Integrated Exhaust Attenuation Component for Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing noise attenuation systems for internal combustion engines, such as those described in U.S. Patent Application No. 2017/0218806, are not easily tunable to specific frequency ranges and are costly due to their complex design with numerous parts, making them inefficient for reducing noise associated with exhaust treatment devices like DPFs and SCR systems.
Innovation Solution
A reduction device with a housing containing an input chamber, an output chamber, an exhaust channel, a treatment unit, and an attenuation unit, where the treatment unit is disposed within the exhaust channel to remove pollutants, and the attenuation component is radially outward, configured to attenuate specific frequency ranges corresponding to the engine's operation, allowing exhaust to pass through the treatment unit before exiting, thereby integrating sound attenuation with pollutant removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a separate muffler system is added to reduce exhaust noise, then noise attenuation is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the muffler (noise attenuation component) and the reduction device (pollutant removal component) into a single integrated housing. The housing contains both the attenuation component with sound-absorbing material and the reduction device with treatment units, allowing exhaust to pass through both functions sequentially within one device rather than requiring separate components.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple treatment units and attenuation components are integrated, then noise attenuation and pollutant removal are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it contains the attenuation component for noise reduction, houses the reduction device with treatment units for pollutant removal, and provides structural support for the entire assembly. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate housings or mounting structures for each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The reduction device is nested within the housing, and the treatment units are positioned within the housing space. The attenuation component is disposed within the housing radially outward of the treatment units, creating a nested configuration where components are arranged concentrically or in layered fashion to maximize space utilization and minimize the number of external parts.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the attenuation component is positioned radially outward of the treatment units, then noise attenuation is improved without increasing length, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sound-absorbing material in the attenuation component is strategically positioned radially outward of the treatment units where exhaust flow generates the most noise. This localized placement optimizes noise attenuation at the critical location without requiring precise positioning throughout the entire device, as the attenuation component's radial position naturally captures the noisy exhaust flow.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively attenuates noise across specific frequency ranges while removing pollutants, reducing the need for additional mufflers and minimizing complexity and cost by integrating sound attenuation modules within the reduction device.
Implementation Method 1
the attenuation component is configured to attenuate a range of frequencies associated with exhaust gas flowing through the exhaust channel
Implementation Method 2
the treatment unit being configured to at least partly remove pollutant species from the exhaust as the exhaust passes through the exhaust channel
Data Source
AI summary
A reduction device includes a housing defining an input chamber configured to receive exhaust from a power source, an output chamber, an exhaust channel configured to direct the exhaust from the input chamber to the output chamber, and a longitudinal axis. The reduction device also includes a treatment unit disposed in the exhaust channel and along the longitudinal axis. The treatment unit is configured to at least partly remove pollutant species from the exhaust. The reduction device also includes an attenuation component disposed in the housing and radially outward of the treatment unit. The attenuation component is fluidly connected to the exhaust channel, and is configured to attenuate a range of frequencies corresponding to operation of the power source. Additionally, the exhaust channel prohibits exhaust entering the input chamber from exiting the housing without passing through the treatment unit.