MUFFLER BAFFLE

• US 20110186379A1
• Filed: 11/02/2010
• Published: 08/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Rinehart Racing, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Rinehart Racing, Inc.
• Inventors: Rinehart, Gerald L.
• Application Number:
  US12/938,368
• Publication Number:
  US 20110186379A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 181/264
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 1/08 by reducing exhaust energy by throttling or whirling
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 1/083 using transversal baffles defining a tortuous path for the gases or successively throttling gas flow
• 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 13/082 of tailpipe, e.g. with means for mixing air with exhaust for exhaust cooling, dilution or evacuation F01N13/20 takes precedence

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved baffle for use in a muffler exhaust system and a system utilizing such baffle. The improved baffle comprises a first conduit portion having a first diameter, a second conduit portion having a second diameter, wherein the second diameter is greater than the first diameter, and a diameter step-up conduit connection portion having two ends, one that connects to the first conduit portion and the other that connects to the second conduit portion. The integrated baffle is disposed within the muffler of an exhaust system such that exhaust from an internal combustion engine enters the first conduit portion first, travels through the first conduit portion and then through the second conduit portion, and is then released into the air. Louvers disposed on the surface area of the first and second conduit portions reduce the noise of the engine while the step-up in diameter from the first conduit portion to the second conduit portion causes a pressure differential between the first conduit portion and the second conduit portion which lessens the back pressure applied on the engine and increases the performance and efficiency of the engine.

Claims

1. A baffle for use in the exhaust system of a combustion engine, comprising:

a first conduit portion having a first cross-sectional area and comprising an exhaust inlet end configured to receive exhaust from the combustion engine and a first connecting end opposite the exhaust inlet end;

a second conduit portion having a second cross-sectional area and comprising an exhaust outlet end and a second connecting end opposite the exhaust outlet end, wherein the second cross-sectional area is different than the first cross-sectional area; and

a step-up conduit connection portion disposed between the first conduit portion and the second conduit portion comprising a first end having the first cross-sectional area and a second end having the second cross-sectional area, wherein the first end of the step-up conduit connection portion is connected to the first connecting end of the first conduit portion and the second end of the step-up conduit connection portion is connected to the second connecting end of the second conduit portion.

2. A baffle according to claim 1 wherein the first conduit portion and the second conduit portion are formed of the same material.

3. A baffle according to claim 1 wherein the first conduit portion and the second conduit portion are formed of the same material.

4. A baffle according to claim 1 wherein the baffle comprises at least one material selected from the group comprising 1010 mild steel, aluminized 1010 mild steel and 304-L stainless steel.

5. A baffle according to claim 1 wherein the first cross-sectional area is greater than the second cross-sectional area.

6. A baffle according to claim 1 wherein the first cross-sectional area is greater than the second cross-sectional area.

7. A baffle according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the first conduit portion and the second conduit portion comprises a plurality of louvers.

8. A baffle according to claim 1 wherein the first conduit portion and the second conduit portion have different lengths.

10. An apparatus for a motorized vehicle powered by a combustion engine, comprising:

a muffler defining a first end and a second end and an interior passage between the first end and the second end;

a baffle secured within the interior passage of the muffler, the baffle comprising;

a first conduit portion having a first cross-sectional area and comprising an exhaust inlet end configured to receive exhaust from the combustion engine and a first connecting end opposite the exhaust inlet end, the exhaust inlet end being positioned adjacent to the first end of the muffler;

a second conduit portion having a second cross-sectional area and comprising an exhaust outlet end and a second connecting end opposite the exhaust outlet end, the exhaust outlet end being positioned adjacent the second end of the muffler, wherein the second cross-sectional area is different than the first cross-sectional area; and

a step-up conduit connection portion disposed between the first conduit portion and the second conduit portion comprising a first end having the first cross-sectional area and a second end having the second cross-sectional area, wherein the first end of the step-up conduit connection portion is connected to the first connecting end of the first conduit portion and the second end of the step-up conduit connection portion is connected to the second connecting end of the second conduit portion.

9. A baffle according to claim 10 wherein the length of the first conduit portion is less than the length of the second conduit portion.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the first conduit portion and the second conduit portion are formed of the same material.

12. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the first conduit portion and the second conduit portion are formed of the same material.

13. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the baffle comprises at least one material selected from the group comprising 1010 mild steel, aluminized 1010 mild steel and 304-L stainless steel.

14. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the first cross-sectional area is greater than the second cross-sectional area.

15. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the first cross-sectional area is greater than the second cross-sectional area.

16. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the first cross-sectional area is less than the second cross-sectional area.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the first cross-sectional area is less than the second cross-sectional area by up to approximately one (1) inch.

18. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein at least one of the first conduit portion and the second conduit portion comprises a plurality of louvers.

19. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the first conduit portion and the second conduit portion have different lengths.

20. An apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the length of the first conduit portion is less than the length of the second conduit portion.

21. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the first conduit portion, the second conduit portion and the step-up conduit connection portion are formed integrally together.