Patents by Inventor Darrin Woods
Darrin Woods has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11952927Abstract: A marine muffler includes a housing having a wet exhaust inlet, a water outlet, and a dry exhaust outlet. An internal chamber is divided by an angularly disposed baffle into lower and upper chambers. Vertical exhaust ducts penetrate the baffle and function to allow exhaust gas and entrained cooling water to pass from the lower chamber into the upper chamber. The second chamber is bounded at the top a second baffle which terminates the upward flow of exhaust thereby redirecting the exhaust downward. A pair of exhaust conduits extend through the second baffle thereby allowing exhaust to pass upward and into a third chamber which is bounded at it's uppermost portion by a third baffle defining a plurality of slotted apertures in fluid communication with the exhaust outlet. Water separated from the exhaust gas is directed to the water outlet by the diagonal baffle whereby it exits the housing.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2022Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Inventors: Woodrow Woods, Darrin Woods
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Patent number: 11781465Abstract: A vortex generating exhaust component is installed in-line within a marine exhaust system downstream of the water can whereby a mixture of hot exhaust gas and entrained cooling water flows there through and vortex flow is enhanced by the component to increase cooling of exhaust gas by increasing the mixing of hot exhaust gas with entrained cooling water thereby resulting in enhanced exhaust gas cooling.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2021Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Inventors: Woodrow Woods, Darrin Woods
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Patent number: 11667367Abstract: A marine muffler capable of handling both marine engine exhaust gas and marine engine cooling water includes a double wall baffle partitioning the muffler interior so as to function as a cooling water conduit. The cooling water conduit includes an inlet disposed external to the main muffler housing and an outlet configured and disposed so as to discharge the engine cooling water into the exhaust duct connected to the muffler outlet. The muffler is thus able to convey the engine cooling water through the muffler housing within a dedicated conduit while maintaining the cooling water separate from the exhaust gas. A muffler that is adapted to handle both the exhaust and cooling water flowing from a marine engine allows for the elimination of engine cooling water piping.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Inventors: Woodrow Woods, Darrin Woods
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Patent number: 11668225Abstract: A two-stage water-lift and water separation muffler for use with marine electrical generators installed onboard marine vessels. A first stage water-lift muffler has internal tunable sound suppression structure to provide a first stage of exhaust silencing, and a second stage water separator having internal tunable sound suppression structure to provide a second stage of exhaust silencing while separating entrained cooling water from exhaust gases. The combined first stage water-lift muffler and second stage water separator include internal baffling and silencing structure which is easily adaptable to different generator configurations thereby allowing for structural adjustments to the muffler to optimize sound suppression and minimize backpressure for particular generator and/or exhaust conditions.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2022Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Inventors: Woodrow Woods, Darrin Woods
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Patent number: 11473462Abstract: A marine muffler includes a housing having a wet exhaust inlet, a water outlet, and a dry exhaust outlet. An internal chamber is divided by an angularly disposed baffle into lower and upper chambers. Vertical exhaust ducts penetrate the baffle and function to allow exhaust gas and entrained cooling water to pass from the lower chamber into the upper chamber. The second chamber is bounded at the top a second baffle which terminates the upward flow of exhaust thereby redirecting the exhaust downward. A pair of exhaust conduits extend through the second baffle thereby allowing exhaust to pass upward and into a third chamber which is bounded at it's uppermost portion by a third baffle defining a plurality of slotted apertures in fluid communication with the exhaust outlet. Water separated from the exhaust gas is directed to the water outlet by the diagonal baffle whereby it exits the housing.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2020Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Inventors: Woodrow Woods, Darrin Woods
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Patent number: 11415037Abstract: A two-stage water-lift and water separation muffler for use with marine electrical generators installed onboard marine vessels. A first stage water-lift muffler has internal tunable sound suppression structure to provide a first stage of exhaust silencing, and a second stage water separator having internal tunable sound suppression structure to provide a second stage of exhaust silencing while separating entrained cooling water from exhaust gases. The combined first stage water-lift muffler and second stage water separator include internal baffling and silencing structure which is easily adaptable to different generator configurations thereby allowing for structural adjustments to the muffler to optimize sound suppression and minimize backpressure for particular generator and/or exhaust conditions.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2019Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Inventors: Woodrow Woods, Darrin Woods
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Patent number: 11208939Abstract: A water separator for use in a marine exhaust system comprises a horizontally disposed, generally cylindrical housing including a wet exhaust inlet, a dry exhaust outlet, and a water outlet. Wet exhaust entering the wet exhaust inlet is constrained against the inner housing wall by a variable geometry vane or baffle which causes the wet exhaust to accelerate such that centrifugal force causes the entrained water to separate from the exhaust gas. Separated water encounters a longitudinally disposed barrier and flows to the water outlet for discharge from the vessel. A tubular dry exhaust pipe is longitudinally disposed within the housing and includes an inlet disposed in proximity to a first end thereof, and an outlet projecting from a second end thereof.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2020Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Inventors: Woodrow Woods, Darrin Woods
