U.S. patent application number 11/737518 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-09 for high flow air filtration system for ford truck.
This patent application is currently assigned to ADVANCED FLOW ENGINEERING, INC. Invention is credited to Eric Charles BAJZA, Shahriar Nick NIAKAN, Saul Daniel ZAMBRANO.
Application Number | 20070180800 11/737518 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34988110 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070180800 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BAJZA; Eric Charles ; et
al. |
August 9, 2007 |
HIGH FLOW AIR FILTRATION SYSTEM FOR FORD TRUCK
Abstract
An apparatus for filtering air includes a filter housing and a
battery tray integral with the filter housing. The battery tray may
be coupled to the filter housing via a ramp. The filter housing may
comprise a first wall, a second wall, and a third wall, wherein the
third wall is diagonally disposed between the first and second
walls. The apparatus may further include an air intake tube having
an upstream portion affixed to the third wall, and a downstream
portion configured for fluid communication with a turbocharger of a
V8 Ford diesel truck. Methods for providing filtered air to a
turbo-diesel internal combustion engine are also disclosed.
Inventors: |
BAJZA; Eric Charles; (Garden
Grove, CA) ; NIAKAN; Shahriar Nick; (Anaheim Hills,
CA) ; ZAMBRANO; Saul Daniel; (Quartz Hill,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROTHWELL, FIGG, ERNST & MANBECK, P.C.
1425 K STREET, N.W.
SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Assignee: |
ADVANCED FLOW ENGINEERING,
INC
191 Granite St.
Corona
CA
92879
|
Family ID: |
34988110 |
Appl. No.: |
11/737518 |
Filed: |
April 19, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11088526 |
Mar 24, 2005 |
|
|
|
11737518 |
Apr 19, 2007 |
|
|
|
60634044 |
Dec 7, 2004 |
|
|
|
60556171 |
Mar 24, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
55/385.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01D 46/521 20130101;
F02M 35/04 20130101; B01D 46/2403 20130101; F02M 35/02 20130101;
B01D 2275/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
055/385.3 |
International
Class: |
B01D 46/00 20060101
B01D046/00 |
Claims
1. An aftermarket motor vehicle air filtration system including a
battery tray for installation within a stock OEM engine compartment
comprising: a) a filter housing having a plurality of contiguous
walls extending upwardly from a floor to an upper edge with one of
the walls defining an air outlet port; b) a battery tray formed
integrally with the housing and extending along a longitudinal axis
generally parallel to one of said walls so that a battery placed on
the tray is positioned within the housing; c) an air intake tube
secured to the housing and having an upstream end projecting
through the air outlet port and a downstream end through which
filtered air passes on route to an air intake of an internal
combustion engine; d) a filter element having a base and top
portion with the base portion connected to the upstream end of the
air intake tube and a top portion; and e) the filter element
extending upstream from the base portion alongside a battery
positioned on the tray and above the floor to the top portion, the
filter element sharing the common air space within the housing with
the battery to allow for an increase in the volumetric filter flow
rate over the flow rate achievable in the stock system.
2. The air filtration system of claim 1 wherein the filter base
portion is elliptical in shape with a ratio of minor to major axis
within the range of about 0.60:1 to 0.85 to 1.
3. The air filtration system of claim 1 wherein the filter element
includes an air filtration unit disposed between the top and base
portions of the filter element for accommodating the passage of
unfiltered air through the filtration unit.
4. The air filtration system of claim 3 wherein the plurality of
housing walls comprise three walls which terminate in an upper edge
and further including a trim seal disposed on said upper edge.
5. The air filtration system of claim 4 wherein the walls comprise
first, second and third walls with the first and second walls being
substantially perpendicular to each other with the third wall
extending diagonally between the first and second walls the third
wall defining the air outlet port and wherein the longitudinal axis
of the battery tray extends generally parallel to the second
wall.
6. The air filtration system of claim 5 wherein the air filter
element is arranged to accommodate lateral air flow through the air
filtration unit.
