Muffler with variable acoustic properties

• US 7,182,171 B2
• Filed: 04/27/2004
• Issued: 02/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Heinrich Gillet GmbH (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Heinrich Gillet GmbH (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hirschberger, Katja, Burkart, Michael, Fuhrmann, Bernd, Weinert, Rico, Schinko, Alexander
• Primary Examiner(s): Martin; Edgardo San
• Application Number:
  US10/833,648
• Publication Number:
  US 20040216950A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,036 Days
• Field of Search: 181/237, 181/236, 181/241, 181/254, 181/271, 603/24, 603/22, 603/12
• US Class Current: 181/237
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 1/16 by using movable parts
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 1/165 for adjusting flow area
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 13/14 having thermal insulation exhaust manifolds F01N13/102
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7925 Piston-type valves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7929 Spring coaxial with valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7935 Head slides on guide-rod concentric with spring

Abstract

A muffler with variable acoustic properties. A pressure cell with a diaphragm, a spring, a piston, a piston rod, a closing element on the piston rod, and a pressure connection line are integrated into a housing. The diaphragm is thermally insulated against the piston rod. Another layer of thermal insulation is provided between the closing element and the pressure cell.

Claims

1. A muffler with variable acoustic properties for pulsating gases, comprising:

a housing;

pipes integrated in the housing;

an exhaust gas valve integrated in the housing, the exhaust gas valve having a pressure cell containing a diaphragm, a spring, a piston, a piston rod, a closing element on the piston rod, and a pressure connection line;

a guide bushing arranged in the housing for the piston rod, the closing element being moveably arranged so as to close off one of the pipes to a greater or lesser extent;

the diaphragm being thermally insulated against the piston rod by two insulating disks arranged so as to thermally insulate the diaphragm against the piston and the piston rod, and a layer of thermal insulation located between the closing element and the pressure cell;

wherein the layer of thermal insulation is enclosed by a protective housing; and

wherein the pressure connection line is integrated into the piston rod.

2. The muffler according to claim 1, wherein the piston has a low-pressure side connected to outside atmosphere.

3. The muffler according to claim 1, wherein the piston rod, the diaphragm, the piston, the insulating disks, and the spring form a package that is supported on a wire with freedom of axial movement.