Abstract: A high performance muffler is used to modify sound waves of exhaust gases generated by a high performance internal combustion engine. The muffler has an inlet for connection to an internal combustion engine exhaust system. A muffler body is connected to the inlet. The muffler body has a shell which has a width greater than its height. The shell includes a pair of spaced apart opposed panels. An outlet is connected to the muffler body to receive exhaust gases from the body. The muffler body has a first expansion chamber adjacent to the inlet. The first expansion chamber extends across the width of the muffler body. A first reduced opening is in the muffler body extending across the width of the muffler body. A second expansion chamber is in the muffler body adjacent to the first reduced opening. The second expansion chamber also extends across the width of the muffler body. A second reduced opening extending across the width of the muffler body communicates with the second expansion chamber.

Abstract: A vehicular muffler has a body with endcaps mounted on opposed ends thereof. The body has an outer wrap and an inner wrap. The outer wrap is sheet metal having opposed edges overlapping each other to form a closed figure. The opposed overlapping edges are an outer edge and an inner edge. The inner wrap is sheet metal having opposed margins overlapping each other. The opposed margins are an inner margin and an outer margin. The inner margin has a portion adjacent to the inner edge. The outer margin is positioned between the inner margin and the outer wrap to form a gap between the terminus of the outer margin and the terminus of the inner edge.

Abstract: The vehicular muffler assembly of this invention includes a muffler which has a elongated shell. An inlet communicates with the interior of the shell to provide a port for entry of exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine to the interior of the shell. An outlet communicates with the interior of the shell to allow exhaust gases to leave the shell. A heat shield is mounted on the exterior of the shell. The heat shield is symmetrical and has an outer wall. The outer wall has a weld skirt which is integral with the outer wall. A plurality of discreet welds spaced along the weld skirt fixes the outer wall to the shell. A slot opening is formed in the weld skirt between adjacent discreet welds.

Abstract: An improved tubing expansion apparatus is disclosed which greatly facilitates convenient expansion of tubing, such as for repair and replacement of motor vehicle exhaust systems. The apparatus includes a hand-holdable expander unit and a separate pressurized fluid supply unit joined in fluid communication with the expander unit by a flexible fluid conduit. In order to provide selective control of the fluid supply unit from the expander unit, a trigger-like electrical switch is provided on the expander unit to permit remote operation of the fluid supply unit. Other features of the apparatus enhance its versatility for conveniently effecting varying degrees of expansion on tubing of different dimensions.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer is provided substantially at the hot spot in an engine manifold for vaporizing the fuel from the carburetor prior to entry of the fuel-air mixture into the cylinders. The transducer comprises a crystal adapted to be vibrated at a high frequency on the order of at least 1,000,000 Hz and a resonator tuned to the frequency of the crystal and operatively secured to the crystal, said transducer having an active surface adapted to be contacted by the fuel for finely vaporizing same. The fine vaporization or gasification of the fuel (gasoline, for example) prior to entry into the cylinders causes a more complete burning of the fuel. As a result, the engine delivers more power with less fuel, while carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions are reduced.In operation, the ultrasonic transducer enhances cold weather startup and operation, eliminates engine flooding, smooths out engine idle, and improves pick up and acceleration by increasing power at low engine RPM.

Abstract: A muffler assembly for substantially dampening acoustical vibrations of engine exhaust gases. The muffler assembly includes flow control means, such as a diffuser having a centrally disposed baffle with radially extending deflector vanes having axially extending tabs. The diffuser can be positioned in a tubular expansion joint which is secured to an apertured louver tube within a loosely compact shell of sound attenuating material. The diffuser substantially blocks and restricts the axial flow of exhaust gases along portions of the longitudinal axis of the louver tube, deflects the flow of exhaust gases toward the sound attenuating material and creates turbulent flow.