Ocv Intellectual Capital, LLC

Owens Corning Composites Sprl

Owens Corning Intellectual Capital, LLC

Luc J L Brandt

Leon Charlier

Norman T Huff

Peter B Van De Flier

Achim J Reinartz

Methods and systems for filling a muffler body with a fibrous material prior to completing assembly of the muffler body are disclosed.

Methods and systems for filling mufflers with fibrous material

Methods and systems for filling a muffler body with a fibrous material prior to completing assembly of the muffler body are disclosed. The muffler body is composed of two half shells and the fibrous material is injected between the shells by a filling nozzle.

A device for texturizing strand material into a wool-type product includes outer and inner nozzle sections. The outer and inner nozzle sections interface and define a passage through which the strand material travels. A locking device in the inner nozzle section is operable to selectively stop movement of the strand material. The locking device includes a seal holder that positions a sealing member within the inner nozzle section to prevent debris from entering the inner nozzle section, thereby promoting continued effective operation of the locking device. The outer nozzle section includes an end nozzle assembly including a hardened outlet tube. The hardened outlet tube is distinct from the outer nozzle section and, thus, can be repaired or replaced independently of the outer nozzle section.

Apparatus for texturizing strand material

A method for filling a muffler with a fibrous material is disclosed. The muffler includes partitions which form a first chamber and second chamber, and a first muffler pipe having an outlet end. A filling aperture at one end of the second muffler pipe is positioned in the first muffler chamber. The second muffler pipe has a filling sleeve therein, the filling sleeve having a filling discharge opening that coordinates with the filling aperture of the second muffler pipe. The first muffler chamber is filled with fibrous material by applying a vacuum source to the first muffler pipe, which draws the fibrous material through the filling aperture. The filling aperture of the second muffler pipe is then positioned into the second muffler chamber, and the second muffler chamber is filled in the same manner as the first muffler chamber. The filling sleeve is then removed from the second muffler pipe.

Method for filling a muffler cavity

The present invention provides composite muffler systems formed of a long fiber thermoplastic. Long fiber thermoplastic technology allows the fibers, to maintain a length sufficient to provide structural strength at lower fiber loading. The long fiber thermoplastic material for forming composite muffler systems also provides increased impact strength and creep resistance as well as chemical and thermal resistance. Mufflers molded with long fiber thermoplastics demonstrate improved dimensional stability as compared to known short fiber based moldings. One suitable muffler structure is a multi-piece muffler assembly including at least one long fiber thermoplastic shell section. In accordance with the present invention, the long fiber thermoplastic material and moldings may also be combined with over-molding of preforms of unidirectional or woven inlays, which provide local structural performance. The use of such preforms is particularly suited to use in the manufacture of high temperature, structural articles such as bumper muffler combinations.

Long fiber thermoplastic composite muffler system with integrated reflective chamber

A process is provided for filling a muffler shell with fibrous material. It comprises the step of providing a muffler shell comprising one or more muffler shell outer parts which define an internal cavity and an internal structure adapted to extend at least part way through the shell internal cavity and having one or more openings adapted to communicate with the shell internal cavity. The process further comprises the step of providing a bag filled with fibrous material. The bag has a first side with one or more first perforations defining a first side total open area and a second side with either no perforations or one or more second perforations defining a second side total open area. The first open area is greater than the second open area. The process also comprises the steps of positioning the fibrous material-filled bag adjacent the internal structure such that the first side is nearest to the internal structure, and drawing a partial vacuum through the internal structure, the partial vacuum drawing the fibrous-filled bag inwardly towards the internal structure.

Muffler shell filling process and muffler filled with fibrous material

A process is provided for filling a muffler shell with fibrous material. The process involves providing a muffler shell comprising first and second muffler shell outer parts which define an internal cavity when coupled together and an internal structure adapted to extend at least part way through the shell internal cavity and having one or more openings communicating with the shell internal cavity. The process further comprises the steps of: providing a perforated tool having opposing first and second surfaces; providing a vacuum apparatus which is adapted to receive the perforated tool and apply a partial vacuum to the first surface of the tool; placing a sheet adjacent the second surface of the perforated tool; applying a partial vacuum to the first surface of the tool via the vacuum apparatus so as to draw the sheet against the tool second surface; placing the internal structure adjacent the tool; placing the first muffler shell outer part adjacent the tool such that the tool and the first part define a temporary inner cavity; feeding fibrous material into the temporary inner cavity; deactivating the vacuum apparatus; drawing a partial vacuum through the internal structure so as to draw the fibrous material and the sheet toward the internal structure; separating the first muffler shell outer part, the internal structure, the fibrous material and the sheet from the tool; and coupling the second muffler shell part to the first muffler shell part.

Growing community of inventors

Henri-Chapelle, Belgium

Luc J L Brandt