Exhaust system for enclosures for engine-powered equipment

Abstract

A magnetic exhaust system is provided for facilitating the conducting of at least some of the exhaust gases, created by an internal combustion engine powered apparatus, such as an auxiliary electrical generator, from the engine's exhaust to a position external to an enclosure in which the apparatus is situated. The magnetic exhaust system is releasably connectable to the engine, and is configured to be applied to a wide range of apparatus and enclosure configurations.

1 . An exhaust apparatus, for use with an engine-powered apparatus that has been placed within an enclosure, the enclosure having at least one side wall, for facilitating passage of exhaust gases created by the engine from the interior of the enclosure to the exterior of the enclosure, the exhaust apparatus comprising:
 an inlet region, operably configured to be releasably positioned proximate to an exit opening of an exhaust system component of the engine;   a hose section, operably connected to the inlet region; and   an outlet region, operably connected to the hose section, and operably configured to be further connected to an opening in the at least one side wall of an enclosure.   
   
   
       2 . The exhaust apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the inlet region comprises:
 a magnet cap, having a bell with an opening therein and a hollow cylindrical neck connected to the bell and aligned with the opening, and   a magnet, disposed in the bell, the magnet having an aperture therethrough which is aligned with the opening and the neck,   the magnet cap and magnet enabling magnetic positioning of the inlet region on an engine, proximate to the exit opening of the exhaust system component for receiving an exhaust stream therefrom.   
   
   
       3 . The exhaust apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the inlet region further comprises:
 a skirt, operably connected to the neck of the magnet cap, the skirt having a leading edge which circumferentially surrounds the neck so as to define an air gap therebetween, for enabling gases other than exhaust gases, which may be surrounding the inlet region, to be drawn in and entrained with exhaust gases passing through the neck, for mixture with and cooling of the exhaust gases.   
   
   
       4 . An enclosure system for an engine-powered apparatus, comprising:
 an enclosure, having at least two side walls;   an exhaust apparatus, for facilitating passage of exhaust gases created by an engine of an engine-powered apparatus which has been positioned within the enclosure to a position exterior to the enclosure, wherein the exhaust apparatus further comprises   an inlet region, operably configured to be releasably positioned proximate to an exit opening of an exhaust system component of an engine of an apparatus which has been positioned within the enclosure;   a hose section, operably connected to the inlet region; and   an outlet region, operably connected to the hose section, and operably configured to be further connected to an opening in one of the least two side walls of the enclosure.   
   
   
       5 . The enclosure system according to  claim 4 , wherein the inlet region comprises:
 a magnet cap, having a bell with an opening therein and a hollow cylindrical neck connected to the bell and aligned with the opening, and   a magnet, disposed in the bell, the magnet having an aperture therethrough which is aligned with the opening and the neck, the magnet cap and magnet enabling magnetic positioning of the inlet region on an engine, proximate to the exit opening of the exhaust system component for receiving an exhaust stream therefrom.   
   
   
       6 . The enclosure system according to  claim 5 , wherein the inlet region further comprises:
 a skirt, operably connected to the neck of the magnet cap, the skirt having a leading edge which circumferentially surrounds the neck so as to define an air gap therebetween, for enabling gases other than exhaust gases, which may be surrounding the inlet region, to be drawn in and entrained with exhaust gases passing through the neck, for mixture with and cooling of the exhaust gases.   
   
   
       7 . The enclosure system according to  claim 4 , wherein the enclosure further comprises:
 a fan, operably mounted to one of the at least two side walls;   an aperture, through the one of the at least two side walls and aligned with the fan, the fan being oriented so as to draw ambient air into the enclosure when in operation, the fan being operably connectable to an engine of an apparatus which has been positioned within the enclosure, to derive actuation and power therefrom.   
   
   
       8 . The enclosure system according to  claim 7 , further comprising at least one vent opening disposed in a side wall of the enclosure. 
   
   
       9 . The enclosure system according to  claim 8 , further comprising a louver mounted in the at least one vent opening. 
   
   
       10 . The enclosure system according to  claim 9 , wherein the louver is rotatable. 
   
   
       11 . The enclosure system according to  claim 4 , wherein the inlet region is attached to the hose section by a removable clamp. 
   
   
       12 . The enclosure system according to  claim 4 , wherein the outlet region is attached to the hose section by a removable clamp. 
   
   
       13 . The exhaust apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the inlet region is attached to the hose section by a removable clamp. 
   
   
       14 . The exhaust apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the outlet region is attached to the hose section by a removable clamp. 
   
   
       15 . The enclosure system according to  claim 6 , wherein the skirt of the inlet region is attached to the neck of the magnet cap by a wire framework. 
   
   
       16 . The exhaust apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the skirt of the inlet region is attached to the neck of the magnet cap by a wire framework. 
   
   
       17 . The exhaust apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the hose section is operably configured to be articulatable, so as to enable positioning of the inlet region proximate an exit opening of an exhaust system of an engine, without requiring affixation of the inlet region to any portion of the engine. 
   
   
       18 . The enclosure system according to  claim 4 , wherein the hose section is operably configured to be articulatable, so as to enable positioning of the inlet region proximate an exit opening of an exhaust system of an engine, without requiring affixation of the inlet region to any portion of the engine. 
   
   
       19 . The exhaust apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the inlet region comprises:
 an inlet nozzle, operably configured to be positioned adjacent an exhaust structure of an engine for receiving an exhaust stream therefrom; and   a skirt, operably connected to an exit portion of the inlet nozzle, the skirt having a leading edge which circumferentially surrounds the exit portion of the inlet nozzle so as to define an air gap therebetween, for enabling gases other than exhaust gases, which may be surrounding the inlet region, to be drawn in and entrained with exhaust gases passing through the inlet nozzle, for mixture with and cooling of the exhaust gases.   
   
   
       20 . The enclosure system according to  claim 4 , wherein the inlet region comprises:
 an inlet nozzle, operably configured to be positioned adjacent an exhaust structure of an engine for receiving an exhaust stream therefrom; and   a skirt, operably connected to an exit portion of the inlet nozzle, the skirt having a leading edge which circumferentially surrounds the exit portion of the inlet nozzle so as to define an air gap therebetween, for enabling gases other than exhaust gases, which may be surrounding the inlet region, to be drawn in and entrained with exhaust gases passing through the inlet nozzle, for mixture with and cooling of the exhaust gases.