Abstract:
A tunable muffler for a vehicle may include a center frame having a first cavity, a detachable connected base plate being detachably connected to the center frame and a tunable baffle to tune the muffler. The center frame may include a second cavity, and the tunable baffle may be mounted substantially 90° to the plane of the base plate. The baffle may be mounted substantially parallel to the plane of the base plate, and the baffle may be controlled by a control device.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to mufflers and more particularly to a tunable muffler. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Most vehicles include a muffler to control the back pressure on the engine and to control the noise from the engine. Both functions are determined by the internal characteristics of the muffler. These internal characteristics may be controlled by baffles within the muffler, and these baffles have been generally placed into the muffler when the muffler has been manufactured. These baffles are not movable, and the characteristics remained fixed. It would be desirable to be able to change the characteristics of the muffler in order to more finely tune the operation of the motor. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    A tunable muffler for a vehicle may include a center frame having a first cavity, a detachable connected base plate being detachably connected to the center frame and a tunable baffle to tune the muffler. 
         [0004]    The center frame may include a second cavity, and the tunable baffle may be mounted substantially 90° to the plane of the base plate. 
         [0005]    The baffle may be mounted substantially parallel to the plane of the base plate, and the baffle may be controlled by a control device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which, like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the center frame of the muffler of the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  illustrates a front view of the center frame of the muffler of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  illustrates a back view of the center frame of the muffler of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of the center frame of the muffler of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  illustrates a bottom view of the center frame of the muffler of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  illustrates a side view of the center frame of the muffler of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of another detachably connected base plate of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  illustrates a sectional view of a section of the detachably connected base plate of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  illustrates another sectional view of the detachably connected base plate of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  illustrates the detachably connected base plate and the center frame of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective view of another detachably connected base plate of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  illustrates the detachably connected base plate and the center frame of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 13  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the control device of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 14  illustrates a perspective view of the center frame and the elongated baffles of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 15  illustrates a perspective view of a cover for the muffler of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 16  illustrates the assembled muffler of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 17  illustrates a side view of the center frame and base plate of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a center frame  101  of a muffler  100  of the present invention. The center frame  101  may be a substantial rectangle as illustrated or an oval or other shape device. The center frame  101  may include a front wall  103 , an opposing back wall  105 , and the front wall  103  may be connected to a pair of opposing side walls  107  which may be connected to the back wall  105 . The front wall  103  may include an input port  111  which may be connected to an exhaust pipe  119  to allow exhaust to be input into the center frame  101 , and the back wall  105  may include an output port  113  to connect to an exhaust pipe  121  to conduct exhaust out of the center frame  101 . The front wall  103 , the back wall  105 , and the pair of opposing side walls  107  may define a first cavity  115  and a second cavity  117  which may be further defined by a dividing wall  109  which may extend between the side walls  107 . The center frame  101  may include a sound baffle  123  which may extend into the respective cavity, namely the first cavity  115  and/or the second cavity  117 . One or both of the sidewall  107  may include a sound absorbing chamber  125  which may provide sound control and may be filled with ceramic insulation or other appropriate insulation and which may extend the length of the sidewall  107 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  illustrates a front view of the center frame  101  and illustrates the front wall  103  and the exhaust pipe  119 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 3  illustrates a back view of the center frame  101  and illustrates the back wall  105  and the exhaust pipe  121 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of the center frame  101 . The center frame  101  may include a front wall  103 , an opposing back wall  105 , and the front wall  103  may be connected to a pair of opposing side wall  107  which may be connected to the back wall  105 . The front wall  103  may include an input port  111  which may be connected to a exhaust pipe  119  to allow exhaust to be input into the center frame  101 , and the back wall  105  may include a output port  113  to connect to an exhaust pipe  121  to conduct exhaust out of the center frame  101 . The front wall  103 , the back wall  105  and the pair of opposing side walls  107  may define a first cavity  115  and a second cavity  117  which may be further defined by a dividing wall  109  which may extend between the side walls  107 . The center frame  101  may include a sound baffle  123  which may extend into the respective cavity, namely the first cavity  115  and/or the second cavity  117 . One or both of the sidewall  107  may include a sound absorbing chamber  125  which may provide sound control and may be filled with ceramic insulation or other appropriate insulation and which may extend the length of the sidewall  107 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 5  illustrates a bottom view of the center frame  101 . The center frame  101  may include a front wall  103 , an opposing back wall  105  and the front wall  103  may be connected to a pair of opposing side wall  107  which may be connected to the back wall  105 . The front wall  103  may include an input port  111  which may be connected to a exhaust pipe  119  to allow exhaust from the engine of the vehicle to be input into the center frame  101  and the back wall  105  may include a output port  113  to connect to an exhaust pipe  121  to conduct exhaust out of the center frame  101 . The front wall  103 , the back wall  105  and the pair of opposing side walls  107  may define a first cavity  115  and a second cavity  117  which may be further defined by a dividing wall  109  which may extend between the side walls  107 . The center frame  101  may include a sound baffle  123  which may extend into the respective cavity, namely the first cavity  115  and/or the second cavity  117 . One or both of the sidewall  107  may include a sound absorbing chamber  125  which may provide sound control and may be filled with ceramic insulation or other appropriate insulation and which may extend the length of the sidewall  107 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 6  illustrates a side view of the center frame  101  and illustrates the front wall  103  the back wall  105 , the sidewall  107 , the divider wall  109 , the input port  111 , the output port  113 , the first cavity  115 , and the second cavity  117 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 7  illustrates a detachable connected base plate  131  which may be substantially planar and may be detachably connected to the center frame  101 . The detachably connected base plate  131  maybe formed from metal or plastic or other appropriate material and may be replaceable to change the baffle design for custom tuning of the muffler  100 , and may include apertures  137  to cooperate with a fastener such as a bolt to fasten to the center frame  101 . The base plate  131  may be connected to a rotatable baffle plate  133  which may rotate with respect to a center shaft  135  in order to custom tune the muffler  100 .  FIG. 7  illustrates a multitude of rotatable baffle plates  133  which may be adjusted at various angles in order to provide a custom tune to the muffler  100 . The baffle plates  133  are positioned to cooperate with the first cavity  115  and the second cavity  117  of the center frame  101 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 8  illustrates a sectional view of a center shaft  135  mounted on the base plate  131  and extending substantially perpendicular to the base plate  131 . The center shaft  135  extends through an aperture of the base plate  131  and may be rotatably connected to the base plate  131  by a fastener  139  which may be a nut. 
         [0032]      FIG. 9  illustrates a portion of the shaft  135 , the base plate  131  and the fastener  139 . An end of the shaft  135  may include a slot to allow the shaft  135  to be rotated while being assisted with a screwdriver. The location, size and number of rotatable baffle plate  133  may vary by tuner design 
         [0033]      FIG. 10  illustrates the base plate  131  being placed into the center frame  101 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 11  illustrates an alternative detachably connected base plate  141  which may be detachably connected to the center frame  101  for example by fasteners such as bolts connected through the apertures  142 . The detachably connected base plate  141  may include an elongated baffle  143  which may extend the substantial width of the base plate  141 , a bearing device  147  which may include upward extending arms which may cooperate with a shaft  145  which may be connected to the baffle  143 . The elongated baffle  143  may rotate with the shaft  145 .  FIG. 11  illustrates two elongated baffles  143 , but any number of elongated baffles  143  may be employed including a single baffle. The elongated baffles  143  may be positioned to cooperate with the first cavity  115  and the second cavity  117  of the center frame  101 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 17  illustrates an alternative detachably connected base plate  141  which may be detachably connected to the center frame  101  for example by fasteners such as bolts connected through the apertures  142 . The detachably connected base plate  141  may include an elongated baffle  143  which may extend the substantial width of the base plate  141 , a bearing device  147  which may include upward extending arms which may cooperate with a shaft  145  which may be connected to the baffle  143 . The elongated baffle  143  may rotate with the shaft  145 . The elongated baffles  143  may be positioned to cooperate with the first cavity  115  and the second cavity  117  of the center frame  101 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 17  illustrates that the shaft  145  may extend through the sidewall  107  of the center frame  101  and a arm  149  to rotate the shaft  145  and consequently the baffles  143 . A fastener  148  such as a nut may hold the arm  149  on the shaft  145 . The arm  149  may include a rod mounted traversing on the arm  149  to allow the simultaneous rotation of the baffles  143 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 17  additionally illustrates the sound baffle  123 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 12  illustrates the sidewall  107  of the center frame  101  and illustrates a multitude of arms  149  which are connected to the shaft  145  respectively. The arms  149  are connected to a connecting arm  155  to operate the baffle  143  simultaneously. The arm  149   a  is connected to a biasing device  151  which may be a spring in order to return the multitude of arms  149  to an original position. The connecting arm  155  may be connected to a cable  153 . As the cable  153  is pulled, the arms  149  rotate the baffle  143  and biasing device  151  biases the arms  149 . As the cable is released, the arms  149  return to the original position as a result of the biasing device  151 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 13  illustrates a control device  165  to control the position of the baffles  143  by controlling the movement of the cable  153 . The control device  165  includes a control arm  161  which may cooperate with the notches  163  of the control device  165 . As the control arm  161  is rotated with respect to the control device  165 , the cable  153  moves either in or out and changes the position of the baffles  143 . The notches  163  provide a resting point for the control arm  161 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 14  illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the detachably connected base plate  141  and the center frame  101 .  FIG. 14  illustrates the elongated baffle  143  connected to the shaft  145  to rotate in response to movement of the control arm  161  and being positioned within the first cavity  115 . Additional baffles  143  may be positioned within the second cavity  117 . The control arm  161  may be held on the shaft  145  by a spacer  173  and fastener  173 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 15  illustrates a cover  181  for the muffler  100 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 16  illustrates the muffler  100  may include a cover  181 , a center frame  101  and a detachable connected base plate  185  which may be one of the detachable connected base plate  141  or the detachable connected base plate  131 . 
         [0043]    While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed.