Vehicle exhaust handling system
First Claim
1. An automotive engine exhaust products removing system comprising:
- a floor upon which a vehicle may be driven, the floor having at least one upwardly opening chamber therein and an exhaust outlet opening operatively connected to the chamber;
at least one hinged shutter partially covering the chamber, the shutter being movable between a closed position wherein a top surface thereof lies substantially flush with the floor, and an open position wherein the shutter is raised above the floor to an angular position;
a grate positioned rearward of the shutter and over the chamber;
an additional shutter positioned below the grate, the shutter being movable between a closed position wherein it substantially impedes a flow of air and exhaust products through the grate, and an open position wherein the flow of air and exhaust products through the grate is substantially unobstructed;
first means for selectively opening and closing the hinged shutter;
second means for selectively opening and closing the additional shutter, andthird means for evacuating air and automotive engine exhaust products from the chamber through the outlet opening.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved vehicle exhaust handling system capable of accomodating vehicles of varying sizes while maintaining optimal exhaust capabilities is disclosed. A motor vehicle with its engine operating is positioned in a test center in a predetermined location. A chamber is located in the floor of the test center below the rearward portion of the vehicle. A plurality of hinged shutters and a grate behind the shutters are disposed over the chamber. An exhaust fan creates an airflow from the test center into the chamber and to an outside location. The shutters are individually controllable, and a mechanism is provided to close off a flow of air through the grate whenever any of the shutters is opened. Depending on the size of the vehicle and the position of its tailpipe, an individually selected shutter is opened or all the shutters are closed and the exhaust gases are directed into the grate. Portable deflectors are provided for positioning adjacent to the tailpipe of the vehicle. The deflectors further enhance the exhaust capabilities of the system.
15 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An automotive engine exhaust products removing system comprising:
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a floor upon which a vehicle may be driven, the floor having at least one upwardly opening chamber therein and an exhaust outlet opening operatively connected to the chamber; at least one hinged shutter partially covering the chamber, the shutter being movable between a closed position wherein a top surface thereof lies substantially flush with the floor, and an open position wherein the shutter is raised above the floor to an angular position; a grate positioned rearward of the shutter and over the chamber; an additional shutter positioned below the grate, the shutter being movable between a closed position wherein it substantially impedes a flow of air and exhaust products through the grate, and an open position wherein the flow of air and exhaust products through the grate is substantially unobstructed; first means for selectively opening and closing the hinged shutter; second means for selectively opening and closing the additional shutter, and third means for evacuating air and automotive engine exhaust products from the chamber through the outlet opening. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An automotive engine exhaust products removing system having exhaust means to be used in combination with a testing apparatus including roll means for receiving and supporting the drive wheels of a motor vehicle to be tested, the motor vehicle being driven upon a floor having at least one upwardly opening chamber therein and an air outlet passage connected to the chamber, the exhaust products removing system comprising:
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a grate through which air can be moved by the exhaust means; at least one hinged shutter positioned between the roll means and the grate, the shutter lying substantially over the chamber in a closed position, the shutter capable of being selectively pivoted around the hinge up to a predetermined extent in which the shutter is angularly disposed relative to the floor thereby permitting flow of air and automotive exhaust gases into the chamber; an additional shutter operable for selectively permitting and blocking the flow of air and automotive exhaust gases through the grate; frame means attached to one of the floor and a plurality of walls of the chamber, the frame means supporting at least the hinged shutter, and means for automatically closing the additional shutter whenever the hinged shutter is opened to a predetermined extent. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. In an automotive exhaust product removal system having means for evacuating air, a floor upon which a vehicle having an exhaust pipe may be driven, the floor including at least one chamber operatively connected to the means for evacuating air and a passage through which air and automotive exhaust gases may flow into the chamber to be evacuated therefrom the improvement comprising:
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a plurality of selectively operable parallelly positioned hinged shutters, each shutter capable of being disposed in a closed position wherein it lies substantially flush with the floor, and in a plurality of continuously adjustable open positions wherein it defines an angle with the floor; a grate positioned rearward of the hinged shutters, the rearward direction being defined by a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, the grate being operatively connected to the means for evacuating air whereby air and automotive exhaust products may flow through the grate to be exhausted; frame means for mounting in the floor to support the hinged shutters and the grate, and means for selectively impeding and allowing flow of air and automotive exhaust products through the grate for evacuation. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification