Abstract: An arrangement for silencing the exhaust gases discharged from a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine, wherein the exhaust gas is discharged in first and second streams from separate exhaust gas manifolds on opposite sides of the engine and the two streams traverse a different but equal lengthed path to be combined into a single stream to be presented to exhaust system components, such as catalytic converters and separate mufflers. In one embodiment, the streams pass through conduits integrally formed, in part, with through structure of a muffler. In other embodiments, the stream paths are equalized by being passed through conduits formed in closed shells.

Abstract: An aftermarket catalytic converter for motor vehicle exhaust gas systems has a clamshell housing with an upper heat shield and stainless steel inlet and outlet bushings and contains a catalyst coated substrate cushioned and supported inside of it by a heat expandable mat, the features and parts of the converter being constructed and arranged to enable one converter construction to be used as a replacement converter in a substantial number of different applications for the original equipment converters.

Abstract: A sound absorbing muffler used to attenuate noise carried by the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine includes a straight-through flow tube of constant diameter and cross-section. The muffler utilizes both reactive and dissipative components and includes two annular sound absorbing end chambers, an outer annular resonating chamber, and an inner sound absorbing means. The muffler's configuration produces effective noise attenuation, yet low backpressure.

Abstract: A sound absorbing muffler used to attenuate noise carried by the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine includes a straight-through flow tube of cross-section having no baffles or flow reversals. The muffler utilizes both reactive and dissipative components and includes an outer annular resonating chamber and an inner sound absorbing chamber. The muffler's configuration produces effective broad band noise attenuation even at lower frequencies, yet low backpressure.

Abstract: A method of assembling a catalytic converter by inserting a catalyst substrate and surrounding support mat through the open end and into the central portion of an oval sheet metal tube, after which the reduced section and longitudinal ribs are formed in the central portion of the tube to compress the mat and securely engage the substrate, and the ends of the tube are pinched together to form sealed end closures with gas flow passages therein.

Abstract: This invention relates to brake components having mechanically detachable friction members. The friction member of the present invention has a plate with a plurality of apertures. This apertured plate has a first surface that abuts a mounting surface on a brake shoe member or the like. The apertured plate has a second surface, opposite of the first surface, with friction material affixed thereto. The apertured plate is detachably fastened to the mounting surface by fasteners, thereby detachably fastening the friction member thereto.

Abstract: A muffler of the type used to attenuate exhaust gas noise in exhaust systems of automobiles, trucks, or the like, particularly characterized by a gas flow conduit which is axially slotted and laterally flattened to form a closure and a pair of openings axially inward of the closure, wherein the end walls of the shell are pressed into engagement with the conduit ends to close the conduit and support the conduit.

Abstract: This invention relates to sound attenuating mufflers, and more particularly to sound attenuating mufflers for dampening sound waves of various frequencies above a pre-selected cut-off frequency. Specially positioned acoustical insulation is provided to partially attenuate sound waves of a relatively low frequency. The insulation is carried in a chamber having one dimension of sound wave travel on the order of one-tenth the wavelength of a preselected cutoff frequency above which sound attenuation is desired. An adjacent chamber substantially free of insulation has one dimension of sound wave travel on the order of one-quarter wavelength of the cutoff frequency.

Abstract: A muffler of the type used to attenuate exhaust gas noise in exhaust systems of automobiles, trucks, or the like, particularly characterized by a gas flow conduit which is axially slotted and laterally flattened to form a closure and a pair of openings axially inward of the closure, wherein the end walls of the shell are pressed into engagement with the conduit ends to close the conduit and support the conduit.

Abstract: A collector apparatus for use in motor vehicle exhaust systems for connecting an internal combustion engine to a open-ended gas receiving member. The collector apparatus defines a chamber for receiving and thoroughly mixing exhaust gases delivered from opposite manifolds associated with the engine prior to delivery to the open end of the gas receiving member. The collector may be formed from a one-piece tubular housing or as a two-piece clam shell and a method for construction of each is disclosed.

Abstract: A Y-shaped, clam shell type coupling device for use in automotive vehicle exhaust systems to couple two exhaust pipes that are connected to an engine manifold to a single exhaust pipe that is connected to a catalytic converter or exhaust silencing device. The clam shell type coupling comprises a pair of mirror image half shells which combine around the exhaust pipes in fluid tight fashion to form two generally tubular intersecting chambers. One of the chambers may provide a direct pathway from one of the manifold exhaust pipes to the single exhaust pipe.

Abstract: A catalytic converter with a one piece housing is made by inserting catalyst elements into opposite open ends of a sheet metal tube until their support mats abut against preformed annular ribs after which annular ribs are formed in the tube to engage the other ends of the support mats and the ends of the tube are pinched together to form sealed end closures with gas flow passages in them.

Abstract: A catalytic converter of the automotive type comprises a converter housing body with a reduced central section that compresses a support mat around a substrate, the ends of the body being spherical for attachment to spherical flanges on end bushings or being an integral part of the body. The method of manufacturing the converter substrate and converter is also disclosed.

Abstract: A catalytic converter of the automotive type comprising a reduced central oval section that compresses a support mat around a catalyst substrate, the reduced central section comprising radially inwardly biased ribs that are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the converter.The converter can be made by inserting a catalyst substrate and surrounding support mat through the open end and into the central portion of an oval sheet metal tube, after which the reduced section and longitudinal ribs are formed in the central portion of the tube to compress the mat and securely engage the substrate, and the ends of the tube are pinched together to form sealed end closures with gas flow passages therein.

Abstract: An exhaust gas muffler has a housing composed of upper and lower press-formed parts with two chambers and a gas passage means composed of upper and lower plates with three parallel press-formed troughs defining a tri-flow gas path wherein one of said chambers serves as a turn-around from the gas path and the other of said chambers receives said troughs and is acoustically connected to the gas path through perforations in the walls of the troughs.

Abstract: A catalytic converter of the automotive type comprises a converter housing body with a reduced central section that compresses a support mat around a substrate, the ends of the body being spherical for attachment to spherical flanges on end bushings or being an integral part of the body. The method of manufacturing the converter substrate and converter is also disclosed.

Abstract: An automotive exhaust gas muffler comprises gas passage tubes supported in curved portions of two press-formed metal housing parts and communicate with recesses formed in the housing parts.

Abstract: A flat, box-like muffler formed of metal upper and lower housing sections and internal gas passage defining plates has drainage holes to allow liquid that collects on the top of the muffler or on the bottom of the lower section inside the housing to drain out of the muffler. A special sound attenuation structure comprising passages pressed in the plates and support channels in the housing sections is shown.