Patent ID: 7093425

Claim:
A variable flow regulator assembly for a catalytic converter comprising a catalyst substrate and a shell disposed about the catalyst substrate, said variable flow regulator comprising: a first exhaust pipe attached to the shell and having at least one interference tab concentrically and circumferentially disposed on an interior surface of said first exhaust pipe; a second exhaust pipe concentrically disposed within said first exhaust pipe, said second exhaust pipe having an outlet adjacent the catalyst substrate, a first portion attached to the first exhaust pipe and a second portion between the outlet and the first portion and spaced apart from the first exhaust pipe; a movable exhaust pipe having at least one interference tab concentrically and circumferentially disposed on an exterior surface of said movable exhaust pipe to engage said at least one interference tab of said first exhaust pipe; an actuation mechanism in communication with said first exhaust pipe, said second exhaust pipe and said movable exhaust pipe; and said movable exhaust pipe concentrically disposed about the second portion of said second exhaust pipe, and between said first exhaust pipe and said second exhaust pipe.