Dynamic exhaust tip
An exhaust tip assembly including a cylindrical collar adapted to be secured to the distal end of a vehicular exhaust pipe and to extend beyond the distal end of the exhaust pipe. A rigid support structure is secured inside the collar and a turbine is rotatably coupled on the distal side of the rigid support structure. In a preferred embodiment, the turbine is concentric with the collar and has a fixed axial position adjacent the distal end of the cylindrical collar. It is also preferred for the turbine to form a plurality of vanes facing the distal end of the exhaust pipe such that exhaust gases pass over the vanes and cause the turbine to freely spin in one direction. It is further preferred if the turbine is free to continue spinning independent of exhaust gases continuing to exit the exhaust pipe through the collar.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to novelty exhaust tips having an exhaust-driven spinning element.
2. Background of the Related Art
An exhaust tip is an ornamental assembly for an exhaust pipe. Typically, an exhaust tip is made of metal and/or chrome plated to match other ornamental components of the vehicle. The exhaust tip covers the bare steel exhaust pipe or tail pipe that can become rusty and covered in dirt and grease. Exhaust tips are intended to be readily viewable and generally provide a distinctive appearance to a vehicle.
The broad general appeal and interest in vehicles has led to a large and growing industry of parts and services to customize vehicles. Some parts and services are directed solely at improving vehicle performance, while other parts and services are directed solely at providing a unique ornamental appearance. Some parts and services may even provide a combination of improved performance and ornamental appearance. Still, the selection of parts and services for a vehicle can be extremely personal and expressive.
Therefore, there continues to be a demand for further ornamental devices for a vehicle. It is desirable to provide ornamental devices for a vehicle that do not deter the performance of the vehicle and are easy to install and maintain.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides an exhaust tip assembly, comprising a cylindrical collar adapted to be secured to the distal end of a vehicular exhaust pipe and to extend beyond the distal end of the exhaust pipe. A rigid support structure is secured inside the collar and a turbine is rotatably coupled on the distal side of the rigid support structure. In a preferred embodiment, the turbine is concentric with the collar and has a fixed axial position adjacent the distal end of the cylindrical collar. It is also preferred for the turbine to form a plurality of vanes facing the distal end of the exhaust pipe such that exhaust gases pass over the vanes and cause the turbine to freely spin in one direction. It is further preferred if the turbine is free to continue spinning independent of exhaust gases continuing to exit the exhaust pipe through the collar. The most preferred turbine includes a rim that gives the turbine the shape of a wheel with a plurality of spokes. Other aspects of the preferred embodiments are described below with reference to the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSSo that the above recited features and advantages of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
FIGS. 6A-D are cross-sectional views of alternative vanes.
FIGS. 9A-C are schematic views of alternative embodiments of a structure for supporting a turbine within the collar.
The assembly 10 also includes a turbine in the shape of a wheel 18 that is rotatably coupled to the collar 14 so as to spin as exhaust gases are pushed through the wheel. The collar 14 and wheel 18 are preferably both cylindrical and concentric. The wheel 18 includes a rim 20, hub 22, and spokes 24. The outwardly visible, downstream face of wheel 18 forms a display surface that may be contoured and designed for aesthetic appeal, including, for example, point 26 and grooves 28. The preferred display face is generally flat or gently curved and may include grooves or other ornamentation. It is desirable for the appearance to be similar to that of a hub-cap. Accordingly, the display surface of individual spokes may be generally symmetrically contoured.
As shown in
FIGS. 6A-D are cross-sectional views of alternative embodiments of spokes 24 having proximal surfaces that form vanes for imparting rotation to the wheel is a similar manner. In
FIGS. 9A-C are schematic back views of alternative embodiments of support structures for securing a turbine within the collar 14. These views are similar to the back view shown in
In operation, the embodiments described above perform in a similar manner. Upon ignition of the vehicle engine, exhaust gases begin to flow through the exhaust pipe and the collar. Depending on the amount of friction in the bearing or bushing that rotatably supports the shaft of the wheel and the size, number and pitch of the vanes, the wheel may begin spinning either under engine idling conditions or begin only upon the engine reaching higher rotations per minute or other engine conditions producing a higher exhaust gas flow rate. In one embodiment, the friction is as low as possible to encourage spinning even at low exhaust gas flow rates and to maximize the spinning rate at higher flow rate. A low friction bearing or bushing will also increase the extent of continued spinning after the exhaust gas flow has declined or stopped. Having the wheel continue to spin after the engine is shut off or vehicle movement has stopped is highly desirable. Still, in another embodiment, the friction in the bearing or bushing may be slightly greater in order to keep the spinning rate in a range that increases viewability. It is anticipated that the wheel may reach such high spin rates that any detail or light reflective surface features of the wheel may become blurred to the point that the visual effect is diminished. Consequently, friction may be used to regulate the spin rate to a desirable range over the intended driving conditions. Still further, the spin rate will effect the sound of the exhaust. In some applications, the dynamic exhaust tip delivers a “whirring” sound characteristic of a turbocharger. It is believed that the spinning turbine or “wheel” could potentially improve the exhaust flow, resulting in lower exhaust backpressure and thereby increasing performance and/or fuel economy.
