The Total Finite Element Analysis System for the Design of an Automotive Catalytic Converter

A system approach is taken for the design of catalytic converters. An axisymmetric stuffing method is considered as a module for canning procedure in this investigation. The major aspects considered in this paper entail; three dimensional parametric modeling, parametric studies on the stuffing procedure, thermo-coupled stress analysis, modal analysis, thermal flow analysis, fatigue analysis for the steel parts, and parametric studies for optimizing the design of the total converter system. Popular commercial software are utilized to form the core of analysis modules. Developed in-house codes provide smooth interfaces between analysis modules by setting detailed analysis techniques and input decks. The system approach integrates established analysis procedures and parametric modeling.