LOW RESTRICTION EXHAUST BRAKE

摘要

An exhaust brake (10) for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The internal surfaces of the exhaust brake (10) are aerodynamically shaped and sized to reduce the incidence of turbulent flow through the exhaust brake (10). The shape of the internal passage (102) through the brake housing (100) may be dictated by the requirement of maintaining as close to a laminar flow through the passage (102) as possible when the brake valve (200) is open. The ideal brake housings (100) of the internal passage (102) may be determined for exhaust brakes of various shapes and sizes. The ideal shapes may be typified as having non-uniform wall thicknesses. The ideal shapes of the internal brake surfaces, including that of the valve (200), may also be typified by the elimination of square edges (which trigger turbulence). Ideal flow through the exhaust brake (10) may also be obtained by the reduction of bulk in the exhaust flow (minimization of the profile of the valve (200) in the flow when the valve (200) is open). The valve (200) preferably has a tapered or airfoil profile, which may help reduce the valve's (200) contribution to turbulent flow in the brake (10).