Patent Publication Number: US-2021179502-A1

Title: Selective masking and plugging of honeycomb bodies

Description:
This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/693,643 filed on Jul. 3, 2018, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure generally relates to particulate filters, and more specifically, to methods of masking and plugging filters. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Ceramic wall flow filters typically have porous honeycomb structures with the plugs sealing alternate channels, which force exhaust gas flow through porous channel walls to exit from adjoining channels. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     A method of plugging a honeycomb body is disclosed herein, the method comprising: contacting a first end of the honeycomb body comprising a plurality of channels with a light curable sealing mixture such that an infiltrate of the light curable sealing mixture flows into the plurality of channels proximate the first end; emitting a light toward a first portion of the infiltrate within the plurality channels of the filter; and curing the first portion of the infiltrate within the channels with the light to form a plurality of seals. 
     Also disclosed herein is a method of plugging a honeycomb body, the method comprising: contacting a first end of the honeycomb body comprising a plurality of channels with a ultraviolet curable sealing mixture such that an infiltrate of the ultraviolet curable sealing mixture flows into the plurality of channels proximate the first end; emitting a light comprising ultraviolet light toward a first portion of the infiltrate within the plurality channels of the honeycomb body; curing the first portion of the infiltrate positioned within the channels with the light to form a plurality of seals in the plurality of channels; and removing the honeycomb body from the ultraviolet curable sealing mixture such that a second portion of the infiltrate drains from the channels. 
     Also disclosed herein is a method of plugging the honeycomb body, the method comprising: contacting a first end of the honeycomb body comprising a plurality of channels with a ultraviolet curable sealing mixture such that an infiltrate of the ultraviolet curable sealing mixture flows into the plurality of channels proximate the first end; imaging the first end of the honeycomb body through the ultraviolet curable sealing mixture; emitting a light comprising ultraviolet light toward a first portion of the infiltrate within a first portion of the plurality channels of the honeycomb body; curing the first portion of the infiltrate positioned within the first portion of the plurality of channels with the light to form a plurality of seals; removing the honeycomb body from the ultraviolet curable sealing mixture such that a second portion of the infiltrate drains from the channels; and removing the plurality of seals from the honeycomb body. 
     These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following is a description of the figures in the accompanying drawings. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and certain features and certain views of the figures may be shown exaggerated in scale or in schematic in the interest of clarity and conciseness. 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a filter, according to at least one example; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the filter including a plurality of plugs, according to at least one example; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken at line of  FIG. 2 , according to at least one example; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic illustration of a method, according to at least one example; and 
         FIG. 5  is an image of a plurality of blockages formed on a gas particulate filter, according to at least one example. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows and will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the description, or recognized by practicing the invention as described in the following description, together with the claims and appended drawings. 
     As used herein, the term “and/or,” when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself, or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and/or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination. 
     In this document, relational terms, such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like, are used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. 
     Modifications of the disclosure will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the disclosure. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the following claims, as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents. 
     It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described disclosure, and other components, is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein. 
     For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms: couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature, or may be removable or releasable in nature, unless otherwise stated. 
     As used herein, the term “about” means that amounts, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art. When the term “about” is used in describing a value or an end-point of a range, the disclosure should be understood to include the specific value or end-point referred to. Whether or not a numerical value or end-point of a range in the specification recites “about,” the numerical value or end-point of a range is intended to include two embodiments: one modified by “about,” and one not modified by “about.” It will be further understood that the end-points of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other end-point, and independently of the other end-point. 
     The construction and arrangement of the elements of the present disclosure, as shown in the exemplary embodiments, is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts, or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures, and/or members, or connectors, or other elements of the system, may be varied, and the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  show a filter  10  comprising a honeycomb body  14  comprising a first end  18  and a second end  22 . The honeycomb body  14  comprises intersecting cell walls that form a plurality of channels  26  extending from the first end  18  to the second end  22 . According to various examples, a filter  10  comprises a plurality of plugs  30  positioned within at least some of the channels  26 , in some embodiments at first and second ends  18 ,  22 , of the honeycomb body  14 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , the honeycomb body  14  comprises a matrix of intersecting cell walls comprise thin, porous walls  38  which extend across and between the first and second ends  18 ,  22  to form a large number of adjoining channels  26 . The channels  26  extend between and are open at the first and second ends  18 ,  22  of the honeycomb body  14 . According to various examples, the channels  26  are mutually parallel with one another. The honeycomb body  14  may comprise a transverse cross-sectional channel density of from about 10 channels/in 2  to about 900 channels/in 2 , or from about 20 channels/in 2  to about 800 channels/in 2 , or from about 30 channels/in 2  to about 700 channels/in 2 , or from about 40 channels/in 2  to about 600 channels/in 2 , 50 channels/in 2  to about 500 channels/in 2 , or from about 60 channels/in 2  to about 400 channels/in 2 , or from about 70 channels/in 2  to about 300 channels/in 2 , or from about 80 channels/in 2  to about 200 channels/in 2 , or from about 90 channels/in 2  to about 100 channels/in 2 , or form about or from about 100 channels/in 2  to about 200 channels/in 2  or any and all values and ranges therebetween. The walls  38  may have a thickness in mils (i.e., thousands of an inch) of from about 1 mil to about 15 mils, or from about 1 mil to about 14 mils, or from about 1 mil to about 13 mils, or from about 1 mil to about 12 mils, or from about 1 mil to about 11 mils, or from about 1 mil to about 10 mils, or from about 1 mil to about 9 mils, or from about 1 mil to about 8 mils, or from about 1 mil to about 7 mils, or from about 1 mil to about 14 mils, or from about 1 mil to about 6 mils, or from about 1 mil to about 5 mils, or from about 1 mil to about 4 mils, or from about 1 mil to about 3 mils, or from about 1 mil to about 2 mils or any and all values and ranges therebetween. It will be understood that although the channels  26  are depicted with a generally square cross-sectional shape, the channels  26  may have a circular, triangular, rectangular, pentagonal or higher order polygon cross-sectional shape without departing from the teachings provided herein. 
