EP4204667A1

EP4204667A1 - Electrical feedthrough

Info

Publication number: EP4204667A1
Application number: EP21755414.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Peter Hirth; Stefan Ahlers
Original assignee: Vitesco Technologies GmbH
Current assignee: Vitesco Technologies GmbH
Priority date: 2020-08-28
Filing date: 2021-08-02
Publication date: 2023-07-05
Also published as: CN115885095A; US12000320B2; WO2022043006A1; DE102020210889A1; US20230313720A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a current feedthrough for an electrically heatable catalytic converter, wherein the catalytic converter has inside it at least one electrical conductor, which can be electrically contacted by means of the current feedthrough, comprising a central electrically conductive inner conductor, which is led from the interior of the catalytic converter through the outer housing wall thereof, comprising an electrical insulating layer, which surrounds the electrically conductive inner conductor on the radially outer surface thereof, and comprising a metallic outer tube, in which the electrically conductive inner conductor and the electrical insulating layer are accommodated.

Description

description

Electrical feedthrough

technical field

The invention relates to a current bushing for an electrically heatable catalytic converter, the catalytic converter having at least one electrical conductor in its interior, which can be electrically contacted by means of the current bushing, with a central electrically conductive inner conductor, which is routed from the interior of the catalytic converter through its outer housing wall , with an electrical insulation layer which surrounds the electrically conductive inner conductor on its radial outer surface, and with a metallic outer tube in which the electrically conductive inner conductor and the electrical insulation layer is accommodated.

State of the art

Electrically heatable catalysts are known in the prior art. These usually have a current-carrying conductor which is connected to a voltage source via an electrical contact. Since the catalytic converters are designed to be gas-tight on the outside, there are special electrical feedthroughs that are routed through the outer casing of the catalytic converter and are contacted with the heating conductor inside.

In this case, the electrical feedthrough regularly consists of an electrical conductor which is embedded in an electrically non-conductive medium, for example a ceramic. The non-conductive material can in turn be surrounded by a metal sleeve, which can be permanently connected to the metal jacket of the catalytic converter by means of a joining technique and is resistant to mechanical loads. The electrical feedthrough, as is known in the prior art, thus regularly has a central current conductor, for example a bolt, a ceramic insulation and a metallic outer sleeve.

A particular disadvantage of the current feedthroughs known in the prior art is that due to the material connection between the current-carrying bolt and the components to be electrically contacted inside the catalytic converter, there is a high thermal load on the outer region of the current feedthrough. The thermal load is caused either by convection of the exhaust gas energy on the current bushing or by heating the heating conductor itself, which is in direct material connection with the current bushing. If the thermal loads are too high, the insulation of the electrical supply line or the connecting means between the supply line and the current bushing can be damaged, particularly in the contact area of the current bushing in the outer area.

In addition, it is disadvantageous that the magnesium oxide that is often used is highly hydrophilic and can therefore be washed out of the insulation layer. As a result, on the one hand, the insulating effect is deteriorated and, on the other hand, the durability of the bushing is also reduced, since the structural integrity of the bushing is endangered by the overgrowth of the insulating layer. It is also disadvantageous that with the previously known electrical feedthroughs it is not possible to sufficiently prevent flashovers between the areas separated by the insulating layer. In particular, it is not possible to produce an overhang of the insulation layer beyond the elements to be insulated, which would effectively prevent an electrical flashover.

Presentation of the invention, task, solution, advantages

It is therefore the object of the present invention to create an electrical current bushing for an electrically heatable catalytic converter which is durable and, in particular, prevents electrical flashovers. The task with regard to the electrical power feedthrough is solved by an electrical power feedthrough having the features of claim 1 .

One exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a current bushing for an electrically heatable catalytic converter, the catalytic converter having at least one electrical conductor in its interior, which can be electrically contacted by means of the current bushing, with a central electrically conductive inner conductor, which emerges from the interior of the catalytic converter through its outer housing wall is guided, with an electrical insulation layer which surrounds the electrically conductive inner conductor on its radial outer surface, and with a metallic outer tube in which the electrically conductive inner conductor and the electrical insulation layer is accommodated. The inner conductor is thus effectively electrically insulated from the outer tube, which surrounds the insulating layer, by the insulating layer which surrounds it.