7. A motor vehicle air filtration system and battery accommodating
tray comprising: a) a filter housing having first, second and third
walls extending upwardly from a floor, the third wall being
disposed between the first and second walls, the third wall
defining an air outlet port through which air may be supplied to
the air intake of an internal combustion engine; b) a battery tray
formed integrally with the housing with the tray extending along a
longitudinal axis generally parallel to the second wall so that a
battery placed on the tray is positioned within the housing; c) a
filter element having a base portion coupled to the air outlet
port; d) the filter element extending upstream from the base
portion alongside a battery positioned on the tray to a top
portion, the filter element including an air filtration unit
disposed between the top and base portions for channeling air
flowing between the top and base portions to the outlet port, the
filter and battery sharing the same airspace within the housing;
and e) the filter element being disposed above the housing floor
and spaced from a battery positioned on the tray to allow air to
circulate around the exterior of the filtration unit.
8. The air filtration system of claim 7 wherein the second wall is
substantially orthogonal to the first wall and the second wall is
disposed diagonally between the first and second walls.
9. The air filtration system of claim 8 wherein at least the first
wall comprises a heat shield.
10. The air filtration system of claim 9 wherein each of the first,
second and third walls are formed of a metal sheet.
11. The air filtration system of claim 9 wherein the housing walls
terminate in an upper edge and further including a trim seal
disposed on said upper edge.
12. The air filtration system of claim 11 wherein an air intake
tube is affixed to and extends through the third housing wall
forming the air outlet port, with the base portion of the filter
element being connected to the air intake tube.
13. The air filtration system of claim 12 wherein said air intake
tube has a diameter in the range of from about 5 to 6 inches.
14. The air filtration system of claim 9 wherein the filter base
portion is elliptical in shape having a major and minor axis with
the ratio of minor to major axis within the range of about 0.060:1
to 0.85:1.
15. An air filtration system, comprising: a) a filter housing for
accommodating a filter element, said filter element adapted for
removing particulate matter from ambient air, the filter housing
including a first wall, a third wall contiguous with said first
wall, and a second wall contiguous with said third wall, wherein
said third wall is diagonally disposed between said first and
second walls; b) a trim seal disposed on the upper edge of said
filter housing, wherein said upper edge extends along said first,
second and third walls; c) an air intake tube affixed to said
filter housing, wherein an upstream portion of said air intake tube
projects from said third wall into said filter housing; d) the air
intake tube including an integral mounting flange for affixing said
upstream portion of said air intake tube to said filter housing,
the filter element being affixed to said upstream portion of said
air intake tube, the first wall comprising a heat shield for
shielding said filter element; and e) a battery tray integral with
the filter housing.
16. The air filtration system of claim 15 wherein each of said
first, second and third walls comprise a metal sheet.
17. The air filtration system of claim 16 wherein said air intake
tube has a diameter in the range of from about 5 to 6 inches.
18. The air filtration system of claim 15 wherein said filter
element includes: a) a filter base portion having a general
elliptical base sealing ring; b) a filter top portion having a top
sealing ring; and c) a filtration unit disposed between the top and
base portion.
19. The air filtration system of claim 17 wherein: said air intake
tube includes a downstream portion; and said air intake tube is
configured for coupling said downstream portion of said air intake
tube to a turbocharger.
20. The air filtration system of claim 19 wherein said turbocharger
is in fluid communication with an internal combustion engine.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of patent application
Ser. No. 11/088,526, filed on Mar. 24, 2005 which in turn claims
the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/634,044,
filed on Dec. 7, 2004 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
60/556,171, filed on Mar. 24, 2004, the contents of each said
earlier application are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to air filtration systems for
motorized vehicles, and in particular, to high performance air
filtration systems for use with vehicles, such as Ford F-Series
trucks having a V8, 7.3 L turbo-diesel engine.
[0003] The function of an air intake filter is to remove
particulate matter from the intake air, so that clean air is
provided to the engine. The intake air stream flows from the
influent, or "dirty," side of the filter to the effluent, or
"clean," side of the filter, with the air filter extracting the
unwanted particles via one or more filter media layers. Filter
media are selected to trap particles exceeding a particular size,
while remaining substantially permeable to airflow over an expected
filter lifetime.
[0004] The features and filter design choices that lead to
improvements in one of these parameters (e.g., particle entrapment,
airflow permeability, and filter lifetime) can lead to declines in
the other performance parameters. Thus, filter design involves
trade-offs among features achieving high filter efficiency, and
features achieving a high filter capacity and concomitant long
filter lifetime.
