Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.

Delphi Technologies, Inc.

Middleville Tool and Die Company

Stephen M Thomas

Danny D Alexander

Eric Grant

John M Lowry

Larry Joseph Geer

Matthew L Roessle

Rick J Simpson

Keith G Olivier

Ryan A Floyd

William E Hill

Jeremy D Popovich

Erwin Peters

James J Reynolds, Iii

Roshan Rodrigues

David Hammer

Christopher Otto

Alison Chambers

Sean Keidel

William J LaBarge

Haskell Simpkins

Manoj K Sampath

Thomas Mallin

Theodore J Tarabulski

Gabriel Ostromecki

Jeffrey Michael Broderick

Robert Leroy Middleton, Jr

Frederick M Baumgartner

Joseph G Ralph

Michael L Shovels

Bradley Blair Walworth

Garrick Robert Zuver

David L Anderson

Scott M Martin

R Gifford Broderick

Justin Tyler Middleton

P Robert Santangeli

Asela Benthara-Wadumesthrige

Erwin Albert Peters, Iii

Michael Wenk

James Reynolds

Samuel Hiss

Collin Sullivan

Justin T Middleton

Erwin Albert Iii Peters

Robert L Middleton

Robert Leroy Middleton Sr

Robert Leroy Middleton Jr

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 valve assembly for an exhaust system of a vehicle comprises a housing defining an inlet, an outlet, and a longitudinally extending exhaust gas passageway in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet. The valve assembly further comprises a valve flap disposed in the housing and rotatable between a first position restricting exhaust gas flow through the exhaust gas passageway, and a second position whereat exhaust gas flow through the exhaust gas passageway is less restricted. A mass damper is disposed within the exhaust gas passageway and attached to the valve flap. The mass damper includes end portions and an intermediate portion disposed between the end portions with the intermediate portion having a thickness that is greater than a thickness of the end portions. The mass damper is positioned proximate an inner surface of the housing and positioned between the valve flap and the housing when the valve flap is at the second position.

Valve assembly for exhaust system

A valve assembly for an exhaust system of a vehicle. The valve assembly includes a first housing, a second housing, a valve flap and a spring. The first housing defines an inlet, an outlet, and an exhaust gas passageway in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet. The second housing is attached to the first housing and defines a compartment. The valve flap is rotatable between a first position restricting exhaust gas flow through the exhaust gas passageway, and a second position whereat exhaust gas flow through the exhaust gas passageway is allowed. The spring is disposed in the compartment and out of the exhaust gas passageway. The spring engages the valve flap to bias the valve flap toward the first position.

Externally mounted in-line exhaust gas valve

A valve assembly for an exhaust system of a vehicle. The valve assembly includes a housing, a valve shaft and a valve plate. The housing defines an inlet, an outlet, and a longitudinally exhaust gas passageway in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet. The valve shaft is rotatable. The valve plate is coupled to the valve shaft and is rotatable between a first position restricting exhaust gas flow through the exhaust gas passageway, and a second position whereat exhaust gas flow through the exhaust gas passageway is less restricted. The first housing includes spaced apart ears integral with and laterally extending from the first housing. The ears opposing each other. The shaft includes an axis of rotation being positioned at the ears and outside of the exhaust gas passageway.

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.

Exhaust valve damper

A valve assembly for an exhaust system of a vehicle. The valve assembly includes a housing, a valve flap and a mass damper. The housing defines an inlet, an outlet, and a longitudinally extending exhaust gas passageway in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet. The valve flap is disposed in the housing and is rotatable between a first position restricting exhaust gas flow through the exhaust gas passageway, and a second position whereat exhaust gas flow through the exhaust gas passageway is less restricted. The mass damper is disposed within the exhaust gas passageway. The mass damper is attached to the valve flap and comprise of a material having a high density. The mass damper is shielded from the exhaust gas flowing through the exhaust gas passageway when the valve flap is in the second position.

A damper valve assembly for an exhaust system of a vehicle includes a valve housing and a valve flap. The valve housing is adapted to be attached to a pipe of the exhaust system and defines an opening. The valve flap is rotatable relative to the valve housing and about a pivot axis between a first position whereat fluid flow through the opening of the valve housing is restricted and a second position whereat fluid flow through the opening of the valve housing is allowed. The valve flap includes a body and a mass damper. The mass damper is integral with the body and includes a plurality of segments that are folded so that the plurality of segments are in a stacked arrangement.

Damper valve assembly

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 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 subassemblies supporting the shaft are disposed within the slots between the second conduit and the closed slot ends. Each of the first and second bushing subassemblies includes an alignment system in the form of protrusions that limit insertion of the first and second bushing subassemblies into the first and second slot to a single orientation.

Alignment system for slotted snap-action valve assembly for exhaust system

A passive exhaust valve assembly includes an exhaust conduit that has a first pipe section attached in generally axial alignment with a second pipe section. The end portion of the first pipe section includes a circumferential segment disposed within the end portion of the second pipe section to form an overlapping interface. The end portions of the first and second pipe sections each include a flange protruding radially outward from the respective first or second pipe section, whereby the flanges engage with each other to form an axle seat therebetween. A support shaft extends laterally across an interior volume of the exhaust conduit and rotatably engages the axle seat. A valve plate is coupled to the support shaft within the interior volume of the exhaust conduit for moving relative to the exhaust conduit between open and closed positions.

Passive exhaust valve assembly with overlapping slip joint and method of forming and installation

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

A snap-action valve assembly includes a valve flap positioned within a conduit for controlling exhaust flow through the conduit. A shaft supports the valve flap in the conduit for rotation about a pivot axis between a closed position and an open position. A guide is fixed to the valve flap. A torsion spring is positioned at least partially outside the conduit and includes a first end restricted from rotation in at least one direction. The torsion spring includes a second end coupled to the guide. The torsion spring is preloaded to urge the valve flap into contact with an inner surface of the conduit when the valve flap is in the closed position.

Passive exhaust valve with dual torsion spring

A snap-action valve assembly for an exhaust system includes a valve flap positioned within a conduit. A shaft supports the valve flap in the conduit for rotation about a pivot axis between a closed position and an open position. A roller is supported for rotation on a post. The post is fixed to the shaft by a lever arm. A torsion spring includes a first end coupled to the conduit and a second end coupled to the roller. The torsion spring is preloaded to urge the valve flap into contact with an inner surface of the conduit when the valve flap is in the closed position. A method of assembling the snap-action valve assembly with a predetermined spring preload torque is also discussed.

Passive exhaust valve with external torsion spring

An injector for injecting a reagent includes an axially translatable valve member positioned within a housing. An electromagnet is positioned within the housing and includes a coil of wire positioned proximate the valve member such that the valve member moves between a seated position and an unseated position relative to an orifice in response to energizing the electromagnet. A connector coupled to the housing includes an inlet tube concentrically aligned with and surrounding a return tube. The inlet tube is adapted to receive pressurized reagent from a source of reagent. The return tube is adapted to return reagent to the source.

Coaxial flow injector

An injector for injecting a reagent includes an axially translatable valve member positioned within a housing. An electromagnet is positioned within the housing and includes a cylindrically-shaped coil of wire. The valve member moves between a seated position and an unseated position in response to energizing the electromagnet. A flux sleeve passes through the coil and includes two magnetic portions interconnected by a flux bridge portion or a flux break portion. Each of the magnetic portions is aligned with transverse planes defined by the ends of the cylindrical coil. The flux bridge portion or flux break portion is axially positioned between the transverse planes.

Electromagnetically controlled injector having flux bridge and flux break

Growing community of inventors

Laingsburg, MI, United States of America

Stephen M Thomas