US 6,651,773 B1 · Exhaust sound attenuation and control system

Abstract

An exhaust sound attenuation and control system combines the functions of a muffler and resonator in a single, relatively compact device. The internal components of the device may also be coated with one or more emission reduction materials to provide a catalyzing function for the exhaust gases flowing through the system. The present exhaust system provides multiple gas flow paths therethrough, with different paths producing different effects in order to reduce sound output at certain frequencies, as in a resonator, and to attenuate sound throughout a broader frequency range, as in a muffler. The cross-sectional areas of each of the various internal passages and outlet pipe are at least as great, or greater, than the cross-sectional area of the inlet pipe, thereby providing a free flow system with relatively low backpressure.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An exhaust sound attenuation and control system, comprising:

an elongate external housing, having an inlet end and an outlet end opposite said inlet end;
an inlet end plate and an outlet end plate, respectively secured to and sealing said inlet end and said outlet end of said housing and defining an interior volume therein;
an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe, respectively extending from said inlet end plate and from said outlet end plate, and communicating with said interior volume;
an inlet chamber, an intermediate chamber, and an outlet chamber disposed within said housing, respectively communicating with one another sequentially from said inlet pipe to said outlet pipe and defining a sinusoidal primary exhaust gas passage therethrough, said primary exhaust gas passage has a length at least two and one half times longer than said housing;
a first separator panel separating said inlet chamber from said intermediate chamber;
and
a second separator panel separating said intermediate chamber from said outlet chamber, said first separator panel and said second separator panel each including a lateral exhaust gas pressure balance passage therethrough, with each said pressure balance passage defining an alternative gas passage path through said interior volume.

4 more elements

An exhaust sound attenuation and control system, comprising:

an elongate external housing, having an inlet end and an outlet end opposite said inlet end;
an inlet end plate and an outlet end plate, respectively secured to and sealing said inlet end and said outlet end of said housing and defining an interior volume therein;
an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe, respectively extending from said inlet end plate and from said outlet end plate, and communicating with said interior volume;
said inlet pipe and said outlet pipe each having a cross-sectional area;
an inlet chamber, an intermediate chamber, and an outlet chamber disposed within said housing, respectively communicating with one another sequentially from said inlet pipe to said outlet pipe and defining a sinusoidal primary exhaust gas passage therethrough, wherein said primary exhaust gas passage has a length at least two and one half times longer than said housing;
a first panel separating said inlet chamber from said intermediate chamber;
a second panel separating said intermediate chamber from said outlet chamber;
said first panel and said housing defining a first primary exhaust gas passage therebetween;
and
said second panel and said housing defining a second primary exhaust gas passage therebetween;
wherein each said primary exhaust gas passage and said outlet pipe have cross-sectional areas at least equal to said cross-sectional area of said inlet pipe.

8 more elements

An exhaust sound attenuation and control system, comprising:

an elongate exteral housing, having an inlet end and an outel opposite said inlet end;
an inlet end plate and an outlet end plate, respectively secured to and sealing said inlet end and said outlet end of said housing and defining an interior volume therein;
an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe, respectively extending from said inlet end plate and from said outlet end plate, and communicating with said interior volume;
each said pipe having a first side, a second side opposite said first side, and a cross-sectional area;
a first separator panel having a first end sealed to said inlet end plate adjacent said second side of said inlet pipe, and extending angularly through the majority of said housing to a second end spaced apart from said housing;
a second separator panel having a first end sealed to said outlet end plate adjacent said first side of said outlet pipe, extending angularly through the majority of said housing to a second end spaced apart from said housing, and disposed parallel to said first separator panel;
said first separator panel and said second separator panel each including a lateral exhaust gas pressure balance passage therethrough, with each said pressure balance passage defining an alternative gas passage path through said interior volume;
a first supplementary panel having a first end sealed to said inlet end plate adjacent said first side of said inlet pipe, sealed to said housing and disposed parallel to said first separator panel;
a second supplementary panel having a first end sealed to said outlet end plate adjacent said second side of said outlet pipe, sealed to said housing and disposed parallel to said second separator panel;
said first separator panel and said first supplementary panel defining an inlet chamber therebetween;
said first and said second separator panel defining an intermediate chamber therebetween;
said second separator panel and said second supplementary panel defining an outlet chamber therebetween;
said inlet chamber, said intermediate chamber, and said outlet chamber respectively communicating with one another sequentially from said inlet pipe to said outlet pipe and defining a sinusoidal primary exhaust gas passage therethrough;
said primary exhaust gas passage and said outlet pipe having cross-sectional areas at least equal to said cross-sectional area of said inlet pipe;
an intermediate chamber entry baffle having a passage therethrough, extending across said housing and between said second end of said first separator panel, and said second separator panel;
an intermediate chamber exit baffle having a passage therethrough, extending across said housing and between said second end of said second separator panel, and said first separator panel;
and
a plurality of chevron-shaped intermediate baffles disposed between said entry baffle and said exit baffle of said intermediate chamber, and extending between said first and said second separator panel, each of said intermediate baffles having a progressively smaller width from said entry baffle toward said exit baffle.

15 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Exhaust sound attenuation and control system

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Exhaust sound attenuation and control system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18