|
CORSA
Performance
Reflective
Sound-Cancellation (RSC) Muffler Technology
Automobile makers have been building mufflers for more than
100 years, and as the name muffler implies, the primary purpose of
the muffler is to reduce noise emitted by the internal combustion
engine. Muffler technology hasn't changed very much over the past
100 years. The exhaust is passed through a series of various-sized
chambers in reactive-type mufflers, or straight through a perforated
pipe wrapped with sound deadening material in an absorption-type
muffler. Both types of mufflers have strengths and weaknesses. The
reactive-type muffler is usually restrictive and prevents even the
"good" engine sounds from coming through, but does a good job of
reducing noise. On the other hand, most absorption-type mufflers are
less restrictive, but allow too much engine noise to come through,
especially at cruising speeds. And regardless of the packing
material, absorption-type mufflers tend to get noisier with
age.
More recently, automotive engineers have been experimenting
with electronic noise suppression mufflers. A sound pressure wave
180 degrees out-of-phase is generated by an electronic device to
cancel out a similar sound wave generated by the engine. It is an
effective way of canceling noise without restricting flow.
Unfortunately it is too costly and currently impractical for today's
production vehicles. However, out-of-phase sound wave cancellation
is the best technology to control engine noise.
CORSA's patented *Power-Pulse RSC™ technology reflects sound
pressure waves within the muffler case to produce the same 180
degree out-of-phase wave cancellation effect, without flow
restriction or electronic devices. It literally took the proverbial
"rocket scientist" to come up with the design. An aeronautical
engineer, with years of fluid flow, gas dynamics, thermodynamics,
and acoustics experience on NASA and numerous other government
projects, was employed to adapt some of this space-age
noise-suppression technology to automotive mufflers. The result is
the CORSA *Power-Pulse™ Reflective Sound-Cancellation
Technology.
|
REFLECTIVE SOUND
CANCELLATION |
|
| |
When you refer to the above illustration, you will see an
elegant design in simplicity, theory, and operation. Essentially,
the Power-Pulse™ muffler design includes a pipe that runs straight
through the muffler, almost as if there was no muffler in the
system. However, in this straight through-pipe, there is a full
360-degree air gap that allows sound pressure waves to escape and
travel down a channel. These waves are reflected back to the air gap
where they arrive 180 degrees out-of-phase and cancels that
particular sound frequency. Each CORSA Power-Pulse RSC™ muffler
cancels up to three primary resonance-producing sound frequencies.
All that remains is the clean crisp sound of a healthy performance
engine.
This technology enables CORSA engineers to tune each muffler
to a spcific vehicle by adjusting the size of the 360-degree air gap
and the length of the pulse channels within the muffler for the best
sound and least interior resonance. Initially, muffler design can be
calculated using exacting acoustic and thermodynamic formulas. The
final design specs are arrived at by using Real Time Spectrum
Analysis equipment to analyze "real" sound at idle, acceleration,
and cruise.
Once internal and external dimensions have been established
for a specific vehicle, mufflers and exhaust systems are fabricated
out of 100 percent stainless steel at CORSA's new 40,000-square-foot
manufacturing facility in Berea, Ohio. The manufacturing process
includes state-of-the-art equipment plasma, TIG welding, and
hydroforming equipment. CORSA's *Power-Pulse RSC™ exhaust systems
are resistant to corrosion and able to withstand high temperatures
for long periods, enabling CORSA to offer a limited lifetime
warranty - guaranteed to the original owner, against rust
-through and corrosion, for as long as they own their
vehicle.
As good as this theory sounds, what is really important
is real-world performance. How good is it? The first muffler system
developed by CORSA was for the fifth generation Corvette, the C5.
Before it even went into production, a "modified" version was
selected by Chevrolet Specialty Vehicles to be used on the 1998
Indianapolis 500 Pace Car. As a result, CORSA decided to offer this
"modified" version, calling it the Pace Car Edition .
Power-Pulse RSC™ mufflers were selected for the Indy Pace Car
because they enhanced the great sound of the Corvette LS1 engine and
increase performance by flowing 45-percent more exhaust than the
stock Corvette system.
CORSA's C5 Pace Car Edition muffler system is
best described as producing a "bolder" sound most evident during
full throttle. The second CORSA C5 muffler option, the Touring
Edition , responds with a more reserved, crisp, exotic car
sound. Both systems are extremely quiet at cruising speeds with no
in-cabin resonance.
CORSA's C5 exhaust systems are now in full production, as
well as exhaust systems for fourth-generation Corvettes and Dodge
Vipers. Owners everywhere are enjoying the advantage of having an
incredible high-performance sound when accelerating at full throttle
and at the same time, eliminating in-cabin resonance at cruise. It
works the way a high-performance muffler really should...the amount
of sound produced is directly proportional to the amount of throttle
used. CORSA exhaust systems have been best described as
"awesome sound at full-throttle and whisper-quiet cruise."
It's rare that any company invents a better
"mousetrap" in an industry that has evolved over 100 years. But
CORSA Performance is convinced, as are its satisfied customers, that
no other high-performance muffler can compare to its *Power-Pulse
RSC™ systems. As car enthusiasts get to hear the unique sound and
experience the performance these mufflers deliver, this technology
will be the standard of quality for performance mufflers in the
future.
CORSA
*Power-Pulse RSC™ exhaust systems, currently under development for
future release, include Camaro-Firebird, GM cars and trucks, Ford
Mustangs, Dodge trucks, sport utility vehicles, and European import
applications.
For more information on availability of these systems,
contact CORSA Performance.
*Power-Pulse RSC™ Technology - U.S. Patent # 5,952,625;
6,199,658; other patents pending |
