Expansion Chamber Patents (Class 181/255)
  • Publication number: 20030085071
    Abstract: In order to form a noise suppressor in a hose of e.g. a motor vehicle, modular portions are connected in series to define suppression chambers with particular noise suppression characteristics. Those characteristics are due to the volume of each chamber, to the size of the apertures from the chambers to the central duct of the suppressor, and optionally due to spacers which are inserted into at least one aperture of the chambers to alter the effective open area of that aperture. Such spacers may also be used in which the noise suppressor is not modular. Where modular portions are used, it is preferable that each chamber is bounded by parts of two modular portions. A wall of one modular portion may then close the chamber in another modular portion, making the manufacture of the modular portions easier. Also disclosed is the use of a mass acting as a damper, which may be a noise suppressor as previously discussed, within a hose. The mass is connected to the hose by resilient means, e.g. electrometric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventors: David Boast, Donald Milne Turner
  • Patent number: 6550573
    Abstract: An apparatus for modifying an exhaust stream of a diesel engine is provided. The apparatus includes a muffler arrangement having an exhaust inlet and an exhaust outlet in construct and arrange for sound attenuation therein. The apparatus also includes a catalytic converter arrangement positioned within the muffler arrangement between the exhaust inlet and exhaust outlet. During operation, the exhaust flow is directed both through the muffler arrangement and the catalytic converter arrangement, to advantage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne M. Wagner, Marty A. Barris, Douglas E. Flemming, James C. Rothman, Peter A. Betts
  • Patent number: 6478053
    Abstract: A conduit for supplying a fluid and damping pressure pulsations in the fluid, the conduit having an outer pipe and an inner pipe housed inside the outer pipe, and the outer pipe having a small-diameter intermediate portion cooperating in fluidtight manner with the inner pipe; the inner pipe therefore defines with the outer pipe a first annular chamber and a second annular chamber located on opposite sides of the intermediate portion, and has a number of intermediate holes connecting the inner chamber of the inner pipe to the first and second annular chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Dayco Fluid Technologies S.p.A.
    Inventor: Mariofelice Zanardi
  • Patent number: 6470998
    Abstract: A modular muffler that is quickly and easily adapted for use with a wide variety engines is disclosed. The muffler has a dimensionally standardized body member with end portions that may receive any of a number of adaptor end plates provided with various inlet and outlet configurations. The adaptor end plates are inwardly and outwardly adjustable relative to the body member end portions in order to vary the body member internal volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Inventor: James E. White
  • Patent number: 6467570
    Abstract: An exhaust processor includes a housing formed to include an interior region and a partition or first spark arrester that partitions the interior region into chambers and includes a wool filter formed to include an opening. The wool filter is positioned to filter unburned carbon particles from combustion product generated by a vehicle engine. The exhaust processor further includes an outer conduit that extends through the opening formed in the wool filter and is formed to include a passage and an inner conduit that extends into the passage and is formed to include an opening through which unburned carbon particles flow from inside the inner conduit to impinge against the outer conduit so that the outer and inner conduits operate as a second spark arrester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Arvin Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew J. Herold
  • Patent number: 6454047
    Abstract: A method and system for attenuating noise including arranging a plurality of accumulators (210, 310) to form a transmittance path for compressible flow mass and noise between a noise source (212, 312) and the external environment (218, 318), and selectively accumulating and confining compressible flow mass and noise within at least one of the plurality of accumulators, and attenuating noise confined within the at least one accumulator by ringdown. The system may include a plurality of interruptors/valves (220, 320) which are operated at respective timings for periodically accumulating and confining compressible flow mass and noise in at least one of the plurality of accumulators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: BBNT Solutions LLC
    Inventor: Anthony G. Galaitsis
  • Patent number: 6443255
    Abstract: A muffler for use with high performance powerboats to reduce exhaust noise to below 90 decibels without significantly reducing horsepower is described. The muffler includes a cylindrical outer housing with an interior cavity that is divided into first and second chambers by parallel intake and discharge cylinders. The intake cylinder has intake and discharge ends, and inwardly directed louvers toward the intake cylinder discharge end. The abutting discharge cylinder has inner and discharge ends, with inwardly directed louvers toward the discharge cylinder inner end. A first plate extends across the interior cavity of the housing, blocking the inner end of the discharge cylinder, with the intake end of the intake cylinder extending through a hole in the first plate. A second plate extends across the interior cavity of the housing, and includes a hole in communication with the discharge end of the discharge cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Fountain Powerboats, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard William Shavender, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20020070075
