstract: A honeycomb structure having a porous cell wall, wherein the surface roughness of the cell wall is at least 30 .mu.m. The open pore diameter at the cell wall surface is at least 10 .mu.m and the porosity of the cell wall is at least 40%. The honeycomb structure is made of alumina, cordierite, mullite, silicon nitride or aluminum nitride. In the alternative, the honeycomb structure may be made of silicon carbide. The honeycomb structure is used to form a diesel particulate filter.

Abstract: A back washing and regenerating apparatus for a diesel particulate filter, which can reliably, efficiently and instantly back wash particulate filters to regeneration in all zones which are not locally restricted. An impact air valve is positioned downstream of a particulate filter for blowing off particulates adhered to the particulate filter by an impact wave from the impact air valve into a particulate burning section and burning them off by the heat of a heater in the particulate burning section.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying filter for removing carbon particles from combustion exhaust gas, having a honeycomb structural body, flow passages that are sealed alternately at both ends by means of sealing portions to form checkerboard patterns. In the exhaust gas purifying filter according to the invention, lengths of the sealing portions formed in the flow passages of the honeycomb structural body vary randomly. An exhaust gas purifying apparatus utilizing the exhaust gas purifying filter according to the invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A Particulate Matter Filtration System, finding application for the filtration of particulate matter which is present in the combustion exhaust gases of internal combustion engines in general, manufacturing processes resulting in the generation of industrial factory exhaust, coal, wood or oil fired furnaces and the like and all particulate laden gas streams. The system comprises a rotating filter assembly comprised of a plurality of materials suitable for the filtration of such particulate matter from all particulate laden gas streams and is of sufficient volumetric construction in order to provide the proper filtering and flow with respect to the volume of gases generated by a particular application, an outer shell enclosure providing a radial boundary to confine the particles, a collector for the particles to come to rest in, and having a drive to provide the necessary rotational speed to provide aerodynamic and centrifugal forces.

Abstract: A particulate trap for diesel engine use which is less likely to vibrate or deform under exhaust pressures achieves goods results in particulate trapping properties, pressure drop, durability and regenerating properties. This trap has a filter element having a plurality of flat or cylindrical filters of three-dimensionally reticulated porous member. Longitudinally extending exhaust incoming and outgoing spaces are defined alternately between the adjacent filters by alternately closing the inlet and outlet ends of the spaces between the adjacent filters. Gas permeable reinforcing members are inserted in the exhaust outgoing spaces to prevent the filter from being deformed due to the difference between the pressure upstream and downstream of each filter produced when exhausts pass through the filters. Similar gas permeable reinforcing members may also be inserted in the exhaust incoming spaces or at both ends of the filter element to more positively prevent vibration of the filters.

Abstract: A method for regenerating a particulate collection filter by the use of a regenerative gas according to the present invention comprises a step for causing particulate combustion in only the downstream part of said filter in the flow of the regenerative gas by the use of the regenerative gas, and a step for causing the particulate combustion in the downstream part of the filter to propagate toward the upstream part of the filter in the flow of the regenerative gas. Therefore, the direction of propagation of the combustion is opposite to the direction of the flow of the regenerative gas so that only part of the particulate combustion heat in each part of the filter is transferred upstream. Accordingly, each part of the filter will not become too hot.

Abstract: A catalyst heater assembly for use in a catalytic converter comprising: an electric heater through which a flow of gas passes, wherein the electric heater heats the gas; a plurality of legs around an exterior of the heater, each leg extending in an axial direction toward a flow inlet of the catalytic converter; a flow tube having an inlet end and an outlet end, wherein each of the legs is attached to an exterior peripheral surface of the outlet end and wherein the inlet end is mounted at the flow inlet of the catalytic converter.

Abstract: According to the present invention, ceramics which are prepared by calcining a composition comprising raw ceramic materials and a microorganism and/or culture fluid thereof, wherein the microorganisms is capable of producing an antioxidation material. The ceramic of the present invention possesses a variety of activities of, for instance, improving the soil, decomposing sewage or sludge, and deodorizing an unpleasant odor.

Abstract: A honeycomb heater comprising a honeycomb structure and a catalyst layer supported on partition walls of the honeycomb structure. The honeycomb heater includes a first portion that is resistance adjusted such that the first portion is adapted to heat more quickly than a second portion of the honeycomb heater. The first portion includes at least an inlet end of the honeycomb that receives gas that flows therethrough. In addition, the first portion has an area along the gas inlet within a range of 5 to 50% of the sectional area of the gas inlet. The first portion may extend through the honeycomb structure and terminate before reaching the gas outlet of the heater. The partition walls of the first portion may have a different hydraulic diameter, different thickness or different cell density than the second portion of the honeycomb heater.

