Offset passive valve for vehicle exhaust system

Abstract

An exhaust component includes a wall with an inner surface defining an exhaust gas flow path. A passive valve assembly includes a vane that is positioned within the exhaust gas flow path to be pivotable between open and closed positions. The vane is defined by a plane that extends across a width of the vane. The vane is supported by a shaft that defines an axis of rotation. The axis of rotation is offset from the plane of the vane such that the vane can be pivoted to a fully open position without interfering with the inner surface of the wall.

1 . A passive valve assembly for a vehicle exhaust system comprising:
 an exhaust component having a wall with an inner surface defining an exhaust gas flow path;   a vane positioned within the exhaust gas flow path, said vane being pivotable between an open position and a closed position, and said vane defining a plane that extends across a width of said vane; and   a shaft supported by said wall and defining an axis of rotation, said shaft pivoting said vane between said open and said closed positions, and wherein said plane of said vane is offset from said axis of rotation.   
     
     
         2 . The passive valve assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said plane does not intersect said axis of rotation. 
     
     
         3 . The passive valve assembly according to  claim 2  wherein said plane is spaced apart from said axis of rotation by a generally constant distance as said vane pivots between said open and said closed positions. 
     
     
         4 . The passive valve assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said exhaust gas flow path extends in a first direction and said axis of rotation extends in a second direction that is different from said first direction, and wherein said plane is offset from said axis of rotation in said first direction. 
     
     
         5 . The passive valve assembly according to  claim 4  wherein said first direction is perpendicular to said second direction. 
     
     
         6 . The passive valve assembly according to  claim 4  wherein said vane comprises a generally flat disc-shaped body having a greater width than thickness and wherein said plane is defined across the width of said generally flat disc-shaped body. 
     
     
         7 . The passive valve assembly according to  1  including a resilient member that biases said vane toward said closed position, said vane being pivoted from said closed position towards said open position in response to an exhaust gas flow that exceeds a biasing force of said resilient member. 
     
     
         8 . The passive valve assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said exhaust component comprises a longitudinally extending pipe defining a center axis and wherein said plane of said vane is offset from, and generally parallel to, said center axis when in a fully open, maximum flow position. 
     
     
         9 . The passive valve assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said exhaust component comprises a circular pipe defining a center axis that coincides with a center of the exhaust gas flow path, and wherein said plane of said vane and said center axis have a non-intersecting relationship when in a maximum flow position. 
     
     
         10 . A passive valve assembly for a vehicle exhaust system comprising:
 an exhaust pipe having a curved wall with an inner surface defining an exhaust gas flow path;   a vane positioned within the exhaust gas flow path, said vane being pivotable between an open position and a closed position, and said vane comprising a disc-shaped body having a greater width than thickness, with said vane defining a plane that extends across said width of said disc-shaped body; and   a shaft coupled to said vane and defining an axis of rotation, said shaft pivoting said vane between said open and said closed positions, and wherein said plane of said vane is offset from said axis of rotation.   
     
     
         11 . The passive valve assembly according to  claim 10  wherein said plane has a non-intersecting relationship to said axis of rotation. 
     
     
         12 . The passive valve assembly according to  claim 11  including a connecting arm having a first portion coupled to said shaft and a second portion coupled to said vane, said connecting arm extending transversely to said axis of rotation and said plane. 
     
     
         13 . The passive valve assembly according to  claim 10  including a housing fixed to an outer surface of said curved wall and at least one bearing mounted within said housing to pivotally support said shaft. 
     
     
         14 . The passive valve assembly according to  claim 13  including a resilient member that biases said vane toward said closed position, said vane being pivoted from said closed position towards said open position in response to an exhaust gas flow that exceeds a biasing force of said resilient member. 
     
     
         15 . The passive valve assembly according to  claim 14  wherein said axis of rotation remains spaced apart from said plane by a generally constant distance as said vane moves between said open and said closed positions. 
     
     
         16 . The passive valve assembly according to  claim 10  wherein said plane is positioned in the exhaust gas flow path at a position that is upstream relative to said axis of rotation.