Abstract: A valve device, in particular for an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, has a valve flap which is arranged in a tube and can assume a basic position and an actuating position. A motor-driven valve drive that is arranged outside the tube and is coupled to a shaft of the valve flap by a force transmission element. A mechanical restoring element urges the valve flap into the basic position. The valve drive works against the mechanical restoring element as far as to the actuating position. A lever is connected to one end of the force transmission element and when in the actuating position of the valve flap, is in or near the dead-center position with respect to the force transmission direction from or to the force transmission element.

Abstract: A passive valve assembly for a vehicle exhaust system includes an exhaust component that defines an exhaust gas flow path and a vane that is positioned within the exhaust gas flow path. The vane is positioned at an initial start position and is movable between a closed position to provide a minimum exhaust gas flow and an open position to provide a maximum exhaust gas flow. The start position is orientated at a negative angle relative to the closed position.

Abstract: A vehicle exhaust component includes an outer shell defining an internal cavity and at least one internal pipe located within the internal cavity. A wire tube surrounds the internal pipe and is spaced apart from the pipe by a radial gap. This radial gap is filled with a fiber material.

Abstract: An exhaust valve assembly includes a valve body, a valve supported by a shaft within the valve body, and an actuator that drives the shaft to move the valve relative to the valve body. A side load feature engages one portion of the shaft to reduce valve chatter by side loading the shaft.

Abstract: An exhaust assembly includes a first pipe with a ball portion and a second pipe with a flare portion that is positioned in an overlapping relationship with the ball portion. The ball portion and flare portion are slidable relative to each other to allow alignment adjustment between the first and second pipes. A connector assembly includes a first connector member supported by the first pipe, a second connector member supported by the second pipe, and a clamp member that is used to serviceably connect the first and second pipes together. The first connector member includes a first plurality of fingers that are alternated with a second plurality of fingers on the second connector member. The clamp member is received within a groove formed about an outer circumference of the first and second connector members when the first and second pluralities of fingers are aligned with each other. The clamp member is easily removed for service operations as needed.

Abstract: A substrate assembly is stuffed into a converter outer shell to form a catalytic converter having a desired gap bolt density (GBD) value. The substrate assembly is formed by wrapping and taping a mat around a catalytic substrate. A predetermined pressure is applied to the substrate assembly and an outer diameter of the substrate assembly is measured at this predetermined pressure. A GBD value is predicted based on this measurement and if the GBD value is acceptable the substrate assembly is stuffed into the converter outer shell.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an emissions trap and a transfer function device. The transfer function device is configured to determine a transfer function of the emissions trap wherein the transfer function is representative of loading of the emissions trap. An associated method is disclosed.