Triple baffled muffler

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A baffled muffler, comprising: a. a cylindrical muffler having a center line; b. a plurality of internal baffles; c. a plurality of hinges; d. said hinges being mounted within said cylindrical muffler along said center line; e. said plurality of internal baffles being attached to said plurality of hinges; f. counterweights; g. said hinges extending through said muffler such that each end of said hinge extends outside of said muffler; h. said counterweights being attached to the ends of said hinge i. braces; j. said braces being attached externally on said muffler; k. said braces being positioned such that said counterweights rotation is stopped at a resting angle wherein said baffles are closed.

2. The muffler of claim 1, wherein exhaust pressure travels through the muffler and pushes the baffles until they open to release the pressure.

3. The muffler of claim 1, wherein angle of incidence of the baffles on their hinges governs the loudness of the sound.

4. The muffler of claim 1, wherein two ring-shaped mounting plates are provided on the muffler, near the input end and output end of the muffler.

5. The muffler of claim 1, wherein the muffler is provided in a variety of sizes to fit any gasoline or diesel powered vehicle.

6. The muffler of claim 1, wherein said plurality of baffles is equal to three in number and said plurality of hinges is equal to three in number.

7. The muffler of claim 1, wherein said braces use springs such that said springs dampen impact between said counterweight and said brace when said baffler rotates to a closed position.

8. The muffler of claim 1, wherein said plurality of baffles move independently of one another.

9. The muffler of claim 1, wherein at least two of said counterweights are interlocked via a connecting bar; said connecting bar being attached to said counterweights with a mount such that said at least two interlocked counterweights rotate in synch so that said baffles associated with said interlocked counterweights also rotate in synch.

10. The muffler of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of shocks having a first end and a second end; said first end being attached to one of said plurality of counterweights and said second end being attached to a mount on said muffler; said plurality of shocks being configured to increase the resistance against rotation by the baffles.

11. The muffler of claim 6, wherein said braces use springs such that said springs dampen impact between said counterweight and said brace when said baffler rotates to a closed position.

12. The muffler of claim 6, wherein said three baffles move independently of one another.

13. The muffler of claim 6, wherein at least two of said counterweights are interlocked via a connecting bar; said connecting bar being attached to said counterweights with a mount such that said at least two interlocked counterweights rotate in synch so that said baffles associated with said interlocked counterweights also rotate in synch.

14. The muffler of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of shocks having a first end and a second end; said first end being attached to one of said plurality of counterweights and said second end being attached to a mount on said muffler; said plurality of shocks being configured to increase the resistance against rotation by the baffles.

15. A baffled muffler, comprising: a. a cylindrical muffler having a center line; b. a plurality of internal baffles; c. a plurality of hinges; d. said hinges being mounted within said cylindrical muffler along said center line; e. said plurality of internal baffles being attached to said plurality of hinges; f. counterweights; g. said hinges extending through said muffler such that each end of said hinge extends outside of said muffler; h. said counterweights being attached to the ends of said hinge; i. braces; j. said braces being attached externally on said muffler; k. said braces being positioned such that said counterweights rotation is stopped at a resting angle wherein said baffles are closed; l. at least two of said counterweights are interlocked via a connecting bar; and m. said connecting bar being attached to said counterweights with a mount such that said at least two interlocked counterweights rotate in synch so that said baffles associated with said interlocked counterweights also rotate in synch.

16. The baffled muffler of claim 15, wherein said plurality of baffles is equal to three in number and said plurality of hinges is equal to three in number.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification. They illustrate one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

(2) FIG. 1 is a side transparency view of the first exemplary embodiment as the exhaust gas strikes the first baffle, displaying the muffler 10, the baffles 11, the hinges 12, and the mounting plates 13.

(3) FIG. 2 is a top transparency view of the first exemplary embodiment as the exhaust gas strikes the first baffle, displaying the muffler 10, the baffles 11, the hinges 12, and the mounting plates 13.

(4) FIG. 3 is a front cutaway view of the first exemplary embodiment with no exhaust gas flow, displaying the muffler 10, a baffle 11, and a mounting plate 13.

(5) FIG. 4 is a front cutaway view of the first exemplary embodiment as the exhaust gas strikes the second baffle, displaying the muffler 10, the baffles 11, and a mounting plate 13

(6) FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the second exemplary embodiment displaying the muffler 10, the counterweights 20, the hinges 12, the mounting plates 13, the connecting rods 21, and the shocks 22.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(7) Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directed to a triple-baffled muffler 10.

(8) The first exemplary embodiment is comprised of a muffler 10 which enables an engine sound that changes from very quiet when idling to louder as the throttle is pressed. The muffler 10 provides three baffles 11 which are hinged over the center line 30 of the muffler 10 and rotate independently of each other. The exhaust pressure travels through the muffler 10 and pushes the baffles 11 until they open to release the pressure. Counterweights 20 on the hinges 12 urge the rotation of the baffles 11 in a specific direction. Braces 21, block the counterweights 20 from rotating past a resting angle so that the baffles 11 are closed when the vehicle is idling. The braces 21 may use springs in order to dampen the impact when the baffles close. As the throttle is increased, the pressure in the exhaust also increasesthe greater the pressure in the exhaust the greater the angle of incidence of the baffles 11 on their hinges 12. As the baffles 11 open further the loudness of the sound increases. Two ring-shaped mounting plates 13 are provided on the cylindrical muffler 10, near the input end 41 and output end 42 of the muffler 10. The muffler 10 is provided in a variety of sizes to fit any gasoline or diesel powered vehicle.

(9) To use the first exemplary embodiment, the user first removes the original, factory installed muffler from the vehicle and then replaces it with the triple-baffled muffler 10, bolting it into position using the mounting plates 13 which are provided.

(10) The second exemplary embodiment is similar to the first exemplary embodiment in that it enables the engine sound to change from very quiet when idling to louder as the throttle is increased. The second exemplary embodiment also provides a muffler 10 with three baffles 11 which are hinged over the center line 30 of the muffler 10. However, in the second exemplary embodiment at least two of the counterweights 20 are interlocked with a connecting bar 22. The connecting bar 22 interlocks the counterweights by attaching via a mount 23 on the counterweight 20 such that the interlocked counterweights rotate in synch so that the respective baffles also rotate in synch. Further, shocks 24 are provided which are similarly attached to the counterweights 20. A first end 25 is attached to the counterweight 20 and a second end of the shock 26 is attached to the mounts 27 on the muffler body. The shocks 24 provide increased resistance against the rotation of the baffles 11 such that more pressure from the exhaust and increased throttle is required in order to open the baffles 11.

(11) The muffler 10, the baffles 11, the hinges 12, and the mounting plates 13 are preferably manufactured from a rigid, durable metal which is corrosion resistant and provides a decorative quality, such as 316 stainless steel.

(12) Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention.

(13) While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should, therefore, not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.