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US 8,297,048 B2Granted
Apparatus and method for mounting a close-coupled catalyst
AssigneeCummins Inc.
InventorsPaul Matthew Biedler, Robert Clinton Ahrmann
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Mounting close-coupled catalysts for internal combustion engines. In one aspect, supporting a catalyst in an internal combustion engine includes a mounting bracket coupled to a base surface of an engine block. One or more support rods are coupled between the mounting bracket and a housing of the catalyst, such that the catalyst is coupled to and supported by the base surface of the engine block.
Claims17
An apparatus for supporting a catalyst in an internal combustion engine, the apparatus comprising:
- a mounting bracket comprising a first plate coupled to a base surface of an engine block of the engine, the mounting bracket further comprising a second plate coupled to and extending substantially transversely away from the first plate;
- at least one receptacle coupled to the second plate, the at least one receptacle comprising an elongate cylindrically-shaped tube, the at least one receptacle having a length greater than a thickness of the second plate, wherein the at least one receptacle extends lengthwise in a direction substantially parallel to the first plate;
- at least one elastomeric material positioned within the elongate cylindrically-shaped tube of the at least one receptacle, the elastomeric material having a length at least as long as the length of the at least one receptacle, the elastomeric material defining an elongate channel extending the length of the elastomeric material;
- and
- at least one support rod coupled between the mounting bracket and a housing of the catalyst, such that the catalyst is coupled to and supported by the base surface of the engine block, the at least one support rod comprising a first end portion seated within the elongate channel of the elastomeric material and a second end portion attached to the housing;
- wherein the at least one support rod is curved to allow desired placement of the mounting bracket with respect to the engine block.
3 more elements
A method for supporting a catalyst in an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:
- providing a mounting bracket comprising a first plate and a second plate coupled to and extending substantially transversely away from the first plate, the mounting bracket further comprising at least one receptacle coupled to the second plate at a location away from the first plate, wherein the at least one receptacle defines a channel extending in a direction substantially parallel to the first plate;
- securing the first plate to a base surface of an engine block of the internal combustion engine such that the at least one receptacle is positioned away from the base surface;
- and
- inserting a first end portion of a support rod into the channel of the at least one receptacle such that the first end portion is substantially parallel to the first plate, wherein a second end portion is secured to a housing of the catalyst, and wherein the support rod is bent such that a portion of the support rod between the first and second end portions extends at an angle relative to the first end portion.
1 more element
An engine exhaust system coupled to a vehicle having an internal combustion engine, comprising:
- a first exhaust aftertreatment component housing communicable in exhaust receiving communication with the internal combustion engine;
- a second exhaust aftertreatment component housing communicable in exhaust receiving communication with the first exhaust aftertreatment component housing, an inlet of the second exhaust aftertreatment component housing being coupled to the first exhaust aftertreatment component housing and supported relative to the vehicle by the first exhaust aftertreatment component housing;
- a third exhaust aftertreatment component housing communicable in exhaust receiving communication with the second exhaust aftertreatment component housing, an outlet of the second aftertreatment component housing being coupled to the third exhaust aftertreatment component housing and supported relative to the vehicle by the third exhaust aftertreatment component housing;
- and
- a support assembly further supporting the second exhaust aftertreatment component housing relative to the vehicle, the support assembly comprising:
- a mounting bracket comprising a first support coupled directly to a base surface of the vehicle, and a second support extending away from the first support and base surface of the vehicle;
- at least one receptacle coupled to the second support at a location away from the first support and base surface of the vehicle;
- an elastomeric material positioned within the at least one receptacle;
- and
- at least one support rod comprising a first end portion coupled to the second exhaust aftertreatment component housing and a second end portion positioned within the elastomeric material and the at least one receptacle, wherein the at least one support rod is curved to allow desired placement of the mounting bracket with respect to the engine block.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.