     The honeycomb body  14  may be formed of a variety of materials including ceramics, glass-ceramics, glasses, metals, and by a variety of methods depending upon the material selected. According to various examples, a green body which is transformed into honeycomb body  14  may be initially fabricated from plastically formable and sinterable finely divided particles of substances that yield a porous material after being fired. Suitable materials for a green body which is formed into the honeycomb body  14  comprise metallics, ceramics, glass-ceramics, and other ceramic based mixtures. In some embodiments, the honeycomb body  14  is comprised of a cordierite (e.g., 2MgO.2Al 2 O 3 .5SiO 2 ) material. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the filter  10  can be formed from the honeycomb body  14  by closing or sealing a first subset of channels  26 , such as at the first end  18  with plugs  30 , and the remaining channels  26  (for example alternating channels  26 ) being closed at the second end  22  of the honeycomb body  14 , using other plugs  30 . In operation of the filter  10 , fluids such as gases carrying solid particulates are brought under pressure to the inlet face (e.g., the first end  18 ). The gases then enter the honeycomb body  14  via the channels  26  which have an open end at the first end  18 , pass through the walls  38  of the porous cell walls, and out the channels  26  which have an open and at the second end  22 . Passing of the gasses through the walls  38  may allow the particulate matter in the gases to remain trapped by the walls  38 . 
     As schematically illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , plugs  30  may be positioned in the channels  26  in an alternating manner. In the depicted example, the plugs  30  are positioned across the first and second ends  18 ,  22  of the honeycomb body  14  in a “checkerboard” pattern, but it will be understood that other patterns may also be applied. In the checkerboard pattern, each of an open channel&#39;s  26  nearest neighbor channels  26  on an end (e.g., either the first or second end  18 ,  22 ) includes a plug  30 . 
     The plugs  30  may have an axial length, or longest dimension extending substantially parallel with the channels  26 , of about 0.5 mm or greater, of about 1 mm or greater, of about 1.5 mm or greater, of about 2 mm or greater, of about 2.5 mm or greater, of about 3 mm or greater, of about 3.5 mm or greater, of about 4 mm or greater, of about 4.5 mm or greater, of about 5 mm or greater, of about 5.5 mm or greater, of about 6.0 mm or greater, of about 6.5 mm or greater. For example, the plugs  30  may have an axial length of from about 0.5 mm to about 10 mm, or from about 1 mm to about 9 mm, or from about 1 mm to about 8 mm, or from about 1 mm to about 7 mm, or from about 1 mm to about 6 mm, or from about 1 mm to about 5 mm, or from about 1 mm to about 4 mm, or from about 1 mm to about 3 mm, or from about 1 mm to about 2 mm or any and all value and ranges therebetween. According to various examples, the plurality of plugs  30  located on the first end  18  of the body  14  may have a different length than the plugs  30  positioned on the second end  22  of the body  14 . 
