Automotive muffler having means for switching between loud and quieter modes

Abstract

An automotive muffler having a device for switching between loud and quieter modes includes a chamber having an inlet exhaust pipe and an outlet exhaust pipe for the passage of exhaust gases through the chamber. The first section of the chamber has a plurality of baffles with openings through the baffles for the passage of the exhaust gases. A second section of the chamber, separated from the first section of the chamber, permits a substantially unobstructed passage of exhaust gases through the second section of the chamber to the outlet exhaust pipe. A switching device is able to be selectively switched between diverting incoming exhaust gases substantially through only the first section of the chamber and diverting incoming exhaust gases substantially though only the second section of the chamber, so that when the exhaust gases are substantially diverted through only the first section of the chamber having the baffles, the automotive muffler is operated in a quiet mode and when the exhaust gases are substantially diverted through only the second section of the chamber, the automotive muffler is operated in a loud mode.

1 . An automotive muffler having means for switching between loud and quieter modes, comprising:
 a chamber having an inlet exhaust pipe and an outlet exhaust pipe for the passage of exhaust gases through said chamber;   a first section of said chamber having a plurality of baffles with openings through said plurality of baffles for the passage of the exhaust gases;   a second section of said chamber separated from said first section of said chamber for permitting the substantially unobstructed passage of exhaust gases therethrough to the outlet exhaust pipe; and,   means for selectively switching between diverting incoming exhaust gases substantially through only said first section of said chamber and diverting incoming exhaust gases substantially though only said second section of said chamber, so that when the exhaust gases are substantially diverted through only said first section of said chamber having said plurality of baffles, said automotive muffler is operable in a quiet mode, and when the exhaust gases are substantially diverted through only said second section of said chamber, said automotive muffler is operable in a loud mode.   
     
     
         2 . The automotive muffler having means for switching between loud and quieter modes according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of baffles of said first section of said chamber are angled for allowing the ready passage of the exhaust gases therethrough. 
     
     
         3 . The automotive muffler having means for switching between loud and quieter modes according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of baffles of said first section has circular openings passing therethrough. 
     
     
         4 . The automotive muffler having means for switching between loud and quieter modes according to  claim 1 , wherein said means for selectively switching means for switching between diverting incoming exhaust gases substantially through only said first section of said chamber and diverting incoming exhaust gases substantially though only said second section of said chamber includes a switching flap for substantially blocking an opening to either said first section or said second section of said chamber, thereby diverting the exhaust gases to either said second section or said first section, respectively, that is unblocked by said switching flap. 
     
     
         5 . The automotive muffler having means for switching between loud and quieter modes according to  claim 4 , wherein said switching flap is operable by a driver of a vehicle having said automotive muffler from a passenger compartment of the vehicle.