Filter for internal combustion exhaust gases

Claim 1

A catalytic filter for cleaning a high temperature exhaust gas stream discharged from an internal combustion engine as a result of the combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel and air mixture, which catalytic filter includes an elongated closed casing having opposed end walls, inlet and outlet means disposed at the respective opposed end walls, and casing side walls which define a longitudinal gas passage therethrough communicating the respective inlet and outlet means, a plurality of discrete gas permeable catalytic beds disposed in longitudinally spaced relationship within said longitudinal passage to contact said stream of hot exhaust gas which passes therethrough, each of said discrete gas permeable catalyst beds including; a central core member having opposed core ends, and end panels carried on the respective core ends, said end panels including an outer ring adapted to be slidably inserted within said casing, and radially positioned fins extending between a core end and the outer ring adjacent thereto, support tension members extending between, and fixed to, an outer ring and the opposite core end, and a catalytic material disposed intermediate said respective end panels and surrounding said support tension members and supported by the latter, said support tension members including a plurality of discrete elements, spaced equidistant apart about said outer ring and said core end respectively, to define a conical pattern.