     The variation in length for a plurality of plugs  30  may be expressed as a standard deviation and is calculated as the square root of variance by determining the variation between each length relative to the average length of the plugs  30 . The standard deviation of the plurality of plugs  30  is a measure of the variance in the length of plugs  30  positioned, for example, on either the first or second ends  18 ,  22  of the honeycomb body  14 . All of the plurality of plugs  30  on one end (e.g., the first or second end  18 ,  22 ) may have a standard deviation in length of from about 0.1 mm to about 3.0 mm. For example, a standard deviation in length of the plugs  30  may be about 3.0 mm or less, about 2.9 mm or less, about 2.8 mm or less, about 2.7 mm or less, about 2.6 mm or less, about 2.5 mm or less, about 2.4 mm or less, about 2.3 mm or less, about 2.2 mm or less, about 2.1 mm or less, about 2.0 mm or less, about 1.9 mm or less, about 1.8 mm or less, about 1.7 mm or less, about 1.6 mm or less, about 1.5 mm or less, about 1.4 mm or less, about 1.3 mm or less, about 1.2 mm or less, about 1.1 mm or less, about 1.0 mm or less, about 0.9 mm or less, about 0.8 mm or less, about 0.7 mm or less, about 0.6 mm or less, about 0.5 mm or less, about 0.4 mm or less, about 0.3 mm or less, about 0.2 mm or less, about 0.1 mm or less or any and all values and ranges therebetween. According to various examples, the plurality of plugs  30  located on the first end  18  of the body  14  may have a different standard deviation than the plugs  30  positioned on the second end  22  of the body  14 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the filter  10  may be formed via a method  50 . As will be explained in greater detail below, the method  50  includes steps to form a plurality of seals  54  in the honeycomb body  14 . According to various examples, the seals  54  may be used in lieu of conventional masking layers to prevent the penetration of cement used in the formation of the plugs  30  in certain channels  26 . According to yet other examples, the seals  54  may be used as the plugs  30 . In such examples, the foregoing description of the plugs  30  may be applied to the seals  54 . In other words, the seals  54  are the plugs  30 . 
     The method  50  may begin with a step  58  of positioning sealing mixture  62  on a substrate. According to various examples, step  58  may include positioning sealing mixture  62  in a container  66 . The sealing mixture  62  may be a liquid, gel or fluid with a sufficiently low viscosity that it may freely or through the use of force enter the channels  26 . According to various examples, the sealing mixture  62  may be curable, or configured to be hardened (e.g., have its viscosity increased), by one or more forms of energy. According to various examples, the sealing mixture  62  may be light-curable such that one or more wavelengths or wavelength bands of light (e.g., the electromagnetic spectrum) may cure or harden the sealing mixture  62 . For example, the sealing mixture  62  may be curable by ultraviolet (UV) light (e.g., light having a wavelength of from about 180 nm to about 400 nm), visible light (e.g., light having a wavelength of from about 400 nm to about 700 nm) and/or by infrared light (e.g., light having a wavelength of from about 700 nm to about 1 mm). In ultraviolet curable examples of the sealing mixture  62 , the ultraviolet light may be deep UV having a wavelength of from about 1 nm to about 180 nm, UVA (e.g., near UV) having a wavelength of from about 315 nm to about 400 nm, UVB (e.g., middle UV) having a wavelength of from about 280 nm to about 315 nm and/or UVC (e.g., far UV) having a wavelength of from about 180 nm to about 280 nm. It will be understood that the sealing mixture  62  may be curable under other conditions as well such as ionizing radiation, heat, electron beam, and/or other forms of energy which may cure the sealing mixture  62 . According to various examples, the sealing mixture  62 , once cured or solidified, may be capable of melting, un-curing, oxidizing and/or otherwise being removed from the honeycomb body  14  through the application of additional energy and/or through other processes. 
     The sealing mixture  62  may be formed of single or a variety of constituents. For example, the sealing mixture  62  may include an acrylate, an acrylic, a cyano acrylate, a silicone, an acrylated urethane, one or more photopolymers, an ester of cinnamic acid, an oligomer of styrene-tetramer-alpha cumyl end group, an A-methyl styrene-dimer (1), an A-methyl styrene-tetramer, an acrylic acid oligomer, a methyl methacrylate oligomer, a methyl methacrylate tetramer, a vinyl alcohol trimer, a vinylacetate trimer, a vinylacetate oligomer, poly isobutylene, triglycerol, poly propylene glycol (dihydroxy terminated), an acrylic acid, a methacrylic acid, isodecyl acrylate, N-vinyl pyrrolidone, trimethylopropane triacrelate, ethoxylated trimethylopropane triacrelate, trimethylepropane trimethacrylate, hexanediol diacrylate, isopropylthioxanthone, benzophenone, 2,2-azobisisobutyronitrile, diaryliodonium salts, triarylsulfonium salts, hydrophobic agents, hydrophilic agents, phototiniators, additives (e.g., pigments, fillers, defoamers, flattening agents, wetting agents, slip aids, etc.), oligomers and monomers, water, oils, other compounds and/or combinations thereof. 
