Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.

Gabriel Ostromecki

Michael A Golin

Brett Herwat

Keith Bartu

Frederick M Baumgartner

Jeremy D Popovich

Stephen M Thomas

Bradley Blair Walworth

Jason C Johnson

Isidro Hernandez

Ankit Barot

Asela Benthara-Wadumesthrige

Nicholas Reding

A muffler assembly for a vehicle exhaust system including a muffler that has a primary muffler conduit with a primary resonator, a secondary muffler conduit with a secondary resonator, and a valve that directs exhaust flow through both the primary and secondary muffler conduits or primarily through the secondary muffler conduit depending on the position of the valve. The muffler provides a first level of sound attenuation when the valve is in an open position and a second level of sound attenuation when the valve is in a closed position. The second level of sound attenuation is greater than the first level of sound attenuation and therefore the muffler provides a louder exhaust sound when the valve is in the open position and a quieter exhaust sound when the valve is in the closed position.

Dual mode muffler

A vehicle exhaust system includes a tubular component defining a primary exhaust gas flow path with a primary exhaust gas outlet. At least one opening is defined by the tubular component and extends through an inner surface and an outer surface of the tubular component. A plate is disposed on the outer surface of tubular component and covers the at least one opening. A secondary exhaust gas flow path is defined by the at least one opening in the tubular component, through a plurality of elongated flow channels, and through the outlet opening defined by the plate. The exhaust gases flowing through the secondary exhaust gas flow path are exhausted to atmosphere in a different location than the primary outlet.

Vehicle exhaust system

A vehicle exhaust system and method of minimizing a leaked mass flow comprising an exhaust component defining a central axis and having an inner surface and an outer surface, such that the inner surface defines a primary exhaust gas flow path extending along the central axis from an inlet to an outlet, and a surface component having a hood spaced from the exhaust component to define a reservoir having a reservoir volume (V), the reservoir comprising a reservoir inlet fluidly coupled to the primary exhaust gas flow path and defining an inlet area (A), and a reservoir outlet fluidly coupled to an outside environment. The reservoir volume and inlet area having a defined relationship. The reservoir volume and a mass flow through the inlet area having a defined relationship.

Surface component for vehicle exhaust system

A vehicle exhaust system for allowing passage of exhaust gasses therethrough. The vehicle exhaust system has a first pipe having a first end and a second end. The first end defines an exhaust gas inlet and the second end defines an exhaust gas outlet. The vehicle exhaust system also has a second pipe positioned downstream of the first pipe and has a third end and a fourth end. At least a portion of the second end of first pipe is positioned within the third end of the second pipe defining an overlap between the second end of the first pipe and the third end of the second pipe. The first pipe and the second pipe together define a volume for the exhaust gasses. The volume comprises a first volume passageway between the exhaust gas inlet and the exhaust gas outlet and a second volume passageway defined by the overlap of the second pipe and the first pipe and having an inlet for exhaust gasses into the second volume passageway and an outlet from the second volume passageway positioned axially upstream of inlet. The inlet is positioned downstream of the exhaust gas outlet

A muffler for receiving exhaust gas from a combustion engine comprises a shell, first and second inlet pipes each having outlets providing exhaust gas to a mixing chamber within the shell, a first chamber and a second chamber positioned within the shell and a pair of communication pipes each including an inlet receiving exhaust gas from the mixing chamber. Each communication pipe includes an outlet providing exhaust to the second chamber. Each of the communication pipes further includes a Helmholtz opening positioned downstream of the mixing chamber. The Helmholtz openings are open to the first chamber.

Acoustically tuned muffler

A vehicle exhaust system includes a tubular component having an inner surface and an outer surface. The vehicle exhaust system also includes at least one opening defined by the tubular component. The at least one opening extends through each of the inner surface and the outer surface. The vehicle exhaust system further includes a patch adapted to cover the at least one opening. The patch includes a first portion extending parallel to the central axis. The first portion defines a plurality of pores. The first portion covers the at least one opening. The patch also includes a second portion extending away from the first portion. The first portion has a first thickness and the second portion has a second thickness.

A vehicle exhaust system includes a tubular component defining a primary exhaust gas flow path. At least one opening defined by the tubular component extends through an inner surface and an outer surface of the tubular component. A patch covers the at least one opening. The patch includes a plate disposed on the tubular component. The plate defines at least one flow channel to receive exhaust gases from the at least one opening and impart at least one directional change to the received exhaust gases. The plate further defines at least one outlet opening adapted to receive exhaust gases from the flow channel. A secondary exhaust gas flow path is defined through the at least one opening in the tubular component, the flow channel defined by the plate, and the outlet opening defined by the plate.

A muffler may include a shell, first and second baffles, an inlet pipe, first and second outlet pipes, and a communication pipe. The first and second baffles cooperate with the shell to define first, second and third chambers. The first inlet pipe may extend through the shell and may provide exhaust gas to at least one of the first and second chambers. Exhaust gas in the first chamber exits the muffler through the first outlet pipe. Exhaust gas in the second chamber exits the muffler through the second outlet pipe. The communication pipe may include first, second and third openings. The first opening is in communication with the first chamber. The second opening is in communication with the second chamber. The third opening is in communication with the third chamber. The first and second chambers may be in communication with the third chamber through the communication pipe.

A muffler for receiving exhaust gas from a combustion engine may include a shell, an inlet pipe, at least one outlet pipe, one or more baffles, and an internal communication pipe. The inlet pipe may extend through the shell. The outlet pipe may be in fluid communication with the inlet pipe and may be at least partially disposed within the shell. The baffles are disposed within the shell and cooperate with the shell to define a plurality of chambers. The internal communication pipe may be disposed entirely within the shell and may be in fluid communication with the inlet pipe. The internal communication pipe may include an inlet opening and first and outlet openings. The first outlet opening is open to and in direct fluid communication with one of the chambers. The second outlet opening is open to and in direct fluid communication with another one of the chambers.

A vehicle exhaust system includes a tubular component which allow passage of exhaust gases therethrough. The tubular component includes an upstream pipe having a first end and a second end. The tubular component further includes a downstream pipe having a third end and a fourth end. The third end of the downstream pipe at least partially encloses the second end of the upstream pipe such that the upstream pipe and the downstream pipe together define a junction region and the fourth end defines a primary exhaust gas flow path. The downstream pipe at least partially defines an opening within the junction region such that the opening provides a secondary exhaust gas flow path.

An exhaust system for receiving exhaust gas from an engine of a vehicle includes first, second, and third exhaust components, and first and second pipes. The first and second exhaust components are each adapted to receive exhaust gas from the engine. The first pipe has a first inlet, and first and second outlets. The first inlet is adapted to receive exhaust gas from the first exhaust component. The second pipe has a second inlet, and third and fourth outlets. The second inlet is adapted to receive exhaust gas from the second exhaust component. The third exhaust component is disposed downstream of and laterally between the first and second exhaust components. The third exhaust component has third and fourth inlets, and fifth and sixth outlets. The third inlet is fluidly connected to the first outlet. The fourth inlet is fluidly connected to the third outlet.

Reduced length exhaust system with valve

An exhaust assembly includes first and second exhaust devices, and first, second, and third mufflers that are disposed at first, second, third, fourth, and fifth heights, respectively. The first and second heights are greater than the third, fourth, and fifth heights. The first muffler includes a first housing, first and second inlets, and first and second outlets. The first inlet receives exhaust gas from at least one of the first and second exhaust devices. The second inlet receives exhaust gas from at least one of the first and second exhaust devices. The first and second inlets and first and second outlets all fluidly connected. The second muffler includes a second housing, a third inlet that receives exhaust gas from the first outlet, and a third outlet. The third muffler includes a third housing, a fourth inlet that receives exhaust gas from the second outlet, and a fourth outlet.

Muffler assembly including a center muffler and two satellite mufflers

A muffler assembly includes first, second, and third mufflers. The first muffler includes a first housing and an X-pipe that is at least partially disposed within the first housing. The X-pipe has first and second inlets and first and second outlets that are all fluidly connected to one another. The first and second inlets receive exhaust gas from the engine. The second muffler includes a second housing and a first Y-pipe that is at least partially disposed therein. The first Y-pipe has a third inlet that receives exhaust gas from the first outlet, and third and fourth outlets. The third muffler includes a third housing and a second Y-pipe that is at least partially disposed therein. The second Y-pipe has a fourth inlet that receives exhaust gas from the second outlet, and fifth and sixth outlets. The first, second, and third housings are spaced apart from one another.

Growing community of inventors

Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Gabriel Ostromecki