An exhaust system for an internal combustion engine and having at least an exhaust duct, which originates from the internal combustion engine and has an end part, which ends with an outlet opening, through which exhaust gases are released into the atmosphere. The end part of the exhaust duct has at least one movable wall, which can be moved to different positions to vary the width of the outlet opening. There are provided a motor-driven actuator device, which is configured to move the movable wall and can be electronically controlled, and a control unit, which is configured to vary, by controlling the actuator device, the position of the movable wall depending on a rotation speed of the internal combustion engine and on an engine load of the internal combustion engine.

Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a position of an exhaust valve that regulates engine exhaust noise. In one example, the position of the exhaust valve is adjusted according to a road grade estimate. The road grade estimate may be based on a vehicle's present position on a road or a position that is a distance away from the vehicle's present position.

Methods and systems are provided for diagnostics of a gasoline particulate filter in an exhaust system. In one example, a method may include indicating degradation of a hose coupled across a particulate filter responsive to a difference between a first differential pressure and a second differential pressure being greater than a threshold, the first differential pressure measured by a differential pressure sensor positioned in the hose responsive to a downstream exhaust tuning valve being fully open, the second differential pressure measured by the differential pressure sensor responsive to the exhaust tuning valve being fully closed.

A multi-mode muffler for an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine provides a rotary plate that modulates exhaust gas flow between a first and second flow path. Each flow path may provide different sound dampening characteristics, thereby providing different sound profiles with the same muffler. In a disclosed embodiment, the rotary plate is driven by a shaft coupled to an external actuator. Also, a third possible position of the rotary plate may allow flow through both the first and second flow paths, thereby providing a third possible noise profile. One of the sound profiles may be louder than the other thereby allowing the muffler to switch between “loud” and “quiet” modes of operation.

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.

Methods and systems are provided for an exhaust muffler system with multiple inlets of different diameters. In one example, the muffler system may include multiple sets of inlet pipes to a muffler with each set of inlet pipes including pipes of different diameters with valves controlling exhaust flow into the inlet pipes. Exhaust from an engine bank may flow to a distinct set of inlet pipes and a distinct outlet pipe of the muffler via a separate exhaust passage.

A method for operating a vehicle that includes a passenger is described. In one example, the method adjusts vehicle suspension and exhaust system sound in response to characteristics of the passenger that are monitored via a camera and a microphone. The method may operate the vehicle suspension and exhaust system in a way that sooths the passenger.

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 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.