Acoustics – Sound-modifying means – Muffler – fluid conducting type
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-22
2001-11-27
Nappi, Robert E. (Department: 2837)
Acoustics
Sound-modifying means
Muffler, fluid conducting type
C181S214000, C181S217000, C181S222000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06321870
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an air intake means for a heater, especially a motor vehicle heater with a muffler.
2. Description of Related Art
An air intake means with a muffler is known, for example, from published German Patent Application DE-A1 1 480 406. This muffler, which is located in the air feed line of motor vehicles, however, has the disadvantage that moisture or water present in the air that is taken in is drawn in unhindered at the same time and can adversely affect operation of the intake assembly of the motor vehicle.
An air intake means with a muffler of similar design is known from published German Patent Application DE 22 00 796 B2 and has a sound-absorbing body which is made in the form of a labyrinth so that the moisture or water which has been entrained in the air is at least partially retained in it. But here, the disadvantage is that the sound-absorbing material absorbs the moisture, and thus, changes its properties. In addition, no measures are taken to drain an excess of moisture or water so that there is the danger that this sound absorber becomes overloaded with moisture which is finally sucked into the downstream assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of this invention is to devise an air intake means which ensures reliable separation of moisture and water in the air that is taken in through it.
This object is achieved by an air intake means that has an intake connection and a water separator located upstream of the inlet connection, the water separator having a water separation chamber with at least one air intake opening which is laterally offset relative to the inlet connection and is separated from the inlet connection by at least one deflector wall. This results in the moisture or water in the air which is taken in being separated on the deflector wall and being able to escape through the air intake opening in the water separator chamber before it enters the heating device or an upstream muffler, so that it is reliably guaranteed that no moisture or water reaches the muffler and the downstream assembly.
Basically, the arrangement of the intake fitting and the water separator chamber of the air intake means in accordance with the invention can be made in any manner. However, one preferred geometry is a cylindrical shape in which, in the presence of a muffler chamber, the two chambers are made cylindrical and are axially joined to one another, the inlets and outlets of the muffler chamber and the inlet connection running at least essentially along the longitudinal center line of the cylindrical arrangement.
Advantageously, there are several air intake openings in at least one radial plane of the cylindrical water separator chamber, and the deflector wall assigned to each air intake opening forms an uninterrupted section of an annular wall which lies in this radial plane and which runs coaxially to the longitudinal center axis of the cylindrical chamber arrangement. Furthermore, the deflector wall has a smaller diameter than the water separator chamber, the uninterrupted deflector wall section of the annular wall having an axial and radial extension which corresponds roughly to the axial and radial extension of the air intake openings.
To reduce the flow resistance of the air taken in through the cylindrical water separator, it is advantageously provided that the annular walls provided with deflector wall sections, outside the latter, have opening sections which are offset in the peripheral direction with reference to the air intake openings of the water separator chamber in order to prevent direct passage of air through the air intake openings in the jacket of the water separator chamber.
To reduce the flow resistance during air intake in the cylindrical water separator, it can, moreover, be advantageously provided that there is at least one second arrangement of air intake openings and an annular wall with deflector wall sections, that is, an arrangement which lies in a common radial plane and which is axially offset to a first arrangement of air intake openings.
In the case of a double inter-nested arrangement of air intake openings/annular walls, the free end of the inlet connection of the muffler chamber is located advantageously between these two arrangements at the height of an uninterrupted annular section of the cylindrical jacket of the water separator chamber.
These and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which, for purposes of illustration only, show several embodiments in accordance with the present invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2149836 (1939-03-01), Brown
patent: 2340152 (1944-01-01), Steensen
patent: 3614859 (1971-10-01), Clark
patent: 4471754 (1984-09-01), Galtz
patent: 4530658 (1985-07-01), Panick
patent: 4846300 (1989-07-01), Boda
patent: 4923033 (1990-05-01), Panick et al.
patent: 1 480 406 (1969-04-01), None
patent: 22 00 796 (1977-11-01), None
Kauschke Hansjörg
Schattat Tilman
Walther Michael
Waronitza Josef
Zimmermann Werner
Martin Edgardo San
Nappi Robert E.
Nixon & Peabody LLP
Safran David S.
Webasto Thermosysteme GmbH
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