A method for automatically changing the engine exhaust sound in conjunction with the traveling mode implemented by the exhaust system applied to the vehicle may vary the valve opening of an electronic variable valve provided in a first tail pipe of first and second tail pipes of muffler discharging the exhaust gas coming from an engine by a mode recognition logic connected to an engine ECU to the atmosphere, and control the variation of the valve opening with the engine torque and the engine RPM based on a change in an accelerator pedal stroke in any one of a SMART DRIVE MODE-ECO state, a SMART DRIVE MODE-COMFORT state, and a SMART DRIVE MODE-SPORT state, implementing a quiet engine exhaust sound and a sporty engine exhaust sound depending on various vehicle traveling states provided by the SMART DRIVE MODE and increasing vehicle/engine outputs.

A muffler for an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, especially for vehicles with hybrid drive, includes a muffler housing (12), a heat exchanger unit (48), arranged in the muffler housing (12), for transferring heat from combustion exhaust gas to a heat transfer medium, an inlet pipe (38), a first outlet pipe (52) and a second outlet pipe (40). A first exhaust gas flow path (54), in the muffler housing, routs exhaust gas through the heat exchanger unit (48) to the first outlet pipe (52). A second exhaust gas flow path (56), in the muffler housing, routs exhaust gas to a second outlet pipe (40), bypassing the heat exchanger unit (48). A flow path blocking/releasing device (58) for blocking and releasing at least one exhaust gas flow path (54, 56), of the first exhaust gas flow path (54) and of the second exhaust gas flow path (56).

A selectively tunable exhaust noise attenuation device includes a body having an outer surface and an inner surface that defines an exhaust volume. An inlet is coupled to the body and fluidically connected to the exhaust volume. A first outlet is coupled to the body and fluidically connected to the inlet and selectively fluidically connected to the exhaust volume and a second outlet coupled to the body and fluidically connected to the exhaust volume. A first conduit including a primary exhaust gas flow path directly fluidically connects the inlet and the first outlet. A second conduit includes a first end and a second. The second conduit defines a secondary exhaust gas flow path. A valve is fluidically connected to one of the first and second conduits. The valve is arranged laterally off-set of the primary exhaust gas flow path.

A muffler for a vehicle, where the muffler comprises a partition wall that divides the interior in a first chamber and a second chamber, where an inlet pipe comprising a perforated section arranged in the first chamber and a closed section arranged in the first chamber, where the outlet opening of the inlet pipe is arranged in the second chamber, a first outlet pipe comprising an inlet opening arranged in the first chamber and an outlet opening arranged outside of the muffler, where the muffler comprises a second outlet pipe having an inlet opening arranged in the second chamber, and where the second outlet pipe is provided with an exhaust valve adapted to open or close the exhaust gas flow through the second outlet pipe. The advantage of the invention is that a muffler with an improved low frequency noise attenuation and low backpressure is provided.

A variable valve may include a housing having hinge support portions protruding from a first side thereof, and an opening at a second side thereof, a first gate rotatably coupled to the hinge support portions so as to open and close a part of the opening, a first spring mounted on the housing to apply elastic force in a direction in which the first gate is closed, a second gate rotatably coupled to the hinge support portions so as to open and close a remaining part of the opening, and a second spring mounted on the housing to apply elastic force in a direction in which the second gate is closed, in which the first spring and the second spring may have different spring constants.

Gas flow and sound control valve for an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine comprising a housing including an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet, and a valve member arranged within the housing for forming a first conduit connecting the inlet to the first outlet and/or a second conduit from the inlet to the second outlet, wherein the valve member can be moved relative to the housing between a first predetermined position in which the valve member closes the second conduit and a second predetermined position in which the valve member closes the first conduit, whereby the valve member is rotatable around a valve axis aligned parallel, in particular coaxial, to a centerline of the inlet.

A muffler assembly including a central common active control valve may include a central body for guiding exhaust gas discharged from an engine to flow in bilateral directions in a branched manner, the central body comprising the active control valve disposed in a flow path of exhaust gas, and a pair of main mufflers, each separately disposed at opposite sides of the central body to exhaust exhaust gas introduced from the central body, in which the flow path and an exhaust path of the exhaust gas may be variable based on opening and closing of the active control valve.

A system for controlling a sound level of a prime mover permitted to emanate from or within a vehicle includes a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver operable for receiving a GPS signal and a sound control device. The sound control device is operable for increasing or decreasing a sound level of the prime mover in response to a control signal. A controller in communication with the GPS receiver includes a calendar and clock, and is programmed to execute a method, including receiving the GPS signal via the GPS receiver, and determining an actual location of the vehicle using the GPS signal. The controller also determines an actual date and time of day using the calendar and the clock, respectively, and transmits the control signal to the sound control device to increase or decrease the sound level using at least one of the actual location, date, and time of day.

Aspects of the present invention relate to noise modification systems of motor vehicles, and controllers and methods of use thereof.

A vehicle is provided with an engine having an exhaust gas system comprising a muffler body containing a valve controlling exhaust gas flow through a tuning tube. The vehicle has an expander, a condenser, a pump, and an evaporator in sequential fluid communication in a closed loop containing a working fluid. The evaporator is positioned within the body and supports the valve and tuning tube therein, with the evaporator in thermal contact with exhaust gas and the working fluid.