US4439136A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Thermal shock resistant spherical plate structures
Assignee: Environmental Protection Agency
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Filing: 1980-05-13
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Granted: 1984-03-27
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Expires: 2000-05-13
Abstract
Abstract Thermal shock resistant catalytic monolithic structures are described comprising curved-surface plates with flow-through passages. Such structures are especially useful as combustor catalysts and their use in catalytic combustors permits much more rapid start-up and cool down than with conventional monolithic catalysts.
Inventors
- 👤 William C. Pfefferle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 14:56
CPC Classifications
F; F23; F23C; F23C13/00; F02; F02M; F02M27/00; F02M27/02; B; B01; B01J; B01J35/00; B01J35/50; B01J35/56
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of combusting fuels with a catalyst structure which obviates the effects of thermal shock, including the steps of providing a monolithic structure which is comprised of a catalytic ceramic material, said structure being formed in the shape of a domed plate comprised of a plurality of open-ended cells having integral walls with the cell walls defining parallel flow-through passages, directing a mixture of fuel and air across the plate and through the passages, catalytically combusting the mixture passing through the passages, and causing the domed shape of the plate to flex concave and convex under thermal expansion and contraction for minimizing thermally-generated stresses within the structure.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of combusting fuels with a catalyst structure which obviates the effects of thermal shock, including the steps of providing a monolithic structure which is comprised of a catalytic ceramic material, said structure being formed in the shape of a domed plate comprised of a plurality of open-ended cells having integral walls with the cell walls defining parallel flow-through passages, directing a mixture of fuel and air across the plate and through the passages, catalytically combusting the mixture passing through the passages, and causing the domed shape of the plate to flex concave and convex under thermal expansion and contraction for minimizing thermally-generated stresses within the structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 in which the passages are perpendicular to a plane tangent to the domed plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 in which said catalyst is a catalytically active ceramic oxide of the spinel type.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 in which said catalyst is a high melting catalytically active ceramic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
86 words
A catalytically active monolithic structure for combusting fuels whereby the effects of thermal shock are obviated, said structure being formed of a catalytic ceramic in the shape of a domed plate comprised of a plurality of open-ended cells having integral walls with the cell walls defining parallel flow-through passages with the domed shape of the plate flexing concave and convex under thermal expansion and contraction during catalytic combustion of a mixture of fuel and air passed across the plate for minimizing thermally-generated stresses within the structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
86 words
A catalytically active monolithic structure for combusting fuels whereby the effects of thermal shock are obviated, said structure being formed of a catalytic ceramic in the shape of a domed plate comprised of a plurality of open-ended cells having integral walls with the cell walls defining parallel flow-through passages with the domed shape of the plate flexing concave and convex under thermal expansion and contraction during catalytic combustion of a mixture of fuel and air passed across the plate for minimizing thermally-generated stresses within the structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The structure of claim 5 in which said catalyst is a catalytically active ceramic oxide of the spinel type.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
80 words
A combustor for burning fuels comprising a monolithic structure formed of a catalytic ceramic in the shape of a domed plate, means forming a plurality of open-ended cells having integral walls with the cell walls defining parallel flow-through passages extending through the plate with the domed shape of the plate flexing concaven and convex under thermal expansion and contraction during catalytic combustion of a mixture of fuel and air passed across the plate for minimizing thermal-generated stresses within the structure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
80 words
A combustor for burning fuels comprising a monolithic structure formed of a catalytic ceramic in the shape of a domed plate, means forming a plurality of open-ended cells having integral walls with the cell walls defining parallel flow-through passages extending through the plate with the domed shape of the plate flexing concaven and convex under thermal expansion and contraction during catalytic combustion of a mixture of fuel and air passed across the plate for minimizing thermal-generated stresses within the structure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combustor of claim 7 in which the passages are perpendicular to a plane tangent to the domed plate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combustor of claim 7 in which the structure comprises a foamed ceramic which forms the flow passages.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR1056454A
Cited
CA692662A
Cited
US2247035A
Cited
US2921176A
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US3255123A
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US3922136A
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DE2403973A1
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US3943705A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-03-27 | 1987-09-26 | 1988-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-03-27 | 1991-09-26 | 1992-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-03-27 | 1995-09-26 | 1996-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |