U.S. patent application number 12/808035 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-09 for composite muffler system thermosetable polymers.
This patent application is currently assigned to OCV INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL, LLC. Invention is credited to Peter Derks, Norman T. Huff, Luc Peters, Peter Van De Flier, Juergen Wiemann.
Application Number | 20100307863 12/808035 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43299967 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100307863 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Van De Flier; Peter ; et
al. |
December 9, 2010 |
COMPOSITE MUFFLER SYSTEM THERMOSETABLE POLYMERS
Abstract
A muffler assembly includes a housing defining at least one
internal chamber. The housing is constructed from a composite
material made from a thermoplastic resin and a reinforcing element.
The reinforcing element is selected from a group of reinforcing
materials consisting of glass fibers, aramid fibers, polyamide
fibers, carbon fibers, graphite fibers, mineral fibers, ceramic
fibers, carbon nanotubes, nano fillers, mineral fillers, ceramic
fillers and combinations thereof. A pipe is received in the
housing. The pipe includes at least one opening providing acoustic
communication between an internal passage in the pipe and the
chamber in the housing. An acoustic attenuating material is
received in that chamber.
Inventors: |
Van De Flier; Peter;
(Rilland, NL) ; Peters; Luc; (Soumagne, BE)
; Wiemann; Juergen; (Leiferde, DE) ; Derks;
Peter; (Av Neer, NL) ; Huff; Norman T.;
(Brighton, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OWENS CORNING
2790 COLUMBUS ROAD
GRANVILLE
OH
43023
US
|
Assignee: |
OCV INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL,
LLC
Toledo
OH
|
Family ID: |
43299967 |
Appl. No.: |
12/808035 |
Filed: |
December 12, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
December 12, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2008/086670 |
371 Date: |
August 25, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12002134 |
Dec 14, 2007 |
|
|
|
12808035 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
181/252 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F01N 13/16 20130101;
F01N 13/1861 20130101; F01N 13/1805 20130101; F01N 2530/26
20130101; F01N 1/006 20130101; F01N 1/04 20130101; F01N 2530/20
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
181/252 |
International
Class: |
F01N 1/24 20060101
F01N001/24; F01N 1/10 20060101 F01N001/10 |
Claims
1. A muffler assembly (10), comprising: a housing (12) defining at
least one internal chamber (24), said housing being constructed
from a composite material made from a thermoplastic resin and a
reinforcing element selected from group of reinforcing materials
consisting of glass fibers, aramid fibers, polyamide fibers, carbon
fibers, graphite fibers, mineral fibers, ceramic fibers, carbon
nanotubes, nano fillers, mineral fillers, ceramic fillers and
combinations thereof; a pipe (26) received in said housing, said
pipe including at least one opening (30) providing acoustic
communication between an internal passage in said pipe and said at
least one chamber; and acoustic attenuating material (32) received
in said at least one chamber.
2. The muffler assembly of claim 1, wherein said thermoplastic
resin is selected from a group of resin materials consisting of
polyamide, nylon 6, nylon 66, nylon 46, aromatic polyamide,
polyetherimide, polyethersulfone, polysulfone, polyphthalamide,
polyphenylene sulfide, syndiotactic polystyrene,
polyetherimide/silicone blend, liquid crystal polymer, polybutylene
terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, cyclic thermoplastic,
macrocyclic butylenes terephthalate, macrocyclic ethylene
terephthalate, macrocyclic polycarbonate, thermoplastic urethane,
polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride,
polyetheretherketone and combinations thereof.
3. The muffler assembly of claim 1, wherein said composite material
comprises a long fiber thermoplastic including a thermoplastic
resin selected from a group of thermoplastic resins consisting of
nylon 6, nylon 66, nylon 46, aromatic polyamide, polyetherimide,
polyethersulfone, polysulfone, polyphthalamide, polyphenylene
sulfide, syndiotactic polystyrene, polyetherimide/silicone blend,
liquid crystal polymer, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene
terephthalate, cyclic thermoplastic, macrocyclic butylenes
terephthalate, macrocyclic ethylene terephthalate, macrocyclic
polycarbonate, thermoplastic urethane, polytetrafluoroethylene,
polyvinylidene fluoride, polyetheretherketone and combinations
thereof and a glass reinforcing element with a glass fiber weight
fraction ranging from about 5 to about 90 weight percent where
greater than about 5 weight percent of said glass fiber fraction
has an original length to diameter ratio of greater than or equal
to 50.
