CN101346219A

CN101346219A - Obstruction method and apparatus for particlate filter

Info

Publication number: CN101346219A
Application number: CNA2005800524326A
Authority: CN
Inventors: S·W·德明; A·M·帕伦博
Original assignee: Corning Inc
Current assignee: Corning Inc
Priority date: 2005-11-22
Filing date: 2005-11-22
Publication date: 2009-01-14
Also published as: JP2009516585A; WO2007061414A1; JP4741677B2; EP1951491A1

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for plugging cells of honeycomb structures are disclosed. A first method covers the honeycomb structure's end face (18) with a mask (28) having a body (32) and plurality of sized openings (30) positioned to oppose certain cell channels (22), wherein the outer edge of the body (32) extends radially outwardly from the end face (18). A film (42) also extends outwardly of the end face (18), and a plug of material (11) is provided upon the film (42). The mask (28) and film material (42) are sealed to one another, and a force is applied to the film (42) forcing the material (44) through the mask (28) and into the cells (22).; Also disclosed is adhering a mask (28) to a first end face (18) of the honeycomb structure (10) such that the mask (28) has an outer portion that extends radially beyond an outer edge of the honeycomb (10)1; providing a volume of plugging material (44); clamping the outer portion between a first clamping portion and a second clamping portion; and transferring the plugging material (44) into the honeycomb (10). Also disclosed are methods and apparatus for cutting the plugging material (44) between the mask (28) and a pre-plugging chamber (84) to form a substantially planar surface thereon.

Description

The obstruction method and the device that are used for particulate filter

Technical field

The present invention relates to flowable materials is filled to the selected honeycomb of honeycomb, more particularly, relate to the method and apparatus that is used for selectively the celluar tissue envelope system difference structure of honeycomb is blocked (manifold), the celluar tissue that promptly stops up honeycomb is made ceramic filtering body and other honeycomb that seals selectively.

Background technology

Honeycomb with every square centimeter of about 10 to 100 or more a plurality of honeycomb or cross section cellular densities has several purposes, comprises solid particulate and fixing heat exchanger.Wall flow particulate filter device application need has by waiting the selectable honeycomb that seals or stop up in its corresponding one or both ends envelope system difference structure.Term " sealing " and other corresponding grammatical form, i.e. sealant, sealing etc. are used herein to the porous or the non-porous method of the open cross-section area that refers to the sealing celluar tissue.

The solid particulate that the honeycomb 10 that the overall expression of label 10 (Fig. 1) matrix known usually and that can use the thin porous wall 14 that intersects that is centered on by outer wall 15 forms is made forms circular cross-sectional configuration in the example shown.Wall 14 across between first end face 18 and opposite second end 20, and extend betwixt, second channel 22 extends between the

end face

18,20 of second channel 22 and at the two end faces opening, and forms a large amount of adjacent hollow channels or filtering bodies 10.Outer wall 15 (or skin) is defined for the external margin 16 of first end face 18 and second end face 20.In order to form filter 10 (Fig. 2 and 3), an end of each honeycomb channel 22 is sealed, and first grouping 24 of honeycomb channel 22 is in the sealing of first end face, 18 places, and second grouping 26 of honeycomb channel 22 is in the sealing of second end face, 20 places of filter 10.When all passages 22 were measure-alike, any in the

end face

18,20 all can be used as the inlet face of final formed filter 10.

During operation, contaminated-fluid (for example comprising the particle matter such as the exhaust coal smoke) arrives inlet face and enters filter 10 by those honeycomb channels at inlet face place opening under pressure.Because these honeycomb channels are located sealing at opposing end surface (being the exit face of body), contaminated-fluid is forced into thin porous wall 14 and enters in the sealing of inlet face place and at the adjacent cell passage of exit face place opening.Solia particle pollutant in the fluid can not pass the porous opening on the wall too greatly, and the fluid pure so wait behind is by outlet cellular unit outflow filter 10.

For the batch process of this filter and heat exchanger, being starved of can be as far as possible fast and seal selected extremitas reticularis at low cost.A kind of known obstruction method comprises that use has the mask that wherein extends through a plurality of openings and make the difference structure (such as US4 selectively honeycomb is sealed when making solid particulate, 411,856, US4,427,728, US4,557,682 and US4, known in 557,773).Up to now, these masks usually be used in combination water composite adhesives such as methylcellulose, plasticizer and water (for example referring to US4,455,180) by ceramic raw material is mixed the foam-type cement that forms pasty state with the water composite adhesives.When using this foam-type cement, the two ends of honeycomb cover with the flexibility or rigidity plate, and described plate has cement and is pressed into the hole of the end of each cellular unit by it.In an application-specific, by means of passing correlation masking based on the servo-drive piston that stops up machine (seeing US4, Fig. 1 of 557,682) and cement being pressed into, the cement that charges into that wherein should and give off once amount is to form desired plug spare in honeycomb channel.

This special process has a lot of shortcomings, comprises the dislocation with respect to filtering bodies of the highly variable, mask of total stemming length, forms unplugged honeycomb thus, and owing to the dry cement that flakes off into before applying in the new cement forms unplugged honeycomb.This technology is used usually by the preformed mask of silicon, and this mask is reusable to stop up a plurality of honeycombs.Reusable mask is not very effective when stopping up honeycomb, because they can not adjust variation between a plurality of honeycombs.The equipment and the laser cutting polymeric mask that are used in these common process also are incompatible because when relevant obstruction machine open carry out part when discharging these laser-cut polymer masks stay (referring to US4,557,773) with the cement body.Another problem of silicon mask (as US4, shown in 427,728) is that they are sized to align with the outward flange of filter, and cement can be flowed along the outward flange of filter and adhere on the outward flange.

Bar by encapsulant is impermeable, that the binding agent backing is arranged flexibility band (such as the mask band) is applied on the cellular unit of selected row and column, also forms mask at the opening surface place of honeycomb and is used for rule celluar tissue envelope system difference structure at interval between row that will be parallel to each other basically and the row that are parallel to each other basically.Perhaps, can form these celluar tissues like this: provide matrix at interval, to and can be again be superimposed such as the flexible, impermeable of metal forming with the bar of material, then they are linked together, and installing or do not loading portion's packing ring on the opening surface of structure with on the packing ring position relative with the honeycomb channel of want filling with the opening that passes matrix.Have with the honeycomb of the cellular unit of the row setting of going and being parallel to each other that is parallel to each other and use the suitable flexible material bar such as the thin bonding jumper of mask band or binding to cover alternate row or alternate column by providing, half the openend of being arranged to across the subclass of the honeycomb of the grid pattern of opening surface is exposed.After the filling strap ends, band removed and band is applied to and cover remaining alternate row and remaining alternate column, all the other half the opening of subclass of honeycomb of grid pattern that exposes opening surface thus is to carry out filling.

These two embodiment compare the bigger flexibility that the treatment surface height change is provided and better covering of extremitas reticularis (the comprising those that may damage) of not carrying out filling are provided with rigid plate embodiment.But two embodiment must use twice each end face usually.Ten very big restrictions this tape on must being applied to whole each end face separately are tasks consuming time.What can apply and remove second embodiment more quickly can use matrix and packing ring again, but as rigid plate embodiment, is not easy to adapt to the distortion of the cell-site of end face.In addition, it is unavailable that the cellular densities increase can cause this method.

In addition, the variation on the surface of plugging material on the blocking device can be transferred on the matrix, be caused filling in the variation that enters length of part.Therefore, need have smooth basically initial surface and with trying hard to recommend uniformly into so that the plug spare length of all formation is similar.The length that enters should be enough deeply guaranteeing the good obstruction of seal channel, but this length also needs to be restricted, because the increase of plug part length can cause the porous wall loss in surface area.

Need a kind of method that is used for the celluar tissue envelope of honeycomb is made the honeycomb (such as the ceramic particle trap that is used for diesel engine) of difference structure or obstruction compacting, this method is used existing cement composition and rheology, can be used for the laser cutting polymer mask compatiblely, reduce plug part variable-length, reduce the plug spare missed, and eliminate the possibility that plugging material overflows from the honeycomb channel that will apply plugging material.This method also should have repeatability and accuracy highly, be easy to use and reduce the intentional deformation of honeycomb.

Summary of the invention

According to embodiments of the invention, a kind of method of stopping up the passage of honeycomb is provided, may further comprise the steps: the honeycomb that will have mask in the end carries out orientation with respect to the pre-obstruction chamber of plugging material; Aim at a plurality of paths on the control piece that flows; By the path on the control piece that flows at least a portion of plugging material is transferred in the pre-obstruction chamber from holder; And at the pre-plugging material that forms a patty in the chamber that stops up.Preferably, mobile control piece comprises the fixture that is formed with a plurality of holes on displaceable member and its.Stagger or mating holes is controlled flowing of plugging material by moving of moving member.

According to a further aspect in the invention, provide a kind of honeycomb blocking device, be used to control plugging material to the flowing of mask honeycomb, comprising: holder is used to keep at least a portion plugging material; Pre-chamber, the plugging material that wherein has a patty of stopping up; And holder and stop up mobile control piece between the chamber in advance, this mobile control piece comprises: have the displaceable member that is formed on a plurality of holes wherein; And the fixture with a plurality of holes, the mobile of control plugging material that stagger of its mesopore.

The inventive method and device can use existing cement composition and rheology, and compatible with use laser cutting polymer mask.Advantageously, method and apparatus of the present invention can reduce the variation of plug part length, makes the plug spare of missing minimum, and eliminates the possibility of plugging material from the honeycomb channel overflow that applies plugging material.Method and apparatus described herein also has the repeatability and the accuracy of height, is easy to use, and reduces the intentional deformation of honeycomb, and be particularly suited for this application target.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the stereogram that comprises the compacting filtering bodies of first end with a plurality of openend honeycomb channels;

Fig. 2 is the stereogram of the filtering bodies of compacting, and wherein first of the honeycomb channel grouping is blocked, and second grouping of honeycomb channel is an openend;

Fig. 3 is the side view that comprises the filtering bodies of second end, and wherein first of the honeycomb grouping is an openend, and second grouping of honeycomb is stopped up;

The side view of the compacting filtering bodies when Fig. 4 is masked cover, and the piston that stops up machine is by thin-film material be positioned at the patty plugging material that film covers on the piston component and cover, and wherein filtering bodies is cross-sectional;

Fig. 5 is by the stereogram of first end of the compacting filtering bodies of cross-sectional mask covering;

Fig. 6 is the side view of compacting filtering bodies, and wherein the peripheral edge of mask seals with the peripheral edge of film;

Fig. 7 is the side view of compacting filtering bodies, and wherein plugging material is positioned at the selection honeycomb channel of filtering bodies;

Fig. 8 is the cross-sectional side view according to device embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 9 and 10 is partial elevation view of the embodiment of clamping part according to a further aspect in the invention;

Figure 11 is the cross-sectional partial side view according to the embodiment of the removable mobile operating key of other aspects of the present invention;

Figure 12 is the flow chart that the step of the method according to this invention is shown;

Figure 13 is the cross-sectional front view according to the embodiment of the cutter sweep of other aspects of the present invention;

Figure 14-the 15th, the local cross-sectional side view of the embodiment of cutter sweep illustrates the cutting operation according to some aspect of the present invention;

Figure 16 is the flow chart that illustrates according to the step of the method for exemplary embodiment;

Figure 17 is the cross-sectional front view according to the locator of exemplary embodiment; And

Figure 18 is the front view according to the removable mobile control piece of exemplary embodiment.

Figure 19 is the side view according to the cleaning device of exemplary embodiment.

The specific embodiment

For this paper illustrative purposes, term " on ", D score, " right side ", " left side ", " back ", " preceding ", " vertically ", " level " and derivative thereof should with as Fig. 1 and 4 directed the present invention be associated.But should be appreciated that the present invention can adopt various alternative orientations and sequence of steps, unless opposite explanation is arranged in addition.It is also understood that concrete device and the technology described in the specification shown in the accompanying drawing and following are the exemplary embodiments of the notion of the present invention of appended claims qualification.Therefore concrete size and other physical features about embodiment disclosed herein should not thought restriction, unless statement is arranged in claims in addition.

Be used for solid particulate, can form by the multiple material that comprises pottery, glass ceramics, glass, metal and by several different methods according to selected materials such as the honeycomb of filtering bodies 10 and other application.Be used for the solia particle filtration application, having must be uniformly, but the honeycomb of the wall of thin, porous and interconnection is preferably made by the segmentation particulate of plastically deformable and agglutinating matter, the segmentation particulate of this material after burning, form porous, realize the center material that it centers.Suitable material comprises metal, pottery, glass ceramics and other mixture based on pottery.Transfer jointly and describe in this assignee's the U.S. Patent No. 5,258,150 and claimedly form the method for ceramic honeycomb block by compacting cordierite material, this method is preferable in the solia particle filtration application.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, first end face 18 or second end face, 20 usefulness mask 28 as shown in Figure 4 covers, wherein covering step comprises according to U.S. Patent No. 4,557,773 and No.6, the technology of describing in 673,300 forms mask 28, the both transfer jointly this assignee and all with referring to mode include this paper in.In the embodiment shown, first end face, 18 usefulness masks 28 cover, that mask 28 comprises is that formed by thermoplastic material, that preferably formed by polyester or PET material, comprise the back have adhesive, the thin transparent or semitransparent film of pressure sensitivity.But also can adopt other material such as polyethylene, polypropylene or polyurethane.Forms instrument (for example laser instrument) by opening and pass corresponding to divide into groups 26 mask of selected second of honeycomb channel 22 and form opening, as described in the above-mentioned document by optical imagery analyzer control.

Example mask 28 comprises central body 32, and central body 32 has outer surface 34 and opposite inner surface 36, and opening 30 extends between outer surface 34 and inner surface 36.Opening 30 is arranged in the body 32 to conform to divide into groups 26 the end of second of filling plugging material of wanting of honeycomb channel 22.Preferably, the size of opening 30 suitably is arranged to expose the openend of second grouping 26 of honeycomb channel 22, but can be even as big as not exposing the first adjacent grouping 24 of honeycomb channel 22.Should be noted that to provide several bigger openings to expose several adjacent honeycomb channels 22 if desired.Mask 28 comprises external margin 38 and the outer circumferential 40 that extends radially outwardly from the external margin 16 of first end face 18.

The body 32 of mask 28 adheres on the base wall 14 that intersects of honeycomb 10 so that mask 28 is held in place.This mask can be stained with acryloid cement or any similar binder substance, and in one embodiment, is applied on the mask 28 before mask being put on the matrix 10.

Next step is included in the interior plug part that forms of selected grouping of honeycomb channel 22.In an embodiment shown in Figure 5, comprise that preferably the thin-film material 42 of PET is filled in part, for example the plugging material 44 of flat patty covers, plugging material comprises that preferably ceramic raw material becomes binding agent with water, such as methylcellulose, plasticizer and water.Membrane material 42 comprises respectively from the external margin 16 outward extending outer circumferential 46 and the external margins 48 of matrix 10, and is as described below.As shown in the figure, plugging material 44 outer circumferential 46 of being arranged to membrane material 42 with respect to membrane material 42 is provided with plugging material 44.In the example shown, plugging material 44 is arranged to the flat cake shape of uniform thickness; But also can use the thickness of variation.

The membrane material 42 that has plugging material 44 on it is positioned at based on the servo-drive piston that stops up machine, this machine comprises preferably smooth piston 50, piston 50 is centered on by the clamp assembly 51 with first clamping part 52 and second clamping part 54, shown in Fig. 6 and 7.Corresponding and its size of the honeycomb that the shape of piston 50 is arranged to stop up can be roughly suitable with this part.First and

second clamping parts

52,54 of clamp assembly 51 are used for sealing with the outer perimeter 46 of membrane material 42 outer perimeter 40 of mask 28.On membrane material 42, apply power by piston 50 along a certain direction by direction arrow 60 expression, force plugging material 44 to pass the opening 60 of mask 28 thus and be filled into honeycomb 10 honeycomb channel 22 second grouping 26 (Fig. 7) and form a plurality of plug spares 62.

In a clear example that illustrates as Fig. 7, unnecessary plugging material 44 is forced to along first end face 18 of being crossed honeycomb 10 by direction arrow 64 direction side direction indicated and expression, and remain on that outer perimeter 46 by the outer perimeter 40 of mask 28 and membrane material 42 limits and the cavity 66 between clamp assembly 51 and piston 50 in, prevent that thus any unnecessary plugging material from smearing along the outer wall 15 of honeycomb 10.Piston 50 first end face 18 of isolated cellular structure 10 that contracts, and mask 28 then and membrane material 42 remove from the end of filtering bodies 10.Filtering bodies 10 can be taken out in relevant obstruction machine then.It should be noted that, honeycomb 10 can be arranged to any orientation in stopping up technology, comprise vertical and level, and should also be noted that second grouping 26 of the honeycomb channel 22 that is positioned at second end face, 20 places and can stop up the overall circulation timei that significantly reduces to stop up technology thus simultaneously with first grouping 24 of honeycomb channel 22.

The inventive method can be utilized existing cement composition and rheology, and can be used for laser-cut polymer masks compatiblely, reduces the changeability of plug part length, makes the plug spare of missing minimum, and eliminates the possibility of plug part material from the honeycomb channel overflow that will apply plugging material.This method also has the repeatability and the accuracy of height, is easy to use, and reduces the intentional deformation of honeycomb, and is particularly suited for this application target.

With reference to Fig. 8-19 another embodiment of the present invention is described.As shown in Figure 8, the device 80 that is used to stop up honeycomb 10 is described.Device 80 is used for this structure 10 that quick obstruction has adhered to transparent or semitransparent mask 28 on its first end face 18.In addition, structure 10 can have another mask (not shown) on second end face 20.Device 80 comprises plugging material, first clamping part 52 and second clamping part 54 of a volume.In two

parts

52,54 one or two can be operated the outside 40 releasably to clamp mask 28.

The outside 40 of mask 28 extends radially outwardly from the outward flange 16 of honeycomb 10.Placing (adhesion) to matrix 10 and when radially extending beyond external margin 16 when mask 28, mask 28 extends radially outwardly from external margin 16.In one embodiment, mask 28 approximately surpasses the external margins 16 about 1 inch (2.54cm) of matrix 10, but may extend into be enough to can firm grip outside 40 any distance.

In device 80, the plugging material 44 of a volume is contained in the pre-obstruction chamber 84.The pre-chamber 84 of stopping up has the shape of first end face 18 that roughly is similar to matrix 10, and is for example circular or avette.Pre-obstruction chamber 84 comprises the plugging material 44 of a volume, and its at least a portion is arranged to form the plug spare 62 (seeing Figure 11) in the matrix 10.In one embodiment, stop up the plugging material 44 that chamber 84 is sized to form a patty in advance.These patty plugging materials 44 in the pre-obstruction chamber 84 thickness basically are even so that the compressible influence of plugging material 44 is minimum.This helps to form the plug spare 62 of the even degree of depth in matrix 10.

In one exemplary embodiment, stop up the degree of depth that chamber 84 has about 1/2 inch (1.27cm) in advance.Perhaps, stopping up chamber 84 in advance can have enough big to guarantee that enough plugging materials 44 flow into any degree of depth in filling entire cross section zone.In addition, if matrix 10 is filled in horizontal orientation, then stopping up chamber 84 in advance should be enough little so that the slippage minimum of plugging material 44.Because slippage can take place in the fluid properties of plugging material 44.When loading new matrix 10, during device for opening, there is not thing that plugging material 44 is remained in the pre-obstruction chamber 84.Therefore, if time enough is arranged, the surface 86 that plugging material 44 can begin to flow out pre-obstruction chamber 84 and cause material 44 is in pre-slippage of stopping up in the chamber 84.Therefore, clearly, after taking out the previous matrix that stops up, should be soon with mask 28 fast sealings of next matrix that will stop up between

clamping element

52,54.

Holder 45 preferably is connected with pre-obstruction chamber 84 and also includes plugging material 44.During operation, piston 50 makes the material 44 in the holder 45 pass the paths of aiming in the mobile control piece 74 75 (Figure 11).The mobile plugging material 44 that makes of piston 50 moves to recharge pre-obstruction chamber 84.Plugging material 44 is forced into pre-obstruction chamber 84, then forces the pre-chamber 84 of filling of plugging material 44 outflows of about same amount to be filled to desired plug depth with the selected passage with matrix 10.Piston 50 moves along the direction of arrow 81 by the actuator 57 that for example is installed between piston 50 and the removable framework 94.

Plugging material 44 is at holder 45 and stop up the flow aligning of

path

75a, 75b of control piece 74 of flowing through between the chamber 84 in advance and control (Figure 11) with staggering.In one embodiment, mobile control piece comprises: the displaceable member 76 such as removable shutter plate; And fixture 71, fixture preferably stops up the wall in chamber 84 in advance.In order to flow through the control piece 74 that flows, displaceable member 76 moves to primary importance (Figure 11), aims at the similar hole 75b that forms on the wall in pre-obstruction chamber 84 basically at a plurality of hole 75a of primary importance.

Referring now to Figure 18, in an exemplary embodiment, the hole 75a, the 75b that are formed on displaceable member 76 and the fixture 71 are circular.Hole 75a, 75b preferably equally separate the distance of " " about 5/16 inch (0.79cm) and have the diameter " b " of about 1/4 inch (0.64cm).Perhaps,

hole

75a, 75b can be near the spaces that virtually any size, shape or any permission plugging material 44 flow through, and flowing of material 44 can fully be cut off.In a preferred embodiment, the hole on displaceable member 76 and the fixture 71 covers the about 25% of surface that two members can have, and wherein 100% covering equals not have fully the obstruction of plugging material 44 during stopping up.In one embodiment, the hole 75a of displaceable member 76 is substantially similar to the hole on the fixture 71, allows plugging material 44 to smoothly transit to pre-obstruction chamber 84 from holder 45.

In order to suspend plugging material 44 to pre-transfer of stopping up chamber 84, displaceable member 76 moves to the second place, in this second place, and the path 75a of displaceable member 76 and the path 75b on the fixture 71 (see figure 8) that staggers.Displaceable member 76 can move down along the direction linear slide (Figure 11) of arrow 73 and the auxiliary of actuator 77.In one embodiment, displaceable member 76 moves less than 0.5 inch, and is preferably 1/4 inch (0.63cm) and cost is finished cut-out less than 1 second time.After a plurality of

path

75a, 75b between displaceable member 76 and fixture 71 staggered, holder 45 can refill plugging material 44.

During operation, the control piece 74 that flows open and then piston 50 shift to matrix 10.In case piston 50 begins to force plugging material 44 to enter matrix 10, piston 50 will just can stop after part 62 reaches the desired degree of depth to filling in.This helps to form the degree of depth and fills in part 62 uniformly.

In case piston 50 forces the desired part of plugging material 44 to enter the desired degree of depth in the matrix 10, piston 50 just stops and withdrawing a little so that the pressure that the obstruction process forms can discharge.Piston 50 has the sensor (not shown) of measurement by the power of plugging material 44 abuts against plunger 50.In case the power of plugging material 44 abuts against plunger 50 reaches zero or lower, piston 50 just stops.Pressure obtains discharging and activates displaceable member 76 to close (staggering) holder 45 and to stop up

path

75a, 75b between the chamber 84 in advance at that point.In case displaceable member 76 is closed path, honeycomb 10 can be by at first separately and then at mask 28 with stop up in advance between the chamber 84 and cut (describing after a while) and remove from pre-obstruction chamber 84.Control piece 74 is closed in case flow, and holder 45 can refill plugging material 44.In order to refill holder 45, the pressure source 47 (Fig. 8) of plugging material 44 is connected to holder 45.When piston-retraction, open valve so that plugging material 44 can flow into holder 45.

Control the degree of depth that plugging material 44 (promptly filling in the length of part 62) is clamp-oned honeycomb 10 by various variablees.The speed that a kind of such control is actuator 57 and the pressure and the flow rate of generation.In one embodiment, can evenly flow into matrix 10 in order to make plugging material 44, piston 50 moves with the speed less than 2mm/s and at the pressure that produces on the plugging material 44 between about 100 to 750psi.Can realize further control by the viscosity of control plugging material 4 to the plug part degree of depth.The viscosity of restriction plugging material 44 is controlled the generation of slippage when flatly stopping up matrix 10.

Now referring to Figure 11, in better embodiment, first clamping part 52 is included in the exterior circumferential in pre-obstruction chamber 84 and centers on the first surface 53 of this outer setting.Equally, second clamping part 54 comprises second surface 55, and the preferably pre-first surface 53 of this second surface 55 roughly relatively and be parallel to this first surface 53.In one embodiment, second clamping part 54 comprises elastomer or polymeric material, the preferably face of complying with 96 of polyurethane, the sealing when this is complied with facial disfigurement and clamps mask 28 to improve.In order to clamp mask 28, first surface 53 moves on to the outside 40 of mask 28 and contacts.Second surface 55 moves on to equally with the outside 40 of mask 28 and contacts.Two surfaces with enough big force compresses mask 28 sealing pre-obstruction chamber 84, thereby can prevent in the step of material for transfer 44 that plugging material from letting out the side that escapes to matrix 10 or letting out escapes between surface 53 and the mask 28.Certainly, first surface 53 needs not be plane or parallel with second surface 55, and can adopt any structure of realizing sealing.

In one embodiment, shown in Fig. 9-10, second clamping part 54 comprises the ring that centers on the excircle of matrix 10 basically.Preferably, radially the external margin 16 than honeycomb 10 is big for the inner periphery of second clamping part 54.Can control the gap 83 that forms between the external margin 16 of the inner periphery of second clamping part 54 and matrix 10 controls plug part 62 and clamp-ons near the external margin 16 of matrix 10 the degree of depth.Bigger gap 83 externally forms short plug spare 62 near the edge 16, and less clearance 83 forms long plug spare 62.Therefore, in one example, gap 83 is arranged so that near external margin 16 plug spares 62, and other degree of depth of filling in part 62 with the even plug spare degree of depth that forms on whole substrate is identical basically.In one example, gap 83 and preferably is about 0.25 inch (6.4mm) between 0.1 inch (2.54mm) and 0.5 inch (12.7mm).

As shown in Figures 9 and 10, second clamping part 54 preferably comprises two that can separate in some way, so that matrix 10 can be put into.In one example, use hinge 92 to open second clamping part 54.In another example, second clamping part 54 is opened by two parts that slide along opposite rectilinear direction, as the shape of a hoof.During operation, part 54 is opened and the matrix 10 that will have a mask 28 that adheres to its end face 18 inserts wherein.

In addition, before stopping up matrix 10, must matrix be located along vertical or lateral with respect to the plugging material 44 of a volume by locator 90.Locator 90 is on the removable framework 72 of extensible and withdrawal (entering or stretch out the paper of Fig. 8).Perhaps, locator 90 can be preset in the fixed position, also stop up in the tram then thereby honeycomb 10 can be placed on the locator 90.

Now referring to Figure 17, locator 90 comprises that preferably positioning clamp 91 is with fixing base 10 during moving and stopping up.Positioning clamp 91 moves up and down to unclamp and fixing base 10 along the direction of arrow 99.What in one embodiment, positioning clamp 91 comprised elastomer or polymeric material is obedient to face 96 with buffering with clamp matrix 10 and shape is arranged to shape approximation with matrix 10.In one embodiment, locator 90 comprises the roller 92 that is installed on the scaffold 72, makes oval matrix 10 can use gravity to come self to center rotationally.In another embodiment, locator 90 comprises that the V-arrangement chuck keeps circular base 10.

During operation, comprise that the locator 91 of positioning clamp 91 extends, and positioning clamp 91 is from honeycomb 10 withdrawals (seeing Figure 17), so that honeycomb 10 can be placed on the locator 90.Can use actuator or other proper device to come mobile locator 90 and positioning clamp 91.In case matrix 10 is placed on the locator 90, positioning clamp 91 is closed with fixing base 10 during moving at locator 90.Locator 90 makes first end face 18 of matrix 10 and the pre-chamber 84 of stopping up axially align with respect to pre-obstruction chamber 84 directed honeycombs 10 then.Perhaps can adopt any proper method of matrix, comprise and use hand with respect to plugging material 44 location of a volume.During moving matrix 10 by locator 90, second clamping part 54 is opened to admit matrix 10.In case matrix 10 is aimed at the pre-chamber of stopping up, clamping part 54 is just closed around matrix 10.

