In Motor Vehicle Patents (Class 55/385.3)
  • Patent number: 8133292
    Abstract: An air cleaner for a V-type internal combustion engine includes a filter housing with introduction ports formed in both left and right lateral walls communicating with respective air intake ducts and a pair of cleaner elements fixedly disposed in the filter housing to partition the inside thereof into an upper unfiltered air chamber communicating with both the introduction ports and a filtered air chamber disposed below the unfiltered air chamber. The cleaner elements are disposed on both sides of a vertical plane passing through a vehicle body centerline, extend forward and rearward of the air introduction ports, and are inclined to be gradually lowered as they extend away from the vertical plane to face the respective air introduction ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Morita, Shota Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8133293
    Abstract: An air cleaner suitable for use with a heavy-duty vehicle includes a cylindrical body that can be mounted to the vehicle so that the body is exposed to an air stream when the vehicle moves in a forward direction. The air cleaner has a boattail, which includes a fin attached to a rear portion of the body. The fin has a vertical orientation and extends in a substantially rearward direction from the body. When the vehicle moves in a forward direction, the boattail reduces the amount of low-pressure air located behind the air cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventor: Jeffrey P. Smith
  • Patent number: 8128721
    Abstract: A filter device has a filter element made from a filter hose that has a filter wall separating an unfiltered side from a clean side of the filter device in a radial direction. In preferred embodiments the filter wall of the filter hose is provided with a very fine particle filtration layer including nanofibers. The diameter of the nanofibers is less than one micrometer. The nanofiber layer can be applied to a green filter material and the filter element can be produced subsequently from the filter material with applied nanofiber layer. Alternatively, the nanofiber layer can be applied to a finished filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Mann+Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Nikolaus Moser, Stefan Walz
  • Publication number: 20120047856
    Abstract: A spring clamp for providing a compressive load to a compression seal in an air filtration system for a vehicle. The spring clamp may be comprised of plastic composite and includes an arch-like arm wherein elastic deformation is distributed throughout the arch while providing a compressive load. The spring clamp may include a head piece with a greater thickness than the other parts of the spring clamp to provide greater material strength at a point of contact between the spring clamp and an air filter housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Roger Khami, Leon Speed, Scott M. Rollins, Erik Hermann, Ha To Chung, John Qingrui Liu
  • Patent number: 8123829
    Abstract: A bearing holder (66) having a bearing (67) rotatably supporting a crankshaft (14) is fixed so as to face an opening (11k) of the engine case (11). A gas-liquid separation chamber (83) is formed between a cover member (68) covering the opening (11k) and the bearing holder (66). Therefore, by utilizing the bearing holder (66) as a part of the wall surface of the gas-liquid separation chamber (83), the gas-liquid separation chamber (83) can be partitioned without increasing the number of components and without forming a special wall surface in the engine case (11). Thus, it is possible to reduce the size and weight of the engine case (11), and reduce the cost by simplifying the shape thereof and reducing the number of components. Also, a labyrinth 82 is formed by ribs (66d, 66e, 68a, 68d) projecting from the bearing holder (66) and the cover member (68), and therefore gas-liquid separation can be effectively performed by the labyrinth (82).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Sato, Noboru Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 8123831
    Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid separator, particularly an oil separator for compressed air systems. The liquid separator comprises a housing (15), which can be detachably connected by means of a bayonet-type connector (11) to a counterpart (12). The housing (15) is locked onto the counterpart (12) by axial tensioning forces (F) operable to lock the bayonet connector (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Mann+Hummel GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Heikamp
  • Patent number: 8114182
    Abstract: A method is provided for servicing a filter, and structure is provided disabling assembly of the filter unless an authorized replacement filter element is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Guillermo Alberto Smith, Chirag D. Parikh, Kwok-Lam Ng, Roger L. Zoch, Jim L. Alonzo, Brian W. Schwandt, J. Bruce Schelkopf, Barry M. Verdegan, Kelly R. Schmitz
  • Patent number: 8105406
    Abstract: An air cleaner 10 includes an air cleaner case 3 having an inlet 1 for introducing air and an outlet 2 for ejecting air. An intake pipe 5 having an intake opening 4 opened upward or obliquely upward in the air cleaner case 3 is connected to the outlet 2. The air cleaner 10 includes a main air filter element 6a positioned above the intake opening 4 and an auxiliary air filter element 6b, which is separate from the main air filter element 6a, positioned above the intake opening 4 but below the main air filter element 6a. The main air filter element 6a is configured to be detachable from the air cleaner case 3 with the auxiliary air filter element 6b fixed in the air cleaner case 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuya Nishizawa, Satoshi Terumichi
