Catalytic converter for oven fumes

Claim 1

A catalytic oxidation unit for use with ovens and the like comprising: a. a metallic housing including a tubular body portion, a front wall extending across one end of said body portion and having an aperture therein smaller than the cross section of said body portion to provide a first peripheral shoulder, a conduit portion of lesser cross sectional area than the cross section of said body portion and spaced from the opposite end thereof, and a shoulder portion extending between said opposite end of said body portion and said conduit portion to provide a second peripheral shoulder spaced from said first peripheral shoulder; b. a block of cellular ceramic material having an oxidation catalyst on the walls of the cells thereof seated within said body portion of said housing, said block having oppositely disposed inner and outer surfaces extending transversely of said body portion of said housing, said outer surface being larger than said aperture in said front wall and seated against said first peripheral shoulder and said inner surface being spaced from said second peripheral shoulder; and c. resiliently compressible means having one end disposed against said inner surface of said block and the other end disposed against said second shoulder to bias said outer surface of said block against said first shoulder to cover said aperture with said block and maintain said block in firm contact with said first shoulder during impacts and thermal expansion and contraction, said compressible means being pervious to passage of gases therethrough, whereby gases entering the unit through the exposed portion of said outer surface of said block may exit through substantially the entire transverse dimension of said inner surface of said block.