With Means For Handling Exhaust Of A Motor Patents (Class 180/89.2)
  • Patent number: 8151922
    Abstract: An exhaust apparatus includes an exhaust pipe passing under the front floor and rear floor and extending toward the rear of the vehicle. A noise eliminator is arranged under the rear floor and a fuel tank is arranged in a side portion in the vehicle width direction of the noise eliminator. A portion of the exhaust pipe on the front side of the front floor and a portion on the rear side of the noise eliminator are elastically mounted to the vehicle body. The exhaust pipe and a portion on the side opposite to the side of the fuel tank at a lower surface portion of the front floor are coupled by a metal wire having slack in an intermediate portion therebetween. In a side impact to the vehicle body, the fuel tank and noise eliminator do not interfere with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Takehiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8141679
    Abstract: An absorptive muffler assembly includes a first body and a second body surrounding the first body. A resilient mount having at least one resilient portion and at least one support arm supports the first body and isolates the second body from vibrations of the first body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: John J. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 8091670
    Abstract: In an all terrain vehicle, an engine unit is at least partially disposed under a seat. An exhaust pipe includes a first portion, a second portion and a third portion. The first portion is connected to a rear surface of the engine unit, and extends rearward therefrom. The second portion is connected to the first portion, and has a U-shaped configuration. The third portion is connected to the second portion, and extends forward therefrom. A muffler is connected to the exhaust pipe. The muffler is arranged such that the first portion and the third portion at least partially overlap with an area located between two tangent lines of the muffler. The tangent lines of the muffler are perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to a tangent line shared by the first portion and the third portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Suzuki, Hiroyuki Fujimoto, Hikaru Moriya, Satoshi Kubota
  • Patent number: 8066266
    Abstract: An elastomeric isolator has an elastomeric body which incorporates an inner structural member and an outer structural member. The elastomeric body includes a shear hub extending between radial flanges or end plates of the inner and outer structural members that undergoes shearing stresses during deflection of the elastomeric isolator. The elastomeric body is bonded to the radial flanges or end plates. The inner structural member includes a radial flange which is axially offset from an axial flange of the outer structural member. The outer structural member includes a radial flange which is axially offset from an axial flange of the inner structural member. With this configuration, excessive stresses on the elastomeric body are avoided during high load movements of the elastomeric isolator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: The Pullman Company
    Inventor: Troy P. Rodecker
  • Publication number: 20110278090
    Abstract: An exhaust system (3) of an internal combustion engine (2) is provided in a support structure (1), especially in a motor vehicle (1), with at least one exhaust pipe (8), which guides exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine (2) to the environment (4) of the support structure (1). At least one exhaust muffler (5) is provided which has at least one resonance volume (6) and at least one connection line (7), via which the respective resonance volume (6) is connected to the respective exhaust pipe (8) for transmitting airborne sound. A space-saving accommodation is obtained if at least one such resonance volume (6) is formed in a resonance chamber (9) arranged rigidly in or at the support structure (1) and if the respective connection line (7), with which the respective resonance chamber (9) is connected to the respective exhaust pipe (8), is designed as a flexible connection line and permits relative movements between the respective resonance chamber (9) and respective exhaust pipe (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Georg WIRTH, Rolf JEBASINSKI
  • Patent number: 8056654
    Abstract: An exhaust system is provided for a snowmobile having a front portion in which an engine is mounted, a rearward portion, and a track belt for propelling the snowmobile. The track belt is in a track belt tunnel that extends from behind the engine to a rear portion of the snowmobile. The exhaust system includes an exhaust pipe that extends from an exhaust outlet of the engine to the track belt tunnel. At least one exhaust outlet is located within the track belt tunnel at a position within the inner circumference of the track belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Boondocker, LLC
    Inventor: Brett Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 7997376
    Abstract: An exhaust system (26) for a vehicle with a V-engine, aimed at increasing the output power of the V-engine, preventing heat conduction from the exhaust system to the parts around the exhaust system and enhancing the durability of the exhaust system is provided. A transmission and a transfer device (14) are connected in series to the V-engine with an output shaft extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the transmission and the transfer device (14) being provided in a tunnel (15) in a central portion of the floor (4) of the vehicle and protruding to an upper section of the vehicle, a pair of exhaust pipes (31, 32) being connected to each bank of the V-engine, the exhaust pipes (31, 32) converging into a convergence section provided under the floor (4) and extending to the rear of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiro Fujita
