초록

A spin-capture retention system engages and retains a thermally expanding mat, stabilizer and exhaust aftertreatment element in an exhaust system, and provides secure axial and radial location, and provides protective sealing of the mat.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A method for making an exhaust system, comprising providing a housing extending axially along an axis, inserting an exhaust aftertreatment element and a mat and a stabilizer into said housing, said exhaust aftertreatment element having first and second distally opposite axial

What is claimed is: 1. A method for making an exhaust system, comprising providing a housing extending axially along an axis, inserting an exhaust aftertreatment element and a mat and a stabilizer into said housing, said exhaust aftertreatment element having first and second distally opposite axial ends for passing exhaust axially therethrough, said mat being disposed around said element and having first and second distally opposite axial ends, at least one of said ends of said mat being axially spaced from a respective one of said ends of said element by an axial gap, said stabilizer being disposed around said element and located in said gap, said housing extending axially beyond said one end of said element, providing said housing with a stabilizing section around said stabilizer, a main section of a first diameter around said mat and extending axially in a first axial direction from said stabilizing section, and a duct section of a second diameter extending axially in a second axial direction from said stabilizing section, said second axial direction being opposite to said first axial direction, said second diameter being smaller than said first diameter, providing said main, stabilizing and duct sections as a single unitary member, said stabilizing section having a first axial end merging with said main section, and a second axial end merging with said duct section, forming said stabilizing section by spin-reducing the diameter of a portion thereof to provide a spun-reduction diameter portion spanning between said first and second axial ends of said stabilizing section and both: a) radially bias said stabilizer inwardly toward said element at said one end of said element; and b) axially bias said stabilizer in said first axial direction toward said mat at said one end of said mat, forming said stabilizing section by spin-reducing the diameter thereof such that said housing and said element and said mat define a triangular shaped cavity in cross-section at said axial gap, and defining said triangular shaped cavity by a first side provided by said stabilizing section of said housing, a second side provided by said element extending axially in said first axial direction from said one end of said element to said one end of said mat, and a third side provided by said one end of said mat extending radially outwardly from said element to said housing at said first axial end of said stabilizing section of said housing. 2. The method according to claim 1 comprising spin-reducing said housing at a second spun-reduction diameter portion spanning along said duct section and providing a third diameter less than said second diameter. 3. The method according to claim 1 wherein said duct section of said housing has a first portion of said second diameter extending axially in said second axial direction from said second axial end of said stabilizing section of said housing, and a second portion extending axially in said second axial direction and radially inwardly from said first portion, and comprising spin-reducing said housing along a second spun-reduction diameter portion along said second portion of said duct section axially spaced from said first mentioned spun-reduction diameter portion along said stabilizing section, said second spun-reduction diameter portion and said first spun-reduction diameter portion being axially spaced by said first portion of said duct section of said housing therebetween of said second diameter. 4. A method for making an exhaust system, comprising providing a housing extending axially along an axis, inserting an exhaust aftertreatment element and a mat and a stabilizer into said housing, said exhaust aftertreatment element having first and second distally opposite axial ends for passing exhaust axially therethrough, said mat being disposed around said element and having first and second distally opposite axial ends, at least one of said ends of said mat being axially spaced from a respective one of said ends of said element by an axial gap, said stabilizer being disposed around said element and located in said gap, said housing extending axially beyond said one end of said element, providing said housing with a stabilizing section around said stabilizer, a main section of a first diameter around said mat and extending axially in a first axial direction from said stabilizing section, and a duct section of a second diameter extending axially in a second axial direction from said stabilizing section, said second axial direction being opposite to said first axial direction, said second diameter being smaller than said first diameter, providing said main, stabilizing and duct sections as a single unitary member, said stabilizing section having a first axial end merging with said main section, and a second axial end merging with said duct section, forming said stabilizing section by spin-reducing the diameter of a portion thereof to provide a spun-reduction diameter portion spanning between said first and second axial ends of said stabilizing section and both: a) radially bias said stabilizer inwardly toward said element at said one end of said element: and b) axially bias said stabilizer in said first axial direction toward said mat at said one end of said mat, providing a flow diffuser plate in said duct section, and spin-reducing said housing at a second spun-reduction diameter portion spanning along said duct section at said flow diffuser plate to mechanically secure said flow diffuser plate in place in said duct section. 5. The method according to claim 4 comprising spin-reducing said housing at a third spun-reduction diameter portion spanning along said duct section on the opposite axial side of said flow diffuser plate from said element, said second spun-reduction diameter portion being axially between said first and third spun-reduction diameter portions, said second spun-reduction diameter portion providing a third diameter less than said second diameter, said third spun-reduction diameter portion providing a fourth diameter less than said third diameter.