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Patent number: 10890094Abstract: A vortex generating exhaust component is installed in-line within a marine exhaust system downstream of the water can whereby a mixture of hot exhaust gas and entrained cooling water flows there through and vortex flow is enhanced by the component to increase cooling of exhaust gas by increasing the mixing of hot exhaust gas with entrained cooling water thereby resulting in enhanced exhaust gas cooling.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2020Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Inventors: Woodrow Woods, Darrin Woods
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Patent number: 10889360Abstract: A marine muffler capable of handling both marine engine exhaust gas and marine engine cooling water includes a double wall baffle partitioning the muffler interior so as to function as a cooling water conduit. The cooling water conduit includes an inlet disposed external to the main muffler housing and an outlet configured and disposed so as to discharge the engine cooling water into the exhaust duct connected to the muffler outlet. The muffler is thus able to convey the engine cooling water through the muffler housing within a dedicated conduit while maintaining the cooling water separate from the exhaust gas. A muffler that is adapted to handle both the exhaust and cooling water flowing from a marine engine allows for the elimination of engine cooling water piping.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2019Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Inventors: Woodrow Woods, Darrin Woods
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Patent number: 10837343Abstract: A water separator for use in a marine exhaust system comprises a horizontally disposed, generally cylindrical housing including a wet exhaust inlet, a dry exhaust outlet, and a water outlet. Wet exhaust entering the wet exhaust inlet is constrained against the inner housing wall by a variable geometry vane or baffle which causes the wet exhaust to accelerate such that centrifugal force causes the entrained water to separate from the exhaust gas. Separated water encounters a longitudinally disposed barrier and flows to the water outlet for discharge from the vessel. A tubular dry exhaust pipe is longitudinally disposed within the housing and includes an inlet disposed in proximity to a first end thereof, and an outlet projecting from a second end thereof.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2020Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Inventors: Woodrow Woods, Darrin Woods
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Patent number: 10760468Abstract: A water separator for use in a marine exhaust system comprises a horizontally disposed, generally cylindrical housing including a wet exhaust inlet, a dry exhaust outlet, and a water outlet. Wet exhaust entering the wet exhaust inlet is constrained against the inner housing wall by a variable geometry vane or baffle which causes the wet exhaust to accelerate such that centrifugal force causes the entrained water to separate from the exhaust gas. Separated water encounters a longitudinally disposed barrier and flows to the water outlet for discharge from the vessel. A tubular dry exhaust pipe is longitudinally disposed within the housing and includes an inlet disposed in proximity to a first end thereof, and an outlet projecting from a second end thereof.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2018Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Inventors: Woodrow Woods, Darrin Woods
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Patent number: 10584625Abstract: A vortex generating exhaust component is installed in-line within a marine exhaust system downstream of the water can whereby a mixture of hot exhaust gas and entrained cooling water flows there through and vortex flow is enhanced by the component to increase cooling of exhaust gas by increasing the mixing of hot exhaust gas with entrained cooling water thereby resulting in enhanced exhaust gas cooling.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2018Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Inventors: Woodrow Woods, Darrin Woods
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Patent number: 10308339Abstract: A marine muffler capable of handling both marine engine exhaust gas and marine engine cooling water includes a double wall baffle partitioning the muffler interior so as to function as a cooling water conduit. The cooling water conduit includes an inlet disposed external to the main muffler housing and an outlet configured and disposed so as to discharge the engine cooling water into the exhaust duct connected to the muffler outlet. The muffler is thus able to convey the engine cooling water through the muffler housing within a dedicated conduit while maintaining the cooling water separate from the exhaust gas. A muffler that is adapted to handle both the exhaust and cooling water flowing from a marine engine allows for the elimination of engine cooling water piping.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2018Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Inventors: Woodrow Woods, Darrin Woods
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Patent number: 10054029Abstract: A water separator for use in a marine exhaust system comprises a horizontally disposed, generally cylindrical housing including a wet exhaust inlet, a dry exhaust outlet, and a water outlet. Wet exhaust entering the wet exhaust inlet is constrained against the inner housing wall by a variable geometry vane or baffle which causes the wet exhaust to accelerate such that centrifugal force causes the entrained water to separate from the exhaust gas. Separated water encounters a longitudinally disposed barrier and flows to the water outlet for discharge from the vessel. A tubular dry exhaust pipe is longitudinally disposed within the housing and includes an inlet disposed in proximity to a first end thereof, and an outlet projecting from a second end thereof.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2015Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Inventors: Woodrow Woods, Darrin Woods
