An amphibious vehicle exhaust system insulation seal, vehicle and method of operation

Abstract

The application provides an amphibious vehicle exhaust system heat insulation sealing device, a vehicle and a working method, relates to the field of vehicles, and aims to accelerate the thermal aging of the side of a flexible sealing element in an amphibious vehicle exhaust system towards an exhaust flow channel, which affects the softness of the material and the sealing effect. A containing groove is arranged on one side of the exhaust channel, and a rotating heat insulation flap and a retractable sealing capsule are combined to realize state switching. In the protection state of land driving, the sealing capsule is retracted in the containing groove, and the heat insulation flap covers the opening of the containing groove, thereby blocking the direct heat radiation and airflow impact of high-temperature exhaust gas on the capsule. In the sealing state of water operation, the heat insulation flap and the sealing capsule form a rigid-flexible combined seal, which reduces the aging influence of high-temperature exhaust gas on the flexible sealing material in the non-water operation condition, reduces the damage risk through the double multi-stage blocking of the flap and the capsule in the water operation condition, and improves the durability and reliability of the exhaust sealing system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vehicles, and more specifically to a heat insulation and sealing device for the exhaust system of an amphibious vehicle, the vehicle itself, and a method for its operation. Background Technology

[0002] When amphibious vehicles are wading through water, the engine's intake and exhaust systems need to be sealed to prevent water from entering the exhaust or intake pipes and then the engine, causing internal damage. The intake system draws in air at ambient temperature, resulting in a lower temperature at the sealing location. Therefore, sealing elements such as airbags or water bladders, which are not easily resistant to high temperatures, can be used.

[0003] The exhaust system receives high-temperature exhaust gases. Airbags and other components that can seal the system through volume changes are mostly made of rubber. Although special rubber materials that can withstand high temperatures can be used, when amphibious vehicles travel on land for extended periods, the sealing elements located in the exhaust system are still subjected to the impact of high-temperature exhaust gases. This causes the area of ​​the sealing element facing the exhaust pipe passage to age faster at high temperatures, affecting the flexibility of the sealing element and thus the sealing effect. Under high sealing pressure, the aging area is also prone to damage, causing leakage and sealing failure. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides a heat insulation and sealing device for the exhaust system of an amphibious vehicle, a vehicle and a working method, which effectively isolates the heat radiation and airflow inflation of the sealing bladder by high-temperature exhaust gas when driving on land, reduces thermal aging, maintains material flexibility and structural strength, and improves sealing reliability and long-term durability by sharing the water pressure load through double sealing when wading.

[0005] The first objective of this invention is to provide a heat insulation and sealing device for the exhaust system of an amphibious vehicle, which adopts the following solution:

[0006] It includes a tubular sealing assembly with an internal through-passage for connecting to the exhaust pipe; it also includes: A receiving slot is provided on one side of the exhaust gas passage and has an opening that communicates with the exhaust gas passage; Insulated flap, rotating and positioned at the opening; The sealing capsule is placed inside the receiving groove; The plugging assembly has a protective state and a plugging state: When in protective mode, the heat insulation flap covers the opening of the receiving slot to isolate the receiving slot from the exhaust gas passage, and the sealing bladder is in a contracted state and retreats into the receiving slot. When in the blocked state, the heat insulation flap rotates and extends into the exhaust gas passage, forming the first seal that blocks the connection between the two ends of the exhaust gas passage. The sealing bladder is in an expanded state and extends into the exhaust gas passage, forming the second seal that fits against the inner wall of the exhaust gas passage and blocks the connection between the two ends of the exhaust gas passage.

[0007] Furthermore, the inner wall of the exhaust gas passage is provided with a first annular abutment portion that matches the heat insulation flap. In the blocked state, the heat insulation flap fits and seals with the first annular abutment portion. The opening edge of the receiving groove is provided with a second annular abutment portion that matches the heat insulation flap. In the protected state, the heat insulation flap fits and seals with the second annular abutment portion.

[0008] Furthermore, an elastic torsion spring is provided at the rotation shaft of the heat insulation flap, which drives the heat insulation flap to maintain the tendency to cover the opening of the receiving groove; when switching to the protective state, the elastic torsion spring drives the heat insulation flap to squeeze the bladder located in the exhaust gas passage.

[0009] Furthermore, the side of the heat insulation flap facing away from the exhaust gas passage is fixedly connected or limited to the wall of the sealing bladder. The heat insulation flap moves according to the expansion thrust or contraction pull of the sealing bladder to switch between the protection state and the sealing state.

[0010] Furthermore, in the blocked state, the blocking bladder is located on the side of the heat insulation flap facing the downstream exhaust pipe outlet. When the blocked state is released, the exhaust gas flow in the exhaust gas passage acts on the surface of the heat insulation flap, assisting in driving the heat insulation flap to rotate and reset towards the opening of the receiving groove.