  • Patent number: 8105407
    Abstract: Air filtered through a filter element in a case is supplied via an air outlet port to a carburetor. Bottom plate of the case includes a support frame section bulging inwardly of the case. The support frame section includes a peripheral wall surrounding the periphery of the outlet port, a plurality of posts extending upward from the peripheral wall, and a canopy portion of a plate shape provided on the upper ends of the posts. Interior of the case and the outlet port are in communication with each other via a space between the posts, and the canopy portion covers the whole opening area of the outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toru Taniguchi
  • Publication number: 20120017764
    Abstract: An air cleaner that filters air supplied into an engine may include a lower case that has an intake port through which external air flows inside, a filter that may be disposed in the lower case and filters and allows the air flowing inside through the intake port, and an upper case that may be coupled to an upper portion of the lower case and has an exhaust pipe to discharge the air filtered by the filter to the engine, wherein an inlet of the exhaust pipe may be formed inside the upper case and an outlet may be formed to be connected to the outside of the upper case, the inlet of the exhaust pipe may be divided into a first inlet and a second inlet, and a fan that controls the exhaust amount of air to the outlet of the exhaust pipe may be disposed in the second inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Seong-Hack Lee, Jae-Hyeon Jung
  • Patent number: 8101003
    Abstract: A filter cartridge, a safety element and fluid cleaner assembly are described. The fluid cleaner assembly generally includes a housing having a cover and a primary fluid cleaner section. The filter cartridge generally comprises z-filter media, arranged in a straight through configuration. Preferred cartridges include a seal gasket positioned to extend continuously around at outer perimeter of the straight through flow construction. The fluid cleaner assembly can have a precleaner positioned therein. Preferred features are described. Methods of assembly and use are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Krisko, Wayne R. W. Bishop, Steven S. Gieseke, Benny Nelson
  • Patent number: 8097050
    Abstract: A vacuum apparatus rotatable about an axis through a filter screen for continually removing contaminants, which utilizes an asymmetrical vacuum arm supported by a center hub, and large longitudinally extending asymmetrical vacuum orifices in portions of the arm on opposite sides of the hub, operable for removing large elements of debris, trash and the like from the screen. One of the arm portions cleans a radial outer region of the screen, and the other cleans an inner region, the arm portions being generally even in mass for balance. A knife disposed on the screen cleans and cooperates with a brush on the arm for breaking up larger elements of trash. The arm is also manually removable via a snap together vacuum seal joint, for service and cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Brian K. Johnson, Panos Tamamidis, David A. Scott
  • Patent number: 8097056
    Abstract: An air cleaner unit for an internal combustion engine includes a casing and a filter element disposed in the casing. The casing includes a first case member having a first opening and a first sealing surface on a periphery of the first opening and a second case member having a second opening and a second sealing surface on a periphery of the second opening. The first case member and the second case member are coupled such that the first and second openings are opposed in a substantially horizontal direction of a vehicle. The filter element has a peripheral portion that is interposed between the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface. The first case member includes a side wall and a projection that projects from an inner surface of the side wall. The filter element is held in a substantially vertical position in the casing through the projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norihisa Sasano, Akihiro Maeda, Akira Nakawatase, Ryuji Kanzaka, Yuji Matsubara, Shingo Kimura, Akira Enomoto, Kazuya Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8097055
    Abstract: A system for treating exhaust gas from an engine is disclosed. The system may include a housing with a first longitudinal axis, an inlet port, and an outlet port. The housing may define a first flow path. A fluid treatment element may be arranged in the flow path. The system may also include a conduit defining a second longitudinal axis and forming a second flow path. The conduit may have first and second tubular portions generally aligned with the second longitudinal axis. The first tubular portion may have a first cross-section, and the second tubular portion may have a second cross-section. An inner diameter of the second cross-section may be less than an inner diameter of the first cross-section. The centerpoint of the first inner diameter may be offset from the centerpoint of the second inner diameter in a direction generally parallel to the first longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas V. Staley, Loran J. Hoffman, Ryan M. Duffek, Richard A. Crandell
  • Patent number: 8092563
    Abstract: A system for treating exhaust gas from an engine is disclosed. The system may include a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port and defining a flow path therebetween. A fluid treatment element may be arranged in the flow path and configured to treat exhaust gas. A conduit may be fluidly connected with at least one of the housing ports and may have first and second tubular portions. The first portion may have a first cross-section with an inner diameter, and the second portion may have a generally elongated second cross-section with an inner width and an inner length. The inner length of the second cross-section of the conduit may be smaller than the inner diameter of the first cross-section of the conduit, and the inner width of the second cross-section of the conduit may be greater than the inner diameter of the first cross-section of the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Crandell, Ryan M. Duffek, Loran J. Hoffman, Thomas V. Staley
  • Patent number: 8083826
    Abstract: A honeycomb filter includes cell walls and cells. The cell walls extend along a longitudinal direction of the honeycomb filter to define the cells between the cell walls. The cells have first cells and second cells each having a substantially square shape in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The first cells are sealed and the second cells are open at one end face of the honeycomb filter. The substantially square shape of the first cells includes a first side whose extended line intersects a second side except for corner portions of the substantially square shape of the second cells. The second side and the extended line of the first side are substantially perpendicular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Ibiden Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazushige Ohno, Koji Shimato, Masahiro Tsuji
  • Patent number: 8083822
    Abstract: A system for treating exhaust gas from an engine is disclosed. The system may include a housing, a fluid treatment element, and a conduit. The housing has an inlet and an outlet port and defines a flow path therebetween. The fluid treatment element is arranged in the flow path. The conduit is fluidly connected with at least one of the inlet port and the outlet port and includes a first port having a first axis and a second port having a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis. The first port has a first cross-section with an inner diameter. The second port has a second cross-section with an inner width and an inner length. The inner length of the second cross-section is smaller than the inner diameter of the first cross-section, and the inner width of the second cross-section is greater than the inner diameter of the first cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Loran Hoffman, Richard A. Crandell, Thomas V. Staley, Ryan M. Duffek
  • Patent number: 8080075
    Abstract: In order to provide an intake system for sucking in combustion air of an internal combustion engine of a piece of equipment, in particular a portable, manually guided piece of equipment, having more than one centrifugal separator comprising a centrifugal separator housing, and having an air filter device comprising an air filter housing, which bounds an air filter receiving space for an air filter, in which the combustion air can be separated by means of the centrifugal separator into a core volume stream and an outer volume stream, wherein the core volume stream is fed to the internal combustion engine through the air filter receiving space, which intake system is as compact as possible and correspondingly designed to be not very component-intensive, it is proposed for the centrifugal separator housing to be arranged on the air filter housing such that it ends directly at the air filter receiving space or projects directly into the air filter receiving space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: DOLMAR GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Doering, Carsten Ziegs, Torsten Luethje, Jan Janzen, Florian Soldat
  • Patent number: 8080078
    Abstract: An anti-snow module designed for installation into an air filter housing includes a support plate configured for support in the housing. A partition is provided for mounting into the interior of the housing of the air filter. A valve plate is configured to seals the housing of the air filter below a predetermined differential pressure existing between the interior of the housing of the air filter behind the valve plate and the exterior of the housing of the air filter and open when the differential pressure exceeds a predetermined differential pressure value. At least one guide rail is provided on which the valve plate is slideably supported by at least one guide sleeve provided on the valve plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Mann+Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Zbiral, Herbert Schenk, Dagmar Ruder
  • Patent number: 8080082
    Abstract: A honeycomb filter includes an outer wall having a substantially cylindrical shape and a central axis of the substantially cylindrical shape, first walls provided at an inner side of the outer wall and extending along the central axis, and second walls provided at the inner side of the outer wall and extending along the central axis. The first walls and the second walls substantially perpendicularly cross to define cells having a substantially square shape in a cross-section perpendicular to the central axis. A thickness of the outer wall in the cross-section at a first intersection between the outer wall and a first diameter substantially parallel to the first walls in the cross-section and a thickness of the outer wall in the cross-section at a second intersection between the outer wall and a second diameter substantially parallel to the second walls in the cross-section are largest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Ibiden Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazushige Ohno, Koji Shimato, Masahiro Tsuji
  • Patent number: 8070859
