Internal-combustion engines – Intake manifold – Passage to crankcase
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-18
2001-09-11
McMahon, Marguerite (Department: 3743)
Internal-combustion engines
Intake manifold
Passage to crankcase
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286471
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a manifold for motor vehicles. In particular, the present invention relates to a manifold system to provide combustion air and combustion fuel to a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is well known to purify raw air in an air cleaner before routing the purified air and combustion fuel through an intake manifold and supplying the air and fuel to an internal combustion engine. Such known air cleaners typically include a filter disposed in a housing. An air exhaust of the air cleaner typically leads to the separate intake manifold. In operation, such known air cleaners provide for the intake of raw air, the purification of the raw air and the routing of the purified air to the air exhaust; such known intake manifolds provide for the routing of the purified air and the combustion fuel to the cylinder head of the engine.
A problem with such known air cleaners and intake manifolds is that such components are separate and distinct. Such separateness and distinctness can result in mechanical incompatibility between such components, the need for additional hoses and tubes to connect such components, decreased accessibility to such components for servicing and a reduction in the physical underhood space available for accessory components.
What is needed, therefore, is a unitary manifold system. It would also be advantageous to have a manifold system capable of rapid installation in an engine. It would further be advantageous to have a manifold system that is readily accessible for rapid service, repair or replacement. It would further be advantageous to provide a manifold system with multiple detachment points for easy servicing.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention relates to a field replaceable unitary manifold housing for providing combustion air and combustion fuel to an internal combustion engine. The housing includes an air purification cavity having a spaced apart air intake and air discharge. The housing also includes a filter for purifying air disposed in the air purification cavity intermediate the air intake and the air discharge. The housing also includes a hollow elongate member having a first end coupled to the filter and a second end coupled to a plenum chamber for directing the air, the plenum chamber being integral with the air purification cavity. The housing also includes a plurality of channels, each channel integral with the housing and having a first end integral with the plenum chamber and a second end coupled to a cylinder head of the engine. The air intake induces air into the air purification cavity, the induced air is purified by the filter, the hollow elongate member directs the air from the filter to the plenum chamber, and the plurality of channels direct the air from the plenum chamber to the cylinder head.
The present invention further relates to a field replaceable unitary manifold housing for providing combustion air and combustion fuel to an internal combustion engine of an automobile. The housing includes an air purification cavity having a spaced apart intake means for inducing air into the air purification cavity and a discharge means for venting air from the housing. The housing also includes means for purifying the induced air being disposed in the air purification cavity intermediate the air intake means and the air discharge means. The housing also includes means for directing air from the air purification cavity to a plenum means for directing the air, the plenum means being integral with the air purification cavity. The housing also includes means for providing fuel to the channel means. The housing also includes channel means for directing air from the plenum means to a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine.
The present invention further relates to a method for coupling a first molded flange of a manifold for providing combustion air and combustion fuel to a cylinder of a vehicular internal combustion engine to a second molded flange of an extension of the manifold. The method includes molding the first flange of the manifold and the second flange of the extension. The method also includes molding an alignment member integral with the second flange. The method also includes forming a first aperture in the first flange. The method also includes forming a second aperture in the alignment member. The method also includes positioning the first flange and the second flange such that the first aperture is generally aligned with the second aperture. The method also includes inserting a threaded insert in the first aperture and at least partially in the second aperture. The method also includes inserting a threaded fastener into the threaded insert such that the fastener is circumscribed by the insert and extends into the first flange and at least partially into the second flange.
It is an object of this invention to provide a unitary manifold housing. It is also an object of this invention to provide a manifold housing that is capable of rapid replacement in an engine. It is a further object of this invention to provide a manifold housing that is readily accessible for rapid servicing, repairing or replacing. It is a further object of this invention to provide a manifold system with multiple detachment points for easy servicing. It is a further object of this invention to decrease manufacturing costs by providing a manifold housing constructed of readily available materials.
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McMahon Marguerite
Siemens Canada Limited
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