US 7,124,575 B1 · Exhaust header modeling apparatus and method

Abstract

An exhaust header modeling apparatus includes a plurality of interchangeable straight and curved short cylindrical segment members which are selectively and releasably joined together end-to-end manually and rotated relative to one another to form a full-scale three-dimensional model of a desired engine exhaust header design or configuration. The segments are provided in sets having outside diameters corresponding to the outside diameters of conventional exhaust header tubing and have a circumferential scale at each end to visually determine the relative rotation between one segment and an adjoined segment. When assembled, the model provides optimum header layout and pathways to accurately fit within an available space, and provides accurate dimensions to aid in cutting forming sections of the exhaust headers from pre-bent metal tubing sections and the proper relative rotation between them.

Claims10

Dependent claims

An exhaust header modeling apparatus to aid in designing and constructing engine exhaust header configurations, comprising:

a plurality of interchangeable short straight cylindrical segment members and curved cylindrical segment members, each having an outside diameter of a size corresponding to a known outside diameter of conventional exhaust header tubing, a first end and a second end, and connector means at said first end and at said second end for releasably connecting together said first end of one of said segments to said second end of another one of said segments in end-to-end relation and allowing relative rotation therebetween;
and
said outside diameter of said straight cylindrical segments extending along a straight longitudinal center axis, and said outside diameter of said curved cylindrical segments extending along a curved longitudinal center axis;
selected said straight and curved segments being releasably connected together end-to-end and manually rotated relative to one another to form a full-scale three-dimensional model of a desired engine exhaust header configuration which is used as a template for forming and constructing an exhaust header configuration from metal tubing.

1 more element

A method of designing and constructing engine exhaust header configurations, comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of interchangeable short straight cylindrical segment members and curved cylindrical segment members, each having an outside diameter of a size corresponding to a known outside diameter of conventional exhaust header tubing, a first end and a second end, and connector means at said first end and at said second end;
releasably connecting selected said straight and curved segment members together end-to-end and manually rotating them relative to one another to form a full-scale three-dimensional model of a desired engine exhaust header configuration;
and
using the model as a template for forming and constructing an exhaust header configuration from metal tubing.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Exhaust header modeling apparatus and method

Life of this patent

Exhaust header modeling apparatus and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10