Patent Publication Number: US-11639676-B2

Title: Vehicle exhaust system

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a vehicle exhaust system. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to damping of sound generated by the vehicle exhaust system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A vehicle exhaust system directs exhaust gas generated by an internal combustion engine to external environment. The exhaust system may include various components, such as pipes, converters, catalysts, filters, and the like. During operation of the exhaust system, as a result of resonating frequencies, the components may generate undesirable noise. Different methods have been employed in various applications to address this issue. 
     For example, the components, such as mufflers, resonators, valves, and the like, have been incorporated into the exhaust system to attenuate certain resonance frequencies generated by the exhaust system. However, such additional components are expensive and increase weight of the exhaust system. Also, adding new components into the exhaust system introduce new sources of undesirable noise generation. 
     A well-known sound attenuating method is a Standing Wave Management (SWM) technology. The SWM includes an opening provided on an exhaust pipe. The opening provides a secondary exhaust leak path for sound to exit the exhaust pipe and minimizes leakage of the exhaust gas through the opening. The SWM utilizes a series of holes to allow sound waves to exit the exhaust pipe while limiting leakage of the exhaust gas. In some instances, the holes may be covered with a microperforated material to dampen the noise. In order to achieve a desired noise attenuation, the holes have to be relatively large in size. 
     However, the microperforated material is very thin and is not as structurally sound as a solid pipe wall of the exhaust pipe. As such, creating holes in the microperforated material may adversely affect durability of the microperforated material. Additionally, if relatively larger holes are cut into the exhaust pipe and covered with the microperforated material, durability of the exhaust pipe may also be adversely affected. Another concern is with grazing flow that may occur across a surface of the microperforated material. The acoustic properties of the microperforated material may change when the exhaust gas flows across the surface of the microperforated material. This may often reduce an ability of an acoustic wave to propagate through the micro perforations, which may limit the damping effect. 
     Additionally, the SWM has a well-known failure mode when debris, such as salt or mud, may plug the opening. The SWM may include multilayer parts where the debris may accumulate behind the multilayer parts and result in premature failure of the SWM. Also, for efficient functioning of the SWM, a desired diameter size of each of the series of holes may have to be less than 1 millimeter (mm). However, conventional manufacturing methods make it difficult to produce a 1 mm diameter hole in a material thicker than 1 mm. More specifically, durability of the component may be compromised if component thickness may be limited to 1 mm. Hence, there is a need for an improved vehicle exhaust system for such applications. 
     In an example, a U.S. Patent describes a vehicle exhaust system including an exhaust component having an outer surface and an inner surface that defines an internal exhaust component cavity. At least one hole is formed in the exhaust component to extend through a wall of the exhaust component from the outer surface to the inner surface. A member is formed from a resistive material and is configured to overlap the at least one hole. At least one spacer is configured to space the member away from the inner or outer surface of the exhaust component to create an open cavity between the member and the exhaust component. In one example, an actuator is configured to cover and uncover the member dependent upon an operating characteristic to vary damping. 
     In another example, a U.S. Patent describes a device for preventing shock excitation of an acoustic enclosure. The device includes a pressure anti-nodal point comprising a mechanical oscillator. The mechanical oscillator is exposed to the acoustic enclosure at the anti-nodal point. The mechanical oscillator is also tuned to resonate at a frequency for which the anti-nodal point is the pressure anti-node. 
     Given description covers one or more above mentioned problems and discloses a method and a system to solve the problems. 
     SUMMARY 
     In an aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle exhaust system is provided. The vehicle exhaust system includes a tubular component having an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface defines a primary exhaust gas flow path. The tubular component defines a central axis extending between an inlet end and an outlet end of the tubular component. The vehicle exhaust system also includes at least one opening defined by the tubular component. The at least one opening provides a secondary exhaust gas flow path. The at least one opening extends through each of the inner surface and the outer surface. The vehicle exhaust system further includes a patch adapted to cover the at least one opening. The patch includes a first portion extending parallel to the central axis. The first portion defines a plurality of pores. The first portion covers the at least one opening. The patch also includes a second portion extending away from the first portion. The first portion has a first thickness and the second portion has a second thickness. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, a tubular component for a vehicle exhaust system is provided. The tubular component includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface defines a primary exhaust gas flow path. The tubular component defines a central axis extending between an inlet end and an outlet end of the tubular component. The tubular component also includes at least one opening. The at least one opening provides a secondary exhaust gas flow path. The at least one opening extends through each of the inner surface and the outer surface. The tubular component further includes a patch adapted to cover the at least one opening. The patch includes a first portion extending parallel to the central axis. The first portion defines a plurality of pores. The first portion covers the at least one opening. The patch also includes a second portion extending away from the first portion. The first portion and the second portion together form an integral structure. The first portion has a first thickness and the second portion has a second thickness. The patch also includes at least one wire mesh insert. The at least one wire mesh insert is coupled with the first portion to cover at least one of the plurality of pores. The at least one wire mesh insert further includes an integrated retention system for coupling with the first portion of the patch. 
     In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a patch adapted to cover at least one opening in a tubular component of a vehicle exhaust system is provided. The patch includes a plurality of pores. The patch also includes at least one wire mesh insert. The at least one wire mesh insert is coupled with the patch to cover at least one of the plurality of pores. The at least one wire mesh insert includes a first head portion, a second head portion, and an intermediate portion. The intermediate portion extends between each of the first head portion and the second head portion. Each of the first head portion and the second head portion is adapted to couple the at least one wire mesh insert with the patch. The intermediate portion is adapted to be disposed in at least one of the plurality of pores. 
     Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic representation of a vehicle exhaust system, according to an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of a tubular component of the vehicle exhaust system of  FIG.  1   , according to an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  3 A  is a front view of a patch for the tubular component of  FIG.  2   , according to an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  3 B  is a front view of another patch for the tubular component of  FIG.  2   , according to another aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  3 C  is a front view of another patch for the tubular component of  FIG.  2   , according to another aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  4 A  is a cross sectional view of the patch of  FIG.  3 A  along a section A-A′, according to an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  4 B  is a cross sectional view of the patch of  FIG.  3 A  along a section B-B′, according to an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  4 C  is a cross sectional view of the patch of  FIG.  3 A  along a section C-C′, according to an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  4 D  is a cross sectional view of another exemplary patch, according to an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  5 A  is a front view of another patch for the tubular component of  FIG.  2   , according to another aspect of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG.  5 B  is a cross sectional view of the patch of  FIG.  5 A  along a section D-D′, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to same or like parts. Referring to  FIG.  1   , a schematic representation of a vehicle exhaust system  100  is illustrated. The vehicle exhaust system  100  will be hereinafter interchangeably referred to as the “system  100 ”. The system  100  is fluidly coupled to an engine  102 . The engine  102  may be any internal combustion engine powered by a fuel, such as diesel, gasoline, natural gas, and/or a combination thereof. Accordingly, the system  100  receives exhaust gas generated by the engine  102 . 
     The system  100  includes a number of downstream exhaust components  104  fluidly coupled to the engine  102 . The exhaust components  104  may include a number of systems/components (not shown), such as a Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC), a Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) unit, a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) unit, a particulate filter, an exhaust pipe, and the like. The exhaust components  104  may be mounted in various different configurations and combinations based on application requirements and/or available packaging space. The exhaust components  104  are adapted to receive the exhaust gas from the engine  102  and direct the exhaust gas to the external atmosphere via a tailpipe  106 . The exhaust components  104  are adapted to reduce emissions and control noise. 
     The system  100  also includes an acoustic damping member, such as a muffler  108 . The muffler  108  is provided in fluid communication with the exhaust components  104  and the tailpipe  106 . In the illustrated embodiment, the muffler  108  is disposed downstream of the exhaust components  104  and upstream of the tailpipe  106 . In other embodiments, the muffler  108  may be disposed in any sequence with respect to each of the exhaust components  104  and/or the tailpipe  106 , based on application requirements. The muffler  108  is adapted to dampen resonance frequencies generated during operation of the engine  102  and the system  100 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , a perspective view of an exemplary tubular component  202  associated with the system  100  is illustrated. The tubular component  202  may be any one or more of the exhaust components  104  and/or any portion of the system  100 , such as the exhaust pipe, the tailpipe  106 , the muffler  108 , and the like. The tubular component  202  has a substantially hollow and cylindrical configuration defining a central axis X-X′. Accordingly, the tubular component  202  includes an inner surface  204  and an outer surface  206 . The tubular component  202  also includes an inlet end  208  and an outlet end  210 . The outlet end  210  is disposed opposite and spaced apart with respect to the inlet end  208  along the central axis X-X′. The tubular component  202  defines a primary exhaust gas flow path along the inner surface  204  between the inlet end  208  and the outlet end  210  along the central axis X-X′. 
     The tubular component  202  also includes an opening  212 . In the illustrated embodiment, the tubular component  202  includes a single opening  212 . In other embodiments, the tubular component  202  may include multiple openings, based on application requirements. The opening  212  extends through each of the inner surface  204  and the outer surface  206 . In the illustrated embodiment, the opening  212  has a substantially rectangular configuration. In other embodiments, the opening  212  may have any other configuration, such as circular, triangular, elliptical, and the like. The opening  212  provides a secondary exhaust gas flow path in association with the primary exhaust gas flow path. 
     The system  100  also includes a patch  214  coupled to the tubular component  202 . More specifically, the patch  214  is disposed adjacent to the opening  212  in order to cover the opening  212 . Referring to  FIG.  3 A , a front view of the patch  214  is illustrated. In the illustrated embodiment, the patch  214  has a substantially flat and rectangular configuration, based on the configuration of the opening  212 . In other embodiments, the patch  214  may have any other configuration, based on the configuration of the opening  212 . More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, a portion of the tubular component  202  around the opening  212  is substantially flattened. In such a situation, a common patch  214  may be used in different sections of the tubular component  202  that may have a flattened opening  212 . In other embodiments, the opening  212  may be shaped with a curvature similar to a curvature of the tubular component  202 . In such a situation, the patch  214  may have a curved configuration similar to the curvature of the opening  212  of the tubular component  202 . 
     The patch  214  includes a first portion  302 . The first portion  302  has a substantially flat configuration defining a first thickness “T 1 ” (shown in  FIG.  4   ). In the illustrated embodiment, the first thickness “T 1 ” is approximately 1 millimeter (mm). In other embodiments, an actual value of the first thickness “T 1 ” may vary based on application requirements. In an assembled position of the patch  214  on the tubular component  202 , the first portion  302  extends substantially parallel with respect to the central axis X-X′. The first portion  302  also includes a number of pores  304 ,  306 ,  308 . Each of the pores  304 ,  306 ,  308  is disposed adjacent and spaced apart with respect to one another. Each of the pores  304 ,  306 ,  308  defines a diameter “D”. In the illustrated embodiment, the diameter “D” measures approximately 1 mm. In other embodiments, an actual value of the diameter “D” of each of the pores  304 ,  306 ,  308  may vary based on application requirements. 
     Referring to  FIG.  4 A , a cross sectional view of the patch  214  along a section A-A′ (shown in  FIG.  3 A ) is illustrated. The section A-A′ passes through a row of the pores  304  and a row of the pores  306 . In the illustrated embodiment, each of the pores  304  and the pores  306  is inclined at an angle “A 1 ” with respect to the central axis X-X′ and opposing a flow direction “F” of the exhaust gas through the tubular component  202 . The angle “A 1 ” is adapted to limit exfiltration of the exhaust gas from the tubular component  202  through each of the pores  304  and the pores  306 . In the illustrated embodiment, the angle “A 1 ” measures approximately 45 degrees) (°). In other embodiments, an actual value of the angle “A 1 ” may vary based on application requirements. 
     Referring to  FIG.  4 B , a cross sectional view of the patch  214  along a section B-B′ (shown in  FIG.  3 A ) is illustrated. The section A-A′ passes through another row of the pores  304  the pores  306 . In the illustrated embodiment, each of the pores  304  and the pores  306  is disposed substantially perpendicular with respect to the central axis X-X′ and the flow direction “F” of the exhaust gas through the tubular component  202 . Accordingly, an angle “A 2 ” defined with respect to the central axis X-X′ and the flow direction “F” measures approximately 90°. It should be noted that an arrangement of each of the pores  304 ,  306  described herein is merely exemplary and may vary based on application requirements. 
     For example, in some embodiments, the patch  214  may include only the pores  304  (as described with reference to  FIG.  4 A ) distributed throughout a surface of the first portion  302 . In such a situation, the pores  306  (as described with reference to  FIG.  4 B ) may be omitted and replaced with the pores  304 . In some embodiments, the patch  214  may include only the pores  306  (as described with reference to  FIG.  4 B ) distributed throughout the surface of the first portion  302 . In such a situation, the pores  304  (as described with reference to  FIG.  4 A ) may be omitted and replaced with the pores  306 . In yet some embodiments, the patch  214  may include a combination of each of the pores  304 ,  306  distributed throughout the surface of the first portion  302 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  3 A , the patch  214  also includes a second portion  310 . The second portion  310  extends away from the first portion  302 . Referring to  FIGS.  4 A to  4 C , in the illustrated embodiment, the second portion  310  extends perpendicularly away from the first portion  302 . Accordingly, the second portion  310  defines an angle “A 3 ” with respect to the first portion  302 , such that the angle “A 3 ” measures approximately 90°. Also, the second portion  310  defines a second thickness “T 2 ”. In the illustrated embodiment, the second thickness “T 2 ” is approximately 3 mm. Accordingly, the second thickness “T 2 ” is greater than the first thickness “T 1 ” of the first portion  302 . In other embodiments, the second thickness “T 2 ” may be approximately equal or less than the first thickness “T 1 ”, based on application requirements. 
     More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the second portion  310  includes a first rib  312 , a second rib  314 , a third rib  316 , a fourth rib  318 , and a central rib  320 . Each of the first rib  312 , the second rib  314 , the third rib  316 , the fourth rib  318 , and the central rib  320  defines a frame of the patch  214 . In the illustrated embodiment, each of the first rib  312 , the second rib  314 , the third rib  316 , and the fourth rib  318  is disposed in a manner to form the rectangular configuration of the patch  214 . Also, the central rib  320  is disposed between each of the first rib  312  and the third rib  316  in order to provide structural rigidity to the patch  214 . In other embodiments, the second portion  310  may include any number of ribs arranged in any configuration, based on application requirements. 
     It should be noted that a configuration of the second portion  310  including each of the first rib  312 , the second rib  314 , the third rib  316 , the fourth rib  318 , and the central rib  320  described herein is merely exemplary and may vary based on application requirements. For example, referring to  FIG.  4 D , another exemplary embodiment of the patch  326  is illustrated. The patch  326  includes the first portion  302  having the pores  304  as described with reference to  FIG.  4 A . As such, each of the pores  304  is inclined at the angle “A 1 ” with respect to the central axis X-X′. Further, the patch  326  includes the second portion  328 , such that each of the second rib  330 , the fourth rib  332 , and the central rib  334  is inclined at the angle “A 1 ” with respect to the central axis X-X′. Additionally, each of the first rib (not shown) and the third rib (not shown) may also be inclined at the angle “A 1 ” with respect to the central axis X-X′. In other embodiments, each of the first rib, the second rib  330 , the third rib, the fourth rib  332 , and/or the central rib  334  may be inclined at any other angle with respect to the central axis X-X′. 
     The patch  214  further includes one or more wire mesh inserts  322 . Each of the wire mesh inserts  322  is coupled with the first portion  302  in order to cover each of the pores  308 . The pores  308  are similar in configuration to the configuration of the pores  306  as described with reference to  FIG.  4 B . In other embodiments, the pores  308  may be similar in configuration to the configuration of the pores  304  as described with reference to  FIG.  4 A . In the illustrated embodiment, the patch  214  includes two wire mesh inserts  322 . In other embodiments, the patch  214  may include any number of wire mesh inserts  322  based on application requirements. In such a situation, the wire mesh inserts  322  may be disposed in any of the pores  304 ,  306 , based on application requirements. In some embodiments, the wire mesh insert  322  may be directly disposed in one or more of holes (not shown) provided on the tubular component  202 . The one or more holes may be provided extending through each of the inner surface  204  and the outer surface  206  of the tubular component  202 . In such a situation, the patch  214  may be omitted. 
