Muffler with a barrier member configured to attenuate acoustic energy propagating upstream in a gas flow

Abstract

A muffler includes a housing with an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice. The housing is configured to receive a gas flow, the gas flow entering through the inlet orifice and exiting through the outlet orifice. The muffler also includes a barrier member disposed within the housing. The barrier member is configured to be disposed within the gas flow and to attenuate acoustic energy propagating generally from the outlet orifice toward the inlet orifice in an upstream direction. The barrier member includes an outer structure that defines an inner volume of the barrier member. The inner volume is oriented toward the outlet orifice.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to mufflers and, more particularly, to mufflers with barrier members configured to dampen acoustic energy propagating upstream in a gas flow through a damper. Background Art

[0002] Some devices include one or more mufflers to reduce unwanted noise during operation. For example, in a vehicle engine system, the operation of a turbocharger may produce an audible vibration or hissing sound. Therefore, a muffler may be included to reduce the noise.

[0003] In many cases, the muffler can take up a considerable amount of space. Therefore, fitting the muffler within the system can be difficult. Moreover, reducing the size of the muffler can reduce its effectiveness in reducing noise.

[0004] Furthermore, some mufflers may be effective at reducing noise at one frequency. However, the same muffler may not be effective at reducing noise at another frequency. Thus, the muffler may have limited usefulness.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a compact muffler for an engine system that effectively reduces noise across a range of frequencies.Other desirable features and characteristics of the present disclosure will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background. Summary of the invention

[0006] In one embodiment, a muffler is disclosed, comprising a housing with an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice. The housing is configured to receive a gas flow, the gas flow entering through the inlet orifice and exiting through the outlet orifice. The muffler also includes a barrier member disposed within the housing. The barrier member is configured to be disposed within the gas flow and to attenuate acoustic energy propagating generally from the outlet orifice toward the inlet orifice in an upstream direction. The barrier member includes an external structure that defines an internal volume of the barrier member. The internal volume is oriented toward the outlet orifice.

[0007] In another embodiment, a muffler is disclosed, which includes a shell with an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice. The shell is configured to receive a gas flow, the gas flow enters through the inlet orifice and leaves through the outlet orifice. The muffler also includes a barrier member, which is arranged in the shell and is configured to be arranged in the gas flow. The barrier member includes an upstream end, a downstream end and an axis extending between the upstream end and the downstream end. The barrier member has an outer width measured perpendicular to the axis. The outer width gradually increases along the axis from the upstream end to the downstream end. The barrier member defines an internal volume. The downstream end includes an opening into the internal volume. The muffler also includes at least one resonator, which is supported by the barrier member in the internal volume.

[0008] In another embodiment, a vehicle engine system is disclosed, which includes a turbocharger having an air inlet to a compressor. The engine system also includes a muffler operably attached to the air inlet of the turbocharger. The muffler includes a housing having an upstream wall with an inlet orifice and a downstream wall with an outlet orifice. The outlet orifice is fluidly connected to the air inlet of the turbocharger. The housing includes an outer radial wall extending between the upstream wall and the downstream wall. The housing has a generally straight axis extending between the inlet orifice and the downstream orifice. The housing is configured to receive a gas flow, which enters via the inlet orifice and leaves via the outlet orifice. The muffler also includes a plurality of external resonators attached to the upstream wall. The external resonators are cylindrical and hollow and are generally coaxial with the axis. The external resonators have different lengths. The muffler also includes a barrier member, which is arranged in the housing. The barrier member includes an outer shell, which defines an upstream end, a downstream end, and an internal volume of the barrier member. The barrier member is generally symmetrical around the axis. The outer shell has an outer width measured perpendicular to the axis. At least a portion of the outer shell has an outer width that gradually increases from the upstream end to the downstream end in the downstream direction. The barrier member is oriented within the shell so that the internal volume is oriented toward the outlet orifice. The muffler also includes at least one resonator disposed within the internal volume of the barrier member. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements, and wherein:

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle engine system including a muffler according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0011] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A longitudinal cross-sectional view of a muffler;

[0012] Figure 3 yes Figure 2An exploded perspective view of a muffler;

[0013] Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a muffler according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0014] Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a muffler according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0015] Figure 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a muffler according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0016] Figure 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a muffler according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0017] Figure 8 It is along Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of the reducer taken along line 8-8. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure or the application and uses of the present disclosure. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background or the following detailed description.

[0019] In general, exemplary embodiments disclosed herein include a muffler with improved sound attenuation characteristics. In particular, exemplary embodiments include a muffler with a housing through which a gas flow (e.g., air flow) can pass. The muffler may also include a barrier member (e.g., a sound capture cup) disposed within the flow stream of the housing to capture and attenuate acoustic energy directed from a noise source and reduce further transmission of the noise.

[0020] The barrier member may include an internal volume that is open in at least one direction. The internal volume may be generally open toward the outlet of the housing. Thus, acoustic energy propagating from the outlet in an upstream direction may be attenuated by the barrier member.

[0021] The attenuator may include various features that help attenuate acoustic energy, improve manufacturability, and / or provide other benefits. For example, the shape of the barrier member may be configured to improve attenuation performance. Moreover, the attenuator may include one or more attenuation features such as a resonator, a sound-absorbing material, etc. In addition, the housing may include an attenuation member such as a resonator, a sound-absorbing material, etc. The barrier member and the housing may be arranged together to attenuate acoustic energy in series. Moreover, the pressure drop across the attenuator may be relatively low.

[0022] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary turbocharger 100, which includes a turbocharger housing 101 and a rotor 102. The rotor 102 is configured to rotate about a rotor rotation axis 103 within the turbocharger housing 101. The rotor 102 may be supported via one or more bearings (not shown) for rotation about the axis 103. In some embodiments, the rotor 102 may be rotationally supported by a thrust bearing and a plurality of journal bearings. Alternatively, other bearings may be included.

[0023] As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the turbocharger housing 101 may include a turbine housing 105, a compressor housing 107, and a bearing housing 109. The bearing housing 109 may be disposed between the turbine housing 105 and the compressor housing 107. Also, in some embodiments, the bearing housing 109 may house bearings of the rotor 102.

[0024] In addition, rotor 102 includes a turbine wheel 111, a compressor wheel 113, and a shaft 115. Turbine wheel 111 is generally positioned within turbine housing 105. Compressor wheel 113 is generally positioned within compressor housing 107. Shaft 115 extends through bearing housing 109 along rotation axis 103 to connect turbine wheel 111 to compressor wheel 113. Thus, turbine wheel 111 and compressor wheel 113 rotate together about axis 103.

[0025] The turbine housing 105 and the turbine wheel 111 cooperate to form a turbine (i.e., turbine section, turbine stage) configured to circumferentially receive a high-pressure and high-temperature exhaust gas flow 121 from an engine (e.g., from an exhaust manifold 123 of an internal combustion engine 125). The turbine wheel 111 (and therefore the rotor 102) is driven to rotate about the axis 103 by the high-pressure and high-temperature exhaust gas flow 121, which is converted into a low-pressure and low-temperature exhaust gas flow 127, which is released into a downstream exhaust pipe 126. In other embodiments, the engine 125 may be of another type, such as a diesel-fueled engine.

[0026] The compressor housing 107 and the compressor wheel 113 form a compressor (i.e., a compressor section, a compressor stage). The compressor wheel 113, which is driven to rotate by the turbine wheel 111 driven by the exhaust gas, is configured to compress an intake air flow 131 (e.g., ambient air or pressurized air from a previous stage in a multi-stage compressor) into a pressurized air flow 133, which is ejected circumferentially from the compressor housing 107. The compressor housing 107 may have a shape (e.g., a volute shape or other shape) that is configured to guide and pressurize the air sent from the compressor wheel 113. Due to the compression process, the pressurized air flow is characterized by an elevated temperature that is higher than the temperature of the intake air flow 131.

[0027] The pressurized air flow 133 may be directed through an air cooler 135 (i.e., an intercooler), such as a convection-cooled charge air cooler. The air cooler 135 may be configured to dissipate heat from the pressurized air flow 133, increasing its density. The resulting cooled and pressurized air flow 133 is directed to the intake manifold 139 of the internal combustion engine 125, or alternatively, to the next stage series compressor. The operation of the system may be controlled by an ECU (engine control unit) 151, which is connected to the rest of the system via a communication connection 153.

[0028] In some embodiments, the flow of intake air stream 131 may be directed through muffler 200. In particular, as Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , an inlet pipe 201 may extend into the muffler 200, and an outlet pipe 202 may extend between the outlet of the muffler 200 and the compressor housing 107. Thus, the intake air flow 131 may flow through the muffler 200 and into the compressor housing 107 to be compressed by the wheel 113 and into the pressurized air flow 133.

