Passive exhaust valve with dual torsion spring

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9982793-B2
Application number	US-201615229180-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 5, 2016
Priority date	Aug 5, 2016
Publication date	May 29, 2018
Grant date	May 29, 2018

Abstract

A snap-action valve assembly includes a valve flap positioned within a conduit for controlling exhaust flow through the conduit. A shaft supports the valve flap in the conduit for rotation about a pivot axis between a closed position and an open position. A guide is fixed to the valve flap. A torsion spring is positioned at least partially outside the conduit and includes a first end restricted from rotation in at least one direction. The torsion spring includes a second end coupled to the guide. The torsion spring is preloaded to urge the valve flap into contact with an inner surface of the conduit when the valve flap is in the closed position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of assembling a snap-action valve assembly, the method comprising:
fixing a valve flap to a shaft and supporting the valve flap in a conduit for rotation about a pivot axis between a closed position and an open position;
supporting a roller for rotation on the valve flap;
coupling a first end of a torsion spring to a housing and a second end of the torsion spring to the roller;
moving the housing into contact with the conduit to apply a spring preload such that the valve flap is urged into contact with an inner surface of the conduit when the valve flap is in the closed position; and
fixing the housing to the conduit to maintain the spring preload.

2. The method of assembling a snap-action valve assembly of claim 1 , further including extending a portion of the spring through an aperture extending through a wall of the conduit.

3. The method of assembling a snap-action valve assembly of claim 1 , further including sealingly fixing the housing to the conduit to restrict contaminant ingress.

4. The method of assembling a snap-action valve assembly of claim 1 , further including forming spaced apart straps on the valve flap, translating a bushing between the straps, and positioning the shaft within the bushing.

5. The method of assembling a snap-action valve assembly of claim 1 , further including positioning an end of the spring at a location to contact the valve flap as the valve flap moves from the open position toward the closed position.

Assignees

• Tenneco Automotive Operating Co Inc

Inventors

• Thomas Stephen M
• Anderson David L

Classifications

• F01N13/08 Primary

  Other arrangements or adaptations of exhaust conduits {(pipes, joints or supports therefor in general F16L; collecting or removing exhaust gases of vehicle engines in workshops B08B15/00, on highways E01C1/005)} · CPC title

• F01N2240/36

  an exhaust flap · CPC title

• B23P15/002

  poppet valves · CPC title

• F16K15/033 Primary

  spring-loaded · CPC title

• F01N2390/08

  using mechanical components only, e.g. actuated manually · CPC title