Dynamic exhaust tip

Abstract

An exhaust tip assembly including a cylindrical collar adapted to be secured to the distal end of a vehicular exhaust pipe and to extend beyond the distal end of the exhaust pipe. A rigid support structure is secured inside the collar and a turbine is rotatably coupled on the distal side of the rigid support structure. In a preferred embodiment, the turbine is concentric with the collar and has a fixed axial position adjacent the distal end of the cylindrical collar. It is also preferred for the turbine to form a plurality of vanes facing the distal end of the exhaust pipe such that exhaust gases pass over the vanes and cause the turbine to freely spin in one direction. It is further preferred if the turbine is free to continue spinning independent of exhaust gases continuing to exit the exhaust pipe through the collar.

1 . A dynamic exhaust tip assembly, comprising: 
 a cylindrical collar adapted to be secured to the distal end of a vehicular exhaust pipe and to extend beyond the distal end of the exhaust pipe;    a rigid support structure secured inside the collar;    a turbine rotatably coupled on the distal side of the rigid support structure, wherein the turbine is concentric with the collar and has a fixed axial position adjacent the distal end of the cylindrical collar; and wherein the turbine forms a plurality of vanes facing the distal end of the exhaust pipe such that exhaust gases pass over the vanes and cause the turbine to freely spin in one direction.    
   
   
       2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical collar has a distal end having a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the distal end of the exhaust pipe.  
   
   
       3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the turbine is free to continue spinning independent of exhaust gases continuing to exit the exhaust pipe through the collar.  
   
   
       4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the turbine forms a wheel having a rim and a plurality of spokes.  
   
   
       5 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of vanes are formed on upstream faces of the plurality of spokes.  
   
   
       6 . The assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the wheel has a downstream face that is not the mere complement of the upstream face.  
   
   
       7 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the downstream face forms a display surface.  
   
   
       8 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the display surface is substantially planar.  
   
   
       9 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the wheel has an outer diameter that defines a gap between the wheel and the collar, and wherein the area of the gap is less than the open area between the spokes of the wheel.  
   
   
       10 . The assembly of  claim 1 , characterized in that the exhaust gases cause the turbine to spin independent of the exhaust pipe orientation.  
   
   
       11 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the turbine is made of metal.  
   
   
       12 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the turbine is rotatably coupled to the rigid support structure by a sealed bearing that is resistant to exhaust gas operating temperatures.  
   
   
       13 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the spinning of the turbine alters the sound of the exhaust.  
   
   
       14 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a plurality of fins secured within the collar proximal to the turbine for imparting a swirling motion to the exhaust gases.    
   
   
       15 . The assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the fins form the rigid support structure.  
   
   
       16 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the collar is rolled inward.  
   
   
       17 . The assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the rolled end of the collar overlaps the downstream face of the turbine.  
   
   
       18 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the effective cross-sectional area of the collar is approximately equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of the exhaust pipe.  
   
   
       19 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a vehicular exhaust pipe, wherein the cylindrical collar is secured to the distal end of a vehicular exhaust pipe and extends beyond the distal end of the exhaust pipe.  
   
   
       20 . The assembly of  claim 19 , further comprising a vehicle having an internal combustion engine operatively coupled to the vehicular exhaust pipe.  
   
   
       21 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the turbine is rotatably coupled to the rigid support structure by a bushing that is resistant to exhaust gas operating temperatures.