Methods and systems are provided for opportunistically mitigating an intermittent degradation of an active exhaust valve. In one example, a method may include differentiating between a permanent degradation of the active exhaust valve and an intermittent degradation of the active exhaust valve and adjusting actuation of the valve based on a vehicle operating condition and a road condition to mitigate the intermittent degradation.

An internal combustion engine system includes a combustion engine configured to produce exhaust gases as a product of a combustion reaction. An exhaust discharge pipe coupled to the internal combustion engine, and an adaptive valve assembly. The adaptive valve assembly is coupled to the exhaust discharge pipe and configured to receive the exhaust gases prior to the exhaust gases reaching the atmosphere. The adaptive valve assembly includes a valve flapper arranged in the passageway and configured to pivot about a flapper pivot axis from a normally-closed position to an opened position.

A fluid flow network for a vehicle includes first and second flow ducts having a common inlet and a common outlet; a flow directing member movable about a first axis and configured to direct flow from the common inlet to at least one of the first and second flow ducts; a flow reactive member configured to detect an imbalance between the flow exiting the first flow duct and the flow exiting the second flow duct; and means for adjusting the position of the flow directing member if an imbalance is detected by the flow reactive member.

Methods and systems are provided for an exhaust tuning valve. In one example, a method may include adjusting the exhaust tuning valve in response to a steering wheel angle input. Additionally or alternatively, the position of the exhaust tuning valve may be adjusted differently in response to a same steering wheel angle input during different driving behaviors.

Methods and systems are provided for an exhaust tuning valve. In one example, a method may include adjusting the exhaust tuning valve in response to a steering wheel angle input. Additionally or alternatively, the position of the exhaust tuning valve may be adjusted differently in response to a same steering wheel angle input during different driving behaviors.

An exhaust heat recovery system may include a muffler including a muffler case, a pipe through which exhaust gas flows, a baffle partitioning an internal space of the muffler case into a first space and a second space, and a valve mounted on an end portion of the pipe to change a direction in which the exhaust gas flows, and a heat exchanger mounted outside the muffler to fluidically-communicate with both the first and second spaces, allowing the exhaust gas to be introduced thereinto and to be discharged therefrom, the heat exchanger including a cooling channel through which cooling water flows, and heat exchange between the exhaust gas and the cooling water being performed in the heat exchanger.

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.

Methods and systems are provided for operating a vehicle that includes an exhaust gas heat recovery device having an exhaust heat recovery device valve that may be selectively opened and closed. In one example, a method may include storing heat from exhaust gases in a phase changing material and releasing the stored heat to surroundings of an exhaust heat recovery device valve to reduce a possibility of the exhaust heat recovery device valve sticking.

An exhaust system for an internal combustion engine; the exhaust system comprises: at least one an exhaust duct, which originates from the internal combustion engine; at least one exhaust gas treatment device, which is arranged along the exhaust duct; and a silencing device, which is arranged along the exhaust duct downstream of the exhaust gas treatment device. The silencing device comprises a silencing valve, which intercepts the exhaust duct and is movable between a completely open position and a completely closed position. In the completely closed position, the silencing valve has a first free section for the passage of the exhaust gases having a first area other than zero, so that the exhaust gases can flow through the silencing valve even when the silencing valve is in the completely closed position.

A vehicle exhaust device includes a muffler body that has an interior space divided into a plurality of expansion chambers by a partition wall, and an exhaust control valve that switches an exhaust passage in the muffler body. The exhaust passage includes a first exhaust passage and a second exhaust passage. The first exhaust passage connects an upstream end and a downstream end of the muffler body straight. The second exhaust passage passes through the plurality of expansion chambers via a connecting pipe that connects the plurality of expansion chambers. A center of the first exhaust passage is located above a center of the muffler body in a vehicle upper-lower direction, and the second exhaust passage is located below the first exhaust passage.