Cross Reference to Related Application

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63/339138 filed on May 6, 2022, the content of which is relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Field

[0002] The present specification relates to a gripping device for articles such as articles comprised of porous or thin structures such as ceramic honeycomb bodies comprised of a matrix of porous ceramic walls. The gripping device can be used to hold, fixture and/or transport or move such article.

Technical Background

[0003] During the manufacture of ceramic honeycomb bodies, care should be exercised to help prevent damage during handling of friable articles such as porous ceramic honeycomb bodies.

SUMMARY

[0004] Aspects of the disclosure pertain to gripping devices for holding, fixturing and/or transporting articles such as articles comprised of porous or thin structures such as ceramic honeycomb bodies comprised of a matrix of porous ceramic walls. In embodiments the gripping device can be used to grip delicate, fragile, frangible, or breakable items. The gripping device can be used to hold, fixture and/or transport or move such article. In embodiments, the gripping device can be used to secure an article such as a ceramic honeycomb body, such as during the application of deposits by filtration, during cleaning of the article, during measurements or inspection of the article such as filtration efficiency measurements, drying of the article, plugging or sealing of the honeycomb channels, and other processes. In embodiments, the gripping device securely holds the article, and further preferably provides a seal, for example an air-tight seal, between the device and the article, such as to prevent air or other gas leakage around the part during processing. In embodiments, the gripping device disclosed herein can be used in conjunction with an inflatable bladder that surrounds the exterior of the article; in other embodiments the gripping device disclosed herein can replace an inflatable bladder, in which case the gripping device disclosed herein may provide an airtight or gas-tight seal around the exterior of the article. In embodiments, the gripping device holds the article in a non-activated state (for example zero energy applied state) and then activated (such as by pulling a vacuum) in an energized state to release the article, thereby providing a “fail-safe” grip on the article. For example, if an inflatable bladder is activated by pressurization to provide a gas-tight seal around the periphery of the article, then the gripping device disclosed herein can provide a fail-safe grip to hold the article in place while also providing a gas tight seal, such as in the event of a leak in the bladder or power loss or other inadvertent loss of energy or power or otherwise resulting in the inflatable bladder becoming de-pressurized and losing its hold of the article. Even if such failure mode could be detected, the loss of grip on the article could cause considerable downtime to equipment operation, disassembly, possible damage to the article, removal of the article to continue the operation, and other disruptions to the manufacturing line and/or manufacturing capacity and related expense.

[0005] Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description, which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the embodiments described herein, comprising the detailed description, which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings.

[0006] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description describe various embodiments and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the claimed subject matter. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the various embodiments, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate the various embodiments described herein, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operations of the claimed subject matter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 schematically depicts an elevational cross-sectional view of a portion of a gripping device comprising an annular elastic hollow body, or bladder, in a first state.

[0008] FIG. 2 schematically depicts an elevational cross-sectional view of a portion of a gripping device comprising an annular elastic hollow body, corresponding to FIG. 1 but in a second state;

[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a gripping device disclosed herein gripping an article in a first state.

[0010] FIG. 4 schematically depicts an elevational cross-sectional view of the gripping device of FIG.3 shown gripping the article (not shown in cross-section) in the first state.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the gripping device of FIGS. 3-4 in which the article is released from the grip of the gripping device in a second state.

[0012] FIG. 6 schematically depicts an elevational cross-sectional view of the gripping device of FIG. 5 showing the gripping device in a release state such that an annular gap exists between the gripping device and the article (not shown in cross-section) in the second state.

[0013] FIG. 7 schematically depicts an elevational cross-sectional view of a portion of another embodiment of an annular elastic hollow body as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of articles for emissions treatment, for example, filtration articles, comprising a plugged honeycomb filter body comprising inorganic deposits disposed on walls defining inlet channels of the plugged honeycomb filter body and a catalytic material, in particular, a three-way conversion (TWC) catalytic material, on or within pores of porous ceramic walls of the plugged honeycomb filter body, embodiments of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

[0015] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a portion of a gripping device 100 as disclosed herein in elevational cross-section. Gripping device 100 comprises an annular elastic hollow body 110, such as an air bladder, comprising a radially inward facing portion 120 comprising an inner surface 130 (for engaging an article 10) defining a central opening, a radially outward facing portion 140 comprising an outer peripheral surface 150, and a radially expandable portion 160 disposed between the inward facing portion 120 and the outward facing portion 140. Preferably, the annular elastic hollow body 110 comprises an internal surface 130 defining an interior cavity 200. Device 100 is shown in an un-activated or deenergized or un-energized or non-energized state which is configured or sized to be able to grip a corresponding article 10, and therefore this state can be also be referred to as a gripping state. Thus the device 100 can be configured to grip the article 10 in a first state.

[0016] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the portion of the gripping device 100 of FIG. 1 wherein the device 100 is shown in a second state which is an activated or energized state which is configured or sized to be able to release a grip on the article 10 and therefore this state can be also be referred to as a release state. As seen in FIG. 2 the device 100 is retracted or compressed in a radial direction in which the inner wall, or inward facing portion 120, 120 is disposed closer to the radially outward facing portion, or outer wall, 140 as compared to the relative position of the inner wall 120 and outer wall 140 of the device 100 in the first state. The inner surface 130 of the inward facing portion 120 is moveable between a first radius R1 and a second radius R2, wherein R2 > R1 (see FIG. 6). That is, the inner surface 130 is disposed at a first radius R1 in a first state and is disposed at a second radius R2 in a second state, wherein R2 > R1.

[0017] As seen in FIG. 1, in one set of embodiments the elastic hollow body 110 comprises curved portions 142, 144 proximate the outward facing portion 140, and curved portions 122, 124 proximate the inward facing portion 120; and radially expandable portion 160 comprises curved portions 162 and 164.

[0018] In the first state, curved portion 142 comprises outer radius RAol and inner radius RAil, curved portion 122 comprises outer radius RBol and inner radius RBil, and radially expandable portion 160 comprises outer radius REol and inner radius REi 1. The radial length RL1 extends from the inward facing portion 120 to the outward facing portion 140. The elevational height of the inward facing portion 120 is Hi 1. The elevational height of the outward facing portion 140 is Hol.

[0019] In the second state, curved portion 142 comprises outer radius Rao2 and inner radius RAi2, curved portion 122 comprises outer radius RBo2 and inner radius RBi2, and radially expandable portion 160 comprises outer radius REo2 and inner radius REi2. The radial length RL2 extends from the inward facing portion 120 to the outward facing portion 140. The elevational height of the inward facing portion 120 is Hi2. The elevational height of the outward facing portion 140 is Ho2.

[0020] In one set of embodiments, the ratio of REo2/REol is from 0.9 to 1.0, the ratio of REo2/REol is from 0.4 to 0.6, and the ratio of REi2/REil is from 0.05 to 0.15; the ratio of RL2/RL1 is from 0.5 to 0.95, or 0.6 to 0.9, or 0.6 to 0.8. The ratio of Ho2/Hol is about 1.0. The ratio of Hi2/Hil is about 1.0. The ratio of Hol/Hil is between 0.75 and 0.98, or 0.8 and 0.95.

[0021] In a subset of embodiments, hollow body 110 is symmetric about a midplane such that curved portions 142 and 144 have the same inner and outer radii, curved portions 122 and 124 have the same inner and outer radii, and curved portions 162 and 164 have the same inner and outer radii.

[0022] In the first state, curved portions 142, 144 comprise outer radius RAol and inner radius RAil, curved portions 122, 124 comprise outer radius RBol and inner radius RBil, [0023] Preferably, the second state is an energized state that comprises an interior pressure inside the device 100 which is lower than the interior pressure of the device 100 in the first state, such as obtained by drawing or instituting a vacuum imparted to the interior of the hollow body of the device 100. That is, internal pressure in the interior cavity inside the hollow body 110 is lower in the second state than in the first state. In some embodiments, the internal pressure in the interior cavity 200 in the second state is lower than the pressure of an atmosphere outside and surrounding the hollow body. In some embodiments, the internal pressure in the interior cavity 200 in the second state is the same as the pressure of the atmosphere outside and surrounding the hollow body. In some embodiments, the internal pressure in the interior cavity 200 in the second state is greater than the pressure of the atmosphere outside and surrounding the hollow body.

[0024] Preferably, the non-activated state comprises a zero-energy state for the interior of the hollow body.

[0025] In some embodiments, the body is configured to allow a vacuum to be drawn on the interior cavity 200. In some embodiments, the body is configured to allow the interior cavity 200 to be pressurized. [0026] In some embodiments, the body is configured to disengage from the article 10 when a vacuum is applied to the interior cavity 200, and the body is configured to engage the article 10 when the vacuum is removed from the interior cavity 200.