[0005] As used herein, filter efficiency is the propensity of the
filter media to trap, rather than pass, particulates. Filter
capacity is typically defined according to a selected limiting
pressure differential across the filter, typically resulting from
loading by trapped particulates. Volumetric filter flow rate, or
flow rate, is a measure of the volume of air that can be drawn into
a given filter having a particular effective filter area,
efficiency, and capacity, at a particular point in the expected
filter lifetime.
[0006] The choice of filter media having a high filter efficiency
(wherein the filter media removes a high percentage of the
particulate material in the intake air) is important, because any
particulate matter passing through the filter may damage the
engine. For filtration systems of equal efficiency, a longer filter
lifetime typically is directly associated with higher capacity,
because the more efficiently the filter medium removes particles
from an air stream, the more rapidly that filter medium approaches
the pressure differential indicating the end of the filter medium
life. To extend filter lifetime, filter media can be pleated to
provide greater filtering surface area.
[0007] The choice of air filter media that is permeable to airflow
is important because the interposition of the filter into the
engine intake air stream can impede the airflow rate. Decreased
airflow rate tends to decrease engine efficiency, horsepower,
torque, and fuel economy. Increased airflow rate through a
vehicle's air filtration system, and/or the passage of cooler air
therethrough, may improve engine performance. In applications
demanding large volumes of filtered air, the ability to manipulate
parameters such as air filter size, pleat depth, or both, is often
constrained additionally by the physical environment in which the
filter is operated (e.g., the space available for a filter of a
given configuration within the engine compartment of a
vehicle).
[0008] Some prior art air filters have been designed to provide
increased filter flow rate. However, such designs may foster air
turbulence at the filter inlet, which is an undesirable quality
which may ultimately impair airflow. Also, some existing filter
designs employ abrupt topological transitions, such as a one-step
ring, a ledge, an edge, or a peak, which tend to encourage the
development of air eddies and to reduce airflow into the filter.
When air eddies cause influent air to bypass regions of the filter
media near these abrupt transitions, the effective area of the
filter available for filtration is reduced.
[0009] Prior art filters using pleated media often secure one or
both ends of the pleated media to a filter housing in such a manner
that the pleats are forced together, such that air cannot flow
between adjacent pleats. In this situation, the effective area of a
pleated filter media available for filtration is reduced.
[0010] As can be seen, there is a need for an improved air
filtration system for an internal combustion engine for achieving
high efficiency filtration of intake air. Furthermore, there is a
need for an improved filtration apparatus for achieving high
volumetric airflow rate and maximum effective area available for
filtration.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In one aspect of the present invention, an air filtration
system comprises a filter housing for accommodating a filter
element, the filter element adapted for removing particulate matter
from ambient air; and a battery tray integral with the filter
housing, wherein the battery tray is adapted for receiving an
automotive battery.
[0012] In another aspect of the present invention, an air
filtration system comprises a filter housing; and a filter element
disposed within the filter housing, wherein the filter housing
includes a first wall, a second wall substantially orthogonal to
the first wall, and a third wall disposed diagonally between the
first wall and the second wall.
[0013] In a further aspect of the present invention, there is
provided an apparatus comprising a filter housing including a
housing floor; a filter element disposed within the filter housing,
wherein the filter element is disposed above the housing floor; an
air intake tube in fluid communication with the filter element; and
a battery tray integral with the filter housing, wherein the
battery tray is coupled to the housing floor via a ramp. The air
intake tube is affixed to, and extends through, the filter housing;
and a downstream portion of the air intake tube is adapted for
coupling to a turbocharger of an internal combustion engine.
[0014] In still a further aspect of the present invention, an
apparatus comprises a filter housing including a housing floor; a
filter element disposed within the filter housing, wherein the
filter element is disposed above the housing floor; an air intake
tube in fluid communication with the filter element; and a battery
tray integral with the filter housing; wherein the battery tray is
coupled to the housing floor via a ramp. The air intake tube is
affixed to, and extends through, the filter housing. The filter
element is in fluid communication with the air intake tube; and a
downstream portion of the air intake tube is adapted for coupling
to a turbocharger of an internal combustion engine.
[0015] In yet a further aspect of the present invention, a method
for providing filtered air to an internal combustion engine of a
vehicle comprises filtering ambient air through a filter element of
an air filtration system to provide the filtered air, wherein the
air filtration system is installed in an engine compartment of the
vehicle; supporting the filter element and a battery by a filter
housing of the air filtration system; shielding the filter element
and the ambient air from heat of the engine compartment; and
passing the filtered air to the internal combustion engine.