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Patent number: 9873497Abstract: A marine muffler capable of handling both marine engine exhaust gas and marine engine cooling water includes a double wall baffle partitioning the muffler interior so as to function as a cooling water conduit. The cooling water conduit includes an inlet disposed external to the main muffler housing and an outlet configured and disposed so as to discharge the engine cooling water into the exhaust duct connected to the muffler outlet. The muffler is thus able to convey the engine cooling water through the muffler housing within a dedicated conduit while maintaining the cooling water separate from the exhaust gas. A muffler that is adapted to handle both the exhaust and cooling water flowing from a marine engine allows for the elimination of engine cooling water piping.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2016Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Inventors: Woodrow Woods, Darrin Woods
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Patent number: 9562450Abstract: A marine muffler adapted with an internally tunable sound suppression structure is adaptable to different configurations thereby allowing for structural adjustments to optimize sound suppression and minimize backpressure for particular engine and exhaust conditions. A muffler housing defines an interior volume and includes an exhaust inlet and outlet. The outlet has a reduced diameter as compared with the inlet such that the exhaust gas accelerates through the muffler. An inclined baffle partitions the interior volume into a lower chamber in communication with the exhaust inlet and an upper chamber in communication with the exhaust outlet. Exhaust ducts attached to each side wall penetrate the baffle thereby placing the upper and lower chambers in fluid communication. A corrugated partition divides each exhaust duct into a plurality of non-circular conduits. The muffler may be tuned by selectively capping one or more conduit outlets.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2016Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Inventors: Woodrow Woods, Darrin Woods
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Patent number: 9273588Abstract: A marine muffler adapted with an internally tunable sound suppression structure is adaptable to different configurations thereby allowing for structural adjustments to optimize sound suppression and minimize backpressure for particular engine and exhaust conditions. A muffler housing defines an interior volume and includes an exhaust inlet and outlet. The outlet has a reduced diameter as compared with the inlet such that the exhaust gas accelerates through the muffler. An inclined baffle partitions the interior volume into a lower chamber in communication with the exhaust inlet and an upper chamber in communication with the exhaust outlet. Exhaust ducts attached to each side wall penetrate the baffle thereby placing the upper and lower chambers in fluid communication. A corrugated partition divides each exhaust duct into a plurality of non circular conduits. The muffler may be tuned by selectively capping one or more conduit outlets.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2014Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Inventors: Woodrow Woods, Darrin Woods
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Patent number: 7942238Abstract: A marine muffler comprises an elongate cylindrical housing having an inlet and an outlet and defining an internal volume partitioned, by an angularly disposed internal baffle, into a lower chamber in communication with the inlet and an upper chamber in communication with the outlet. A vertically disposed duct is insertably secured to the baffle to allow exhaust gas and exhaust cooling water to flow from the lower inlet chamber to upper outlet chamber. The exhaust duct may preferably be further adapted with internal structure forming a plurality of individual flow conduits or passages. The duct is preferably positioned such that a plurality of flow passage inlets are positioned in proximity to the lower cylindrical housing wall, with flow passage outlets positioned in proximity to the upper housing wall. The lower duct wall may further be adapted with sidewall apertures for improving exhaust flow dynamics therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2009Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Inventors: Woodrow Woods, Darrin Woods, Craig McLeod
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Patent number: 7905322Abstract: A marine muffler comprises an elongate cylindrical housing having an inlet and an outlet and defining an internal volume partitioned, by an angularly disposed internal baffle, into a lower chamber in communication with the inlet and an upper chamber in communication with the outlet. A vertically disposed duct is insertably secured to the baffle to allow exhaust gas and exhaust cooling water to flow from the lower inlet chamber to upper outlet chamber. The exhaust duct may preferably be further adapted with internal structure forming a plurality of individual flow conduits or passages. The duct is preferably positioned such that a plurality of flow passage inlets are positioned in proximity to the lower cylindrical housing wall, with flow passage outlets positioned in proximity to the upper housing wall. The lower duct wall may further be adapted with sidewall apertures for improving exhaust flow dynamics therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2010Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Inventors: Woodrow Woods, Darrin Woods, Craig McLeod
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Publication number: 20100116585Abstract: A marine muffler comprises an elongate cylindrical housing having an inlet and an outlet and defining an internal volume partitioned, by an angularly disposed internal baffle, into a lower chamber in communication with the inlet and an upper chamber in communication with the outlet. A vertically disposed duct is insertably secured to the baffle to allow exhaust gas and exhaust cooling water to flow from the lower inlet chamber to upper outlet chamber. The exhaust duct may preferably be further adapted with internal structure forming a plurality of individual flow conduits or passages. The duct is preferably positioned such that a plurality of flow passage inlets are positioned in proximity to the lower cylindrical housing wall, with flow passage outlets positioned in proximity to the upper housing wall. The lower duct wall may further be adapted with sidewall apertures for improving exhaust flow dynamics therethrough.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2010Publication date: May 13, 2010Inventors: Woodrow Woods, Darrin Woods, Craig McLeod