     Referring to  FIG.  4 C , a cross sectional view of the patch  214  along a section C-C′ (shown in  FIG.  3 A ) is illustrated. In the illustrated embodiment, the wire mesh insert  322  has a substantially H-shaped configuration. More specifically, the wire mesh insert  322  includes a first head portion  402 , a second head portion  404 , and an intermediate portion  406 . The intermediate portion  406  extends between each of the first head portion  402  and the second head portion  404 . The intermediate portion  406  is disposed in the pore  308 . Further, each of the first head portion  402  and the second head portion  404  is disposed on opposing sides of the first portion  302 . More specifically, the wire mesh insert  322  may initially have a substantially T-shaped configuration (not shown). The T-shaped wire mesh insert (not shown) may then be inserted through the pore  308 . The T-shaped wire mesh may then be crushed within the pore  308 , such as during a riveting process, in order to form the H-shaped wire mesh insert  322  having the first head portion  402 , the second head portion  404 , and the intermediate portion  406 . Accordingly, each of the first head portion  402  and the second head portion  404  provides an integrated retention system in order to couple the wire mesh insert  322  with the first portion  302  of the patch  214  within the pore  308 . 
     It should be noted that the integrated retention system described herein is merely exemplary and may vary based on application requirements. For example, in other embodiments, the wire mesh insert  322  may be press fitted into one or more of the pores  304 ,  306 ,  308 . In other embodiments, the wire mesh insert  322  may be snap fitted into one or more of the pores  304 ,  306 ,  308 . In yet other embodiments, the wire mesh insert  322  may be integral with respect to the first portion  302  of the patch  214 . Accordingly, based on a coupling method, an overall configuration of the wire mesh insert  322  may also vary. 
     Referring to  FIG.  3 A , the wire mesh insert  322  is made of a wire mesh  324 . In the illustrated embodiment, the wire mesh  324  extends from each of the first head portion  402  and the second head portion  404  through the intermediate portion  406 . In some embodiments, the wire mesh  324  may be directly disposed in one or more of the pores  304 ,  306 ,  308  via the intermediate portion  406  of the wire mesh insert  322 . In such a situation, each of the first head portion  402  and the second head portion  404  of the wire mesh insert  322  may be omitted. The wire mesh  324  is adapted to dampen sound generated by the exhaust gas flowing through the tubular component  202 . More specifically, the wire mesh  324  is adapted to dampen sound waves exiting the tubular component  202  through the pores  308 . The wire mesh  324  is also adapted to limit exfiltration of the exhaust gas from the tubular component  202  through each of the pores  308 . 
     It should be noted that a density and/or material of the wire mesh  324  may vary based on application requirements. For example, in some situations, based on a relatively higher level of required sound damping, a high density material may be employed for the wire mesh  324 . As such, due to the high density material of the wire mesh  324 , escaping of the exhaust gas from the tubular component  202  through each of the pores  308  may also reduce substantially. Additionally, or alternatively, a higher number of wire mesh inserts  322  may be disposed on the first portion  302  of the patch  214  in any of the pores  304 ,  306 ,  308 . 
     In other situations, based on a relatively lower level of required sound damping, a low density material may be employed for the wire mesh  324 . Additionally, or alternatively, a lower number of wire mesh inserts  322  may be disposed on the first portion  302  of the patch  214  in any of the pores  304 ,  306 ,  308 . As such, based on the number of wire mesh inserts  322  and/or material of the wire mesh  324 , the patch  214  may be selectively tuned for different levels of sound damping, based on application requirements. Additionally, or alternatively, a number of patches  214  may be provided on the tubular component  202  along a length and/or diameter of the tubular component  202  in order to tune the tubular component  202  for different levels of sound damping. 
     It should be noted that the wire mesh insert  322  and the wire mesh  324  described herein is merely exemplary and optional. For example, in some embodiments, referring to  FIG.  3 B , each of the wire mesh insert  322  and the wire mesh  324  may be omitted. In such a situation, each of the pores  304 ,  306 ,  308  may be sized in a manner to allow escaping of the sound waves while simultaneously reducing escape of the exhaust gas therethrough. In another embodiment, referring to  FIG.  3 C , the patch  336  may include through slots  338  provided on the first portion  302 . In the illustrated embodiment, the patch  336  includes four slots  338  disposed spaced apart with respect to one another. In other embodiments, the patch  336  may include any number of slots  338  based on application requirements. 
