Internal-combustion engines – Intake manifold
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-18
2001-01-30
McMahon, Marguerite (Department: 3747)
Internal-combustion engines
Intake manifold
C181S204000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06178939
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to abating engine noise and providing an air purification unit associated with the engine of a motor vehicle. In particular, the present invention relates to a housing system configured to substantially reduce the noise generated by an automobile engine and provide a housing configured to receive an air filter.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is well known to purify raw air before routing the air and fuel through a manifold and supplying the air and fuel to a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine. Such known air cleaners typically include a filter disposed in a container. In operation, such known air cleaners provide for the intake of raw air, the purification of the raw air and the routing of purified air to the manifold. Such known manifolds provide for the routing of the purified air and the fuel to the cylinder head of the engine.
It is also well known to reduce the amount of noise generated by an automobile and its associated components. For example, a muffler may be connected to an engine exhaust to reduce the noise generated by the ignition of the fuel and the air in the engine. In addition, it is known to provide sound absorbing materials under the hood of an automobile and in the driver compartment of the automobile to reduce the amount of engine and ambient noise perceptible to the driver.
A problem with such known air cleaners and their containers is that they are not typically configured to reduce engine noise or noise generated by belt driven engine accessories. Further, such containers typically have a single purpose (i.e., containing the air cleaner) and are not easily accessible for servicing of the air cleaner.
What is needed, therefore, is a housing system configured to receive an air cleaner and reduce the amount of noise generated by an engine and its associated belt driven accessories. It would also be advantageous to have a housing system onto which cavity accessories and mechanical accessories may be secured. It would further be advantageous to have a housing system that is capable of cooling such accessories. It would also be advantageous to provide a housing system of simple structure that occupies the unused underhood space of an automobile.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention relates to a housing for abating noise and receiving an air cleaner. The housing is configured for separable coupling to an internal combustion engine of an automobile. The engine includes a plurality of belt driven accessories driven by a crankshaft. The housing includes an internal air cavity disposed in the housing. The cavity provides an air induction chamber adjacent an intake for inducing air into the air induction chamber from an external source and a filtering chamber adjacent an air discharge for venting air from the filtering chamber. The filtering chamber is configured to receive a filter for purifying air disposed intermediate the intake and the discharge. The engine further includes a shroud integral with the exterior of the housing. The shroud provides a peripheral wall defining a recess configured to at least partially surround at least a portion of at least two belt driven accessories. The shroud substantially reduces noise generated by the engine.
The present invention further relates to an automotive power supply system. The system includes an internal combustion engine. The engine includes a throttle valve for regulating the amount of air provided to a valve cover. The throttle valve includes a throttle intake, a throttle discharge and a throttle plate disposed between the throttle intake and the throttle discharge. The throttle discharge is intermediate the throttle intake and the valve cover. The engine also includes a manifold for providing air from the throttle valve to the valve cover. The engine also includes a hollow elongate member for venting air from the valve cover to the throttle valve disposed between the valve cover and a filter for purifying air. The engine also includes a common fuel source for providing fuel to the manifold coupled to the manifold. The engine also includes a radiator for cooling the engine coupled to the engine. The engine also includes a plurality of belt driven accessories coupled to the engine and driven by a crankshaft.
The system also includes a housing for abating engine noise and receiving the filter. The housing is mounted to the engine and includes an internal air cavity disposed in the housing. The cavity provides an air induction chamber adjacent an air intake for inducing air into the air induction chamber from an external source, and a filtering chamber adjacent an air discharge for venting air from the filtering chamber. The filter is disposed in the filtering chamber intermediate the air intake and the air discharge. The system also includes a shroud integral with the exterior of the housing. The shroud provides a peripheral wall defining a recess at least partially surrounding at least a portion of at least two of the belt driven accessories of the plurality of belt driven accessories. The shroud substantially reduces noise generated by the engine and the air discharge of the air induction chamber is fluidly coupled to the throttle valve.
It is an object of this invention to provide a housing system configured to receive an air cleaner and reduce the amount of noise generated by an engine and its associated belt driven accessories. It is a further object of this invention to have a housing system onto which cavity accessories and mechanical accessories may be secured. It is a further object of this invention to have a housing system that is capable of cooling such accessories. It is a further object of this invention to have a housing system of simple structure that occupies the unused underhood space of an automobile.
Other principal features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following drawings, the detailed description and the appended claims.
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patent: 4783207 (1988-11-01), Nagashima et al.
patent: 5448982 (1995-09-01), Arakawa
patent: 5613478 (1997-03-01), Widmann
patent: 5706790 (1998-01-01), Kemmler et al.
patent: 05001566 (1993-01-01), None
patent: 06042420 (1994-02-01), None
patent: 10169522 (1998-06-01), None
McMahon Marguerite
Siemens Canada Limited
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