    Abstract: A silencing apparatus to be fitted between a first air or fluid intake duct (1) and a second air or fluid exhaust duct (2), said silencing apparatus being notably fitted between an engine turbine and a thermal exchanger and including a cylindrical main hollow body (3), a cylindrical input connection (4) and a cylindrical output connection (4′) with one or a plurality of straight sections smaller than the straight section of said main body (3), and at least one partitioning part (8) defining with the internal surface of said main hollow body at least two toric chambers (9, 10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventor: Henri Lepoutre
  • Patent number: 6374944
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a silencer for reducing acoustic energy in a flow of exhaust gas from a combustion power source which prevents rain or snow from entering an exhaust stack without the need for a weather cap or hood. The silencer achieves acoustic energy attenuation and precipitation diversion with a minimal increase in backpressure. The silencer comprises a chamber at least partially defined by a chamber wall in communication with an inlet port for introducing exhaust gas into the chamber and an exhaust port for exiting exhaust gases from the chamber. The inlet port may be in communication with an inlet collar for attachment to an exhaust stack. A housing at least partially surrounds the chamber wall to form at least one cavity between the chamber wall and the housing where acoustic absorbing material is disposed. A deflector is at least partially disposed within the chamber having a gallery portion in communication with the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce Lawrence Curl, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20020040826
    Abstract: An apparatus for modifying an exhaust stream of a diesel engine is provided. The apparatus includes a muffler arrangement having an exhaust inlet and an exhaust outlet in construct and arrange for sound attenuation therein. The apparatus also includes a catalytic converter arrangement positioned within the muffler arrangement between the exhaust inlet and exhaust outlet. During operation, the exhaust flow is directed both through the muffler arrangement and the catalytic converter arrangement, to advantage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Applicant: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne M. Wagner, Marty A. Barris, Douglas E. Flemming, James C. Rothman, Peter A. Betts
  • Patent number: 6341663
    Abstract: The invention relates to a silencer. The silencer includes a sound conducting channel having two ends. An injection molded part is arranged between the two ends of the sound conducting channel and includes a plurality of pipe elements. A shunt resonator is arranged in fluid communication with the sound conducting channel by way of openings formed in the plurality of pipe elements. The shunt resonator defines a volume formed by two housing parts which are joined together. By varying the number, position, length and diameter of the pipe elements in the silencer, the silencer is capable of achieving silencing gains in different frequency ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Filterwerk Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Alex, Rolf Fuesser
  • Patent number: 6283246
    Abstract: A silencer for reducing and canceling medium- to low-frequency vibration and noise that generate in the reciprocating internal combustion engines and in the reciprocating air compressors. An inlet pipe having many ports perforated therein in the radial direction is inserted in a hollow triangular pole in the lengthwise direction thereof, the gas is blown into the hollow triangular pole, and the pulsating gases reflected by the walls in the hollow triangular pole are caused to collide with each other to cancel the pulsation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Betech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satofusa Nishikawa
  • Publication number: 20010015301
    Abstract: An exhaust muffler for a motor vehicle includes a louver tube having an intake end and an exhaust end. An outer tube, consisting of a frustoconical portion and a cylindrical portion, is concentrically arranged around the louver tube. A plurality of louvers and associated louver holes in the louver tube scoop a portion of gasses from the louver tube into the outer tube. An end cap, which includes an exhaust exit hole in its center, fits into an exhaust end of the outer tube. A plurality of end cap holes are arranged so that gasses leaving the outer tube flow through them. A restrictor disk between the end cap and louver tube includes a central hole coaxial with the louver tube and the exhaust exit hole of the end cap. Restrictor disk holes are in the restrictor disk between the central hole and its perimeter so that gasses leaving the louver tube flow through the central hole and the restrictor disk holes as they leave the muffler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventor: Stephen H. Kesselring
