Internal-combustion Engine Patents (Class 181/204)
  • Patent number: 8028799
    Abstract: A damping device and a method of damping a structural element of a vehicle body are disclosed. The damping device generally includes a carrier material, a separating material, and a damping material disposed on the carrier material. The damping material is one of a material forming an open cell structure and a material having an absorption coefficient for sound waves greater than about 0.5. The method generally includes fixing a damping device on a structural element of a vehicle, the damping device including a carrier material, a separating material, and a damping material, and one of expanding and dilating at least one of the separating material and the damping material, the damping material having one of an open cell structure and an absorption coefficient for sound waves greater than 0.5 after expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Sika Technology AG
    Inventors: Thomas Hasler, Pierre Millet
  • Patent number: 8028795
    Abstract: A lightweight exhaust component cover having a small number of components is disclosed. In the exhaust component cover, an internal plate is formed by bending part of a single plate at both ends, and the internal plate is joined to the inside surface of an external plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Yutaka Giken Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Hisanaga, Akihiro Kawamata, Tomoyuki Uchida, Shingo Oshimizu
  • Patent number: 8011469
    Abstract: A tunable sound transmission device for transmitting an engine rumble sound into an interior of a motor vehicle includes a transmission line having a first end in acoustic communication with an air intake tract of an engine. A flexible membrane is positioned to sealably close off a portion of the transmission line thereby dividing the transmission line into two portions that are airflow isolated from each other. A receptacle is arranged at the second end of the transmission line and a user changeable sound characterization device is replaceably installed into the receptacle. The sound characterization device is configured and adapted to provide an intended frequency dependent sound attenuation characteristic and an overall sound dampening level for the transmitted engine sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventor: Brad Olson
  • Patent number: 7980358
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lightweight sound insulating lining (1) for a body component of a motor vehicle, in particular in the form of a lightweight front wall lining, comprising a sound absorbing layer, a sound insulating layer which is directly connected to the sound absorbing layer and substantially air tight, as well as an adjoining foam layer (1.3), wherein the sound absorbing layer (1.1) is made of a porous absorber, preferably a fiber fleece or a foam, which has an air permeability in the range of 150 to 2000 liters/m2s at a test pressure of 100 Pa. The sound insulating layer (1.2) is formed by an integral skin layer of the foam layer (1.3) with a thickness of at least 0.5 mm, and is integrally joined to the porous absorber by back-foaming the porous absorber substantially without foam penetration therethrough. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing such a lining is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Bayer MaterialScience AG
    Inventors: Dirk Soltau, Michael Hansen, Thomas Gross, Dagmar Ulbrich
  • Patent number: 7980356
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cladding part for components. The cladding part has at least two areas with different vibration damping properties. The different areas make it possible in a simple manner to meet partly conflicting requirements for cladding parts of the components in an optimum manner. The components include medical examination devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Bernd Maciejewski
  • Patent number: 7971683
    Abstract: An acoustic protective panel for the fitting of a wall of a vehicle, has an upper porous layer, in particular with a felt or remelted flexible foam base, at least one zone of the porous layer being arranged on one sealing layer, the sealing layer being arranged on one backing layer (5) with a flexible polyurethane base forming a spring, said sealing layer being formed by impregnation on a portion of the thickness of the porous layer by the polyurethane of the backing layer overmolding the porous layer. Architectures for mounting such a panel are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Centre d'Etude et de Recherche pour l'Automobile (CERA)
    Inventors: Andre-Xavier Bayle, Jean-Christophe Stein
  • Publication number: 20110147116
    Abstract: A tunable sound transmission device for transmitting an engine rumble sound into an interior of a motor vehicle includes a transmission line having a first end in acoustic communication with an air intake tract of an engine. A flexible membrane is positioned to sealably close off a portion of the transmission line thereby dividing the transmission line into two portions that are airflow isolated from each other. A receptacle is arranged at the second end of the transmission line and a user changeable sound characterization device is replaceably installed into the receptacle. The sound characterization device is configured and adapted to provide an intended frequency dependent sound attenuation characteristic and an overall sound dampening level for the transmitted engine sound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: MANN+HUMMEL GMBH
    Inventor: Brad Olson
  • Patent number: 7963363
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a soundproof cover for automobiles, the soundproof cover including: a cover body formed of a metal or a resin; and a sound-absorbing material disposed opposite to a sound source, in which the sound-absorbing material has a soft sound-insulating layer on a surface side thereof facing the cover body, the sound-absorbing material is disposed apart from the cover body, and the sound-absorbing material has a peripheral edge that contacts with an inner wall of an edge of the cover body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Nichias Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Niwa, Motonori Kondoh, Tadashi Mori
  • Patent number: 7954596
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multilayered acoustically and thermally effective insulation having a defined layer structure, especially for internal combustion engines of motor vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Entwicklungsgesellschaft fur Akustik (EfA) mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Volkmar Schulze, Hans-Peter Keller, Volker Kursch
  • Patent number: 7950363
    Abstract: An air inlet system for an internal combustion engine includes an air inlet duct for drawing charge air into a charge air processor, and an intake manifold system leading from the charge air processor to the power cylinders of the engine. A resonator which suppresses pressure pulses within the inlet duct is mounted to the intake manifold system, but fluidically connected to the air inlet duct, and not to the intake manifold system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: David Currie, Ivan Lazich, John Jasso, Anthony William Hudson
  • Patent number: 7946380
    Abstract: A motorcycle has a muffler 40, a muffler cover 50 for covering a part of a side surface (outer peripheral surface) of the muffler 40 and an end cap 60 for covering the muffler 40 from a rear side thereof. The end cap 60 is separately formed from the muffler cover 50 and disposed away from the muffler cover 50. The muffler cover 50 is mounted on the muffler 40 in a manner such that a central axis of the muffler cover 50 is offset from a central axis of the muffler 40 in a radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masanori Yamamoto, Shigeyuki Matsuura
  • Patent number: 7913814
    Abstract: An acoustic baffle assembly for sealing or baffling a hollow body having a mass of heat activated expandable material that is capable of activating at a predetermined temperature. A substrate supports the mass. The substrate has a central portion and spaced apart projections extending outwardly from the central portion. The projections are configured to control expansion of the mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Henkel Corporation
    Inventors: Gary R. Duffin, Benjamin Howard, Dan Jordan, Tanya Estrin, Michael Lupini
  • Patent number: 7900593
    Abstract: A valley shield operable as a noise, fluid, and heat barrier is provided for use with an engine assembly having an engine block with two cylinder banks defining an interbank valley therebetween, and two cylinder heads secured thereto. The valley shield has a unitary body including a base with two laterally spaced side portions extending angularly outward therefrom. The body is configured to pressably fit into place proximate to the valley, between the two cylinder banks, and be secured therein by the cylinder heads. The base is oriented immediately adjacent to the interbank valley and is contoured to define an air pocket therebetween. Each lateral side portion includes a flange extending laterally therefrom to directly engage with the perimeter of the interbank valley, providing an acoustic seal therebetween. The base defines two longitudinally displaced trough portions each defining drain holes and configured to allow for gravitational evacuation of fluid therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gary J. Hazelton, Iain J. Read
  • Patent number: 7870931
    Abstract: The sound-absorbing insulation element is used everywhere sound and/or heat sources have to be shielded, preferably in automotive engineering as a heat shield. The insulation element comprises at least one studded sheet-shaped element which is provided with strengthening embossments. The strengthening embossments have an embossment base and embossment flanks. According to the invention, the sheet-shaped element exhibits material compression, that is to say material hardening, in the region of the embossment flanks. Fissures which have a bizarrely shaped contour lie in the embossment base. These fissures are produced by the stretching and tearing of the embossment base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Rieter Technologies AG
    Inventor: Alexander Wildhaber
  • Patent number: 7861822
    Abstract: A vehicle including an enclosure and a separator wall is disclosed. The enclosure defines an engine compartment and the engine compartment encloses an internal combustion engine. The separator wall extends from a forward portion of the engine compartment to a rear portion of the engine compartment. The engine compartment is at least partially separated into an upper portion and a lower portion by the separator wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: Michael A. Redmann
  • Patent number: 7841314
    Abstract: To improve soundproof performance on an air intake side of a cooling structure of a construction machine without enlarging an air intake chamber. An air intake chamber is provided on the air intake side of a heat exchanger in an engine room, and a first air intake port is formed in a top face of the air intake chamber. In the air intake chamber, a duct independently formed as a shield member is disposed so as to partition the air intake chamber into two chambers, and also such that the core surface of the heat exchanger is enclosed airtightly from the surrounding atmosphere. A second air intake port is formed in the duct; thereby, the air intake chamber is constituted in a doubled duct structure, and air sucked from the first air intake port is guided through an air intake passage to the core surface of the heat exchanger, the air intake passage being bent so as to be roughly L-shaped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hajime Nakashima, Tomoya Taniuchi, Yasumasa Kimura, Shinichi Kinoshita
  • Publication number: 20100252357
    Abstract: Provided is a sound insulation structure of an internal combustion engine capable of preventing propagation of a sound generated by an injector into an interior of a vehicle. The sound insulation structure of the internal combustion engine includes a V-type cylinder block having a right bank and a left bank; a right bank intake pipe supplying a gas to the right bank; a left bank intake pipe supplying the gas to the left bank and intersecting the right bank intake pipe; in-cylinder injection injectors arranged in a surrounded space surrounded by the right and left banks and the intake pipes; and a sound insulation member arranged in the surrounded space between the in-cylinder injection injectors and an intersection region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Kashirou Fukami, Kouji Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 7798285
    Abstract: An acoustic inner barrel for an aircraft engine nacelle inlet is constructed from a composite material and is formed as a single, 360-degree annular segment. The barrel includes an inner skin, an outer skin, a cellular core disposed between the inner skin and the outer skin, and at least one crack and delamination stopper extending radially from the inner skin to the outer skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Song Chiou, Jia Yu, Claude Hubert, Michael Layland
  • Publication number: 20100224438
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multilayered acoustically and thermally effective insulation having a defined layer structure, especially for internal combustion engines of motor vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: ENTWICKLUNGSGESELLSCHAFT FUR AKUSTIK (EFA) MIT1 BESCHRANKTER HAFLUNG
    Inventors: Volkmar Schulze, Hans-Peter Keller, Volker Kursch
  • Patent number: 7770692
    Abstract: An example embodiment of an acoustic treatment for an engine having at least one engine component extending substantially therefrom includes a base layer having a first base surface and an opposing second base surface. The first base surface is configured to mate with an exterior surface of the engine. The example embodiment also includes a secondary layer having a secondary layer mating surface and an opposing secondary layer outer surface. The secondary layer mating surface is configured to mate with the second base surface at a mating interface. The interface provides a pass-through location for the at least one engine component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary J. Hazelton, Thomas Richard Durkin
  • Patent number: 7757809
    Abstract: A cover part for a vehicle, especially an underbody cover, has a porous core layer and at least one cover layer on each side, wherein the porous core layer is constructed such that it has acoustic transparency or an acoustically absorbent effect. Here, the porous core layer is made either from a thermoplastic matrix with embedded reinforcement fibers, especially glass fibers, whose melting point temperature is higher than the melting point temperature of the plastic matrix, or from a foam, which is either open-cell or closed-cell and perforated. The acoustically absorbent porous core layer is occupied on one or both sides with one or more acoustically transparent or absorbent covering layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Rochling Automotive AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Pfaffelhuber, Arno Orth, Egon Moos, Frank Uhl, Ludwig Huber
  • Patent number: 7726442
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an acoustic baffle device for sealing a cavity of a vehicle body at a predetermined cross section of the cavity, comprising a piece of sealing material that is formed in a shape corresponding to but being smaller than the shape of the cross section of the cavity. The acoustic baffle device of the invention is characterized in having a flap assembly having a lower neck defining a passage for a flexible tube or a similar device, said lower neck having a flap secured in closed position by a locking device and being connected preferably to the lower end of the lower neck through means that permit the reversible opening of the above-defined passage. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a flap assembly useful for such an acoustic baffle device, and to a process for sealing a cavity of a vehicle body at a predetermined cross section of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Sika Technology AG
    Inventor: Vincent Belpaire
  • Patent number: 7712579
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a floor silencer that has good transport efficiency due to an ability to be transported in a flat state, and can be assembled to a floor panel of a vehicle by folding along a band-like concave portion. The floor silencer is used with a first surface side in contact with a floor carpet, and a second surface side in contact with the floor panel of the vehicle. The floor silencer also has the band-like concave portion and can be folded along the band-like concave portion. The floor silencer is transported in a flat state and not folded during transport, and is used folded along the band-like concave portion during assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nobukazu Ueno
  • Publication number: 20100108434
    Abstract: A polyurethane foam for vehicles is obtained by reaction, foaming, and curing of a polyurethane-foam raw material comprising polyol, polyisocyanate, a blowing agent, and a catalyst, and is used for vehicle parts. The foam raw material comprises expanded graphite and an inorganic compound hydrate. The polyol preferably comprises polymeric polyol in which a polyether polyol is graft-polymerized with a vinyl monomer, polyether polyol having a mass average molecular weight of from 400 to 1,000 in which a polyhydric alcohol is addition-polymerized with an alkylene oxide, and polyether polyol having a mass average molecular weight of from 2,000 to 4,000 in which a polyhydric alcohol is addition-polymerized with an alkylene oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: INOAC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Satoshi Iwase
  • Publication number: 20100101528
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel acoustic bumpers that can dampen vibrations and control noise transmission from an engine front cover, or other component. In one embodiment, the front cover carries a water pump and internal water distribution passages and covers an overhead camshaft drive mechanism and an oil pump mounted on the engine block. Noise control of unsupported cover central portions is provided by acoustic bumpers carried on inside cover bosses and engaging surfaces in accessible locations on the engine block front face or on associated components. The acoustic bumpers may be doughnut shaped annular rings having identical coaxial locating recesses on opposite sides for error-free installation. A central web between the recesses includes an axially located retainer hole. Each bumper may be mounted on a pillar on the inside cover face that includes a fastener receiving blind hole centrally located on a raised circular boss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: CARL E. FONVILLE, Michael R. Thelen
  • Patent number: 7677358
    Abstract: The invention relates to a thin sound absorbing multi-layer assembly, which is intended, in particular, to reduce interior or exterior noise of a motor vehicle. The assembly according to the invention comprises at least three stacked layers consisting respectively of: a first layer (4) being impervious and having an area weight of between (20) to (100 g/m2); a second layer (3) having an air flow resistance of between (250) to (2500 Ns/m3) and an area weight of between (15) to (250 g/m2); a third layer (2) being an open pored, acoustic spring type layer having a thickness of between (2) to (30 mm) and an area weight of between (50) to (1000 g/m2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Rieter Technologies, AG
    Inventors: Gabriele Tocchi, Phillippe Pierre Godano, Bertrand Francois Delmas, Jan Horak, Tommy Goran Falk, Karim Bouteraa, Alexander Wildhaber
  • Publication number: 20100037837
    Abstract: A small and lightweight sound-proof generator exhibiting sufficient cooling effect. An inverter (19), an engine fan (32), a power generating body (33), an engine (34), a recoil fan (61), a recoil starter (63) are coaxially arranged sequentially from a first inlet port side. A first cooling air passage for cooling inverter (19), the power generating body (33), and the engine (34) with cooling air sucked by the engine fan (32) from the inlet port (21), and second and third cooling air passage for cooling a space surrounded by an inverter containing box (20), an engine fan cover (31), an engine cover (36) and a muffler cover (52) and a soundproof case with cooling air sucked by the recoil fan (61) from inlet ports (21b1) and (21b2) are formed. Cooling air passed through the first cooling air passage and cooling air passed through the second and the third cooling air passages are merged and discharged from an outlet port after cooling a muffler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD
    Inventors: Masato Yamasaki, Teruaki Matsubata, Hiroki Awata
  • Patent number: 7658263
    Abstract: A device for noise transmission of an intake system of an internal combustion engine to the interior of a motor vehicle has a transmission line having an inlet at a first end and an exit provided with a mouth at a second end. A diaphragm is arranged at the second end to close off the mouth and to enable noise transmission. The inlet of the transmission line communicates with the intake system of the internal combustion engine. A protective device is arranged at the second end to protect the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Mann + Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Jasris Jasnie, Keat Mah, Matthias Alex, Sabine Vogt, Marcus Weber
  • Patent number: 7635048
    Abstract: A machine is provided having an engine system wherein at least one engine system component with an acoustic reflective surface is surrounded by a jacket configured to absorb sound from at least one sound producing device of the engine system. The jacket includes a sound absorbing material such as fibrous thermal insulation and an acoustic permeable covering between the acoustic reflective surface and the engine compartment of the machine. The acoustic permeable covering of the jacket may comprise a micro-perforated skin, whereby acoustic energy from the at least one sound producing device of the engine system can enter a volume defined by the jacket wherein it is absorbed by the sound absorbing material. A method of operating an engine system includes dissipating engine sound within a jacket surrounding an engine system component, the jacket including an acoustic permeable covering and a sound absorbing material positioned within the covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Copley, James Callas, Kevin L. Martin
  • Patent number: 7621370
    Abstract: A sound increase apparatus includes a partition wall adapted to divide an engine room for defining a first engine room space that is located on a side of a dash panel and a second engine room space in which an engine is installed, and a first pressure fluctuation amplification unit inter-communicating an engine inlet pipe arranged in the second engine room space and the first engine room space. The first pressure fluctuation amplification unit amplifies a pressure fluctuation of a first frequency selected from a plurality of frequencies when pressure of air residing inside the engine inlet pipe fluctuates at the plurality of frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Mahle Filter Systems Japan Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Abe, Hiromichi Akamatsu, Akira Sasaki, Masashi Shinada, Yuta Saito
  • Publication number: 20090250290
    Abstract: A device for noise transmission of an intake system of an internal combustion engine to the interior of a motor vehicle has a transmission line having an inlet at a first end and an exit provided with a mouth at a second end. A diaphragm is arranged at the second end to close off the mouth and to enable noise transmission. The inlet of the transmission line communicates with the intake system of the internal combustion engine. A protective device is arranged at the second end to protect the diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: MANN+HUMMEL GmbH
    Inventors: Jasris Jasnie, Keat Mah, Matthias Alex, Sabine Vogt, Marcus Weber
  • Publication number: 20090241888
    Abstract: An air induction housing having a perforated wall which provides a first intake noise attenuation modality and further having a sound attenuation chamber interfaced with the perforated wall which provides a second intake noise attenuation modality. Multiply apertured tubes of the sound attenuation chamber provide a Helmholtz resonator, wherein the tubes are superposed the wall perforations so that, attendant to the noise attenuation, ample air entry into the air induction housing is provided. The size, number and arrangement of the perforations is selected such that ample airflow is provided and audibility of intake noise is minimized in conjunction with the corresponding tubes of the sound attenuation chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Julie A. Koss
  • Publication number: 20090236172
    Abstract: An air induction sound modification system for an internal combustion engine includes a multi-frequency sound suppression unit having Helmholtz resonators and a multi-component expansion chamber. A sound generator, which functions to radiate sound at a desirable, tuned frequency, extends between the multi-function sound suppression unit and a second expansion chamber, such as an air cleaner box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Tony Ross, Steve Droste, Harwinder Hehar, Jose Arteaga
  • Patent number: 7490697
    Abstract: A portable casing includes a body that has first, second, third and fourth sidewalls defining a cavity therebetween. The body has open top and bottom surfaces spanning along a cross-section thereof. The body has an outer layer formed from foam material and an inner layer that has an egg-crate shape and is statically abutted to the outer layer. The inner layer is formed from fire-retardant material. A lid is removably attached to the body top surface. A water impermeable outer canvas is formed from flexible material for being gathered and stretched along the sidewalls. A mechanism is included for ventilating heat emitted by the generator. Stakes are passed through the lid and the bottom surface of the body, anchoring the body to the ground. Tie-down straps are connected to the stakes, assisting a user to remove the stakes from the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Inventor: Clifford Williamson, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20090038875
    Abstract: An off-road vehicle for traveling over land includes a frame, an engine, a transmission, and a seating arrangement. The vehicle may include side-by-side or tandem seating positions. An engine cover is configured to substantially cover the engine and operate as a sound insulator to reduce engine noise from reaching an audible location relative to the seating positions. The engine cover may take the form of a console located between the seating positions and substantially covering the engine. Further, a backing member may be coupled to the engine cover to help channel engine noise toward the rear of the vehicle. The engine cover and the backing member may include, be made from, or be lined with an acoustic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: Arctic Cat, Inc.
    Inventors: Tim W. Michalke, Kenneth Kalsnes
  • Patent number: 7485019
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for silencing an engine are disclosed. A silencer is disposed about a motor and is molded to substantially match at least one of a contour of the cover and a contour of the motor to silence noise transmitted from the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: BRP US Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Macier, George L. Broughton, Evelyn A. Breznik
  • Patent number: 7431128
    Abstract: A noise absorbing structure of an instrument panel of a vehicle includes a first noise absorbing panel, provided in the instrument panel disposed in front of a driver seat of the vehicle, a second noise absorbing panel, provided in the instrument panel disposed in front of a front passenger seat of the vehicle, and a third noise absorbing panel, provided in the instrument panel that is disposed in front of a moisture removing ventilation port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae-Seob Choi
  • Patent number: 7430992
    Abstract: A duct member is disposed around outer peripheries of an engine and an engine-driven generator to define a continuous cooling-air passage between the duct member and the outer peripheries. A cooling fan is disposed in the cooling-air passage to generate a flow of cooling air from one end of the cooling-air passage to the other end during operation of the engine. An intake box is connected to one end of the cooling-air passage and has an air-intake port. A muffler box is connected to the other end of the cooling-air passage, has an air-discharge port, and accommodates an exhaust muffler of the engine. A sound-insulating housing is connected between the intake box and the muffler box to surround the duct member in order to insulate sound emitted from the duct member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroko Murakami, Tadafumi Hirose, Taiyo Onodera
  • Publication number: 20080238107
    Abstract: A soundproof type engine generator has an outer shell made by attaching at least a bottom panel to a three-dimensional frame and four wheels in the lower part thereof for transport. The soundproof type engine generator also has handles provided coaxially with opposing wheel shafts of the four wheels, which can be held by a user and facilitate the lifting of the soundproof type engine generator, even if the engine generator is heavy. The wheels of the engine generator are disposed farther outward than the outer shell of the soundproof type engine generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Yamaha Motor Power Products Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masanobu Yamamoto, Shinichi Kajiya