Abstract: A soot filtration device (1) in the exhaust gas section of a diesel internal-combustion engine comprises a housing with an exhaust gas inlet (2) and an outlet (3) for the filtered exhaust gas, a plurality of soot filter cartridges (4) arranged in the housing, and at least one regeneration apparatus (5). The soot filter cartridges (4) are arranged in at least two separate chambers (6), and each of these chambers (6) has a closable inlet opening (7).

Abstract: A honeycomb heater includes a honeycomb structure having a periphery, a front end, and a back end, including a plurality of passages which are defined by partition walls and extend in an axial direction of the honeycomb structure, the honeycomb structure being electrically conductive, whereby fluid flows through the passages from the front end to the back end; and a device for applying electric current to the honeycomb structure so as to generate heat; wherein at least one gap for obstructing electric current extends through the partition walls from the back end toward the front end but does not reach the front end so that, upon applying electric current to the honeycomb structure, a front region of the honeycomb structure heats more quickly than a back region of the honeycomb structure thereby a catalyst composition loaded onto the front region is activated earlier. Slit may extend between the front end and the back end.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an in-line engine exhaust system. In general, the exhaust system is comprised of the following: (1) a honeycomb structure having an inlet and outlet end disposed in a housing and located in an exhaust gas stream downstream from an engine and possessing a first substantially unobstructed flow region, a second more obstructed flow region adjacent the first region; and, (2) a fluidics apparatus disposed in the exhaust stream proximate to the first region for creating a negative flow zone within the first region, which in turn results in diverting a portion of the exhaust gases away from the first region. More specifically, the fluidics apparatus includes a source diversion fluid, typically air, a conduit for delivering the diversion fluid and a diverter body for diverting the diversion fluid.

Abstract: There is disclosed a diesel particulate filter for filtering exhaust gasses of a diesel engine while collecting particulates and burning them by electric heat. The diesel particulate filter includes at least one filter body disposed in a filter case with filtering passages characterized as coarseness or mesh which gradually changes density of the exhaust flow as it moves from an upstream side toward a downstream side.

Abstract: An electrically regenerable diesel particulate filter cartridge and filter comprising an electrically, variably resistive sheet(s) or tube which, when energized, provide sufficient heat to burn off soot particulates entrapped in the filter media.

Abstract: A corona source suitable for use in vehicle ignition systems uses a conductive coil that receives an RF input at one end and has a corona discharge site at the other end, with a reference electrode capacitively coupled to the coil. The pitch and the length of the coil are selected to produce a corona discharge in response to an RF input signal at a predetermined frequency and voltage, through quarter wavelength resonation. Either the new resonant coil or other corona discharge devices can be used to remediate fluid-borne wastes by initiating and sustaining RF corona discharges within the fluid. The pulses used to initiate the corona discharge preferably have alternating positive and negative components, with high initial voltages on the positive components to initiate the discharge, followed by lower positive voltage levels to sustain the discharge. Unipolar pulses, preferably with progressively decreasing voltage levels, can also be used.

Abstract: An electrically heatable converter body formed of thin metal core elements and a housing. The thin metal core elements have a distal end and a proximal end. The distal ends are secured to the housing, and at least some, preferably all, of the proximal ends are free of attachment to any rigid member.

Abstract: This DPF apparatus has the main filter and the sub-filter installed in the exhaust gas passage, with an open-close valve provided to the main filter and a bypass valve provided to the sub-filter. A particulate accumulation sensor is also installed in the exhaust gas passage on the inlet side of the main filter. In response to the detection signals from the particulate accumulation sensor and the temperature sensor, the controller operates the open-close valve and the bypass valve and applies electricity to the metal net forming heaters to incinerate collected particulates. The particulate accumulation sensor comprises a detection filter whose ventilation resistance per unit volume is almost equal to that of the filter body, terminals made of a conductive metal and attached to the ends of the detection filter, and a resistance sensor to measure resistance between the terminals.

Abstract: In this DPF apparatus, the filters have large trapping areas and three-dimensionally and efficiently trap particulates contained in the exhaust gas thereby cleaning the gas and reducing the size of the apparatus. The DPF apparatus has the main filter installed in the case incorporated into the exhaust system, the sub-filter arranged in the central portion of the main filter, and the bypass cylinder interposed between these filters. The bypass valve is installed on the exhaust gas inflow side of the sub-filter to open and close the inflow port of the sub-filter. The main filter and the sub-filter are made from ceramics porous sheet filters, or comprise a nonwoven cloth made of silicon carbide fibers and a woven cloth made of ceramics long fibers chosen from Si--C and Si--C--Ti--O long fibers and arranged adjacent to and downstream of the nonwoven cloth. The mesh heaters are laminated over the main filter on the exhaust gas inflow side.

Abstract: A honeycomb heater including a honeycomb structure which is made of a conductive material and which has a number of passages substantially parallel to a gas flow direction partitioned by partition walls and which has respective providing a gas inlet and a gas outlet, and at least two electrodes for electrification provided on the honeycomb structure. The honeycomb heater is characterized in that besides the passages, orifices which have a larger hydraulic diameter than the passages and which narrow a current flow path are formed at predetermined positions of the honeycomb structure to adjust resistance, whereby a specific region of the honeycomb heater is locally heated more quickly as compared with other regions at the time of the electrification.

Abstract: An electrically heatable honeycomb body, in particular a carrier body for a catalytic converter, includes wound, stacked or otherwise layered sheet-metal layers along which a fluid can flow in a primary flow direction, with at least some of the layers being structured. At least one layer has openings for lengthening and/or narrowing an electrically conductive path therein. The structuring of the layers and the formation and disposition of the openings cause adjacent layers to touch substantially only at locations without the openings in the at least one layer. A sheet-metal layer has raised locations and a periodic and in particular approximately undulating or trapezoidal structure with rising and falling regions and a periodicity defining a period.

Abstract: A filter utilizes a filter bed having a ceramic media to remove particulates from process emissions upstream of a regenerative incinerator to prevent fouling of the incinerator. To prevent the filter from fouling, the filter is adapted to "bake-off" contaminants from the filter bed by providing a flow of hot innocuous air through the filter. In addition, fluid can be flushed through the filter.

Abstract: An imaginary plane dividing a profile of a rough surface of a filter into halves with equal volume is defined as a mean plane. Assuming cutting the filter with the mean plane, a ratio of the total cross-sectional area of the recesses appearing to the whole area of the mean plane is defined as a Valley Level. An exhaust gas filter having a surface with a Valley Level of at most 20%, a porosity of 40% to 55% and an average pore diameter of 5 .mu.m to 50 .mu.m effectively collects fine particles contained in exhaust gases discharged from internal combustion engines, such as diesel engines, with little pressure loss, and has an improved releasability of deposited fine particles and can be readily regenerated by flow of blowback air, with high efficiency. When the filter has a specified two-layer structure, the Valley Level is readily controllable.

Abstract: An exhaust pipe construction for a motor vehicle includes a connecting device, a discharge device, and a filter disposed between the connecting device and the discharge device. The connecting device is a tee tube having a first port connected to an exhaust port of the engine compartment the motor vehicle, a second port connected to an intake port of the filter tank and a third port opened to the outside environment. The filter tank has a space for accommodating at least one filter unit. The filter tank has the intake port at a front end thereof and a discharge port at a rear end thereof, the discharge port being connected to the discharge device. The space inside the filter tank accommodates treated alkaline water of a predetermined amount. The filter unit has two guide tubes and three fork tubes, all of which have inlets at a baffling frame behind the intake port.

Abstract: A device for treating automobile exhaust with a static electrical charge. The inventive device includes a housing having inlet and outlet ports positionable into communication with an exhaust pipe of a vehicle. A folded mesh panel undulates through the housing and receives a static electrical charge from a generator to reduce emissions from exhaust gases passing therethrough.

Abstract: A converter having electrically heatable strips connected in an electrical circuit, and intertwined with non-electricvally heated thin metal strips, having an electrical connection, or anchor, from the electrically heatable thin metal strips to the non-electrically heated thin metal strips, whereby the potential difference between the electrically heatable strips non-electrically heatable thin metal strips is reduced.

Abstract: This diesel particulate filter apparatus comprises a main filter, a sub-filter provided in a central portion of the main filter, and a bypass cylinder interposed between the main filter and sub-filter. A filter body constituting the main filter is made of long ceramic fiber, and the surface of the filter body is covered with a metal net, which is then fixed thereto. A heat resisting metal coil is provided on the surface of the filter body which is at the exhaust gas introducing side, and a ceramic fiber twisting is wound around and fixed to the filter body. A bypass valve adapted to be opened and closed by an actuator is provided on an exhaust gas introducing side of the sub-filter, and an admission port of the sub-filter is opened and closed by the bypass valve.

Abstract: A process for recovery and reuse of liquids used as solvents and diluents in a chemical reaction and/or the processing of substances, the process include the introduction of a solvent, a diluent, and a substance to be reacted and/or processed into a processing plant, feeding a used mixture of solvent, diluent and residues into a recovery plant, separating the solvent, diluent and residue resulting from the chemical reaction and/or processing of substances, recycling the solvent and diluent back to the processing plant, ejecting residues, and ejecting the treated substances. The apparatus for carrying out the process is also described.