  • Patent number: 6260659
    Abstract: Compactness is enhanced while retaining the performance, noise deadening characteristic and engine output. The ratio of the distance, a, from a gas outlet end, p, of an exhaust pipe to an inner wall of a rear partition wall to an inside diameter ∅A of the exhaust pipe is set in a relation of 0.6≦(a/∅A)<1.2, while the ratio of the distance, b, from a gas inlet end, q, of a tail pipe to an inner wall of a front partition wall to an inside diameter ∅B of the tail pipe is set in a relation of 0.4≦(b/∅B)<1.2, to afford a silencer having an optimum combination of engine output characteristic and compactness while retaining a noise deadening effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasushi Takahashi, Hitoshi Kashiwagi, Hiroaki Jinno, Mutsuo Nakajima, Hidehiko Numata
  • Patent number: 6241044
    Abstract: More than two damping chambers 2A to 2C), a communicating pipe (6) for intercommunicating the damping chambers (2A, 2B) and another communicating pipe (7) for intercommunicating the damping chambers (2B, 2C) are provided. Both ends of the communicating pipes (6, 7) are closed by an end plate (9) and the respective damping chambers (2A to 2C) and inside of the communicating pipes (6, 7) are intercommunicated by communicating holes (8A) on an outer circumference of the communicating pipes (6, 7). Exhaust gas flows from the damping chamber (2A) to communicating holes (8A1), inside of the communicating pipe (6), communicating holes (8A2), the damping chamber (2B), communicating holes (8A3), inside of the communicating pipe (7), communicating holes (8A4), and the damping chamber (2C), thus damping exhaust noise by repeated effective contraction and expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Nishiyama, Rie Katayama
  • Patent number: 6220387
    Abstract: An exhaust muffler (20) for an internal combustion engine (25) includes a tapered tube (28) and an outer tube (40) axially aligned with and surrounding the tapered tube (28) so that an annular passage (42) is formed between the tapered tube (28) and the outer tube (40). The tapered tube (28) has an exhaust inlet end (30) for receiving exhaust gases (76) from the engine (25) and an exhaust outlet end (34). The outer tube (40) has an air inlet end (50) for receiving air (49) external to the engine and an air outlet end (52). The external air (49) flows in the annular passage (42) toward the air outlet end (52). The flow of the external air (49) creates a low pressure region (54) downstream of the exhaust outlet end (34) to accelerate the receipt of exhaust gases (76) from the engine, and elliptical holes (62) in the tapered tube (28) allow the smooth flow of exhaust gases (76) from tapered tube (28) to mix with the external air (49) to achieve effective noise attenuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventors: Mathew S. Hoppes, Aaron C. Oster, Timothy L. Smith
  • Patent number: 6213251
    Abstract: An exhaust muffler for a motor vehicle includes a louver tube having an intake end and an exhaust end. An outer tube, consisting of a frustoconical portion and a cylindrical portion, is concentrically arranged around the louver tube. A plurality of louvers and associated louver holes in the louver tube scoop a portion of gasses from the louver tube into the outer tube. An end cap, which includes an exhaust exit hole in its center, fits into an exhaust end of the outer tube. A plurality of end cap holes are arranged so that gasses leaving the outer tube flow through them. A restrictor disk between the end cap and louver tube includes a central hole coaxial with the louver tube and the exhaust exit hole of the end cap. Restrictor disk holes are in the restrictor disk between the central hole and its perimeter so that gasses leaving the louver tube flow through the central hole and the restrictor disk holes as they leave the muffler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Inventor: Stephen H. Kesselring
  • Patent number: 6167984
    Abstract: A device and a method for achieving sound reduction within a frequency band in a transport system for gaseous medium, the transport system being arranged between an inlet, which is connected to a sound source, and an outlet. The transport system comprises with a plurality of interconnected channel parts (1-7) and exhibits at least one module (8, 9) comprising at least one reflection attenuator (4) with a resistive length (a2, b2) and at least one reactive attenuator (3) with a reactive length (a1, a3, b1, b3). The resistive length is brought to constitute a quarter of a wavelength of the center frequency of the frequency band and the reactive length is brought to constitute a quarter of a wavelength of a frequency between, respectively, the lower and upper limit frequencies of the frequency band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: ABB Flakt AB
    Inventors: Claes-Göran Johansson, {umlaut over (O)}rian Götmalm
  • Patent number: 6164411
    Abstract: A flow modifying element is fixedly positioned on a cavity enclosure over a forward portion of an opening therein through which the cavity is exposed to fluid undergoing flow above the opening. Some of such fluid is thereby diverted into the cavity to suppress acoustic oscillations caused by flinduced cavity resonance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Paul J. Zoccola, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6158546
    Abstract: The present invention provides a muffler which has an outlet tube with a funnel shaped element having a large diameter end positioned in an expansion chamber and conically tapering to a junction with a cylindrical neck element extending into an inlet end of an outlet tube. An inlet tube is supported by an outer shell which also supports the outlet tube. The inlet tube is attached to the outer shell by a first partition and a first end cap, forming a tuning chamber. The outlet tube is attached to the outer shell by the funnel shaped element and a second end cap, forming an outlet chamber. A space defined by the distance between the first partition and the second partition and the geometry of the outer shell forms an expansion chamber. The three different chambers serve to either tune or quiet the exhaust coming from an internal combustion engine, and the funnel shaped element serves to smooth the flow of exhaust from the inlet tube to the outlet tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Roger D. Hanson, Dale E. Sterrett
  • Patent number: 6158214
    Abstract: The invention concerns an exhaust silencer arrangement with a transverse exhaust silencer in a four-chamber type of construction, in particular for very small passenger-transporting motor vehicles, with a 3-cylinder rear-mounted engine and an exhaust gas turbocharger. The silencer comprises a housing which is composed of two half shells and accommodates a catalyst module in an integrated manner. The catalyst module, which does not have its own housing, forms a silencer system partition which divides the silencer into a 3-pot main chamber and an additional chamber which is in particular a resonator chamber and communicates with the main chamber via connection ducts formed in the half-shell housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignees: Microcompact Car Smart GmbH, J. Eberspacher GmbH & CO
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Kempka, Thomas Nording, Peter Stratz, Siegfried Worner
  • Patent number: 6155378
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for suppression of fluid-borne noise in hydraulic or fluid handling systems, such as automotive power steering, power brakes, air conditioning and fuel systems wherein a multi-chamber solution to attenuate fluid-borne noise in the system is disclosed. This solution optimizes both damping, interference and wave cancellation mechanisms in a fluid system and consists of dividing an attenuator conduit hose or pipe assembly serially into tuning chambers by a restrictor or other mechanism. In some embodiments, a tuner is placed in each and every chamber. The number of chambers can vary between two and four depending on the objective of the attenuation. In order to attenuate the ripple at the pump, the tuner in the first or most upstream chamber can be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Mohamad S. Qatu, Michael L. Dougherty, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6105716
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a muffler for a gas flow at a gas intake of a achine. The muffler includes at least one venturi nozzle. Each venturi nozzle has an inlet opening, an outlet opening and a throat therebetween. Each venturi nozzle cooperates with a chamber. The chamber has a chamber inlet and a chamber outlet. The chamber inlet is connected to either the inlet opening or the outlet opening of each venturi nozzle. The chamber outlet is connected to the gas intake of the machine. Some inventive embodiments feature at least two venturi nozzles wherein at least one inlet opening can be closed, thereby varying the total effective throat area of the muffler. For some inventive embodiments, the chamber volume can be varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Clyde A. Morehead, John W. Henry, V
  • Patent number: 6089348
    Abstract: A blower noise silencer comprises both an air turbulence stage and a noise absorption stage. The air turbulence stage includes a tubular screen enclosing a spiral vane wrapping around a central bore running through the air turbulence stage. The screen is surrounded by a hollow chamber. The noise absorption stage includes a hollow tubular screen surrounded by a chamber packed with sound dampening material. Each chamber in the silencer is closed other than through the screen that it surrounds whereas the screens open at one another and to opposite ends of the silencer to provide air flow movement into and out of the silencer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Bokor Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventor: Ken Bokor
  • Patent number: 6050362
    Abstract: An exhaust system structure and method comprising two or more silencers which are placed in series and are each provided with a tubular section, the edges of which are in each case attached to a transverse plate which marks the end of the section in question, and each tubular section is provided with sound-damping internal parts, two tubular sections with different cross-sections being mounted one behind the other, making use of a transverse plate, the external dimensions of which are related to the cross-sectional dimensions of the tubular section with the largest cross-section and provided with an opening, the dimensions of which are related to the cross-sectional dimensions of the tubular section with the smallest cross-section, in which exhaust system the transverse plate is attached to the edges of the two tubular sections by means of seamed roll joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Arvin Exhaust B.V.
    Inventor: Henricus Johannes Gerhardus Maria Feijen
  • Patent number: 5996734
    Abstract: An air intake noise suppression device comprises a housing defining a passage having a relatively small height, preferably no greater than one-half inch, and a length defined by the expression ##EQU1## where H is the height of the passage and f is the desired noise frequency to be suppressed. The width of the passage is selected to be large enough to provide an adequate supply of intake air to the engine. With the passage essentially defining a relatively narrow slot, it is filled with acoustic boundary layers that accentuate noise significantly over a relatively wide frequency range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventors: Edward Lam, Brian McGuire, Clarence Blanchard, William L. Richter, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5996733
    Abstract: A side branch resonator for attenuating sound waves of first and second frequencies, the side branch resonator comprising a discharge branch; a resonator branch; an inlet branch flow connected to the discharge branch having an axis, the resonator branch having a wall which defines a resonator branch interior; the resonator branch having an open resonator branch end and a closed resonator branch end; the resonator further comprising an attenuation member for attenuating the first frequency sound waves. The attenuation member is located in the resonator branch interior a first distance from the axis and upstream from the resonator branch closed end. The closed resonator branch end is located a second distance from the axis to provide attenuation of the second frequency sound waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Jon A. DeTuncq, Steven M. Gleason
  • Patent number: 5955707
    Abstract: To damp the sound in an air conditioning system, particularly a vehicle air conditioning system, a tubular sound damping body is provided having openings at its opposite ends through which a liquid or gaseous medium flows. A respective connection tube is fitted at at least one and preferably at both of the openings, with the tube being of smaller cross-section than the sound damping body and the openings into the sound damping body. An isolating device in the form of an isolating element is around the inserted portion of each connection tube and also engages the interior of the sound damping body. Isolating element receiving recesses may be defined in the inserted end portion of the connection tube and the ends of the sound damping body for receiving the isolating elements. The isolating elements are comprised of an elastic rubber like material. Alternately, a spacer may be disposed around the elastic isolation device and engages the isolation device on the inside and the sound damping body on the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Trinova GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Fritz
  • Patent number: 5952624
    Abstract: A noise attenuation system is provided for attenuating noise in exhaust product flowing through an exhaust system. The noise attenuation system includes a tube and an acoustic reflector attached to the tube. The tube includes an inlet end, an outlet end, and an inner surface defining a passageway through which the exhaust product flows. The acoustic reflector includes a tab extending across the passageway. The tab includes a first surface that is convex and faces toward the inlet end of the tube and a second surface that is concave and faces toward the outlet end of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Arvin Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Brian Hornback, Jose' Eduardo Lapore
  • Patent number: 5941283
    Abstract: A fluid supply conduit for attenuating pressure pulses in a fluid. At least one inner tube is disposed in an outer tube and forms an annular chamber therewith. The inner tube is connected to a fitting that is fitted in a sealed manner to the outer tube. The closing element closes off an end of the inner tube, which has at least one intermediate hole at predetermined distances from respective reflecting surfaces defined by the fitting and by the closing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Dayco Europe S.p.A
    Inventor: Guido Forte
  • Patent number: 5905233
    Abstract: A noise suppressor for a displacement-type compressor, in particular in an engine installation with such a compressor connected in series with a turbocharger. The noise suppressor comprises a nozzle (31). The inlet of the nozzle is connected to the outlet of the compressor. The compressor's outlet merges into an expansion chamber (32) with a largest diameter ("d") greater than the largest inlet diameter ("e") of the nozzle. The chamber has an outlet formed by a second nozzle (33) identical to the first nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventor: Ulrich Gobert
  • Patent number: 5892186
    Abstract: A muffler assembly (10) for use with internal combustion engines discharging hot exhaust gases. The muffler assembly includes an elongated casing (15) having an inlet opening (12) at one end and an outlet opening (13) at an opposite end. A sound attenuating partition assembly including a conically converging, perforated, dispersion shell (33) and a transverse wall (45) are provided inside the muffler casing (15). The dispersion shell (33) tapers inwardly by an amount resulting a cross sectional area (A.sub.3) between the dispersion shell (33) and casing (15) at the transverse wall (45) which is at least equal to the area (A.sub.1) of the inlet opening (.sub.12). The combined area (A.sub.4) of the perforations (46) in the dispersion shell (33) upstream of the transverse wall (45) also is at least about equal to the area (A.sub.1) of the inlet opening (12). A perforated retaining shell (17) is provided positioned internally of the casing radially outwardly of the dispersion shell (33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Flowmaster, Inc.
