Metal fusion bonding – Process – Preplacing solid filler
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-27
2002-07-30
Dunn, Tom (Department: 1725)
Metal fusion bonding
Process
Preplacing solid filler
C228S181000, C228S248500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06425517
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for applying a brazing medium to a configuration that includes a honeycomb body disposed in a jacket pipe.
Honeycomb bodies that are made by stacking and/or winding sheet metal layers, at least some of which are structured sheet metal layers, are known in many forms. Such honeycomb bodies are used, for example, as supporting bodies for catalytically active coatings and as catalytic converter supporting bodies. In particular for internal combustion engines, as are used, for example, in automotive vehicles, the honeycomb bodies together with the jacket pipe form a part of an exhaust system. Different configurations of a catalytic converter supporting body are described, for example, in Published, European Patent Application EP 0 245 738 A1.
The stacked and/or wound sheet metal layers are at least partially brazed o one to another, so that a monolithic honeycomb body is produced. It is known for the honeycomb body to be at least partially brazed to a jacket pipe in which it is disposed. For this, the brazing medium is introduced into the brazing areas of the sheet metal layers and of the jacket pipe.
Methods for applying an adhesive medium and a brazing medium to a metallic configuration including a honeycomb body and a jacket pipe are known, for example, from International Patent Disclosures WO 89/11938, WO 94/06594, WO 93/25339 and Published, Non-Prosecuted German Patent Application DE 29 24 592 A1.
It is known from the prior art for the honeycomb body to be at least in part provided with an adhesive medium to which a brazing powder adheres. The methods known from the prior art differ with respect to implementation of the method in the sequence of applying the adhesive medium and the brazing powder during or after the formation of the honeycomb. A comprehensive presentation of the prior art is contained in International Patent Disclosure WO 89/11938.
A method is known from Published, European Patent Application EP 0 474 909 A1 for applying the brazing medium to a configuration, in which a honeycomb body is brought into contact with an adhesive medium carrier by an end face. The adhesive medium should be absorbed into th e channels because of capillary action. Published, Non-Prosecuted German Patent Application DE 29 24 592 A1 discloses a method for joining the honeycomb body to the jacket pipe, in which the honeycomb body together with the jacket pipe is immersed in an immersion bath containing an adhesive liquid, and is then provided with a powdered brazing medium.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a method for applying a brazing medium to a configuration that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art methods of this general type, which makes possible a uniform introduction of an adhesive into the honeycomb body.
With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a method for applying a brazing medium. The method includes the steps of providing a configuration having a honeycomb body formed by stacking and/or winding sheet metal layers. At least some of the sheet metal layers are structured sheet metal layers, so that the honeycomb body has channels formed therein for conducting a fluid flow. Next, the honeycomb body is partly introduced into a jacket pipe. Then a section of the honeycomb body, the section having an end face projecting out from the jacket pipe, is brought into contact with a roller being rotatable about a roller axle and the roller containing an adhesive medium. A relative movement between the honeycomb body and the roller is implemented. The honeycomb body is further introduced into the jacket pipe, and the brazing medium is introduced at least into the honeycomb body.
In order to apply the brazing medium to the configuration formed of the honeycomb body in the jacket pipe, it is proposed that first the honeycomb body is configured by stacking or winding sheet metal layers. At least some of which are structured sheet metal layers, such that it has channels that can conduct a fluid flow. The honeycomb body is introduced into the jacket pipe. At least one end face of the honeycomb body is brought into contact with the roller containing the adhesive medium, which is rotatable about a roller axle. The honeycomb body and the roller are moved relative to one another such that the roller rolls over at least a part of the end surface of the honeycomb body, and during the rolling procedure deposits the adhesive medium onto the honeycomb body. After this the brazing medium is introduced at least into the honeycomb.
By the implementation of the method according to the invention, a uniform application of the adhesive medium on and respectively in, the honeycomb body is obtained. Possible irregularities in the end face of the honeycomb body, which are caused by an offsetting between the sheet metal layers of the honeycomb body, do not affect the application of the adhesive medium. Because the roller rolls over the end face, the wear on the roller is also reduced as the same places on the roller do not always come into contact with the relatively thin edges of the metal sheets. In this way the lifetime of an apparatus suitable for implementing the method is also increased.
The honeycomb body and the roller can be moved for the application of the adhesive medium. In this way a rapid application of the adhesive medium is obtained when the roller and the honeycomb body are moved in a translatory manner in opposite directions. To simplify the method it is proposed that either the honeycomb body or the roller is positioned in a stationary manner and the roller, or respectively the honeycomb body, is moved.
In the case of a honeycomb body which has at least one end area projecting from the jacket pipe, configured rotationally symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal axis of the honeycomb body, it is proposed that the honeycomb body is rotated about its longitudinal axis. And the roller, which has a shape matching the end area, and extends radially inwards only as far as the longitudinal axis, about a roller axle intersecting the longitudinal axis at an angle of 90°. By this method, the roller is brought into contact with the surface of the projecting end area.
The end face of the honeycomb body can be brought into contact with the roller several times. It is advantageous when prior to renewed contacting with the roller, the honeycomb body is tilted by a pre-determined angle about the longitudinal axis. In this way the roller brushes several times over the end face of honeycomb body, so that a very uniform application of the adhesive medium is obtained.
In particular instances of applications, it is not necessary for all the sheet metal layers of the honeycomb body to be provided with the adhesive medium. In order to apply the adhesive medium only in some areas of the end face of the honeycomb body, it is proposed that the roller is only provided in some areas with the adhesive medium. This can be done, for example, by suitable configuration of the roller. By this method, the interpositioning of, for example, gluing masks, is not necessary.
According to a further advantageous configuration of the method according to the invention, it is proposed that the honeycomb body is disposed substantially vertically and that the roller is brought into contact with an upper end face of the honeycomb body. By the relative movement between the honeycomb body and the roller, dripping of the adhesive medium into the honeycomb body does not occur.
In particular when a low viscosity adhesive medium is used, it is advantageous to dispose the honeycomb body substantially vertically and to bring the rollers into contact with a lower end face of the honeycomb body, whereby dripping of the adhesive medium into the honeycomb body is prevented.
According to yet another advantageous configuration of the method, it is proposed that the honeycomb body, which has two opposite end faces, is passed between two rotatably
Kurth Ferdi
Wieres Ludwig
Dunn Tom
Emitec Gesellschaft fur Emissionstechnologie mbH
Greenberg Laurence A.
Mayback Gregory L.
Pittman Zidia
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