Importance

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Abstract

A combination catalytic converter and filter (10) for internal combustion engine exhaust is provided by a single unitary flow member having an upstream frontside (14) and a downstream backside (16). The member has a plurality of flow channels (18) extending axially from the upstream frontside to the downstream backside. Each channel has left and right sidewalls (20 and 22) formed by pleated filter media (24), and top and bottom walls formed by respective upper and lower boundary layers (26 and 28). The left and right sidewalls (20 and 22) extend axially continuously from the upstream frontside to the downstream backside. The sidewalls (20 and 22) have first upstream sections (30, 32) proximate the upstream frontside (14), and second downstream sections (34, 36) proximate the downstream backside (16). One of the sections is a catalytic section (33) treated with a catalyst for the exhaust. The other of the sections is a filter section (35) having axially spaced alternately blocking sealants (38, 40) in alternate channels (48, 44) such that exhaust must pass through the pleated filter media (24). The catalytic section may be upstream or downstream of the filter section. A filter section may be nested axially between two catalytic sections, as well as other combinations and sequencing. The filter section may additionally be treated with catalyst.

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First Claim