  • Patent number: 7971432
    Abstract: A flow diffuser for vehicles of the type having an engine and an exhaust pipe generally includes a substantially tubular body having an outer surface and a first end configured for attachment to an exhaust pipe. The flow diffuser further includes a diffusion portion including at least one channel having a root end located near the outer surface, an exit port, and a channel axis extending between the root end and the exit port, the channel increasing in flow area along the channel axis to reduce exhaust gas velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventor: Paul J. Troxler
  • Patent number: 7967100
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a center console provided with left and right walls, and a top wall, provided to the rear, in the front/back direction of the vehicle, of a front panel. The top wall, extends rearward, in the front/back direction of the vehicle, from a center portion, in the direction of width of the vehicle, of the front panel to at least a front end of a front seat. The top wall is provided at a position that is higher than a bottommost end of a front portion of a seating surface of a seat cushion portion of the front seat and higher than a top end of an engine, and at a position that is lower than a top end of the front panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignees: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha, Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America
    Inventors: Steven Cover, Craig Smith, Satoshi Kubota
  • Publication number: 20110094813
    Abstract: In an all terrain vehicle, an engine unit is at least partially disposed under a seat. An exhaust pipe includes a first portion, a second portion and a third portion. The first portion is connected to a rear surface of the engine unit, and extends rearward therefrom. The second portion is connected to the first portion, and has a U-shaped configuration. The third portion is connected to the second portion, and extends forward therefrom. A muffler is connected to the exhaust pipe. The muffler is arranged such that the first portion and the third portion at least partially overlap with an area located between two tangent lines of the muffler. The tangent lines of the muffler are perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to a tangent line shared by the first portion and the third portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro SUZUKI, Hiroyuki FUJIMOTO, Hikaru MORIYA, Satoshi KUBOTA
  • Patent number: 7931119
    Abstract: A support structure for an exhaust pipe includes left and right side frames disposed on a lower side of a rear floor and a back panel extending downward from the rear floor joined to rear end portions of the side frames. Reinforcing plates join the back panel on a vehicle rear side in positions facing the rear of the side frames. Stays extending in a rearward direction mount to the respective reinforcing plates and support a bumper member. A muffler disposed below the rear floor and on a front side of the back panel or an exhaust pipe connected thereto, is supported on a vehicle body by a hanger rubber. A flange portion that is formed with a reinforcing plate extends rearwardly and perpendicularly therefrom. A hanger rubber mounts to the flange portion to support the muffler or exhaust pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiro Fujita
  • Patent number: 7926604
    Abstract: A clipping bar device is provided for use with a vehicle exhaust aftertreatment device in order to securely guide, secure, and protect wires, tubes, cables, or conduits which may pass in close proximity with the vehicle exhaust aftertreatment device. The clipping bar device may share mounting points with a heat shield, and is provided with a series of holes, so as to be compatible with multiple feature configurations. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: John M. Ammer
  • Patent number: 7905315
    Abstract: A vehicle, such as a motorcycle, includes an engine having first and second cylinder housings arranged in a V-shape such that a space is defined between the first and second cylinder housings. The first cylinder housing includes a first exhaust port and the second cylinder housing includes a second exhaust port. A first exhaust pipe is attached to the first exhaust port and is configured to facilitate passage of exhaust fluid from the first cylinder housing and toward a muffler. A second exhaust pipe is attached to the second exhaust port and is configured to facilitate passage of exhaust fluid from the second cylinder housing and toward the muffler. The second exhaust pipe extends through the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: David W. Arnold
  • Patent number: 7891452
