Flow diffuser for exhaust pipe

Abstract

A flow diffuser for vehicles of the type having an engine and an exhaust pipe generally includes a substantially tubular body having an outer surface and a first end configured for attachment to an exhaust pipe. The flow diffuser further includes a diffusion portion on the outer surface having a plurality of elongated diffusion ports. Each elongated diffusion port has an average length and an average width and a shape factor of less than about 0.7.

1 . A flow diffuser for vehicles of the type having an engine and an exhaust pipe, the flow diffuser comprising:
 (a) a substantially tubular body having an outer surface and a first end configured for attachment to an exhaust pipe; and   (b) a diffusion portion on the outer surface having a plurality of elongated diffusion ports, each diffusion port having an average length and an average width and a shape factor of less than about 0.7.   
   
   
       2 . The flow diffuser of  claim 1 , wherein the spacing between adjacent diffusion ports is at least equal to the average width of the adjacent diffusion ports. 
   
   
       3 . The flow diffuser of  claim 1 , wherein the spacing between adjacent diffusion ports is at least equal to twice the average width of the adjacent diffusion ports. 
   
   
       4 . The flow diffuser of  claim 1 , wherein the spacing between adjacent diffusion ports is at least equal to three times the average width of the adjacent diffusion ports. 
   
   
       5 . The flow diffuser of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of elongated diffusion ports are configured as a plurality of slots in the outer surface. 
   
   
       6 . The flow diffuser of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of elongated diffusion ports are configured as a plurality of channels extending from the outer surface. 
   
   
       7 . The flow diffuser of  claim 1 , further comprising a second end, wherein the second end is a substantially closed end or a vented end. 
   
   
       8 . The flow diffuser of  claim 6 , wherein the diffusion portion includes fluid passageways between the plurality of channels for surrounding air. 
   
   
       9 . The flow diffuser of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of elongated diffusion ports are configured to be oriented substantially transverse with respect to a center longitudinal axis extending through the tubular body. 
   
   
       10 . The flow diffuser of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of elongated diffusion ports are configured to be oriented substantially longitudinal with respect to a center longitudinal axis extending through the tubular body. 
   
   
       11 . The flow diffuser of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of elongated diffusion ports has a shape factor selected from the group consisting of less than about 0.5, less than about 0.3, in the range of about 0.1 to about 0.7, in the range of about 0.1 to about 0.5, and in the range of about 0.1 to about 0.3. 
   
   
       12 . The flow diffuser of  claim 6 , wherein each of the plurality of channels has an exit port having a shape factor selected from the group consisting of less than about 0.5, less than about 0.3, in the range of about 0.1 to about 0.7, in the range of about 0.1 to about 0.5, in the range of about 0.1 to about 0.3, and in the range of about 0.02 to 0.2. 
   
   
       13 . A flow diffuser for vehicles of the type having an engine and an exhaust pipe, the flow diffuser comprising:
 (a) a substantially tubular body having an outer surface and a first end configured for attachment to an exhaust pipe; and   (b) a diffusion portion on the outer surface having a plurality of elongated slots having a spacing between adjacent slots, wherein each elongated slot has an average length and an average width and wherein the spacing between adjacent slots is at least equal to the average width of the slots.   
   
   
       14 . The flow diffuser of  claim 13 , wherein the diffusion portion includes a plurality of channels extending from the plurality of slots. 
   
   
       15 . The flow diffuser of  claim 13 , further comprising a second end, wherein the second end is a substantially closed end. 
   
   
       16 . The flow diffuser of  claim 13 , further comprising a second end, wherein the second end is a vented end. 
   
   
       17 . The flow diffuser of  claim 14 , wherein the diffusion portion includes fluid passageways between the plurality of channels for the passage of surrounding air. 
   
   
       18 . The flow diffuser of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of slots are configured to be oriented substantially transverse with respect to a center longitudinal axis extending through the tubular body. 
   
   
       19 . The flow diffuser of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of slots are configured to be oriented substantially longitudinal with respect to a center longitudinal axis extending through the tubular body. 
   
   
       20 . A flow diffuser for vehicles of the type having an engine and an exhaust pipe, the flow diffuser comprising:
 (a) a substantially tubular body having an outer surface and a first end configured for attachment to an exhaust pipe; and   (b) a diffusion portion on the outer surface having an elongated substantially serpentine slot having a shape factor of less than about 0.7.