Granted Patent B2

US 7,686,857 · App. 11/561,108 · Granted Mar 30, 2010

Abstract

Claims (16)

1. A particulate filter system, comprising:

an outer shell defining an upstream opening and a downstream opening;

a particulate filter (PF) that includes a non-conductive outer surface and is disposed within the outer shell;

an electrical grid that is arranged between the upstream opening and the PF and that is segmented into a plurality of heating zones that can be independently electrically actuated;

an outer mat disposed between the non-conductive outer surface of the particulate filter and the outer shell;

an electrical connector coupled to the outer shell; and

a plurality of printed circuit connections that are at least one of printed and etched on the nonconductive outer surface of the PF and are electrically connected to the electrical connector and each of the plurality of heating zones.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the electrical connector includes a plurality of pins;

a plurality of segments of conducting mesh material that are embedded in the outer mat to connect the plurality of pins to the plurality of printed circuit connections, and

each of the plurality of segments of the conducting mesh material are separated from other ones of the plurality of segments of the conducting mesh material by an insulating material.

3. The system of claim 2 further comprising a plurality of pads formed on the non-conductive outer surface that electrically connect the plurality of printed circuit connections and the plurality of segments of the conducting mesh material, respectively.

4. The system of claim 2 further comprising insulated Teflon wires electrically connected to the plurality of pins and extending from the electrical connector.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the insulated Teflon wires form a pigtail configuration.

6. The system of claim 2 wherein the conducting mesh material includes Grafoil.

7. The system of claim 2 wherein the insulating material includes alumina.

Assignments (13)