US3886739A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Heating of catalytic converter casing
Assignee: Universal Oil Products Co
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Filing: 1973-11-09
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Granted: 1975-06-03
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Expires: 1993-11-09
Abstract
Abstract The electric heating of a catalytic converter casing around the catalyst zone is provided to preclude the premature contraction of the casing and the crushing of the contained catalyst material while the catalyst is still in a high temperature, expanded condition. The heating operation will normally be controlled so as to be off during the periods that the engine is in operation and will also be cut off when the catalyst bed cools down to a predetermined low temperature where crushing will not be likely to occur.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard K Lee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:25
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01N; F01N13/00; F01N13/14; F01N3/00; F01N3/08; F01N3/10; F01N3/18; F01N3/20; F01N3/2006; F01N3/2013; F01N3/24; F01N3/28; F01N3/2839; F01N3/2842; F01N3/2846; F01N2330/00; F01N2330/02; F01N2330/06; F01N2330/08; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
239 words
In a combination of a catalytic converter and a control system therefor, said combination being utilized for effecting the conversion of an internal combustion engine exhaust gas stream passing through said catalytic converter, the improvement comprising, a converter housing having a wall portion surrounding a catalyst section therein, an electrical power source, a resistance heating means encompassing at least a part of said wall portion of said converter housing, said resistance heating means being in interconnection with said electrical power source, a temperature response means immersed in said catalyst section being responsive to the temperature therein, an ignition key means in interconnection with said engine for providing electrical power to said engine, a switch means in interconnection with said key means, said temperature responsive means and said electrical power source, said temperature responsive means actuating said switch means to thereby cut off said electrical power source to said resistance heating means at a predetermined temperature when the ignition key means provides power to said engine, and conversely closing said switch means to provide electrical power to said resistance heating means at a predetermined temperature when said ignition key means is deactuated and said engine is thereby deactuated, thereby to preclude rapid cooling of said converter housing and consequent compressive crushing action therefrom on the encompassed catalyst within said catalyst section after engine cut-off and while said catalyst is in a high temperature expanded state resultant upon ordinary engine operation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
239 words
In a combination of a catalytic converter and a control system therefor, said combination being utilized for effecting the conversion of an internal combustion engine exhaust gas stream passing through said catalytic converter, the improvement comprising, a converter housing having a wall portion surrounding a catalyst section therein, an electrical power source, a resistance heating means encompassing at least a part of said wall portion of said converter housing, said resistance heating means being in interconnection with said electrical power source, a temperature response means immersed in said catalyst section being responsive to the temperature therein, an ignition key means in interconnection with said engine for providing electrical power to said engine, a switch means in interconnection with said key means, said temperature responsive means and said electrical power source, said temperature responsive means actuating said switch means to thereby cut off said electrical power source to said resistance heating means at a predetermined temperature when the ignition key means provides power to said engine, and conversely closing said switch means to provide electrical power to said resistance heating means at a predetermined temperature when said ignition key means is deactuated and said engine is thereby deactuated, thereby to preclude rapid cooling of said converter housing and consequent compressive crushing action therefrom on the encompassed catalyst within said catalyst section after engine cut-off and while said catalyst is in a high temperature expanded state resultant upon ordinary engine operation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
239 words
In a combination of a catalytic converter and a control system therefor, said combination being utilized for effecting the conversion of an internal combustion engine exhaust gas stream passing through said catalytic converter, the improvement comprising, a converter housing having a wall portion surrounding a catalyst section therein, an electrical power source, a resistance heating means encompassing at least a part of said wall portion of said converter housing, said resistance heating means being in interconnection with said electrical power source, a temperature response means immersed in said catalyst section being responsive to the temperature therein, an ignition key means in interconnection with said engine for providing electrical power to said engine, a switch means in interconnection with said key means, said temperature responsive means and said electrical power source, said temperature responsive means actuating said switch means to thereby cut off said electrical power source to said resistance heating means at a predetermined temperature when the ignition key means provides power to said engine, and conversely closing said switch means to provide electrical power to said resistance heating means at a predetermined temperature when said ignition key means is deactuated and said engine is thereby deactuated, thereby to preclude rapid cooling of said converter housing and consequent compressive crushing action therefrom on the encompassed catalyst within said catalyst section after engine cut-off and while said catalyst is in a high temperature expanded state resultant upon ordinary engine operation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
239 words
In a combination of a catalytic converter and a control system therefor, said combination being utilized for effecting the conversion of an internal combustion engine exhaust gas stream passing through said catalytic converter, the improvement comprising, a converter housing having a wall portion surrounding a catalyst section therein, an electrical power source, a resistance heating means encompassing at least a part of said wall portion of said converter housing, said resistance heating means being in interconnection with said electrical power source, a temperature response means immersed in said catalyst section being responsive to the temperature therein, an ignition key means in interconnection with said engine for providing electrical power to said engine, a switch means in interconnection with said key means, said temperature responsive means and said electrical power source, said temperature responsive means actuating said switch means to thereby cut off said electrical power source to said resistance heating means at a predetermined temperature when the ignition key means provides power to said engine, and conversely closing said switch means to provide electrical power to said resistance heating means at a predetermined temperature when said ignition key means is deactuated and said engine is thereby deactuated, thereby to preclude rapid cooling of said converter housing and consequent compressive crushing action therefrom on the encompassed catalyst within said catalyst section after engine cut-off and while said catalyst is in a high temperature expanded state resultant upon ordinary engine operation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The catalytic converter system of claim 1 further characterized in that said resistance heating means comprises at least one resistance heating coil wrapped around at least a wall portion of the converter housing to effect the desired heating thereof around said catalyst section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
80 words
The catalytic converter system of claim 1 further characterized in that at least said wall portion of the converter housing which encompasses the catalyst section is electrically insulated from the remaining portions of said housing and is further provided with electric power to provide resistance heating such that such isolated portion of said housing serves as the resistance heating means to provide for a heated and expanded condition until the catalyst in the housing reaches a predetermined low temperature level.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-02 | 1978-12-02 | 1979-06-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-02 | 1982-12-02 | 1983-06-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-02 | 1986-12-02 | 1987-06-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |