IP Library Granted Patent US 11,702,969
Granted Patent B2
US 11,702,969 · App. 17/746,358 · Granted Jul 18, 2023

Acoustically tuned muffler

Inventors: Keith Bartu (Dexter, MI); Jeremy Popovich (Brooklyn, MI); Brett Herwat (Jackson, MI); Gabriel Ostromecki (Ann Arbor, MI)
Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
F01N1/083F01N1/003F01N1/006F01N1/02F01N1/023G10K11/161G10K11/172F01N2210/04F01N2470/14F01N2470/18F01N2490/10F01N2490/15
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,702,969
App. No.
17/746,358
Granted
Jul 18, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A muffler for receiving exhaust gas from a combustion engine comprises a shell, first and second inlet pipes each having outlets providing exhaust gas to a mixing chamber within the shell, a first chamber and a second chamber positioned within the shell and a pair of communication pipes each including an inlet receiving exhaust gas from the mixing chamber. Each communication pipe includes an outlet providing exhaust to the second chamber. Each of the communication pipes further includes a Helmholtz opening positioned downstream of the mixing chamber. The Helmholtz openings are open to the first chamber.

Claims (15)

1. A muffler for receiving exhaust gas from a combustion engine, the muffler comprising:

a shell;

first and second inlet pipes each having outlets providing exhaust gas to a mixing chamber within the shell;

a first chamber and a second chamber positioned within the shell; and

a pair of communication pipes each including an inlet receiving exhaust gas from the mixing chamber, each communication pipe including an outlet providing exhaust to the second chamber, each of the communication pipes further including a Helmholtz opening positioned downstream of the mixing chamber, the Helmholtz openings being open to the first chamber.

2. The muffler according to claim 1 , wherein the mixing chamber is positioned adjacent to the first chamber and separated from the first chamber by a baffle.

3. The muffler according to claim 2 , wherein the mixing chamber is positioned between the mixing chamber and the second chamber.

4. The muffler according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the Helmholtz openings is shaped as a separation between first and second portions of one of the communication pipes.

5. The muffler according to claim 4 , wherein the first portion of one of the communication pipes overlaps and is spaced apart from the second portion of one of the communication pipes.

6. The muffler according to claim 4 , wherein the first portion of one of the communication pipes is concentrically aligned with the second portion of one of the communication pipes.

7. The muffler according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the Helmholtz openings is shaped as an aperture extending through one of the communication pipes.

8. The muffler according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the Helmholtz openings is shaped as an open-ended tube extending from one of the communication pipes.

9. The muffler according to claim 1 , wherein the first chamber is a dead chamber that is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber only via the Helmholtz openings.

10. The muffler according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second inlet pipes extend through the shell.

11. The muffler according to claim 1 , wherein the outlets of the first and second inlet pipes are not coaxially aligned with either of the inlets of the communication pipes.

Assignments (3)
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 →