Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.

Erwin Peters

Kevin R Reeder

Michael A Golin

Stephen M Thomas

William E Hill

Larry Joseph Geer

Douglas Wang

Bala Subramanian Gurusamy

Mickey Neal

Andy Porter

Keith Pieniazek

Matthew Anderson

Dennis Mellon

Michael Stebli

Dan Eggleston

Mike Stebli

A snap-action valve assembly for an exhaust system and a method for manufacturing the same is provided. The valve assembly includes a first conduit and a second conduit that is partially received in the first conduit. A valve flap is disposed within the first conduit for controlling exhaust flow. A shaft supports the valve flap in the first conduit for rotation between open and closed positions. The first conduit has first and second slots, each extending from an open slot end to a closed slot end. First and second bushings supporting the shaft are disposed within the slots between the second conduit and the closed slot ends. A pad made of wire mesh is attached to the valve flap. The pad includes an end portion that contacts the first conduit in the closed position to dampen vibration and reduce valve flap flutter.

Slotted snap-action valve assembly for exhaust system

A snap-action valve assembly for an exhaust system is provided that includes a first conduit and a second conduit that are joined to together to define an exhaust passageway. A valve flap is disposed within the exhaust passageway for controlling exhaust flow. A shaft supports the valve flap in the exhaust passageway for rotation between open and closed positions. First and second bushings support the shaft. A pad made of wire mesh is attached to the valve flap. The pad includes an end portion that contacts the first or second conduit in the closed position and side wings that contact the first or second conduit in the open position. A resilient tongue may support the pad on an angle relative to the valve flap and a mass damper may be attached to one end of the shaft. These features dampen vibration and reduce valve flap flutter.

Flutter dampened exhaust valve

An assembly may include first and second components and a service flange. The first component has a first opening. The second component has a second opening in communication with the first opening. The service flange may be mounted to the first component such that the first component is disposed between the service flange and the second component. The service flange extends around the periphery of the first opening and may include a plurality of separate and discrete segments that are individually secured to the first component. Adjacent segments define joints that movably connect the segments together while allowing for relative movement between the segments before the first component is secured to the second component. The segments include mounting apertures spaced apart from the joints and receiving fasteners configured to fixedly secure the first component to the second component. Each fastener only engages a single segment of the service flange.

Exhaust system having segmented service flange

An exhaust after-treatment system includes an exhaust inlet, an exhaust outlet, and an array of exhaust treatment components disposed in a housing. The housing includes a first connection flange securing the housing to the inlet, a second connection flange securing the housing to the outlet, and a third flange positioned between the first and second flanges. A mounting device is secured to the third flange to independently support the housing relative to the inlet and the outlet.

Exhaust component mounting structure

An exhaust after-treatment system including a first exhaust treatment device having a first mounting surface and a second mounting surface, and a second exhaust treatment device and a third mounting surface and a fourth mounting surface. A first mounting structure is attached to the first mounting surface of the first exhaust treatment device, and a second mounting structure attached to the third mounting surface of the second exhaust treatment device, wherein the second and fourth mounting surfaces are secured to each other.

Growing community of inventors

Cement City, MI, United States of America

Erwin Peters