    Abstract: A non-porous membrane suitable for use in removing dissolved oxygen in a fuel deoxygenator device in an aircraft is produced by solvent casting. A first membrane layer is deposited on a substrate. A second membrane layer is deposited on top of the first membrane layer. Subsequent membrane layers may be deposited on top of the second membrane layer as desired. The resulting non-porous membrane allows little or no leaking of fuel across the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Zidu Ma, Louis J. Spadaccini, He Huang, Harry Cordatos, Foster Phillip Lamm, Ingo Pinnau
  • Patent number: 8070847
    Abstract: A substrate has corrugated sheet(s) and channel(s) for treating exhaust gases of combustion engines. The present invention also relates to methods for manufacturing and using the substrate having the open channel(s). The substrate (1) includes at least one corrugated sheet (3) having depressions (3d) and one flat wire mesh sheet (2) having depressions (2d) which is connected to the corrugated sheet (3) and between the flat wire mesh sheet (2) and the corrugated sheet (3) there are at least partially open channels (POC) for exhaust gas (EG) flow, and the depth of depression (2d) of the flat wire mesh sheet (2) is 0.05-2.0 mm smaller than the height of the corrugation (3c) of the corrugated sheet (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Ecocat Oy
    Inventors: Juha-Matti Asenbrygg, Pekka Matilainen, Ari Lievonen, Erkki Narhi, Kati Lehtoranta
  • Publication number: 20110290115
    Abstract: An apparatus and a system is provided that may be utilized to provide stability to air flow through a hood scoop. The present invention may also be utilized to straighten and smooth out air flow through a hood scoop and accompanying air filter media. The present invention utilizes an air filtration media which may be inserted into at least a portion of a vehicle hood scoop and may filter out particulate and may also slow air flow down temporarily in order to straighten and/or smooth turbulent air flow through the air filtration media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: K&N Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Richard Fiello, Steve Williams
  • Publication number: 20110290107
    Abstract: The invention relates to an emission cleaning system which is disposed on the intake tract of an internal combustion engine and has at least one device for taking in air and also at least one filter unit and a control/regulating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaff zur Forderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Stefan Mair, Micheal Rampfl, Klaus Breuer
  • Patent number: 8066787
    Abstract: A bypass flow filter includes a plurality of channels which are formed of at least one structured wall layer and a filter layer. Projecting guide vanes and passages, which are formed by the wall layer and lead to a different channel, are provided in at least a majority of the channels. The passages have a narrowing cross section and a narrowing part of the cross section is directed towards an adjacent guide vane. An exhaust system and a vehicle having a bypass flow filter, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignees: EMITEC Gesellschaft fuer Emissionstechnologies mbH, Toyota Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Kait Althöfer
  • Patent number: 8066788
    Abstract: An engine generator including an engine, a generator and an air cleaner inside a case is disclosed. A wall section of the case is dented in the internal direction of the case to provide a filter accommodation section with a space for accommodating a filter. The space has an opening that opens toward the exterior of the case. The filter accommodation section has an outside-air intake port. The opening is blocked by an air cleaner cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Kobayashi, Tadafumi Hirose, Ryosuke Shibata, Go Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8062397
    Abstract: An air filter assembly for an evaporative emissions control canister used with an internal combustion engine fuel system. The assembly includes: a housing having: an air inlet formed in an upper portion of the housing; and an air outlet; and; a baffle disposed within the housing. The baffle extends vertically downward from the air inlet in the upper portion of the housing towards a bottom portion of the housing. The baffles forming a plurality of vertically extending channels interconnected through a horizontally interconnecting channel formed between a bottom edge of the baffle and the bottom portion of the housing. A first one of the vertically extending channel receives air entering the housing from the air inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jhun Lin, Mark Edward Hipp, Jerome George Wiencek
  • Publication number: 20110277429
    Abstract: The air filter assembly or “air box” includes a flat base tray mounted to velocity stacks and a detachable filter box. The base tray includes a number of pliable mounting shoes, which are seated within openings formed in the base tray. The mounting shoes are formed or molded of a pliable synthetic rubber and are configured to have a number of ports through which the velocity stacks extend. Each stack port is defined by a bowl shaped depression that diverges into an annular collar. The base tray is mounted to the velocity stacks by hose clamps that compress the annular collars of the mounting shoes around the stacks. The detachable filter box is held to the base tray by six quick release latches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Ronald C. Troxell, Robin R. Desai
  • Patent number: 8057568