Abstract: An exhaust gas system for an internal combustion engine, in particular an electrically heatable catalytic converter, includes a metallic sheath having tabs and at least one electrical conductor extending through the tabs. An electrically insulating, gas-tight leadthrough for the at least one electrical conductor in the vicinity of the tabs includes first and second successively disposed sections. The first section is closer to the exhaust gas system for electrical insulation and is resistant to temperatures up to 1300.degree. C., but need not be completely gas-tight. The second section is farther from the exhaust gas system and is gas-tight and electrically insulating for temperatures up to 500.degree. C.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a filter body for collecting particulates is constituted of a fiber laminate material produced by laminating a fiber material comprising a core material in the form of a fiber, and a covering layer of a material different from that of the core material formed around the outer periphery of the core material by coating. The core material of the fiber material is selected from among inorganic fibers such as glass or ceramic fibers containing alumina, and heat-resistant alloy fibers each made of a heat-resistant alloy selected from among Ti-Al alloys, Fe alloys containing at least one of Mo, Cr and Ni, and Fe-Cr-Al-Y alloys. The covering layer is made of a material selected from among silicon carbide ceramics respectively derived from polytitanocarbosilane, polysilazane and polycarbosilane, thermoplastic materials, silicon carbide ceramics such as Si-C, Si-Ti-C-O and Si-C-O or silicon nitride ceramics such as Si-N-C-O, alumina ceramics, and zirconia ceramics.

Abstract: A diesel particulate filter apparatus comprises filter structures bent in a wavy profile, formed in a tubular form, and comprising ceramic fiber laminate materials formed by randomly laminating a ceramic fiber and wire nets laminated on the ceramic fiber laminate materials. First rigid members and second rigid members are fitted in and on both end portions of the filter structures. Tubular clamping members for clamping the filter structures in the thickness-wise direction thereof are provided on the outer sides of the second rigid members. Woven fabrics may be interposed between nonwoven fabrics of the ceramic fiber and the wire nets constituting the filter structures.

Abstract: An assembly combining a catalytic converter with a spiral muffler, particularly for small internal combustion engines. In series are an expansion chamber, a venturi for air injection, a catalytic converter, and a phase-spreading spiral muffler. The expansion chamber promotes proper operation of the venturi, as well as reducing engine exhaust back pressure and providing some noise reduction. The muffler has a spirally coiled exhaust channel dead-ended at its inner extremity, with an outer extremity serving as a muffled exhaust outlet. A distribution chamber is adjacent the spiral exhaust channel, sharing a common wall therewith, and a plurality of streamlined slotted openings spaced along the exhaust channel at different distances from the muffled exhaust outlet introduce gas from the distribution chamber into the spiral channel.

Abstract: An exhaust filter (10) removes pollutants from exhaust emitted by an internal combustion engine without producing substantial back pressure on the engine. The exhaust filter (10) is assembled from a frame (16), a mounting sleeve (14), and a replaceable filter cartridge (12). A series of baffles (40, 42, 44, 46, 48, and 50) are located along an exhaust passageway (84) within the cartridge (12) for diverting a first portion (88) of a flow of exhaust (80) through a filter media (78). An outlet (86) passes a second portion (90) of the flow of exhaust (80) from the exhaust filter (10) independently of the filter media (78).

Abstract: A metal honeycomb heating element is protectively mounted in an enclosure comprising a one-piece enclosure wall, the heater being supported between a circumferential support member and a circumferential compression ring attached to the enclosure wall. A diametrically balanced compressive force is maintained on the edges of the heating element by the compression ring and support, this force operating to significantly extend the life of the heater element under hot vibration. Heater slot separators and electrode feedthrough structures for extending the life of the heater element are also provided.

Abstract: An exhaust gas filter is provided, including a honeycomb structure having a plurality of partition walls defining through-holes extending along an axial direction. The through-holes include first and second groups. The first group is plugged via first sealing members at a second axial end of the honeycomb structure, while the second group is plugged via second sealing members at the first axial end of the honeycomb structure. The first group of through-holes is adapted to receive exhaust gas, and trap therein fine particles. The first sealing members have a three-dimensional micropore structure that includes interconnected pores to allow blowback air to pass therethrough. The blowback air flows through both the first sealing members and the partition walls defining the second through-holes so as to remove the fine particles that have collected in the first through-holes.

Abstract: There is disclosed a diesel particulate filter for collecting and burning particulates and exhaust gases of a diesel engine and a controlled device therefor. The diesel particulate filter includes a wire net of electric resistance metal fastened to a main filter to burn the particulates collected by the main filter in the exhaust gases of the diesel engine. There is included a bypass pipe which constitutes a sub-filter and which is disposed within a filter case. The bypass pipe is provided with an open-close valve in the vicinity of an inlet thereof. A cylindrical main filter made by laminating long fibers of ceramics is disposed between the bypass pipe and the filter case. The wire net of electric resistance metal for heating the main filter is fastened on one surface of the main filter for receiving the exhaust. A reinforcing net-like plate of a heat resistant metal is fastened on the other surface of the main filter for releasing the exhaust.