     According to various examples, the sealing mixture  62  may be translucent and/or transparent to one or more wavelengths of light. For example, the sealing mixture  62  may have a transmittance of about 80% or greater, about 81% or greater, about 82% or greater, about 83% or greater, about 84% or greater, about 85% or greater, about 86% or greater, about 87% or greater, about 88% or greater, about 89% or greater, about 90% or greater, about 91% or greater, about 92% or greater, about 93% or greater, about 94% or greater, about 95% or greater, about 96% or greater, about 97% or greater, about 98% or greater, about 99% or greater, about 99.5% or greater to any of the above noted wavelength and/or wavelength ranges. According to various examples, the sealing mixture  62  may be colored or tinted. For example, the sealing mixture  62  may have a color or tint corresponding to red, green, blue, other colors and/or combinations thereof. 
     The sealing mixture  62  is positioned in the container  66 . The sealing mixture  62  may have a depth, or fill level, within the container  66  of from about 0.1 mm to about 10 mm. For example, the sealing mixture  62  may have a depth in the container  66  of about 0.1 mm or greater, about 0.5 mm, about 1.0 mm or greater, about 1.5 mm or greater, about 2.0 mm or greater, about 2.5 mm or greater, about 3.0 mm or greater, about 3.5 mm or greater, about 4.0 mm or greater, about 4.5 mm or greater, about 5.0 mm or greater, about 5.5 mm or greater, about 6.0 mm or greater, about 6.5 mm or greater, about 7.0 mm or greater, about 7.5 mm or greater, about 8.0 mm or greater, about 8.5 mm or greater, about 9.0 mm or greater, about 9.5 mm or greater, about 10 mm or greater or any and all values and ranges therebetween. According to various examples, the fill depth of the sealing mixture  62  within the container  66  may substantially correspond to the desired depth of the seals  54  within the channels  26  of the honeycomb body  14  as will be explained in greater detail below. 
     The container  66  may be formed of a glass, glass-ceramic, ceramic, polymer, composite material, other material and/or combinations thereof. According to various examples, the container  66  may be translucent, substantially transparent and/or transparent to one or more wavelengths or wavelength bands of light. In other words, the container  66  may be light transparent. For example, the container  66  may have a transmittance of from about 50% to about 100%, or about 60% to about 100%, or about 70% to about 100%, or about 80% to about 100%, or about 90% to about 100%, or about 95% to about 100% to one or more wavelengths or wavelength bands of light having a wavelength of from about 1 nm to about 1 mm. It will be understood that any and all values and ranges therebetween for the transmittance and wavelength are contemplated. The container  66  may be rigid or flexible. In flexible examples of the container  66 , the container  66  may be capable of repeated deflection or distortion under force without breaking. Flexible examples of the container  66  may be advantageous in allowing the honeycomb body  14  to be released from the container  66  by flexing or distorting the container  66 . 
     According to various examples, step  58  may include positioning a liner  74  or membrane between the container  66  and the sealing mixture  62 . The liner  74  may include a glass, glass-ceramic, ceramic, polymer, composite material, other materials and/or combinations thereof. For example, the liner  74  may be composed of polyvinyl chloride, low-density polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene, polyvinylidene chloride, cellulose, other materials and/or combinations thereof. According to various examples, the liner  74  may be flexible. In flexible examples of the liner  74 , the liner  74  may be capable of repeated deflection or distortion under force without ripping, tearing, or breaking. According to various examples, the liner  74  may be translucent, substantially transparent and/or transparent to one or more wavelengths or wavelength bands of light. For example, the liner  74  may have a transmittance of from about 50% to about 100%, or about 60% to about 100%, or about 70% to about 100%, or about 80% to about 100%, or about 90% to about 100%, or about 95% to about 100% to one or more wavelengths or wavelength bands of light having a wavelength of from about 1 nm to about 1 mm. As the container  66 , the liner  74  and the sealing mixture  62  may both be translucent, substantially transparent and/or transparent, the honeycomb body  14 , including the plurality of channels  26  and the walls  38 , may be visible through a bottom and/or side of the container  66 . According to various examples, the liner  74  may include one or more adhesives which may aid in bonding the liner  74  to the container  66 . For example, one or more sides of the liner  74  may have an adhesive applied (e.g., an adhesive backing) to secure the liner  74  to the container  66 . Use of such a flexible liner  74  may aid in the nondestructive release of the honeycomb body  14  from the container  66  after one or more steps of the method  50  are complete. In practice, the liner  74  may be laid within the container  66  prior to placement of the sealing mixture  62  into the container  66 . 
