Inventors:
David K. Benson - Golden CO, US
Steven D. Burch - Honeoye Falls NY, US
Matthew A. Keyser - Arvada CO, US
Lance Mews - Caledonia MI, US
Donald R. Rigsby - Jenison MI, US
C. Edwin Tracy - Golden CO, US
Assignee:
Benteler Automotive Corporation - Auburn Hills MI
International Classification:
B01D 50/00, B21D 51/16
US Classification:
422179, 422180, 422177, 29890
Abstract:
A thermally-activated exhaust treatment device, such as a catalytic converter, for vehicles includes a core having an inner housing and a catalytic material. A jacket includes an outer housing enclosing the inner housing, but characteristically not contacting the inner housing. The inner and outer housings include walls forming a vacuum-drawn sealed insulation cavity around the inner housing. A temperature-activated variable insulator device is positioned within the outer housing and includes a hydrogen source and controls for controlling the variable insulator device. A vacuum-maintenance device is incorporated into the insulation cavity, and includes a small container, getter material positioned in the container, and a porous member allowing gas in the insulation cavity to communicate with the getter material. A multi-layered radiation shield is positioned in the vacuum space and is loosely coupled to the inner housing. A vacuum detector includes a visible indicator of the vacuum in the insulation cavity.