INTERFACE AIR FILTER AND ASSEMBLY

Abstract

An interface air filter and assembly for use with an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The assembly has a housing having an air intake port and an opening. There is an air filter assembly comprising an air filter having a closed end and an open end and a reducing coupling. The reducing coupling has a first end with a first engaging member having an external circumference and outer surface, a second end with a second engaging member having an external circumference less than the first engaging member external circumference, and the second engaging member has an inner surface. The first end of the reducing coupling is attached to the open end of the air filter. The air filter assembly is in contact with the housing such that the air filter resides within the housing and the outer surface of the first engaging member engages the housing. The inner surface of the second engaging member is adapted to contact an air intake tube outer surface so that air can pass from the air intake port into the housing then through the air filter and into the air intake tube.

Claims

1. An interface air filter and assembly for use with an internal combustion engine comprising: a non-porous single piece housing having an air intake port and an opening; an interface air filter comprising; an air filter having a closed end and an open end; a reducing coupling having a first end with a first engaging member having an external circumference and outer surface the outer surface having a plurality of circumferential ridges extending outwardly from the outer surface to engage an air intake port of a non-porous housing, a second end with a second engaging member having an external circumference less than the first engaging member external circumference, and the second engaging member having an inner surface to engage an outer surface of an air intake tube and the second end adapted to receive a clamp to secure the second end to the air intake tube; and the first end of the reducing coupling being fixedly attached to the open end of the air filter such that the first engaging member outer surface extends outwardly from the filter; and the air filter residing within the non-porous housing, and the first engaging member being disposed within the housing opening and the first engaging member being in contact with the housing in a substantially air tight manner; wherein the inner surface of the second engaging member is adapted to contact an air intake tube outer surface in a substantially airtight manner so that air can pass from the air intake port into the housing then through the air filter and into the air intake tube.

2. The interface air filter and assembly for use with an internal combustion engine of claim 1, wherein the single piece non-porous housing is a molded structure.

3. An interface air filter and assembly for use with an internal combustion engine comprising: a non-porous single piece housing having an air intake port, an opening, and a rim disposed generally around the opening; an air filter having an air filter media, a closed end, and an open end, the air filter media residing within the non-porous single piece housing; an air intake tube; and a flexible reducing coupling, the coupling being attached to the rim, the open end of the air filter, and the air intake tube, in a substantially airtight manner; wherein, air can pass from the air intake port into the housing then through the air filter and into the air intake tube.

4. The interface air filter and assembly for use with an internal combustion engine of claim 3, wherein the single piece non-porous housing is a molded structure.

5. An interface air filter and assembly for use with an internal combustion engine comprising: a non-porous housing having a plurality of elements, an air intake port and an opening; an interface air filter comprising; an air filter having a closed end and an open end; a reducing coupling having a first end with a first engaging member having an external circumference and outer surface the outer surface having a plurality of circumferential ridges extending outwardly from the outer surface to engage an air intake port of a non-porous housing, a second end with a second engaging member having an external circumference less than the first engaging member external circumference, and the second engaging member having an inner surface to engage an outer surface of an air intake tube and the second end adapted to receive a clamp to secure the second end to the air intake tube; and the first end of the reducing coupling being fixedly attached to the open end of the air filter such that the first engaging member outer surface extends outwardly from the filter; and the air filter residing within the non-porous housing, and the first engaging member being disposed within the housing opening and the first engaging member being in contact with the housing in a substantially air tight mariner; wherein the inner surface of the second engaging member is adapted to contact an air intake tube outer surface in a substantially airtight manner so that air can pass from the air intake port into the housing then through the air filter and into the air intake tube.