[0016] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following drawings, description, and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1A is a plan view of an automotive vehicle, according
to the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 1B is a plan view of an engine compartment of a
vehicle, according to the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 2A is a plan view of an air filtration system,
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 2B is a sectional view of an air filter housing, as
seen along the lines 2B-2B of FIG. 2A;
[0021] FIG. 2C is a perspective view of the air filter housing of
the air filtration system of FIG. 2A;
[0022] FIG. 2D is a perspective view of the air filtration system
of FIG. 2A;
[0023] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a filter element for an air
filtration system, as seen from the top of the filter element,
according to the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the filter element of FIG.
3A, as seen from the base of the filter element;
[0025] FIG. 3C is an end view of the base of the filter element of
FIGS. 3A-B, showing a major axis and a minor axis;
[0026] FIG. 3D is a longitudinal sectional view of the filter
element of FIGS. 3A-C, taken along the minor axis of FIG. 3C;
[0027] FIG. 3E is a longitudinal sectional view of the filter
element of FIGS. 3A-C, taken along the major axis of FIG. 3C;
[0028] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a filter element
having an inner filtration unit and an outer filtration unit,
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a filter medium for an air
filtration system, according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0030] FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically representing an
air intake tube of an air filtration system, according to the
present invention; and
[0031] FIG. 7 schematically represents a series of steps involved
in a method for providing filtered air to an internal combustion
engine, according to another embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] The following detailed description is of the best currently
contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description
is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the
purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention,
since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended
claims.
[0033] Broadly, the present invention provides an air filtration
system and methods for delivering filtered air to the intake of an
internal combustion engine of a vehicle, such as a turbo-diesel
engine of a 1999 to 2003 7.3 Liter Ford diesel pickup truck.
[0034] An embodiment of the present invention may be distinguished
from the prior art in having, inter alia, a filter housing which
may include first and second walls, and a third wall diagonally
disposed between the first and second walls. The present invention
may be further distinguished from the prior art in having an air
intake tube affixed to, and extending through, the third wall. The
present invention may be still further distinguished from the prior
art in having a battery tray integral with the filter housing,
wherein the battery tray is coupled to a floor of the housing by a
ramp, wherein the ramp may slope upwards from the battery tray to
the housing floor. The present invention may be yet further
distinguished from the prior art in being configured and adapted
for installation within a stock, or original equipment manufacturer
(OEM), engine compartment of a Ford pickup truck having a 7.3 Liter
V8 turbo-diesel engine.
[0035] FIG. 1A is a schematic plan view of an automotive vehicle 10
including a bed 20, a cab 22 disposed forward of bed 22, and an
engine compartment 24 disposed forward of cab 22. Engine
compartment 24 may be open or may be covered by a hood (not
shown).
[0036] FIG. 1B is an enlarged schematic plan view of an engine
compartment 24 of vehicle 10, according to the present invention. A
front portion of engine compartment 24 is indicated in FIG. 1B by
the arrow labeled F. Engine compartment 24 may accommodate a high
flow air filtration system 30. As shown in FIG. 1B, air filtration
system 30 may be located on the left of engine compartment 24, for
example, adjacent to the left fender (not shown) of vehicle 10.
[0037] Air filtration system 30 may be in fluid communication with
a turbocharger 26 of vehicle 10. Turbocharger 26 may be coupled to,
and in fluid communication with, an internal combustion engine 28.
Turbochargers for internal combustion engines are well known in the
art. Internal combustion engine 28 may be a diesel engine. As an
example, internal combustion engine 28 may be a stock, or OEM,
engine for a truck, and turbocharger 26 may be an OEM turbocharger.
In some embodiments of the present invention, internal combustion
engine 28 maybe a 7.3 L V8 turbo-diesel engine, and vehicle 10 may
be a 1999 to 2003 model year Ford pickup truck.
