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.

An exhaust system for an internal combustion engine includes a muffler, a first exhaust pipe which is connected to the muffler for sound damping, and a second exhaust pipe which extends in terms of flow in parallel relation to the first exhaust pipe and extends through first muffler in the absence of a flow communication with the first muffler. The first and second exhaust pipes originate from a common exhaust pipe. A switching valve adjusts hereby a throughflow cross section of the second exhaust pipe.

An exhaust system is provided for an internal combustion engine having at least a first and a second cylinder, wherein the first cylinder is assigned a first exhaust gas pipe and the second cylinder is assigned a second exhaust gas pipe. The first exhaust gas pipe is assigned a first muffler, and the second exhaust gas pipe is assigned a second muffler. A first damping pipe branches off from the first exhaust gas pipe upstream of a first shut-off element. The damping pipe firstly opens into a first reflection chamber and is subsequently led through the first muffler and opens into the second exhaust gas manifold downstream of a second shut-off element. A second damping pipe branches off from the second exhaust gas pipe upstream of a second shut-off element. The second damping pipe firstly opens into a second reflection chamber and is subsequently led through the second muffler and opens into the first exhaust gas pipe downstream of the first shut-off element.

A system in a vehicle including at least one sound quality valve arranged in an exhaust system of the vehicle includes a sound quality valve control module that determines whether one or more criteria for opening the sound quality valve are met, selectively actuates the sound quality valve to an open position if the one or more criteria for opening the sound quality valve are met, and maintains the sound quality valve in a closed position if a required one of the one or more criteria for opening the sound quality valve is not met. A downshift detection module determines whether aggressive driving behavior is detected. If the aggressive driving behavior is detected, the sound quality valve control module actuates the sound quality valve to the open position regardless of whether the required one of the one or more criteria for opening the sound quality valve is met.

The muffler for a motorized vehicle includes a housing with an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber, an exhaust inlet, and an exhaust outlet. The muffler includes a first channel with a first noise dampening amount that is within the housing interior, to fluidly connect the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber. The muffler includes second channel with a second noise dampening amount that is within the housing interior between the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber. The first noise dampening amount is greater than the second noise dampening amount. A valve selectively fluidly connects the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber thorough the second channel, and is configured to variably obstruct the flow of exhaust gas through the second channel. In various embodiments, the muffler has more than one inlet chamber and more than one exhaust outlet.

A system in a vehicle including at least one sound quality valve arranged in an exhaust system of the vehicle includes a sound quality valve control module that determines whether one or more criteria for opening the sound quality valve are met, selectively actuates the sound quality valve to an open position if the one or more criteria for opening the sound quality valve are met, and maintains the sound quality valve in a closed position if a required one of the one or more criteria for opening the sound quality valve is not met. A downshift detection module determines whether aggressive driving behavior is detected. If the aggressive driving behavior is detected, the sound quality valve control module actuates the sound quality valve to the open position regardless of whether the required one of the one or more criteria for opening the sound quality valve is met.

An exhaust system is provided for an internal combustion engine having at least a first and a second cylinder, wherein the first cylinder is assigned a first exhaust gas pipe and the second cylinder is assigned a second exhaust gas pipe. The first exhaust gas pipe is assigned a first muffler, and the second exhaust gas pipe is assigned a second muffler. A first damping pipe branches off from the first exhaust gas pipe upstream of a first shut-off element. The damping pipe firstly opens into a first reflection chamber and is subsequently led through the first muffler and opens into the second exhaust gas manifold downstream of a second shut-off element. A second damping pipe branches off from the second exhaust gas pipe upstream of a second shut-off element. The second damping pipe firstly opens into a second reflection chamber and is subsequently led through the second muffler and opens into the first exhaust gas pipe downstream of the first shut-off element.

An exhaust assembly. The exhaust assembly includes a housing having a first end that attaches to an exhaust pipe of a vehicle, such as a motorcycle, and a second end that can discharge exhaust from the engine of the vehicle. A baffle is disposed within the housing that is operated by an actuator. In one embodiment, the actuator is a hand operated lever that can move between a first actuation point and a second actuation point, thereby causing the baffle to move between a closed position and an open position.

A triple-baffled muffler enables an engine sound that changes from very quiet when idling to louder as the throttle is pressed. The muffler provides three baffles which are hinged over the center of the muffler. The exhaust pressure travels through the muffler and pushes the baffles until they open to release the pressure. The angle of incidence of the baffles on their hinges governs the loudness of the sound.

An exhaust system for internal combustion engines has an exhaust tract, which has at least one first flow path and a second flow path for an exhaust gas stream. The first and the second flow path extend fluidically separated from each other from a pre-silencer to at least one end silencer. Depending on the rotational speed of the engine, the first flow path can be continuously closed by way of a controllable flap, wherein the exhaust gas stream is guided through the second flow path when the flap is closed.