Seamless in-line airboat muffler

Abstract

A muffler comprising a generally cylindrical in-line muffler having a seamless outer body for use in silencing airboat engines is disclosed. An inner perforated stainless steel inner tube is surrounded by a stainless steel mesh liner and a stainless steel outer body having opposing ends swaged to a reduced diameter. The use of all stainless steel components provides a muffler that is highly resistant to corrosion. In addition, the muffler is ideally suited for use in marine environments since it is capable of discharging ingested water as the stainless steel perforated inner tube and mesh liner will not become water logged. A method for fabricating mufflers in accordance with the present invention if further disclosed.

1 . An exhaust muffler comprising:
 a perforated tube having a middle portion and opposing end portions;   a mesh liner disposed in concentric surrounding relation with said perforated tube middle portion;   a tubular sleeve disposed in concentric surrounding relation with said perforated tube and said mesh liner having, said sleeve having an inlet end disposed in proximity to one end of said perforated tube and an outlet end disposed in proximity to the opposing end of said perforated tube;   said tubular sleeve having a radially enlarged middle portion generally encasing said mesh liner sandwiched between said an inner surface of said tubular sleeve and an outer surface of said perforated tube, said tubular sleeve swaged to a reduced diameter at opposing ends of said radially enlarged middle portion to provide a seamless outer surface.   
   
   
       2 . An exhaust muffler according to  claim 1 , wherein said perforated tube is formed of stainless steel. 
   
   
       3 . An exhaust muffler according to  claim 1 , wherein said mesh liner is formed of stainless steel. 
   
   
       4 . An exhaust muffler according to  claim 1 , wherein said tubular sleeve formed of stainless steel. 
   
   
       5 . An exhaust muffler for use with an airboat at engine, said exhaust muffler comprising:
 a stainless steel perforated tube having a middle portion and opposing end portions;   a stainless steel mesh liner disposed in concentric surrounding relation with said perforated tube middle portion;   a stainless steel tubular sleeve disposed in concentric surrounding relation with said perforated tube and said mesh liner having, said tubular sleeve having an inlet end projecting from one end of said perforated tube and an outlet end projecting from the opposing end of said perforated tube;   said tubular sleeve having a radially enlarged middle portion generally encasing said mesh liner sandwiched between said outer body and said perforated tube, said outer body swaged to a reduced diameter at opposing ends of said radially enlarged middle portion so as to be devoid of scams.   
   
   
       6 . An exhaust muffler for use with an airboat engine according to  claim 5 , wherein said mesh liner comprises stainless steel wool.