Exhaust system conduit with thermal/noise insulation

In a vehicle exhaust system, the combination of:

• first and second pipes and a conduit extending between and coupled with said first and second pipes, said conduit having first and second ends for connection with said first and second pipes;
• an outer portion of said conduit having a plurality of corrugations to accommodate flexing of said conduit;
• a liner on said conduit providing a flow channel through which vehicle exhaust gases can flow, said liner being connected with said outer portion of said conduit;
• an insulation blanket sandwiched between said liner and said outer portion of said conduit, said blanket being constructed of a material effective to suppress noise and heat transmission from within said conduit;
• wherein said first and second ends each comprise an end fitting that includes an interior section, a transition, and an outer section having a diameter, the interior section having a reduced diameter sized for connection with said liner such that a space is defined between said liner and said outer portion, said insulation blanket being located within said space;
• and
• a corrugation positioned on the transition of each of said end fittings between the interior section and the outer section, the corrugation being arranged to interfit with a selected corrugation on said outer portion of said conduit in a manner to accommodate rotation of said conduit relative to said end fittings.

A flexible conduit structure for a vehicle exhaust system, comprising:

• a conduit having a liner forming a flow passage for flow of vehicle exhaust gases therethrough and a corrugation body surrounding said liner, said corrugation body having a plurality of corrugations to provide flexibility of said conduit;
• a pair of end fittings on opposite ends of said conduit for connection to respective pipes between which said flow passage directs vehicle exhaust gases;
• a layer of insulation between said liner and said corrugation body constructed and arranged to suppress noise and heat transmission from within said conduit;
• wherein each end fitting of said pair of end fittings includes an interior section having a reduced diameter sized for connection with said liner such that a space is defined between said liner and said corrugation body, said layer of insulation being located within said space;
• and
• wherein each end fitting of said pair of end fittings includes a corrugation positioned on a transition section extending between the interior section and a section of the end fitting that has a diameter larger than the interior section, the corrugation of each end fitting being arranged to interfit with a selected corrugation on said corrugation body in a manner to accommodate rotation of said conduit relative to said and fitting.