Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.

Garrick Robert Zuver

Frederick M Baumgartner

Stephen M Thomas

Danny D Alexander

Lawrence J Noren, Iv

Charles Louis Bell

A vehicle exhaust system includes a tubular component having an inner surface and an outer surface such that the inner surface defines a primary exhaust gas flow path and wherein the tubular component extends along a central axis from an inlet end to an outlet end. The tubular component comprises at least one ridge along the central axis. The at least one ridge extends at least partly along a circumference of the tubular component. Each ridge includes a first portion angularly devoid of apertures and extending inwardly from the tubular component and a second portion disposed downstream of the first portion. The second portion is angularly devoid of apertures and extends inwardly from the tubular component. The tubular component also includes a plurality of spaced apertures positioned along a portion of the circumference of the tubular component and downstream of the second portion.

Vehicle exhaust system

An exhaust device includes a housing, first and second pipes, and a spacer. The first and second pipes are at least partially disposed within the housing. The first and second pipes include respective first and second surfaces. A portion of the second pipe is disposed inside the first pipe. The first and second surfaces cooperate to define an annular volume into which the spacer is disposed to prevent direct communication between the first and second pipes. One of the first and second pipes is fluidly connected to an exhaust gas inlet. The other of the first and second pipes is fluidly connected to an exhaust gas outlet. One of the first and second surfaces defines a radial indentation. The other of the first and second surfaces defines a radial protrusion. The spacer is disposed at least partially within the radial indentation and is in direct communication with the radial protrusion.

Exhaust device with noise suppression system

A vehicle exhaust system includes a tubular component having an inner surface and an outer surface such that the inner surface defines a primary exhaust gas flow path. The tubular component extends along a central axis from an inlet end to an outlet end. The tubular component includes at least one ridge extending at least partly along a circumference of the tubular component. The at least one ridge includes a first portion angularly extending inwardly from the tubular component, and a second portion disposed downstream of the first portion. The second portion angularly extends inwardly from the tubular component. In some cases, the second portion defines a plurality of openings extending therethrough and spaced apart from each other. In some cases, the tubular component defines a plurality of tube openings disposed downstream of the at least one ridge.

A snap-action valve assembly for an exhaust system is provided with a conduit that defines 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 and allows the valve flap to rotate between closed and open positions. A mass damper, positioned outside the conduit, includes a longitudinal segment that is rotatably coupled to the shaft and that extends between first and second coiled ends. The longitudinal segment includes an inboard side and an outboard side. The first and second coiled ends include a series of overlapping layers arranged in either a folded serpentine shape or a spiral shape.

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Brooklyn, MI, United States of America

Garrick Robert Zuver