    Abstract: The automobile rear structure includes a diffuser which is arranged on a vehicle-body rear side of a muffler and is configured to interfere with exhaust gas discharged from the muffler so as to make a portion of the exhaust gas flow downwardly, and a flow rectification plate which is arranged below the muffler and guides the downwardly flowing exhaust gas in the direction along an air flow flowing below the floor of the vehicle body to merge the exhaust gas into the air flow. The exhaust gas discharged downwardly from a space defined between a front end portion of the diffuser and a body portion of the muffler is guided in the direction inclined downwardly toward the rear side of the vehicle body and, thereafter, is guided in the direction along the air flow flowing below the floor of the vehicle body, and is merged into the air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroaki Iwamoto, Takao Ito, Haruhiko Yamamoto, Ken Tsuruta
  • Patent number: 7882700
    Abstract: To provide an exhaust pipe structure in which the length of the exhaust pipe can be elongated while the total dimension is restricted. Provided is an exhaust pipe structure which includes an upstream-side exhaust pipe connected to exhaust ports of an engine. An exhaust chamber is provided which has an exhaust-gas inlet and an exhaust-gas outlet, and in which the upstream-side exhaust pipe is connected to the exhaust-gas inlet. In addition, the exhaust pipe structure includes a downstream-side exhaust pipe which is connected to the exhaust-gas outlet and which extends in such a direction as to move away from the exhaust ports. In the exhaust pipe structure, the exhaust-gas inlet is formed at a position farther away from the exhaust ports than the exhaust-gas outlet is positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Yamakura, Hideo Amino, Takero Shibukawa
  • Patent number: 7878286
    Abstract: A tunnel-expansion portion is provided at a front portion of a tunnel portion. The tunnel-expansion portion projects upward greatly and widely so as to provide components of an exhaust system that extend rearward from an exhaust manifold therein (outside a vehicle compartment). Accordingly, there can be provided a front structure of a vehicle, in which an engine is laterally disposed in an engine room at a front portion of the vehicle, an intake pipe is disposed in front of the engine, and an exhaust pipe is disposed in back of the engine, which can improve an exhaust efficiency and a vehicle safety against a vehicle crash, without providing an improperly-large longitudinal space between the engine and the dash panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Taichi Kobayashi, Yukiichirou Shimada, Shirou Nakatani, Nobuyuki Ikemoto, Akifumi Ohno
  • Patent number: 7856811
    Abstract: A shielding component, a heat shield in particular, has at least two shield components (10, 12) detachably connected to each other by a connection unit. The connection unit has at least one snap fastener (16), with the stud element (18) connected to one shield component (10) and with the eyelet element (22) connected to the other shield component (12). The shield components may be reliably separated from each other and reconnected to each other with exertion of little manual effort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: ElringKlinger AG
    Inventor: Bernd Ell
  • Patent number: 7849613
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for heating the handle(s) of power equipment using exhaust produced by an internal combustion engine, including a machine powered by an internal combustion engine, an operator grippable handle, with an interior, and a tubular structure routing the exhaust produced by the internal combustion engine to the interior of the handle. One or more adjustable apertures provide regulation of exhaust in communication with the interior of the handle, wherein the heating of the handle is selectably controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Rodion Kornienko
  • Patent number: 7849959
    Abstract: A vehicle (1) is provided with an exhaust pipe (2) extending from an engine mounted in the front part of the vehicle to a branch part (24) in the rear part of the vehicle, and right and left branch pipes (25, 26) extending from the branch part to mufflers (5, 6) on both right and left sides. The branch part (24) is arranged so as to be offset to the side of either one muffler (5) of the right and left mufflers with respect to the center in the vehicle width direction; the exhaust pipe has an upstream part (2, 21) laid linearly to a bend part (22) positioned in the center in the vehicle width direction near the rear end of a fuel tank, and an oblique part (23) laid slantwise from the bend part toward the branch part; and the length of the branch pipe (25) having a longer distance to the muffler is approximately equal to the length of the oblique part (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hossain Amir, Akihiro Fujita
  • Publication number: 20100258371
    Abstract: A heat reflective system in which a curable composition is deposited and cured onto a substrate, wherein the curable composition comprises: (a) a resinous binder comprising a polyamideimide, a polyepoxide and/or a polysiloxane; and (b) a metallic reflective pigment. After application to a surface of a substrate and after curing, when the coated surface is exposed to a heat source having a temperature up to 390° C. at a distance of at least ½ inch (1.27 cm), the reverse side of the substrate is at least 20 Celsius degrees lower than the temperature of the reverse side of a similar substrate without the curable film-forming composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventor: Umesh C. Desai
  • Patent number: 7806230
    Abstract: A resilient mount useful in a muffler assembly includes a support arm, a bracket arm and at least one resilient portion. In one example, the resilient portion comprises neoprene to provide a cushion between the support arm and the bracket arm. The resilient mount is for supporting at least one absorptive body within a housing and isolating the housing from vibrations of the absorptive body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: John J. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 7784586
    Abstract: A noise reduction structure for a hybrid vehicle in which a cover covers at least part of an air intake system connected to an engine capable of giving power to a driving wheel, an exhaust muffler constituting part of an exhaust system connected to the engine, and an electric motor capable of giving power to the driving wheel. When at least part of the air intake system, the exhaust muffler constituting part of an exhaust system, and the electric motor is covered with the common cover, heat generated by the exhaust muffler is prevented from affecting the electric motor. The rotational axis of the electric motor extends in a longitudinal direction of a body frame and is disposed forwardly of the central position of the exhaust muffler extending in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Ozeki, Kyosuke Kitayama, Yoshiaki Tsukada, Haruomi Sugita
  • Patent number: 7753427
    Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle includes a first seat arranged on the vehicle and a second seat arranged behind the first seat. The vehicle includes a first floor arranged in front of the first seat and a second floor arranged between the first seat and the second seat wherein an engine is at least partially arranged between the first floor and the second floor with an exhaust pipe connected to the engine and having a first vertical pipe portion extending downward from a connecting portion to the engine and a horizontal pipe portion extending backward below the second floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Yamamura, Shigehiro Mochizuki
  • Publication number: 20100101883
    Abstract: An exhaust apparatus includes an exhaust pipe passing under the front floor and rear floor and extending toward the rear of the vehicle. A noise eliminator is arranged under the rear floor and a fuel tank is arranged in a side portion in the vehicle width direction of the noise eliminator. A portion of the exhaust pipe on the front side of the front floor and a portion on the rear side of the noise eliminator are elastically mounted to the vehicle body. The exhaust pipe and a portion on the side opposite to the side of the fuel tank at a lower surface portion of the front floor are coupled by a metal wire having slack in an intermediate portion therebetween. In a side impact to the vehicle body, the fuel tank and noise eliminator do not interfere with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventor: Takehiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7699134
    Abstract: A motorcycle has an exhaust system configured to extend below the engine while providing a sufficient length and a sufficient angle of through which the motorcycle can lean. A muffler unit comprises a first muffler connected with the exhaust pipe unit and disposed between the engine and a rear wheel. The muffler unit also comprises a second muffler that is connected with the first muffler and that is disposed near the side of the rear wheel. The first muffler comprises inclined portions that are formed on the left and right sides of the first muffler when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The second muffler has inclined portions that extend at an angle approximately equal to that of the inclined portions of the first muffler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuto Terashima, Hirotoshi Takeshita
  • Patent number: 7686131
    Abstract: An exhaust tip assembly conducts hot engine exhaust from a muffler through an opening in a molded plastic bumper fascia. An exhaust pipe defining a cross-sectional flow area for the exhaust flow and has an inlet end attached to the muffler and an outlet end. The exhaust pipe has a flexible coupling portion intermediate the inlet end and the outlet end. A heat shield has a cross-sectional flow area greater than the pipe, and an inlet end attached to the outlet end of the pipe. A decorative bezel is attached to the heat shield at the outlet end of the heat shield. Fasteners fasten the heat shield to the fascia with the bezel located in the opening in the rear bumper fascia. During movement of the muffler, the bezel remains in the center of the opening as the flexible coupling portion of the exhaust pipe flexes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale F. Osterkamp, Andrew J. Kurzawa
  • Patent number: 7678168
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an exhaust system support assembly (10) for coupling an exhaust member (F) to a vehicle (A). The exhaust system support assembly (10) includes an exhaust member mount assembly (52) couplable to the exhaust member (F), an isolation pin (32) received within at least a portion of the exhaust member mount assembly (52), and at least one resilient member (44,46) disposed between the exhaust member mount assembly (52) and the isolation pin (32). The exhaust system support assembly (10) further includes a pivot assembly (16) couplable to the vehicle (A), wherein the pivot assembly (16) slidably and rotatably receives the isolation pin (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Connelly, John Thomas Auxter, Jin Choi, Reid R. Nabarrete, Michikazu Jody Tao
  • Patent number: 7669687
    Abstract: A vehicular muffler mounting structure in which a muffler is supported inside wheels by a body frame is provided. The muffler is connected to the body frame through a fastener that is screwed substantially parallel to the lengthwise direction of a body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Takahashi, Shinji Kawatani
  • Patent number: 7628238
    Abstract: An engine exhaust system for a vehicle is provided in which it is possible to obtain necessary vibration damping performance even when there are layout restrictions. For instance, a spherical joint on a front side of the vehicle and a spherical joint on a rear side of the vehicle, are positioned before and after two catalysts, and the components positioned between the front and rear spherical joints is unsupported by a vehicle body. Hence, a dynamic damper is formed. The resonant frequency of the dynamic damper, i.e. a frequency at which vibrations are absorbed can be adjusted by altering the modulus of elasticity and weight of the dynamic damper. Therefore, the necessary vibration damping performance can be obtained despite layout restrictions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanari Kobayashi, Takefumi Mitani
  • Patent number: 7597173
    Abstract: A vibration adjustment of a drive assembly is achieved by way of a pivoted mount about a longitudinal vehicle axis of an articulated column. An exhaust system with exhaust mufflers and catalytic converters is used to shift a total powertrain vibration to a lower engine speed, and a significantly improved vibrational behavior can be achieved at idle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. H.C.F. Porsche AG
    Inventors: Joachim Kappich, Michael Wessels, Rouven Voehringer
  • Publication number: 20090230601
    Abstract: A biaxial exhaust isolator for preventing transmission of vibrations between a motor vehicle and an exhaust system is provided. The exhaust isolator includes an elastomeric body with a body-side portion defining a first channel configured to receive and retain a support rod extending from the vehicle underbody. The elastomeric body also has an exhaust-side portion, adjacent the body-side portion, that defines a second channel configured to receive and retain a hanger rod attached to one of the exhaust system components. The first channel has a first longitudinal axis, whereas the second channel has a second longitudinal axis that is offset from and nonparallel to the first longitudinal axis. A first rigid band is integrated within the body-side portion, extending continuously about and generally coaxial with the first channel. A second rigid band is integrated within the exhaust-side portion, extending continuously about and generally coaxial with the second channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Daniel J. Lenda
  • Publication number: 20090183937
    Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle including: a first seat arranged on the vehicle; a second seat arranged behind the first seat; a first floor arranged in front of the first seat; a second floor arranged between the first seat and the second seat; an engine having at least a part arranged between the first floor and the second floor; and an exhaust pipe connected to the engine and having a first vertical pipe portion extending downward from a connecting portion to the engine and a horizontal pipe portion extending backward below the second floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventors: Takashi Yamamura, Shigehiro Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 7559393
    Abstract: An exhaust structure for a fuel cell vehicle includes a fuel cell for generating electrical power by inducing a reaction between hydrogen and oxygen and, a motor to generate motive power for supply to the rear wheel functioning as the drive wheel based on the electrical power generated by the fuel cell and, an exhaust pipe to convey byproducts in the fuel cell power generation process and, an exhaust port formed on the exhaust pipe opening towards the outer side of the vehicle frame, wherein the exhaust port is positioned more to the rear with respect to the front end of the rear wheel, and more specifically is formed further to the rear with respect to the rear wheel drive shaft. The exhaust structure so configured for fuel cell vehicles is capable of preventing byproducts from the fuel cell from reaching the drive wheel, even when struck by the wind, or when changing the turn radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Horii, Junya Watanabe, Masahiro Shimizu, Hiroyuki Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 7559578
    Abstract: A vehicle chassis assembly includes a frame assembly having a plurality of frame members connected together, a drivetrain, a suspension system, and an exhaust system. The connection of the frame members provides a low-profile configuration for reduced step height and a kick-up portion to allow ascent of steeper inclines. The frame further includes an exhaust pipe supported within a frame member and two castings bolted to removable wheel arches. The exhaust pipe has a circular cross-section that changes to a rectangular cross-section near the back of the chassis assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Workhorse Custom Chassis, LLC
    Inventors: Dion van Leeve, Hennie van Niekerk, Wayne Seaman, Kelvin Milne, Johann Eloff, Anton Francois
  • Publication number: 20090145680
    Abstract: A roll bar exhaust system [1000] is described for retrofitting vehicles such as a pickup truck [100]. Two vertical pipes [1100] have exhaust conduits [1110] running through them which exit through exhaust outlets [1180] at their top side. Diagonal supports [1300] attach to a cross bar [1500] or the vertical supports [1100]. The diagonal supports also attach to the bed [110] of the vehicle. Exhaust conduits [1110] attach to elbows [1010] then to the engine exhaust [150]. Exhaust is routed from the engine exhaust [150] through the elbows [1010] up the exhaust conduit [1110] and out of the exhaust outlet [1180]. Since this is designed to have significant strength, it doubles as a roll bar system preventing the cab [130] of truck [100] from crushing and injuring passengers in the event of a roll over.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventor: Justin WILSON
  • Patent number: 7517380
    Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system and method enables servicing by a single technician and provides singular location mounting and alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Grimm, Jeffrey T. Sedlacek
  • Patent number: 7510043
    Abstract: An isolator for an engine mount or an exhaust system is designed to be mounted directly into a hole defined by a supporting structure of a vehicle. A rod extends between an elastomeric isolator disposed in the hole and a component of the vehicle being supported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: The Pullman Company
    Inventor: Joseph F. Cerri, III
  • Patent number: 7490465
    Abstract: An exhaust system for a drive unit formed by the transmission and the engine, having exhaust-gas-carrying pipes and at least one muffler and catalyst housing. A holding part can be fastened to the transmission and/or the engine and on whose supporting leg the exhaust system can be fastened or suspended. A fastening clamp for accommodating a catalyst housing is provided on the end of the respective supporting leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG
    Inventors: Guenter Weimert, Harald Mann, Markus Menzel
  • Publication number: 20080251306
    Abstract: A tunnel-expansion portion is provided at a front portion of a tunnel portion. The tunnel-expansion portion projects upward greatly and widely so as to provide components of an exhaust system that extend rearward from an exhaust manifold therein (outside a vehicle compartment). Accordingly, there can be provided a front structure of a vehicle, in which an engine is laterally disposed in an engine room at a front portion of the vehicle, an intake pipe is disposed in front of the engine, and an exhaust pipe is disposed in back of the engine, which can improve an exhaust efficiency and a vehicle safety against a vehicle crash without providing an improperly-large longitudinal space between the engine and the dash panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Taichi KOBAYASHI, Yukiichirou SHIMADA, Shirou NAKATANI, Nobuyuki IKEMOTO, Akifumi OHNO
  • Publication number: 20080156569
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for rapid design of emissions component installations. The method assists in the rapid design of emissions component installations by: interpreting a tube design input which may be an exhaust pipe with one or more aftertreatment components, calculating a final tube design and tube drawing, determining the manufacturability of the final tube design, determining the manufacturing cost of the final tube design, and displaying the drawing, manufacturability result, and manufacturing cost to a user. The method also evaluates the final tube design for portions that can be replaced with a more cost effective alternative. The method also receives the emissions reduction features of the installation from the user, and recommends secondary components to mitigate operational consequences, such as reduced fuel economy or reduced oil change intervals, of the emissions reduction features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: John W. Clevenger, Donald A. Gibson, David Sarcona, Michael J. Senetar
  • Patent number: 7383912
    Abstract: An exhaust pipe structure has, under a floor of a vehicle, an exhaust passage for exhaust gas discharged from a vehicle-installed engine, and at least one muffler is provided on an intermediate portion of the exhaust passage. The at least one muffler includes a main muffler having the greatest muffler capacity. An external cylinder forming an outer shell portion of the main muffler has a circular sectional shape having a diameter of 100 mm to 150 mm, or a sectional shape that is substantially equal to an area of the circular sectional shape. The external cylinder has a length of 800 mm to 12000 mm. The main muffler is disposed in a tunnel portion that is formed between the front wheels and the rear wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tadashi Kondo, Junichi Yamaguchi, Yohika Arimura, legal representative, Katsuro Arimura
  • Publication number: 20080121451
    Abstract: A hood assembly for a machine includes an enclosure within which at least one exhaust aftertreatment device is mounted. The engine hood assembly may be preassembled so that the exhaust aftertreatment system is integrated into the enclosure. This may allow the hood assembly to be assembled to the machine and the exhaust aftertreatment system mated to an exhaust pipe from the engine as a unit while the machine is being built on an assembly line. The engine hood assembly may include ventilation openings to assist in heat rejection from the engine compartment and from the exhaust aftertreatment devices. The hood assembly of the present disclosure finds particular application in assisting large track type tractors in meeting ever more stringent exhaust emission requirements without extensive and expensive redesign alternatives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Tony G. Kertz, Christopher M. Brian