     Next, a step  80  of placing the first end  18  of the honeycomb body  14  including the plurality of channels  26  into the sealing mixture  62  such that an infiltrate  82  of the sealing mixture  62  flows into the plurality of channels  26  proximate the first end  18  is performed. As the sealing mixture  62  may have a sufficiently low viscosity that it is a liquid or gel, the infiltrate  82  of the sealing mixture  62  flows into the plurality of channels  26 . The infiltrate  82  of the sealing mixture  62  may rise within the plurality of channels  26  to the same height as the portion of the sealing mixture  62  which is not in the plurality of channels  26 . In other words, the infiltrate portion  82  of the sealing mixture  62  may self-level within the plurality of channels  26  to be the same height as the sealing mixture  62  within the container  66 . Wetting, wicking, or the interaction between the honeycomb body  14  and the sealing mixture  62  may also cause the infiltrate portion  82  of the sealing mixture  62  to flow into the plurality of channels  26 . Control of the wetting of the sealing mixture  62  to the honeycomb body  14  may be controlled by the composition of the sealing mixture  62  (e.g., adding oils, water, additives, etc.), applying a hydrophobic and/or hydrophilic coating to the plurality of channels  26  to a prescribed depth within the honeycomb body  14  and/or by presoaking the honeycomb body  14 . In presoaking examples, the honeycomb body  14  may be soaked in a water, oil and/or solution for a predetermined time period (e.g., from about 1 second to about 1 hour) at an elevated temperature (e.g., from about 30° C. to about 90° C.) such that wetting and/or wicking of the infiltrate  82  may be controlled. Controlling the wetting or wicking of the infiltrate  82  into the plurality of channels  26  may be advantageous in allowing control of the depth of the infiltrate  82  within the plurality of channels  26  and thereby controlling the final depth of the seals  54  within the plurality of channels  26 . It will be understood that placing of the first end  18  of the honeycomb body  14  in the sealing mixture  62  may be performed under pressure or force and/or may be done under the force of gravity. 
     Next, a step  84  of imaging the first end  18  of the honeycomb body  14  to determine the location of the plurality of channels  26  is performed. According to various examples, step  84  may be accomplished using an imager  88 . In operation, the imager  88  may be moved to the location of the honeycomb body  14  and container  66  or the honeycomb body  14  and container  66  may be moved to the location of the imager  88 . The imager  88  may be a charge-coupled device (CCD), a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor device (CMOS) other types of imagers  88  and/or combinations thereof. It will be understood that a single imager  88  may be utilized or a plurality of imagers  88  may be used. Further, the imager  88  and/or container  66  and honeycomb body  14  may remain stationary during step  84 , or relative motion between the imager  88  and the container  66  and honeycomb body  14  may be used to image the first end  18 . The imager  88  is configured to obtain still images and/or video of the first end of the honeycomb body  14 . According to various examples, the imager  88  may be positioned below the honeycomb body  14  and container  66  such that the imager  88  images the first end  18  of the honeycomb body  14  through the container  66 , sealing mixture  62  and/or liner  74 , but it will be understood that the first end  18  of the honeycomb body  14  may be imaged from a variety of locations. For example, the first end  18  of the honeycomb body  14  may be imaged from an angle non-perpendicular to the first end  18 , from a side of the honeycomb body  14  and/or from the second end  22  of the honeycomb body  14  (i.e., through the plurality of channels  26  to the first end  18 ). 
     Images and/or video retrieved from the imager  88  may be provided to one or more vision analysis software programs and/or algorithms which are configured to determine the size, shape and location of the plurality of channels  26 . For example, the vision analysis software and/or algorithms may be able to distinguish between half-channels and quarter channels positioned around an edge of the honeycomb body  14  from full-channels positioned away from the edge of the honeycomb body  14 . Once the vision analysis software and/or algorithms have identified the size, shape and location of the plurality of channels  26 , the vision analysis software and/or algorithms may output a lighting pattern for use in later steps of the method  50 . For example, the lighting pattern may designate a number of channels  26  which should receive light and a plurality of channels  26  which should not receive light. The lighting pattern may take a variety of configurations. For example, the lighting pattern may be in a checkerboard pattern similar to the layout of the plugs  30 , one or more patterns or indicia (e.g., alphanumeric text, symbols, pictures, images, logotypes, etc.) and/or other shapes. In process runs of the method  50  where the method  50  is performed a number of times each on a separate honeycomb body  14 , step  84  may only be performed a single time when each of the filters  10  are substantially similar in shape, size and distribution of the channels  26 . In other words, a single honeycomb body  14  may be imaged to develop the lighting pattern and the lighting pattern can be applied to a number of other filters  10  in the method  50 . Further, when the method  50  is performed on the second side  22  of the honeycomb body  14 , step  84  may be omitted if the first and second ends  18 ,  22  of the honeycomb body  14  are substantially similar. Use of step  84  for every run of method  50  may be advantageous in accounting for variability in the geometry of the honeycomb body  14  as well as placement of the honeycomb body  14 . It will be understood that one or more visual indicators or markers (e.g., colorations, stickers, etc.) may be placed on the honeycomb body  14 , container  66  or utilized by the vision analysis software such that a reference point on the container  66  and/or honeycomb body  14  may be identified in order to create the lighting pattern. 
