Exhaust system for an internal combustion engine

Details Exhaust system for an internal combustion engine Exhaust system for an internal combustion engine

1999-04-28

2001-01-02

Denion, Thomas (Department: 3748)

Power plants

Internal combustion engine with treatment or handling of...

By means producing a chemical reaction of a component of the...

C060S308000, C060S312000, C060S313000

Utility Patent

active

06167700

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an exhaust system for an internal combustion engine, particularly for installation in a motor vehicle.
The performance and efficiency of internal combustion engines depends heavily on the efficient movement of gases through the engine, from the introduction of air and atomized fuel into the cylinders of the engine, to exhaust of the products of combustion. The exhaust system plays an important role in this performance and efficiency, particularly where it is adapted to provide for low pressure downstream of the cylinders for “scavenging” the exhaust gases from the cylinders. Where scavenging is effective, power loss due to the need to “pump” exhaust gases out of the cylinders is lessened.
One known means for scavenging is to provide a tuned length of exhaust header tube, the length being predetermined in consideration of a desired speed of the engine at which it is desired to produce maximum power or efficiency, so that pressure waves inside the tube reinforce one another to create a low pressure area at the exhaust port at the appropriate time. This approach works well to provide for high performance and efficiency at a particular engine speed, but its effectiveness decreases as engine speed deviates from this value. The approach also demands trade-offs where there are multiple cylinders, unless the expense is undertaken to provide a separate exhaust system for each cylinder.
Another known means for improving exhaust system performance is to reduce back pressure, such as by reworking or eliminating the muffler. Often, however, such means increase noise to the extent that they provide performance or efficiency benefits, and are therefore objectionable for many uses.
Many after-market products are available for increasing exhaust system performance, for use in racing automobiles, motorcycles, speed-boats, and other sporting vehicles. However, the effects of combining these products have not been completely predictable, and there remains a lack of guidance in the art as to what combinations of such products are optimum. Moreover, there will always remain a desire among speed and racing enthusiasts, as well as those interested in achieving optimum fuel economy, to obtain additional improvements.
Accordingly, there is a need for an exhaust system for an internal combustion engine that provides for greater performance and efficiency from an internal combustion engine for use in a vehicle than has heretofore been available.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention solves the aforementioned problems and meets the aforementioned needs by providing an exhaust system for an internal combustion engine installed in a vehicle comprising a ram tube and a plenum chamber. The internal combustion engine is connected to one or more header tubes adapted to conduct streams of exhaust gas from one or more cylinders of the internal combustion engine. The plenum chamber has at least two ports. A first port of the plenum chamber is adapted for coupling to the outlet end of the ram tube. The ram tube is adapted to collect and conduct outside air through the output end thereof into the plenum chamber as the vehicle moves forwardly. Preferably, the ram tube is funnel-shaped to compress the outside air as it moves toward the plenum chamber wherein, inside the plenum chamber, the air expands.
A second port of the plenum chamber is adapted for coupling to the outlet end of one of the header tubes. The first port is set-back from the second port, with respect to the direction of the stream of exhaust gas, such that outside air conducted by the ram tube is caused to travel inside the plenum chamber at least a substantially non-zero set-back distance before being permitted to join the stream of exhaust gas as it passes through the second port of the plenum chamber. Preferably, the length of the ram tube is substantially less than the length of the header tube.
Preferably, the exhaust system also includes, along with the above, one or more reverse flow controllers associated with respective cylinders of the internal combustion engine, downstream from the exhaust ports thereof.
It is further preferable to employ, in addition to the foregoing, a step increase in the diameter of one or more of the header tubes.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a novel exhaust system for an internal combustion engine.
It is another object of the present invention to provide such an exhaust system that provides for improved performance and efficiency in the internal combustion engine.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such an exhaust system that provides for improved scavenging of exhaust gases from the internal combustion engine.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide such an exhaust system that provides for improved scavenging of exhaust gases over a broad range of engine speeds.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such an exhaust system that provides for performance and efficiency improvements while not substantially increasing or decreasing noise.
The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily understood upon consideration of the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the following drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 1244442 (1917-10-01), Frazer
patent: 1864915 (1932-06-01), Kosterman
patent: 2161895 (1939-06-01), Brenner
patent: 2211795 (1940-08-01), Sauer
patent: 2263407 (1941-11-01), Kittell, Sr.
patent: 2450212 (1948-09-01), Thomas
patent: 2522883 (1950-09-01), MacArthur
patent: 2667031 (1954-01-01), Ryder
patent: 2812634 (1957-11-01), Haring
patent: 2829731 (1958-04-01), Clayton
patent: 3022934 (1962-02-01), Gerald
patent: 3214902 (1965-11-01), Maring
patent: 3300964 (1967-01-01), Knopp
patent: 3470689 (1969-10-01), Gurr
patent: 3485039 (1969-12-01), Wehinger
patent: 3741730 (1973-06-01), Alcott
patent: 4313523 (1982-02-01), Copen
patent: 4418532 (1983-12-01), Momose et al.
patent: 5282361 (1994-02-01), Sung
patent: 5524434 (1996-06-01), Ma
patent: 603993 (1975-11-01), None
patent: 3640290 (1986-11-01), None
patent: 1008190 (1950-01-01), None
patent: 865822 (1958-08-01), None
patent: 56-88910 (1981-07-01), None
patent: 0194025 (1984-11-01), None

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Exhaust system for an internal combustion engine does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Exhaust system for an internal combustion engine, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Exhaust system for an internal combustion engine will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2529610