4. The muffler assembly of claim 1, wherein said composite material
is a mixture of between about 0 and about 90 weight percent
polypropylene, between about 0 and about 90 weight percent
polyethylene terephthalate and between about 10 and about 85 weight
percent glass fibers.
5. The muffler assembly of claim 1, wherein said composite material
also includes some thermoset resin.
6. The muffler assembly of claim 5, wherein said thermoset resin is
selected from a group of thermoset resins consisting of unsaturated
polyester, dicyclopentadiene, phenolic, phenol formaldehyde,
novalac, resol, epoxy, vinyl ester, urethane and combinations
thereof.
7. The muffler assembly of claim 1, wherein said housing includes
an inlet (20) and an outlet (22), a first heat sink (34) provided
in said inlet and a second heat sink provided in said outlet.
8. The muffler assembly of claim 1, wherein said housing includes
an overmolded reinforcement.
9. The muffler assembly of claim 8, wherein said overmolded
reinforcement is an inlay (50) constructed from a material selected
from a group consisting of nonwoven fiber mat, woven fiber mat,
unidirectional fiber fabric, metal sheeting and combinations
thereof.
10. The muffler assembly of claim 9, where said inlay is made from
a material selected from a group consisting of glass fibers,
natural fibers, carbon fibers, mineral fibers, metallic fibers,
aramid fibers and combinations thereof.
11. The muffler assembly of claim 8, wherein said overmolded
reinforcement is an overlay (52) providing impact resistance.
12. The muffler assembly of claim 11, wherein said overlay is
constructed from a material including metal sheeting, steel,
aluminum, stainless steel, woven fiber mat, unwoven fiber mat,
unidirectional fiber fabric and combinations thereof.
13. The muffler assembly of claim 1, further including a baffle
(46) in said housing.
14. The muffler assembly of claim 1, further including one or
several mounting brackets (38) carried by said housing.
15. The muffler assembly of claim 1, further including an active
sound control device (48) carried by said housing.
16. The muffler assembly of claim 7, wherein said housing includes
a first section (14), a second section (16) and a part line.
17. The muffler assembly of claim 16, wherein said part line runs
through said inlet and said outlet.
18. The muffler assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of
said outer housing forms a vehicle component selected from a group
consisting of a spare wheel well, an underbody shield, a fender, a
wheel arch, a bumper, a running board, a rocker panel, a side
fairing and an air dam.
19. The muffler assembly of claim 1, further including an inner
housing received in said housing, said inner housing being
constructed from a second composite material comprising a thermoset
resin and a reinforcement element.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0001] This invention relates generally to a muffler assembly and,
more particularly, to a muffler assembly made from a composite
material.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] U.S. Pat. No. 5,726,398 to Zahn et al discloses a
bumper/muffler assembly. A portion of the structure defining the
muffler also forms part of the bumper and, hence, must be capable
of absorbing high impact loads. If, after a certain period of
vehicle operation, the muffler becomes defective and must be
replaced, those defective parts must be replaced with costly parts
capable of performing dual functions: that is, the attenuation of
acoustic energy and the absorption of high impact loads. The '398
patent also teaches that the bumper/muffler assembly may be formed
from metal. There are inherent limitations from a design standpoint
regarding possible shapes and sizes for metal mufflers. Hence, the
ability to design mufflers capable of being received in irregularly
shaped vehicle recesses or cavities is restricted. It is also noted
that tooling costs for metal mufflers is very high, which is
problematic where only a limited number of mufflers are to be
produced for any particular vehicle application or model.