[0027] In some embodiments, the body is configured to disengage from the article 10 when a vacuum is applied to the interior cavity 200, and the body is configured to engage the article 10 when the interior cavity 200 is pressurized or non-pressurized but not under vacuum. [0028] Preferably, the device 100 further comprises a mount 300, and the radially outward facing portion of the hollow body is configured to engage the mount 300. In some embodiments, the radially outward facing portion is fixed to the mount 300. In some embodiments, the radially outward facing portion is fixed to the mount 300, and the radially expandable portion and the radially outward facing portion are movable radially.

[0029] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a device 100 which comprises a mount 300, wherein the device 100 surrounds an article 10 such as a ceramic honeycomb structure article 10.

[0030] FIG. 4 shows an elevational cutaway view of the device 100 of FIG. 3 wherein the device 100 surrounds and makes contact with the article 10. The radially inward facing portion 120 of the annular elastic hollow body makes gripping contact with the article 10 in a first state. The radially inward facing portion 120 holds the article 10 and preferably establishes a gas-tight seal against the outer surface of the article 10. A portion of the annular elastic hollow body may be attached to the mount 300, or in other embodiments the hollow body may be disposed within the mount 300 without being attached thereto.

[0031] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates the device 100 of FIGS. 3-4, wherein the device surrounds the article 10 while the device is in a second state or release state.

[0032] FIG. 6 shows an elevational cutaway view of the device 100 of FIG. 5 wherein the device surrounds and but does not make contact with the article 10. The radially inward facing portion 120 of the annular elastic hollow body does not make gripping contact with the article 10 in the second state. That is, the radially inward facing portion 120 does not make a gas-tight seal with the article 10, and is disengaged from and does not hold the article 10. In some embodiments, the radially inward facing portion 120 may make contact in the second state, but does not maintain a gas-tight seal and/or does not tightly grip the article 10 such that the article 10 may be removed from being surrounded by the device 100. [0033] As illustrated by FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 6, in embodiments the radially outward facing portion 140 can have, in cross-section, a substantially flat outermost radial surface portion 141, and the radially inward facing portion 120 can have, in cross-section, a substantially flat outermost radial surface portion 121. Thus, larger amounts of surface area can be provided by portion 120 to engage an article 10, and/or larger amounts of surface area can be provided by portion 140 to engage a mount or fixture for the member 110. In embodiments the internal surface 130 defining interior cavity 200 can have a substantially flat portion 143 on the opposite side of the wall of the radially inward facing portion 120, and/or a substantially flat portion 143 on the opposite side of the wall of the radially outward facing portion 140.

[0034] As illustrated by the embodiment of FIG. 7, annular elastic hollow body 410, such as an air bladder, can comprise a radially inward facing portion 420 comprising an inner surface 430 (for engaging an article 10) defining a central opening, a radially outward facing portion 440 comprising an outer peripheral surface 450, and a radially expandable portion 460 disposed between the inward facing portion 420 and the outward facing portion 440. Preferably, the annular elastic hollow body 410 comprises an internal surface 430 defining an interior cavity 500. Thus, in embodiments, the radially outward facing portion 440 can have, in cross-section, a substantially flat outermost radial surface portion 441, and the radially inward facing portion 420 can have, in cross-section, a rounded or even semicircular outermost radial surface portion 421. Annular elastic hollow body 410 comprises an internal surface 430 which can define an interior cavity configured and adaptable to receive and/or grip an article.

[0035] Radially outward facing portion 440 can have, in cross-section, a substantially flat outermost radial surface portion 441. Thus, larger amounts of surface area can be provided by portion 440 to engage a mount or fixture for the member 440. In embodiments the internal surface 430 defining interior cavity 500 can have a substantially flat portion 422 on the opposite side of wall of the radially outward facing portion 440.

[0036] In embodiments, the radially expandable portion can comprise a generally hyperboloid, such as the cross-sectional shape shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

[0037] In embodiments, the radially expandable portion can comprise a bellows structure. [0038] In embodiments, the annular elastic hollow body can be a bladder, which preferably can be combined with a valve or tube mount which is configured to allow the bladder to be expanded and or contracted.

[0039] Thus, the annular elastic hollow body is configured to engage the article 10 in a first state, and to be disengaged from the article 10 in a second state.

[0040] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Thus, it is intended that the specification cover the modifications and variations of the various embodiments described herein provided such modification and variations come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.