[0029] The muffler 200 may include features that attenuate acoustic energy across a wide range of frequencies. In some embodiments, the muffler 200 may attenuate acoustic energy that propagates (flows, travels, etc.) generally in an upstream direction from the outlet pipe 202 toward the inlet pipe 201. For example, the operation of the turbocharger 100 may result in noise generated by the flow, such as compressor blade passing frequency (CBPF) noise. The turbocharger 100 may also produce a hissing sound or other types of noise generated by the flow. However, the muffler 200 of the present disclosure may attenuate the noise. In addition, the muffler 200 may be relatively compact and still be effective in attenuating acoustic energy.

[0030] It will be appreciated that the muffler 200 may be Figure 1 system or within another system of the vehicle. For example, in another embodiment, the muffler 200 may be integrally formed within the compressor housing 107. For example, a portion of the muffler 200 may be integrally connected to a portion of the compressor housing 107 such that the portion(s) collectively define an integral, one-piece component (and such that the outlet pipe 202 is omitted). Additionally, the muffler 200 may be arranged at any location, upstream of the compressor inlet or downstream of the compressor outlet. Moreover, in some embodiments, the muffler 200 may be arranged upstream of the turbine inlet (i.e., to receive the exhaust flow 121), or the muffler 200 may be arranged downstream of the turbine outlet (i.e., to receive the exhaust flow 127). Furthermore, it will be understood that Figure 1The muffler 200 , turbocharger 100 , IC engine 125 , and other components are illustrated schematically; therefore, these components are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0031] In addition, it will be understood that the muffler 200 can be incorporated into systems other than engine systems and / or other than turbocharger systems. For example, the muffler 200 can be incorporated into another system through which a fluid (e.g., air or other gas) flows without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0032] Reference now Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the muffler 200 is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. In some embodiments, the muffler 200 may include one or more features disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 431,798, filed on February 14, 2017, entitled “ACOUSTIC DAMPER WITH RESONATOR MEMBERSARRANGED IN PARALLEL,” and the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference.

[0033] The abatement device 200 may generally include a housing 204 and a barrier member 203. The housing 204 may define an inlet aperture 214 and an outlet aperture 216 that allow gas to flow through the abatement device 200. The barrier member 203 may be configured to attenuate acoustic energy associated with operation of the system.

[0034] As shown, the housing 204 may include an upstream wall 208, a downstream wall 210, and an outer radial wall 211. The upstream wall 208 may include an inlet aperture 214, and the downstream wall 210 may include an outlet aperture 216. The outer radial wall 211 may extend between the upstream wall 208 and the downstream wall 210, and may be attached to the upstream wall 208 and the downstream wall 210 at both ends. The upstream wall 208, the downstream wall 210, and the outer radial wall 211 may be relatively thin-walled components. In some embodiments, the outer radial wall 211 may be hollow and cylindrical, with a circular cross-section (e.g., a hollow straight cylinder).

[0035] The inlet tube 201 may be attached to the upstream wall 208. The inlet tube 201 may be in fluid communication with the inlet aperture 214 so that the inlet tube 201 may direct the intake air flow 131 ( Figure 1 ) is transmitted into the abatement 200. The outlet pipe 202 can be attached to the downstream wall 210. The outlet pipe 202 can be in fluid communication with the outlet aperture 216 for outputting the air flow 131 from the abatement 200 to the compressor casing 107.

[0036] like Figure 3As shown in , the housing 204 may be collectively defined by a plurality of portions, such as a first portion 215 and a second portion 217. The first portion 215 may include an upstream wall 208. The second portion 217 may include an outer radial wall 211 and a downstream wall 210. The second portion 217 may also include a radius 219 at a transition between the outer radial wall 211 and the downstream wall 210. Figure 2 , the upstream terminal end or edge of the outer radial wall 211 can be attached to the perimeter of the upstream wall 208 to connect the first portion 215 with the second portion 217. In some embodiments, the outer radial wall 211 can be integrally connected to be integral with the downstream wall 210. Moreover, the outer radial wall 211 can be welded to the upstream wall 208, attached by fasteners, or attached in another manner.

[0037] The muffler 200 may also include a plurality of resonators 206 (ie, external resonators), such as a first resonator 218, a second resonator 230, and a third resonator 248. The first, second, and third resonators 218, 230, 248 may be configured to attenuate acoustic energy. In some embodiments, the first, second, and / or third resonators 218, 230, 248 may be generally cylindrical and hollow.

[0038] The first resonator 218 may be defined by the outer radial wall 211. Accordingly, the first resonator 218 may extend between the upstream wall 208 and the downstream wall 210. Moreover, in some embodiments, the first resonator 218 may be integrally attached to the downstream wall 210 to be unitary therewith.

[0039] The second resonator 230 may be surrounded by the first resonator 218. The third resonator 248 may be surrounded by the second resonator 230. The second resonator 230 and the third resonator 248 may be attached to the upstream wall 208. Moreover, the second resonator 230 and the third resonator 248 may be spaced apart from the downstream wall 210. In other words, Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the second and third resonators 230, 248 may each be attached to the upstream wall 208, may extend from the upstream wall 208 along the longitudinal axis 212 of the abatement 200, and may terminate in a space between the upstream wall 208 and the downstream wall 210. The third resonator 248 may be shorter than the second resonator 230, and the second resonator 230 may be shorter than the first resonator 218.

[0040] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown in , the resonators 218 , 230 , 248 can be generally coaxial with each other. Moreover, the resonators 218 , 230 , 248 can be centered on the axis 212 along with the inlet tube 201 , the inlet aperture 214 , the outlet tube 202 , and the outlet aperture 216 .

[0041] The attenuator 200 may also include at least one support structure 220 that attaches the barrier member 203 to the housing 204. In some embodiments, the support structure 220 includes a plurality of elongated members, such as rods, bars, pins, etc. The support structure 220 may extend along the longitudinal axis 212, but may be spaced apart from the longitudinal axis 212. Moreover, the support structures 220 may be spaced apart circumferentially about the axis 212. In some embodiments, there may be three support structures 220. The support structure 220 may be attached to the upstream wall 208 at one end, may extend from the upstream wall 208 along the axis 212, and may be attached to the barrier member 203 at an opposite end.

[0042] The barrier member 203 will now be discussed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. At least a portion of the barrier member 203 may be contoured, conical, truncated cone, cup-shaped, blunt-headed, hemispherical, etc. The barrier member 203 may be exposed to the gas flow within the abatement device 200. For example, the barrier member 203 may be arranged adjacent to the axis 212 (e.g., generally centered on the axis). Moreover, the barrier member 203 may be generally hollow and open-ended. The interior of the barrier member may be directed toward the outlet orifice 216 of the abatement device 200.

[0043] Barrier member 203 may include an outer shell 252 (i.e., an outer structure). Outer shell 252 may define at least a portion of an upstream end 251 of barrier member 203 and a downstream end 253 of barrier member 203. Moreover, outer shell 252 may be continuous and uninterrupted (i.e., without holes or other orifices) between upstream end 251 and downstream end 253. Outer shell 252 may also include an outer surface 225 and an inner surface 226. Outer shell 252 may have a relatively small wall thickness measured between outer surface 225 and inner surface 226.

[0044] The outer shell 252 can be hollow. As such, the inner surface 226 of the outer shell 252 can at least partially define the inner volume 222 of the barrier member 203. Moreover, the downstream end 253 can define an opening into the inner volume 222.

[0045] like Figure 2 , the outer shell 252 may have a width 224 (i.e., the outer width of the barrier member 203) measured perpendicular to the axis 212. In some embodiments, the width 224 may be the diameter of the circular cross-section of the outer shell 252. The width 224 of the outer shell 252 may vary along its axial length. Generally, the upstream end 251 may be narrower than the downstream end 253, and the width 224 may gradually increase from the upstream end 251 to the downstream end 253 along the axis 212. Therefore, the outer shell 252 may taper along its length. In some embodiments, the width 224 adjacent to the downstream end 253 may be greater than the width (e.g., diameter) of the inlet orifice 214 and / or the width of the outlet orifice 216.

[0046] In some embodiments, the shape of the outer shell 252 can be generally conical or truncated cone. In some embodiments, the outer shell 252 can be generally similar to a right cone. Accordingly, the outer shell 252 can include a sharp or rounded tip 227 at the upstream end 251 and a rounded lip 228 at the downstream end 253.

