# US 11,898,478 B2 · Exhaust pipe > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,898,478 B2 - Document ID: US11898478B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/748,244 - Filed: 2022-05-19 - Published: 2022-12-01 - Granted: 2024-02-13 - Earliest claimed: 2021-05-26 - Assignees: Futaba Industrial Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Futaba Industrial Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Yusuke Hiramatsu; Shigeru Ogawa - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11898478B2 ## CPC - F01N 13/1805: {Fixing exhaust manifolds, exhaust pipes or pipe sections to each other, to engine or to vehicle body (pipe joints in general F16L; fixing auxiliaries in motor vehicles in general B60K)} - F16L 23/04: the flanges being connected by members tensioned in the radial plane (F16L23/12 takes precedence) - F16L 23/036: characterised by the tensioning members, e.g. specially adapted bolts or C-clamps - F16L 23/16: characterised by the sealing means - F16L 57/00: Protection of pipes or objects of similar shape against external or internal damage or wear ({protection under water F16L1/123;} supporting of pipes inside other pipes or sleeves F16L7/00; used in connection with end fittings of hoses F16L35/00; protection of pipes or pipe fittings against corrosion or incrustation F16L58/00; protection thereof during transport B65D59/00) - F01N: GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES (arrangements in connection with gas exhaust of propulsion units in vehicles B60K13/00; combustion-air intake silencers specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines F02M35/00; protecting against, or damping, noise in general G10K11/16) - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL ## Abstract An exhaust pipe forming a flow path of exhaust gas of a vehicle includes a first end including a first opening, a first flange portion formed on the first end, and a cover member. The first flange portion is configured to be fastened to a second flange portion formed on a second end of another exhaust pipe. The cover member includes a held portion and an inner circumferential portion. The held portion is held between the first end and the second end when the first flange portion and the second flange portion are fastened together. The inner circumferential portion covers a region adjacent to the first opening in the inner circumferential surface of the exhaust pipe. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An exhaust pipe forming a flow path of exhaust gas of a vehicle, the exhaust pipe comprising: a first end including a first opening; a first flange portion formed on the first end; and a cover member arranged at the first end, wherein the first flange portion is configured to be fastened to a second flange portion formed on a second end of another exhaust pipe connected to the first end of the exhaust pipe, and wherein the cover member includes a held portion configured to be held between the first end and the second end when the first flange portion and the second flange portion are fastened together, and an inner circumferential portion covering a region adjacent to the first opening in an inner circumferential surface of the exhaust pipe, and wherein the inner circumferential portion of the cover member has a tip end on an end opposite the held portion, the tip end bending in a direction away from the inner circumferential surface of the exhaust pipe. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The exhaust pipe according to claim 1, further comprising a projection formed on the first end so as to protrude along a central axis of the first opening, the projection being adjacent to the first opening and surrounding the first opening, wherein the held portion is configured to be held between a top surface on top of the projection and the second end, and wherein the cover member further includes an outer circumferential portion covering an outer circumferential surface of the projection. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The exhaust pipe according to claim 1, wherein the cover member is a ring-shaped member and is arranged to encircle the first opening. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The exhaust pipe according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust pipe is configured to store a purification member to purify exhaust gas. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The exhaust pipe according to claim 1, wherein the cover member is made of a material that is more heat-resistant than a material constituting the first end. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The exhaust pipe according to claim 1, wherein the first flange portion is configured to be fastened to the second flange portion with a v-band clamp. ### Claim 7 An exhaust pipe forming a flow path of exhaust gas of a vehicle, the exhaust pipe comprising: a first end including a first opening; a first flange portion formed on the first end; and a cover member arranged at the first end, wherein the first flange portion is configured to be fastened to a second flange portion formed on a second end of another exhaust pipe connected to the first end of the exhaust pipe, and wherein the cover member includes a held portion configured to be held between the first end and the second end when the first flange portion and the second flange portion are fastened together, and an inner circumferential portion covering a region adjacent to the first opening in an inner circumferential surface of the exhaust pipe, wherein the inner circumferential surface of the exhaust pipe includes at least one recess, and wherein the inner circumferential portion includes at least one protrusion that protrudes toward the inner circumferential surface of the exhaust pipe and that is configured to be engaged with the at least one recess formed in the inner circumferential surface. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The exhaust pipe according to claim 7, wherein the cover member is a ring-shaped member and is arranged to encircle the first opening. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The exhaust pipe according to claim 7, wherein the exhaust pipe is configured to store a purification member to purify exhaust gas. ### Claim 10 (depends on 5) The exhaust pipe according to claim 5, wherein the cover member is made of a material that is more heat-resistant than a material constituting the first end. ### Claim 11 (depends on 5) The exhaust pipe according to claim 5, wherein the first flange portion is configured to be fastened to the second flange portion with a v-band clamp. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The exhaust pipe according to claim 7, further comprising a projection formed on the first end so as to protrude along a central axis of the first opening, the projection being adjacent to the first opening and surrounding the first opening, wherein the held portion is configured to be held between a top surface on top of the projection and the second end, and wherein the cover member further includes an outer circumferential portion covering an outer circumferential surface of the projection. ### Claim 13 An exhaust pipe forming a flow path of exhaust gas of a vehicle, the exhaust pipe comprising: a first end including a first opening; a first flange portion formed on the first end; and a cover member arranged at the first end, wherein the first flange portion is configured to be fastened to a second flange portion formed on a second end of another exhaust pipe connected to the first end of the exhaust pipe, and wherein the cover member includes a held portion configured to be held between the first end and the second end when the first flange portion and the second flange portion are fastened together, and an inner circumferential portion covering a region adjacent to the first opening in an inner circumferential surface of the exhaust pipe, wherein the cover member is a member having a third end and a fourth end, and is curved into a ring shape extending from the third end to the fourth end, and wherein the cover member is configured to be arranged at the first end so that the third end and the fourth end face each other with a clearance between the third end and the fourth end. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The exhaust pipe according to claim 13, further comprising a projection formed on the first end so as to protrude along a central axis of the first opening, the projection being adjacent to the first opening and surrounding the first opening, wherein the held portion is configured to be held between a top surface on top of the projection and the second end, and wherein the cover member further includes an outer circumferential portion covering an outer circumferential surface of the projection. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The exhaust pipe according to claim 13, wherein the cover member is arranged to encircle the first opening. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The exhaust pipe according to claim 13, wherein the exhaust pipe is configured to store a purification member to purify exhaust gas. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The exhaust pipe according to claim 13, wherein the cover member is made of a material that is more heat-resistant than a material constituting the first end. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The exhaust pipe according to claim 13, wherein the first flange portion is configured to be fastened to the second flange portion with a v-band clamp.