Muffler shell filling process, muffler filled with fibrous material and vacuum filling device

摘要

A process is provided for filling a muffler shell with fibrous material. The process involves providing a muffler shell comprising first and second muffler shell outer parts which define an internal cavity when coupled together and an internal structure adapted to extend at least part way through the shell internal cavity and having one or more openings communicating with the shell internal cavity. The process further comprises the steps of: providing a perforated tool having opposing first and second surfaces; providing a vacuum apparatus which is adapted to receive the perforated tool and apply a partial vacuum to the first surface of the tool; placing a sheet adjacent the second surface of the perforated tool; applying a partial vacuum to the first surface of the tool via the vacuum apparatus so as to draw the sheet against the tool second surface; placing the internal structure adjacent the tool; placing the first muffler shell outer part adjacent the tool such that the tool and the first part define a temporary inner cavity; feeding fibrous material into the temporary inner cavity; deactivating the vacuum apparatus; drawing a partial vacuum through the internal structure so as to draw the fibrous material and the sheet toward the internal structure; separating the first muffler shell outer part, the internal structure, the fibrous material and the sheet from the tool; and coupling the second muffler shell part to the first muffler shell part.