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 valve assembly includes a valve body, a valve supported by a shaft within the valve body, and an actuator that moves the valve relative to the valve body to control exhaust flow. The actuator is thermally isolated from the valve by a linkage mechanism that cooperates with exhaust flow to move the valve between open and closed positions. The actuator temporarily contacts the linkage mechanism to initiate opening and closing movement but then moves out of contact with the linkage mechanism as the exhaust flow exerts a force against the valve to move the valve to a fully open or fully closed position. This temporary contact between the linkage mechanism and the actuator reduces heat transfer from the valve to the actuator.

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 valve assembly includes a flapper valve fixed to a valve shaft where the flapper valve is movable between a closed position, an intermediate position, and an open position. A resilient member biases the flapper valve toward the closed position. An electric actuator actively moves the flapper valve at least from the closed position to the intermediate position. A coupling mechanism couples the valve shaft to an electric actuator shaft and allows the flapper valve to move to the open position in response to exhaust flow sufficient to overcome a biasing force of the resilient member without requiring input from the electric actuator.

Abstract: A passive valve assembly for an exhaust component includes a vane that is positioned within an exhaust gas flow path. The vane is pivoted from a closed position to an open position in response to exhaust gas flow overcoming a biasing force. A stop is positioned within the exhaust component and cooperates with the vane to define a closed position for the vane.

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 flapper valve fixed to a valve shaft where the flapper valve is movable between a closed position, an intermediate position, and an open position. A resilient member biases the flapper valve toward the closed position. An electric actuator actively moves the flapper valve at least from the closed position to the intermediate position. A coupling mechanism couples the valve shaft to an electric actuator shaft and allows the flapper valve to move to the open position in response to exhaust flow sufficient to overcome a biasing force of the resilient member without requiring input from the electric actuator.

Abstract: A valve assembly comprises a rotatable valve, an electrically operated actuator, and an overstroke device. The actuator comprises a component configured to move in a direction to an actuator position so as to cause corresponding rotation of the valve to a valve position in response to electrical operation of the actuator. The overstroke device is configured to enable the component to move in the direction beyond the actuator position to an overstroke position while the valve remains in the valve position in response to electrical operation of the actuator.

Abstract: An exhaust valve assembly includes a flapper valve that is mounted on a shaft for rotation within an exhaust component housing between a closed position, an intermediate position, and an open position. An electric actuator is coupled to the shaft to control movement of the flapper valve. The electric actuator moves the flapper valve to the open position for high speed engine conditions. When engine speeds are lowered, and while all engine cylinders remain active, the electric actuator moves the flapper valve to the intermediate position. Once the flapper valve is in the intermediate position, if an engine cylinder is subsequently deactivated, the electric actuator quickly and quietly moves the flapper valve from the intermediate position to the closed position.

Abstract: An exhaust valve assembly includes a flapper valve fixed to a valve shaft where the flapper valve is movable between a closed position, an intermediate position, and an open position. A resilient member biases the flapper valve toward the closed position. An electric actuator actively moves the flapper valve at least from the closed position to the intermediate position. A coupling mechanism couples the valve shaft to an electric actuator shaft and allows the flapper valve to move to the open position in response to exhaust flow sufficient to overcome a biasing force of the resilient member without requiring input from the electric actuator.

Abstract: An exhaust valve assembly includes a flapper valve fixed to a valve shaft where the flapper valve is movable between a closed position, an intermediate position, and an open position. A resilient member biases the flapper valve toward the closed position. An electric actuator actively moves the flapper valve at least from the closed position to the intermediate position. A coupling mechanism couples the valve shaft to an electric actuator shaft and allows the flapper valve to move to the open position in response to exhaust flow sufficient to overcome a biasing force of the resilient member without requiring input from the electric actuator.

Abstract: A valve assembly comprises a rotatable valve, an electrically operated actuator, and an overstroke device. The actuator comprises a component configured to move in a direction to an actuator position so as to cause corresponding rotation of the valve to a valve position in response to electrical operation of the actuator. The overstroke device is configured to enable the component to move in the direction beyond the actuator position to an overstroke position while the valve remains in the valve position in response to electrical operation of the actuator.

Abstract: An exhaust system includes an exhaust tube for conveying a heated exhaust flow from an engine. A valve is mounted at least partially within the exhaust tube for noise attenuation. The valve includes a bias member mounted outside of the engine exhaust tube within a heat transfer environment to maintain the bias member at a low temperature. The bias member biases the valve against the heat exhaust flow toward a predetermined position. The valve is mounted within a section of the tube having a smaller cross-sectional area and pivots into a larger cross-sectional area section of the exhaust tube to avoid interference with tube walls and provide a relatively large range of movement.

Abstract: An exhaust valve assembly includes a valve body, a valve supported by a shaft within the valve body, and an actuator that moves the valve relative to the valve body to control exhaust flow. The actuator is thermally isolated from the valve by a linkage mechanism that cooperates with exhaust flow to move the valve between open and closed positions. The actuator temporarily contacts the linkage mechanism to initiate opening and closing movement but then moves out of contact with the linkage mechanism as the exhaust flow exerts a force against the valve to move the valve to a fully open or fully closed position. This temporary contact between the linkage mechanism and the actuator reduces heat transfer from the valve to the actuator.

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 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 thermal isolator is associated with the shaft to reduce heat transfer from the valve to the actuator.

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 valve assembly comprises a rotatable valve, an electrically operated actuator, and an overstroke device. The actuator comprises a component configured to move in a direction to an actuator position so as to cause corresponding rotation of the valve to a valve position in response to electrical operation of the actuator. The overstroke device is configured to enable the component to move in the direction beyond the actuator position to an overstroke position while the valve remains in the valve position in response to electrical operation of the actuator. 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.