Plugging methods and apparatus for particulate filters

• Main Authors: MUDD, JAMES R, WEACHOCK, RICHARD H, RYSZYTIWSKYJ, WILLIAM P, SCHOONMAKER, JASON E, POWELL, ROBERT A
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 23.04.2008
• Subjects: AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL; SEPARATION; SHAPING CLAY OR OTHER CERAMIC COMPOSITIONS, SLAG, OR MIXTURESCONTAINING CEMENTITIOUS MATERIAL, e.g. PLASTER; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDEDFOR; SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; TRANSPORTING; WORKING CEMENT, CLAY, OR STONE; WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE, IN GENERAL

Methods and apparatus for plugging cells of honeycomb structures (10) are disclosed. A first method covers the honeycomb structure's end face with a mask (28) having a body and plurality of sized openings positioned to oppose certain cell channels, wherein the outer edge of the body extends radially outwardly from the end face. A film (42) also extends outwardly of the end face, and a plug of material (44) is provided upon the film. The mask and film material are sealed to one another, and a force is applied to the film forcing the material through the mask and into the cells. Also disclosed is adhering a mask (28) to a first end face of the honeycomb structure such that the mask has an outer portion that extends radially beyond an outer edge of the honeycomb; providing a volume of plugging material (44); clamping the outer portion between a first clamping portion and a second clamping portion; and transferring the plugging material into the honeycomb. Also disclosed are methods and apparatus for cutting the plugging material between the mask and a pre-plugging chamber to form a substantially planar surface thereon.