Multi-frequency quarter-wave resonator for an internal combustion engine

• US 9,726,125 B2
• Filed: 06/10/2016
• Issued: 08/08/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2014
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Mishra, Suman, Arteaga, Jose, Bozzi, Lloyd Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): San Martin, Edgardo
• Application Number:
  US15/178,870
• Publication Number:
  US 20160281660A1
• Time in Patent Office: 424 Days
• Field of Search: 181229, 181250, 181254, 181237, 181241, 12318453, 12318457, 12318455, 267166, 2671661, 267174, 267 69, 267 70, 267 71, 137628, 137613, 13761411, 13761419
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 11/02 characterised by hand, foot, or like operator controlled initiation means
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2009/0294 Throttle control device with provisions for actuating electric or electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 9/02 concerning induction conduits throttle valves, or arrangements thereof in conduits F02D9/08
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 35/10386 for flow rate air flow meters in air cleaners F02M35/021; circuit arrangements for generating control signals by measuring intake air flow F02D41/18
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 35/1222 by using adjustable or movable elements, e.g. valves, membranes, bellows, expanding or shrinking elements
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 35/1261 Helmholtz resonators
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 35/1294 Amplifying, modulating, tuning or transmitting sound, e.g. directing sound to the passenger cabin; Sound modulation

Abstract

A variable noise attenuation element is disclosed that comprises a tube, at least one valve seat, at least one valve body and a wire connected to the valve body. The tube has an overall length that defines a first effective length for noise attenuation. The valve seat is disposed in the tube. Retraction of the wire brings the valve body into engagement with the valve seat to selectively define a second effective length of the tube that is less than the overall length.

Claims

1. A method of selectively attenuating noise in a vehicle, comprising:

selectively retracting a wire connected to a valve body disposed within a hollow tube to move the valve body axially within the tube into sealed engagement with a valve seat within the tube to define a tube effective length that is less than an overall length of the tube to selectively vary the effective length of the tube in response to an engine operating parameter.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein moving the valve body into sealed engagement with the valve seat further comprises a controller that actuates to retract the wire that is connected to the valve body.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the controller causes a spring that is operatively connected to the valve body so as to normally bias the valve body away from the valve seat, to deflect.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the engine operating parameter is one of vehicle speed, mass air flow, accelerator pedal position and throttle body position.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising actuating a take-up mechanism that is connected to the wire to retract the wire through the tube.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein retracting the wire deflects a spring that is operatively connected to the valve body to move the valve body into engagement with the valve seat.

7. A method of attenuating vehicle noise, comprising:

selectively moving a valve body within a hollow tube having a closed sidewall into sealed engagement with a valve seat located a predetermined position within the tube to define a tube effective length that is less than an overall length of the tube to selectively vary the effective length of the tube in response to an engine operating parameter.

8. The method of claim 7, after moving the valve body within the hollow tube into sealed engagement with the valve seat, moving a second valve body within the hollow tube into sealed engagement with a second valve seat to define a second tube effective length that is less than the tube effective length.

9. A noise attenuation element for vehicles, comprising:

a tube having a closed sidewall and closed end, the tube defining an overall length;

a valve seat disposed in the tube; and

a valve body;

wherein the valve body is configured to move axially within the tube into sealed engagement with the valve seat defining a tube effective length that is less than the overall length.

10. The noise attenuation element of claim 9, wherein the valve seat is positioned at a predetermined location to define an attenuation frequency when the valve body is engaged with the valve seat.

11. The noise attenuation element of claim 9, wherein movement of the valve body within the tube is a function of a spring constant.

12. A method of selectively attenuating noise in a vehicle, comprising:

selectively retracting a wire connected to a valve body disposed within a hollow tube to move the valve body axially within the tube into sealed engagement with a valve seat within the tube to define a tube effective length that is less than an overall length of the tube to selectively vary the effective length of the tube in response to an engine operating parameter; and

continuing to retract the wire to move a second valve body axially within the tube into sealed engagement with a second valve seat within the tube to define a second tube effective length that is less than the tube effective length.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein continuing to retract the wire deflects a second spring that is operatively connected to the second valve body to move the second valve body into engagement with the second valve seat.