Muffler for an internal combustion engine

Abstract

A muffler for use with an internal combustion engine or the like having improved attenuation capabilities. The muffler of the disclosure comprises at least two separate passages interconnected in series with a single or multiple output exhaust manifold and a single or multiple tail pipe of an engine exhaust system. At least one of the passages has a length greater than the other or others. The total cross-sectional area of the passages is approximately equal to or greater than the cross-section of the single or multiple exhaust manifold and single or multiple tail pipe to eliminate back pressure and maintain column inertia. In an embodiment, a housing encloses the passages and the overall appearance is that of a conventional muffler. In still another embodiment, at least one of the passages within the housing are perforated with a plurality of apertures. These apertures can be all of the same dimension or can be of different cross-sectional areas. In still another embodiment, the space between the passages and the inside housing walls is filled with a sound absorbing material.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.