Abstract: A throttle-controlled intake system is disclosed that provides a driver of a vehicle with greater control over engine functions and vehicle performance. The throttle-controlled intake system includes a control module that is coupled with an aircharger air intake. The control module processes input signals from a throttle pedal of the vehicle and sends modified throttle position signals to a throttle body of the vehicle so as to increase throttle responsiveness of the vehicle. The throttle-controlled intake system further includes a wiring harness and a signal adjuster. The wiring harness electrically couples the control module with the throttle pedal and the throttle body. The control module sends signals directly to the throttle body of the engine, bypassing an electronic control unit of the vehicle. The signal adjuster includes a rheostat that enables manual adjustment of the throttle responsiveness of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for a drone elimination muffler to attenuate drone exhibited by engine exhaust systems. The drone elimination muffler comprises a hollow canister having a length and a diameter, and a tuned port comprising a first end connected to the canister and a second end connected to the exhaust system. The canister operates in concert with the tuned port as a dampener configured to substantially attenuate exhaust drone, or resonance, at one or more frequencies of engine operation. A valve is configured to switch the drone elimination muffler between a closed state in which the exhaust system operates without acoustic influence due to the drone elimination muffler, and an open state in which the drone elimination muffler directly influences the acoustic properties of the exhaust system.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for a foundation vent cover to be installed onto foundation ventilation openings of crawlspaces, garages, and buildings. The foundation vent cover comprises a mesh screen for covering a foundation vent opening and a supportive frame for retaining the mesh screen in an extended configuration over the foundation vent opening. The supportive frame may be made of a metal or any of various plastics. The mesh screen is made of a material that provides an aesthetically appealing appearance to the foundation opening while also allowing an optimal airflow through the foundation opening. The supportive frame includes holes to receive fasteners for attaching the foundation vent cover over the foundation opening. The fasteners may be wood screws, sheet metal screws, self-drilling screws, or threaded bolts and nuts. The holes may be counterbored or countersunk to hide at least a portion of the heads of the fasteners.

Abstract: A pleated filter preparation system is provided for accurately counting pleats along a continuous sheet of pleated filter material and cutting the sheet into filter strips to be formed into filters. The pleated filter preparation system includes a pleat driver having multiple drive gears that engage with the pleats of the pleated filter material to move the pleated filter material through the system. A pleat counter counts peaks and valleys of each pleat comprising the pleated filter material so as to identify a target pleat to be cut. The pleat counter clamps and stretches the target pleat to distinguish the target pleat among the other pleats. A punch cut station cuts the target pleat to form a filter strip having a desired number of pleats. A pleat compressor compresses the filter strips to a predetermined size and then ejects the filter strips into a suitable container or bin.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for a high capacity oil filter configured to remove contaminants from engine oil flowing within an internal combustion engine. The oil filter comprises a hollow canister having a length and a diameter suitable for housing a large filtration medium. A base gasket forms a fluid-tight seal between the oil filter and the engine. A base plate circulates oil from the engine through the oil filter. An anti-drainback valve prevents oil from draining out of the filter and passages within the engine when the engine is not operating. A key aspect of the present disclosure is that the relatively large dimensions and the configuration of the filtration media provide a large surface area for entrapping contaminants flowing with the engine oil.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon absorbing air filter box is provided for absorbing evaporative hydrocarbon emissions from an air intake duct of an internal combustion engine. A combined mass airflow sensor and hydrocarbon trap comprising the hydrocarbon absorbing air filter box includes a duct supporting a hydrocarbon absorbing sheet within an interior of a housing. The duct communicates an airstream from an air filter to the air intake duct during operation of the internal combustion engine. An opening in the housing receives a mass airflow sensor into the duct, such that the mass airflow sensor is disposed within the airstream. Guide vanes extending across the duct reduce air turbulence within the airstream passing by the mass airflow sensor. Ports disposed along the duct allow the evaporative hydrocarbon emissions to be drawn into the interior and arrested by the hydrocarbon absorbing sheet when the internal combustion engine is not operating.