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 6,668,972 to Huff et al discloses a
bumper/muffler assembly including an outer housing or shell formed
from a metal, a resin or a composite material. The composite
material is described as comprising reinforcement fibers and a
resin material. The resin material is then further identified as a
phenolic resin, including but not limited to phenol formaldehyde
resins such as novolac and resole resins, epoxy resins, vinyl ester
resins, polyphenylene sulfide, high temperature nylons and
polyetheretherketone. The reinforcement fibers are described as
glass fibers, graphite fibers, aramid fibers, carbon fibers,
metallic fibers and/or ceramic fibers.
[0004] The present invention relates to a new and improved muffler
assembly incorporating a housing made from composite material
wherein at least a portion of that housing may be molded or made so
as to form a vehicle component and thereby perform a dual
function.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with the purposes of the present invention as
described herein, a muffler assembly is provided. That muffler
assembly comprises a housing defining at least one internal
chamber. The housing is constructed from a composite material made
from a thermoplastic resin and a reinforcing element. The
reinforcing element is selected from a group of reinforcing
materials consisting of glass fibers, aramid fibers, polyamide
fibers, carbon fibers, graphite fibers, mineral fibers, ceramic
fibers, carbon nanotubes, nano fillers, mineral fillers, ceramic
fillers and combinations thereof. The muffler assembly also
includes a pipe that is received in the housing. The pipe includes
at least one opening providing acoustic communication between an
internal passage in the pipe and the chamber in the housing. Still
further, the muffler assembly includes acoustic attenuating
material received in the chamber in the housing.
[0006] The thermoplastic resin utilized to form the composite
material is selected from a group of resin materials consisting of
polyamide, nylon 6, nylon 66, nylon 46, aromatic polyamide,
polyetherimide, polyethersulfone, polysulfone, polyphthalamide,
polyphenylene sulfide, syndiotactic polystyrene,
polyetherimide/silicone blend, liquid crystal polymer, polybutylene
terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, cyclic thermoplastic,
macrocyclic butylenes terephthalate, macrocyclic ethylene
terephthalate, macrocyclic polycarbonate, thermoplastic urethane,
polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride,
polyetheretherketone and combinations thereof.
[0007] In one possible embodiment the composite material comprises
a glass reinforcing element with a glass fiber weight fraction
ranging from about 5 to about 90 weight percent where greater than
about 5 weight percent of said glass fiber fraction has an original
length to diameter ratio of greater than or equal to 50.
[0008] In yet another possible embodiment the composite material is
a mixture of between about 0 and about 90 weight percent
polypropylene, between about 0 and about 90 weight percent
polyethylene terephthalate and between about 10 and about 85 weight
percent glass fibers.
[0009] In any of the embodiments, the composite material may also
include some thermoset resin. That thermoset resin may be selected
from a group of thermoset resins consisting of unsaturated
polyester, dicyclopentadiene, phenolic, phenol formaldehyde,
novalac, resol, epoxy, vinyl ester, urethane and combinations
thereof.
[0010] Still further describing the invention, the housing may
include an inlet and an outlet. A first heat sink may be provided
in the inlet and a second heat sink may be provided in the outlet.
In addition, the housing may include an overmolded reinforcement.
That overmolded reinforcement may be an inlay constructed from a
material selected from a group consisting of nonwoven fiber mat,
woven fiber mat, unidirectional fiber fabric, metal sheeting and
combinations thereof. More specifically, the inlay may be made from
a material consisting of glass fibers, natural fibers, carbon
fibers, mineral fibers, metallic fibers, aramid fibers and
combinations thereof.
[0011] In yet another embodiment, the overmolded reinforcement is
an overlay providing impact resistance. The overlay may be
constructed from a material including metal sheeting, steel,
aluminum, stainless steel, woven fiber mat, unwoven fiber mat,
unidirectional fiber fabric and combinations thereof.
[0012] Still further, the muffler assembly may include a baffle in
the housing. The muffler assembly may also include a mounting
bracket carried by the housing. Still further, the muffler may
include an active sound control device carried by the housing. The
housing may include a first section, a second section and a part
line. The part line may run through the inlet and the outlet
defined by the housing.
