High-performance muffler assembly with multiple modes of operation

• US 7,673,720 B2
• Filed: 03/02/2007
• Issued: 03/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pacbrake
• Original Assignee: Pacbrake
• Inventors: Meneely, Vincent A., Sebring, Brad, Gavril, Gabriel
• Primary Examiner(s): Donels; Jeffrey
• Assistant Examiner(s): Phillips; Forrest M
• Application Number:
  US11/713,106
• Publication Number:
  US 20070227807A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,103 Days
• Field of Search: 181/254, 181/237, 181/227, 181/212
• US Class Current: 181/254
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 1/02 by using resonance
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 1/084 the gases flowing through the silencer two or more times longitudinally in opposite directions, e.g. using parallel or concentric tubes
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 1/089 using two or more expansion chambers in series F01N1/083, F01N1/084, F01N1/086 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 1/165 for adjusting flow area
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 1/166 for changing gas flow path through the silencer or for adjusting the dimensions of a chamber or a pipe F01N1/165 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 1/168 for controlling or modifying silencing characteristics only
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2210/04 Throttling-expansion and resonance
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2230/02 Exhaust filters

Abstract

A high-performance muffler assembly for exhaust system of an internal combustion engine. The muffler assembly comprises an elongated casing having an inlet port and an exit port, a first pipe disposed within the casing and having an inlet end in fluid communication with the inlet port and an outlet end selectively fluidly connected to the exit port of the casing, and a first valve mounted within the casing. The first valve is selectively movable between a closed position and an open position for regulating an exhaust gas flow through the first pipe. The muffler assembly is operable in a number of different modes of operation including a high-performance mode, an exhaust braking mode, a reverse-flow mode, etc., determined by the positions of the first valve of the muffler assembly.

Claims

1. A muffler assembly for an internal combustion engine, said muffler assembly comprising:

an elongated casing having an inlet port and an exit port, said casing including a continuous outer wall extending along a central axis of said casing between a front wall defining said inlet port and a rear wall defining said exit port;

a first pipe disposed within said casing and having an inlet end in fluid communication with said inlet port and an outlet end selectively fluidly connected to said exit port of said casing;

a first valve mounted within said casing, said first valve being selectively movable between a dosed position and an open position for regulating an exhaust gas flow through said first pipe;

a pressure relief valve disposed inside said casing upstream of said first valve,

said pressure relief valve being selectively movable between a closed position and an open position for selectively fluidly connecting said inlet end of said first pipe to said exit port by bypassing said first valve, and said pressure relief valve moves into said open position when a pressure of exhaust gas acting on said pressure relief valve is higher than a predetermined value;

a second valve mounted within said casing downstream of said first valve, said second valve being selectively movable between a closed position and an open position for preventing exhaust gas flow through said outlet end of said first pipe when said second valve is in said closed position;

second and third pipes disposed within said casing and radially spaced from said first pipe; and

first, second and third baffle plates dividing an internal cavity within said casing into a resonant chamber, an inlet chamber and a reverse-flow chamber;

said first baffle plate axially spaced from said rear wall and disposed adjacent to

said outlet end of said first pipe to define said resonant chamber within said casing between said first baffle plate and said rear wall of said casing so that said outlet end of said first pipe being closed to said resonant chamber and an outlet end of said second pipe being open to said resonant chamber;

said second baffle plate axially spaced from said front wall to define said inlet chamber within said casing between said second baffle plate and said front wall of said casing so that inlet ends of said second and third pipes being open to said inlet chamber;

said third baffle plate disposed between said first and second baffle plates in axially spaced relationship to define said reverse-flow chamber within said casing between said first and third baffle plates so that an outlet end of said second pipe being open to said reverse-flow chamber;

said first pipe having a bypass aperture downstream said first valve and open to said reverse-flow chamber; and

said inlet end of said first pipe fluidly connected to said inlet chamber when said pressure relief valve being in said open position.

2. The muffler assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said muffler assembly is operable in a straight flow mode when both said first and second valves are in said open position.

3. The muffler assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said muffler assembly is operable in said exhaust braking mode when both said first and second valves are in said closed position.

4. The muffler assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said muffler assembly is operable in a reverse flow mode when said first valve is said open position and said second valve is in said closed position.

5. The muffler assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said muffler assembly is operable in a warm-up mode when said first valve is in said closed position and said second valve is in said open position.

6. A muffler assembly for an internal combustion engine, said muffler assembly comprising:

an elongated casing having an inlet port and an exit port, said casing including a continuous outer wail extending along a central axis of said casing between a front wall defining said inlet port and a rear wall defining said exit port;

a first pipe disposed within said casing and having an inlet end in fluid communication with said inlet port and an outlet end selectively fluidly connected to said exit port of said casing;

a first valve mounted within said casing, said first valve being selectively movable between a closed position and an open position for regulating an exhaust gas flow though said first pipe;

a pressure relief valve disposed inside said casing upstream of said first valve,

said pressure relief valve being selectively movable between a closed position and an open position for selectively fluidly connecting said inlet end of said first pipe to said exit port by bypassing said first valve, said pressure relief valve moving into said open position when a pressure of exhaust gas acting on said pressure relief valve being higher than a predetermined value;

second and third pipes disposed within said casing and radially spaced from said first pipe; and

first, second and third baffle plates dividing an internal cavity within said casing into a resonant chamber, an inlet chamber and a reverse-flow chamber;

said first baffle plate axially spaced from said rear wall and disposed adjacent to said outlet end of said first pipe to define said resonant chamber within said casing between said first baffle plate and said rear wall of said casing so that said outlet end of said first pipe being closed to said resonant chamber and an outlet end of said second pipe being open to said resonant chamber;

said second baffle plate axially spaced from said front wall to define said inlet chamber within said casing between said second baffle plate and said front wail of said easing so that inlet ends of said second and third pipes being open to said inlet chamber;

said third baffle plate disposed between said first and second baffle plates in axially spaced relationship to define said reverse-flow chamber within said casing between said first and third baffle plates so that an outlet end of said second pipe being open to said reverse-flow chamber;

said first pipe having a bypass aperture downstream said first valve and open to said reverse-flow chamber; and

said inlet end of said first pipe fluidly connected to said inlet chamber when said pressure relief valve being in said open position.

7. The muffler assembly as defined in claim 6, wherein said first valve is disposed adjacent to said pressure relief valve and said inlet end of said first pipe.

8. The muffler assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein said muffler assembly is operable in an exhaust braking mode when said first valve is in said closed position.

9. The muffler assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein said muffler assembly is operable in a reverse flow mode when said first valve is in said open position.