    Abstract: A highly porous substrate is provided using an extrusion system. More particularly, the present invention enables the production of a highly porous substrate. Depending on the particular mixture, the present invention enables substrate porosities of about 60% to about 90%, and enables advantages at other porosities, as well. The extrusion system enables the use of a wide variety of fibers and additives, and is adaptable to a wide variety of operating environments and applications. Fibers, which have an aspect ratio greater than 1, are selected according to substrate requirements, and are typically mixed with binders, pore-formers, extrusion aids, and fluid to form a homogeneous extrudable mass. The homogeneous mass is extruded into a green substrate. The more volatile material is preferentially removed from the green substrate, which allows the fibers to form interconnected networks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: GEO2 Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bilal Zuberi, Sunilkumar C. Pillai, Biprodas Dutta, William M. Carty, Robert G. Lachenauer
  • Patent number: 8048188
    Abstract: Principles, techniques and configurations applicable in air cleaner arrangements and filter cartridges therefore, are described. In general the filter cartridge includes an axial pivot arrangement, for pivoting the filter cartridge in place, when mounted in an air cleaner for use. The air cleaner preferably includes a base pivot, for engagement with the pivot projection on the filter cartridge. Methods of assembly, installation and use are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Widerski, Randall Allen Engelland, Thomas Richard Olson, Gary Ray Gillingham, Richard Lawrence Suydam
  • Patent number: 8048179
    Abstract: An air cleaner for a motor vehicle includes a housing having an air inlet opening, an air outlet opening, a secondary air inlet opening and at least one peripheral wall defining a chamber therein. An air filter element is provided and received into the chamber and positioned to separate the air inlet opening from the air outlet opening. A vacuum actuated valve is provided in the secondary air inlet opening of the housing and is in communication with a secondary air portion of a dirty face of the filter element. The valve configured and adapted to automatically change from a closed to an open state when a vacuum in the housing increases to a predetermined vacuum value and then to close when the vacuum decreases below the predetermined value, thereby permitting the vehicle engine to continue to operate even though airflow in the primary air intake may be obstructed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Mann + Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Stuart Miller, Mike Desjardins
  • Publication number: 20110262311
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filtering structure of the honeycomb type, comprising an array of longitudinal adjacent channels of mutually parallel axes separated by porous filtering walls, said structure being characterized in that the material constituting the plugs placed on the first end of the filter have substantially the same composition and are structuring continuous with said walls and in that the plugs placed on the second end of the filter have a different chemical composition and/or a different structural composition from those/that of the plugs placed on said first end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN CENTRE DE RECH. ET D'ETUDES EUROPEEN
    Inventor: Matthias Schumann
  • Patent number: 8043395
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a motor vehicle air cleaner assembly that is field or end user convertible to another variety of air cleaner having secondary air induction. The air cleaner is pre-configured to enable a field modification to provide for secondary air induction for admitting heated secondary air to the air cleaner and air filter to aid in melting snow or ice blockage of the air filter and permitting the vehicle to operate in snow and ice air filter blockage conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Mann + Hummel GmbH
    Inventor: Alex Braithwaite
  • Patent number: 8043394
    Abstract: A particulate matter (PM) filter assembly includes a PM filter that filters PM from an exhaust stream and that includes an entry face facing a first direction of flow of the exhaust stream, and a swirl element disposed in the exhaust stream and that includes a blade that directs a portion of the exhaust stream in a second direction of flow that is different than the first direction of flow. The blade directs the portion of the exhaust stream to distribute the exhaust stream over a frontal area of the entry face of the PM filter. A related method of filtering particulate matter from an exhaust stream is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Inventors: Rahul Mital, David B. Brown, Jianwen Li, Michael Christopher Luckham, Kevin B. Fuqua, Kasser A. Jaffri, Linda Garcia
  • Publication number: 20110256032
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an exhaust gas treatment device for an exhaust system of a combustion engine, more preferably of a motor vehicle, with a housing comprising a jacket and an outlet funnel, and with at least one exhaust gas treatment element which is arranged in the jacket and is axially supported on the housing via a support ring. A simplified construction is obtained if the outlet funnel comprises an outer funnel connected to the jacket in a fixed manner and an inner funnel, which at an inner end facing the jacket carries the support ring, between inner funnel and outer funnel an insulation space is formed, which envelopes the inner funnel in circumferential direction, and if the inner end of the inner funnel contacts an inner end of the outer funnel facing the jacket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: J. Eberspaecher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Roland Schwarz, Manfred Muller