[0013] In accordance with additional aspects of the present
invention at least a portion of the housing may form a vehicle body
or chassis component. Thus, the composite material functions not
only as the housing for the muffler but also forms a portion of the
vehicle. The vehicle component formed by the housing may be
selected from a group consisting of a spare wheel well, an
underbody shield, a fender, a wheel arch, a bumper, a running
board, a rocker panel, a side fairing and an air dam.
[0014] In accordance with still another embodiment of the
invention, the muffler assembly may include an inner housing that
is received in the housing. The inner housing may be constructed
from a second composite material comprising a thermoset resin and a
reinforcement element.
[0015] In the following description there is shown and described
several preferred embodiments of this invention, simply by way of
illustration of some of the modes best suited to carry out the
invention. As it will be realized, the invention is capable of
other different embodiments, and its several details are capable of
modification in various, obvious aspects, all without departing
from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will
be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part
of the specification, illustrates several aspects of the present
invention, and together with the description serve to explain
certain principles of the invention. In the drawings:
[0017] FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of a muffler
assembly constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a detailed cross-sectional view illustrating the
heat sink used in the first embodiment at the inlet end of the
housing;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but illustrating an
alternative second embodiment for the heat sink and the
construction of the housing;
[0020] FIG. 4 is an exploded, perspective view of a second
alternative embodiment of the invention illustrating a muffler
assembly with a housing that also forms a vehicle bumper;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating yet another
embodiment of the present invention wherein the muffler assembly
forms a part of the spare wheel well;
[0022] FIG. 5a is an exploded perspective view of still another
embodiment wherein the housing of the muffler assembly forms part
of the wheel well and the underbody shielding of the vehicle;
and
[0023] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a muffler assembly
forming, alternatively, part of a side fairing and running board or
rocker panel of a truck.
[0024] Reference will now be made in detail to the present
preferred embodiment of the invention an example of which is
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE
INVENTION
[0025] Reference is now made to FIG. 1 illustrating a first
embodiment of the muffler assembly 10 of the present invention. The
muffler assembly 10 includes a housing 12 including a first section
or shell 14 and a second section or shell 16. Each section 14, 16
includes a connection flange 18 that are put in abutting
relationship to close the housing 12. The two sections 14, 16 may
be secured together by any appropriate means known in the art
including but not limited to ultrasonic welding and mechanical
fasteners. As illustrated, the housing 12 includes an inlet 20 and
an outlet 22. The parting line defined by the abutting flanges 18
runs through the inlet 20 and outlet 22 in the FIG. 1 embodiment.
It should be appreciated, however, that the parting line is not
required to run through the inlet 20 or the outlet 22.
[0026] An internal cavity or chamber 24 is defined by the housing
12. A pipe 26 is received in the housing 12. More particularly, in
the illustrated embodiment the pipe 26 extends through the inlet
20, includes an intermediate section 28 that passes through the
housing 12 and extends through the outlet 22. The intermediate
section 28 of the pipe 26 includes a number of apertures or
openings 30. These openings 30 provide acoustic communication
between an internal passage in the pipe 26 and the internal chamber
24 formed by the housing 12. An acoustic attenuating material 32 is
received in the chamber 24 in the housing 12 and serves to reduce
the exhaust noise produced by the vehicle.
[0027] Heat sinks 34 are provided between the pipe 26 and the
housing sections 14, 16 at the inlet 20 and outlet 22 in order to
protect the housing sections 14, 16 from damage due to high
temperatures. The housing 12 is constructed from a composite
material made from a thermoplastic resin and a reinforcing element.
The thermoplastic resin is selected from a group of resin materials
consisting of polyamide, nylon 6, nylon 66, nylon 46, aromatic
polyamide, polyetherimide, polyethersulfone, polysulfone,
polyphthalamide, polyphenylene sulfide, syndiotactic polystyrene,
polyetherimide/silicone blend, liquid crystal polymer, polybutylene
terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, cyclic thermoplastic,
macrocyclic butylenes terephthalate, macrocyclic ethylene
terephthalate, macrocyclic polycarbonate, thermoplastic urethane,
polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride,
polyetheretherketone and combinations thereof. The reinforcing
element is selected from a group of reinforcing materials
consisting of glass fibers, aramid fibers, polyamide fibers, carbon
fibers, graphite fibers, mineral fibers, ceramic fibers, carbon
nanotubes, nano fillers, mineral fillers, ceramic fillers and
combinations thereof.
[0028] In one particularly useful embodiment the composite material
comprises a long fiber thermoplastic including a thermoplastic
resin selected from a group of thermoplastic resins consisting of
nylon 6, nylon 66, nylon 46, aromatic polyamide, polyetherimide,
polyethersulfone, polysulfone, polyphthalamide, polyphenylene
sulfide, syndiotactic polystyrene, polyetherimide/silicone blend,
liquid crystal polymer, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene
terephthalate, cyclic thermoplastic, macrocyclic butylenes
terephthalate, macrocyclic ethylene terephthalate, macrocyclic
polycarbonate, thermoplastic urethane, polytetrafluoroethylene,
polyvinylidene fluoride, polyetheretherketone and combinations
thereof. The long fiber thermoplastic also includes a glass
reinforcing element with a glass fiber weight fraction ranging from
about 5 to about 90 weight percent. Greater than about 5 weight
percent of the glass fiber fraction has an original length to
diameter ratio of greater than or equal to 50.
[0029] In yet another particularly useful embodiment of the present
invention the composite material is a mixture of between about 0
and about 90 weight percent polypropylene, between about 0 and
about 90 weight percent polyethylene terephthalate and between
about 10 and about 85 weight percent glass fibers. In any of the
possible embodiments the composite material may also include some
thermoset resin. That thermoset resin is selected from a group of
thermoset resins consisting of unsaturated poly, dicyclopentadiene,
phenolic, phenol formaldehyde, novalac, resols, epoxy, vinyl ester,
urethane and combinations thereof. The thermoset resin may comprise
anywhere from about 5 to about 85 weight percent of the total resin
in the composite material.
[0030] Reference is now made to FIG. 2 illustrating in detail the
muffler assembly 10 of FIG. 1 but incorporating additional optional
features. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the muffler assembly 10
includes a mounting bracket 38. A first end 40 of the mounting
bracket 38 is molded into the composite material forming the
housing 12. A second end 42 of the bracket 38 projects from the
housing 12 and includes apertures 44 to receive fasteners (not
shown) for mounting the muffler assembly 10 to a vehicle.
[0031] The muffler assembly 10 illustrated in FIG. 10 also includes
a baffle 46 that divides the interior of the housing 12 into
multiple chambers 24' and 24''. While one baffle 46 is shown, it
should be appreciated that multiple baffles 46 may be provided if
desired. Acoustic attenuating material 32 such as continuous glass
filament strands texturized with pressurized air and sold under the
trademark SILENTEX may be received in each of the chambers 24',
24''. The baffle 46 may also support an optional active sound
control device 48. The active sound control device 48 comprises a
sound cancellation generator including a controller, a sound sensor
and a sound transducer. The sound control device 48 functions to
produce a sound wave that partially or completely cancels sound
generated by the exhaust gases passing through the vehicle exhaust
system.
[0032] In accordance with an additional aspect of the present
invention, the muffler assembly 10 may include an optional inlay
50. The inlay 50 may be made from a material selected from a group
consisting of glass fibers, natural fibers, carbon fibers, mineral
fibers, metallic fibers, aramid fibers and combinations thereof.
Further, the inlay 50 may be overmolded with the composite material
utilized to make the housing 12. Advantageously, the inlay 50 may
be used to provide the housing 12 with extra strength such as, for
example, for spanning the space between attachment points to the
vehicle.
[0033] As further illustrated in FIG. 2, the muffler assembly 10
may also include an overlay 52. Such an overlay may be constructed,
for example, from a material including metal sheeting, steel,
aluminum, stainless steel, woven fiber mat, unwoven fiber mat,
unidirectional fiber fabric and combinations thereof. The overlay
52 may be an overmolded reinforcement covered with the composite
material that forms the shell 12. Typically, such an overlay 52 is
provided along surfaces of the muffler assembly 10 that are exposed
to potential impact damage such as from rocks or other debris that
might be thrown up from the roadway.
[0034] Still another embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated in FIG. 3. In this embodiment the muffler assembly 10
again includes a housing 10 forming a chamber 24 that again
receives acoustic attenuating material 32. As previously described,
the housing 10 also includes an inlet 20 lined with a heat sink 34.
An exhaust pipe 26 passes through the inlet 20 with an intermediate
section 28 of the pipe received in the chamber 24. Apertures 30 in
the intermediate section 28 allow acoustic communication between
the interior passageway or lumen of the pipe 26 and the chamber 24.
In the illustrated embodiment the pipe 26 also includes a flex pipe
section 27 that is partially received in the heat sink 34.
[0035] The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 also includes an inner
housing 54 received as a lining of the housing 12. The inner
housing 54 may be constructed from a second composite material
comprising a thermoset resin and a reinforcement element. The
thermoset resin may comprise unsaturated polyester,
dicyclopentadiene, phenolic, phenol formaldehyde, novalac, resol,
epoxy, vinyl ester, urethane and combinations thereof. The
reinforcement element may comprise, for example, glass fibers,
aramid fibers, polyamide fibers, carbon fibers, graphite fibers,
mineral fibers, ceramic fibers, carbon nanotubes, nano fillers,
mineral fillers, ceramic fillers and combinations thereof.
[0036] In accordance with an additional aspect of the present
invention, since the housing 12 is molded or otherwise made from a
composite material, it may easily be formed into intricate shapes.
Accordingly, the housing 12 or at least a portion thereof may serve
the dual function of providing a housing for the muffler assembly
and also forming a body or chassis component of the vehicle such as
a spare wheel well, an underbody shield, a fender, a wheel arch, a
bumper, a running board, a rocker panel, a side fairing and an air
dam.
[0037] Reference is now made to FIG. 4 illustrating yet another
embodiment of the present invention wherein the muffler assembly 10
forms a bumper for the vehicle. More specifically, the first
section 14 of the housing 12 forms the face and upper portion of
the bumper. As illustrated, the first housing section 14 includes
portions of the inlet 20, a portion of the outlet 22 and a portion
of the chamber 24. The second section 16 of the housing 12 forms
the bottom of the bumper and also includes portions of the inlet
20, outlet 22 and chamber 24. A pipe 26 including an intermediate
section 28 with openings 30 is received in the housing 12. Heat
sinks 34 are provided between the pipe and the inlet 20 and outlet
22. Acoustic attenuating material 32 is provided in the chamber 24
around the intermediate pipe section 28.
[0038] FIGS. 5 and 5a illustrate yet another embodiment of muffler
assembly 10 of the present invention. In this embodiment, the first
section 14 of the housing 12 forms the spare wheel well. Thus, the
first section 14 includes a cavity 60 for receiving the spare
wheel. A cover 62 may be provided for closing the cavity. The
second section 16 of the housing 12 forms the chamber 24 that
receives the intermediate 28 of the pipe 26 as well as the sound
attenuating material 32. A bumper plate closeout panel 64 including
a tailgate seal 66, a composite bumper beam 68 and a fascia 70
complete the assembly. As illustrated in FIG. 5a, the spare wheel
well portion of the muffler assembly 10 may simply form a portion
of an entire underbody shield and including wheel wells. That
system of panels includes underbody panels, 72, 74 and 76 wherein a
portion of the pipe 26 are sandwiched and received between the
panels 74 and 76.
[0039] In yet another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the muffler
assembly 10 may incorporate a housing 12 that forms a part of the
side fairing, air dam, running board or rocker panel of a truck
T.
[0040] The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of
the present invention have been presented for purposes of
illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive
or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious
modifications or variations are possible in light of the above
teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described to provide the
best illustration of the principles of the invention and its
practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in
the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with
various modifications as are suited to the particular use
contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the
scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when
interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are
fairly, legally and equitably entitled. The drawings and preferred
embodiments do not and are not intended to limit the ordinary
meaning of the claims in their fair and broad interpretation in any
way.
* * * * *