[0011] Furthermore, the bottom of the sealing bladder is fixed in the receiving groove on the side away from the opening, and the receiving groove on the side away from the outlet is provided with a medium inlet and a medium outlet that communicate with the inner cavity of the sealing bladder. The medium inlet and the medium outlet are connected to an external fluid source.

[0012] Furthermore, the occlusion capsule is an elastic capsule, and the medium into which the fluid source enters the cavity of the occlusion capsule is liquid or gas.

[0013] A second object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle that utilizes a heat-insulating sealing device for the exhaust system of an amphibious vehicle as described in the first object.

[0014] A third objective of the present invention is to provide a method for operating an amphibious vehicle exhaust system heat insulation sealing device, for assembling the amphibious vehicle exhaust system heat insulation sealing device as described in the first objective, comprising: In the water-sealing mode, fluid is injected into the sealing bladder to drive its expansion, thereby driving the heat insulation flap to rotate into the exhaust gas passage. The heat insulation flap forms a mechanical water-blocking seal as the first seal. The sealing bladder continues to expand and fits against the inner wall of the exhaust gas passage to form a flexible seal as the second seal, preventing external water from flowing back into the engine. In the land exhaust mode, the medium inside the sealing bladder is discharged, the sealing bladder retracts back into the receiving groove, the heat insulation flap resets and seals the opening of the receiving groove, thus isolating the sealing bladder from the high-temperature exhaust gas.

[0015] Furthermore, when the heat insulation flap is reset, it is impacted by the exhaust gas flow in the upstream exhaust gas channel and rotates to reset towards the opening of the receiving tank.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the advantages and positive effects of this invention are: To address the issue that during extended land-based operations of amphibious vehicles, the high-temperature exhaust gases in the exhaust system can cause continuous physical erosion and thermal shock to flexible sealing elements such as rubber components in their retracted state. This leads to accelerated thermal aging of the bladder's side facing the exhaust channel, affecting the material's flexibility and sealing performance, and even causing damage and leakage under high water pressure. A solution is implemented by incorporating a receiving groove on one side of the exhaust channel, combined with a rotating heat-insulating flap and a retractable sealing bladder to achieve state switching. In the protective state during land-based operations, the sealing bladder retracts into the receiving groove, and the heat-insulating flap covers the groove opening, effectively isolating the sealing bladder from the exhaust channel and blocking direct heat radiation and airflow impact from the high-temperature exhaust gases. In the sealing state during wading operations, the heat-insulating flap rotates and extends into the exhaust channel, forming the first mechanical seal blocking the flow path. Simultaneously, the sealing bladder expands and extends into the exhaust channel, circumferentially fitting against the pipe wall to form a second flexible seal. This combination of rigidity and flexibility not only significantly reduces the aging impact of high-temperature exhaust gas on flexible sealing materials in non-water-related conditions, maintaining the flexibility and structural strength of the bladder material, but also, in water-related conditions, through the dual multi-stage blocking of the flap and the bladder, distributes the water pressure load borne by the airbag, effectively reducing the risk of damage caused by local aging or high-pressure stress, and improving the long-term durability and sealing reliability of the exhaust sealing system.

[0017] By linking the heat-insulating flap and the sealing bladder in their movements—for example, by directly connecting them and using the sealing bladder for push-back reset and the elastic torsion spring for rebound reset—there is no need to add a separate motor or hydraulic / pneumatic actuator to the heat-insulating flap, simplifying the mechanical structure at the exhaust pipe and reducing the failure rate. Simultaneously, utilizing the aerodynamics of the exhaust gas, the sealing bladder is positioned downstream of the heat-insulating flap. When the seal is released, the exhaust gas dynamic pressure generated during engine startup can directly act in the forward direction on the heat-insulating flap, assisting it in quickly retracting and pressing against the receiving groove, achieving airflow-assisted reset and improving the response speed of mode switching.

[0018] By placing the media pipeline interface on the outermost side of the receiving tank, away from the exhaust gas passage, it not only facilitates the arrangement of pipeline joints and vehicle assembly, but also avoids the control pipeline being directly exposed to the high-temperature exhaust gas heat field, reducing the risk of pipeline thermal fusion failure; at the same time, the system is compatible with gaseous or liquid media, meeting the safety redundancy requirements of different special water-wading vehicles. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this invention, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments of the invention and their descriptions are used to explain the invention and do not constitute an improper limitation of the invention.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the heat insulation and sealing device of the amphibious vehicle exhaust system in one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a blocking component in one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the occlusion capsule in one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the sealing component and exhaust gas passage in one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the sealing component in one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the expansion of the sealing bladder inside the sealing assembly in one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0026] Among them, 1. exhaust pipe; 2. sealing assembly; 3. receiving groove; 4. sealing bladder; 5. exhaust gas passage; 6. heat insulation flap; 7. rotating shaft; 8. first annular abutment part; 9. second annular abutment part. Detailed Implementation

[0027] Example 1 In a typical embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 1 - Figure 6 As shown, a heat insulation sealing device for the exhaust system of an amphibious vehicle is presented.