It is particularly advantageous if the inner conductor and/or the outer tube is of conical design. In this context, conical means in particular that the elements taper or widen conically along their main axial extension. A form fit can thus be produced between the inner conductor and the outer tube, which is conducive to stability. The outer tube can, for example, form a conical sleeve into which the inner conductor, which is also conical, is inserted. Because of the conical design, the inner conductor can only be inserted into the outer tube until insertion is limited by the positive fit. By applying a force component to the inner conductor when plugging in, a frictional connection between the two elements can also be achieved. This tension or the occurrence of the frictional connection between the inner conductor and the outer tube is additionally reinforced by the insulating layer arranged between them.

It is also advantageous if the insulation layer is arranged between the inner conductor and the outer tube and is formed from a non-metallic material. The insulation layer is preferably formed from an oxidic material. A significant advantage of an oxidic material, such as a ceramic, is that the electrical insulation properties are very good. In addition, oxidic materials, such as are preferably used for electrical insulation, have specific thermal expansion coefficients that differ from the thermal expansion coefficients of the inner conductor and/or the outer tube by about <3 ppm/K. They particularly preferably have a difference of <2 ppm/K. The difference is very particularly preferably <1 ppm/K.

A preferred exemplary embodiment is characterized in that the oxidic material of the insulation layer is non-porous ceramic. Porosity is the ratio of the pore volume to the total volume, which includes the volume of the pores and the volume of the solid. The porosity is preferably given in percent. The lower the porosity, the lower the probability that diffusion processes will occur. An extreme value for porosity is 0% porosity. Such low porosity can be approximately achieved with materials such as aluminum oxide (AI2O3) or enamel. A porosity of less than 1% is particularly preferred.

It is also preferable if the oxidic material of the insulation layer is a porous ceramic, the ceramic being treated with an additional substance as a pore filler. Alternatively or additionally, a substance can also be applied as a surface sealer. It is characteristic of a pore filler that the substance has an average particle size that is below the average pore size in order to fill up the pores created by the porosity. Pore fillers can preferably consist of oxidic, non-electrically conductive ceramics, such as silicon oxide (SiC) or aluminum oxide (AI2O3). The pore size varies with the ceramic used, so the preferred ideal particle size should be matched to the ceramic used.

A surface sealer can be made from the same materials as, for example, a

There are pore fillers, in contrast to a pore filler, the Surface sealer to seal the surface and create a closed edge layer. For this purpose, a sintering treatment preferably follows after the application of the surface sealer. The minimum particle size of a surface sealant is larger than the average pore size of the ceramic.

A further preferred property of a surface sealer is the change in surface property from hydrophilic to hydrophobic, as a result of which wetting of the surface with water can be prevented.

Ceramics with a higher porosity are to be preferred in particular when the materials have very different coefficients of thermal expansion, since the pores have a certain elasticity, which can compensate for the differences in the coefficients of thermal expansion.

In addition, it is advantageous if a ceramic adhesive is arranged between the inner conductor and the insulating layer and/or between the insulating layer and the outer tube. A ceramic adhesive is particularly advantageous in order to create a good and durable connection between the inner conductor and the outer tube. Ceramic adhesives have the particular advantage that they bond very well to the ceramic insulation layer.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the insulation layer has a longer extension in the axial direction of the current feedthrough than the outer tube at the end lying inside the catalytic converter and/or at the end lying outside the catalytic converter. By generating an axial overhang of the insulation layer beyond the outer tube, the distance that would have to be covered in the event of an electrical flashover is effectively increased significantly. This makes the system more robust, especially for use with higher operating voltages.

