INSULATED TUBULAR EXHAUST APPARATUS AND METHODS
A bent tube with a sleeve of insulation and a protective outer metallic layer and related methods of manufacturing.
1 . A method for manufacturing an insulated vehicle exhaust tube, the method comprising the steps of:
sliding an insulating sleeve over an exhaust tube;
adjusting the insulating sleeve to a substantially uniform material thickness over the tube; and
enclosing the insulating sleeve with a metal protective cover.
2 . The method of claim 1 , and further comprising the steps of:
restraining an end portion of the insulating sleeve relative to the exhaust tube; and
allowing a central portion of the insulating sleeve to remain unrestrained relative to the exhaust tube.
3 . The method of claim 1 , and further comprising the steps of:
restraining a first portion of the insulating sleeve relative to the exhaust tube; and
allowing a second portion of the insulating sleeve to remain unrestrained relative to the exhaust tube.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the insulating sleeve comprises a braided material.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the metal protective cover is texturized.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the metal protective cover is thin foil.
7 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the step of restraining the first portion of the insulating sleeve comprises the step of:
wrapping the first portion of the insulating sleeve with a restraining material.
8 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the step of restraining the end portion of the insulating sleeve comprises the steps of:
wrapping the end portion of the insulating sleeve with a restraining material; and
trimming excess end portions of the insulating sleeve that extend outwardly beyond the restraining material.
9 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the step of restraining the first portion of the insulating sleeve comprises the step of:
wrapping the first portion of the insulating sleeve with tape.
10 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the step of restraining the first portion of the insulating sleeve comprises the step of:
wrapping the first portion of the insulating sleeve with a restraining material free of adhesives.
11 . The method of claim 1 , and further comprising the steps of:
attaching a collar to the exhaust tube; and
attaching the metal protective cover to the collar.
12 . The method of claim 1 , and further comprising the steps of:
attaching a pair of collars to the exhaust tube to define a space for the insulating sleeve; and
attaching end portions of the metal protective cover to each collar.
13 . The method of claim 1 , and further comprising the steps of:
sliding a second insulating sleeve over the insulating sleeve; and
adjusting the second insulating sleeve to a substantially uniform thickness.
14 . An insulated exhaust tube comprising:
an exhaust tube;
an insulating sleeve wrapped around at least a portion of the exhaust tube; and
a protective metal cover disposed around the insulating sleeve.
15 . The insulated exhaust tube of claim 14 , and further comprising:
a restraining material in restraining engagement with an end portion of the insulating sleeve.
16 . The insulated exhaust tube of claim 14 , and further comprising:
a restraining material in restraining engagement with a portion of the insulating sleeve.
17 . The insulated exhaust tube of claim 14 , wherein the insulating sleeve is trimmed to substantially match an edge of the restraining material.
18 . The insulated exhaust tube of claim 14 , wherein the insulating sleeve comprises a braided material.
19 . The insulated exhaust tube of claim 16 , wherein:
the restraining material comprises:
flexible plastic.
20 . The insulated exhaust tube of claim 14 , wherein the protective metal cover is embossed.
21 . The insulated exhaust tube of claim 14 , and further comprising:
a collar joined to the exhaust tube to define an end location for the insulating sleeve.
22 . The insulated exhaust tube of claim 14 , and further comprising:
a collar joined to the exhaust tube to define an end location for the insulating sleeve; and
a pair of collars joined to the exhaust tube and spaced apart to define a space in which the insulating sleeve is at least partially disposed.
23 . The insulated exhaust tube of claim 14 , and further comprising:
a second insulating sleeve wrapped around the insulating sleeve.