Passive Exhaust Valve With Dual Torsion Spring
AssigneeTenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
InventorsStephen M. THOMAS, David L. ANDERSON
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A snap-action valve assembly includes a valve flap positioned within a conduit for controlling exhaust flow through the conduit. A shaft supports the valve flap in the conduit for rotation about a pivot axis between a closed position and an open position. A guide is fixed to the valve flap. A torsion spring is positioned at least partially outside the conduit and includes a first end restricted from rotation in at least one direction. The torsion spring includes a second end coupled to the guide. The torsion spring is preloaded to urge the valve flap into contact with an inner surface of the conduit when the valve flap is in the closed position.
Claims6
1-8. (canceled)
A method of assembling a snap-action valve assembly, the method comprising:
- fixing a valve flap to a shaft and supporting the valve flap in a conduit for rotation about a pivot axis between a closed position and an open position;
- supporting a roller for rotation on the valve flap;
- coupling a first end of a torsion spring to a housing and a second end of the torsion spring to the roller;
- moving the housing into contact with the conduit to apply a spring preload such that the valve flap is urged into contact with an inner surface of the conduit when the valve flap is in the closed position;
- and
- fixing the housing to the conduit to maintain the spring preload.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.