# US 12,760,699 B2 · Chemically resistant inserts and/or spacers for an intake manifold that enable flow of coolant fluid and kits having the same

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- Number: US 12,760,699 B2
- Document ID: US12760699B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 19/081,529
- Filed: 2025-03-17
- Published: 2025-08-07
- Granted: 2026-10-13
- Earliest claimed: 2023-11-10
- Assignees: Managed Programs, LLC
- Applicants: Managed Programs, LLC
- Inventors: Francis Vincent Rolland; Tim Lee Collins; Caleb Brownlow Newman; Krisztian Toth
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12760699B2

## CPC

- F02M 35/10242: {Devices or means connected to or integrated into air intakes; Air intakes combined with other engine or vehicle parts (filters F02M35/02; silencers F02M35/12 and F02M35/14; air coolers F02B29/04; heaters F02M31/00; air storage tanks F02B21/00; compressors F02B33/00; sensors F02M35/10373)}
- F02M 35/10: Air intakes; Induction systems
- F02M 35/10321: {Plastics; Composites; Rubbers}
- F02M 35/10327: {Metals; Alloys (catalysts F02M27/02)}
- F02M 35/104: Intake manifolds
- F02B 75/18: Multi-cylinder engines (scavenging aspects F02B25/00)
- F02M: SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
- F02B: INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL (gas-turbine plants F02C; hot-gas or combustion-product positive-displacement engine plants F02G)

## Abstract

Intake manifolds for an internal combustion engine include a first insert configured as a port cap that has a bottom surface defining a first perimeter recess configured to receive a first sealing member, a second insert configured as a port cap that has a bottom surface defining a second perimeter recess configured to receive a second sealing member, and a main body having a first set of runners extending in a first direction therefrom and a second set of runners extending in an opposite direction therefrom. Both the first set of runners and the second set of runners each terminate at a back end with a flange that defines a socket configured to receive one of the first and second inserts, respectively. The first insert and the second insert are seated in their respective socket, and each are made of a material that is chemically resistant to coolant fluid.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An intake manifold for an internal combustion engine, the intake manifold comprising:
a main body having a first set of runners extending in a first direction therefrom and a second set of runners extending in an opposite direction therefrom, wherein both the first set of runners and the second set of runners each terminate at a back end with a flange that defines a socket configured to receive an insert; wherein the back end is opposite a coolant cross-over connection end;
a first insert configured as a port cap having a bottom surface defining a first perimeter recess configured to receive a first sealing member and has a top surface from which an elongate spout extends, the first insert being seated in the socket of the first set of runners with the spout inserted into the first set of runners;
a second insert configured as a port cap and having a bottom surface defining a second perimeter recess configured to receive a second sealing member, the second insert being seated in the socket of the second set of runners;
wherein the top surface of the first insert includes a fastener post and the flange of the first set of runners includes a hole for receipt of the fastener post, wherein the fastener post attaches by a deformation fit, and/or the top surface of the second insert includes a fastener post and the flange of the second set of runners includes a hole for receipt of the fastener post, wherein the fastener post attaches by a deformation fit;
wherein the first insert and the second insert are each made of a material that is chemically resistant to coolant fluid.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The intake manifold of claim 1, further comprising a first spacer having a first registration feature for seating against the coolant cross-over connection end of the first set of runners, the first spacer being configured to attach to a first end of a coolant crossover; and a second spacer having a second registration feature for seating against the coolant cross-over connection end of the second set of runners, the second spacer being configured to attach to a second end of the coolant crossover; wherein the first spacer defines a through-port and has a top surface defining a third perimeter recess about the through-port configured to receive a third sealing member and a bottom surface defining a fourth perimeter recess about the through-port configured to receive a fourth sealing member, wherein the second spacer defines dual through-ports and has a top surface defining a fifth perimeter recess about and between the dual through-ports configured to receive a fifth sealing member and a bottom surface defining a sixth perimeter recess that about and between the dual through-ports configured to receive a sixth sealing member, and the first spacer and the second spacer are each made of a material that is chemically resistant to coolant fluid.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The intake manifold of claim 1, wherein the top surface of the first insert includes the fastener post and the flange of the first set of runners includes the mating hole for receipt of the fastener post for a deformation fit therewith.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The intake manifold of claim 3, wherein the elongate spout of the first insert is open for fluid flow therethrough.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The intake manifold of claim 1, wherein the top surface of the second insert includes the fastener post and the flange of the second set of runners includes the mating hole for receipt of the fastener post for a deformation fit therewith.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The intake manifold of claim 1, wherein the first insert and the second insert are made of polyphenylene sulfide or are made of metal or metal alloy, and the main body is made of a polyamide or polypropylene.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The intake manifold of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface of the second insert has an outer wall having a beginning and an end and an endless inner wall defining the recess.

### Claim 8 (depends on 2)

The intake manifold as claimed in claim 2, further comprising:
a coolant crossover juxtaposed to and attached or integral with the main body, wherein the coolant crossover has a first end more proximate the first set of runners and a second end more proximate the second set of runners, and the first spacer is sealingly seated against the first end of the coolant crossover and the second spacer is sealing seated against the second end of the coolant crossover.