  • Patent number: 8038754
    Abstract: A system for delivering air to vehicle engines generally includes at least one air cleaner configurable to receive either conditioned air or unconditioned air and a conduit assembly coupled to the air cleaner for delivering cleaned air from the air cleaner to the vehicle engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventors: Erik Scott Johnson, Randy Dean Smithhisler, Robert William Griffith, Jr., Bryan Kelly Ross
  • Patent number: 8038759
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fibrous material includes mixing at least two cordierite precursor materials to form a mixture. One or more of the at least two cordierite precursor materials is in a form of a fiber and the mixture includes about 43% to about 51% by weight SiO2, about 36% to about 41% by weight Al2O3, and about 12% to about 16% by weight MgO. The method also includes extruding the mixture to create a fibrous body, and heat treating the fibrous body, at a temperature of about 1200° C. to about 1420° C., to form the fibrous material including about 50% to about 95% by weight cordierite. A fibrous body includes an extruded substrate having a plurality of fibers including about 50% to about 95% by weight cordierite. The extruded substrate has a coefficient of thermal expansion in at least one direction of less than about 3.8·10?6 per ° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Geoz Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James Jenq Liu, Bilal Zuberi, Rachel A. Dahl, William M. Carty
  • Patent number: 8039415
    Abstract: A honeycomb structure includes large-volume cells and small-volume cells with a cell wall therebetween; a plug sealing at either one of end portions of the cells; and a catalyst supported on the cell wall. The large-volume cell has a larger cross-sectional area perpendicular to its longitudinal direction than that of the small-volume cell. The large-volume cell is sealed at one end portion of the honeycomb structure, while the small-volume cell is sealed at the other end portion of the honeycomb structure. The catalyst is supported only on the cell walls forming the large-volume cells, or on both of the cell walls forming said large-volume cells and the cell walls forming said small-volume cells. An amount of the catalyst supported on the cell walls forming the large-volume cells is larger per unit volume than that on the cell walls forming the small-volume cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Ibiden Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazushige Ohno, Masafumi Kunieda
  • Patent number: 8034145
    Abstract: An air filter media construction or arrangement is disclosed. The air filter media construction or arrangement includes strips of media comprising corrugated sheets secured to facing sheets and forming inlet and outlet flutes secured to one another in a stack. Blocked stacked arrangements and slanted stacked arrangements are shown. Such stacked media is provided with molded end pieces to secure and seal opposite side edges of the media strips. Also described are serviceable filter cartridges and air cleaners including the filter cartridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Allen Boehrs, Paul Anthony Wendt, Gregory L. Reichter, Stephen W. Sabelko
  • Publication number: 20110239600
    Abstract: A method is provided for servicing a filter, and structure is provided disabling assembly of the filter unless an authorized replacement filter element is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: CUMMINS FILTRATION IP, INC.
    Inventors: Guillermo A. Smith, Chirag D. Parikh, Kwok-Lam Ng, Roger L. Zoch, Jim L. Alonzo, Brian W. Schwandt, J. Bruce Schelkopf, Barry M. Verdegan, Kelly R. Schmitz
  • Patent number: 8029586
    Abstract: A filter pipeline for an air intake system of an internal combustion engine has a tubular body and a filter element arranged in the tubular body. The filter element is a filter bag of a flexible material that has an opening and is attachable in the area of the opening to the tubular body. The filter bag and an inner wall of the tubular body are shaped such that in a circumferential direction of the pipeline different spacings are provided between the filter bag and the inner wall of the tubular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Mann+Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen Linhart, Sascha Bauer, Michael Fasold
  • Patent number: 8029606
    Abstract: An apparatus and a system is provided that may be utilized to provide stability to air flow through a hood scoop. The present invention may also be utilized to straighten and smooth out air flow through a hood scoop and accompanying air filter media. The present invention utilizes an air filtration media which may be inserted into at least a portion of a vehicle hood scoop and may filter out particulate and may also slow air flow down temporarily in order to straighten and/or smooth turbulent air flow through the air filtration media. Additionally, the present invention may provide an apparatus that may facilitate more uniform pressure inside the hood scoop of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: K&N Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Richard Fiello, Steve Williams
  • Publication number: 20110232983
