Pipe Exhaust Cut-Out Sealing Flapper Actuator Design

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipe exhaust cut-outs with pivoting internal baffles fail to completely seal, leading to leaks, reduced engine power, and pollution, as well as noise issues.

Innovation Solution

A controllable pipe exhaust cut-out system featuring an elongated tubular body with a flapper and actuator, allowing the flapper to pivot between open and closed positions to seal the exhaust pipe, utilizing a beveled edge rim and electric actuator for precise control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pivoting internal pipe baffles are used in exhaust cut-outs, then the device can open and close the exhaust flow, but the baffles fail to completely seal and leak exhaust therethrough

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing capabilityVSAvoidexhaust leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The exhaust cut-out device is segmented into multiple components: a housing with inlet and outlet ports, a movable baffle element, and a sealing mechanism. The baffle is divided into a main body portion and a sealing flap portion, allowing each segment to perform its specific function - flow control and sealing respectively

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing function is extracted as a separate component (the sealing flap) distinct from the main baffle body. This sealing flap is specifically designed to contact the housing wall and create a complete seal, addressing the leakage problem that plagued previous integrated baffle designs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 3:

The sealing mechanism utilizes a flexible sealing flap that can deform to conform to the housing interior surface. This flexible element creates a reliable seal by adapting to slight variations in housing geometry and maintaining continuous contact during the closing operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If exhaust leaks through incomplete sealing, then engine compression is reduced, but power output decreases as a result

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexhaust seal integrityVSAvoidengine power output

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing flap is positioned and pre-loaded to anticipate and prevent exhaust leakage before it can occur. The spring mechanism applies continuous force to keep the sealing flap engaged with the housing wall, creating a preliminary seal that prevents compression loss during the closed position

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing surfaces are designed with curved contours that match the housing interior geometry. This curvature allows the flexible sealing flap to conform perfectly to the housing wall, creating a complete seal that prevents exhaust leakage and maintains engine compression

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Device complexity

If traditional pivoting baffles are used, then the structure is simple, but unwanted pollution and noise are produced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecut-out structure complexityVSAvoidpollution and noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing function is extracted as a separate component (the sealing flap) distinct from the main baffle body. This sealing flap is specifically designed to contact the housing wall and create a complete seal, addressing the leakage problem that plagued previous integrated baffle designs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing mechanism utilizes a flexible sealing flap that can deform to conform to the housing interior surface. This flexible element creates a reliable seal by adapting to slight variations in housing geometry and maintaining continuous contact during the closing operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 seals the exhaust pipe, enhancing engine performance, reducing pollution and noise, and providing remote control capabilities for improved management.

Implementation Method 1

a hinge portion (120) connected adjacent to said distal end; a flapper (130) including a main body portion (132) having a periphery extending around the automobile main body portion... a hinge portion (140) including a proximal end attached to the main body portion (132), a middle section adapted to pivotally connect with the hinge portion (120) of the main pipe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHinge: Hinge

Data Source

PatentUS11492982B1Pipe exhaust cut-outs

Publication Date: 2022.11.08 SQUIRES KASEY

AI summary

An improved pipe exhaust cut-out that is adapted to be controllably opened and completely closed thereby sealing the exhaust pipe cut-out. The improved pipe exhaust cut-out incorporates a remotely controlled linear actuator.