Abstract: An air filter assembly which filters and purifies air prior to entering an external combustion engine includes a conical radially pleated filter element disposed over a filter carrier. When assembled, the pleats of the filter element are trapped between a plurality of internal teeth on an internal comb section of the filter carrier and a plurality of external teeth on an external comb section of an opening of the air cleaner box. The filter carrier further includes a plurality of struts which further shapes the filter element. A locking mechanism secures the air filter assembly to the air cleaner box.

Abstract: An air resonator system for a vehicle has a variable volume to reduce noise expected at both high and low speeds. In one enbodiment, a pair of necks communicate with chamber portions. A valve selectively blocks communication between the chamber portions and allows each of the necks to communicate with the relatively small volume chamber portions. This position is particularly good for reducing the high frequency noise is expected at high engine speeds. The valve is movable to a second position at which it allows communication between the two chamber portions and blocks communication between one of the necks and its respective chamber portion. The relatively large chamber volume provided at this position is particularly well suited for reducing the low frequency noise expected with low engine speed. Thus, a single air resonator system is provided which can be adjusted to accommodate noise at both high and low speeds.

Abstract: A structure for securing the top and bottom cover portions of an air filter includes a wing member secured to the bottom cover portion. The wing member is attached to the cover portion through a post. The wing member has a wedged surface which is selectively moved along a wedged surface on a slot in the upper cover surface. The wedged surfaces cam the wing member to pivot. Once the wing member has moved through the slot, it is biased back and in a direction opposed to the rotation caused by the wedged surfaces. The wing member is thus secured on a surface on the upper cover member adjacent the slot. The wing member thus secures the two cover members in a snap fit connection. To release the snap fit connection, one merely biases the wing member in an opposed direction.

Abstract: An air filter assembly which filters and purifies air prior to entering an external combustion engine includes a conical radially pleated filter element disposed over a filter carrier. When assembled, the pleats of the filter element are trapped between a plurality of internal teeth on an internal comb section of the filter carrier and a plurality of external teeth on an external comb section of an opening of the air cleaner box. The filter carrier further includes a plurality of struts which further shapes the filter element. A locking mechanism secures the air filter assembly to the air cleaner box.

Abstract: An air resonator for an air intake system includes a plurality of serially positioned increasing volume chambers. Air passing to the engine passes through these chambers. Noise passing from the engine back towards the source of air will also pass through these increasing volume chambers. As the noise serially passes through the increasing and then decreasing volume, the noise is dissipated.

Abstract: An air cleaner housing system with an detachable air cleaner tube and a method of doing same. The air cleaner housing system includes the air cleaner tube, an air cleaner housing including an aperture, an air filter disposed inside the air cleaner housing, an attachment mechanism comprising a first portion disposed on the air cleaner tube and a second portion disposed on the air cleaner housing, and a first seal disposed between the air filter and the air cleaner tube. The attachment mechanism is a radial twist fit connector which moves between a first rotational position to attach the air cleaner tube to the air cleaner housing, and a second rotational position to detach the air cleaner tube from the air cleaner housing. Alternately, the attachment mechanism is an axial twist fit connector.

Abstract: A coupling is disclosed for connecting conduits that carry combustion air to an internal combustion engine. Two conduits are provide, a first one having an associated locking collar with slots and flexible locking fingers, and a second one having several outwardly facing pins and catches located on an outer surface. The pins are received in the slots and the two conduits are rotated with respect to each other. The catches and locking fingers engage to prevent the two conduits from being pulled apart. Both conduits and locking collar are preferably made of plastic, with the second one and its associated locking collar being simltaneously and integrally molded. A resilient seal may be located between the two components to reduce or eliminate air leakage.

Abstract: An air cleaner that locks two shells together by a cam action is disclosed having two shells with interlocking fingers staggered along at least one length of the joint between the first and second shells. A cam is inserted between the interlocking fingers and when rotated pulls the fingers apart and pulls the two shells together.

Abstract: A combined air cleaning and flow rate sensing system for the combustion air of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The system includes a housing providing an inlet and a filter at least partially disposed in the housing. The air cleaner system also includes a conduit adjacent the housing and providing a flange and an outlet. The air cleaner system also includes a compressible seal disposed between the filter and the flange. The air cleaner system also includes a locking mechanism adapted to selectively secure the conduit to the housing such that the seal may be compressed between the conduit and the filter. The air cleaner system also includes an accessory mounted to the conduit. The air entering the inlet exits through the outlet.

Abstract: An integrated intake manifold and air cleaner system is provided by a molded plastic induction module including molded lower and upper manifold pieces welded together. A series of upright walls on the upper manifold and a cover piece form a box-like enclosure in which an air cleaner element is disposed mounted to a throttle body on the upper manifold piece. A fuel rail and injector are also disposed within the enclosed space. Other components such as the ECU can optionally be mounted within the enclosed space. Resonator and expansion chambers are also defined within the enclosed space.

Abstract: An integrated intake manifold and air cleaner system is provided by a molded plastic induction module including molded lower and upper manifold pieces welded together. A series of upright walls on the upper manifold and a cover piece form a box-like enclosure in which an air cleaner element is disposed mounted to a throttle body on the upper manifold piece. A fuel rail and injector are also disposed within the enclosed space. Other components such as the ECU can optionally be mounted within the enclosed space. Resonator and expansion chambers are also defined within the enclosed space.

Abstract: Each vertical vane contains two vane groups that are independently pivotable about their co-axis. A push button control mechanism selects between a jet setting in which both vane groups are parallel and a diffuse setting in which the two vane groups are non-parallel. The mechanism has a detent feature that keeps the diffuse setting until released.