LINKEO®

The commitment made by European makers to reduce C02 emissions/km requires new products to improve the thermodynamics of motordrives.
However, this trend cannot be materialized without taking account of economic, quality and comfort considerations.
Hutchinson has developed a composite decoupling hose for use in future exhaust lines or high temperature lines with an unequaled potential for vibration damping and thermal insulation, to make this trend possible.

The technological breakthrough made by LINKEO® can considerably reduce forces applied on the exhaust system at low frequency, filter vibrations transmitted from the engine, and reduce heat losses between the manifold and the inlet to the catalyzer or particle filter (PF).
The smaller mechanical loads also make it possible to reduce the weight of the exhaust line. The suspension can be stiffer and simpler, facilitating installation of the line.

Performances of the LINKEO® decoupling hose are unequaled
Vibrations. The combination of a metallic stripwound and a leaktight elastomer bellows reduces the multi-axial stiffnesses of the hose, including in torsion. The intrinsic damping of the elastomer material very strongly limits peak stiffnesses related to natural modes of the hose.
Thermal. The high temperature at the hose outlet facilitates regeneration of the particle filter for diesel engines.
This insulation is beneficial under transient conditions, with lower temperature rise times for the treatment of gases entering depolluting devices.
Due to these performances, the composite hose can contribute to simplifying classical architectures with under-floor post-treatment, while respecting new more severe anti-pollution standards.
This concept also reduces heat radiations around the hose and is thus less aggressive for surrounding components.
Weight. The weight saving of LINKEO® compared with a metal hose is already very significant.
Furthermore, high filtration offers new opportunities for weight reductions of up to 40% of the complete line.