Exhaust gas flow mixer
View Patent ↗A mixer for mixing an exhaust flow in an exhaust pipe includes a tubular housing having a first end, a second end and a center portion positioned between the ends. The center portion has a reduced size in relation to at least one of the first and second ends. The housing includes circumferentially spaced apart apertures extending through the center portion. A mixing element includes a body having a first peripheral portion and a second peripheral portion. The first peripheral portion is fixed to the center portion at a location adjacent to one of the apertures. The second peripheral portion is fixed to the center portion at a location adjacent to another one of the apertures.
1. A mixer for mixing an exhaust flow in an exhaust pipe, the mixer comprising:
a tubular housing including a first end, a second end and a center portion positioned between the ends, the center portion having a reduced size in relation to at least one of the first and second ends, the tubular housing including circumferentially spaced apart apertures extending through the center portion between the first and second ends; and
a mixing element including a body having a first peripheral portion and a second peripheral portion opposite the first peripheral portion, the first peripheral portion being fixed to the center portion at a location adjacent to one of the apertures, the second peripheral portion being fixed to the center portion at a location adjacent to another one of the apertures.
2. The mixer of claim 1 , wherein the center portion includes a tab positioned adjacent to one of the apertures, the tab being coupled to the mixing element such that the tab moves to account for a change in size of the mixing element as temperature changes.
3. The mixer of claim 2 , wherein the apertures include an axially extending portion and spaced apart circumferentially extending portions, the mixing element extending through one of the axially extending portions.
4. The mixer of claim 3 , wherein the mixing element protrudes radially outwardly beyond an outer surface of the center portion.
5. The mixer of claim 4 , wherein one of the apertures is asymmetrical and the housing includes a face at the edge of the one aperture limiting a distance of axial insertion of the mixing element within the housing.
6. The mixer of claim 1 , wherein the center portion is shaped as a circular cylinder.
7. The mixer of claim 1 , wherein the center portion is shaped as a non-circular cylinder.
8. The mixer of claim 2 , wherein the tubular housing and the tab are monolithically constructed as one piece.
9. The mixer of claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a leading collar portion and a trailing collar portion positioned on opposite sides of the center portion, at least one of the leading and trailing collar portions including an outer cylindrical surface having a first size, the center portion including an outer cylindrical surface having a second size less than the first size.
10. The mixer of claim 1 , wherein the mixing element extends parallel to a second mixing element fixed to the center portion.
11. The mixer of claim 1 , wherein the mixing element includes a mixing fin extending at an angle to the body to change a direction of the exhaust flow.
12. The mixer of claim 11 , wherein the mixing element includes a deflection element positioned upstream of the mixing fin.
13. The mixer of claim 12 , wherein the deflection element includes a substantially planar portion extending substantially parallel to a direction of the exhaust flow and a correction fin extending at an angle to the exhaust flow direction.
14. The mixer of claim 13 , wherein the deflection element extends at an angle of substantially 30 degrees to a direction of exhaust flow upstream of the mixer.
15. The mixer of claim 14 , wherein the mixing fin extends at an angle ranging substantially from 40 degrees to 45 degrees relative to a direction of exhaust flow upstream of the mixer.
16. A mixer for mixing an exhaust flow in an exhaust pipe, the mixer comprising:
a tubular housing including first and second ends and a center portion therebetween, the center portion having a reduced outer size and a reduced inner size as compared to one of the first and second ends, the center portion including spaced apart apertures; and
a mixing element positioned within the housing and being fixed to the center portion of the housing at locations adjacent at least two of the apertures.
17. The mixer of claim 16 , wherein the housing includes a flared portion interconnecting one of the first end and the second end with the center portion.
18. The mixer of claim 16 , wherein the apertures each include an axially extending portion and spaced apart circumferentially extending portions, the mixing element extending through one of the axially extending portions.
19. The mixer of claim 18 , wherein the axially extending portion of the apertures includes a first end terminating within the center portion.
20. The mixer of claim 19 , wherein the first end of the axially extending portion terminates at a stop face limiting an amount of axial insertion of the mixing element within the housing.
21. The mixer of claim 18 , wherein the circumferentially extending portions of one of the apertures are positioned on either side of a tab that is fixed to the mixing element.
22. The mixer of claim 21 , wherein the mixing element is free to move relative to the housing except at the tab and another tab.
23. The mixer of claim 16 , wherein a cross-sectional shape of the tubular housing is non-circular.
24. The mixer of claim 16 , further including a weld positioned on an outer surface of the center portion fixing the mixing element to the tubular housing.