Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for a magnetic cover for an air filtration system for an internal combustion engine. The air filtration system includes a housing that has an interior that receives an air filter. A mount portion comprising the housing supports the air filter. The magnetic cover encloses the interior of the housing. An edge portion surrounding an opening in the housing forms an airtight connection with an edge portion of the magnetic cover. The edge portion of the housing includes a number of magnets that attach to a similar number of magnets in the edge portion of the magnetic cover to establish the airtight connection. A seal provides an airtight connection between the housing and the magnetic cover. The housing and the magnetic cover are configured for hand removal of the magnetic cover from the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for an air filter configured to be mounted onto air inlets of turbochargers and superchargers. The air filter a proximal base including an inlet receiver configured to receive an air inlet, a clamp to secure the air inlet within the inlet receiver, and a first opening aligned with a screw mechanism of the clamp. A filter medium fastened to the proximal base is configured to remove particulate matter and other contaminates from an incoming air stream. A distal end cap fastened to the filter medium comprises a second opening aligned with the first opening. A conduit within an interior cavity of the air filter is disposed between the first opening and the second opening, facilitating tightening and loosening the clamp by extending an appropriate tool through the interior cavity so as to engage the screw mechanism of the clamp.

Abstract: A pleat counter and methods are provided to accurately count the number of pleats in a corrugated sheet of material to be used for the production of air filters. The pleat counter comprises a pleat detector mounted underneath a mounting board for counting the pleats. The mounting board is configured to position the pleat detector adjacent to the corrugated sheet of filter material. The pleat detector includes one or more sensors configured to detect the presence of individual pleats comprising the corrugated sheet. The pleat counter includes an interface configured to enable coupling the pleat counter with a data processing system. The data processing system may comprise any of a desktop, a tablet, a server, a mobile phone, a media player, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a personal communicator, a network router or hub, a wireless access point (AP) or repeater, a set-top box, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A combined mass airflow sensor and hydrocarbon trap is provided for absorbing evaporative hydrocarbon emissions from an air intake duct of an internal combustion engine. The combined mass airflow sensor and hydrocarbon trap comprises a duct that supports a hydrocarbon absorbing sheet in an unfolded configuration within 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: An apparatus and methods are provided for a pass-through dongle for accessing and interacting with vehicle performance and status data. The dongle includes a first connector for plugging into an OBD-II connector of a vehicle. A wireless connection may be established between the dongle and a mobile device that provides access to and interactivity with the vehicle performance and status data. A second connector comprising the dongle is configured to receive an auxiliary device that is configured to access vehicle status data by way of the OBD-II connection. The dongle simultaneously establishes the wireless connection with the mobile device and provides the auxiliary device with access to the vehicle performance and status data. In some embodiments, the dongle is configured to operate in conjunction with a vehicle diagnostic communication system that includes a vehicle performance system whereby the vehicle performance and status data may be interactively accessed.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) air filter to remove airborne molecular contaminants and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from air within building spaces. The air filter comprises a support frame having a shape and size suitable to orient the air filter within a HVAC system. A compound filter medium is retained within the support frame to remove the airborne molecular contaminants and VOCs from air flowing through the HVAC system. A portion of the first media layer is pleated and may comprise a combination of media layers configured to exhibit a relatively high filtration efficiency and a low air pressure drop across the filter medium. A second portion of the filter medium is coupled to the first portion and maintains a uniform distribution of the pleats with the first portion.

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 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 crankcase breather vent assembly to direct blow-by gases out of an engine crankcase. A vent base comprising a generally cylindrical vessel communicates received blow-by gases into an interior cavity of a breather vent that comprises a filter medium. Baffles disposed within an interior cavity of the vent base capture oil carried along with the blow-by gases. The captured oil is directed to an oil sump of the engine by way of a suitable hose. A bonnet fastenably receives the breather vent and is configured to reduce a buildup of oil residue on nearby engine components. An outer profile of the breather vent is tapered along a longitudinal dimension of the filter medium to facilitate unrestricted air flow through the filter medium when the bonnet is installed onto the breather vent.