[0038] With reference to FIGS. 2A-D, FIG. 2A is a plan view of an
air filtration system 30, according to the present invention. Air
filtration system 30 may include a filter housing 40, and an air
intake tube 50 in fluid communication with turbocharger 26. Filter
housing 40 may comprise, as an example, cold rolled steel,
stainless steel, aluminum, or plastic. Air intake tube 50 may be a
conduit for supplying filtered air to turbocharger 26. The airflow
within air intake tube 50 may be in the direction indicated by the
arrow labeled A. Air intake tube 50 may be affixed to filter
housing 40 via a mounting flange 52. Mounting flange 52 may be
integral with air intake tube 50. Mounting flange 52 may be bolted
to third wall 46 of filter housing 40.
[0039] Air filtration system 30 may further include a filter
element 60. Filter element 60 may be affixed to an upstream portion
of air intake tube 50. Filter element 60 may have a long axis
represented by the broken line labeled X. Filter element 60 may be
generally or substantially frustoconical in shape, for example,
filter element 60 may resemble a portion of a cone. Filter element
60 may be adapted for filtering ambient air, and for providing an
adequate volume, or flow rate, of filtered air to turbocharger 26
and internal combustion engine 28.
[0040] With further reference to FIGS. 2A-C, filter housing 40 may
include a first wall 42, a second wall 44, and a third wall 46.
Each of first, second, and third walls 42, 44, and 46,
respectively, may comprise a metal sheet. First wall 42 may be
disposed orthogonally, or substantially orthogonally, to the
longitudinal axis, X, of filter element 60. By substantially
orthogonal is meant within a range of typically about +/-10.degree.
from the perpendicular. Second wall 44 may be disposed
orthogonally, or substantially orthogonally, to first wall 42, and
parallel, or substantially parallel, to the longitudinal axis, X of
filter element 60. By substantially parallel is meant within a
range of typically about +/-10.degree. from parallel.
[0041] Third wall 46 may be contiguous with both first wall 42 and
second wall 44. Third wall 46 may be disposed diagonally between
first wall 42 and second wall 44. At least one of first wall 42,
second wall 44, and third wall 46 may comprise, or function as, a
heat shield, for example, to shield ambient air entering filter
element 60 from engine-derived heat.
[0042] With further reference to FIG. 2C, third wall 46 may have
therein an outlet port 46a. Outlet port 46a may be configured for
receiving an upstream portion of air intake tube 50. An upstream
portion 50a of air intake tube 50 may project from third wall 46
into filter housing 40.
[0043] Filter housing 40 may further include a housing floor 48
disposed beneath filter element 60. Filter housing 40 may still
further include an integral battery tray 70. Battery tray 70 may be
coupled to housing floor 48 via a ramp 49. The filter element and
the filtration unit 66 included therein (to be described) is spaced
from the battery 72 positioned on the tray 70 (FIG. 2A) so that air
can circulate around the exterior of the filter and filtration unit
as is illustrated in the figures. Filter housing 40 and battery
tray 70 may be configured to fit within a left forward portion of
an engine compartment 24 of a Ford pickup truck, such as a 7.3
Liter V8 turbo-diesel. Battery tray 70 may be adapted to
accommodate an automotive battery 72, and filter housing 40 may
include a battery bracket 74 for retaining battery 72 on a battery
tray 70. Battery tray 70, housing floor 48, and ramp 49 may
comprise a metal sheet.
[0044] With further reference to FIG. 2B, battery tray 70 may
include a plurality of ribs 76. Ribs 76 may strengthen battery tray
70. Ribs 76 may be disposed longitudinally in battery tray 70, and
substantially parallel to second wall 44.
[0045] With further reference to FIG. 2C, battery tray 70 may
further include a plurality of tabs 71, which may project
vertically from battery tray 70. Tabs 71 may serve for locating
battery 72 on battery tray 70.
[0046] With still further reference to FIGS. 2B-C, filter housing
40 may further include an upper edge 41, which may extend along at
least one of first wall 42, second wall 44, and third wall 46.
Filter housing 40 may yet further include a trim seal 47 disposed
at upper edge 41. Upper edge 41 may be configured such that trim
seal 47 may contact an undersurface of a hood of vehicle 10, when
the hood is in the closed position; and trim seal 47 may be adapted
to seal upper edge 41 against the closed hood of vehicle 10.
[0047] With further reference to FIGS. 2B-D, filter housing 40 may
still further include a first rail 78, disposed at a side of
battery tray 70 opposite ramp 49, and a second rail 79, disposed
opposite first wall 42. Each of first rail 78 and second rail 79
may comprise a metal sheet. Filter housing 40 may be adapted for
easy and convenient installation within engine compartment 24 of
vehicle 10, for example, for facile installation in a location
formerly occupied by OEM air filtration apparatus of a 1999 to 2003
model year turbo-diesel 7.3 Liter Ford pickup. As is illustrated in
FIGS. 2B-D, a battery 72 mounted on the tray 70 is positioned
within the housing 40 and shares the air space within the housing
with the filter element 60.
[0048] With reference to FIGS. 3A-3E, FIG. 3A is a perspective view
of a filter element 60 of the air filtration system 30 of FIG. 2A,
as seen from the top of filter element 60. Filter element 60 may
include a top sealing ring 62 at a top portion 63 of filter element
60, and a base sealing ring 64 at a base portion 65 of filter
element 60. Top sealing ring 62 and top portion 63 may be circular
or substantially circular. Filter element 60 may further include an
outer filtration unit 66a disposed between top sealing ring 62 and
base sealing ring 64. Each of top sealing ring 62 and base sealing
ring 64 may comprise a synthetic resin, such as a polyurethane
resin.
[0049] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of filter element 60 as seen
from base portion 65, and FIG. 3C is an end view of base portion
65. With reference to FIGS. 3B-C, base portion 65 may be oval,
elliptical, or eccentric. Base portion 65 may have a major axis 65a
and a minor axis 65b. Major axis 65a may be longer than minor axis
65b, such that a ratio of minor axis 65b to major axis 65a may be
in the range of from about 0.60:1 to 0.85:1, typically from about
0.70:1 to 0.80:1, and often from about 0.70:1 to 0.75:1.
[0050] FIG. 3D is a longitudinal sectional view of filter element
60, taken along the minor axis 65b of FIG. 3C, and FIG. 3E is a
longitudinal sectional view of the filter element of FIGS. 3A-C,
taken along the major axis 65a of FIG. 3C. As can be seen in FIGS.
3D-E, outer filtration unit 66a may define an internal void 67
therein. Filter element 60 may further include an inner filtration
unit 66b disposed within void 67. Inner filtration unit 66b may be
configured as a portion of a cone, i.e., inner filtration unit 66b
may be frustoconical or substantially frustoconical in
configuration. Inner filtration unit 66b may be coupled to outer
filtration unit 66a at top sealing ring 62.
[0051] Each of outer filtration unit 66a and inner filtration unit
66b may comprise a filter medium 80 (see, for example, FIG. 5).
Filter element 60 may still further include a sleeve portion 68.
Filter element 60 may be affixed to an upstream portion of air
intake tube 50 via sleeve portion 68. Sleeve portion 68 may be
adapted for receiving a hose-clamp (not shown). It is to be
understood that configurations other than those depicted in FIGS.
3A-E are also within the scope of the present invention.
[0052] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a filter element
60 indicating the direction of flow of ambient or unfiltered air 90
(solid arrows) through both inner filtration unit 66b and outer
filtration unit 66a to provide filtered air 92 (open arrows). As
noted hereinabove with reference to FIGS. 3D-E, each of outer
filtration unit 66a and inner filtration unit 66b may comprise a
filter medium 80. Ambient unfiltered air 90 may be passed both
laterally through outer filtration unit 66a, as well as
substantially axially from top portion 63 through inner filtration
unit 66b. Ambient unfiltered air 90 may have particulate matter,
such as dust, grit, and the like, entrained within a stream
thereof, in contrast, filtered air 92 may be devoid, or
substantially devoid, of entrained particulate matter. An air
filtration apparatus and filter media thereof were disclosed in
commonly assigned co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/011,833, filed on Dec. 14, 2004, the disclosure of which is
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
[0053] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a filter medium 80 for a
filter element 60, according to an embodiment of the present
invention, schematically representing filtration of ambient
unfiltered air 90 through filter medium 80 to provide filtered air
92. Filter medium 80 may comprise an outer structural support layer
82a, an inner structural support layer 82b, and one or more fabric
layers 84a-d. Each fabric layer 84a-d may comprise a natural or
synthetic fabric. In some embodiments, filter medium 80 may
comprise at least four fabric layers 84a-d of natural or synthetic
material. Each fabric layer 84a-d may comprise, as non-limiting
examples, a layer of cotton gauze or a layer of polyester fabric.
