Variable flow regulator for use with catalytic converters

A variable flow regulator assembly adapted to be disposed adjacent a catalyst substrate in catalytic converter, said variable flow regulator comprising:

• a first exhaust pipe having at least one interference tab concentrically and circumferentially disposed on an interior surface of said first exhaust pipe;
• a second exhaust pipe concentrically disposed within said first exhaust pipe;
• a movable exhaust pipe comprising an outlet and having at least one interference tab concentrically and circumferentially disposed on an exterior surface of said exhaust pipe;
• an actuation mechanism in communication with said first exhaust pipe, said second exhaust pipe and said movable exhaust pipe;
• and
• said movable exhaust pipe having an outlet concentrically disposed about said second exhaust pipe, and between said first exhaust pipe and said second exhaust pipe and having an outlet,
• wherein said movable exhaust pipe is configured to move in a linear direction along said second exhaust pipe from a first position wherein the outlet of the movable exhaust pipe extends beyond the second exhaust pipe toward the catalyst substrate and is spaced apart from the catalyst substrate by a first distance to a second position wherein the outlet of the movable exhaust pipe is spaced apart from the catalyst substrate by a second distance greater than the first distance, and further wherein the interference tab of the movable exhaust pipe engages the interference tab of the first exhaust pipe in the first position.

A variable flow regulator assembly for a catalytic converter comprising a catalyst substrate and a shell disposed about the catalyst substrate, said variable flow regulator comprising:

• a first exhaust pipe attached to the shell and having at least one interference tab concentrically and circumferentially disposed on an interior surface of said first exhaust pipe;
• a second exhaust pipe concentrically disposed within said first exhaust pipe, said second exhaust pipe having an outlet adjacent the catalyst substrate, a first portion attached to the first exhaust pipe and a second portion between the outlet and the first portion and spaced apart from the first exhaust pipe;
• a movable exhaust pipe having at least one interference tab concentrically and circumferentially disposed on an exterior surface of said movable exhaust pipe to engage said at least one interference tab of said first exhaust pipe;
• and
• an actuation mechanism in communication with said first exhaust pipe, said second exhaust pipe and said movable exhaust pipe;
• said movable exhaust pipe concentrically disposed about the second portion of said second exhaust pipe, and between said first exhaust pipe and said second exhaust pipe, wherein said movable exhaust pipe is configured to rotate about said second exhaust pipe.