Exhaust dispersion device

Abstract

An exhaust dispersion device for an exhaust system with an outer flow member is disclosed. The exhaust dispersion device includes a dispersion member capable of being disposed within the outer flow member. The dispersion member defines an axis and includes an upstream end and a downstream end. A cross section of the downstream end perpendicular to the axis is larger than a cross section of the upstream end perpendicular to the axis. The dispersion device also includes an aperture extending through the dispersion member. The aperture is coaxial with the axis. Flow of all exhaust gas through the outer flow member is divided between flow through the aperture and flow between the outer flow member and the dispersion member. The dispersion member is operable to divert the flow of the exhaust gas at least partially toward the outer flow member.

1 . An exhaust dispersion device for an exhaust system with an outer flow member, the exhaust dispersion device comprising: 
 a dispersion member capable of being disposed within the outer flow member, wherein the dispersion member defines an axis, wherein the dispersion member includes an upstream end and a downstream end, and wherein a cross section of the downstream end perpendicular to the axis is larger than a cross section of the upstream end perpendicular to the axis; and    an aperture extending through the dispersion member, wherein the aperture is coaxial with the axis, wherein flow of all exhaust gas through the outer flow member is divided between flow through the aperture and flow between the outer flow member and the dispersion member, and wherein the dispersion member is operable to divert the flow of the exhaust gas at least partially toward the outer flow member.    
     
     
         2 . The exhaust dispersion device of  claim 1 , further comprising an inlet member coupled to the dispersion member, wherein the aperture extends through the inlet member and the dispersion member.  
     
     
         3 . The exhaust dispersion device of  claim 2 , wherein a cross section of the inlet member perpendicular to the axis is approximately constant along a length of the inlet member.  
     
     
         4 . The exhaust dispersion device of  claim 1 , wherein the dispersion member has a truncated conic shape.  
     
     
         5 . The exhaust dispersion device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one support member operable for coupling the dispersion member to the outer flow member such that the dispersion member is disposed in spaced relationship relative to the outer flow member.  
     
     
         6 . The exhaust dispersion device of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one support member includes an upstream face, and wherein the upstream face is disposed at a positive angle relative to a plane that is perpendicular to the axis.  
     
     
         7 . An exhaust system comprising: 
 an outer flow member; and    an exhaust dispersion device disposed within the outer flow member, the exhaust dispersion device comprising a dispersion member that defines an axis, wherein the dispersion member includes an upstream end and a downstream end, and wherein a cross section of the downstream end perpendicular to the axis is larger than a cross section of the upstream end perpendicular to the axis; and    an aperture extending through the dispersion member, wherein the aperture is coaxial with the axis, wherein flow of all exhaust gas through the outer flow member is divided between flow through the aperture and flow between the outer flow member and the dispersion member, and wherein the dispersion member is operable to divert the flow of the exhaust gas at least partially toward the outer flow member.    
     
     
         8 . The exhaust system of  claim 7 , further comprising an inlet member coupled to the dispersion member and disposed upstream of the dispersion member, wherein the aperture extends through the inlet member and the dispersion member.  
     
     
         9 . The exhaust system of  claim 8 , wherein a cross section of the inlet member perpendicular to the axis is approximately constant along a length of the inlet member.  
     
     
         10 . The exhaust system of  claim 7 , wherein the dispersion member has a truncated conic shape.  
     
     
         11 . The exhaust system of  claim 10 , wherein the outer flow member comprises a truncated conic member, and wherein a first angle measured between the axis and a wall of the outer flow member is at most equal to a second angle measured between the axis and a wall of the dispersion member.  
     
     
         12 . The exhaust system of  claim 7 , wherein the outer flow member comprises an inlet member and a truncated conic member coupled to the inlet member at a transition, and wherein a cross section taken approximately through the transition perpendicular to the axis intersects the exhaust dispersion device.  
     
     
         13 . The exhaust system of  claim 7 , wherein the exhaust dispersion device further comprises at least one support member coupling the exhaust dispersion device to the outer flow member such that the dispersion member is disposed in spaced relationship relative to the outer flow member and such that the dispersion member is coaxial with the outer flow member.  
     
     
         14 . The exhaust system of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one support member includes an upstream face, and wherein the upstream face is disposed at a positive angle relative to a plane that is perpendicular to the axis.  
     
     
         15 . An exhaust system for a vehicle comprising: 
 an outer flow member;    a substrate disposed within the outer flow member such that an exhaust gas within the outer flow member can flow toward the substrate; and    an exhaust dispersion device disposed within the outer flow member, the exhaust dispersion device comprising a dispersion member that defines an axis, wherein the dispersion member includes an upstream end and a downstream end, and wherein a cross section of the downstream end perpendicular to the axis is larger than a cross section of the upstream end perpendicular to the axis; and    an aperture extending through the dispersion member, wherein the aperture is coaxial with the axis, wherein flow of all exhaust gas through the outer flow member is divided between flow through the aperture toward the substrate and flow between the outer flow member and the dispersion member toward the substrate, and wherein the exhaust dispersion device is operable to divert the flow of the exhaust gas at least partially toward the outer flow member as the exhaust gas flows toward the substrate.    
     
     
         16 . The exhaust system of  claim 15 , further comprising an inlet member coupled to the dispersion member and disposed upstream of the dispersion member, wherein the aperture extends through the inlet member and the dispersion member.  
     
     
         17 . The exhaust system of  claim 16 , wherein a cross section of the inlet member perpendicular to the axis is approximately constant along a length of the inlet member.  
     
     
         18 . The exhaust system of  claim 15 , wherein the outer flow member comprises an inlet member and a truncated conic member coupled to the inlet member at a transition, and wherein a cross section taken approximately through the transition perpendicular to an axis of the exhaust dispersion member intersects the exhaust dispersion device.  
     
     
         19 . The exhaust system of  claim 15 , wherein the dispersion member has a truncated conic shape, wherein the outer flow member comprises a truncated conic member, and wherein a first angle measured between the axis and a wall of the outer flow member is at most equal to a second angle measured between the axis and a wall of the dispersion member.  
     
     
         20 . The exhaust system of  claim 15 , wherein the exhaust dispersion device further comprises at least one support member coupling the exhaust dispersion device to the outer flow member such that the dispersion member is disposed in spaced relationship relative to the outer flow member and such that the dispersion member is coaxial with the outer flow member, wherein the at least one support member includes an upstream face, and wherein the upstream face is disposed at a positive angle relative to a plane that is perpendicular to the axis.