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: An air filter oil composition is provided for enhancing airflow and filtration of air passing through an air filter. The composition includes a first portion comprising paraffinic oil, a second portion comprising polyalphaolefin (PAO), and a third portion comprising black dye. Applying the air filter oil composition to a cotton air filter material causes tackiness throughout the air filter material, thereby enhancing airflow and filtration of air passing through the air filter. The composition generally is substantially non-reactive, has an excellent oxidation stability, possesses good thermal stability, and retains a suitable viscosity at normal operating temperatures of an automobile engine. In an embodiment, the composition comprises 96.74% paraffinic oil by volume, 3.20% PAO by volume, and 0.06% black dye by volume. A viscosity of the composition at 100 degrees-C. ranges between about 7.2 centistokes and about 7.6 centistokes.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for an oil filter-leak pressure-test station. The oil filter-leak pressure-test station comprises an air pump, a pressure gauge, a vent valve, an overflow reservoir, and a manifold configured to receive an oil filter. The oil filter-leak pressure-test station is configured to apply a desired internal air pressure to an oil filter for observing the oil filter assembly for any potential leaks, such as along a seal ring, rolled seam or a nut-end. The oil filter-leak pressure-test station is also configured to be mounted in a vise or similar mechanical attachment for observation to determine the extent or existence of any leak in the oil filter. The oil filter-leak pressure-test station may also be submerged in water using a submersion reservoir, so as to determine the existence and location of any leaks.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for a portable mass airflow (MAF) training module configured to simulate an air intake into an internal combustion engine. An in-line blower draws an airflow through an air filter by way of a first air duct and a second air duct. A throttle assembly is coupled between the first air duct and the second air duct. The throttle assembly includes a throttle plate that may be rotated to regulate the airflow. The power output of the in-line blower is variable to simulate the air intake of various sizes of the internal combustion engine. A MAF sensor and a duct velocity sensor are configured to provide airflow information. The portable MAF training module enables a practitioner to select a desired throttle setting and observe a resultant mass airflow through the portable MAF training module that is measured by the MAF sensor.

Abstract: An air box and methods are provided for communicating an airstream through an air filter to an air intake duct of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle. The air box generally transports air received by way of air inlet ports that mate with aerodynamic elements of the vehicle. The air is received through a conduit to an air intake duct of the engine. The air box comprises an enclosure that is formed in a substantially rigid/solid form. A substantially transparent inspection region is disposed on a surface of the enclosure so that the air filter may be viewed and potentially accessed if desired.

Abstract: A filter oil composition and a method for removing airborne molecular contaminants from air are provided. The composition includes a first portion comprising paraffinic oil by volume of the composition, a second portion comprising polyalphaolefin by volume of the composition, and a third portion comprising red dye by volume of the composition. Applying the filter oil composition to a cotton air filter material causes tackiness throughout the air filter material, thereby enhancing filtration of air passing through the filter. The composition generally is substantially non-reactive, has excellent oxidation stability, possesses good thermal stability, and retains a suitable viscosity at a normal operating temperature of an automobile engine. In an embodiment, the composition comprises 96.74% paraffinic oil by volume, 3.20% polyalphaolefin by volume, and 0.06% red dye by volume. The viscosity of the composition at 100 degrees-C. ranges between substantially 7.2 and 7.6 centistokes (cSTs).

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for a flangeless air filter configured to be mounted onto a flat surface within an air intake system of an internal combustion engine. The flangeless air filter is comprised of a cone-shaped filter medium, retained between a base and a cap, that is fabricated to remove contaminants and particulate matter from an intake airstream. The base includes a pliable seal that forms an airtight connection between the flangeless air filter and the flat surface of the air intake system. A mounting bracket and fasteners may be used to attach the base to the flat surface, compressing the seal there between. In some embodiments, the mounting bracket may be incorporated into, and made a part of the base. A cap is disposed on a top of the flangeless air filter and configured to direct the intake airstream around the cap and toward the filter medium.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for an aircharger air intake system for filtering and conducting an airstream to an air intake of an engine. The aircharger air intake system includes an air filter comprising a filter medium configured to entrap particulates flowing within the airstream. An air box comprising one or more sidewalls and a mount wall is configured to support the air filter within an engine bay. The air box is configured to be mounted, or fastened, onto the engine. An intake tube is coupled with the air filter and configured to conduct the airstream to the air intake of the engine. The intake tube is configured to be coupled with an air temperature sensor or a mass air sensor of the engine. An adapter is configured to couple the intake tube with the air intake.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) home air filter to remove airborne molecular contaminants and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from air within residential spaces. The HVAC home air filter a supportive frame having a shape and size suitable to orient the HVAC home air filter within a residential HVAC system. A filter medium is retained within the supportive frame to remove the airborne molecular contaminants and VOCs from air flowing through the residential HVAC system. The filter medium is a combination of media layers configured to exhibit a relatively high filtration efficiency and a low air pressure drop across the filter medium. The supportive frame comprises a plurality of elongate sections and corner sections disposed along perimeter edges of the filter medium to support the filter medium within the residential HVAC system so as direct air through the filter medium.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for a crankcase breather vent assembly to direct blow-by gases out of an engine crankcase. A vent base comprising a generally cylindrical vessel communicates received blow-by gases into an interior cavity of a breather vent that comprises a filter medium. Baffles disposed within an interior cavity of the vent base capture oil carried along with the blow-by gases. The captured oil is directed to an oil sump of the engine by way of a suitable hose. A bonnet fastenably receives the breather vent and is configured to reduce a buildup of oil residue on nearby engine components. An outer profile of the breather vent is tapered along a longitudinal dimension of the filter medium to facilitate unrestricted air flow through the filter medium when the bonnet is installed onto the breather vent.

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.