IP Library Granted Patent US 12,071,874
Granted Patent B2
US 12,071,874 · App. 17/156,364 · Granted Aug 27, 2024

Sound attenuating engine exhaust system

Inventors: Steve E. Williams (Cherry Valley, CA); Kevin McClelland (Riverside, CA)
Assignee: K&N Engineering, Inc.
F01N1/023F01N1/06G10K11/161G10K11/172G10K11/175F01N2490/15
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,071,874
App. No.
17/156,364
Granted
Aug 27, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A sound attenuating engine exhaust system and methods are provided for directing exhaust gases away from an internal combustion engine of a vehicle and attenuating undesirable exhaust sounds during engine operation. The sound attenuating engine exhaust system comprises an exhaust inlet configured to receive exhaust gases from the internal combustion engine. A first resonator coupled with the exhaust inlet is configured to dampen at least one frequency of exhaust sound waves by way of destructive wave interference. The first resonator includes an exhaust outlet for directing the exhaust gases out of the first resonator. A second resonator is coupled with the first resonator and configured to dampen one or more frequencies of exhaust sound waves by way of a combination of destructive wave interference and Helmholtz resonance. Hangers facilitate attaching the sound attenuating engine exhaust system to an undercarriage of the vehicle.

Claims (23)

1. A sound attenuating engine exhaust system to convey exhaust gases away from an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, the exhaust system comprising:

an exhaust inlet configured to receive exhaust gases from the internal combustion engine;

a first resonator coupled with the exhaust inlet and configured to dampen at least one frequency of exhaust sound waves, the first resonator comprising a drain hole configured to allow moisture from the exhaust system;

an exhaust outlet for directing the exhaust gases out of the first resonator;

a second resonator configured to cooperate with the first resonator to dampen one or more frequencies of exhaust sound waves;

a resonant neck connecting the second resonator with the exhaust outlet and configured to cooperate with the second resonator to dampen the one or more frequencies of exhaust sound waves, wherein the resonant neck is disposed between an exhaust tip and the first resonator wherein the second resonator includes an exterior guide tube having a first length disposed between a first endcap and a second endcap; and wherein the resonant neck includes a first guide tube having a second length that extends from the first endcap into an interior of the exterior guide tube wherein the first length and the second length are tuned with respect to one another so as to dampen the one or more frequencies of exhaust sound waves by way of destructive interference and Helmholtz resonance; and

wherein an incident sound wave is encountered entering the resonant neck when a reflected sound wave arrives at the beginning of the resonant neck.

2. The exhaust system of claim 1 , wherein the resonant neck comprises a tube-shaped member that is connected to the exhaust outlet at a first end and connected to the second resonator at a second end.

3. The exhaust system of claim 1 , wherein the resonant neck puts the second resonator into fluid communication with the exhaust system, such that the second resonator cooperates with the first resonator to directly influence the acoustic properties of the exhaust system of the vehicle.

4. The exhaust system of claim 1 , wherein the first resonator is configured to attenuate the at least one frequency of exhaust sound waves by way of destructive interference.

5. The exhaust system of claim 4 , wherein the first resonator is tuned to reflect an incoming sound wave so as to destructively interfere with a following sound wave.

6. The exhaust system of claim 5 , wherein the first resonator is tuned to a length that causes the incoming sound wave to travel a distance that is substantially the same as one quarter of a wavelength of the incoming sound wave before being reflected.

7. The exhaust system of claim 6 , wherein the incoming sound wave travels a distance within the first resonator that is substantially equivalent to one half of the wavelength before destructively interfering with the following sound wave, thereby reducing acoustic energy exiting the first resonator.

8. The exhaust system of claim 1 , wherein the exhaust inlet is coupled with the exhaust outlet to form an exhaust tube that extends from a first endcap to a second endcap disposed on opposite sides of the first resonator; and wherein multiple openings are disposed in the sidewalls of the exhaust tube and configured to allow incoming sound waves to propagate from the exhaust tube into an interior of the first resonator.

9. The exhaust system of claim 8 , wherein one or more cylindrical guides are concentrically disposed around the exhaust tube and alternatingly coupled with the first endcap and the second endcap, such that the incoming sound waves travel along a path having a distance substantially equal to one quarter of a wavelength comprising the incoming sound waves.

10. The exhaust system of claim 9 , wherein the path comprises a distance that causes reflected sound waves returning to the multiple openings to destructively interfere with incoming sounds waves arriving at the multiple openings, thereby reducing acoustic energy exiting the first resonator.

11. The exhaust system of claim 1 , wherein the second resonator is configured attenuate the exhaust sound waves by way of both destructive interference and Helmholtz resonance.

12. The exhaust system of claim 1 , wherein the second resonator is tuned to a total internal length that is substantially equal to one quarter of a wavelength of incoming sound waves.

13. The exhaust system of claim 1 , wherein the second resonator is configured to operate as a Helmholtz resonator to attenuate the one or more frequencies of exhaust sound waves.

14. The exhaust system of claim 13 , wherein the one or more frequencies of exhaust sound waves includes the at least one frequency of exhaust sound waves that is damped by the first resonator.

15. The exhaust system of claim 14 , wherein the one or more frequencies of exhaust sound waves includes a targeted Helmholtz frequency that is different than the at least one frequency of exhaust sound waves.

16. The exhaust system of claim 1 , wherein one or more cylindrical guides are concentrically disposed around the first guide tube and alternatingly coupled with the second endcap and the first endcap, such that incoming sound waves travel along a path having a distance substantially equal to one quarter of a wavelength comprising the incoming sound waves.

17. The exhaust system of claim 1 , wherein the path comprises a distance that causes reflected sound waves returning to the resonant neck to destructively interfere with incoming sounds waves arriving at the resonant neck, thereby reducing acoustic energy exiting the exhaust system.

Assignments (5)
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT – SUPPLEMENT NO. 1 Recorded Oct 25, 2024
From: K & N ENGINEERING, INC.
To: ANKURA TRUST COMPANY, LLC
Reel/Frame 069268/0013 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 24, 2024
From: K & N ENGINEERING, INC.
To: FIFTH THIRD BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 071008/0165 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 15, 2023
From: ANKURA TRUST COMPANY, LLC
To: K & N ENGINEERING, INC.
Reel/Frame 062760/0937 →
SUPERPRIORITY PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 17, 2022
From: K & N ENGINEERING, INC.
To: ANKURA TRUST COMPANY, LLC
Reel/Frame 061689/0682 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 19, 2021
From: WILLIAMS, STEVE E.; MCCLELLAND, KEVIN
To: K&N ENGINEERING, INC.
Reel/Frame 056288/0386 →