Patent Grant
11105233
The present disclosure relates generally to regulating the performance of an exhaust system and, more particularly, to regulating the performance of an exhaust system in a combustion engine using a tri-modal valve.
The ability of a vehicle exhaust system to provide sports characteristics at low and high engine speeds and also provide low cabin noise at cruising speeds is limited. A more reliable, cost-effective method is needed to regulate performance characteristics of an exhaust system. The ability of an exhaust system to provide sports characteristics (which may include loud exhaust discharges and/or exhaust pulses) at low and high engine speeds may allow for the provision of acoustically-appealing vehicle characteristics for a wide range of consumers. Further, such exhaust systems that also provide a decreased acoustic output at cruising speeds increase the comfort and enjoyment levels of drivers and passengers alike by allowing the vehicle occupants to converse with each other without unnecessary strain or effort. Existing exhaust systems include bi-modal valves and lack the ability to achieve a third mode of operation. This lacks acoustic refinement and can lead to an overly noisy ride and/or a lack of sports exhaust characteristics at low engine speeds. It would therefore be desirable to enable an exhaust system to accurately, repeatably, and reliably regulate performance characteristics, such as acoustic characteristics, for example, using a single valve. Therefore, what is needed is an apparatus, system, and/or method that addresses one or more of the foregoing issues, and/or one or more other issues.
The present disclosure provides systems and methods for regulating performance characteristics of a vehicle (e.g., an acoustic output of an exhaust pulse) using an exhaust system with a tri-modal valve. A generalized system for regulating performance characteristics of a vehicle includes an engine configured to output an exhaust gas. The system further includes an emissions system in fluid communication with the engine, and the emissions system is configured to clean the exhaust gas. The system further includes a valve system in fluid communication with the emissions system. The valve system is configured to regulate a flow of the exhaust gas. The valve system includes a vane movable between a forward open position, a closed position, and a rear open position. The valve system further includes a biasing member configured to bias the vane in the forward open position. The valve system further includes a bypass channel configured to provide a bypass flow path for the exhaust gas to control a backpressure on the vane.
An additional generalized system for regulating performance characteristics of a vehicle includes an engine. The system further includes an emissions system. The system further includes a valve system configured to regulate a flow of an exhaust gas. The valve system includes a vane movable between: (1) a forward open position to provide low restriction of the flow of the exhaust gas as the exhaust gas flows through the valve system; (2) a closed position to provide high restriction of the flow of the exhaust gas as the exhaust gas flows through the valve system; and (3) a rear open position to provide low restriction of the flow of the exhaust gas as the exhaust gas flows through the valve system. The valve system further includes a biasing member configured to bias the vane in the forward open position. The valve system further includes a bypass channel configured to provide a bypass flow path for the exhaust gas to control a backpressure on the vane.
A generalized method for regulating performance characteristics of a vehicle includes biasing a vane of a valve system in a forward open position to provide low restriction of a flow of an exhaust gas. The method further includes moving, in response to a first increase in the flow of the exhaust gas, the vane from the forward open position to a closed position to provide high restriction of the flow of the exhaust gas. The method further includes maintaining the vane in the closed position in response to the flow of the exhaust gas flowing through a bypass channel. The method further includes moving, in response to a second increase in the flow of the exhaust gas, the vane from the closed position to a rear open position to provide low restriction of the flow of the exhaust gas.
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to certain implementations, or examples, illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described implementations, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
This disclosure describes a system for regulating performance characteristics of a vehicle. In the system, a valve system in the vehicle regulates a flow of exhaust gas as the exhaust gas flows from the engine, to an exhaust output, and into the atmosphere. The valve system includes a vane in an exhaust channel, and the vane is movable between at least three positions: a forward open position, a closed position, and a rear open position. Additionally, the valve system includes a bypass channel that provides an additional flow path for the exhaust gas. When the vane is in the forward open position, there may be low to no restriction of the flow of the exhaust gas through the exhaust channel. Therefore, a noise level of an exhaust discharge may be loud, which may be preferred by vehicle owners that want a vehicle with sports exhaust characteristics. Additionally, when the vane is in the forward open position, the vehicle may be idling or in an overrun state. When the vane is in the closed position, there may be generally complete restriction of the flow of the exhaust gas through the exhaust channel. Therefore, the bypass channel becomes the primary flow path for the exhaust gas, which prevents the vane from travelling immediately from the forward open position to the rear open position. Additionally, a noise level of an exhaust discharge may be quiet (or at least quieter than the noise level when the vane is in the forward open position), which may allow occupants of the vehicle to easily converse with one another. Further, when the vane is in the closed position, the vehicle may be in a cruising state. When the vane is in the rear open position, there may be generally no restriction of the flow of the exhaust gas through the exhaust channel. Therefore, a noise level of an exhaust discharge may be loud (and may be louder than the noise level when the vane is in the forward open position). Additionally, when the vane is in the rear open position, the vehicle may be moderately or fully accelerating.
The HMI 160, includes a display unit 162, an input/output (I/O) device 164, and a communication device 166, which may be a Bluetooth or other wireless or wired device. The I/O device 164 may be in the form of a communication port (e.g., a USB port), a touch-screen display unit, soft keys associated with a dashboard, a steering wheel, and/or other similar components of the vehicle 110. The display unit 162 may be, include, or be part of a plurality of display units arranged to show a visual output to a user. For example, in several embodiments, the display unit 162 may include one, or any combination, of a central display unit associated with the dashboard of the vehicle 110, an instrument cluster display unit associated with an instrument cluster of the vehicle 110, and a heads-up display unit associated with the dashboard and a windshield of the vehicle 110. Thus, as used herein the reference numeral 162 may refer to one, or a combination, of said display units.
In the embodiment of
In several embodiments, the vane 230 may be rotatable between a plurality of positions (e.g., one, two, three, or any other number of positions). In some embodiments, the vane 230 may rotate smoothly and continuously between the plurality of positions. In other embodiments, the vane 230 may rotate in a more erratic fashion depending on the backpressure applied to the upstream surface 236 of the vane 230. In an exemplary embodiment, the vane 230 may be rotatable between a first position, a second position, and a third position. In the first position, which may be a forward open position, the biasing member 250 may bias the vane 230 so that the distal portion 234 of the vane 230 rests against the stopping member 240. In the embodiment shown in
In several embodiments, as the exhaust gas flows through the exhaust channel 210, a backpressure is placed on an upstream surface 236 of the vane 230. The backpressure may be illustrated by the indicator 270. In exemplary embodiments, when the vane 230 is in the forward open position, a force (which may be a biasing force) placed on a downstream surface 238 of the vane 230 by the biasing member 250 is greater than the backpressure placed on the upstream surface 236 of the vane 230. The vane 230 may be in the forward open position when a load on the engine 120 is low and/or when the vehicle 110 is in an idle state (e.g., when a speed of the engine 120 is low). In the forward open position, the exhaust gas may flow through both a lower portion 218 of the exhaust channel 210, beneath the vane 230, and through the bypass channel 260 (which may be a bypass flow of the exhaust gas). Accordingly, in some embodiments, there is relatively low restriction of the flow of the exhaust gas through the valve system 200 when the vane 230 is in the forward open position. In other embodiments, there is no restriction of the flow of the exhaust gas through the valve system 200 when the vane 230 is in the forward open position. As the flow of the exhaust gas increases, the vane 230 is moved toward a closed position, and more exhaust gas begins to flow through the bypass channel 260, which will be discussed in further detail below.
In several examples, when there is relatively low or no restriction of the flow of the exhaust gas through the exhaust channel 210, a noise level (which may be an acoustic output) of an exhaust discharge (which may be exhaust gas flowing through the exhaust output 150) may be loud. For example, the noise level may be loud when the engine 120 of the vehicle 110 is running, but gas pedal of the vehicle 110 is not being pressed. In some embodiments, the exhaust gas is output in the form of an exhaust pulse. An exhaust pulse may occur when a driver of the vehicle 110 repeatably presses down on a gas pedal of the vehicle 110. The driver of the vehicle 110 may repeatably press down on the gas pedal of the vehicle 110 to rev the engine while the vehicle 110 is idling, for example. The loud noise level may be preferable for a driver of the vehicle 110 who wants the exhaust system of the vehicle 110 to exhibit the characteristics of a sports exhaust when the vehicle 110 is idling, for example. Therefore, in some examples, the valve system 140 may facilitate sports exhaust characteristics when the vehicle 110 is idling or when the engine 120 in an overrun state. The engine 120 may be in an overrun state when the vehicle 110 is moving, but the vehicle 110 is not accelerating (which may occur when the driver does not press down on the gas pedal). For example, the vehicle 110 may be in an overrun state when the vehicle 110 is coasting (e.g., to slow down without braking, when travelling down a hill, etc.).
In several embodiments, the bypass channel 260 may be tuned to provide a variety of desired characteristics, which may depend on a driver's desired performance characteristics for the vehicle 110 or the proper characteristics for peak performance of the systems of the vehicle 110. For example, the bypass channel 260 may be tuned to provide different performance characteristics for an emissions system, an exhaust system, an acoustic output from the vehicle 110, etc. In some instances, the vehicle 110 may be tuned by adjusting the biasing member 250 and/or by adjusting any other component in the vehicle 110 to achieve a desired performance characteristic(s). In some embodiments, tuning of the vehicle 110 may be performed to set the peak restriction of the flow of the exhaust gas through the valve system 140 relative to the load on the engine 120 at a desired or optimum value. In several embodiments, as the flow through the bypass channel 260 increases, the pressure across the bypass channel 260 begins to approach a saturated flow range. In some examples, in the saturated flow range, an increase in pressure across the bypass channel 260 does not produce a corresponding increase in flow. As the pressure across the bypass channel 260 increases, the backpressure applied to the upstream surface 236 of the vane 230 also increases. As the backpressure applied to the upstream surface 236 of the vane 230 increases, the vane 230 and the pivot 220 begin to rotate in a counterclockwise direction, for example, such that the distal portion 234 of the vane 230 moves in a downstream direction.
In some embodiments, when the vane 230 is in the forward open position, the bypass channel 260 receives a flow of exhaust gas at a first pressure (which may be a first bypass pressure). As the engine load increases, which may occur as more fuel is supplied to the engine 120 (e.g., when a driver of the vehicle 110 presses down on a gas pedal of the vehicle 110), the flow of the exhaust gas through the exhaust channel 210 increases as well. This may result in an increase in pressure across the bypass channel 260. As discussed above, the increase in pressure across the exhaust channel 210 causes the backpressure applied to the upstream surface 236 of the vane 230 to increase. As discussed above, when the pressure across the bypass channel 260 reaches a saturated flow range, any increase in pressure across the bypass channel 260 will not produce a corresponding increase in exhaust gas flow through the bypass channel 260. In some embodiments, when a saturated flow is reached in the bypass channel 260, the backpressure in the exhaust channel 210 increases to such a level that the force applied to the upstream surface 236 of the vane 230 by the backpressure may equal or substantially equal the force applied to the downstream surface 238 of the vane 230 by the biasing member 250, as shown in the embodiment in
In the embodiment shown in
In some embodiments, when the vane 230 is in the closed position, the bypass channel 260 receives a flow of exhaust gas at a second pressure (which may be a second bypass pressure). The second pressure across the bypass channel 260 may be greater than the first pressure across the bypass channel 260, which is present when the vane 230 is in the forward open position, as discussed above. Additionally, as discussed above, as the pressure across the bypass channel 260 increases, the flow of the exhaust gas through the bypass channel 260 approaches a saturated flow where an increase in pressure does not correspond to an increase in flow. When the pressure across the bypass channel 260 reaches or substantially reaches the saturated flow condition, any exhaust flow through the bypass channel 260 no longer decreases the backpressure applied to the upstream surface 236 of the vane 230. Accordingly, as the engine load and/or speed of the vehicle 110 further increases, the backpressure applied to the upstream surface 236 of the vane 230 begins to be greater than the biasing force applied to the downstream surface 238 of the vane 230 by the biasing member 250, as shown in
In the embodiment shown in
In some embodiments, when the vane 230 is in the rear open position, the bypass channel 260 receives a flow of exhaust gas at a third pressure (which may be a third bypass pressure). The third pressure across the bypass channel 260 may be less than the first pressure across the bypass channel 260, which is present when the vane 230 is in the forward open position, as discussed above. Additionally, as discussed above, as the flow of exhaust gas through the valve system 140 increases, the pressure across the bypass channel 260 increases as well until the flow of exhaust gas through the bypass channel 260 reaches a saturated flow. When the flow becomes saturated, any increase in pressure across the bypass channel 260 does not produce a corresponding increase in flow of exhaust gas through the bypass channel 260. Therefore, when the flow through the bypass channel 260 reaches a saturated flow, the backpressure applied to the upstream surface 236 of the vane 230 increases and eventually becomes greater than the force applied to the downstream surface 238 of the vane 230 by the biasing member 250. Accordingly, as the engine load and/or speed of the vehicle 110 further increases, the backpressure applied to the upstream surface 236 of the vane 230 moves the vane 230 from the closed position to the rear open position, as shown in
The following discussion will be made with reference to
In one such embodiment, as illustrated in
At a step 420 during or after biasing the vane in the forward open position, the vane is moved, in response to a first increase in the flow of the exhaust gas, from the forward open position to a closed position to provide high restriction of the flow of the exhaust gas. In some embodiments, the first increase in the flow of the exhaust gas may occur as a result of an increase in engine speed and/or engine load (e.g., when the vehicle 110 accelerates from an idling position). In some embodiments, when the vane 230 is in the closed position, the distal portion 234 of the vane 230 is close to or in contact with a bottom surface 213 of the exhaust channel 210. In the closed position, the force applied by the biasing member 250 to the downstream surface 238 of the vane 230 may be equal or generally equal to the backpressure applied to the upstream surface 236 of the vane 230. In several embodiments, the backpressure applied to the upstream surface 236 of the vane 230 is greater when the vane 230 is in the closed position than when the vane 230 is in the forward open position. Accordingly, in some examples, when the vane 230 is in the closed position, the exhaust gas flows entirely or almost entirely through the bypass channel 260.
At a step 430, the vane is maintained in the closed position in response to the flow of the exhaust gas flowing through a bypass channel. In several embodiments, the bypass channel is the exterior bypass channel 260 shown in
At a step 440, the vane is moved, in response to a second increase in the flow of the exhaust gas, from the closed position to a rear open position to provide low restriction of the flow of the exhaust gas. In some embodiments, the second increase in the flow of the exhaust gas may occur as a result of a second increase in engine speed and/or engine load (e.g., when the vehicle 110 accelerates from a cruising state to an acceleration state, which may be a moderate or full acceleration state). After the second increase in the flow of the exhaust gas, the engine speed and/or the engine load may be greater than after the first increase in the flow of the exhaust gas. In some embodiments, when the vane 230 is in the rear open position, the distal portion 234 of the vane 230 is spaced from the bottom surface 213 of the exhaust channel 210. In the rear open position, the force applied by the biasing member 250 to the downstream surface 238 of the vane 230 may be less than the backpressure applied to the upstream surface 236 of the vane 230. Accordingly, in some examples, when the vane 230 is in the closed position, the exhaust gas flows entirely or almost entirely through the exhaust channel 210.
As shown in the embodiment of
In contrast, as shown in the embodiment of
In several embodiments, a computer system typically includes at least hardware capable of executing machine readable instructions, as well as the software for executing acts (typically machine-readable instructions) that produce a desired result. In several embodiments, a computer system may include hybrids of hardware and software, as well as computer sub-systems.
In several embodiments, hardware generally includes at least processor-capable platforms, such as client-machines (also known as personal computers or servers), and hand-held processing devices (such as smart phones, tablet computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), or personal computing devices (PCDs), for example). In several embodiments, hardware may include any physical device that is capable of storing machine-readable instructions, such as memory or other data storage devices. In several embodiments, other forms of hardware include hardware sub-systems, including transfer devices such as modems, modem cards, ports, and port cards, for example.
In several embodiments, software includes any machine code stored in any memory medium, such as RAM or ROM, and machine code stored on other devices (such as floppy disks, flash memory, or a CD ROM, for example). In several embodiments, software may include source or object code. In several embodiments, software encompasses any set of instructions capable of being executed on a node such as, for example, on a client machine or server.
In several embodiments, combinations of software and hardware could also be used for providing enhanced functionality and performance for certain embodiments of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, software functions may be directly manufactured into a silicon chip. Accordingly, it should be understood that combinations of hardware and software are also included within the definition of a computer system and are thus envisioned by the present disclosure as possible equivalent structures and equivalent methods.
In several embodiments, computer readable mediums include, for example, passive data storage, such as a random access memory (RAM) as well as semi-permanent data storage such as a compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM). One or more embodiments of the present disclosure may be embodied in the RAM of a computer to transform a standard computer into a new specific computing machine. In several embodiments, data structures are defined organizations of data that may enable an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, a data structure may provide an organization of data, or an organization of executable code.
In several embodiments, any networks and/or one or more portions thereof, may be designed to work on any specific architecture. In an embodiment, one or more portions of any networks may be executed on a single computer, local area networks, client-server networks, wide area networks, internets, hand-held and other portable and wireless devices and networks.
In several embodiments, a database may be any standard or proprietary database software, such as Oracle, Microsoft Access, SyBase, or DBase II, for example. In several embodiments, the database may have fields, records, data, and other database elements that may be associated through database specific software. In several embodiments, data may be mapped. In several embodiments, mapping is the process of associating one data entry with another data entry. In an embodiment, the data contained in the location of a character file can be mapped to a field in a second table. In several embodiments, the physical location of the database is not limiting, and the database may be distributed. In an embodiment, the database may exist remotely from the server, and run on a separate platform. In an embodiment, the database may be accessible across the Internet. In several embodiments, more than one database may be implemented.
In several embodiments, a plurality of instructions stored on a computer readable medium may be executed by one or more processors to cause the one or more processors to carry out or implement in whole or in part the above-described operation of each of the above-described systems, methods, and/or any combination thereof. In several embodiments, such a processor may include one or more of any processor(s) that are part of the components of the above-described systems, and/or any combination thereof, and such a computer readable medium may be distributed among one or more components of the above-described systems. In several embodiments, such a processor may execute the plurality of instructions in connection with a virtual computer system. In several embodiments, such a plurality of instructions may communicate directly with the one or more processors, and/or may interact with one or more operating systems, middleware, firmware, other applications, and/or any combination thereof, to cause the one or more processors to execute the instructions.
It is understood that variations may be made in the foregoing without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
In some embodiments, the elements and teachings of the various embodiments may be combined in whole or in part in some or all of the embodiments. In addition, one or more of the elements and teachings of the various embodiments may be omitted, at least in part, and/or combined, at least in part, with one or more of the other elements and teachings of the various embodiments.
Any spatial references, such as, for example, “upper,” “lower,” “above,” “below,” “between,” “bottom,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “angular,” “upwards,” “downwards,” “side-to-side,” “left-to-right,” “right-to-left,” “top-to-bottom,” “bottom-to-top,” “top,” “bottom,” “bottom-up,” “top-down,” etc., are for the purpose of illustration only and do not limit the specific orientation or location of the structure described above.
In some embodiments, while different steps, processes, and procedures are described as appearing as distinct acts, one or more of the steps, one or more of the processes, and/or one or more of the procedures may also be performed in different orders, simultaneously, and/or sequentially. In some embodiments, the steps, processes, and/or procedures may be merged into one or more steps, processes, and/or procedures.
In some embodiments, one or more of the operational steps in each embodiment may be omitted. Moreover, in some instances, some features of the present disclosure may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Moreover, one or more of the above-described embodiments and/or variations may be combined in whole or in part with any one or more of the other above-described embodiments and/or variations.
Although some embodiments have been described in detail above, the embodiments described are illustrative only and are not limiting, and those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many other modifications, changes, and/or substitutions are possible in the embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all such modifications, changes, and/or substitutions are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the following claims. In the claims, any means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Moreover, it is the express intention of the borrower not to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6 for any limitations of any of the claims herein, except for those in which the claim expressly uses the word “means” together with an associated function.
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