It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to four
fabric layers 84a-d, but rather other numbers of layers are within
the scope of the invention. Filter medium 80 may be pleated to
provide an inter-pleat distance, L.sub.p between adjacent pleats
86, such that air can readily flow between adjacent pleats 86.
Filter media for an air filtration apparatus were disclosed in
commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,811,588, the disclosure of which
is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
[0054] FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically representing an
air intake tube 50 of air filtration system 30, according to an
embodiment of the present invention. Air intake tube 50 may include
an upstream portion 50a, a downstream portion 50b, and an integral
mounting flange 52 for affixing air outlet tube 50 to filter
housing 40. Upstream portion 50a may be adapted for coupling to
filter element 60, while downstream portion 50b may be adapted for
coupling to turbocharger 26 or to a stock intake track (not shown)
adjacent an inlet of turbocharger 26 (see, for example, FIGS. 2A
and 2D). Air intake tube 50 may be configured or adapted for
coupling between filter housing 40 and turbocharger 26 of a
particular vehicle model, such as a turbo-diesel Ford pickup truck
having a 7.3 Liter V8 engine. Air intake tube 50 may have a
diameter, D.sub.t in the range of from about 4.5 to 6 inches,
typically from about 5 to 6 inches, and often about 5.25 to 5.75
inches.
[0055] FIG. 7 schematically represents a series of steps involved
in a method 100 for providing filtered air to an internal
combustion engine of a vehicle, according to another embodiment of
the present invention, wherein step 102 may involve filtering
ambient unfiltered air through an air filtration system, such as
air filtration system 30. Particulate matter may be entrained
within the ambient air, such as ambient air 90, and such
particulate matter may be removed by passing the ambient air, such
as ambient air 90 through a filter medium, such as filter medium 80
of a filter element, such as filter element 60 of the air
filtration system, such as air filtration system 30. The filter
element, such as filter element 60 may be in fluid communication
with the ambient air, such as ambient air 90. The filter element,
such as filter element 60 may be housed within a filter housing,
such as filter housing 40 having an integral battery tray, such as
battery tray 70. Step 104 may involve supporting an air outlet
tube, such as air intake tube 50 via a third wall, such as third
wall 46 of the filter housing. The air intake tube, such as air
intake tube 50, may an integral mounting flange, such as mounting
flange 52 for affixing the air outlet tube, such as air intake tube
50 to the filter housing, such as filter housing 40. An upstream
portion of the air intake tube, such as upstream portion 50a of the
air intake tube 50 may project through the third wall, such as
third wall 46 of the filter housing, wherein the third wall may be
diagonally disposed between a first wall, such as first wall 42 and
a second wall, such as second wall 44 of the filter housing. Step
106 may involve supporting the filter element, such as filter
element 60 and a battery, such as battery 72 via the filter
housing. The filter element may be coupled to the upstream portion
of the air intake tube. The battery, such as battery 72 may be
supported by the integral battery tray, such as 70 of the filter
housing. The function of the battery tray may be to support the
battery, such as battery 72. Step 108 may involve shielding the
filter element, such as filter element 60 from heat generated
within the engine compartment, such as engine compartment 24 of the
vehicle, such as vehicle 10. Step 108 may further involve shielding
ambient air, such as ambient air 90 entering the filter element,
such as filter element 60 from heat within the engine compartment
of the vehicle, such as vehicle 10. The filter housing, such as
filter housing 40 may act as a heat shield for shielding an
interior of the filter housing 40 and the filter element 60 from
engine-derived heat. The filter element 60 and ambient air, such as
ambient air 90 may be shielded from heat by one or more portions of
the filter housing 40, such as the first wall 42, second wall 44,
third wall 46, and a housing floor 48. Accordingly, the air passing
from the filter element, such as filter element 60 may have a
temperature below about 170.degree. F., usually below about
150.degree. F., and often below about 120.degree. F. Step 110 may
involve passing filtered air, such as filtered air 92 from the
filter element to the internal combustion engine 28. The filtered
air 92 may be passed to the internal combustion engine 28 via a
turbocharger, such as turbocharger 26 of the vehicle, such as
vehicle 10.
[0056] Providing filtered air to the internal combustion engine
according to embodiments of the present invention may improve
engine performance, for example, by increasing horsepower, torque,
and/or fuel economy.
[0057] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing
relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *