Interfloor tube aspirator inlet muffler

Claim 1

A muffler for use in conjunction with an interfloor tube and aspirator during the production of multifilament synthetic yarn wherein the interfloor tube comprises a tube and a yarn inlet passage which extends into the tube, the muffler comprising: a. a perforated second tube having an outside diameter which is smaller than the inside diameter of the yarn inlet passage, the perforated second tube having a plurality of perforations which create an open area for the perforated second tube of from 35 to 95 percent, the length of the perforated second tube being essentially coextensive with the yarn inlet passage; b. a restrictor plate, mounted so as to cover the entrance to the yarn inlet passage, the perforated second tube being mounted at one end to the restrictor plate so as to be within the yarn inlet passage and define an annular chamber therebetween, the restrictor plate having an opening communicating with the opening of the perforated second tube, the smallest dimension of the opening of the restrictor plate being at least about 0.1875 inch (0.4763 cm.) at yarn extrusion rates of up to 50 pounds per hour per position and at least about 0.5000 inch (1.27 cms.) at yarn extrusion rates of about 51 to 160 pounds per hour per position; and c. sound absorbing material, disposed throughout the annular chamber; whereby the noise level at the inlet of the interfloor tube is reduced by up to 10ΔdB(A) by the muffler when the aspirator is operational.