Referring to Fig. 8, for the motion of restriction honeycomb 10 in stopping up technical process, device 80 also comprises preferably retractible backup member 88 again.If do not support, the elevated pressures that runs into during the obstruction can mobile matrix 10.Backup member 88 is protected matrix 10 with buffering against second end face 20 and by being applied on whole second end face 20 uniformly pressure by the face 85 of being obedient to that comprises elastomer or polymeric material.Can adopt actuator 93 or other appropriate device to come to move and the position of the backup member 88 of withdrawing along direction arrow 95.When stopping up matrix 10, actuator 93 moves backup member 88 with respect to first framework 70 of device 80, is located thus with second end face 20 of matrix 10 (also can have the mask 28 that adheres on it) to contact.

Device 80 also can comprise the removable framework 94 that moves along the direction of arrow 97.Removable framework 94 keeps pre-chamber 84, holder 45, mobile control piece 74 and the piston 50 of stopping up.In order to cooperate with matrix 10, removable framework 94 moves pre-obstruction chamber 84 and contacts with the mask 28 of honeycomb 10.Framework 94 pushes matrix 10 and masks 28 then, and the outside 40 of mask is clipped between first surface 53 and the second surface 55, as shown in figure 11.During clamping, at least a portion of the outside 40 of mask 28 adheres to the second surface of second clamping part 54 owing to the adhesive on the inner surface 36 of mask 28.In case mask 28 is clamped, just sealing is against the surface 53 of first clamping part 52 for mask, and sealing is pre-thus stops up chamber 84 and assembly is ready for plugging material 44 is shifted by the opening on the mask 30 to form plug part 62, as shown in figure 11.During operation, when with matrix 10 to pusher when clamping mask 28, the second surface 20 of matrix 10 also contacts with backup member 88.In addition, positioning clamp 91 can be opened so that matrix 10 slides on locator 90.In case matrix 10 is in its blocking position, with regard to running fix pincers 91 with fixing base 10 once more.

As shown in figure 12, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the method for stopping up honeycomb 10 comprise with mask 28 adhere to honeycomb 10 first end face 18, provide a volume plugging material 44, clamp the outside 40 of mask 28 and the part of plugging material 44 transferred to step in the honeycomb 10.

According to a further aspect in the invention, know as Figure 16 to illustrate, a kind of method of stopping up honeycomb 10 is provided.Method of the present invention comprise with the pre-obstruction chamber 84 adjacent orientations of honeycomb 10 and plugging material 44, transfer at least some of plugging material 44 in the honeycomb 10 and cutting plugging material 44 with the smooth basically surface of formation on the pre-plugging material 44 that stops up in the chamber 84.In one embodiment, the step that plugging material 44 is transferred in the matrix is carried out with the honeycomb substrate 10 of horizontal orientation, as shown in Figure 8.

In case carried out transfer step and after displaceable member 76 has been closed holder 45, will stop up chamber 84 in advance and separate, formed gap 89 as shown in figure 14 thus with mask 28 and honeycomb 10.Removable framework 94 produces this separating by moving with respect to framework 70 with actuator 78.Step separately just is ready for the plugging material of next cutting step.According to various embodiments of the present invention, separate, be that gap 89 is not more than 1/4 inch (6.4mm) and preferably is about 3mm in cutting step.

After division step is finished, activate cutting member 98, be preferably the wire with the outer surface 34 adjacent orientations of mask 28, and move it and pass plugging material 44 so that it is cut.Perhaps, the shape of cutting member 98 can be arranged to knife-edge or be suitable for forming any other shape of flat surfaces 86 basically on the pre-plugging material 44 that stops up in the chamber 84.Cutting member 98 preferably is installed between two mounting blocks 87 (Figure 13) movably and each mounting blocks is moved by corresponding actuator 79.Perhaps, cutting member 98 can be in any appropriate manner, comprise moving and cross plugging material with hand.

Actuator 79 moves mounting blocks 87 along the direction of arrow 82, and therefore moving metal silk 98 and make the whole basically plugging material 44 that passes of wire, preferably, and from the top to the bottom, near first surface 53 and adjacent with mask 28.In one example, cutting member 98 contacted with first surface 53 in when cutting, guaranteed surface 86 on the plugging material 44 and first surface 53 thus at grade.Surface 86 is ready to directly transfer in the other end of honeycomb 10 then, or transfers in addition in next matrix that will stop up.Preferably carry out cutting step with the speed between the 0.75mm/s to 5mm/s.In one embodiment, cutting member 98 diameters about 0.032 inch (0.81mm), and make bearing by hard stainless steel music wire or other material with suitable tensile strength and to move through plugging material 44.After cutting member 98 passed plugging material 44, cutting member moved away the surface 86 of formation, thereby when cutting member 98 was got back to initial position (Figure 13), cutting member 98 did not contact with surface 86.During cutting, the matrix 10 of obstruction can be by withdrawal positioning clamp 91, open second clamping part 54 and withdraw backup member 88 and take out from locator 90.