  • Publication number: 20080202480
    Abstract: A power generating apparatus includes an engine for driving a generator; a fuel tank for storing fuel to be supplied to the engine therein, and a canister containing an adsorbent for adsorbing thereonto fuel that evaporates from the fuel tank to inhibit release of the fuel vapor into the atmosphere. The canister includes a communicating tube, which places the canister in communication with the atmosphere. The canister is in communication with an intake system of the engine. The canister is positioned proximate an exhaust system of the engine to improve the purge characteristics of the adsorbent so that a usable life of the adsorbent is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: YAMAHA MOTOR POWER PRODUCTS KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masanobu Yamamoto, Takahide Sugiyama
  • Publication number: 20080173496
    Abstract: A method for sound control in a unit of the engine periphery of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, in particular in an exhaust system of the internal combustion engine, a sound control signal being generated based on a detected sound emission of the unit and injected into the unit, and the sound control signal is also generated as a function of the operating mode of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventor: Uwe Kassner
  • Patent number: 7395799
    Abstract: A primary housing for a motorcycle engine includes an inner housing that defines internal coupling apertures, transmission coupling apertures, and external coupling apertures. Internal fasteners extend through the internal coupling apertures and the transmission coupling apertures to couple the inner housing to the crankcase and the transmission. An outer housing defines coupling apertures that align with the external coupling apertures and fasteners extend through the coupling apertures, through the external coupling apertures, and into the engine crankcase to couple the inner and outer housings to the crankcase. A resonant damping device is rigidly or moveably coupled to an anti-node region of the outer housing to reduce noise emissions from the outer housing during engine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Nan-Jiune Liang, Richard G. Pierson, Scott J. Nash, Alexander J. Bozmoski, Peter J. Duvernell, Sean A. Rusch, William M. Kernen, John W. Schanz, Samir Mesanovic, Brian P. Dondlinger
  • Publication number: 20080120011
    Abstract: The present invention provides, in a vehicle driving apparatus that includes an internal combustion engine 6 and electric motors M1 and M2, a control device that can provide both confined noise reduction and fuel efficiency improvement. A control device 40 includes a confined noise reduction means 98 that controls the electric motor, to reduce confined noise caused by the variation of torque that is provided from the internal combustion engine, so that the electric motor provides variation of torque in opposite phase to the variation of the torque that is provided from the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuji Iwase, Takuma Kakinami, Atsushi Tabata
  • Patent number: 7364014
    Abstract: A sound absorbing body 40 has a molded body 44 including two unexpanded layers 41, 42 and an expanded layer 43 having a number of voids and held between these unexpanded layers 41, 42, a plurality of holes 41A of a depth that passes through the unexpanded layer 41 and does not reach the other unexpanded layer 42 are formed at any positions on the molded body 44, a cross-sectional area of the hole 41A is in the range from 0.785 to 314 mm2, and the pitch is 1 mm or larger. Laminating a plurality of materials is not required, and both the sound absorbing capability and sound insulating capability can be secured by integral molding, and further, only unpleasant sounds can selectively be absorbed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignees: Prime Polymer Co., Ltd., Daikyonishikawa Corporation
    Inventors: Hirofumi Goda, Minoru Sugawara, Yoshiaki Saito, Takeharu Suga, Masaharu Okamura, Toshifumi Sakai
  • Publication number: 20080093159
    Abstract: A machine is provided having an engine system wherein at least one engine system component with an acoustic reflective surface is surrounded by a jacket configured to absorb sound from at least one sound producing device of the engine system. The jacket includes a sound absorbing material such as fibrous thermal insulation and an acoustic permeable covering between the acoustic reflective surface and the engine compartment of the machine. The acoustic permeable covering of the jacket may comprise a micro-perforated skin, whereby acoustic energy from the at least one sound producing device of the engine system can enter a volume defined by the jacket wherein it is absorbed by the sound absorbing material. A method of operating an engine system includes dissipating engine sound within a jacket surrounding an engine system component, the jacket including an acoustic permeable covering and a sound absorbing material positioned within the covering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventors: David C. Copley, James Callas, Kevin L. Martin
