| (19) |
 |
|
(11) |
EP 0 896 135 A3 |
| (12) |
EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
| (88) |
Date of publication A3: |
|
30.08.2000 Bulletin 2000/35 |
| (43) |
Date of publication A2: |
|
10.02.1999 Bulletin 1999/06 |
| (22) |
Date of filing: 15.08.1997 |
|
|
| (84) |
Designated Contracting States: |
|
AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE |
| (30) |
Priority: |
05.08.1997 GB 9716500
|
| (71) |
Applicant: Catalytic Support Systems Ltd. |
|
Warrington, Cheshire WA4 2LY (GB) |
|
| (72) |
Inventors: |
|
- Francis, Paul David
Warrington, Cheshire WA4 6AU (GB)
- Fisher, Gary Thomas
Warrington, Cheshire WA5 1DT (GB)
|
| (74) |
Representative: Kelvie, George Thomas et al |
|
Urquhart-Dykes & Lord Greg's Buildings 1 Booth Street
Manchester M2 4DU
Manchester M2 4DU (GB) |
|
| |
|
| (54) |
Knitted wire mesh alignment separation and support ring for automotive catalytic converter
systems |
(57) A profiled knitted metal mesh wire ring interposed between the end of tile fixed
metal cone and the nearest face of the ceramic monolithic block containing the catalytic
reagents, of such a shape and configuration that it serves to hold the said metal
cone and monolithic block in correct axial alignment.
This correct axial alignment ensures the optimum flow of the hot engine exhaust gases
from the metal cone into the monolithic block such that the required catalytic reactions
may occur.
The flexible construction of the knitted metal mesh wire ring permits the thermal
expansion of the fixed metal cone linearly towards the face of the ceramic block to
be compensated for without permitting the two components to make contact and cause
damage one to the other.