Flexible Exhaust Pipe Coupling

Abstract

A device for connecting pipes in a heavy truck exhaust system includes a flexible sleeve joined to both connecting pipes and a flow guide connected or formed to an upstream pipe and extending through the flexible sleeve into the downstream pipe. The flow guide may have a frustoconical shape converging toward an outlet end with an outlet rim that flares radially outward. An inlet rim of the downstream pipe converges radially inward to prevent backflow into the joint region.

1 . A device for connecting exhaust pipes in a truck tractor, comprising:
 a flexible sleeve having a first end connectable to an end of an upstream pipe and a second end connectable to an end of a downstream pipe;   a guide tube having an inlet end and an outlet end, the guide tube extending from the end of the upstream pipe into and spaced radially inwardly from an inlet end of the downstream pipe; and,   means for preventing backflow from the inlet of the downstream pipe.   
   
   
       2 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said means for preventing backflow comprises the inlet end of the downstream pipe having a rim that is shaped to converge radially inwardly. 
   
   
       3 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said means for preventing backflow comprises a ring secured inside the inlet end of the downstream pipe. 
   
   
       4 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said means for preventing backflow comprises a trough formed in a wall of the inlet end of the downstream pipe. 
   
   
       5 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the guide tube has a frustoconical shape converging toward the outlet end. 
   
   
       6 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the outlet end of the guide tube has a rim that flares radially outwardly. 
   
   
       7 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the guide tube is connected to the upstream pipe. 
   
   
       8 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the guide tube is an extended portion of the upstream pipe. 
   
   
       9 . A device for connecting exhaust pipes in a truck tractor, comprising:
 a flexible sleeve having a first end connected to an end of an upstream pipe and a second end connected to an end of a downstream pipe;   a guide tube having an inlet end and an outlet end, the guide tube extending from the end of the upstream pipe with the outlet end disposed within an inlet of the downstream pipe, the guide tube having a frustoconical shape converging toward the outlet end.   
   
   
       10 . The device as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the outlet end of the guide tube has a rim that flares radially outwardly. 
   
   
       11 . The device as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the guide tube is connected to the upstream pipe. 
   
   
       12 . The device as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the guide tube is an extended portion of the upstream pipe. 
   
   
       13 . The device as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the inlet end of the downstream pipe has a rim that is shaped to converge radially inwardly. 
   
   
       14 . The device as claimed in  claim 9 , further comprising a ring secured inside the inlet of the downstream pipe. 
   
   
       15 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a trough is formed in a wall of the inlet of the downstream pipe. 
   
   
       16 . A device for connecting exhaust pipes in a truck tractor, comprising:
 a flexible sleeve having a first end connected to an end of an upstream pipe and a second end connected to an end of a downstream pipe;   a guide tube having an inlet end and an outlet end, the guide tube extending from the end of the upstream pipe with the outlet end disposed within an inlet of the downstream pipe; and,   wherein the inlet end of the downstream pipe has a rim that is shaped to converge radially inwardly.   
   
   
       17 . The device as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the guide tube has a frustoconical shape converging toward the outlet end. 
   
   
       18 . The device as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the guide tube is connected to the upstream pipe. 
   
   
       19 . The device as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the guide tube is an extended portion of the upstream pipe. 
   
   
       20 . The device as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the outlet end of the guide tube has a rim that flares radially outwardly.