# US 9,038,439 B2 · Apparatus and methods for testing a honeycomb filter > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,038,439 B2 - Document ID: US9038439B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/687,792 - Filed: 2012-11-28 - Published: 2014-05-29 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2012-11-28 - Assignees: Corning Incorporated - Applicants: Joseph Henry Citriniti; John Deane Madison; Thomas John McGeorge; Babak Robert Raj - Inventors: Joseph Henry Citriniti; John Deane Madison; Thomas John McGeorge; Babak Robert Raj - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9038439B2 ## CPC - G01N 15/08: Investigating permeability, pore-volume, or surface area of porous materials - B01D 46/2418: {Honeycomb filters (used for filtering exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine F01N3/022; ceramic honeycomb structures per se C04B38/0006)} - G01N 21/95692: {Patterns showing hole parts, e.g. honeycomb filtering structures} - G01N 2015/084: {Testing filters} - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) ## Abstract Methods of testing a honeycomb filter include the step of wetting the outer peripheral surface of the honeycomb filter to enhance the flow of fog through outer peripheral channels of the honeycomb network of channels. In further examples, methods include the step of obstructing a flow of fog through inner peripheral channels to enhance the flow of fog through the outer peripheral channels of the honeycomb network of channels. In further examples, apparatus for testing a honeycomb filter include a flow diverter with a blocking member. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of testing a honeycomb filter comprising the steps of: (I) providing a honeycomb filter including a first end portion and a second end portion along an axis of the honeycomb filter, the honeycomb filter including honeycomb network of channels defined by a plurality of intersecting walls, wherein the honeycomb network of channels extend along the axis of the honeycomb filter between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the honeycomb filter is provided with an outer peripheral surface circumscribing the honeycomb network of channels and extending between the first end portion and the second end portion; (II) flowing a fog with moisture droplets into the honeycomb network of channels at the first end portion of the honeycomb filter; (III) monitoring the second end portion of the honeycomb filter for moisture droplets of the fog exiting the honeycomb network of channels; and (IV) wetting the outer peripheral surface of the honeycomb filter to enhance the flow of fog through outer peripheral channels of the honeycomb network of channels. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein step (I) provides the honeycomb filter with an outer peripheral skin defining the outer peripheral surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein step (IV) includes spraying a liquid to wet the outer peripheral surface of the honeycomb filter. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein step (IV) translates the honeycomb filter in a direction of the axis of the honeycomb filter through a central passage of a peripheral spray ring while the spray ring wets the outer peripheral surface of the honeycomb filter. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further including the step (V) of inhibiting a flow of fog through inner peripheral channels to enhance the flow of fog through the outer peripheral channels. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein step (V) includes obstructing a flow of fog through the inner peripheral channels at the first end portion of the honeycomb filter. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein step (V) includes obstructing a flow of fog through the inner peripheral channels at the second end portion of the honeycomb filter. ### Claim 8 A method of testing a honeycomb filter comprising the steps of: (I) providing a honeycomb filter including a first end portion and a second end portion along an axis of the honeycomb filter, the honeycomb filter including honeycomb network of channels defined by a plurality of intersecting walls, wherein the honeycomb network of channels extend along the axis of the honeycomb filter between the first end portion and the second end portion; (II) flowing a fog with moisture droplets into the honeycomb network of channels at the first end portion of the honeycomb filter; (III) monitoring the second end portion of the honeycomb filter for moisture droplets of the fog exiting the honeycomb network of channels; and (IV) blocking a flow of fog through inner peripheral channels to enhance the flow of fog through the outer peripheral channels of the honeycomb network of channels. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein step (IV) includes blocking a flow of fog through the inner peripheral channels at the first end portion of the honeycomb filter. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein step (IV) includes blocking a flow of fog through the inner peripheral channels at the second end portion of the honeycomb filter. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein step (III) occurs prior to step (IV). ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein step (III) occurs after step (IV). ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein step (III) occurs before and after step (IV). ### Claim 14 An apparatus for testing a honeycomb filter comprising: a fog generating device configured to generate a fog including moisture droplets; and a flow diverter comprises a blocking member configured to engage a central portion of an end of the honeycomb filter to enhance the flow of fog from the fog generator through outer peripheral channels of the honeycomb filter, wherein the blocking member is configured to block the flow of fog to the central portion of the end of the honeycomb filter. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the blocking member includes a peripheral seal configured to seal against the honeycomb filter. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the blocking member is configured to pivot between a blocking orientation and a retracted orientation. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the blocking member comprises an inflatable bladder. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the blocking member comprises a linear actuator. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a peripheral spray ring configured to wet the outer peripheral surface of the honeycomb filter. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a support mesh supporting the blocking member within a central portion of the support mesh.