Inventors:
Boyd L. Butler - Sandy UT
International Classification:
F01N 112
Abstract:
A muffler for reducing acoustic noise contained in a gas flow, such as created by internal combustion engines, air compressors, and blower manifolds. The muffler consists of a conventional sheet metal casing which has an inlet and an outlet at opposite ends thereof. A flow of gas containing acoustic noise flows from inlet to outlet. A plurality of spiral acoustic traps, each of which extend from bottom to top of the casing, have a central axis positioned perpendicular to the gas flow. An opening in each spiral acoustic trap extends into the gas flow to divert some gas into the trap, wherein the gas flows in a circular path so as to degrade and randomize the sound waves into heat, by utilizing a circular mixing process with increased gas retention time. Gas is drawn out of the acoustic trap through a series of vent holes in the acoustic trap on the back side of the acoustic trap opposite the opening, by utilizing a venturi effect created by part of the inlet gas flow which is split off into a peripheral gas flow to flow around the acoustic trap through a constricted area just ahead of the vent holes, created by the acoustic trap and the adjacent casing wall or adjacent trap, so as to create a low pressure zone at the vent holes to continuously draw gas out of the acoustic trap. The acoustic traps may be oriented in a single or multiple linearly extending staggered groups, with in-line or offset inlets and outlets.