Catalyst Flow Body Recesses for Thermal Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Catalytic converter flow bodies face reliability and durability issues due to high thermal and mechanical loads, limiting their operational range and effectiveness in exhaust systems.

Innovation Solution

A method for producing a robust catalytic converter flow body involves creating a base body with flow channels, introducing recesses in partition walls to connect adjacent channels, and using channel seals for fluid-tight sealing, allowing for advantageous flow guidance and heat transfer, while being made from materials like cordierite and processed through extrusion and firing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional flow body designs are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but reliability and durability deteriorate under high thermal and mechanical loads

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidstructure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flow body is divided into multiple flow channels separated by partition walls, with recesses created in these partition walls to enable selective fluid communication between adjacent channels. This segmentation allows independent control of flow paths while maintaining structural integrity under thermal and mechanical loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Recesses are selectively created in specific partition walls at specific locations to establish desired flow connections between adjacent channels. The channel closures are then selectively placed in these recesses to control fluid communication locally, creating advantageous flow guidance patterns throughout the flow body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If flow channels are sealed completely, then fluid leakage is prevented, but heat transfer between adjacent channels deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesealingVSAvoidheat transfer
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The partition walls are segmented with recesses that create localized openings between adjacent flow channels. Channel closures are then selectively placed in these recesses to seal specific locations while leaving other recesses open, enabling controlled heat transfer between channels at selected positions while maintaining overall sealing integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the partition walls have different properties: some areas have channel closures for sealing, while other areas have open recesses for heat transfer. This local differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of both sealing reliability and heat transfer efficiency in different locations within the same flow body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method results in a catalytic converter flow body that is robust, usable across a wide operating range, and effective in heat transfer, enhancing the efficiency of pollutant conversion and reducing emissions.

Implementation Method 1

the base body is dried using a freeze-drying process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFreeze-drying: Freeze Drying

Implementation Method 2

the base body is manufactured using an extrusion process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectExtrusion: Extrusion

Implementation Method 3

A catalyst flow element can be used, for example, to convert pollutants into substances that are less harmful to health and/or the environment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentEP3219695B1Method for producing a catalyst flow body and catalyst flow body
Publication Date: 2019.07.17 HUG ENG
  • EP3219695B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3219695B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3219695B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In order to provide a method for manufacturing a catalyst flow body, by means of which robust catalyst flow bodies usable in a wide operating range can be produced, it is proposed that the following process steps be carried out in the process: the provision of a base body which comprises a plurality of flow channels; the introduction of recesses into partitions of the base body which separate the flow channels from one another, so that at least two adjacent flow channels in a common end region of the at least two adjacent flow channels within the base body are fluidly connected to each other; and the arrangement of channel closures in the common end region to fluidly seal the common end region while maintaining the fluidly effective connection between the at least two adjacent flow channels in the common end region.