Patents by Inventor Woodrow Woods

Woodrow Woods has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11952927
    Abstract: A marine muffler includes a housing having a wet exhaust inlet, a water outlet, and a dry exhaust outlet. An internal chamber is divided by an angularly disposed baffle into lower and upper chambers. Vertical exhaust ducts penetrate the baffle and function to allow exhaust gas and entrained cooling water to pass from the lower chamber into the upper chamber. The second chamber is bounded at the top a second baffle which terminates the upward flow of exhaust thereby redirecting the exhaust downward. A pair of exhaust conduits extend through the second baffle thereby allowing exhaust to pass upward and into a third chamber which is bounded at it's uppermost portion by a third baffle defining a plurality of slotted apertures in fluid communication with the exhaust outlet. Water separated from the exhaust gas is directed to the water outlet by the diagonal baffle whereby it exits the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Inventors: Woodrow Woods, Darrin Woods
  • Patent number: 11781465
    Abstract: A vortex generating exhaust component is installed in-line within a marine exhaust system downstream of the water can whereby a mixture of hot exhaust gas and entrained cooling water flows there through and vortex flow is enhanced by the component to increase cooling of exhaust gas by increasing the mixing of hot exhaust gas with entrained cooling water thereby resulting in enhanced exhaust gas cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Inventors: Woodrow Woods, Darrin Woods
  • Patent number: 11667367
    Abstract: A marine muffler capable of handling both marine engine exhaust gas and marine engine cooling water includes a double wall baffle partitioning the muffler interior so as to function as a cooling water conduit. The cooling water conduit includes an inlet disposed external to the main muffler housing and an outlet configured and disposed so as to discharge the engine cooling water into the exhaust duct connected to the muffler outlet. The muffler is thus able to convey the engine cooling water through the muffler housing within a dedicated conduit while maintaining the cooling water separate from the exhaust gas. A muffler that is adapted to handle both the exhaust and cooling water flowing from a marine engine allows for the elimination of engine cooling water piping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Inventors: Woodrow Woods, Darrin Woods
  • Patent number: 11668225
    Abstract: A two-stage water-lift and water separation muffler for use with marine electrical generators installed onboard marine vessels. A first stage water-lift muffler has internal tunable sound suppression structure to provide a first stage of exhaust silencing, and a second stage water separator having internal tunable sound suppression structure to provide a second stage of exhaust silencing while separating entrained cooling water from exhaust gases. The combined first stage water-lift muffler and second stage water separator include internal baffling and silencing structure which is easily adaptable to different generator configurations thereby allowing for structural adjustments to the muffler to optimize sound suppression and minimize backpressure for particular generator and/or exhaust conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Inventors: Woodrow Woods, Darrin Woods
  • Patent number: 11473462
    Abstract: A marine muffler includes a housing having a wet exhaust inlet, a water outlet, and a dry exhaust outlet. An internal chamber is divided by an angularly disposed baffle into lower and upper chambers. Vertical exhaust ducts penetrate the baffle and function to allow exhaust gas and entrained cooling water to pass from the lower chamber into the upper chamber. The second chamber is bounded at the top a second baffle which terminates the upward flow of exhaust thereby redirecting the exhaust downward. A pair of exhaust conduits extend through the second baffle thereby allowing exhaust to pass upward and into a third chamber which is bounded at it's uppermost portion by a third baffle defining a plurality of slotted apertures in fluid communication with the exhaust outlet. Water separated from the exhaust gas is directed to the water outlet by the diagonal baffle whereby it exits the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Inventors: Woodrow Woods, Darrin Woods
  • Patent number: 11415037
    Abstract: A two-stage water-lift and water separation muffler for use with marine electrical generators installed onboard marine vessels. A first stage water-lift muffler has internal tunable sound suppression structure to provide a first stage of exhaust silencing, and a second stage water separator having internal tunable sound suppression structure to provide a second stage of exhaust silencing while separating entrained cooling water from exhaust gases. The combined first stage water-lift muffler and second stage water separator include internal baffling and silencing structure which is easily adaptable to different generator configurations thereby allowing for structural adjustments to the muffler to optimize sound suppression and minimize backpressure for particular generator and/or exhaust conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Inventors: Woodrow Woods, Darrin Woods
  • Patent number: 11208939
    Abstract: A water separator for use in a marine exhaust system comprises a horizontally disposed, generally cylindrical housing including a wet exhaust inlet, a dry exhaust outlet, and a water outlet. Wet exhaust entering the wet exhaust inlet is constrained against the inner housing wall by a variable geometry vane or baffle which causes the wet exhaust to accelerate such that centrifugal force causes the entrained water to separate from the exhaust gas. Separated water encounters a longitudinally disposed barrier and flows to the water outlet for discharge from the vessel. A tubular dry exhaust pipe is longitudinally disposed within the housing and includes an inlet disposed in proximity to a first end thereof, and an outlet projecting from a second end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Inventors: Woodrow Woods, Darrin Woods
  • Patent number: 10890094
    Abstract: A vortex generating exhaust component is installed in-line within a marine exhaust system downstream of the water can whereby a mixture of hot exhaust gas and entrained cooling water flows there through and vortex flow is enhanced by the component to increase cooling of exhaust gas by increasing the mixing of hot exhaust gas with entrained cooling water thereby resulting in enhanced exhaust gas cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Inventors: Woodrow Woods, Darrin Woods
  • Patent number: 10889360
    Abstract: A marine muffler capable of handling both marine engine exhaust gas and marine engine cooling water includes a double wall baffle partitioning the muffler interior so as to function as a cooling water conduit. The cooling water conduit includes an inlet disposed external to the main muffler housing and an outlet configured and disposed so as to discharge the engine cooling water into the exhaust duct connected to the muffler outlet. The muffler is thus able to convey the engine cooling water through the muffler housing within a dedicated conduit while maintaining the cooling water separate from the exhaust gas. A muffler that is adapted to handle both the exhaust and cooling water flowing from a marine engine allows for the elimination of engine cooling water piping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Inventors: Woodrow Woods, Darrin Woods
  • Patent number: 10837343
    Abstract: A water separator for use in a marine exhaust system comprises a horizontally disposed, generally cylindrical housing including a wet exhaust inlet, a dry exhaust outlet, and a water outlet. Wet exhaust entering the wet exhaust inlet is constrained against the inner housing wall by a variable geometry vane or baffle which causes the wet exhaust to accelerate such that centrifugal force causes the entrained water to separate from the exhaust gas. Separated water encounters a longitudinally disposed barrier and flows to the water outlet for discharge from the vessel. A tubular dry exhaust pipe is longitudinally disposed within the housing and includes an inlet disposed in proximity to a first end thereof, and an outlet projecting from a second end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Inventors: Woodrow Woods, Darrin Woods
  • Patent number: 10760468
    Abstract: A water separator for use in a marine exhaust system comprises a horizontally disposed, generally cylindrical housing including a wet exhaust inlet, a dry exhaust outlet, and a water outlet. Wet exhaust entering the wet exhaust inlet is constrained against the inner housing wall by a variable geometry vane or baffle which causes the wet exhaust to accelerate such that centrifugal force causes the entrained water to separate from the exhaust gas. Separated water encounters a longitudinally disposed barrier and flows to the water outlet for discharge from the vessel. A tubular dry exhaust pipe is longitudinally disposed within the housing and includes an inlet disposed in proximity to a first end thereof, and an outlet projecting from a second end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Inventors: Woodrow Woods, Darrin Woods
  • Patent number: 10584625
    Abstract: A vortex generating exhaust component is installed in-line within a marine exhaust system downstream of the water can whereby a mixture of hot exhaust gas and entrained cooling water flows there through and vortex flow is enhanced by the component to increase cooling of exhaust gas by increasing the mixing of hot exhaust gas with entrained cooling water thereby resulting in enhanced exhaust gas cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Inventors: Woodrow Woods, Darrin Woods
  • Patent number: 10308339
    Abstract: A marine muffler capable of handling both marine engine exhaust gas and marine engine cooling water includes a double wall baffle partitioning the muffler interior so as to function as a cooling water conduit. The cooling water conduit includes an inlet disposed external to the main muffler housing and an outlet configured and disposed so as to discharge the engine cooling water into the exhaust duct connected to the muffler outlet. The muffler is thus able to convey the engine cooling water through the muffler housing within a dedicated conduit while maintaining the cooling water separate from the exhaust gas. A muffler that is adapted to handle both the exhaust and cooling water flowing from a marine engine allows for the elimination of engine cooling water piping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Inventors: Woodrow Woods, Darrin Woods
  • Patent number: 10054029
    Abstract: A water separator for use in a marine exhaust system comprises a horizontally disposed, generally cylindrical housing including a wet exhaust inlet, a dry exhaust outlet, and a water outlet. Wet exhaust entering the wet exhaust inlet is constrained against the inner housing wall by a variable geometry vane or baffle which causes the wet exhaust to accelerate such that centrifugal force causes the entrained water to separate from the exhaust gas. Separated water encounters a longitudinally disposed barrier and flows to the water outlet for discharge from the vessel. A tubular dry exhaust pipe is longitudinally disposed within the housing and includes an inlet disposed in proximity to a first end thereof, and an outlet projecting from a second end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Inventors: Woodrow Woods, Darrin Woods
  • Patent number: 9873497
    Abstract: A marine muffler capable of handling both marine engine exhaust gas and marine engine cooling water includes a double wall baffle partitioning the muffler interior so as to function as a cooling water conduit. The cooling water conduit includes an inlet disposed external to the main muffler housing and an outlet configured and disposed so as to discharge the engine cooling water into the exhaust duct connected to the muffler outlet. The muffler is thus able to convey the engine cooling water through the muffler housing within a dedicated conduit while maintaining the cooling water separate from the exhaust gas. A muffler that is adapted to handle both the exhaust and cooling water flowing from a marine engine allows for the elimination of engine cooling water piping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Inventors: Woodrow Woods, Darrin Woods
  • Patent number: 9731805
    Abstract: A water jacketed exhaust component includes an exhaust pipe having a radially inwardly tapered tail end, a water jacket disposed in surrounding relation with the exhaust pipe, and a generally V-shaped spray ring. The spray ring includes a first and second set of apertures that create diverging streams of cooling water. A first set of apertures creates an annularly disposed series of streams that are directed downstream and radially inward. These streams are generally directed toward the outer surface of the exhaust pipe structure which extends downstream of the spray ring. A second set of apertures creates an annularly disposed series of streams that are directed downstream and radially outward. These streams are generally directed toward the inner surface of the water jacket structure extending downstream of the spray ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Inventor: Woodrow Woods
  • Patent number: 9562450
    Abstract: A marine muffler adapted with an internally tunable sound suppression structure is adaptable to different configurations thereby allowing for structural adjustments to optimize sound suppression and minimize backpressure for particular engine and exhaust conditions. A muffler housing defines an interior volume and includes an exhaust inlet and outlet. The outlet has a reduced diameter as compared with the inlet such that the exhaust gas accelerates through the muffler. An inclined baffle partitions the interior volume into a lower chamber in communication with the exhaust inlet and an upper chamber in communication with the exhaust outlet. Exhaust ducts attached to each side wall penetrate the baffle thereby placing the upper and lower chambers in fluid communication. A corrugated partition divides each exhaust duct into a plurality of non-circular conduits. The muffler may be tuned by selectively capping one or more conduit outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Inventors: Woodrow Woods, Darrin Woods
  • Patent number: 9334036
    Abstract: A water jacketed exhaust component includes an exhaust pipe having a radially inwardly tapered tail end, a water jacket disposed in surrounding relation with the exhaust pipe, and a generally V-shaped spray ring. The spray ring includes a first and second set of apertures that create diverging streams of cooling water. A first set of apertures creates an annularly disposed series of streams that are directed downstream and radially inward. These streams are generally directed toward the outer surface of the exhaust pipe structure which extends downstream of the spray ring. A second set of apertures creates an annularly disposed series of streams that are directed downstream and radially outward. These streams are generally directed toward the inner surface of the water jacket structure extending downstream of the spray ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Inventor: Woodrow Woods
  • Patent number: 9312411
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a connector assembly comprises: a connector; and a pair of side collectors, each comprising a connector engagement region having a size and geometry to mate with the connector so as to hold ends of two adjacent panels together; and a panel engagement region comprising a receiving area and having a size to attach onto an edge of the panel; and a clip, wherein the clip has a base that can be attached to a support, an engagement, and a stem extending therebetween, wherein the engagement has an extension projecting from a side of the engagement, wherein the panel engagement region further comprises an opening in a joint wall on a side of the panel engagement region opposite the receiving area, wherein the opening is configured to receive the extension of the engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: SABIC GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
    Inventors: Michael Matthew Laurin, Matthew Frank Niemeyer, Scott Michael Davis, Charlie Woodrow Wood, Przemyslaw Olszynski
  • Patent number: 9273588
    Abstract: A marine muffler adapted with an internally tunable sound suppression structure is adaptable to different configurations thereby allowing for structural adjustments to optimize sound suppression and minimize backpressure for particular engine and exhaust conditions. A muffler housing defines an interior volume and includes an exhaust inlet and outlet. The outlet has a reduced diameter as compared with the inlet such that the exhaust gas accelerates through the muffler. An inclined baffle partitions the interior volume into a lower chamber in communication with the exhaust inlet and an upper chamber in communication with the exhaust outlet. Exhaust ducts attached to each side wall penetrate the baffle thereby placing the upper and lower chambers in fluid communication. A corrugated partition divides each exhaust duct into a plurality of non circular conduits. The muffler may be tuned by selectively capping one or more conduit outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Inventors: Woodrow Woods, Darrin Woods