[0028] Traditional amphibious vehicle exhaust systems are susceptible to thermal shock from the continuous physical erosion and thermal impact of high-temperature exhaust gases during prolonged land driving. This causes accelerated thermal aging of the side facing the exhaust channel, affecting the material's flexibility and sealing performance. Under significant water pressure, the aged areas are prone to damage, leading to leaks and failures that compromise engine safety.

[0029] In response, this embodiment proposes a heat insulation and sealing device for the exhaust system of amphibious vehicles. For example... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the device includes a tubular sealing assembly 2 with a through exhaust gas passage 5 connecting to the exhaust pipe 1. It also includes a receiving groove 3 located on one side of the exhaust gas passage 5 and having an opening communicating with the exhaust gas passage 5, a heat-insulating flap 6 rotatably mounted at the opening, and a sealing bladder 4 disposed within the receiving groove 3. The sealing assembly 2 is designed to have both a protective state and a sealing state. In the protective state, the heat-insulating flap 6 covers the opening of the receiving groove 3, isolating the receiving groove 3 from the exhaust gas passage 5, and the sealing bladder 4 is in a retracted state and retracted within the receiving groove 3. Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, in the blocked state, the heat insulation flap 6 rotates and extends into the exhaust gas passage 5, forming the first seal that blocks the connection between the two ends of the exhaust gas passage 5; at the same time, the sealing bladder 4 is in an expanded state and extends into the exhaust gas passage 5, forming the second seal that fits against the inner wall of the exhaust gas passage 5 and blocks the connection between the two ends of the exhaust gas passage 5. This solves the problem of easy aging of flexible sealing elements in high-temperature exhaust gas environment, and improves the sealing reliability and system durability under water conditions through the dual sealing mechanism of rigidity and flexibility.

[0030] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the main body of the sealing component 2 is a tubular structure, with a through exhaust gas passage 5 formed inside. The exhaust gas passage 5 is connected to the vehicle's exhaust pipe 1 to guide the high-temperature exhaust gas discharged from the engine. It can be understood that the sealing component 2 can be installed at the end of the exhaust pipe 1, or the exhaust pipe 1 can be cut off and the sealing component 2 installed at the cut-off position, connecting the upstream and downstream exhaust pipes 1 at the cut-off position. The sealing component 2 can be integrally cast from a high-temperature resistant metal material, and the inner wall of the exhaust gas passage 5 can be a smooth cylinder to facilitate exhaust gas flow.

[0031] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the receiving groove 3 is disposed on one side of the exhaust gas passage 5 and has an opening communicating with the exhaust gas passage 5. The shape and size of the receiving groove 3 are configured to completely accommodate the sealing bladder 4. Specifically, the receiving groove 3 can be a rectangular or elliptical groove milled into the side wall of the sealing assembly 2, with the edge of its opening flush with the inner wall of the exhaust gas passage 5.

[0032] The heat-insulating flap 6 is rotatably positioned at the opening of the receiving groove 3. The heat-insulating flap 6 is connected to the sealing assembly 2 via a rotating shaft mechanism, allowing it to rotate around this shaft. Alternatively, the heat-insulating flap 6 can be made of a high-temperature resistant alloy sheet, and its rotating shaft can be a simple pin that passes through a hole in the edge of the flap and is fixed to the bracket of the sealing assembly 2.

[0033] The sealing bladder 4 is disposed within the receiving groove 3. The sealing bladder 4 is made of a flexible material that can expand when filled with a medium and contract when discharged. For example, the sealing bladder 4 can be an airbag made of heat-resistant rubber or silicone material, with its bottom fixed to the side of the receiving groove 3 away from the opening to ensure that it can penetrate the exhaust gas passage 5 when inflated.

[0034] In the protective state, the heat-insulating flap 6 is driven to completely cover the opening of the receiving groove 3. Thus, the receiving groove 3 is effectively isolated from the exhaust gas passage 5, blocking direct heat radiation and airflow impact from the high-temperature exhaust gas onto the interior of the receiving groove 3. Simultaneously, the sealing bladder 4 is in a contracted state and completely retracted within the receiving groove 3, not contacting the exhaust gas passage 5.

[0035] In the blocked state, the heat-insulating flap 6 is driven to rotate, causing a portion of its plate to extend into the exhaust gas passage 5. This extended heat-insulating flap 6 contacts the inner wall of the exhaust gas passage 5, thus achieving a preliminary mechanical blockage of the connection between the two ends of the exhaust gas passage 5, forming the first seal. Subsequently, the sealing bladder 4 is filled with a medium, causing it to expand and extend from the receiving groove 3, extending into the exhaust gas passage 5. The expanded sealing bladder 4 tightly adheres to the inner wall of the exhaust gas passage 5, thereby forming a second flexible seal, further blocking the connection between the two ends of the exhaust gas passage 5. High-pressure gas or liquid can be injected into the sealing bladder 4 using an air pump or hydraulic pump to fully expand it and tightly adhere to the pipe wall.