It is also expedient if the outer tube is prestressed in relation to the inner conductor by using a thermal joining process. By generating a bias voltage, in particular, the stability of the electrical implementation to be improved. As a result, the inner conductor is better connected to the outer tube because an additional frictional connection is created. The electrical feedthrough is therefore more robust, in particular with regard to the mechanical and thermal loads that occur during operation.

In addition, it is advantageous if the insulation layer is constructed in multiple layers in the radial direction of the current feedthrough, with the individual layers being formed from materials with different coefficients of thermal expansion. In this way, an approximation of the coefficients of thermal expansion between the metallic materials of the inner conductor and the outer tube with the ceramic material of the electrical insulation layer can be achieved in a particularly advantageous manner. In particular, an attempt is made to keep the difference between the thermal expansion coefficients between directly adjacent layers as small as possible. In particular, this minimizes the risk of damage due to stresses in the electrical feedthrough that can be caused by thermal loads.

Furthermore, it is expedient if the layer of insulation has at least a first layer, which produces the electrical insulation between the inner conductor and the outer tube, with the layers arranged between this first layer and the inner conductor and/or the outer tube having a coefficient of thermal expansion of between the coefficient of thermal expansion of the first layer and the coefficient of thermal expansion of the inner conductor and/or the outer tube.

Only a single layer can have an electrically insulating effect, but several layers can also assume this function. The respective coefficient of thermal expansion of the layers adjacent to the electrically insulating layer is preferably between the coefficient of thermal expansion of the electrically insulating layer itself and the respective coefficient of thermal expansion of the inner conductor or the outer tube. In this way, an attempt is made to keep the differences between the thermal expansion coefficients of the individual layers as small as possible and to produce a uniform progression of the coefficients of thermal expansion in the radial direction of the electrical feedthrough. This is to reduce stresses due to thermal loads. Advantageous developments of the present invention are described in the dependent claims.

Claims

8 patent claims

1. Current bushing for an electrically heatable catalytic converter, the catalytic converter having at least one electrical conductor in its interior, which can be electrically contacted by means of the current bushing, with a central electrically conductive inner conductor, which is routed from the interior of the catalytic converter through its outer housing wall, with an electrical insulation layer, which surrounds the electrically conductive inner conductor on its radial outer surface, and with a metallic outer tube, in which the electrically conductive inner conductor and the electrical insulation layer are accommodated.

2. Current bushing according to claim 1, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that the inner conductor and/or the outer tube is conical.

3. Current bushing according to one of the preceding claims, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that the insulating layer is arranged between the inner conductor and the outer tube and is formed from a non-metallic material.

4. Current bushing according to one of the preceding claims, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that the oxidic material of the insulation layer is a non-porous ceramic.

5. Current feedthrough according to one of the preceding claims, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that the oxidic material of the insulation layer is a porous ceramic, the ceramic being treated with an additional substance as a pore filler.

6. Current bushing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that between the 9

A ceramic adhesive is arranged between the inner conductor and the insulation layer and/or between the insulation layer and the outer tube. Current feedthrough according to one of the preceding claims, da u r c h g e n n z e i c h n e t , that the insulating layer at the end lying inside the catalytic converter and/or at the end lying outside the catalytic converter has a longer extension in the axial direction of the current bushing than the outer tube. Current bushing according to one of the preceding claims, d a d a d u r c h g e n n z e i c h n e t that the outer tube is prestressed in relation to the inner conductor by the use of a thermal joining process. Current bushing according to one of the preceding claims, d a d a d u r c h g e n n z e i c h n e t that the insulation layer is constructed in multiple layers in the radial direction of the current bushing, the individual layers being formed by materials with different thermal expansion coefficients. Current bushing according to Claim 9, characterized in that the layer of insulation has at least a first layer which produces the electrical insulation between the inner conductor and the outer tube, the layers arranged between this first layer and the inner conductor and/or the outer tube having a coefficient of thermal expansion which is from Amount between the coefficient of thermal expansion of the first layer and the coefficient of thermal expansion of the inner conductor and / or the outer tube.