[0047] The outer shell 252 may be supported within the housing 204 via the support structure 220. In some embodiments, the outer shell 252 may be generally centered and symmetrical about the axis 212, wherein the axis 212 intersects the tip 227 of the outer shell 252 and is centered relative to the downstream lip 228. Accordingly, the outer shell 252 (and the internal volume 222 therein) may be generally coaxial with the inlet orifice 214 and the outlet orifice 216. The outer shell 252 may also be spaced apart from the housing 204 in both the longitudinal direction and the radial direction. In addition, the outer shell 252 may be spaced apart from the terminal ends of the second and third resonators 230, 248. Moreover, the outer surface 225 may generally face upstream, toward the inlet pipe 201, the inlet orifice 214, and the upstream wall 208. Conversely, the internal volume 222 may be generally oriented downstream, toward the outlet pipe 202 and the outlet orifice 216.

[0048] In addition, the barrier member 203 may include one or more sound-absorbing features. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown in , the barrier member 203 may include a plurality of internal resonators 256 (i.e., quarter-wavelength resonators). The internal resonators 256 may be cylindrical and hollow. The internal resonators 256 may be fixed to the inner surface 226 of the outer shell 252 at one end, and the resonators 256 may be coaxial with the axis 212 and centered on the axis 212. Moreover, the free ends of at least some of the resonators 256 may generally terminate in the same radial plane as the downstream lip 228 of the outer shell 252. Moreover, the barrier member 203 may be arranged so that: as the radius of the resonator 256 increases, the axial length of the resonator 256 decreases. In addition, the resonator 256 with the smallest radius may be arranged adjacent to the axis 212, and the resonator 256 with the second largest radius may surround the resonator with the first largest radius, and so on. In addition, there may be a substantially uniform radial distance 229 between adjacent resonators 256. Accordingly, the resonators 256 may be arranged in parallel within the internal volume 222. Furthermore, the open end of the resonator 256 may be oriented generally downstream, toward the outlet tube 202 and the outlet orifice 216 .

[0049] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the attenuator 200 can provide a flow profile that maintains a relatively low pressure drop from the inlet pipe 201 to the outlet pipe 202. This can be attributed to the varying cross-sectional area for fluid flow between the outer housing 204 and the barrier member 203 within the attenuator 200. For example, Figure 2 , three cross-sectional regions are indicated at 231, 233, and 235. Each region 231, 233, 235 has a different cross-sectional area for fluid flow. Approximately midway along the axis 212 of the attenuator 200, a first region 231 is indicated, and the cross-section at region 231 includes the outer shell 204, the barrier member 203, a portion of the second resonator 230, and the support structure 220. The second region 235 is indicated near the downstream end 253 of the barrier member 203. The inlet region 233 is selected at the inlet orifice 214. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area for fluid flow at 231 may be at least as large as the cross-sectional area at 233. Similarly, the cross-sectional area for fluid flow at 233 may be at least as large as the cross-sectional area at 233. In other words, it will be understood that in Figure 2 In some embodiments, the mathematical area (X) at 231 can be obtained, for example, by calculating the total cross-sectional area at the outer radial wall 211 and subtracting the area occupied by the second resonator 230, the support structure 220, and the barrier member 203. The mathematical area (Y) at 235 can be obtained by subtracting the area of ​​the barrier member 203 from the area of ​​the outer radial wall 211. The mathematical area (Z) at 233 (Z) is the area of ​​the inlet orifice 214. Therefore, in some embodiments, the area at 231 can be at least equal to the area at 233 (X≥Z). Similarly, in some embodiments, the area at 235 can be at least equal to the area at 233 (Y≥Z). Therefore, flow through the attenuator 200 can occur without generating a large pressure drop across the attenuator 200.

[0050] Accordingly, the muffler 200 can effectively attenuate and reduce the acoustic energy during operation. The muffler 200 can reduce the acoustic energy across a wide frequency band. In some embodiments, the internal volume 222 of the barrier member 203 can receive and reduce the acoustic energy propagating from the outlet orifice 216 in the upstream direction toward the inlet orifice 218. Moreover, as an additional benefit, the muffler 200 can be relatively compact and highly manufacturable.

[0051] Reference now Figure 4 , a reducer 300 is shown according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Except as described in detail below, the reducer 300 may be generally similar to Figure 2 and Figure 3 Embodiments of (or other embodiments disclosed herein). Figure 2 and Figure 3Components of those embodiments are indicated by corresponding reference numerals increased by 100.

[0052] The upstream end 351 of the barrier member 303 may include a protrusion 362 (e.g., a nipple, a sharp tip, etc.). The protrusion 362 may protrude from the exterior surface 325 in an upstream direction along the axis 312 and toward the inlet orifice 314. In some embodiments, the protrusion 362 may be centered on the axis 312. The protrusion may improve the flow performance of the abatement device 300, directing the gas flow in a radial direction around the barrier member 302.

[0053] The downstream lip 328 may also be contoured. For example, the downstream lip 328 may be contoured radially inward toward the axis 312. The curved downstream lip 328 may improve the flow properties of the abatement 300, directing the gas flow in a radial direction toward the axis 312 and toward the inlet aperture 316.

[0054] Additionally, in addition to the outer shell 352 being able to define different sections having different taper angles 368 (measured between the axis 312 and the outer shell 352), the width 324 of the outer shell 352 can taper along the axis 312, with the outer shell 352 being able to taper to the outer shell 352 at different angles. Figure 2 366. For example, the outer shell 352 may include a first section 364 and a second section 366 having different taper angles 368. Specifically, in some embodiments, the first section 364 may have a larger taper angle 368 than the second section 366. The first section 364 may be arranged upstream relative to the second section 366. Both the first section 364 and the second section 366 may be generally truncated cone-shaped and hollow. Moreover, the protrusion 362 may be attached to one axial end of the first section 364. The second section 366 may be attached to the other axial end of the first section 364, and the second section 366 may include a downstream lip 328.

[0055] The barrier member 303 may also include an inner wall 370. The inner wall 370 may extend radially across the inner volume 322 and may be fixedly attached to the inner surface 326 of the outer shell 352. The inner wall 370 may be attached at the transition between the first section 364 and the second section 366. The inner wall 370 may also include an inner opening 374. In some embodiments, the inner opening 374 may be a through hole centered on the axis 312.

[0056] In addition, the internal resonators 356 can be attached to the inner wall 370 and can extend from the inner wall 370 in the downstream direction. The internal resonators 356 can have different lengths 372 from each other. For example, in some embodiments, the internal resonator 356 closest to the axis 312 can be the shortest, and the resonator 356 farthest from the axis 312 can be the longest. The internal resonators 356 can be arranged so that the length 372 gradually increases in the radial direction.

[0057] In addition, a chamber 376 can be defined between the interior surface 326 of the outer shell 352 and the interior wall 370. The interior opening 374 can provide access to the chamber 376. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the chamber 376 can define a so-called Helmholtz resonator for providing additional attenuation of acoustic energy. In the illustrated embodiment, the chamber 376 is empty. Accordingly, the attenuator 300 can be a purely reactive-type attenuator.

[0058] Reference now Figure 5 , a reducer 400 is shown according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Except as described in detail below, the reducer 400 may be generally similar to Figure 4 Embodiments of (or other embodiments disclosed herein). Figure 4 Components of those embodiments are indicated by corresponding reference numerals increased by 100.

[0059] like Figure 5 As shown in , the outer shell 452 can be shaped and contoured differently than the embodiments discussed above. Specifically, the width 424 can gradually increase from the upstream end 451 to the downstream end 453 to provide contour to the outer surface 425 of the outer shell 452. Although the curvature of the outer shell 452 is Figure 5 is shown in two dimensions (i.e., the plane of the page), however it will be understood that Figure 5 The profile of the mid-outer shell 452 may also be curved circumferentially about the axis 412. Figure 4 Similar to the embodiment of the present invention, the downstream lip 428 can be slightly contoured inwardly in the radial direction. Accordingly, the outer shell 452 can be generally oval, egg-shaped, blunt-headed, hemispherical, or similarly shaped in another manner. In addition, the chamber 476 can contain a sound-absorbing material 478. In some embodiments, the material 478 may include foam, fabric, or other materials that attenuate noise. Accordingly, the dampener 400 can be a combination of a reactive type dampener and a passive type dampener. In other embodiments, the sound-absorbing material 478 can be omitted and the dampener 400 can be configured as a Helmholtz resonator. For example, the dampener 400 may include a hollow chamber having an opening on at least one surface.

[0060] Reference now Figure 6 , a reducer 500 is shown according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Except as described in detail below, the reducer 500 may be generally similar to Figure 5 Embodiments of (or other embodiments disclosed herein). Figure 5 Components of those embodiments are indicated by corresponding reference numerals increased by 100.