That cutting step forms on the remainder of the pre-plugging material 44 that stops up chamber 84 is smooth, i.e. smooth basically surface 86.This makes pre-obstruction chamber 84 be ready for the obstruction operation of next matrix.Term " smooth basically " meaning is that the mean value that changes on whole surperficial 86 after energy-saving cutting step just changes and is not more than 2mm; Preferably less than 1mm.In addition, the thickness " t " of cutting material 44 on the outer surface 34 of mask 28 that stays of cutting step is less than 0.25 inch (6.4mm).

After through each cutting, preferably cutting member 98 is cleaned.In one example, this cleaning process is by cutting member 98 being entered contain the container 59 of fluid 56 and washing cutting member 98 and finish, shown in Figure 13 and 15.Fluid 56 be preferably water or with flush away or the dissolving plugging material 44 any other solvent.Optionally, the step of cleaning can comprise the pressure stirring of fluid or flow into container 59 so that cutting member 98 is subjected to the mode of flow of high-pressure fluid.Perhaps, can use the cleaning device of as shown in figure 19 scraper 100 and so on to finish cleaning step.By the direction of scraper 100 along arrow 101 moved and it clamped around cutting member 98.And then scraper 100 moved through the whole length of cutting member 98, thus any plugging material 44 is scraped off from cutting member 98.When arriving the mounting blocks 87 (Figure 13) of cutting member 98, can spray plugging material, or otherwise clear up scraper 100 and cutting member 98.

In aforementioned specification, those skilled in the art should should be readily appreciated that, can change and do not deviate from notion disclosed herein for the method and apparatus that stops up honeycomb substrate.Will be understood that these changes are included in following claims, unless these claims have other language expression in addition.Thereby scope of the present invention should be determined according to following claims, and be to be understood that it is not limited to shown in specification and the accompanying drawing and the structure of describing and the details of operation.

Claims

1. method of stopping up the passage of honeycomb may further comprise the steps:

The honeycomb that will have mask in the end carries out orientation with respect to pre-obstruction chamber;

Aim at a plurality of paths on the control piece that flows;

By the path on the control piece that flows at least a portion of plugging material is transferred in the described pre-obstruction chamber from holder.

2. the method for claim 1 is characterized in that, the step of described aligning comprises with respect to static element and moves displaceable member.

3. method as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that described displaceable member moves less than 0.5 inch.

4. the method for claim 1 is characterized in that, also comprises the step that a plurality of paths on the described mobile control piece are staggered.

5. method as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that, the step that also is included in the described described hole of staggering refills the step of holder afterwards with plugging material.

6. method as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that, the step that also is included in the described described path that staggers discharges the step of the pressure on the described plugging material before.

7. method as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that, the step of the described described a plurality of paths that stagger is finished in cost less than 1 second time.

8. the method for claim 1 is characterized in that, also is included in can directly transfer on the interior described plugging material of described honeycomb in the described pre-obstruction chamber and forms surperficial step.

9. the method for claim 1 is characterized in that, also comprises at least a portion of described plugging material is transferred in the described honeycomb from described pre-obstruction chamber.

10. device that is used to stop up the mask honeycomb comprises:

Holder, described holder is used to keep at least a portion plugging material;

Pre-chamber, the plugging material that has a patty in the described pre-obstruction chamber of stopping up; And

Mobile control piece between described holder and the described pre-obstruction chamber, described mobile control piece comprises:

Displaceable member with a plurality of holes; And

Fixture with a plurality of holes,

The described plugging material of control that staggers in wherein said hole flows into described mask honeycomb.

11. device as claimed in claim 11 is characterized in that, described a plurality of holes of described moving member equidistantly separate.

12. device as claimed in claim 11 is characterized in that, the described hole of described displaceable member is identical with described hole dimension on the described fixture basically.

13. device as claimed in claim 13 is characterized in that, when described displaceable member was in primary importance, the described hole of described displaceable member was aimed at the described hole on the described fixture basically.

14. device as claimed in claim 14 is characterized in that, when described displaceable member is in the second place, the described hole of described displaceable member basically with described fixture on described hole stagger.

15. device as claimed in claim 11 is characterized in that, comprises that also linear actuators is to move described moving member.

16. device as claimed in claim 11 is characterized in that, comprises that also piston is to move described plugging material.

17. device as claimed in claim 11 is characterized in that, the described hole on the described displaceable member is circular.