     Next, a step  96  of emitting a light  100  toward a first portion  82 A of the infiltrate  82  within the plurality channels  26  of the honeycomb body  14  is performed. A second portion  82 B of the infiltrate  82  may not have the light  100  impinging on it or will have less light impinging on it relative to the first portion  82 A. The light  100  may include any of the above-noted wavelengths and/or wavelength bands of light which may cure the sealing mixture  62 . Further, the light  100  may be any wavelength or wavelength band of the electromagnetic spectrum which may cure the sealing mixture  62 . The light  100  may be emitted from one or more light sources  104  based on the lighting pattern produced by the vision analysis software. The light source  104  may be a projector (e.g., capable of emitting a static or dynamic lighting pattern), a laser and/or other types of light sources  104 . In projector examples of the light source  104 , the projector may be a digital light projector. In operation of step  96 , the honeycomb body  14  and container  66  may be moved to the light source  104  and/or the light source  104  may be moved to the honeycomb body  14 . In yet other examples, one or more light direction systems (e.g., mirrors, prisms, etc.) may be employed such that the light source  104  may be positioned remotely from the honeycomb body  14  and/or container  66 . According to various examples, the light source  104  may be positioned to emit the light  100  through the container  66 , the liner  74  and/or the sealing mixture  62 . In other words, the light  100  from the light source  104  is passed through the container  66 , the sealing mixture  62  and/or liner  74 . For example, the light source  104  may be positioned below the honeycomb body  14  and/or container  66 . The light source  104  may additionally or alternatively be positioned proximate a side or top of the honeycomb body  14 . According to various examples, the light source  104  may emit the light  100  proximate the second end  22  of the honeycomb body  14  such that the light  100  travels down the plurality of channels  26  to contact the sealing mixture  62 . 
     According to various examples, the lighting pattern emitted from the light source  104  may be a static light pattern. In other words, the pattern of light emitted from the light source  104  may not move or change. In such examples, the lighting pattern may be in a checkerboard pattern (i.e., the light  100  is emitted such that it impinges on the first portion  82 A of the infiltrate  82  in alternating channels  26  of the honeycomb body  14 ). It will be understood that other static lighting patterns may be emitted from the light source  104 . In dynamic examples of the lighting pattern, the light  100  from the light source  104  may be rastered, translated, intermittently emitted and/or otherwise moved across the plurality of channels  26 . For example, in laser examples of the light source  104 , the light source  104  may emit or pulse the light  100  at a specific channel  26  and after a predetermined period of time move to another channel  26 . 
     The light  100  may be emitted toward the first portion  82 A of the infiltrate  82  for a predetermined period of time (e.g., sufficiently long to cure the infiltrate  82 ). For example, the step of emitting the light  100  toward the first portion  82 A of the infiltrate  82  within the plurality of channels  26  is performed from about 1 second to about 20 minutes, or from about 1 second to about 19 minutes, or from about 1 second to about 18 minutes, or from about 1 second to about 19 minutes, or from about 1 second to about 18 minutes, or from about 1 second to about 17 minutes, or from about 1 second to about 16 minutes, or from about 1 second to about 15 minutes, or from about 1 second to about 14 minutes, or from about 1 second to about 13 minutes, or from about 1 second to about 12 minutes, or from about 1 second to about 11 minutes, or from about 1 second to about 10 minutes, or from about 1 second to about 9 minutes, or from about 1 second to about 8 minutes, or from about 1 second to about 7 minutes, or from about 1 second to about 6 minutes, or from about 1 second to about 5 minutes, or from about 1 second to about 4 minutes, or from about 1 second to about 3 minutes, or from about 1 second to about 2 minutes, or from about 1 second to about 1 minute, or from about 1 second to about 45 seconds, or from about 1 second to about 30 seconds, or from about 1 second to about 15 seconds or any and all values and ranges therebetween. It will be understood that the time the light  100  is emitted toward the first portion  82 A of the infiltrate  82  may be dependent on the intensity or power output of the light source  104  as well as the composition of the sealing mixture  62  (i.e., how readily the sealing mixture  62  cures). 
     Next, a step  112  of curing the first portion  82 A of the infiltrate  82  positioned within the plurality of channels  26  with the light  100  to form the plurality of seals  54  is performed. It will be understood that although described as separate steps for clarity, steps  96  and  112  may be performed substantially simultaneously without departing from the teachings provided herein. Curing of the first portion  82 A of the infiltrate  82  may result in increasing viscosity, hardness and/or rigidity of the first portion  82 A such that curing of the first portion  82 A forms the plurality of seals  54 . As the curing of the first portion  82 A of the infiltrate  82  is carried out by the light  100 , the plurality of seals  54  is formed in the channels  26  which were exposed to the light  100 . As such, the plurality of seals  54  is formed in the same pattern (e.g., checkerboard) as the lighting pattern. It will be understood that as the second portion  82 B of the infiltrate  82  is not or only minimally exposed to the light  100 , the second portion  82 B does not cure and may remain in the low viscosity state similar to the sealing mixture  62 . 