    Inventor: Ray T. Flugger
  • Patent number: 5831223
    Abstract: An exhaust muffler for a motor vehicle includes a louver tube having an intake end and an exhaust end. An outer tube, consisting of a frustoconical portion and a cylindrical portion, is concentrically arranged around the louver tube. A plurality of louvers and associated louver holes in the louver tube scoop a portion of gasses from the louver tube into the outer tube. An end cap, which includes an exhaust exit hole in its center, fits into an exhaust end of the outer tube. A plurality of end cap holes are arranged so that gasses leaving the outer tube flow through them. A restrictor disk between the end cap and louver tube includes a central hole coaxial with the louver tube and the exhaust exit hole of the end cap. Restrictor disk holes are in the restrictor disk between the central hole and its perimeter so that gasses leaving the louver tube flow through the central hole and the restrictor disk holes as they leave the muffler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Inventor: Stephen H. Kesselring
  • Patent number: 5828013
    Abstract: An apparatus for modifying an exhaust stream of a diesel engine is provided. The apparatus includes a muffler arrangement having an exhaust inlet and an exhaust outlet in construct and arrange for sound attenuation therein. The apparatus also includes a catalytic converter arrangement positioned within the muffler arrangement between the exhaust inlet and exhaust outlet. During operation, the exhaust flow is directed both through the muffler arrangement and the catalytic converter arrangement, to advantage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne M. Wagner, Marty A. Barris, Douglas E. Flemming, James C. Rothman, Peter A. Betts
  • Patent number: 5821475
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a muffler for a gas flow at a gas intake of a achine. The muffler includes at least one venturi nozzle cooperating with a chamber. Each venturi nozzle has an inlet opening, an outlet opening and a throat therebetween. The chamber has a chamber inlet connected to either the inlet opening or the outlet opening of each venturi nozzle. The chamber has a chamber outlet connected to the gas intake of the machine. Some embodiments of the invention feature variation of the total throat area of the muffler. Other embodiments of the invention feature variation of the volume enclosed by the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Clyde A. Morehead, John W. Henry, V
  • Patent number: 5808245
    Abstract: An vertical mount catalytic converter muffler for use on a combustion engine is provided. The vertical mount catalytic converter includes a muffler body having an exhaust inlet, an exhaust outlet and a sound attenuator; a catalytic converter arrangement positioned within the muffler arrangement between the exhaust inlet and the exhaust outlet; and a water collector and diverter arrangement positioned within the muffler body between the catalytic converter arrangement and the exhaust outlet. The water collector and diverter arrangement can include a funnel cup and conduit arrangement which collects water which enters through the exhaust outlet or which condenses in the muffler body, and diverts the collected water away from the catalytic converter. The vertical mount catalytic converter muffler can be assembled without using a leakproof weld.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Wiese, David E. Winnes
  • Patent number: 5726397
    Abstract: A vehicle exhaust device including a rear silencer disposed at the rear portion of a vehicle, a large-capacity silencer having a capacity larger than that of the rear silencer and disposed below a passenger compartment of the vehicle, and an intermediate silencer disposed substantially at the middle of an exhaust tube interconnecting the rear silencer and the large-capacity silencer. With the vehicle exhaust device thus arranged, exhaust noises can be attenuated at a position near an engine forming a noise source, i.e., at the early stage of transmission and with substantially reduced length-dependent resonance of the exhaust tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Teruaki Mukai, Satoshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5677518
    Abstract: A device for deadening sound in pipelines comprising a chamber (1) positioned on the pipeline (2, 7) with a discontinuous pipeline section (3) projecting inwards at the chamber inlet and a discontinuous section (7) of the pipeline connected at the chamber outlet. Disposed within the chamber (1) opposite the opening of the pipeline section (3) there is a cover cap (4), in the form of a pipe resonator, whose side wall encloses the pipeline section (3) on one part of its length so that an annular channel (5) remains between the side wall and the pipe section (3). This permits the attainment of a very efficient sound deadening under certain geometric conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Fischer, Susanne Muller, Werner Strassen
  • Patent number: 5663535
    Abstract: An apparatus for attenuating sound in a HVAC system has an inlet mouth aria a tube downstream of the inlet mouth. In the improvement, the inlet mouth defines a surface of revolution formed by rotating a segment of an ellipse about the long axis aria at a fixed distance therefrom. The new apparatus has an air flow transition chamber which permits air flow to "normalize" after air enters the apparatus at its inlet end but before such air enters the inlet mouth. The apparatus also has a baffle between the entry portion and the apparatus outlet end and positioned to occlude the enclosed cavity between the interior tube and the outer housing. The apparatus thereby more effectively attenuates sound in the third octave band. Optionally, the apparatus (either alone or in combination with a VAV terminal unit) has exterior insulation for preventing moisture condensation and further reducing objectionable sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Venturedyne, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael S. MacDonald, Thinakorn Assarattanakul
  • Patent number: 5616893
    Abstract: An improved muffler for silencing the exhaust emitted from a marine engine employing a reverse entry inlet conduit, an attenuation chamber and an outlet conduit whereby exhaust gas and liquid is communicated through the inlet conduit and into the attenuation chamber against the direction of the outlet stream. Upon entering the attenuation chamber exhaust gases and liquids reflect off the inner walls of the chamber and incoming exhaust thereby attenuating exhaust noise until they are finally forced out of the attenuation chamber through the outlet conduit. The reverse entry design of the muffler provides protection against backwardly flowing water that commonly enters a marine exhaust system by orienting the direction of inlet flow at an angle which is greater than 0 degrees but less than 90 degrees relative to the direction of output flow from the muffler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Inventor: Woodrow E. Woods
  • Patent number: 5611409
    Abstract: The exhaust muffler as a tailpipe head member including a front end mounted inside an expansion chamber of the muffler. The front end of the head member deflects exhaust gas pressure waves passing through the chamber. An annular passage is provided by the space separating the front end of the head member and the expansion chamber. A flow regulating conduit communicates exhaust gas from the annular passage to an outside of the muffler. The front portion of the expansion chamber can be provided with a series of annular flange steps for mounting onto various sizes of annular flanges of exhaust manifolds. The exhaust muffler both reduces noise levels and improves performance of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Inventor: Michel Arseneau
  • Patent number: 5602368
    Abstract: In the exhaust fluid path, there are provided a porous pipe that is in communication with a muffling chamber via a plurality of small through-holes formed across a wall thickness of the pipe, and an inner pipe of a given length is inserted in the porous pipe with a gap formed between the outer surface of the inner pipe and the inner surface of the porous pipe. The gap is narrowed or closed in its outlet portion and thus the exhaust sound waves flowing through the gap are compressed so that interference and scattering into the muffling chamber of the exhaust sound waves via the small through-holes are promoted, thereby enhancing muffling performance. A plurality of small through-holes may also be formed in the inner pipe. A relatively large opening may be formed in part of the porous pipe to open into the muffling chamber, or a relatively large space may be formed which divides the porous pipe into two pipe elements and opens into the muffling chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Apex Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroto Kaneso
  • Patent number: 5594217
    Abstract: An exhaust muffler for small marine craft that can be located in the rear portion of the bilge and straddle the drive shaft and the shaft log. The muffler has a shell formed from sides, ends, top and bottom walls. The bottom wall is provided with a concave depression to receive the shaft and shaft log. A preferred configuration of the depression is a semi-conical surface having a base proximate the inlet wall. Further, the top and bottom walls are configured to conform to the undersurface of the deck and the inside of the hull, respectively. An inlet pipe, or a multiple number of inlet pipes, receive exhaust gases and water from the exhaust manifold of the craft engine and direct this combination into the muffler above a water pool. Gases pass through the water pool and exit through an outlet pipe (or a plurality of outlet pipes). A downwardly extending conduit within the outlet pipe(s) provides a correct amount of lift such that an amount of water exits the muffler which is the same as the amount entering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Inventor: Wayne A. LeQuire
  • Patent number: 5583325
    Abstract: An unbiased valve is located within a muffler. The valve is positioned by the pressure differential across the valve and is either in the full open or full closed position. A pressure equalization tube is provided between the downstream cavity of the muffler and the back of the valve such that flow pattern produced low pressure areas are avoided and the valve can react to actual pressure differentials in the flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Peter T. Schutte, David M. Ebbing, Frederick L. Miller, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5545860
    Abstract: A muffler (20) for attenuating fluid pressure pulsations produced by (14) in an automotive air conditioning system (10) includes a housing (22) having opposed to axial ends, an inlet opening (40) and an outlet opening (42) both disposed at the same axial end of the housing. A tube (44) extends through the inlet opening (40) and into the housing, the tube having a first portion (46) and a second portion (48), the second portion having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the first portion. A circumferential bead (50) limits the extension of the tube into the housing to a predetermined distance. A method of manufacturing such a muffler is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Eugene Wilkes, Alejandro Mendez, Bradley W. Bauer
  • Patent number: 5532439
    Abstract: A silencer assembly is disclosed having at least one expansion section (20,30), tapering outwardly along the length thereof, and a silencing section (40) including a transversing bank of a plurality of parallel acoustical modules (60). Each module (60) has side walls (67) and a front and rear framing member (63,64) with a plurality of longitudinal perforated (74) internal channel member (70) surrounded by an acoustical media (80) therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Transco Products Inc.
    Inventor: Yuriy Minkin
  • Patent number: 5530214
    Abstract: A muffler for a gas flow at a gas intake of a machine consists of a venturi ozzle cooperating with a chamber. The venturi nozzle has an inlet opening and outlet opening. The chamber has a gas inlet connected to one of the inlet opening and the outlet opening of the venturi nozzle. The chamber has a gas outlet connected to the gas intake of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Clyde A. Morehead, John W. Henry, V
  • Patent number: 5424494
    Abstract: Noise is attenuated by a resonator having an inlet pipe leading to an expansion chamber and an outlet pipe leading from the expansion chamber. The two pipes are not aligned with each other at the expansion chamber. The portions of the two pipes proximate the expansion chamber contain respective venturis. The expansion chamber also functions as a Helmholtz resonator by providing the resonator with one or more apertures between the outlet pipe and the expansion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Limited
    Inventors: Dennis E. Houle, Stephen E. Brackett
  • Patent number: 5329074
    Abstract: An exhaust muffler for mounting on the transom of a powerboat in association with the exhaust pipes which extend through the transom. The muffler comprises a housing extending laterally across the stern of the boat and rearwardly from the transom to define an interior space. The housing has a floor located below the water line; opposed end walls; a front wall located adjacent to the transom with openings formed therein, through which exhaust gas can pass from the exhaust pipes; a rear wall having exhaust ports formed therein and a cover that encloses the interior space. Located within the enclosed space are muffler inserts secured to the floor and also to the front and rear walls. Each insert has a domed portion defining a muffling chamber that communicates with the respective exhaust pipe, and a second domed chamber defining an expansion chamber that communicates with the respective exhaust port located in the rear wall of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Porter, Incorporated
    Inventor: John E. Alexander
  • Patent number: 5321215
    Abstract: A vertical exhaust system for an internal combustion engine that incorporates a provision for receiving and trapping water, such as rain, that may enter the open upper end of the exhaust conduit. The exhaust system includes a vertical outer body and a perforated tube is disposed within the outer body and spaced therefrom to provide an annular chamber therebetween. A plug or closure is secured within the tube and is spaced from the lower end of the tube, thus closing off the tube. An annular flange interconnects the inner tube with the outer body and is spaced longitudinally below the plug, to thereby enclose the lower end of the chamber. A drain hole extends through the outer body and connects the chamber with the exterior. The drain hole is spaced above the flange, so that the space between the flange and the drain hole comprises a trap to collect water that may enter the upper end of the exhaust system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: Nelson Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Kicinski