Every detail of a car, even the smallest one, is very important for the entire operation of the car as a whole. In fact, inexperienced motorists rarely understand the detailed design of their car. And some of them do not even know why a muffler is needed and what basic functions it performs.
A car muffler is a special device that is designed to lower the temperature, reduce the toxicity and the level of engine exhaust gases to the values set by the standards. In addition, a muffler is an excellent means of reducing the noise from a driving car. If you have broken it at least once, then you are probably aware of how noisy a car becomes that goes without this tool.
Cars that were built at the dawn of the automotive industry were not equipped with mufflers, and therefore they knew about their approach in advance, even before they appeared in the field of view.
The first muffler was created in 1894 and became a real breakthrough, turning cars into a popular means of transportation among the population. The reason is quite commonplace - people have ceased to be afraid of cars because of their noiselessness.
The main functions of the muffler
The main task of the muffler is to reduce the speed of gases entering it from the engine. True, in fulfilling its immediate duties, the muffler slightly reduces the engine power. This happens due to the fact that at the moment the exhaust gases exit from the engine into the muffler, they bump into obstacles in the way (narrow tubes, various valves, etc.). Part of the waves is reflected and reversed to return to the cylinder, as a result of which the power of the car is reduced.
Another function the muffler is responsible for is noise level adjustment. Modern manufacturers use different principles for noise reduction. One of them is the use of constraints. It is carried out due to the narrowing of the pipe diameter, as a result of which acoustic resistance occurs. The subsequent transition to a wider diameter scatters the sound, and its intensity is significantly reduced.
The principle of reflection is another actively used method for reducing the noise effect. Its essence is that the sound energy, reflected from the surface, is partially dissipated. Therefore, mirrors are placed in the mufflers in the path of sound.
Porous material can be successfully used instead of mirrors. And then the principle of absorption will be in action.
The muffler consists of several parts, each of which is responsible for a particular action. For example, a catalyst reduces the harmful effects of exhaust gases. The reduction of the toxicity of the spent fuel takes place in a special chamber, where the mixture is afterburned, and harmful substances are retained through the use of honeycombs made of precious metals.
The main muffler reduces exhaust speed and temperature, and balances out resonance. The rear muffler finally absorbs noise through the use of complex internal structures or certain types of coatings during its development.
If the muffler is broken
Breaking a muffler is not that difficult. It is enough to unsuccessfully run into a hole or scrape a hillock with the bottom, and that's it. It is just as easy to pierce the muffler with any sharp object on the road, for example, a stone with ragged edges.
Muffler repair is not as difficult as it sounds. Most often, welding is used to weld a damaged area or join two parts of a broken pipe. In some cases, they manage with silicate glue or special glass fabric.
If, during the repair process, it turns out that the muffler is burnt out, it will have to be changed completely. As a rule, in an effort to save money, many car owners buy the one they need for similar characteristics. Experts say that it is better to take the original one. After all, a stranger may not fit the characteristics and will wear out quickly.
