Compact coulomb damper

Abstract

A coulomb damper is attached to a component of an exhaust system. The inner surface of the coulomb damper is in intimate contact with the outer surface of the component of the exhaust system. The intimate contact is defined by a pair of weld lines extending along an axial length of the coulomb damper in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the intimate contact is defined by at least a three point contact between the coulomb damper and the component of the exhaust system. In another embodiment a coulomb damper includes an outer member press fit over an inner member. A chamber is defined between the inner and outer member. In one embodiment, the inner member and the outer member are coaxial and the chamber is an annular chamber having a constant radial width. In another embodiment, the chamber is eccentric in relation to the inner member and has a variable radial width.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A coulomb damper in combination with an exhaust system, the combination comprising:
 a canister;   shot disposed within said canister;   a component of said exhaust system, said canister being in intimate contact with said component of said exhaust system.   
     
     
         2 . The coulomb damper in combination with an exhaust system according to  claim 1 , wherein said intimate contact comprises a pair of contact areas extending along an axial length of said canister. 
     
     
         3 . The coulomb damper in combination with an exhaust system according to  claim 2 , further comprising a weld extending along each of said pair of contact areas. 
     
     
         4 . The coulomb damper in combination with an exhaust system according to  claim 2 , wherein said canister defines an inner surface having a first curved portion and said component of said exhaust system defines an outer surface having a second curved portion, said second curved portion engaging said first curved portion, a diameter of said first curved portion being smaller than a diameter of said second curved portion. 
     
     
         5 . The coulomb damper in combination with an exhaust system according to  claim 1 , wherein said canister defines an inner surface having a first curved portion and said component of said exhaust system defines an outer surface having a second curved portion, said second curved portion engaging said first curved portion, a diameter of said first curved portion being smaller than a diameter of said second curved portion. 
     
     
         6 . The coulomb damper in combination with an exhaust system according to  claim 1 , wherein said canister is curved to conform to a shape of said component of said exhaust system. 
     
     
         7 . The coulomb damper in combination with an exhaust system according to  claim 1 , wherein said canister is welded to said component of said exhaust system. 
     
     
         8 . The coulomb damper in combination with an exhaust system according to  claim 1 , wherein said canister is bolted to said component of said exhaust system. 
     
     
         9 . The coulomb damper in combination with an exhaust system according to  claim 1 , wherein said intimate contact is at least three contact points between said canister and said component of said exhaust system. 
     
     
         10 . The coulomb damper in combination with an exhaust system according to  claim 9 , wherein said canister defines an inner surface having a first curved portion and said component of said exhaust system defines an outer surface having a second curved portion, said second curved portion engaging said first curved portion, a diameter of said first curved portion being the same as a diameter of said second curved portion. 
     
     
         11 . The coulomb damper in combination with an exhaust system according to  claim 1 , wherein said canister defines an inner surface having a first curved portion and said component of said exhaust system defines an outer surface having a second curved portion, said second curved portion engaging said first curved portion, a diameter of said first curved portion being the same as a diameter of said second curved portion. 
     
     
         12 . The coulomb damper in combination with an exhaust system according to  claim 1 , wherein said canister defines a bolt hole and said component of said exhaust system includes a bolt extending through said bolt hole. 
     
     
         13 . The coulomb damper in combination with an exhaust system according to  claim 1 , wherein said shot is steel shot. 
     
     
         14 . The coulomb damper in combination with an exhaust system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said exhaust system defines an inner member;   said canister defines an outer member press fit to said inner member;   said shot is disposed in a chamber between said inner member and said outer member.   
     
     
         15 . The coulomb damper in combination with an exhaust system according to  claim 14 , wherein said inner member defined by said exhaust system is an exhaust pipe. 
     
     
         16 . The coulomb damper in combination with an exhaust system according to  claim 14 , wherein said chamber is an annular chamber. 
     
     
         17 . The coulomb damper in combination with an exhaust system according to  claim 16 , wherein said annular chamber has a constant radial width. 
     
     
         18 . The coulomb damper in combination with an exhaust system according to  claim 16 , wherein said annular chamber has a variable radial width. 
     
     
         19 . The coulomb damper in combination with an exhaust system according to  claim 16 , wherein said annular chamber is eccentric in relation to said inner member. 
     
     
         20 . The coulomb damper in combination with an exhaust system according to  claim 16 , wherein said outer member and said inner member are coaxial.