     As the infiltrate  82  of the sealing mixture  62  is in intimate contact with the walls  38  of the honeycomb body  14 , the plurality of seals  54  may be secured within the channels  26 . As explained above, the plurality of seals  54  may have any of the above-noted qualities and attributes explained above in connection with the plugs  30 . As will be explained in greater detail below, the plurality of seals  54  may be the plurality of plugs  30  in examples where the seals  54  are composed of a material which may withstand the use requirements (e.g., temperature, vibration, pressure, etc.) of the finished honeycomb body  14 . Depending on the composition of the sealing mixture  62 , the plurality of seals  54  formed therefrom may be translucent, transparent, tinted, colored or have other properties similar to the sealing mixture  62 . As the first portion  82 A of the infiltrate  82  has been cured of form the plurality of seals  54 , the second portion  82 B of the infiltrate  82  within the plurality of channels  26  may remain in its liquid or gel uncured state. 
     Next a step  116  of removing the honeycomb body  14  from the sealing mixture  62  such that a second portion  82 B of the infiltrate  82  drains from the plurality of channels  26 . In other words, as the second portion  82 B of the infiltrate  82  remains in the liquid or gel state within the plurality of channels  26 , removal of the honeycomb body  14  from the sealing mixture  62  may allow the second portion  82 B of the infiltrate  82  to drain, or flow out of, the plurality of channels  26 . Removal of the sealing mixture  62  from the honeycomb body  14  may be assisted by vibration, compressed air, pressure, centrifugal force and or other methods of removing the second portion  82 B of the infiltrate  82 . For example, the honeycomb body  14  and/or infiltrate  82  may be heated to decrease the viscosity of the second portion  82 B such that the second portion  82 B drains out. 
     According to various examples, the completion of step  116  may conclude processing and formation of the honeycomb body  14 . As explained above, the plurality of seals  54 , depending on the composition of the sealing mixture  62 , may be the plugs  30  of the honeycomb body  14  and may be used in the final filter  10 . According to other examples, the plurality of seals  54  may instead function as a mask to temporarily seal off various channels  26  with the remainder of the channels  26  being plugged by a later process as disclosed above and the seals  54  removed. 
     In examples where the plurality of seals  54  are not the plugs  30 , the method  50  may next proceed with a step  120  of contacting the honeycomb body  14  into a cement mixture  124  such that the plurality of channels  26  without one of the plurality of seals  54  are filled with a portion  128  of the cement mixture  124 . The cement mixture  124  may be placed in the container  66  with a new liner  74  with the sealing mixture  62  removed, or into a different container  66 . As the plurality of seals  54  is still positioned within the plurality of channels  26 , the contacting of the honeycomb body  14  into the cement mixture  124  forces the cement mixture  124  into the open channels  26  which do not have the seals  54 . Contact of the honeycomb body  14  with the cement mixture  124  may be done under gravitational force and/or through the use of additional force. The honeycomb body  14  may be immersed in the cement mixture  124  to a depth, or fill level, of from about 0.1 mm to about 10 mm. For example, the cement mixture  124  may have a depth in the container  66  of about 0.1 mm or greater, about 0.5 mm or greater, about 1.0 mm or greater, about 1.5 mm or greater, about 2.0 mm or greater, about 2.5 mm or greater, about 3.0 mm or greater, about 3.5 mm or greater, about 4.0 mm or greater, about 4.5 mm or greater, about 5.0 mm or greater, about 5.5 mm or greater, about 6.0 mm or greater, about 6.5 mm or greater, about 7.0 mm or greater, about 7.5 mm or greater, about 8.0 mm or greater, about 8.5 mm or greater, about 9.0 mm or greater, about 9.5 mm or greater, about 10 mm or greater or any and all values and ranges therebetween. According to various examples, the cement mixture  124  may self-level or settle within the channels  26  such that the portions  128  of cement mixture  124  within the channels have a generally consistent depth within the honeycomb body  14 . The portions  128  of cement mixture  124  within the channels  26  may be fired, sintered or otherwise cured to form the plugs  30 . 
     The cement mixture  124 , and therefore the plugs  30 , may be composed of a clay, an inorganic binder, water and a plurality of inorganic particles. According to various examples, the plugs  30  may include one or more additives (e.g., rheology modifiers, plasticizers, organic binders, foaming agents, etc.). The clay may include one or more colloidal clays, smectite clays, kaolinite clays, illite clays, and chlorite clays. The inorganic binder may take the form of silica, alumina, other inorganic binders and combinations thereof. The silica may take the form of fine amorphous, nonporous and generally spherical silica particles. At least one commercial example of suitable colloidal silica for the manufacture of the cement mixture  124  may include Ludox®. The plurality of inorganic particles within the cement mixture  124  may be composed of glasses, ceramics, glass-ceramics, cordierite and/or combinations thereof. According to various examples, the plurality of inorganic particles may have the same or a similar composition to that of the honeycomb body  14 . For example, the plurality of inorganic particles may include cordierite and or other materials which, upon sintering, form a porous structure. 
     Next, a step  136  of removing the plurality of seals  54  from the honeycomb body  14  may be performed. As explained above, in examples of the filter  10  where the plurality of plugs  30  are formed from the cement mixture  124 , the plurality of seals  54  may be not be needed once the portions  128  of cement mixture  124  are in place and therefore may be removed from the honeycomb body  14 . The plurality of seals  54  may be removed from the honeycomb body  14  according to a variety of methods. For example, the plurality of seals  54  may be removed from the honeycomb body  14  by dissolving the plurality of seals  54 . In such an example, the ends of the honeycomb body  14  including the seals  54  (e.g., the first and/or second ends  18 ,  22 ) may be dipped in a solvent which preferentially etches or dissolves the plurality of seals  54  as compared to the cement mixture  124  and/or the material of the honeycomb body  14 . Additionally or alternatively, step  136  may be carried out by at least one of oxidizing the plurality of seals  54  and melting the plurality of seals  54 . In such an example, the plurality of seals  54  may be exposed to sufficiently high temperatures that the seals  54  melt, burn and/or oxidize out of the honeycomb body  14 . Such an example may be advantageous in that step  136  may be performed substantially simultaneously with a curing step of the portions  128  of the cement mixture  124  to form the plurality of plugs  30 . It will be understood that any of the methods outlined for removing the seals  54  from the honeycomb body  14  may be used in combination with any other method without departing from the teachings provided herein. 
     It will be understood that although the method  50  was described in a particular order, the steps of the method  50  may be performed out of order and that one or more steps may be omitted or added without departing from the teachings provided herein. 
     Formation of the plurality of seals  54  allows for the ability to “mask” (i.e., seal the channels  26  from entry of the cement mixture  124 ) or plug the channels  26  of the honeycomb body  14  simultaneously. For example, conventional masking procedures may require the application of a mask followed by the individual formation of holes in the mask to allow cement to flow into designated channels  26 . In the provided disclosure, the step of forming the plurality of seals  54  may be performed without the use of a mask and without the additional step of cutting holes in the mask. Further, in examples where the seals  54  are used as the plugs  30 , the present disclosure offers the ability to plug the honeycomb body  14  without the additional steps of masking the channels  26 , forming the holes and pressing the cement into the channels  26 . Such features may offer not only a reduction in production time and cost, but also a simple single or multi-step process. As light sources  104  and imagers  88  are relatively inexpensive and scalable relative to high pressure pressing systems, use of the present disclosure may allow for a cost-effective manner of forming the seals  54  within the honeycomb body  14  as compared to conventional techniques. As the infiltrate  82  may be cured to form the seals  54  in a manner of seconds, significant time savings in the production of the filter  10  may be achieved. As the plurality of seals  54  may be used as the plugs  30 , the honeycomb body  14  may be formed in fewer process steps than conventional techniques which may save both time and money in the manufacturing of the honeycomb body  14 . 
     EXAMPLES 
     Provided is an exemplary and non-limiting example of the filter  10  consistent with the present disclosure. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , depicted is a wall flow filter (e.g., the filter  10 ) having a plurality of blockages (e.g., seals  54 ) positioned within passages (e.g., channels  26 ) of the wall flow filter formed according to the present disclosure. The blockages were formed by submerging a portion of the wall flow filter in an ultraviolet light curable acrylic resin, imaging the submerged end of the wall flow filter to locate the location of the passages, developing a lighting pattern to be shined on the end of the wall flow filter, selectively emitting ultraviolet light onto the ultraviolet light curable acrylic resin in selected passages and curing the ultraviolet light curable acrylic resin to form the blockages. As can be seen from  FIG. 5 , the selective curing of the ultraviolet light curable acrylic resin produces highly consistent and uniform blockages across the submerged end of the wall flow filter. Although a number of the blockages were formed across one or more passages, it will be understood that enhanced control of the emission of the ultraviolet light and imaging of the wall flow filter will increase the precision of the location of the blockages within the passages. Such a wall flow filter may be used as a gas particulate filter as is. Alternatively, the wall flow filter may be placed in a cement (e.g., the cement mixture  124 ) such that the open passages (e.g., passages without a blockage) are at least partially filled with the cement. The cement may later be cured and the blockages removed such that the screen may be used as a wall flow filter. 
     Modifications of the disclosure will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the disclosure. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the following claims, as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents. 
     It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described disclosure, and other components, is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein. 
     It will be understood that any described processes, or steps within described processes, may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting. 
     It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present disclosure, and, further, it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims, unless these claims, by their language, expressly state otherwise. Further, the claims, as set forth below,