[0036] The flexible fit of the sealing bladder combines with the rigid fit of the heat-insulating flap 6 to form a rigid-flexible structural logic. This ensures effective protection of the flexible sealing material in non-water-related conditions, preventing continuous physical erosion and thermal shock from high-temperature exhaust gases. This reduces the rate of thermal aging on the side of the bladder facing the exhaust channel, maintaining the material's flexibility and structural strength. In water-related conditions, the dual multi-stage blocking by the heat-insulating flap 6 and the sealing bladder 4 distributes the external water pressure load, reducing the pressure borne solely by the sealing bladder 4 and effectively lowering the risk of breakage due to localized aging or high-pressure stress.

[0037] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the inner wall of the exhaust gas passage 5 is provided with a first annular abutment part 8 that matches the heat insulation flap 6. In the blocked state, the heat insulation flap 6 and the first annular abutment part 8 are fitted and sealed. The opening edge of the receiving groove 3 is provided with a second annular abutment part 9 that matches the heat insulation flap 6. In the protected state, the heat insulation flap 6 and the second annular abutment part 9 are fitted and sealed.

[0038] Specifically, the first annular abutment 8 is disposed on the inner wall of the exhaust gas passage 5, and its structure and dimensions match the sealing edge of the heat insulation flap 6. The first annular abutment 8 can be designed as a raised ring, a groove, or an independently installed annular seal on the inner wall of the exhaust gas passage 5, and is usually made of high-temperature and corrosion-resistant materials, such as stainless steel, heat-resistant alloys, or ceramic composite materials, to withstand the high-temperature environment of the exhaust system and the scouring of exhaust gas. It can also provide a contact surface for the heat insulation flap 6 in the blocked state, ensuring that the heat insulation flap 6 can fit tightly and form an effective mechanical seal. In the blocked state, the heat insulation flap 6 rotates and extends into the exhaust gas passage 5, and its sealing edge comes into close contact with and presses against the first annular abutment 8 on the inner wall of the exhaust gas passage 5, forming a physical barrier, effectively blocking the connection of the exhaust gas passage 5 and preventing water from flowing back into the exhaust system.

[0039] Meanwhile, the second annular abutment 9 is disposed at the opening edge of the receiving groove 3, and its structure and size are also matched with the sealing edge of the heat insulation flap 6. The second annular abutment 9 can be a flange, an embedded sealing ring, or a precision-machined flat surface at the opening of the receiving groove 3, usually made of high-temperature resistant and aging-resistant materials, such as heat-resistant rubber, fluororubber, or metal gaskets, to ensure good sealing performance even in high-temperature environments. It also provides a reliable contact surface for the heat insulation flap 6 in the protective state, ensuring that the heat insulation flap 6 can tightly cover the opening of the receiving groove 3. In the protective state, the heat insulation flap 6 covers the opening of the receiving groove 3, and its sealing edge is in close contact and pressed with the second annular abutment 9 at the edge of the opening of the receiving groove 3, which can completely isolate the receiving groove 3 from the exhaust gas passage 5, thereby effectively blocking the direct heat radiation and airflow impact of the high-temperature exhaust gas on the sealing bladder 4 inside the receiving groove 3, and providing a relatively low-temperature, non-erosion protective environment for the sealing bladder 4.

[0040] In this embodiment, an elastic torsion spring is provided at the rotation shaft 7 of the heat insulation flap 6. The elastic torsion spring drives the heat insulation flap 6 to maintain the tendency to cover the opening of the receiving groove 3. When switching to the protective state, the elastic torsion spring drives the heat insulation flap 6 to squeeze the bladder located in the exhaust gas passage 5.

[0041] Specifically, the elastic torsion spring stores and releases torsional energy. One end is fixed to the heat-insulating flap 6, and the other end is fixed to the housing or bracket of the sealing assembly 2. When the heat-insulating flap 6 rotates, the elastic torsion spring undergoes angular deformation and generates a restoring torque, which is proportional to the torsion angle within its elastic range. Through pre-loading or proper design, the elastic torsion spring is configured to twist when the heat-insulating flap 6 leaves the opening of the receiving groove 3, thereby generating a continuous restoring torque. This torque always tends to push the heat-insulating flap 6 back to the position covering the opening of the receiving groove 3, ensuring that the heat-insulating flap 6 can automatically reset even without external active drive. During the transition from the sealing state to the protective state, when the sealing bladder 4 begins to contract and reduce the supporting force on the heat-insulating flap 6, the restoring torque of the elastic torsion spring drives the heat-insulating flap 6 to rotate towards the opening of the receiving groove 3.

