Exhaust system for adjusting performance of a vehicle

Abstract

An exhaust system includes an ability to adjust the noise and performance of a vehicle. In one version, the system includes a pipe having an inlet connectable to an engine of the vehicle, with a valve configured to selectively direct the exhaust flow either through the muffler and its typical spiral baffles, or alternatively to be diverted for a more direct exhaust path without travelling through the spiral baffles for muffling effect.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
         1 . An exhaust system, comprising:
 a central pipe having an inlet end and an exit end and defining a first interior space, the inlet end being configured for connection to an engine;   a set of baffles attached to the exterior of the central pipe between the inlet end and the exit end;   an outer casing, a first end wall, and a second end wall combining to enclose the set of baffles in a second interior space defined between the exterior surface of the central pipe and the outer casing, the inlet end of the central pipe extending laterally beyond the first end wall and the outlet end of the central pipe extending laterally beyond the second end wall;   a cutout formed in the central pipe, the cutout providing a path of travel between the first interior space and the second interior space;   a valve mounted within the first interior space adjacent the cutout, the valve being configured to operate between an open position in which gases entering the inlet end are allowed to travel all the way through the first interior space and through the exit end, and a closed position in which the valve blocks the first interior space and directs gases entering the inlet end through the cutout and into the second interior space such that gases entering the inlet end are prevented from traveling all the way through the first interior space and through the exit end; and   an opening formed in the central pipe adjacent the exit end and between the valve and the exit end, the opening providing a path of travel between the second interior space and the first interior space.   
     
     
         2 . The exhaust system of  claim 1 , wherein the valve is mounted within the central pipe for pivotal movement between the open position and the closed position. 
     
     
         3 . The exhaust system of  claim 2 , wherein the valve further comprises a valve plate, the valve plate having an outer perimeter corresponding to an inner circumference of the central pipe when the valve is in the closed position. 
     
     
         4 . The exhaust system of  claim 2 , wherein the valve comprises an axle connected to the valve, the axle being supported by the exhaust system for pivotal movement of the valve between the open position and the closed position. 
     
     
         5 . The exhaust system of  claim 1 , wherein the opening is formed as a series of holes. 
     
     
         6 . The exhaust system of  claim 1 , wherein the set of baffles are configured to spiral around the central pipe to define a spiral path of travel around the second interior space. 
     
     
         7 . The exhaust system of  claim 1 , wherein the central pipe is cylindrical in cross section. 
     
     
         8 . An exhaust system, comprising:
 a central pipe having an inlet end and an exit end and defining a first interior space, the inlet end being configured to receive exhaust gases produced by an engine;   an outer casing, a first end wall, and a second end wall combining to define a second interior space between the exterior surface of the central pipe and the outer casing, the first end wall, and the second end wall, a portion of the central pipe extending beyond the first end wall at the inlet end, and a portion of the central pipe extending beyond the second end wall at the exit end;   a set of baffles positioned within the second interior space;   a first opening formed in the central pipe adjacent the inlet end, the first opening providing a path of travel between the first interior space and the second interior space;   a second opening formed in the central pipe adjacent the outlet end, the second opening providing a path of travel between the second interior space and the first interior space;   a valve attached to the exhaust system and operable between an open position in which gases entering the inlet end are allowed to travel all the way through the first interior space, and a closed position in which the valve blocks the path of travel through the central pipe at a location between the first opening and the second opening.   
     
     
         9 . The exhaust system of  claim 8 , wherein the valve is mounted within the central pipe. 
     
     
         10 . The exhaust system of  claim 9 , wherein the valve is mounted for pivotal movement between the open position and the closed position. 
     
     
         11 . The exhaust system of  claim 8 , wherein the valve further comprises a valve plate, the valve plate having an outer perimeter corresponding to an inner circumference of the central pipe when the valve is in the closed position. 
     
     
         12 . The exhaust system of  claim 10 , wherein the valve comprises an axle connected to the valve, the axle being supported by the exhaust system for pivotal movement of the valve between the open position and the closed position. 
     
     
         13 . The exhaust system of  claim 8 , wherein the second opening is formed as a series of holes. 
     
     
         14 . The exhaust system of  claim 8 , wherein the set of baffles are configured to spiral around the central pipe to define a spiral path of travel around the second interior space between the first opening and the second opening. 
     
     
         15 . The exhaust system of  claim 8 , wherein the central pipe is cylindrical in cross section. 
     
     
         16 . The exhaust system of  claim 8 , further comprising an actuator configured to control the operation of the valve between the open position and the closed position.