Compact tuned exhaust system for aircraft with reciprocating engines

• US 6,581,376 B1
• Filed: 04/17/2002
• Issued: 06/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robin G. Thomas
• Original Assignee: Robin G. Thomas
• Inventors: Thomas, Robin G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Denion, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRAN, DIEM T
• Application Number:
  US10/123,921
• Time in Patent Office: 433 Days
• Field of Search: 602/98, 603/12, 603/13, 603/22, 603/24, 603/20
• US Class Current: 60/312
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 1/06 by using interference effect
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2240/02 a heat exchanger
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 2075/1816 four
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 2075/1824 six
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 27/04 in exhaust systems only, e.g. for sucking-off combustion gases
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 61/04 for driving propellers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies

Abstract

A tuned exhaust system for a multi-cylinder, reciprocating, internal combustion engine is disclosed. Each exhaust tube has approximately the same overall length resulting in a predetermined resonant frequency. The overall length includes the sum of the header tube length and the internal length of the collector assembly portions of the exhaust channels in the heat exchanger box. Calculating the correct length and bending the pipes to fit in the space available resulted in increased horsepower, reduced fuel consumption, cooler cylinder head temperatures, reduced noise and vibration for four-cylinder and six-cylinder aircraft engines.

Claims

1. A method for tuning a sound attenuated, exhaust system of a four-cylinder aircraft engine to improve engine performance and reduce fuel consumption comprising the steps of:

a) determining a total length for each exhaust channel;

b) positioning one set of two exhaust channels with headers having a first trajectory on one side of the heat exchanger arrangement which communicates directly through one endplate of the heat exchanger box and traverses a distance to an opposite endplate on an opposite side prior to bending the first set of two exhaust channels approximately 180°

to reverse the direction of each channel and into the exit portion of the heat exchanger box on the one side, forming one set of two exhaust channels;

c) positioning a second set of two exhaust channels with headers having a second trajectory, the second trajectory having a greater length than the first trajectory, on the opposite side of the heat exchanger arrangement, the headers having a second trajectory are bent into a U turn before communicating directly through the opposite endplate of the heat exchanger box and traversing a distance to the one endplate of the heat exchanger box on the one side, forming a second set of two exhaust channels;

d) creating an exit portion of the heat exchanger box wherein both the first set of exhaust channels and the second set of exhaust channels empty into a single the collector; and

e) adding an exhaust tube having a muffler connected to the single collector for noise attenuation.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger arrangement is wider to a first side to accommodate four exhaust channels in the collection assembly and narrower to the second side opposite the first side to accommodate two exhaust channels.

3. A method for tuning a sound attenuated, exhaust system of a four-cylinder aircraft engine to improve engine performance and reduce fuel consumption comprising the steps of:

a) positioning one set of two exhaust channels with headers having a first trajectory on one side of a heat exchanger arrangement which communicates directly through one endplate of a heat exchanger box and traverses a distance to an opposite endplate on an opposite side prior to bending the first set of two exhaust channels approximately 180°

to reverse the direction of each channel and into the exit portion of the heat exchanger box on the one side, forming one set of two exhaust channels;

b) positioning a second set of two exhaust channels with headers having a second trajectory, the second trajectory having a different length than the first trajectory, on the opposite side of the heat exchanger arrangement, the headers having a second trajectory are bent into a U turn before communicating directly through the opposite endplate of the heat exchanger box and traversing a distance to the one endplate of the heat exchanger box on the one side, forming a second set of two exhaust channels; and

c) emptying the first set of exhaust channels and the second set of exhaust channels into a collector.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of:

connecting a muffler connected to the collector for noise attenuation.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the second trajectory has a greater length than the first trajectory.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the heat exchanger arrangement is wider to a first side to accommodate four exhaust channels in the collection assembly and narrower to the second side opposite the first side to accommodate two exhaust channels.

7. A method for tuning a sound attenuated, exhaust system of a plural-cylinder aircraft engine to improve engine performance and reduce fuel consumption comprising the steps of:

a) positioning a set of exhaust channels with headers having a first trajectory on one side of a heat exchanger arrangement which communicates directly through one endplate of a heat exchanger box and traverses a distance to an opposite endplate on an opposite side prior to bending the first set of exhaust channels approximately 180°

to reverse the direction of each channel and into the exit portion of the heat exchanger box on the one side, forming a set of exhaust channels;

b) positioning another set of exhaust channels with headers having a second trajectory, the second trajectory having a different length than the first trajectory, on th e opposite side of the heat exchanger arrangement, the headers having a second trajectory are bent into a U turn before communicating directly through the opposite endplate of the heat exchanger box and traversing a distance to the one endplate of the heat exchanger box on the one side, forming another set of exhaust channels; and

c) emptying the set and the another set of exhaust channels into a collector.