[0042] During this process, if the sealing bladder 4 has not fully contracted and exited the exhaust passage 5, the heat insulation flap 6 will contact and slightly compress the incompletely contracted bladder during the resetting process, thereby assisting it to accelerate contraction and completely retreat into the receiving groove 3. The torque of the elastic torsion spring is sufficient to overcome the frictional resistance of the heat insulation flap 6 itself, the airflow resistance, and the force required to slightly compress the bladder, while avoiding excessive compression and damage to the bladder.

[0043] In other alternative embodiments, the exhaust system is protected and blocked by the heat insulation flap 6 and the sealing bladder 4 working together. The side of the heat insulation flap 6 facing away from the exhaust gas passage 5 is fixedly connected or limited to the bladder wall of the sealing bladder 4. The heat insulation flap 6 moves according to the expansion thrust or contraction pull of the sealing bladder 4 to switch between the protection state and the blocking state.

[0044] Specifically, the side of the heat insulation flap 6 facing away from the exhaust gas passage 5 can be either fixedly connected or limited in its connection with the wall of the sealing bladder 4. A fixed connection means there is no relative movement between the heat insulation flap 6 and the sealing bladder 4. For example, the non-working surface of the heat insulation flap 6 is firmly bonded to the outer wall of the sealing bladder 4 through methods such as bonding, welding, riveting, or bolting, so that the movement of the heat insulation flap 6 is entirely driven by the deformation of the sealing bladder 4. A limited connection, on the other hand, involves a certain degree of relative movement between the two, but the range of movement is restricted. For example, the outer walls of the heat insulation flap 6 and the sealing bladder 4 are each provided with perforated lugs. These lugs are inserted into the perforated lugs by a matching pin, or they are connected by a flexible connector, such as a chain, rope, or flexible rod. This allows for some buffering or preloading while ensuring linkage, to accommodate minor deformation differences under different operating conditions.

[0045] The heat-insulating flap 6 moves in response to the expansion thrust or contraction pull of the sealing bladder 4. When the sealing bladder 4 is filled with gaseous or liquid medium and expands, its increased volume generates an outward thrust on the heat-insulating flap 6, overcoming its own weight, friction, and any possible return spring force, causing it to rotate from the protective state to the sealing state and penetrate into the exhaust gas passage 5. Conversely, when the medium inside the sealing bladder 4 is discharged and it contracts, its decreased volume generates an inward or directional pull on the heat-insulating flap 6, pulling it back from the sealing state to the protective state, covering the opening of the receiving groove 3. This follow-up mechanism ensures that the movement of the heat-insulating flap 6 passively follows the deformation of the sealing bladder 4, rather than being actively driven by an independent motor, hydraulic cylinder, or pneumatic cylinder.

[0046] By directly linking the driving of the heat-insulating flap 6 with the expansion and contraction of the sealing bladder 4, the switching between the protective and sealing states of the heat-insulating flap 6 is achieved without an additional independent driving mechanism. This significantly simplifies the mechanical structure of the device, reduces the number of components, and thus lowers the system's complexity and potential failure points. Simultaneously, since the movement of the heat-insulating flap 6 is naturally synchronized with the deformation of the sealing bladder 4, complex control logic and sensors are avoided to coordinate their actions, improving the system's immediacy and reliability. In the protective state, the heat-insulating flap 6 accurately covers the opening of the receiving groove 3, effectively isolating the sealing bladder 4 from the high-temperature exhaust gas. In the sealing state, the heat-insulating flap 6 can precisely rotate and penetrate into the exhaust gas passage 5, forming a first seal with the first annular contact part 8, providing support and protection for the second flexible seal subsequently formed by the sealing bladder 4.

[0047] like Figure 4 As shown, in the blocked state, the blocking bladder 4 is located on the side of the heat insulation flap 6 facing the downstream exhaust pipe 1 outlet. When the blocked state is released, the exhaust gas flow in the exhaust gas passage 5 acts on the surface of the heat insulation flap 6, assisting in driving the heat insulation flap 6 to rotate and reset towards the opening direction of the receiving groove 3. By linking the heat insulation flap 6 and the blocking bladder 4 in action, such as directly connecting them to achieve push-to-reset using the blocking bladder 4 and rebound reset using the elastic torsion spring, there is no need to add a separate motor or hydraulic / pneumatic actuator for the heat insulation flap 6, simplifying the mechanical structure at the exhaust pipe 1 and reducing the failure rate.

[0048] Meanwhile, by utilizing the aerodynamics of the exhaust gas, the sealing bladder 4 is positioned downstream of the heat insulation flap 6. When the sealing is released, the exhaust gas dynamic pressure generated by the engine startup can directly act on the heat insulation flap 6 in the forward direction, assisting the heat insulation flap 6 to quickly retract and return to its original position and press against the receiving groove 3, thereby achieving airflow-assisted reset and improving the response speed of mode switching.

[0049] Specifically, when the amphibious vehicle's exhaust system heat insulation sealing device is in a blocked state, the heat insulation flap 6 rotates and extends into the exhaust gas passage 5, forming the first seal that blocks the connection between the two ends of the exhaust gas passage 5. Meanwhile, the sealing bladder 4 expands behind the heat insulation flap 6, closer to the outlet of the exhaust pipe 1, forming a second seal that adheres to the inner wall of the exhaust gas passage 5 and blocks the connection between the two ends of the exhaust gas passage 5. This relative positional relationship ensures that the heat insulation flap 6 can first block the airflow during sealing, providing a relatively stable environment for the expansion of the sealing bladder 4. When the blockage needs to be released, it usually means that the engine restarts, the exhaust system begins to work, and exhaust gas flow is generated. At this time, the exhaust gas flow in the exhaust gas passage 5 will directly act on the surface of the heat insulation flap 6. Since the heat insulation flap 6 is extended into the exhaust gas passage 5 in the blocked state, its surface will be subjected to the thrust of the airflow. The direction of the thrust is consistent with the direction in which the heat insulation flap 6 rotates back to its original position towards the opening of the receiving groove 3, thus providing auxiliary driving force for the reset of the heat insulation flap 6.

[0050] like Figure 6 As shown, the bottom of the sealing bladder 4 is fixed within the receiving groove 3 on the side away from the opening, i.e., deep within the receiving groove 3. This provides a stable base for the sealing bladder 4, ensuring that it can penetrate into the exhaust gas passage 5 along a predetermined path during expansion and completely retract into the receiving groove 3 during contraction. The fixing can be achieved in various ways, such as by bonding, mechanical clamping, bolting, or embedding the bottom edge of the bladder into a specific structure of the receiving groove 3. This helps prevent displacement or twisting of the sealing bladder 4 during repeated expansion and contraction, thereby ensuring a tight seal with the inner wall of the exhaust gas passage 5 and extending its service life.

[0051] Meanwhile, the receiving tank 3, located away from the outlet, has a medium inlet and a medium outlet connecting to the inner cavity of the sealing bladder 4. These are situated in the outer area of ​​the receiving tank 3, away from the direct heat radiation and airflow impact of the exhaust gas channel 5. The medium inlet is used to introduce liquid or gaseous media supplied by the fluid source into the inner cavity of the sealing bladder 4, causing it to expand; the medium outlet is used to discharge the media from the bladder, causing it to contract. The interfaces installed at the medium inlet and outlet use standardized connector types, such as threaded connectors or quick connectors, to facilitate reliable connection with external fluid pipelines, protect the medium pipelines from the direct impact of high-temperature exhaust gas, reduce the risk of pipeline material failure due to thermal aging, and also facilitate pipeline layout and maintenance.

[0052] The medium inlet and outlet are connected to an external fluid source. The fluid source is an external system that provides the expansion medium to the sealing bladder 4 and recovers the medium. The fluid source can be an independent compressed gas storage tank, such as a high-pressure gas cylinder, or a vehicle-mounted air pump or hydraulic pump station, or it can be an existing pneumatic or hydraulic system in the vehicle itself. The fluid source controls the filling and discharging of the medium through corresponding control valves, thereby achieving precise control over the expansion and contraction of the sealing bladder 4.

[0053] In this embodiment, the sealing bladder 4 is an elastic bladder, and the medium input into the inner cavity of the sealing bladder 4 by the fluid source is liquid or gas, and the pipeline interface of the medium is arranged on the outermost side of the receiving tank 3, away from the exhaust gas passage 5.

[0054] Specifically, the elastic bladder is made of materials with good elasticity and flexibility, such as various types of rubber, including natural rubber, nitrile rubber, and EPDM rubber, or silicone and thermoplastic elastomers. It can undergo significant deformation under external force and return to its original shape after the force is removed, thus ensuring that the sealing bladder 4 can reliably deform during inflation and deflation, providing a stable sealing effect. The design of the elastic bladder can be optimized according to the size and shape of the exhaust channel to ensure that it can tightly fit the inner wall of the exhaust channel 5 after inflation, forming an effective second seal.

[0055] Meanwhile, the medium input into the sealing bladder 4 can be flexibly selected as either liquid or gas. When gas is selected as the medium, the vehicle's existing compressed air system or a separate air pump can be used for inflation, and the sealing bladder 4 is expanded by air pressure. When liquid is selected as the medium, the vehicle's hydraulic system or a separate liquid pump can be used for inflation, and the sealing bladder 4 is expanded by hydraulic pressure. This allows the exhaust system's heat insulation sealing device to better adapt to the existing piping systems and energy configurations of different amphibious vehicles.

[0056] Example 2 In another typical embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 1 - Figure 6 As shown, a vehicle is provided that utilizes the amphibious vehicle exhaust system heat insulation sealing device as in Example 1.

[0057] A amphibious vehicle refers to a special vehicle capable of operating in both land and water environments, such as amphibious reconnaissance vehicles, amphibious transport vehicles, amphibious engineering vehicles, or amphibious civilian vehicles. These vehicles typically require the ability to travel at high speeds on land and navigate at low speeds or dive underwater. An amphibious vehicle exhaust system heat-insulating sealing device is installed in the vehicle's exhaust system. Specifically, the sealing component 2 is integrated into the vehicle's exhaust pipe 1. Its control system is connected to the vehicle's central control unit or an independent mode-switching system, allowing for automatic or manual switching between the exhaust system's protective and sealing states depending on whether the vehicle is operating on land or in water. For example, when the vehicle is on land, the exhaust system heat-insulating sealing device is in a protective state, ensuring smooth exhaust flow and protecting internal flexible components; when the vehicle is preparing to wade through water, the control system instructs the device to switch to a sealing state to prevent water from entering the engine through the exhaust pipe 1.

[0058] When driving on land for extended periods, the protective state of the exhaust system's heat insulation and sealing device effectively isolates the direct heat radiation and airflow impact of the high-temperature exhaust gas on the sealing bladder 4, slowing down the aging process of the flexible sealing material, thereby maintaining the bladder's flexibility and structural strength, and extending the device's service life.

[0059] When the vehicle enters a wading condition, the device switches to a sealing state. The heat-insulating flap 6 and the sealing bladder 4 work together to form a rigid-flexible double seal. This not only effectively blocks the risk of external water flowing back into the engine, but also distributes the water pressure load through the flap, reducing the risk of local damage to the sealing bladder 4, thus improving the vehicle's safety and reliability in wading environments. This gives the vehicle greater environmental adaptability, higher operational reliability, and a longer service life, providing a guarantee for amphibious operations.

[0060] Example 3 In another typical embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 1 - Figure 6 As shown, a method for operating an amphibious vehicle exhaust system heat insulation sealing device is provided, used for assembling the amphibious vehicle exhaust system heat insulation sealing device as in Example 1, comprising: In the water-blocking mode, fluid is injected into the sealing bladder 4 to drive its expansion, thereby driving the heat insulation flap 6 to rotate into the exhaust gas passage 5. The heat insulation flap 6 forms a mechanical water-blocking seal as the first seal, and the sealing bladder 4 continues to expand and fits against the inner wall of the exhaust gas passage 5 to form a flexible seal as the second seal, preventing external water from flowing back into the engine. In practice, the fluid source fills the sealing bladder 4 with liquid or gas medium through the medium inlet. The thrust generated by the expansion of the sealing bladder 4 acts directly on the heat insulation flap 6, causing the heat insulation flap 6 to rotate around the pivot and penetrate into the exhaust gas passage 5. It fits tightly with the first annular contact part 8 of the inner wall of the exhaust gas passage 5, forming a preliminary mechanical blockage. Subsequently, the sealing bladder 4 expands further, and its bladder wall fits circumferentially against the inner wall of the exhaust gas passage 5, forming a complete flexible seal, effectively sharing the external water pressure load.

[0061] In land-based exhaust mode, the medium inside the sealing bladder 4 is discharged through the medium outlet. The sealing bladder 4 then retracts into the receiving groove 3, and the heat-insulating flap 6 resets and seals the opening of the receiving groove 3, thus isolating the sealing bladder 4 from the high-temperature exhaust gas. In specific implementation, during the retraction of the sealing bladder 4, the heat-insulating flap 6, driven by the elastic torsion spring or impacted by the exhaust gas flow in the upstream exhaust gas channel 5, rotates and resets towards the opening of the receiving groove 3, fitting and sealing against the second annular abutment part 9 at the edge of the opening of the receiving groove 3. This completely isolates the receiving groove 3 from the exhaust gas channel 5, blocking the direct heat radiation and airflow impact of the high-temperature exhaust gas on the sealing bladder 4.

[0062] In addition, when the heat insulation flap 6 is reset, it is impacted by the exhaust gas flow in the upstream exhaust gas channel 5 and rotates to reset in the direction of the opening of the receiving groove 3.

[0063] Specifically, when the amphibious vehicle switches from wading blocking mode to land exhaust mode, the engine starts, generating high-temperature exhaust gas that flows from upstream to downstream along the exhaust gas passage 5. During this process, the heat-insulating flap 6 begins its resetting action, rotating from its blocking position within the exhaust gas passage 5 towards the opening of the receiving slot 3. While the surface of the heat-insulating flap 6 is still partially or completely exposed within the exhaust gas passage 5, the upstream exhaust gas flow generates a dynamic pressure impact on it. This impact force acts on a specific surface of the heat-insulating flap 6, and, based on the geometry of the heat-insulating flap 6 and the setting of the rotating shaft 7, generates a torque that drives the heat-insulating flap 6 to rotate. The direction of this torque is consistent with the direction in which the heat-insulating flap 6 rotates towards the opening of the receiving slot 3 for resetting, thereby actively assisting the heat-insulating flap 6 to quickly and effectively exit the exhaust gas passage 5 and ultimately accurately return to its original position, covering the opening of the receiving slot 3.

[0064] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A heat insulation and sealing device for the exhaust system of an amphibious vehicle, characterized in that, It includes a tubular sealing assembly with an internal through-passage for connecting to the exhaust pipe; it also includes: A receiving slot is provided on one side of the exhaust gas passage and has an opening that communicates with the exhaust gas passage; Insulated flap, rotating and positioned at the opening; The sealing capsule is placed inside the receiving groove; The plugging assembly has a protective state and a plugging state: When in protective mode, the heat insulation flap covers the opening of the receiving slot to isolate the receiving slot from the exhaust gas passage, and the sealing bladder is in a contracted state and retreats into the receiving slot. When in the blocked state, the heat insulation flap rotates and extends into the exhaust gas passage, forming the first seal that blocks the connection between the two ends of the exhaust gas passage. The sealing bladder is in an expanded state and extends into the exhaust gas passage, forming the second seal that fits against the inner wall of the exhaust gas passage and blocks the connection between the two ends of the exhaust gas passage.

2. The amphibious vehicle exhaust system heat insulation and sealing device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The inner wall of the exhaust gas passage is provided with a first annular abutment part that matches the heat insulation flap. In the blocked state, the heat insulation flap fits and seals with the first annular abutment part. The opening edge of the receiving groove is provided with a second annular abutment part that matches the heat insulation flap. In the protected state, the heat insulation flap fits and seals with the second annular abutment part.

3. The amphibious vehicle exhaust system heat insulation and sealing device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The heat insulation flap is equipped with an elastic torsion spring at its rotation axis. The elastic torsion spring drives the heat insulation flap to maintain a tendency to cover the opening of the receiving slot. When switching to the protective state, the elastic torsion spring drives the heat insulation flap to squeeze the bladder located in the exhaust gas passage.

4. The amphibious vehicle exhaust system heat insulation and sealing device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The heat insulation flap is fixedly or limited to the wall of the sealing bladder on the side facing away from the exhaust gas passage. The heat insulation flap moves according to the expansion thrust or contraction pull of the sealing bladder to switch between the protection state and the sealing state.

5. The amphibious vehicle exhaust system heat insulation and sealing device as described in claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, characterized in that, In the blocked state, the blocking bladder is located on the side of the heat insulation flap facing the downstream exhaust pipe outlet. When the blocked state is released, the exhaust gas flow in the exhaust gas passage acts on the surface of the heat insulation flap, assisting in driving the heat insulation flap to rotate and reset towards the opening of the receiving groove.

6. The amphibious vehicle exhaust system heat insulation and sealing device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom of the sealing capsule is fixed inside the receiving groove on the side away from the opening. The receiving groove on the side away from the outlet is provided with a medium inlet and a medium outlet that communicate with the inner cavity of the sealing capsule. The medium inlet and the medium outlet are connected to an external fluid source.

7. The amphibious vehicle exhaust system heat insulation and sealing device as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The occlusion capsule is an elastic capsule, and the fluid source input into the cavity of the occlusion capsule is a liquid or a gas.

8. A vehicle, characterized in that, The amphibious vehicle exhaust system heat insulation sealing device is used as described in any one of claims 1-7.

9. A method for operating a heat insulation and sealing device for an amphibious vehicle exhaust system, used for assembling the heat insulation and sealing device for an amphibious vehicle exhaust system as described in any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, In the water-sealing mode, fluid is injected into the sealing bladder to drive its expansion, thereby driving the heat insulation flap to rotate into the exhaust gas passage. The heat insulation flap forms a mechanical water-blocking seal as the first seal. The sealing bladder continues to expand and fits against the inner wall of the exhaust gas passage to form a flexible seal as the second seal, preventing external water from flowing back into the engine. In the land exhaust mode, the medium inside the sealing bladder is discharged, the sealing bladder retracts back into the receiving groove, the heat insulation flap resets and seals the opening of the receiving groove, thus isolating the sealing bladder from the high-temperature exhaust gas.

10. The method of operating the heat insulation and sealing device for the amphibious vehicle exhaust system as described in claim 9, characterized in that, When the heat insulation flap is reset, it is impacted by the exhaust gas flow in the upstream exhaust gas channel and rotates to reset towards the opening of the receiving tank.

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