Various embodiments include a catalyst measuring system for determining the aging state of a catalytic converter comprising: an SCR catalytic converter; and a high-frequency measuring arrangement including a processor, a first antenna, and a second antenna. The first antenna is located upstream of the SCR catalytic converter in the exhaust tract and the second antenna is located downstream of the catalytic converter. The processor instructs the antennas to selectively emit and receive electromagnetic signals and evaluates the transmitted and the received electromagnetic signals to compare them with predefined threshold values. The processor determines an aging state of the SCR catalytic converter based on the comparison.

A method is disclosed for loading elongate wire lengths into elongate cells of a honeycomb ceramic substrate unit for a gaseous emissions treatment assembly, the cells each having a small cross-sectional area, the area shape matching the cross-sectional shape of the loaded wire lengths and marginally greater in area size than the wire lengths. A wire length is formed with a generally pointed end tip by pulling adjacent parts of a wire along the wire axis respectively in opposite directions from a desired wire breakage site. The tension and timing of the pulling operation are selected so that a desired tip profile is achieved. Initial alignment is done using machine vision. Subsequent adjustment is effected in dependence on feedback from sensors mounted close to the end of a wire insertion arm. Breakage and push insertion of wires is done using alternating gripping and moving of chucks or collets which have aperture shapes close in profile to the outer profile of the wire lengths.

A gaseous emissions treatment system includes an emissions control substrate having a plurality of passages to facilitate a catalytic reaction in an exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine. A magnetic field generator responds to a control signal by generating a varying magnetic field to inductively heat the emission control substrate. A magnetic field concentrator is configured and positioned to increase the radiated varying magnetic field in a region on the same side of the magnetic field concentrator as the emissions control substrate. The magnetic field concentrator also acts as a shield to reduce the radiated varying magnetic field in a region on the distal side of the magnetic field concentrator from the emissions control substrate.

A gaseous emissions treatment assembly has a honeycomb ceramic substrate body with a plurality of cells for passage of exhaust gases. Respective lengths of metal wire are located in a number of the cells. An induction heating coil is mounted adjacent the substrate body for generating a varying electromagnetic field, thereby inductively to heat the lengths of wire and thereby to heat the substrate body.

A clogging determination device includes a first antenna disposed at one of a side of a first end and a side of a second end of a filter disposed internally of a case, a second antenna disposed at the other of the side of the first end and the side of the second end of the filter, a multi-tone signal generator that has an output terminal coupled to the first antenna, outputs from the output terminal a multi-tone signal obtained by compositing a plurality of signals having different frequencies, and moves a position of an envelope of the multi-tone signal emitted to the filter from the first antenna, a detector that is coupled to the second antenna, and detects an intensity of the multi-tone signal received by the second antenna, and a determinator that determines a degree of clogging of the filter based on an intensity of the multi-tone signal.

An exhaust gas catalyst includes: catalyst particles that clean exhaust gas; and magnetic particles that are placed around the catalyst particles and that generate heat upon absorption of microwaves. Each of the magnetic particles includes: a core portion composed of a ferromagnetic material capable of generating heat upon absorption of microwaves; and a shell portion coating a surface of the core portion, the shell portion having a property of permitting passage of microwaves, the shell portion being superior to -alumina or -alumina in a property of blocking gases.

A gaseous emissions treatment system has a ceramic substrate body with a plurality of cells for passage therethrough of exhaust gases. An emitter electrode for emitting free electrodes is mounted adjacent one end of the substrate body for intercepting the flowing exhaust gas. A collector electrode for collecting electrons is mounted adjacent the other end of the substrate body for intercepting the flowing exhaust gas. An energizing and control circuit is used to apply a high voltage between the emitter and collector to stimulate the generation of free electrons while avoiding electrical breakdown of the flowing exhaust gas. Molecules and particles in the flowing exhaust gas are ionized and are subjected to electrohyrdrodynamically (EHD) induced forces. The result of the EHD forces is to increase turbulence within the flowing gas which, in turn, increases mass and heat flow in the exhaust gas, thereby to increase reactivity of the gas and to increase heat transfer from the exhaust gas to walls of the ceramic substrate cells.

An assembly for treating gaseous emissions includes a substrate body having a front and a rear and cells for the passage of emissions gas. Inductance heating metal is located in the substrate body and an induction heating coil is mounted adjacent the substrate body for generating a varying electromagnetic field for inductively heating the metal and thereby heating the substrate body. A greater concentration of the metal is located near the front of the substrate body than near the rear.

An assembly for treating gaseous emissions includes a substrate body having cells for the passages of emissions gas. Lengths of metal wire are located in selected ones of the cells and an induction heating coil is mounted adjacent the substrate body for generating a varying electromagnetic field. In this way the metal wires are heated, resulting in heating of the substrate body and heating of exhaust gas flowing in the cells. Individual lengths of wire or wire lengths that are joined together are configured as loop conductors.

Methods and systems are provided for expediting catalyst heating and cooling a braking system of a vehicle via applying a magnetic field to a vehicle system component. In one example, a method may include, responsive to a temperature of the catalyst being less than a threshold temperature, applying a magnetic field to an exhaust system component arranged proximate to the catalyst, and removing the magnetic field from the exhaust system component responsive to the temperature reaching the threshold temperature. In another example, the method further includes, following a vehicle braking event, applying the magnetic field to a braking system component, and removing the magnetic field from the braking system component responsive to magnetic field deactivating conditions being met.