    Abstract: An air cleaner device can include an air cleaner case including a case main unit and a cover. An intake duct can be disposed on the cover, and an intake path can be disposed on the case main unit. An air cleaner element can be accommodated in the air cleaner case. When the air cleaner device is mounted in a vehicle and viewed from a vehicle side, the air cleaner case is formed to be vertically long. The intake duct is formed to have an upstream-side opening portion thereof oriented toward a first side of the air cleaner case, and a downstream-side opening portion thereof can be oriented downwardly. The intake path is formed to have an upstream-side opening portion thereof oriented upwardly to face the downstream-side opening portion of the intake duct, and a downstream-side opening portion thereof is oriented toward a second side of the air cleaner case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryuichi ABE, Takaaki SHOMURA, Koki KOBAYASHI
  • Patent number: 8025708
    Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid separator, particularly an oil separator for compressed air systems. The liquid separator comprises a housing (15), which can be detachably connected by means of a bayonet-type connector (11) to a counterpart (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Mann + Hummel GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Heikamp
  • Patent number: 8025707
    Abstract: A tubular channel is disposed in a path of air that flows from an inlet to a dirty side. The cross sectional area of the tubular channel is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the inlet. A dust outlet is disposed in a wall in a path of the air that flows out of the exit of the tubular channels to the dirty side. The dust outlet extends through the wall of the air cleaner from the inside to the outside. As the air blasts out of the dust outlet, dust in the air cleaner is discharged to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akira Furuya
  • Patent number: 8025132
    Abstract: Systems and methods for capturing pollutants from braking mechanisms are provided. The systems can include a housing partially surrounding at least a portion of a vehicle brake assembly and disposed to receive brake dust from the brake assembly and a collector disposed to capture the brake dust received in said housing. A method can include providing the a providing a housing partially surrounding at least a portion of a vehicle brake assembly and disposed to receive brake dust from the brake assembly and a collector disposed to capture the brake dust received in said housing, creating a first air flow using the forward motion of the vehicle to move the pollutants from said housing to said collector, and capturing the brake dust in said collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Inventor: Jeffrey Krantz
  • Publication number: 20110214411
    Abstract: A device for the purification of exhaust gases in an exhaust gas system of an internal combustion engine includes at least one exhaust gas purification component through which exhaust gas can flow. The exhaust gas purification component is disposed in an outer pipe formed of titanium or a titanium alloy and, in particular, all structural components of the device are formed of titanium or a titanium alloy. A motor vehicle having the device is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: EMITEC GESELLSCHAFT FUER EMISSIONSTECHNOLOGIE MBH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Maus, Stefan Seeliger
  • Publication number: 20110214646
    Abstract: A fuel vapor processor has a fuel tank configured to reserve fuel, a canister containing adsorbent capable of adsorbing fuel vapor vaporized in the fuel tank, a separator receiving a fuel vapor containing gas from the fuel tank, a regulator controlling the volume of the fuel vapor containing gas supplied to the separator, and a suction unit capable of removing the fuel vapor from the canister. The separator selectively passes the fuel vapor therethrough in order to divide the fuel vapor containing gas into a first gas mainly containing the fuel vapor and a second gas having a fuel vapor density lower than the first gas. The suction unit suctions the first gas from the separator in order to return the first gas into the fuel tank. The second gas is introduced into the canister or is released into the atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Katsuhiko MAKINO
  • Publication number: 20110214568
    Abstract: Systems and methods for capturing pollutants from braking mechanisms are provided. The systems can include a housing partially surrounding at least a portion of a vehicle brake assembly and disposed to receive brake dust from the brake assembly and a collector disposed to capture the brake dust received in said housing. A method can include providing the a providing a housing partially surrounding at least a portion of a vehicle brake assembly and disposed to receive brake dust from the brake assembly and a collector disposed to capture the brake dust received in said housing, creating a first air flow using the forward motion of the vehicle to move the pollutants from said housing to said collector, and capturing the brake dust in said collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventor: Jeffrey Krantz
  • Patent number: 8012244
    Abstract: A method for removing particulates from a gas stream includes providing a gas-permeable filter layer having subregions with a parameter of differing magnitudes in the direction of the layer thickness. This parameter relates at least to the porosity, the fiber diameter of fibers or the fiber type content of the filter layer. The gas stream is divided into partial gas streams which are each passed through different subregions of the filter layer. Fiber layers, particulate filters, exhaust systems and vehicles based on this method are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignees: Emitec Gesellschaft fuer Emissionstechnologie mbH, Toyota Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Hirth, Rolf Brück, Thomas Härig