Abstract: A system and methods for a turbo-boost control system are disclosed for providing a driver of a vehicle with greater control over vehicle performance. The turbo-boost control system instructs an electronic control unit of the vehicle to increase the manifold pressure to a higher level before releasing the pressure through a waste gate so as to provide a greater power output of the engine. The turbo-boost control system includes a control module, a wiring harness, and a signal adjuster. The wiring harness couples the control module with a turbo inlet pressure sensor, a manifold absolute pressure sensor, and an electronic control unit of the vehicle. The control module sends signals to the electronic control unit based on input readings from the turbo inlet pressure sensor and the manifold absolute pressure sensor. The signal adjuster includes a rheostat that enables manual adjustment of the power output of the engine.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for an air filter precleaner for an open air filter box. The air filter precleaner includes a filter medium between a base and a grating that are fastened over an opening into an interior of the air filter box. The filter medium comprises a sheet of filter material having a shape and a size suitable for being supported between the base and the grating. The base is a rigid member that supports the filter medium in a sheet configuration, such that the airstream passes through the filter medium before entering the air filter box. The grating is a rigid member comprising a screen portion surrounded by a frame that is configured to be fastened onto the air filter box. The screen portion comprises a shaped lattice that allows the airstream to pass through the filter medium before entering the air filter box.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for an air cleaner to be mounted onto an air inlet of an internal combustion engine. The air cleaner comprises an air filter that includes a filter medium disposed between a curved base and a cover. The curved base provides an interface between the air filter and the air inlet, and comprises a shape that provides clearance between the curved base and an electric choke installed onto a carburetor comprising the air inlet. The cover secures the air filter and the curved base to the air inlet such that an airstream is drawn through the filter medium and is conducted into the air inlet. A raised portion of the cover is configured to cooperate with the curved base to ensure a desired volume of the airstream is available to the air inlet at substantially all engine speeds.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a heat shield with an integrated air filter assembly is disclosed. Wherein the air filter assembly comprising a filter material circumferentially extending such that the filter material surrounds at least a portion of an interior cavity of the air filter, a distal end cap affixed to a distal end of the filter material, and a wire support extending along at least a portion of an exterior surface of the filter material; and wherein the heat shield is configured to direct cooler air into an air intake conduit extending from an intake portion of an automobile engine for combustion.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for a throttle body spacer that improves the performance of an internal combustion engine. The throttle body spacer comprises a body that includes an airflow opening for conducting airflow from a throttle body into an intake manifold. A spiral is disposed along a sidewall of the airflow opening and configured for swirling the airflow. The spiral comprises a helical shape disposed around a circumference of the sidewall and extends from an initial bore near a first contact surface of the body to a second contact surface. The helical shape includes a diameter that increases as the spiral extends toward the second contact surface, giving the body a sidewall taper angle that contributes to an increase in power output of the engine. A sawtooth cross-sectional shape of the spiral causes the airflow to swirl so as to improve atomization of an air-fuel mixture entering engine.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for a high capacity oil filter configured to remove contaminants from engine oil flowing within an internal combustion engine. The oil filter comprises a hollow canister having a length and a diameter suitable for housing a large filtration medium. A base gasket forms a fluid-tight seal between the oil filter and the engine. A base plate circulates oil from the engine through the oil filter. An anti-drainback valve prevents oil from draining out of the filter and passages within the engine when the engine is not operating. A key aspect of the present disclosure is that the relatively large dimensions and the configuration of the filtration media provide a large surface area for entrapping contaminants flowing with the engine oil.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for an aesthetic air filter to remove airborne particulate matter from an airstream. The aesthetic air filter comprises a supportive frame and a colored filter medium retained within the supportive frame. The supportive frame orients the aesthetic air filter within a ventilation system. The filter medium removes the particulate matter from air flowing through the ventilation system. The filter medium is treated with a suitable dye, or other substance, that gives the filter medium an aesthetically pleasing appearance. The filter medium may include a color that matches other nearby engine components, such as braided sheaths on hoses and wires, as well as decorative metallic couplings, and the like. The filter medium may be endowed with any of various desirable colors. The supportive frame may include a color that is coordinated with the color of the filter medium.

