Internal-combustion engines – Intake manifold
Reexamination Certificate
2001-07-25
2002-10-15
Mancene, Gene (Department: 3747)
Internal-combustion engines
Intake manifold
Reexamination Certificate
active
06463902
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an air supply system for a marine engine and, more particularly, to an air supply system in which an air duct, such as a sound attenuator, is shaped to receive an air filter assembly of an air compressor in such a way that the air duct protects the filter media and provides improved sound attenuation of air compressor sounds.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Internal combustion engines require a means for providing a stream of air flowing toward and into an air intake manifold of the engine. These air conduits can be a simple opening in an air intake manifold or can incorporate sound attenuating features and protective covers.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,996,546, which issued to Kollmann et al on Dec. 7, 1999, discloses an integrated flywheel cover and air conduit passages. A cover for an outboard motor is provided to protect an operator from a flywheel. The cover is disposed under the cowl of the outboard motor. The cover is made of a generally rigid material, such as plastic, with first and second sheets being associated together to form conduits with openings extending therefrom. In one particular embodiment, one of the openings is shaped to receive an inlet of a compressor and this provides a positioning aid in attaching the cover to the engine. This device eliminates the need for flexible hoses and accomplishes two tasks with one component. It provides air conduits for the air passing through the cover and it provides a generally rigid means for locating the proper location of the cover. U.S. Pat. No. 5,375,578, which issued to Kato et al on Dec. 27, 1994, describes a high pressure fuel feeding device for a fuel injection engine. A high pressure fuel/air injection system for an outboard motor has a V-cylinder arrangement wherein the major components of the air/fuel supply system are disposed in the valley between the cylinder banks. The system includes a vapor fuel separator that has a fuel chamber in which the supply of fuel is maintained by a float valve and an air chamber positioned above the fuel chamber and to one side of it and which communicates with the fuel chamber through a perforated member. A filter media fills the air chamber and an atmospheric air inlet is provided to the air chamber. Fuel pressure and fuel regulator valves are disposed in the area to the side of the air chamber and regulate fuel and air pressure by dumping fuel and air back to the fuel and air chambers, respectively, through integral internal conduits. The regulating system includes an arrangement for regulating the fuel pressure so that it will be at least greater than the air pressure by a predetermined amount and also for precluding the delivery of air under pressure if fuel under pressure is not supplied. The arrangement also incorporates a system for insuring that fuel cannot flow out of the atmospheric air inlet if the outboard motor is tilted up or is laid on its sides. An additional air supply is provided for the air compressor in the event that the air chamber becomes clogged or inadequate to supply the air requirements for the system.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,767,425, which issued to Camplin et al on Aug. 30, 1988, describes an aspirator mechanism for turbine engine air cleaner. A known military tank is powered by a turbine engine having a large capacity air filter unit; a fan is ordinarily employed to draw dust-laded air from the filter unit. Erosion of the fan blades by fast moving dust particles is a problem. The invention substitutes for the fan an aspirator mechanism; fast moving combustion products flowing through the engine exhaust duct draw-dust laden air from the filter unit through a slot like orifice in one wall of the duct.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,020,973, which issued to Lammers on Jun. 4, 1991, describes an air compressor shroud. A V-twin, two stage compressor has valve plates disposed between the head and cylinder of each stage and mounting free floating flexible reed intake and exhaust valves therein. The flexible reeds are movably captured between the floors of respective reed recesses, and separate, non-fixed keeper bars are disposed over, but slightly spaced from the reeds. Keeper bars over the exhaust reed extend above the valve plate for engagement by the head. A restrictor plate lies within a valve plate recess on keeper bars over the intake valve. A cored crankshaft provides motor drive shaft lubrication. A removable counterweight provides a crankshaft with one-piece connecting rods. A cooling fan is driven by the removable counterweight and V-shaped fan shroud projections direct cooling air over the cylinders and heads while another cooling air port directs air over an intercooler. An intake manifold having a plurality of intake tubes and rib and wall structure for an air filter which divides the chamber. The air filter both filters air and muffles compressor noise.
U.S. Pat. 6,152,120, which issued to Julazadeh on Nov. 28, 2000, describes a diesel engine system with oil-air separator and a method of operation. A separator receives crankcase fumes having blowby gas and oil mist. A rotatable filter in the separator passes the gas constituents to an outlet for recycling back to an engine air intake. The filter, by rotating, causes oil to be flung centrifugally out onto a wall from which it can be drained from the separator and returned to the crankcase.
The patents described above are hereby expressly incorporated by reference in the description of the present invention.
Compressors generate noise as they draw air into their working chambers. This movement of air into the compressor often generates a cyclic sound level that corresponds to the pulsations caused by the intermittent passage of air into the compressor. Compressors often require that a filter be provided to prevent debris from entering the working chambers of the compressor. The sound generated by the compressor is typically evident at the filter media of the compressor. It would therefore be significantly beneficial if an air supply system of a marine engine could be provided with a structure that attenuates the sound emanating from the air filter of a compressor while also protecting the filter media of the air filter from direct exposure to the oil, fuel, and dust-laden air immediately surrounding the internal combustion engine. It would also be significantly beneficial if an air filter of this type could be attached to an air duct in a manner that allows easy removal, examination, and replacement of the filter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An air supply system for a marine engine made in accordance with the present invention comprises an air duct having at least one inlet opening and an outlet opening disposed in fluid communication with the inlet of an air intake manifold of the marine engine, wherein the air duct is attachable to the marine engine for support. The air supply system of the present invention further comprises an air filter assembly having an outlet port and a filter medium though which air can be drawn into the air filter assembly from within the air duct and conducting toward the outlet port. The air filter assembly is removably attached to the air duct with the filter medium being disposed within a cavity of the air duct and the outlet port being disposed outside of the air duct. The air filter assembly is removable from the air duct while the air duct remains attached to the marine engine.
The present invention further comprises a compressor having an air inlet connected in fluid communication with the outlet port of the air filter assembly. A flexible tube is connected between the outlet port and the compressor. In a typical application of the present invention, the air duct is a sound attenuator which is disposed at a foreward side of the marine engine.
In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the air filter assembly comprises a cover portion. The internal conduit of the outlet port extends through the cover portion. The outlet port and the filter medium extend from the cover portion i
Curtis Mark D.
Holinka Ronald M.
Loberger Wade A.
Ali Hyder
Brunswick Corporation
Lanyi William D.
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