Split Flow Exhaust Deflector

Abstract

A split flow exhaust deflector for a grass moving machine such as a ZTR mower includes a sheet metal body mounted to a lower surface of a muffler of an internal combustion engine, spaced from the lower surface of the muffler to form a pair of channels through which exhaust gasses from the engine pass from the muffler and substantially outwardly through the pair of channels to a pair of locations adjacent a left side surface and a right side surface of the muffler.

1 . A split flow exhaust deflector, comprising:
 a one-piece sheet metal member attached to a lower portion of a muffler on a rear-mounted engine and having a generally horizontal planar lower surface spaced under the lower portion of the muffler, the member forming a left channel leading to a left side opening, a right channel leading to a right side opening, the left and right side openings adjacent a left side surface and a right side surface of the muffler such that exhaust gasses from the engine exit openings in the lower portion of the muffler and pass through the left and right channels to the left: and right side openings at or adjacent the left and right side surfaces of the muffler..   
     
     
         2 . The split flow exhaust deflector of  claim 1  wherein the left channel is shorter in length than the right channel. 
     
     
         3 . The Split flow exhaust deflector of  claim 1  wherein the muffler is a two-part member including the lower portion secured to an upper portion. 
     
     
         4 . The split flow exhaust deflector of  claim 1  further comprising a wider central portion between the, left and right channels. 
     
     
         5 . The split flow exhaust deflector of  claim 1  further comprising a heat shield positioned below and rearwardly of the muffler. 
     
     
         6 . A split flow exhaust'deflector, comprising:
 a pair of channels under a muffler, the pair of channels being unequal in length;   a central portion between the pair of channels and positioned under a plurality of exhaust openings in a muffler;   each channel having a side opening adjacent a side surface of the muffler.   
     
     
         7 . The split flow exhaust deflector of  claim 6  wherein the central portion has an area substantially the same as an area defined by the exhaust openings in the muffler. 
     
     
         8 . The split flow exhaust deflector of claim . 6  further comprising a flange along each of the pair of channels and fasteners securing the flange to the muffler. 
     
     
         9 . The split flow exhaust deflector of  claim 6  wherein the width of each channel is less than the width of the central portion. 
     
     
         10 . The split flow exhaust deflector of  claim 6  wherein the split flow exhaust deflector is a one-piece sheet metal body. 
     
     
         11 . A split flow exhaust deflector, comprising:
 a sheet metal body mounted to a lower surface of a muffler connected to an internal combustion engine of a zero turn radius mower, and spaced from the lower surface of the muffler to form a pair of channels between the sheet metal body and the lower surface of the muffler through which exhaust gasses from the engine-pass from'the muffler and substantially outwardly through the-pair of channels to a pair of locations adjacent a left side surface and a right side surface of the muffler.   
     
     
         12 . The split flow exhaust deflector of  claim 11  wherein the sheet metal body includes a central portion mounted over a plurality of exhaust openings in the lower surface of the muffler. 
     
     
         13 . The split flow exhaust deflector of  claim 11  wherein the muffler is generally box-shaped. 
     
     
         14 . The split flow exhaust deflector of  claim 11  wherein the muffler is connected to the internal combustion engine by at least one exhaust pipe.