IP Library Granted Patent US 10,596,898
Granted Patent B2
US 10,596,898 · App. 15/972,686 · Granted Mar 24, 2020

Muffler assembly including a center muffler and two satellite mufflers

Inventors: Brett Herwat (Jackson, MI); Keith Bartu (Dexter, MI); Gabriel Ostromecki (Ann Arbor, MI)
Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
B60K13/04F01N1/023F01N3/021F01N13/011F01N13/02F01N13/04F01N13/082F01N2470/14F01N2470/16F01N2490/02F01N2490/10F01N2490/155
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,596,898
App. No.
15/972,686
Granted
Mar 24, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

An exhaust assembly includes first and second exhaust devices, and first, second, and third mufflers that are disposed at first, second, third, fourth, and fifth heights, respectively. The first and second heights are greater than the third, fourth, and fifth heights. The first muffler includes a first housing, first and second inlets, and first and second outlets. The first inlet receives exhaust gas from at least one of the first and second exhaust devices. The second inlet receives exhaust gas from at least one of the first and second exhaust devices. The first and second inlets and first and second outlets all fluidly connected. The second muffler includes a second housing, a third inlet that receives exhaust gas from the first outlet, and a third outlet. The third muffler includes a third housing, a fourth inlet that receives exhaust gas from the second outlet, and a fourth outlet.

Claims (28)

1. An exhaust assembly for receiving exhaust gas from an engine of a vehicle adapted to travel along a surface, the exhaust assembly comprising:

a first exhaust device disposed at a first height with respect to the surface, the first exhaust device being adapted to receive exhaust gas from the engine;

a second exhaust device disposed at a second height with respect to the surface, the second exhaust device being adapted to receive exhaust gas from the engine;

a first muffler disposed at a third height relative to the surface, the first muffler including a first housing, an X-pipe positioned within the first housing and including a first inlet adapted to receive exhaust gas from at least one of the first and second exhaust devices, a second inlet adapted to receive exhaust gas from at least one of the first and second exhaust devices, a first outlet, and a second outlet, the first and second inlets and the first and second outlets being fluidly connected to one another;

a second muffler disposed at a fourth height relative to the surface, the second muffler including a second housing, a third inlet adapted to receive exhaust gas from the first outlet, and a third outlet; and

a third muffler disposed at a fifth height relative to the surface, the third muffler including a third housing, a fourth inlet adapted to receive exhaust gas from the second outlet, and a fourth outlet, wherein the first and second heights are greater than the third, fourth, and fifth heights.

2. The exhaust assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first inlet is adapted to receive exhaust gas from the first exhaust device and the second inlet is adapted to receive exhaust gas from the second exhaust device.

3. The exhaust assembly of claim 1 , wherein the third height is greater than the fourth and fifth heights.

4. The exhaust assembly of claim 1 , wherein the fourth and fifth heights are substantially equal.

5. The exhaust assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first muffler is laterally centered with respect to the vehicle.

6. The exhaust assembly of claim 5 , wherein the first and second exhaust devices are disposed laterally outboard of the first muffler and on opposing lateral sides of the first muffler.

7. The exhaust assembly of claim 6 , wherein the second muffler is disposed laterally between the first exhaust device and the first muffler, and the third muffler is disposed laterally between the second exhaust device and the first muffler.

8. The exhaust assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second muffler further includes a fifth outlet fluidly connected to the third inlet and the third outlet, and the third muffler further includes a sixth outlet fluidly connected to the fourth inlet and the fourth outlet.

9. The exhaust assembly of claim 8 , further comprising a first exhaust outlet pipe adapted to receive exhaust gas from the third outlet, a second exhaust outlet pipe adapted to receive exhaust gas from the fifth outlet, a third exhaust outlet pipe adapted to receive exhaust gas from the fourth outlet, and a fourth exhaust outlet pipe adapted to receive exhaust gas form the sixth outlet, each of the first, second, third, and fourth exhaust outlet pipes opening toward a rear of the vehicle.

10. The exhaust assembly of claim 9 , wherein the first, second, third, and fourth exhaust outlet pipes include respective seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth outlets that are disposed at a sixth height with respect to the surface.

11. The exhaust assembly of claim 9 , wherein one of the first and second exhaust outlet pipes includes a first E-valve and one of the third and fourth exhaust outlet pipes includes a second E-valve.

12. The exhaust assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first exhaust device is a first gasoline particulate filter (GPF) and the second exhaust device is a second GPF.

13. The exhaust assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first housing has a first dimension perpendicular to the surface and a second dimension parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, the first dimension being greater than the second dimension.

14. The exhaust assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of the second and third housings defines a first dimension perpendicular to the surface and a second dimension parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, the second dimension being greater than the first dimension.

15. An exhaust assembly for receiving exhaust gas from an engine of a vehicle adapted to travel along a surface, the exhaust assembly comprising:

a first exhaust device adapted to receive exhaust gas from the engine;

a second exhaust device adapted to receive exhaust gas from the engine;

a first muffler including an X-pipe having a first inlet adapted to receive exhaust gas from the first exhaust device, a second inlet adapted to receive exhaust gas from the second exhaust device, a first outlet, and a second outlet, the first and second inlets and the first and second outlets being fluidly connected to one another;

a second muffler including a second housing, a third inlet in direct receipt of exhaust gas from the first outlet, and a third outlet; and

a third muffler including a third housing, a fourth inlet in direct receipt of exhaust gas from the second outlet, and a fourth outlet, wherein the first and second exhaust devices are disposed laterally outboard of the first muffler and on opposing sides of the first muffler.

16. The exhaust assembly of claim 15 , wherein the first muffler is laterally centered with respect to the vehicle.

17. The exhaust assembly of claim 15 , wherein the first exhaust device is disposed laterally between the first muffler and the second muffler, and the second exhaust device is disposed laterally between the first muffler and the third muffler.

18. The exhaust assembly of claim 15 , wherein the second muffler further includes a fifth outlet fluidly connected to the third inlet and the third outlet, and the third muffler further includes a sixth outlet fluidly connected to the fourth inlet and the fourth outlet.

Assignments (10)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 20, 2025
From: TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.
To: TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 072553/0215 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded Apr 7, 2023
From: TENNECO INC.; DRIV AUTOMOTIVE INC.; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL MOTORPARTS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.; THE PULLMAN COMPANY
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 063268/0506 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS (FIRST LIEN) Recorded Nov 22, 2022
From: DRIV AUTOMOTIVE INC.; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL MOTORPARTS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.; TENNECO INC.; THE PULLMAN COMPANY
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 061989/0689 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 19, 2022
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: TENNECO INC.; TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.; TENNECO INTERNATIONAL HOLDING CORP.; THE PULLMAN COMPANY; TENNECO GLOBAL HOLDINGS INC.; CLEVITE INDUSTRIES INC.; TMC TEXAS INC.; CARTER AUTOMOTIVE COMPANY LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; FELT PRODUCTS MFG. CO. LLC; MUZZY-LYON AUTO PARTS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN IP LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL PISTON RINGS, LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL MOTORPARTS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; F-M MOTORPARTS TSC LLC; F-M TSC REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL VALVE TRAIN INTERNATIONAL LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL SEVIERVILLE, LLC; BECK ARNLEY HOLDINGS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL FILTRATION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL FINANCING CORPORATION; FEDERAL-MOGUL PRODUCTS US LLC
Reel/Frame 061975/0218 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 19, 2022
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: TENNECO INC.; TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.; THE PULLMAN COMPANY; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL PRODUCTS US LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; DRIV AUTOMOTIVE INC.
Reel/Frame 061975/0031 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 19, 2022
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: TENNECO INC.; TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.; THE PULLMAN COMPANY; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL PRODUCTS US LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL MOTORPARTS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; DRIV AUTOMOTIVE INC.
Reel/Frame 061971/0156 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 17, 2021
From: TENNECO INC.; TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.; THE PULLMAN COMPANY; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL PRODUCTS US LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; DRIV AUTOMOTIVE INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 055626/0065 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 1, 2020
From: TENNECO INC.; THE PULLMAN COMPANY; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL PRODUCTS US LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL MOTORPARTS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; DRIV AUTOMOTIVE INC.; TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 054555/0592 →
CONFIRMATORY GRANT OF SECURITY INTERESTS IN UNITED STATES PATENTS Recorded Oct 9, 2018
From: TENNECO INC.; TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.; TENNECO INTERNATIONAL HOLDING CORP.; THE PULLMAN COMPANY; TENNECO GLOBAL HOLDINGS INC.; CLEVITE INDUSTRIES INC.; TMC TEXAS INC.; CARTER AUTOMOTIVE COMPANY LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE LLC; FELT PRODUCTS MFG. CO. LLC; MUZZY-LYON AUTO PARTS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL POWERTRAIN IP LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL PISTON RINGS, LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL MOTORPARTS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS LLC; F-M MOTORPARTS TSC LLC; F-M TSC REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL VALVETRAIN INTERNATIONAL LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL SEVIERVILLE, LLC; BECK ARNLEY HOLDINGS LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL FILTRATION LLC; FEDERAL-MOGUL FINANCING CORPORATION; FEDERAL-MOGUL PRODUCTS US LLC
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL TRUSTEE
Reel/Frame 047223/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 14, 2018
From: HERWAT, BRETT; BARTU, KEITH; OSTROMECKI, GABRIEL
To: TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.
Reel/Frame 046805/0158 →