Abstract: A process for installing a fiber wrap or a packing material in a tubular construction, for example a muffler assembly, includes a step of compressing a mat of packing material by removing at least a portion of air from the mat of packing material. The mat is oriented against a tubular wall. After the step of orienting the mat, a shell, such as a muffler shell, is oriented over and against the mat. The step of compressing a mat may include drawing a partial vacuum through a perforated tubular wall, where the perforated tubular wall is the tubular wall that the mat is oriented against. Alternatively, the step of compressing a mat may include drawing a partial vacuum through the perforated wand inserted into the mat. Apparatus for installing the packing material can include a mandrel, a pump apparatus, and a sealing arrangement; or, the apparatus can include a wand and a vacuum pump.

Abstract: A lap joint includes an outer, flexible, cylindrical tube; an inner, solid, cylindrical pipe; and a securing device for compressing the flexible tube around the pipe for securing the flexible tube to the pipe and for providing a substantially leak-free connection between the flexible tube and the pipe. The flexible tube has first and second ends and a first diameter. The flexible tube includes a plurality of captured slots punched through the flexible tube at least at the first end. The plurality of captured slots have a first plurality of metal deformations to prevent circumferential slippage of the flexible tube and are disposed annularly around the flexible tube. Each of the plurality of captured slots are inboard of the first end and do not extend to the first end. The securing device is arranged and configured to completely cover the plurality of captured slots. The flexible tube also includes a plurality of relief slots punched through the flexible tube at least at the first end.

Abstract: A clamp arrangement for sealing a lap joint includes first and second reinforcing bars and a ductile band with first and second end portions wrapped around first and second reinforcing bars. A gasket member is positioned between the first and second reinforcing bars. The gasket member includes a deformation opening for allowing the gasket member to conform to a step in a lap joint. The gasket member is constructed and arranged to maintain the first and second reinforcing bars in parallel alignment, when the clamp arrangement is tightened around the step of the lap joint. Methods using these clamp arrangements are provided herein.

Abstract: A muffler is described for muffling both positive power and compression brake type engine retarders. The muffler includes an outer shell defining an internal volume. A first, inner, perforated wall is spaced from the outer shell and defines a first, annular, volume therebetween. A first volume of packing material is positioned within the annular volume. An inlet tube is oriented within the internal volume. In certain embodiments, the inner perforated wall circumscribes at least a portion of the inlet tube, and extends a distance of at least 25% of the axial length of the outer wall. Both single and dual muffler systems are described. Methods of use and operation are also provided.

Abstract: An integral filter and resonator apparatus includes filter elements positioned upstream of a Helmholtz resonator. The first embodiment includes filter elements positioned side by side within the housing. Other embodiments include a filter element with a tube which curves slightly downstream from the element. Another embodiment includes coupled chambers for attenuating the noise.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a housing and a float. The housing is constructed and arranged to inhibit movement of the float between a resting position to a position where it is situated in its valve seat, unless a selected liquid volume within the valve housing is attained. In one embodiment, a series of projection members or rings creates a tortuous path, such that there is no clear path for the float to reach the valve seat. In another embodiment, vacuum pressure is created between the float and its cup support. Still other embodiments utilize magnets, springs, linkages, and bent wires. Methods for preventing liquid ingestion into an engine through an air intake are also provided.

Abstract: A conical filter device inserts into a duct having flow passing from upstream to downstream. The filter device includes fluted filter media having flutes formed therein and a housing. The filter forms a seal between the outer edge of the filter at the downstream side and the housing. The upstream face of the filter is conical shaped in a first embodiment and frusto-conical in a second embodiment with the housing roughly corresponding to the shape of the filter. The filter elements are formed by winding layers of filter media to form a circular cross-section. The elements are moved axially as they are wound or placed on a shaping form while the sealant is still pliable to shape the element.

Abstract: A filter apparatus includes a fluted filter element in a filter housing having a first open end and a second closed end. The filter element includes fluted filter media coiled into a cylindrical shape and may include an end cap for support and fluid control. Fluid flows into the open end and either around the filter to the closed and back through the filter element or through the filter element to the closed end and then back through a central opening in the filter element.

Abstract: A combination comprises a muffler and a mounting band constructed and arranged to secure the muffler in a hanging orientation. The mounting band includes a continuous, arcuate metallic strap having first and second ends. The metallic strap is positioned in extension circumferentially around the muffler. The first and second ends of the metallic strap are welded to one another to retain the metallic strap as a continuous band around the muffler. The hanger is secured to a continuous portion of the metallic strap. The hanger is centered radially along the strap, at a location about 150.degree.-210.degree. from the weld of the strap ends.

Abstract: An apparatus for modifying an exhaust stream of a diesel engine is provided. The apparatus includes a muffler arrangement having an exhaust inlet and an exhaust outlet in construct and arrange for sound attenuation therein. The apparatus also includes a catalytic converter arrangement positioned within the muffler arrangement between the exhaust inlet and exhaust outlet. During operation, the exhaust flow is directed both through the muffler arrangement and the catalytic converter arrangement, to advantage.

Abstract: A filter device inserts into a duct having flow passing from upstream to downstream. The filter device includes fluted filter media having flutes formed therein. The filter forms a seal between the outer edge of the filter and the downstream side of the duct. The filter media may be rolled or stacked in layers to match the shape of the duct.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a filter including a filter element having a sucession of inner connected pleats. The pleats have successive pleat tips which define an outer boundary of the filter element. Covering the entire outer boundary of the filter element is a permeable generally inelastic sheet which extends across successive pleat tips. The sheet is adhesively affixed to the pleat tips for maintaining spacing of the pleats. The sheet comprises of plurality of randomly arranged plastic filaments which are bonded to each other junctions between the filaments and define a plurality of randomly spaced and shaped opening for allowing substantially unrestricted flow of a fluid through the sheet.

Abstract: In integral filter and resonator apparatus includes filter elements positioned upstream of a Helmholtz resonator. The first embodiment includes filter elements positioned side by side within the housing. Other embodiments include a filter element with a tube which curves slightly downstream from the element. Another embodiment includes coupled chambers for attenuating the noise.

Abstract: A filter device inserts into a duct having flow passing from upstream to downstream. The filter device includes fluted filter media having flutes formed therein inserting into a housing. The filter media is stacked and placed at an angle to the prevailing flow direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for modifying an exhaust stream of a diesel engine is provided. The apparatus includes a muffler arrangement having an exhaust inlet and an exhaust outlet in construct and arrange for sound attenuation therein. The apparatus also includes a catalytic converter arrangement positioned within the muffler arrangement. During operation, the exhaust flow is directed both through the muffler arrangement and the catalytic converter arrangement, to advantage.

Abstract: Trap for filtering particulates from diesel engine exhaust including filter cartridge arrangement having heat enhancement elements. In the case of exhaust gases flowing through a filter cartridge from inside to out and the cartridge having an inner tubular heater, heat enhancement elements include a heat insulator plugging the downstream end of the cartridge, a plurality of flow distribution rings which inhibit flow to the end of the cartridge thereby causing more even flow through the cartridge nearer the upstream end, and mechanism for controlling regeneration on-time as a function of vehicle system voltage and pre-energization heater temperature. In the case of a filter cartridge having flow from outside to in and having an outer heater, heat enhancement elements include a tubular, non-filtering, heat insulating sleeve about the heater and mechanism for controlling on-time as a function of vehicle system voltage and pre-energization heater temperature.

Abstract: Diesel engine exhaust filter system for off-road vehicles. The system has a trap device and controlling mechanism on the vehicle. An electrical power source and a combustion air source are off-board. The controlling mechanism monitors backpressure to determine when regeneration is required. The vehicle is parked at a regeneration station for connection to the air source and power source for regeneration, which is then controlled by the controlling mechanism on-board.