Vehicle exhaust system
AssigneeTenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
InventorsMichael A Golin, Bradley Walworth, Gabriel Ostromecki
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vehicle exhaust system includes a tubular component having an inner surface and an outer surface. The vehicle exhaust system also includes at least one opening defined by the tubular component. The at least one opening extends through each of the inner surface and the outer surface. The vehicle exhaust system further includes a patch adapted to cover the at least one opening. The patch includes a first portion extending parallel to the central axis. The first portion defines a plurality of pores. The first portion covers the at least one opening. The patch also includes a second portion extending away from the first portion. The first portion has a first thickness and the second portion has a second thickness.
Claims27
A vehicle exhaust system comprising:
- a tubular component having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface defines a primary exhaust gas flow path, wherein the tubular component defines a central axis extending between an inlet end and an outlet end of the tubular component;
- at least one opening defined by the tubular component, the at least one opening providing a secondary exhaust gas flow path, wherein the at least one opening extends through each of the inner surface and the outer surface;
- and
- a patch adapted to cover the at least one opening, the patch including:
- a first portion extending parallel to the central axis, the first portion comprising a plurality of spaced pores, wherein the first portion covers the at least one opening;
- and wherein each of the plurality of pores has a diameter and wherein a distance between adjacent spaced pores exceeds the diameter of any of the plurality of pores;
- and
- a second portion comprising a plurality of ribs defining a frame circumscribing the first portion and extending away from the first portion, the frame comprising a center rib dividing the first portion into first and second lands separated by the center rib;
- wherein the first portion has a first thickness and the second portion has a second thickness for providing structural rigidity to the first portion.
A tubular component for a vehicle exhaust system, the tubular component comprising:
- an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface defines a primary exhaust gas flow path, wherein the tubular component defines a central axis extending between an inlet end and an outlet end of the tubular component;
- at least one opening providing a secondary exhaust gas flow path, wherein the at least one opening extends through each of the inner surface and the outer surface;
- and
- a patch adapted to cover the at least one opening, the patch including:
- a first portion extending parallel to the central axis, the first portion defining a plurality of pores, wherein the first portion covers the at least one opening;
- wherein the first portion comprises lands surrounding each of the plurality of pores and wherein an area of the lands surrounding each of the plurality of pores is greater than an area of each of the plurality of pores;
- a second portion comprising a plurality of ribs defining a frame circumscribing the first portion and extending away from the first portion, the frame comprising a center rib dividing the first portion into first and second lands separated by the center rib;
- wherein the first portion and the second portion together form an integral structure, wherein the first portion has a first thickness and the second portion has a second thickness;
- and
- at least one wire mesh insert coupled with the first portion to cover at least one of the plurality of pores, wherein the at least one wire mesh insert includes an integrated retention system for coupling with the first portion of the patch.
A patch adapted to cover at least one opening in a tubular component of a vehicle exhaust system, the patch comprising:
- a first portion comprising a plurality of pores and lands surrounding each of the plurality of pores;
- wherein an area of the lands surrounding the plurality of pores is greater than an area of the plurality of pores;
- a second portion comprising a plurality of ribs defining a frame circumscribing the first portion and extending away from the first portion, the frame comprising a center rib dividing the first portion into first and second lands separated by the center rib;
- wherein the first portion and the second portion together form an integral structure, wherein the first portion has a first thickness and the second portion has a second thickness;
- and
- at least one wire mesh insert coupled with the patch to cover at least one of the plurality of pores, wherein the at least one wire mesh insert includes a first head portion, a second head portion, and an intermediate portion extending between each of the first head portion and the second head portion, wherein each of the first head portion and the second head portion is adapted to couple the at least one wire mesh insert with the patch, and wherein the intermediate portion is adapted to be disposed in at least one of the plurality of pores.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.