  • Patent number: 7367417
    Abstract: An off-road vehicle has a frame with a floorboard extending laterally over a middle region of the frame. The floorboard has a upward projection that defines a tunnel. At least a portion of an air intake system of an engine of the vehicle is positioned within the tunnel. A foot pedal is disposed in front of a seat such that a driver of the vehicle can operate the pedal by foot. The tunnel has a surface that is laterally adjacent the foot pedal such that the foot of a driver can simultaneously contact the surface and the foot pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Inui, Norihiko Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7367419
    Abstract: A saddle ride type all-terrain vehicle includes an engine, a front wheel and rear wheels, a saddle type rider's seat, and a rear fender provided so as to cover the surroundings of the saddle type rider's seat and the rear wheels. The vehicle further includes an exhaust pipe led out to the vehicle body rear side from the engine, a muffler connected to the exhaust pipe, and an oxygen concentration sensor provided in the vicinity of a connection portion between the exhaust pipe and the muffler, wherein the oxygen concentration sensor is located inside the rear fender.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichiro Tsuruta, Atsushi Ito
  • Patent number: 7364002
    Abstract: At the underside of a vehicle body, a fuel tank and an exhaust muffler are disposed alongside of each other along a vehicle body longitudinal direction, with a drive shaft being disposed between the fuel tank and the exhaust muffler. The front and rear of the fuel tank are attached with tank bands to two cross members. The exhaust muffler is attached to the two cross members via rubber supports. Because the exhaust muffler and the fuel tank are attached to common cross members, the noise vibration characteristics of the vehicle body are improved while suppressing an increase in the weight of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoki Mabuchi, Koji Mineda, Takashi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7325651
    Abstract: To provide a motorcycle exhaust system, which is less susceptible to the elevated temperature of the exhaust gases and vibrations induced by the motorcycle combustion engine (E) and in which the sectional area of the exhaust passage can be properly adjusted independence on the operating condition of the motorcycle combustion engine (E), the motorcycle exhaust system includes a motorcycle combustion engine (E) mounted at a location generally intermediate between front and rear wheels (3 and 9), an exhaust passage fluidly connected at one end with an exhaust port of the motorcycle combustion engine (E), a silencer (17) fluidly connected with the opposite end of the exhaust passage and supported by the motorcycle frame structure (FR) at a location generally above the rear wheel (9); and an exhaust control valve (24) disposed in an inlet of the silencer (17) for variably adjusting the sectional area of the exhaust passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kikuchi, Atsushi Eto, Hideo Beppu
  • Patent number: 7318497
    Abstract: To provide an exhaust device for enhancing the appearance quality, secure the degree of freedom in designing and enhance the cooling performance. An exhaust device in which a second exhaust muffler at a rear portion of an exhaust system extends rearwardly from an engine is disposed in a rear portion of a rear cowl wherein a rear end surface of the second exhaust muffler is covered with a resin-made muffler rear cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshihiko Okunosono
  • Patent number: 7270206
    Abstract: At least one vent hole is provided on an aerodynamically constructed covering part for the underside of a motor vehicle. A partial flow of the cold fresh air flows through the vent hole between the covering part and the roadway and is guided to a space which is situated above and accommodates assemblies and/or chassis parts. At least one suction device is provided on the covering part for carrying away the heated air situated in the space disposed above in the direction of the roadway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Tom Guertler
  • Patent number: 7213847
    Abstract: A diverter for vehicle exhaust fumes inhibits or prevents the accumulation of exhaust fumes in a trailer towed by a vehicle. The diverter includes a flexible component (67) which is able to accommodate misalignment between the vehicle and trailer during transport. A coupling (64, 65) is used to removably attach the diverter to a vehicle exhaust (62).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Inventor: Tomasz Umiastowski
  • Patent number: 7165645
    Abstract: A fixing device for an automobile muffler is constructed to effectively support and minimize the vertical and transverse movement of a muffler in relation to a car body via a resilient hanger that is diagonally angled. The rear part of the resilient hanger is attached with a cover bracket and a body side bracket, wherein the cover bracket is formed with a vertical flange surface and the body side bracket is formed with a vertical protrusion surface, thereby effectively support any longitudinal movement of the muffler against the vehicle, and increasing the rigidity of connecting parts between the muffler and an exhaust pipe via the cover bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Sung-Soo Chae