Internal combustion engine catalytic anti-pollution reactor

Claim 1

An anti-pollution catalytic reactor for the exhaust gases of internal combustion engines comprising, in combination, a metal sleeve of circular cross-sectional shape having an axis, oppositely disposed annular end edges and an interior, a catalytic element having ends disposed within said sleeve interior with said ends in axially spaced relationship with the respective annular end edge of said sleeve, a pair of frustoconically shaped neck members each having a circumferentially extending rounded marginal portion on one end terminating in an annular end edge, said rounded marginal portion extending within the sleeve interior and spaced from said sleeve and having the other end arranged to be connected to an associated exhaust piping system, the annular end edge of each of said neck members being secured in tangential edge-to-edge relationship to one of the annular end edges of said metal sleeve in axially spaced relationship with the adjacent end of said catalytic element, an annular resilient means for dampening vibrations comprising an annulus formed by a connecting portion of said sleeve extending between the annular end edge of said neck member and the end of said catalytic element whereby the annular end edge of said metal sleeve secured to the annular end edge of said neck members in tangential edge-to-edge relationship provides a stiffer portion than said sleeve connecting portion, and the sleeve portion surrounding the catalytic element provides a stiffer portion than said sleeve connecting portion, whereby said rounded marginal portions and said annular resilient means dampen vibrations imposed on said reactor.