Internal-combustion engines – Engine speed regulator – Idle speed control
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-06
2001-03-06
Kamen, Noah P. (Department: 3747)
Internal-combustion engines
Engine speed regulator
Idle speed control
C123S339230, C181S253000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06196187
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for an idle air bypass valve, and more particularly to an apparatus for reducing noise resulting from air flowing from the idle air bypass valve.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Automotive engineers have increasingly utilized plastic materials in developing various engine components, including the intake manifold. Unlike prior aluminum manifolds, which have a high vibration dampening effect, plastic manifolds tend to vibrate more readily as high velocity air flows therethrough resulting in excessive noise.
To reduce such noise, prior art intake systems require elaborate silencing methods which, if incorporated into a modern internal combustion engine, require substantial packaging and/or redesign of the engine. The inventors of the present invention have found that a silencer connected between the outlet of the idle air bypass valve and the intake manifold is sufficient to reduce noise generation in the intake manifold. In addition, the apparatus may be incorporated onto existing engines, thereby allowing for field serviceability.
Copending U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 964,793, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, which is incorporated herein by reference, introduces a housing with a number of perforations to control this noise. Although effective, the plate may increase package space and cost in some applications.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for reducing intake air noise at minimal cost and requiring minimal space.
This object is achieved, and disadvantages of prior art approaches overcome, by providing a novel idle air bypass valve silencer for an idle air bypass valve of an automotive internal combustion engine. The engine has an air intake duct, a throttle valve assembly coupled thereto and an intake manifold coupled to the throttle valve assembly and the engine. The idle air bypass valve has an inlet communicating with the air intake duct and an outlet communicating with the intake manifold to selectively bypass the throttle valve assembly. In one particular aspect of the invention, the silencer includes a restrictor plate coupled between the outlet of the bypass valve and the intake manifold. A silencer portion is formed on the restrictor plate, with the silencer portion reducing air velocity flowing from the bypass valve into the intake manifold, thereby reducing noise generated therein.
An advantage of the present invention is that intake air noise is reduced, thereby reducing customer complaints, in a minimal package space and cost.
Another advantage of the present invention is that a low cost apparatus which may be easily mounted to an existing engine is provided.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated by the reader of this specification.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2030391 (1936-02-01), Ott
patent: 3669216 (1972-06-01), Spies
patent: 3712416 (1973-01-01), Swanson et al.
patent: 4192660 (1980-03-01), Ishidera et al.
patent: 5140957 (1992-08-01), Walker
patent: 5174258 (1992-12-01), Tanaka
Dowding Peter
Hofman Michael V.
Thompson Greg
Zubeck Michael Wayne
Ford Global Tech. Inc.
Ford Global Technologies Inc.
Kamen Noah P.
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