Patent ID: 7550024

Claim:
An exhaust aftertreatment assembly for an internal combustion engine, comprising an aftertreatment component extending axially along an axis between first and second distally opposite axial ends mounted in sealing relation to first and second assembly components axially spaced by said aftertreatment component therebetween, said aftertreatment component being laterally removable from between said first and second assembly components for servicing, and comprising a slip joint seal at said first axial end of said aftertreatment component, said slip join seal permitting relative axial movement between said aftertreatment component and said first assembly component while maintaining sealing therebetween such that exhaust may flow axially between said aftertreatment component and said first assembly component without leakage at the junction thereof, wherein said aftertreatment component is axially spaced from said first assembly component by an axial tolerance gap providing axial clearance between said aftertreatment component and said first assembly component to permit said lateral removal of said aftertreatment component, wherein said exhaust aftertreatment assembly has an assembled operative condition receiving exhaust from said engine, treating said exhaust, and discharging said exhaust, and wherein said aftertreatment component is axially spaced from said first assembly component by said axial tolerance gap in said assembled operative condition of said exhaust aftertreatment assembly, wherein said exhaust flows axially through said axial tolerance gap in said assembled operative condition of said exhaust aftertreatment assembly, and wherein said axial tolerance gap spans laterally across substantially the entire face of said first axial end of said aftertreatment component.