Abstract: An exhaust system includes first and second exhaust components with an inter-pipe that fluidly connects an outlet of the first exhaust component to an inlet of the second exhaust component. A passive valve is mounted within the inter-pipe. The second exhaust component defines an internal cavity that is at least partially packed with a high frequency absorption material and cooperates with the passive valve to effectively attenuate low and high frequency noise.

Abstract: A passive valve assembly for an exhaust system is mounted within an exhaust tube. The exhaust tube has a bore that defines an exhaust flow path having a cross-sectional area. One end of the exhaust tube is to be connected to a first exhaust component and a second end of the exhaust tube is to be connected to a second exhaust component such that the exhaust tube forms a sole exhaust path between the first and the second exhaust components. The passive valve assembly includes a vane that is mounted within the bore, and which is moveable between an open position and a closed position. A resilient member biases the vane toward the closed position. When the vane is in the closed position, the vane covers 80% to 97% of the cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A dual exhaust system includes a first exhaust component defining a first exhaust path and a second exhaust component defining a second exhaust path that is different from the first exhaust path. A first valve is associated with the first exhaust path and a second valve is associated with the second exhaust path. The first valve and second valve operate independently of each other to vary exhaust flow and provide sufficient noise control for varying applications.

Abstract: A vehicle exhaust system includes an exhaust pipe that provides heated exhaust gases to a thermoelectric unit as an input. A temperature control mechanism ensures that exhaust gas is directed into the thermoelectric unit only if the exhaust gas is within a specified temperature range. The thermoelectric unit transforms the exhaust gas heat into electrical power.

Abstract: A vehicle exhaust component provides comparable fully packed noise reduction capability without requiring a fully packed configuration. A pack is mounted within an internal cavity defined by an exhaust component body. A plurality of pack positions are defined within the internal cavity and at least one pack is positioned at a desired pack position to provide a desired noise reduction.

Abstract: A dual exhaust system includes a first exhaust component defining a first exhaust path and a second exhaust component defining a second exhaust path that is different from the first exhaust path. A first valve is associated with the first exhaust path and a second valve is associated with the second exhaust path. The first valve and second valve operate independently of each other to vary exhaust flow and provide sufficient noise control for varying applications.

Abstract: A control system for an exhaust valve and a method of actively controlling an exhaust valve includes monitoring at least a first engine characteristic, a second engine characteristic, and at least one additional noise determining characteristic. An exhaust valve position is then adjusted based on the first engine characteristic, the second engine characteristic, and the at least one additional noise determining characteristic to improve fuel economy without adversely affecting noise levels.

Abstract: An exhaust component includes at least one muffler that has an inlet and an outlet. One pipe body is connected to each of the inlet and the outlet. The pipe bodies each have first and second ends that define a respective overall pipe length. Each pipe body defines a sole exhaust flow path between their first and second ends. A passive valve assembly is mounted outside of the muffler and within one of the pipe bodies. The passive valve assembly is positioned at a location within a first 25% of the overall pipe length of one of the pipe bodies relative to the inlet or outlet of the muffler.

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: A muffler assembly includes first and second muffler components that are each formed as a single piece. The first muffler component includes a first outlet pipe portion, a first bypass pipe mount portion, and a first resonator shell portion. The second muffler component includes a second output pipe portion, a second bypass pipe mount portion, and a second resonator shell portion. The first and second muffler components are positioned in an overlapping relationship such that respective portions are aligned with each other to form an outlet pipe, a bypass pipe mount, and a resonator shell. A noise attenuation valve assembly is also installed within the first and second muffler components. The bypass pipe mount is positioned at a non-perpendicular orientation relative to the outlet pipe such that a bypass pipe having a straight end mount can be received within the bypass pipe mount to bypass the noise attenuation valve assembly.

Abstract: An exhaust component includes at least one muffler that has an inlet and an outlet. One pipe body is connected to each of the inlet and the outlet. The pipe bodies each have first and second ends that define a respective overall pipe length. Each pipe body defines a sole exhaust flow path between their first and second ends. A passive valve assembly is mounted outside of the muffler and within one of the pipe bodies. The passive valve assembly is positioned at a location within a first 25% of the overall pipe length of one of the pipe bodies relative to the inlet or outlet of the muffler.

Abstract: An exhaust system includes first and second exhaust components with an inter-pipe that fluidly connects an outlet of the first exhaust component to an inlet of the second exhaust component. A passive valve is mounted within the inter-pipe. The second exhaust component defines an internal cavity that is at least partially packed with a high frequency absorption material and cooperates with the passive valve to effectively attenuate low and high frequency noise.

Abstract: A control mechanism for a noise attenuation valve in a vehicle exhaust system is configured to significantly reduce operational noises. The noise attenuation valve includes a flapper valve (18) that is supported on a shaft (16) for rotation within an inlet tube (14). The shaft is coupled to an actuator (27) with a linkage assembly (30). The linkage assembly (30) includes a lever (42) that contacts noise attenuation pads (48) at maximum travel limits defined by a backing plate (46) to reduce operational noise. In one example configuration, the actuator provides a bottomless solenoid configuration and utilizes a pulse width modulation control module to further reduce operational noises.

Abstract: A passive valve assembly for an exhaust system is mounted within an exhaust tube. The exhaust tube has a bore that defines an exhaust flow path having a cross-sectional area. One end of the exhaust tube is to be connected to a first exhaust component and a second end of the exhaust tube is to be connected to a second exhaust component such that the exhaust tube forms a sole exhaust path between the first and the second exhaust components. The passive valve assembly includes a vane that is mounted within the bore, and which is moveable between an open position and a closed position. A resilient member biases the vane toward the closed position. When the vane is in the closed position, the vane covers 80% to 97% of the cross-sectional area.

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 processor (12) comprises an isolated interior volume (16) that is defined in a housing (18) of the exhaust processor (12) so as to be isolated from exhaust gas in the housing (18). A motion converter (20) is positioned in the isolated interior volume (16) and is configured to convert in the isolated interior volume (16) linear movement of a linear valve actuator (22) into rotation of an exhaust valve (17). A cushioning pad (120, 122, 320, 420) can be used in a variety of exhaust processors (12, 212) to facilitate positioning of the exhaust valve (17). An associated method is disclosed.

Abstract: A muffler assembly includes first and second muffler components that are each formed as a single piece. The first muffler component includes a first outlet pipe portion, a first bypass pipe mount portion, and a first resonator shell portion. The second muffler component includes a second output pipe portion, a second bypass pipe mount portion, and a second resonator shell portion. The first and second muffler components are positioned in an overlapping relationship such that respective portions are aligned with each other to form an outlet pipe, a bypass pipe mount, and a resonator shell. A noise attenuation valve assembly is also installed within the first and second muffler components. The bypass pipe mount is positioned at a non-perpendicular orientation relative to the outlet pipe such that a bypass pipe having a straight end mount can be received within the bypass pipe mount to bypass the noise attenuation valve assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling sound of an engine comprises a sound sensor, an exhaust valve, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a sound level of a peak sound frequency within a predetermined sound frequency range by use of output from the sound sensor, compare the sound level of the peak sound frequency to a predetermined sound level, and change the position of the exhaust valve based on the comparison between the sound level of the peak sound frequency and the predetermined sound level. An associated method is disclosed.