Abstract: A turbo-boost controlled intake system is disclosed that provides a driver of a vehicle with greater control over vehicle performance. The turbo-boost controlled intake system includes a control module that is coupled with an aircharger air intake. The control module instructs an electronic control unit of the vehicle to increase manifold pressure to a higher level before releasing the pressure through a waste gate so as to provide a greater power output of the engine. The turbo-boost controlled intake system further includes a wiring harness and a signal adjuster. The wiring harness couples the control module with a turbo inlet pressure sensor, a manifold absolute pressure sensor, and an electronic control unit of the vehicle. The signal adjuster includes a rheostat that enables manual adjustment of the power output of the engine.

Abstract: A pleated filter preparation system is provided for accurately counting pleats along a continuous sheet of pleated filter material and cutting the sheet into filter strips to be formed into filters. The pleated filter preparation system includes a pleat driver having multiple drive gears that engage with the pleats of the pleated filter material to move the pleated filter material through the system. A pleat counter counts peaks and valleys of each pleat comprising the pleated filter material so as to identify a target pleat to be cut. The pleat counter clamps and stretches the target pleat to distinguish the target pleat among the other pleats. A punch cut station cuts the target pleat to form a filter strip having a desired number of pleats. A pleat compressor compresses the filter strips to a predetermined size and then ejects the filter strips into a suitable container or bin.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for a drone elimination muffler to attenuate drone exhibited by engine exhaust systems. The drone elimination muffler comprises a hollow canister having a length and a diameter, and a tuned port comprising a first end connected to the canister and a second end connected to the exhaust system. The canister operates in concert with the tuned port as a dampener configured to substantially attenuate exhaust drone, or resonance, at one or more frequencies of engine operation. A valve is configured to switch the drone elimination muffler between a closed state in which the exhaust system operates without acoustic influence due to the drone elimination muffler, and an open state in which the drone elimination muffler directly influences the acoustic properties of the exhaust system.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for a multiple inlet air box to communicate an airstream through an air filter to an air intake duct of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle. The multiple inlet air box is comprised of a housing that supports the air filter within an interior of the housing. A mount portion within the housing fixedly receives a base of the air filter. Multiple air inlets couple with corresponding air inlet ports of the vehicle to direct the airstream into the multiple inlet air box. A duct directs the airstream from the multiple air inlets to the interior of the housing. A conduit communicates the airstream from an interior of the air filter to the air intake duct of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A system and methods for a turbo-boost control system are disclosed for providing a driver of a vehicle with greater control over vehicle performance. The turbo-boost control system instructs an electronic control unit of the vehicle to increase the manifold pressure to a higher level before releasing the pressure through a waste gate so as to provide a greater power output of the engine. The turbo-boost control system includes a control module, a wiring harness, and a signal adjuster. The wiring harness couples the control module with a turbo inlet pressure sensor, a manifold absolute pressure sensor, and an electronic control unit of the vehicle. The control module sends signals to the electronic control unit based on input readings from the turbo inlet pressure sensor and the manifold absolute pressure sensor. The signal adjuster includes a rheostat that enables manual adjustment of the power output of the engine.

Abstract: A system and methods are provided for a wing stabilizer charging system for recharging onboard batteries during operation of an electrically powered vehicle. The wing stabilizer charging system comprises a wing stabilizer configured to be coupled with a rear of the vehicle. One or more air inlets are disposed in the wing stabilizer and configured to receive an airstream during forward motion of the vehicle. Wind turbines are disposed within the wing stabilizer and configured to be turned by the airstream. A circuit box is configured to combine electricity received from the wind turbines into a useable electric current. A power cable extends from the circuit box and is configured to supply the useable electric current to any one or more electronic devices, such as any of an onboard battery for powering the vehicle, mobile phones or smart phones, portable music players, tablet computers, cameras, and the like.