Marine propulsion – Means for accomodating or moving engine fluids – Means for handling exhaust gas
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-18
2001-06-12
Avila, Stephen (Department: 3617)
Marine propulsion
Means for accomodating or moving engine fluids
Means for handling exhaust gas
Reexamination Certificate
active
06244918
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to engine mufflers, and more particularly to a muffler particularly adapted for removable mounting onto an outboard engine for silencing the noise produced by such an engine when it is operated on land as for tune-ups and such.
2. Description of Related Art
The prior art teaches marine mufflers of various types as in U.S. Pat. Nos.: 5,588,888, 4,461,230, 4,019,456, 5,329,074, 4,744,778, 4,786,265, 5,048,291, 4,239,013, 4,779,704, 5,346,416, 5,154,654, 4,643,272 and 5,719,358. Of particular interest is U.S. Pat. No. 5,442,148 to Hensler which teaches an exhaust muffler for outboard motors which is fastened to the rear end of the propeller hub and directs the motor's exhaust back into the hub of the propeller and out through the front of the propeller and the bypass exhaust ports of the motor. The muffler includes an elastomeric member and a blocking member with the blocking member having a pressure relief mechanism.
However, the prior art does not teach that a muffler for an outboard motor may be made in a manner as defined in the present application so as to define the benefits described below. In fact Hensler teaches away from the instant invention in that it teaches that it is necessary to direct exhaust back into the hub rather than to allow it to pass through the muffler. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages as described in the following summary.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the objectives described below.
The present invention provides a muffler-filter apparatus comprising a housing fabricated as a flexible cylindrical wall enclosed at one end by a screen integrally joined peripherally with a distal end rim of the cylindrical wall, a means for tightening a proximal end rim of the cylindrical wall for enabling the proximal end rim of the cylindrical wall to be fixed onto a propeller hub of an outboard motor so as to position the filter housing for receiving exhausts of the outboard motor and a filter media means removably installed within the housing and providing a peripheral edge for tight fitting within the cylindrical wall so as to prevent exhaust gas blowby, the filter media means enabled for capturing oil, dust and water from exhaust gases passing therethrough while reducing exhaust noise.
A primary objective of the present invention is to provide an outboard engine muffler-filter having advantages not taught by the prior art.
Another objective is to provide such a muffler-filter enabled for quick and easy mounting onto and dismounting from, a propeller hub of an outboard motor without tools.
A further objective is to provide such a muffler-filter enabled for replacement of a filter media so as to provide the repeated use of such filter.
A yet further objective is to provide such a muffler-filter enabled for providing exhaust conductance equivalent to that provided by a water environment so as to support tune-up activities.
A still further objective is to provide such a muffler-filter enabled for selection and implementation of various filter media coursenesses and thicknesses as to fit a wide range of filtering and muffling needs.
Another objective is to provide such a muffler-filter enabled for reduction of noise during flushing of an engine.
Another objective is to provide such a muffler-filter enabled with a filter media assembly that is able to, at once, be inexpensive, flexible and yet sustain rigidity for preventing exhaust gas blowby.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5442148 (1995-08-01), Hensler
patent: 5560757 (1996-10-01), Suzuki et al.
patent: 5606854 (1997-03-01), Hoffmann
Avila Stephen
Gene Scott & Patent Law & Venture Group
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