Method for selectively manifolding honeycomb structures

Abstract

The invention comprises a method and various apparatus related to fabricating solid particulate filter bodies and other honeycomb structures the cells of which are selectively charged with a plugging or other flowable material. Solid coverings are applied over the end faces of a honeycomb structure, preferably an adhesive backed transparent thermoplastic film such as polyester, openings are created through the covering, preferably by melting the thermoplastic film, and the sealing or other flowable material is charged through the openings formed in the covering into the underlying cells. A porous walled honeycomb structure having coverings adhered to its end faces with selective openings therethrough is itself a solid particulate filter of some usage. A more substantial solid particulate filter body may be formed by charging a more durable sealant through the openings to form plugs and removing the coverings. An envisioned automated method and apparatus for forming openings through the covering is described and consists of an image analyzer which examines the surface of the structure and outputs signals to a jig for precision positions of a tool for forming openings through the covering.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.