  • Publication number: 20080048509
    Abstract: A duct member is disposed around outer peripheries of an engine and an engine-driven generator to define a continuous cooling-air passage between the duct member and the outer peripheries. A cooling fan is disposed in the cooling-air passage to generate a flow of cooling air from one end of the cooling-air passage to the other end during operation of the engine. An intake box is connected to one end of the cooling-air passage and has an air-intake port. A muffler box is connected to the other end of the cooling-air passage, has an air-discharge port, and accommodates an exhaust muffler of the engine. A sound-insulating housing is connected between the intake box and the muffler box to surround the duct member in order to insulate sound emitted from the duct member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: Hiroko Murakami, Tadafumi Hirose, Taiyo Onodera
  • Patent number: 7320299
    Abstract: A cooling system for an engine of a lawnmower. The engine has a muffler through which exhaust gases exit the engine and is cooled by a liquid coolant. The cooling system includes a heat exchanger operatively connected to the engine to receive the liquid coolant from the engine at a first temperature and return the liquid coolant to the engine at a lower temperature. A fan mounted above the heat exchanger is operable to draw or pull an air flow in a standard direction upward through the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger and fan are oriented in an inclined orientation such that the air flow is directed upward and away from the operator station of the lawnmower. The cooling system also has a generally tubular baffle surrounding the muffler at least partially isolating the engine from heat radiating from the muffler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Commercial Turf Products, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jimmy N. Eavenson, Sr., Peter Buchanan
  • Publication number: 20070169989
    Abstract: A cooling system for an engine of a lawnmower. The engine has a muffler through which exhaust gases exit the engine and is cooled by a liquid coolant. The cooling system includes a heat exchanger operatively connected to the engine to receive the liquid coolant from the engine at a first temperature and return the liquid coolant to the engine at a lower temperature. A fan mounted above the heat exchanger is operable to draw or pull an air flow in a standard direction upward through the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger and fan are oriented in an inclined orientation such that the air flow is directed upward and away from the operator station of the lawnmower. The cooling system also has a generally tubular baffle surrounding the muffler at least partially isolating the engine from heat radiating from the muffler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: Commercial Turf Products, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jimmy N. Eavenson, Peter Buchanan
  • Patent number: 7201254
    Abstract: Air flow openings in a machine housing facilitate air exchange with a machine, but may become outlets for machine noise. In order to protect a machine from possibly damaging elements while facilitating air exchange and attenuating machine noise, the present disclosure includes a machine that is, at least, partially surrounded by a machine housing. An acoustic media grille is positioned adjacent to at least a portion of the machine housing. The acoustic media grille and the portion of the machine housing both define air flow openings that, at least partially, correspond with one another to form an at least partially unobstructed air flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Michael A. Redmann, Peter M. Zuehls, Jim K. Carroll, Ping Zhang, Peyman Agahi
  • Patent number: 7201253
    Abstract: A soundproofing assembly intended, in particular, to soundproof a motor vehicle. The inventive assembly includes four stacked layers, consisting respectively of: a first layer having an air resistance of between 500 and 2,000 N·m?3.s; a second porous, acoustic spring-type layer having a resistivity of between 10,000 N·m?4.s and 50,000 N·m?4.s; a third viscoelastic, airtight, heavy mass-type layer having a density that is greater than or equal to 1,500 Kg/m3 and a surface density of between 0.2 Kg/m2 and 9 Kg/m2; and a fourth porous, acoustic spring-type layer having a resistivity of between 10,000 N·m?4.s and 50,000 N·m?4.s.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Industrie
    Inventors: Arnaud Duval, Guillaume Deshayes