     In yet other embodiments (not shown), the patch (not shown) may include a combination of the slots  338  and/or one or more of the pores  304 ,  306 ,  308  with or without the wire mesh inserts  322  and the wire mesh  324 . Each of the slots  338  defines a thickness “T 3 ”. The thickness “T 3 ” may be sized in a manner to allow escaping of the sound waves while simultaneously reducing escaping of the exhaust gas through the slots  338 . In some embodiments (not shown), wire mesh inserts (not shown) with wire mesh (not shown) may be disposed in one or more of the slots  338 . In such a situation, the wire mesh inserts and the wire mesh may be configured in accordance with an overall configuration of the slot  338 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  5 A , a front view of another patch  502  for the tubular component  202  is illustrated. Referring to  FIG.  5 B , a cross sectional view of the patch  502  along a section D-D′ (shown in  FIG.  5 A ) is illustrated. With combined reference to  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B , the patch  502  has a configuration substantially similar to the configuration of the patch  214  described with reference to  FIG.  3 A . More specifically, the patch  502  includes the first portion  302 , the second portion  310 , and a number of pores  506 . In the illustrated embodiment, each of the pores  506  has a configuration similar to the configuration of the pores  306 . In other embodiments, one or more of the pores  506  may have a configuration similar to the configuration of the pores  304 . 
     Further, the patch  502  includes a thermal expansion joint  510 . In the illustrated embodiment, the thermal expansion joint  510  is provided on the first portion  302 . More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the thermal expansion joint  510  is disposed around each of the pores  506 . The thermal expansion joint  510  has a substantially raised configuration relative to the first portion  302  of the patch  502 . The thermal expansion joint  510  may be made of a material similar to the material of the first portion  302 , such as a metal, an alloy, and the like. The thermal expansion joint  510  provides thermal expansion of the first portion  302  during operation of the system  100 , in turn, limiting thermal stress and thermal failure of the patch  502 . 
     The patch  214 ,  326 ,  336 ,  502 , including the first portion  302  and the second portion  310 ,  328 , may be made of any metal, alloy, or polymer, such as aluminum, tin, steel, brass, bronze, high temperature plastic, and the like. Each of the patch  214 ,  326 ,  336 ,  502  and the wire mesh insert  322  may be made using any manufacturing process, such as Metal Injection Molding (MIM) process. In such a situation, the patch  214 ,  326 ,  336 ,  502  may be manufactured as a single piece component, such that the first portion  302  and the second portion  310 ,  328  may together form an integral structure. Also, the wire mesh insert  322  may be manufactured as a single piece component, such that the first head portion  402 , the second head portion  404 , and the intermediate portion  406  may together form an integral structure. 
     The patch  214 ,  326 ,  336 ,  502  provides a simple and effective method for damping sound generated by the exhaust gas flowing through the tubular component  202 . More specifically, the patch  214  includes the wire mesh inserts  322  provided in one or more of the pores  304 ,  306 ,  308 . The wire mesh  324  of the wire mesh inserts  322  provides damping of sound as the sound may exit through one or more of the pores  304 ,  306 ,  308 . Additionally, the wire mesh  324  limits leakage of the exhaust gas from the tubular component  202  through one or more of the pores  304 ,  306 ,  308 . 
     The patch  214 ,  326 ,  336 ,  502  and/or the wire mesh insert  322  is manufactured using the MIM process. As such, one or more of the pores  304 ,  306 ,  308 ,  506  having the diameter “D” less than or approximately equal to 1 mm can be formed with reduced complexity on the first portion  302  having the first thickness “T 1 ” approximately equal to or higher than 1 mm. Further, the second portion  310 ,  328  provides increased structural rigidity to the patch  214 ,  326 ,  336 ,  502 . Also, the MIM process provides integral manufacturing of the first portion  302  and the second portion  310 ,  328 , in turn, improving product durability. Additionally, the MIM process provides manufacturing the patch  214 ,  326 ,  336 ,  502  in three-dimensional (3D) configuration, such as with the curvature similar to the curvature of the tubular component  202 . 
     The MIM process also provides ease of manufacturing relatively small diameter pores on a relatively higher thickness surface. The wire mesh insert  322  provides reduced accumulation of debris, such as salts, mud, dust, and the like, around one or more of the pores  304 ,  306 ,  308 , in turn, reducing premature failure of the system  100 . The patch  214 ,  326 ,  336 ,  502  with or without the wire mesh inserts  322  may be easily incorporated into existing systems with little or no modification to the existing system, in turn, providing improved product compatibility. 
     While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof