Acoustics – Sound-modifying means – Muffler – fluid conducting type
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-05
2001-07-10
Dang, Khanh (Department: 2837)
Acoustics
Sound-modifying means
Muffler, fluid conducting type
C181S272000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257367
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to exhaust systems and, in particular, to stamp-formed mufflers having stamped outer shells and stamped inner plates. More particularly, this invention relates to stamp-formed mufflers including stamped inner plates having fold-up baffles defining a plurality of chambers between the stamped outer shells.
It is known to construct mufflers using stamp-formed outer shells and inner plates. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,252,788 to Emrick et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,229,557 to Allman et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,987 to Richardson et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,004,069 to Van Blaircum et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,545 to Wilcox et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,860,853 to Moring; U.S Pat. No. 4,736,817 to Harwood; and Re. Pat. No. 33,370 to Harwood.
Stamp-formed mufflers include a plurality of chambers and tubes formed between the stamped outer shells and inner plates. The chambers and tubes direct exhaust gas of the vehicle engine through the muffler in a desired manner to quiet the exhaust noise produced by the vehicle engine effectively.
According to the present invention, a muffler is provided including an outer shell defining a chamber and a pair of inner plates positioned in the chamber. Each inner plate includes first and second folds partitioning each of the inner plates into a base portion, a first baffle portion, and a second baffle portion. The base portions cooperate to define a first baffle. The first baffle portions cooperate to define a second baffle and the second baffle portions cooperates to define a third baffle. The first, second, and third baffles partition the chamber defined by the outer shell into subchambers. The first baffle includes a tube and each of the second and third baffles include a tube-receiving aperture sized to receive the tube of the first baffle.
In a preferred embodiment, the muffler further includes a baffle plate positioned in the chamber. The baffle plate cooperates with the outer shell to further partition the chamber into an additional subchamber and is spaced apart from the first baffle defined by the inner plates.
In another preferred embodiment, the first baffle includes a first edge at the first folds of the inner plates and a second edge spaced apart from the first edge. The first baffle includes at least two tubes extending from the first edge of the first baffle to the second edge of the first baffle.
Additional features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.
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ArvinMeritor, Inc.
Barnes & Thornburg
Dang Khanh
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