"Silent Partner" Muffler Reduces Noise

By Staff -- Logistics Management, 10/1/1999

Donaldson Co. has introduced its Silent Partner muffler, which is designed to reduce both drive-by and in-cab noise levels. According to the manufacturer, a Silent Partner-equipped truck produces half as much engine exhaust noise during braking than a conventionally muffled truck.

Although it has the same exterior dimensions as conventional mufflers, Silent Partner combines four separate acoustic technologies that reduce noise levels. The four acoustic technologies include: reactive silencing that creates sound waves that cancel out unpleasant noise frequencies during engine braking; resistive silencing that reduces low-frequency exhaust pressure variations; adsorptive silencing that reduces sound levels by transforming sound energy into thermal energy; and body shell noise dampening that keeps the Silent Partner shell from vibrating and resonating. The four acoustic-control technologies not only reduce the noise level, says the company, but also improve noise quality by smoothing out the rough octave bands produced by engine braking.

Silent Partner is interchangeable with standard mufflers, with no engine or in-cab modifications required. It is available in two models--an aluminized steel model that carries a four-year/500,000-mile warranty, and an aluminized 409 stainless steel model that comes with an eight-year/1,000,000-mile warranty.

FOR INFORMATION CIRCLE 127