Muffler device for exhaust systems

• US 4,966,253 A
• Filed: 08/23/1989
• Issued: 10/30/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Howard Stephens, Roy W. Clark
• Original Assignee: Howard Stephens, Roy W. Clark
• Inventors: Clark, Roy W., Stephens, Howard
• Primary Examiner(s): Fuller, Benjamin R.
• Application Number:
  US07/397,239
• Time in Patent Office: 433 Days
• Field of Search: 181/227, 181/228, 181/240, 181/243, 181/247, 181/250, 181/251, 181/264, 181/268, 181/269, 181/232, 181/255
• US Class Current: 181/227
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 1/00 Silencing apparatus characterised by method of silencing by cooling F01N3/02; using liquids F01N3/04
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 13/08 Other arrangements or adaptations of exhaust conduits pipes, joints or supports therefor in general F16L; collecting or removing exhaust gases of vehicle engines in workshops B08B15/00, on highways E01C1/005
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 13/1805 Fixing exhaust manifolds, exhaust pipes or pipe sections to each other, to engine or to vehicle body pipe joints in general F16L; fixing auxiliaries in motor vehicles in general B60K

Abstract

A muffler device for reducing the noise level of an internal combustion engine as exhaust gases and sound waves produced by the operation of the engine are expelled into the atmosphere is disclosed. The device is placed in the exhaust system, being disposed within the exhaust pipe or pipes as close to the exhaust manifold as possible. The device has a sound chamber for attenuating sound waves entering the chamber by deflection of the sound waves back toward their source and a venturi for drawing exhaust gases through the device and expelling them to the atmosphere.

Claims

1. A muffler device for installation within an exhaust pipe of an engine the exhaust pipe being of a given inner circumference, the muffler serving to attenuate sound carried by engine exhaust gases passing through said exhaust pipe, comprising an outer pipe member having an outer circumference slightly less than the inner circumference of said exhaust pipe and a hollow center, said outer pipe member including tabs at each end thereof, said tabs being directed inwardly toward the hollow center of said outer pipe member forming a chamber within said outer pipe member having a narrowed opening relative to said outer circumference of said outer pipe member at each end thereof, a hollow inner pipe member disposed within said outer pipe member, said inner pipe member having a collar around each end thereof, said collars confining said inner pipe member between the tabs of the outer pipe member and within said chamber, whereby the engine exhaust gases passing through the exhaust pipe must pass through said muffler.

2. A muffler device as defined in claim 1 in which said device includes collar means disposed between said tab means and said ends of said inner pipe member and receiving said ends of said inner pipe member therewithin for maintaining said inner pipe member in concentric relationship with said outer pipe member.

3. A muffler device as defined in claim 1 in which said device includes a second set of tab means at each end of said pipe member extending inwardly from said outer pipe member and terminating outwardly of said first-mentioned tab means, said second set of tab means on one end of said outer pipe member being offset from said second tab means on the opposite end of said outer pipe member for creating a staggered relationship between said respective tab means for creating a sound attenuating chamber.

4. A muffler device as defined in claim 3 in which said second set of tab means forms a narrowed funnel means for directing exhaust gases toward said chamber and said inner pipe means.

5. The muffler device of claim 1 wherein said outer pipe has an interior wall and the tabs comprise a first set and a second set of tabs, the first set of tabs forming substantially right angles to the interior wall.

6. The muffler device of claim 5 wherein the second set of tabs form obtuse angles with respect to the interior wall.

7. The muffler device of claim 1 wherein said inner pipe member serves as a venturi to draw exhaust gases away from the engine.

8. A muffler for being snugly received in an exhaust pipe of an automobile, said exhaust pipe having an inner diameter, the muffler serving to attenuate sound carried by engine exhaust gases passing through said exhaust pipe comprising:

(a) a central tube, through which exhaust gases in the exhaust pipe pass, said central tube having a forward end and a distal end;

(b) an outer housing encircling said central tube, said outer housing having an outer diameter substantially the same as the inner diameter of said exhaust pipe, so that said housing may be retained in place when inserted into said exhaust pipe, said outer housing being disposed in concentric relationship to said central tube, said outer housing further having a forward end and a distal end;

(c) a plurality of circumferentially spaced inner tabs extending inwardly from both ends of said outer housing, the ends of said inner tabs terminating adjacent to said central tube;

(d) additional outer tabs protruding from the ends of said housing and terminating outwardly of said ends of said inner tabs; and

(e) a collar disposed on each end of said central tube, outwardly of the ends of said inner tabs, said outer tabs converging towards each other and terminating outwardly of said collars for retaining said collars between said inner tabs and said outer tabs, whereby the engine exhaust gases passing through the exhaust pipe must pass through said muffler.

9. A muffler as defined in claim 8 in which said additional tabs form a narrowed enclosure for directing exhaust gases and sound waves into said housing.

10. A muffler as defined in claim 8 in which said flared ends of said tube extend outwardly of said first-mentioned tabs.

11. A muffler as defined in claim 10 in which said tube is loosely retained by said first mentioned tabs and said washers for providing a space therebetween preventing particle buildup therearound.

12. A muffler as defined in claim 8 in which said tube is loosely retained by said first mentioned tabs and said washers for providing a space therebetween preventing particle buildup therearound.

13. A muffler device for installation within an exhaust pipe of an engine said exhaust pipe having an inner circumference, the muffler serving to attenuate sound carried by engine exhaust gases emanating therefrom comprising a housing having an outer circumference slightly less than the inner circumference of said exhaust pipe and a hollow center, said housing having a forward and a distal end and including first tab means at each end thereof, said first tab means being directed inwardly toward the center of said housing, an inner pipe member disposed within and in concentric relationship with said housing, said inner pipe member being confined by said first tab means, and second tab means extending from said housing and having ends terminating outwardly of said inner pipe member forming a narrowed enclosure for directing said engine exhaust gases into said inner pipe member whereby the engine exhaust gases passing through the tail pipe must pass through said muffler.

14. A muffler as defined in claim 13 in which said first and second tab means at each end of said housing are respectively disposed in staggered relationship to one another.

15. A muffler as defined in claim 13 in which said device includes collar means disposed between said first tab means and said second tab means.

16. A muffler as defined in claim 15 in which said inner pipe member includes flared end portions for directing gases therein and said collar means are disposed around said inner pipe member adjacent said flared end portions.

17. A muffler as defined in claim 16 in which said collar means are disposed between said first and second tab means on each end thereof.