[0061] As shown, the abatement 500 may include a downstream wall 580. The downstream wall 580 may be attached to the outer shell 552 to generally define a downstream end 553 of the barrier member 503. There may also be a contoured transition 581 between the outer shell 552 and the downstream wall 580.

[0062] Downstream wall 580 may define a downstream opening 582. In some embodiments, downstream opening 582 may be a through hole extending through wall 580. Downstream opening 582 may also be coaxial with axis 512 and centered on axis 512.

[0063] Additionally, the abatement 500 can include a first interior wall 584. The first interior wall 584 can extend radially across the interior volume 522 and can be fixedly attached to the interior surface 526 of the outer shell 552. The first interior wall 584 can be disposed adjacent the upstream end 551. The first interior wall 584 can also include an interior opening 574. In some embodiments, the interior opening 574 can be a through hole centered on the axis 512.

[0064] The abatement 500 may also include a second interior wall 585. The second interior wall 585 may extend radially across the interior volume 522 and may be fixedly attached to the interior surface 526 of the outer shell 552. The second interior wall 585 may be disposed along the axis 512 between the first interior wall 584 and the downstream wall 580.

[0065] The attenuator 500 may also include an inner tube 586. The inner tube 586 may have a straight axis centered and aligned with the longitudinal axis 512. The inner tube 586 may also be fixedly attached to the first inner wall 584 at one end and fixedly attached to the downstream wall 580 at an opposite end. The tube 586 may also pass through the second inner wall 585 and may be fixedly attached to the second inner wall 585. The tube 586 may include a passage 588 that fluidly connects the downstream opening 582 with the inner opening 574. The tube 586 may also include at least one first radial opening 587 and at least one second radial opening 589. The first radial opening 587 may fluidly connect the passage 588 to the downstream chamber 590, which is cooperatively defined by the outer shell 552, the second inner wall 585, the tube 586, and the downstream wall 580. Second radial opening 589 may fluidly connect passage 588 to an intermediate chamber 592 cooperatively defined by outer shell 552 , first interior wall 584 , tube 586 , and second interior wall 585 .

[0066] Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the downstream chamber 590, the intermediate chamber 592 and the chamber 576 may define a so-called Helmholtz resonator for providing additional attenuation of acoustic energy. In the illustrated embodiment, the chambers 590, 592, 576 are empty. Accordingly, the attenuator 500 may be a pure reaction type attenuator.

[0067] Reference now Figure 7 and Figure 8 , a reducer 600 is shown according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Except as described in detail below, the reducer 600 may be generally similar to Figure 6 Embodiments of (or other embodiments disclosed herein). Figure 6 Components of those embodiments are indicated by corresponding reference numerals increased by 100.

[0068] The barrier member 603 of the attenuator 600 may include an outer shell 652. The outer shell 652 may define an interior volume 622. The interior volume 622 may include a sound-absorbing material 678. The sound-absorbing material 678 may be attached to an interior surface 626 of the outer shell 652. The barrier member 603 may also include a plurality of elongated retaining rods 694 extending radially across the interior volume 622. In some embodiments, the elongated retaining rods 694 may be attached to the downstream lip 628 of the barrier member 603. Figure 8 , a plurality of openings 696 can be defined between individual retaining rods 694 and between the retaining rods 694 and the outer shell 652. Accordingly, the retaining rods 694 can define a cage-like structure configured to retain the sound-damping material 678 within the outer shell 652. The openings 696 can allow acoustic energy to travel into the outer shell 652 for attenuation.

[0069] In addition, the attenuator 600 may include a plurality of external retaining members 698. The external retaining members 698 may include an elongated rod or other similar structure. The external retaining members 698 may be attached to the housing 604 (e.g., to the upstream wall 608 and / or the outer radial wall 611). The external retaining members 698 and the housing 604 may cooperate to define an annular cage structure 697 having a plurality of openings 699. The attenuator 600 may include a series of sound-absorbing materials 678, which are contained within the cage structure 697. The openings 699 may allow sound energy to propagate to the material 678 for further attenuation.

[0070] Accordingly, the attenuator of the present disclosure provides effective noise attenuation across a wide audio spectrum. The attenuator may include various features that reduce noise traveling in an upstream direction that may be perceived upstream by, for example, passengers of a vehicle. Moreover, the attenuator may provide a relatively small pressure drop of the gas flow. In addition, the attenuator may include various features, such as a quarter-wavelength resonator, a Helmholtz resonator, a sound-absorbing material, and a combination of two or more of these features. In addition, the attenuator may be relatively compact.

[0071] Although at least one exemplary embodiment is given in the above detailed description, it should be understood that there are many variations. It should also be understood that the exemplary embodiment or multiple exemplary embodiments are only examples and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the present disclosure in any way. More specifically, the above detailed description will provide a convenient roadmap for implementing the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. It should be understood that various changes can be made in the functions and arrangement structures of the elements described in the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as stated in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A muffler, comprising: a housing including an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture, the housing being configured to receive a gas flow, the gas flow entering through the inlet aperture and exiting through the outlet aperture; as well as a barrier member disposed within the housing, the barrier member configured to be disposed within the gas flow and to attenuate acoustic energy propagating in an upstream direction from the outlet orifice toward the inlet orifice, the barrier member comprising an outer structure defining an interior volume of the barrier member, the interior volume being oriented toward and open to the outlet orifice; The external structure includes at least one of the following: at least one resonator contained within the interior volume of the outer structure; and A sound-damping material is contained within the interior volume of the outer structure.

2. The muffler according to claim 1, wherein: The barrier member includes an upstream end, a downstream end, and an axis extending between the upstream end and the downstream end; wherein the outlet orifice is aligned with the axis of the barrier member.

3. The muffler according to claim 2, wherein: The inlet aperture is aligned with the axis of the barrier member.

4. The muffler according to claim 2, wherein: The barrier member is symmetrical about the axis.

5. The muffler according to claim 1, wherein: The outer structure includes an upstream end, a downstream end, and an axis extending between the upstream end and the downstream end; and Wherein, the outer structure has a width that increases along the axis from the upstream end to the downstream end.

6. The muffler according to claim 5, wherein: At least a portion of the outer structure tapers in width along the axis.

7. The muffler according to claim 6, wherein: The outer structure has one of a conical shape and a frustoconical shape.

8. The muffler according to claim 6, wherein: The outer structure has an outer surface with a three-dimensional contour.

9. The muffler according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one resonator includes a plurality of quarter-wavelength resonators arranged in parallel within the interior volume.

10. The muffler according to claim 1, wherein: the at least one resonator comprising at least one interior wall connected to the exterior structure and defining a chamber within the interior volume; wherein the at least one interior wall comprises an opening; and Therein, the at least one interior wall, the opening and the chamber are configured to define a Helmholtz-type resonator.

11. The muffler of claim 1 further comprising a sound-damping material supported by at least one of the interior volume and the housing.

12. The muffler of claim 1, wherein: The inlet orifice defines an inlet cross-sectional area; wherein a flow cross-sectional area is defined between the barrier member and the housing; wherein the barrier member defines an upstream end, a downstream end, and a length measured from the upstream end to the downstream end; and Therein, along the entire length of the barrier member, the flow cross-sectional area is at least equal to the inlet cross-sectional area.

13. A muffler comprising: a housing including an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture, the housing being configured to receive a gas flow, the gas flow entering through the inlet aperture and exiting through the outlet aperture; a barrier member disposed within the housing and configured to be disposed within the gas flow, the barrier member including an upstream end, a downstream end, and an axis extending between the upstream end and the downstream end, the barrier member having an outer width measured perpendicular to the axis, the outer width gradually increasing along the axis from the upstream end to the downstream end, the barrier member defining an interior volume, the downstream end including an opening into the interior volume; at least one resonator, the at least one resonator supported within the interior volume by the barrier member, wherein the barrier member comprises an outer shell that at least partially defines the interior volume of the barrier member; wherein the at least one resonator comprises at least one interior wall connected to the outer shell and defining a chamber within the interior volume; wherein the at least one interior wall comprises an opening; and Therein, the at least one interior wall, the opening and the chamber are configured to define a Helmholtz-type resonator.

14. The muffler according to claim 13, wherein: The at least one resonator comprises a plurality of Helmholtz-type resonators.

15. The muffler of claim 13, further comprising a sound-damping material supported by at least one of the interior volume and the housing.

16. The muffler of claim 13, wherein: The outlet orifice is aligned with the axis of the barrier member.

17. A vehicle engine system, comprising: a turbocharger having an air inlet to the compressor; as well as A muffler as claimed in any preceding claim operably attached to the air inlet of the turbocharger.

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