The term “shaft” means a supporting member that carries a wheel and either rotates with the wheel or allows the wheel to rotate freely on it. The term “vane” means a flat or curved surface exposed to a flow of fluid so as to be forced to move or to rotate about an axis. The term “turbine” means a bladed or vaned device that rotates on a shaft and is actuated by the reaction to a current of fluid. The term “fin” means a fixed structure having a flat or curved surface exposed to a flow of fluid so as to impart a swirling direction to the fluid. References to a turbine in the shape of a “wheel” mean a turbine, as defined above, that includes a circular frame with a hub at the center for attachment to a shaft, about which it may revolve.
This description is intended for purposes of illustration only and should not be construed in a limiting sense. The scope of this invention should be determined only by the language of the claims that follow. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” as used in the claims and specification herein, shall be considered as indicating an open group that may include other elements not specified. The term “consisting essentially of,” as used in the claims and specification herein, shall be considered as indicating a partially open group that may include other elements not specified, so long as those other elements do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed invention. The terms “a,” “an,” and the singular forms of words shall be taken to include the plural form of the same words, such that the terms mean that one or more of something is provided. For example, the phrase “An assembly comprising a wheel” should be read to describe an assembly having one or more wheels. The term “one” or “single” shall be used to indicate that one and only one of something is intended. Similarly, other specific integer values, such as “two,” are used when a specific number of things is intended. The terms “preferably,” “preferred,” “prefer,” “optionally,” “may,” and similar terms are used to indicate that an item, condition or step being referred to is not a required feature of the invention in its broadest form.
Claims
1. A dynamic exhaust tip assembly, comprising:
- a cylindrical collar adapted to be secured to the distal end of a vehicular exhaust pipe and to extend beyond the distal end of the exhaust pipe;
- a rigid support structure secured inside the collar;
- a turbine rotatably coupled on the distal side of the rigid support structure, wherein the turbine is concentric with the collar and has a fixed axial position adjacent the distal end of the cylindrical collar; and wherein the turbine forms a plurality of vanes facing the distal end of the exhaust pipe such that exhaust gases pass over the vanes and cause the turbine to freely spin in one direction.
2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical collar has a distal end having a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the distal end of the exhaust pipe.
3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the turbine is free to continue spinning independent of exhaust gases continuing to exit the exhaust pipe through the collar.
4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the turbine forms a wheel having a rim and a plurality of spokes.
5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the plurality of vanes are formed on upstream faces of the plurality of spokes.
6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the wheel has a downstream face that is not the mere complement of the upstream face.
7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the downstream face forms a display surface.
8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the display surface is substantially planar.
9. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the wheel has an outer diameter that defines a gap between the wheel and the collar, and wherein the area of the gap is less than the open area between the spokes of the wheel.
10. The assembly of claim 1, characterized in that the exhaust gases cause the turbine to spin independent of the exhaust pipe orientation.
11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the turbine is made of metal.
12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the turbine is rotatably coupled to the rigid support structure by a sealed bearing that is resistant to exhaust gas operating temperatures.
13. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the spinning of the turbine alters the sound of the exhaust.
14. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising:
- a plurality of fins secured within the collar proximal to the turbine for imparting a swirling motion to the exhaust gases.
15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the fins form the rigid support structure.
16. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the collar is rolled inward.
17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the rolled end of the collar overlaps the downstream face of the turbine.
18. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the effective cross-sectional area of the collar is approximately equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of the exhaust pipe.
19. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a vehicular exhaust pipe, wherein the cylindrical collar is secured to the distal end of a vehicular exhaust pipe and extends beyond the distal end of the exhaust pipe.
20. The assembly of claim 19, further comprising a vehicle having an internal combustion engine operatively coupled to the vehicular exhaust pipe.
21. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the turbine is rotatably coupled to the rigid support structure by a bushing that is resistant to exhaust gas operating temperatures.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 28, 2005
Publication Date: May 3, 2007
Inventors: Nicholas Field (Houston, TX), Richard Ford (Houston, TX)
Application Number: 11/262,248
International Classification: F01N 3/02 (20060101);