Ceramic monolith particulate filter trap support.

摘要

A particulate trap (20) for use in the exhaust system of a diesel engine to effect removal of particulates from the exhaust gases discharged from the engine, has a trap housing (21) with an exhaust inlet (32) at one end and an exhaust outlet (34) at its opposite end with at least one ceramic monolith wall flow particulate filter (10) having an inlet end (16) and an outlet end (17) positioned in the trap housing (21) by a tubular support member (36) having a compressible mat (40) of refractory material sandwiched between it and a portion of said particulate filter (10) next adjacent to the outlet end (17) thereof in a manner to prevent bypass flow from said exhaust inlet (32) around said particulate filter (10) to the exhaust outlet (34), at least 50% of the exterior surface of the particulate filter (10) next adjacent to its inlet end (16) being in spaced apart relationship to the trap housing (21) so as to define a passage in flow communication with the incoming exhaust gases whereby these gases will heat the exterior of the filter (10) next adjacent to the inlet end (16) thereof so as to effect a reduction of the thermal stress on the particulate filter (10) during engine operation. This support arrangement also reduces radial and axial stress on this exposed end of the filter.