Smoke filter for internal combustion engines

Claim 1

A smoke filter for use with the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, comprising a tapered housing having inlet and outlet pipes coaxially attached thereto and adapted for being connected into said exhaust system, a mass of alumina coated stainless steel wool filling said housing between said inlet and outlet pipes, a first spoked wheel having a flat planar configuration and situated transversely across at the smaller end of said tapered housing adjacent to said outlet pipe for holding said mass of steel wool in place, a second spoked wheel having a maximum diameter less than the transverse dimension of the larger end of said tapered housing to permit longitudinal displacement toward said mass of steel wool, said second spoked wheel having an unstressed curved configuration, a flange on the inside surface of said housing at the larger end thereof, and a convoluted spring located between said flange and the rim of said second spoked wheel for applying a longitudinal bias force against said mass of steel wool, said tapered housing being circular in cross section and having a minimal degree of taper consistent with developing a radial compressive force on said mass of steel wool sufficient to eliminate channeling of exhaust gases.