6. An interface air filter and assembly for use with an internal combustion engine comprising: a non-porous housing having a plurality of elements, an air intake port, an opening, and a rim disposed generally around the opening; an air filter having an air filter media, a closed end, and an open end, the air filter media residing within the non-porous single piece housing; an air intake tube; and a flexible reducing coupling, the coupling being attached to the rim, the open end of the air filter, and the air intake tube, in a substantially airtight manner; wherein, air can pass from the air intake port into the housing then through the air filter and into the air intake tube.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The invention is generally shown by way of reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air filter assembly with an enclosed housing;

[0025] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an air filter assembly with an open housing;

[0026] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another air filter assembly with an open housing;

[0027] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another air filter assembly with an open housing and having a canister type air filter;

[0028] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another air filter assembly with various elements identified; and

[0029] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the reducing coupling.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of an interface air filter assembly. The housing 85 has an air intake port 90 and an opening 95. The rim 96 has an internal surface that is adapted to accommodate the external circumference 121 of the first engaging member 120 of the air filter assembly 100. When the air filter 101 is disposed within the body of the housing, a clamp 130 can be placed over the external surface of the rim 96 and the clamp 130 is used to bring the internal surface of the rim into contact with the external circumference 121 of the first engaging member 120 of the air filter assembly 100 in a substantially airtight manner. This assists to prevent leakage at the interface between the housing and the air filter. In one embodiment, slits 97 in the rim 96 can be used to make it easier for the internal surface of the rim to deform under the force of the clamp 130 to form a substantially airtight seal with the external circumference 121 of the first engaging member 120 of the air filter assembly 100. In the preferred embodiment the housing is a single piece construction. Other embodiments can include a housing made of multiple components.

[0031] The interface air filter assembly 100 includes air filter media 101 and has a closed end 105 and an open end 115. In the present embodiment, during operation the air passes in the housing 85 through opening 90, then into the filter assembly 100 through air filter 101.

[0032] FIG. 6 illustrates a reducing coupling 110 with a first end 117. The reducing coupling 110 has a first engaging member 120 with an external circumference 121 and an outer surface 123. The outer surface 123 can have a plurality of circumferential ridges to increase the contact effectiveness. The second end 125 of the reducing coupling 110 has a second engaging member 125 having an external circumference 127. As depicted in the figure, the external circumference 127 of the second engaging member is less than the external circumference 121 of the first engaging member.

[0033] The second engaging member 125 has an inner surface 155. The reducing coupling has a channel 160 that allows air flow.

[0034] Turning back to FIG. 5, the first end 115 of the reducing coupling is connected to the open end 110 of the air filter 101. This can include a single piece construction where the reducing coupling is permanently affixed to the air filter or multiple pieces that can comprise the air filter assembly.

[0035] In the preferred embodiment, the reducing coupling is made of a relatively flexible material. This can include rubber type materials or urethanes. In other embodiments, the reducing coupling can be comprised of a combination of more solid materials and relatively flexible materials. In one embodiment plastic could be used to connect the first engaging member to the second engaging member.

[0036] In the embodiment of FIG. 5, a clamp 130 is used to secure the first engaging member to the housing. As the clamp is applied, the outer surface 123 is securely brought into contact with the housing 85.

[0037] A clamp may also be used to secure the second engaging member 125 to an air intake tube.

[0038] While a clamp is disclosed as one way to secure the interface air filter to the housing and the air intake tube, other embodiments can include screws, snaps, or other structures to affect the same result.

[0039] In FIG. 6 a cross sectional view of the reducing coupling 110 is shown. An air intake tube 135 has a hollow center 140, a wall 145, and a surface 150. The surface 150 comes into contact with the inner surface 155 of the second engaging member 125 of the reducing coupling 110. The inner surface 155 can have a plurality of circumferential ridges to increase the contact effectiveness to the surface 150 of the air intake tube 115 The surface 155 can also include other type of surface textures to accomplish the same result and to effectuate a more air tight fit with the air intake tube 135.

[0040] In the present embodiment, there is a body 165 that connects the second engaging member 125 and the first engaging member 120. In other embodiments, the first and second engaging members may be of such dimensions as to negate the need for a body between the two.

[0041] The reducing coupling has an airway 160 so that air can traverse from the inside of the filter to the air intake tube. Furthermore, the reducing coupling is not limited to the geometry as depicted. There is also a body 165 that connects to the air intake tube 135.

[0042] While embodiments have been described in detail, it should be appreciated that various modifications and/or variations may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In this regard it is important to note that practicing the invention is not limited to the applications described herein. Many other applications and/or alterations may be utilized provided that such other applications and/or alterations do not depart from the intended purpose of the invention. Also, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used in another embodiment to provide yet another embodiment such that the features are not limited to the embodiments described herein. Thus, it is intended that the invention cover all such embodiments and variations. Nothing in this disclosure is intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.