Earl Thomas Nelson

US Patent:

6732429, May 11, 2004

Filed:

Dec 3, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/007467

Inventors:

Vincent Carrara - South Boston MA
Earl Nelson - Livonia MI
Doug Seifert - Toledo OH
Joseph Lanzesira - Monroe OH
Paul Plenzler - Sylvania OH

Assignee:

Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

H05K 1300

US Classification:

29854, 2940708, 29520, 29593, 29890, 72 199, 72 85, 310232

Abstract:

The present invention is generally directed towards a catalytic converter installed in the motor vehicles. More specifically to a method of measuring the pressure on the substrate as the catalytic converter is subject to the spin forming process. A pressure-measuring device such as a sensor is contact with the substrate. In order to transfer data from the rotating catalytic converter to a stationary object, a slip ring device is connected to the pressure-measuring sensor.

US Patent:

20020062562, May 30, 2002

Filed:

Nov 19, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/993251

Inventors:

Houliang Li - Novi MI, US
Earl Nelson - Livonia MI, US
Joseph Lanzesira - Monroe MI, US

International Classification:

C01B003/00
B01J008/00
B01D047/00
B01D053/34
B21D051/16

US Classification:

029/890000, 423/212000

Abstract:

The present invention is generally directed towards a catalytic converter installed in the motor vehicles. More specifically to a method of forming the end portion of the catalytic converter using the spinform technique. The catalytic converter defines a central axis and is rotated around the central axis. At least one roller is placed perpendicular to the central axis. The roller moves in a transverse direction with respect to the central axis such that the axis of the end portion is at an angle with respect to the central axis.

US Patent:

20040025341, Feb 12, 2004

Filed:

Aug 6, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/213693

Inventors:

Houliang Li - Novi MI, US
Joseph Lanzesira - Monroe MI, US
Earl Nelson - Livonia MI, US

International Classification:

B21D051/16

US Classification:

029/890000

Abstract:

A method is provided for forming a catalytic converter comprising a catalyst substrate having a noncircular circumference and a metal housing disposed about the substrate. The catalyst substrate is initially measured to determine the radial dimension of the substrate circumference relative to a central axis. The substrate is wrapped in a compressible mat and arranged within a metal tube. The arrangement is subjected to a spin-forming process that forms the metal tube about the catalyst substrate. The spin-forming process includes rotating the metal tube about the substrate axis, while concurrently urging a metal-forming tool against the metal tube. The metal-forming tool is programmed to follow a metal-forming path corresponding to the substrate circumference plus a predetermined radial distance. In this manner, a metal housing is formed having a noncircular circumference corresponding in shape to the catalyst substrate and spaced apart by a uniform insulative layer.

US Patent:

20040081594, Apr 29, 2004

Filed:

Oct 29, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/282675

Inventors:

Houliang Li - Novi MI, US
Joseph Lanzesira - Monroe MI, US
Earl Nelson - Livonia MI, US

International Classification:

B01D053/34

US Classification:

422/179000, 422/177000, 422/180000

Abstract:

A catalytic converter for an automotive exhaust system or the like comprises a catalyst substrate disposed within a seamless metal housing preferably formed by a spin-forming process. The housing includes a midsection surrounding a catalyst substrate and an end section that extends from the midsection and defines an opening, which may be either an inlet or an outlet for the converter. An inner heat shield is affixed to the housing end section at the opening and includes a frustoconical section that is disposed about the substrate such that the substrate end is received in the frustoconical section. The frustoconical section is spaced apart from the first housing end section to insulate the housing end section from the heat of the exhaust gases and thereby reduces the temperature of the metal housing.