### Claim 9

The intake manifold for an internal combustion engine, the intake manifold comprising:
a main body having a first set of runners extending in a first direction therefrom and a second set of runners extending in an opposite direction therefrom, wherein both the first set of runners and the second set of runners each terminate at a back end with a first flange that defines a socket configured to receive an insert and each terminate at a front end with a second flange that defines a socket configured to receive an additional insert; wherein the back end is opposite a coolant cross-over connection end;
a first insert configured as a port cap having a bottom surface defining a first insert perimeter recess configured to receive a first sealing member and has a top surface from which an elongate spout extends, the first insert being seated in the socket of the first flange of the first set of runners with the spout inserted into the first set of runners;
a second insert configured as a port cap and having a bottom surface defining a second insert perimeter recess configured to receive a second sealing member, the second insert being seated in the socket of the first flange of the second set of runners;
wherein the top surface of the first insert includes a fastener post and the flange of the first set of runners includes a hole for receipt of the fastener post, wherein the fastener post attaches by a deformation fit, and/or the top surface of the second insert includes a fastener post and the flange of the second set of runners includes a hole for receipt of the fastener post, wherein the fastener post attaches by a deformation fit;
a first of the additional inserts is seated in the second flange of the first set of runners, the first additional insert defines an open port and has a top surface defining a first perimeter recess about the open port configured to receive a third sealing member and a bottom surface defining a second perimeter recess about the open port configured to receive a fourth sealing member; and
a second of the additional inserts is seated in the second flange of the second set of runners, the second additional insert defines a dual port and has a top surface defining a third perimeter recess about the dual ports configured to receive a fifth sealing member and a bottom surface defining a fourth perimeter recess that surrounds and extends between the ports of the dual port configured to receive a sixth sealing member;
wherein the first and second inserts and the first and second additional inserts are made of a material that is chemically resistant to coolant fluid.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The intake manifold as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first and second additional inserts each have a key-keyway or keyway-key connection to the respective socket.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The intake manifold as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first and second additional inserts have a deformation fit in the socket.

### Claim 12 (depends on 8)

The intake manifold as claimed in claim 8, wherein the top surface of the first and second additional inserts and a top surface of their respective flanges of the intake manifold are configured to mate with a coolant crossover.

### Claim 13 (depends on 8)

The intake manifold of claim 8, wherein the first and second additional inserts are made of polyphenylene sulfide or are made of metal or metal alloy, and the main body is made of a polyamide or polypropylene.

### Claim 14 (depends on 8)

The intake manifold as claimed in claim 8, further comprising:
a coolant crossover juxtaposed to and attached or integral with the main body, wherein the coolant crossover has a first end more proximate the first set of runners and a second end more proximate the second set of runners, and the first additional insert is sealingly seated against the coolant crossover and the second additional insert is sealing seated against the coolant crossover.

### Claim 15

A kit comprising:
a first insert configured as a port cap having a bottom surface defining a first perimeter recess configured to receive a first sealing member;
one or both of (i) a second insert configured as a port cap and having a bottom surface defining a second perimeter recess configured to receive a second sealing member, wherein the top surface of the first insert includes a fastener post and the flange of the first set of runners includes a hole for receipt of the fastener post, wherein the fastener post attaches by a deformation fit, and/or the top surface of the second insert includes a fastener post and the flange of the second set of runners includes a hole for receipt of the fastener post, wherein the fastener post attaches by a deformation fit; and
an intake manifold comprising a main body having a first set of runners extending in a first direction therefrom and a second set of runners extending in an opposite direction therefrom, wherein both the first set of runners and the second set of runners each terminate at a back end with a flange that defines a socket configured to receive one of the first inserts and one of the second inserts, respectively, wherein the back end is opposite a coolant cross-over connection end;
wherein the first insert and the second insert are made of a material that is chemically resistant to coolant fluid.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The kit of claim 15, wherein the first insert has a top surface from which an elongate spout extends, the elongate spout being open or closed.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The kit of claim 15, further comprising the first sealing member and the second sealing member.

### Claim 18 (depends on 15)

The kit of claim 15, further comprising
a first spacer configured to attach to a first end of a coolant crossover; and
a second spacer configured to attach to a second end of the coolant crossover, wherein the first spacer and second spacer are each made of a material that is chemically resistant to coolant fluid;
wherein the first spacer defines a through-port and has a top surface defining a third perimeter recess about the through-port configured to receive a third sealing member and a bottom surface defining a fourth perimeter recess about the through-port configured to receive a fourth sealing member;
wherein the second spacer defines dual through-ports and has a top surface defining a fifth perimeter recess about and between the dual through-ports configured to receive a fifth sealing member and a bottom surface defining a sixth perimeter recess that about and between the dual through-ports configured to receive a sixth sealing member.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The kit of claim 18, further comprising a plurality of sealing members, one each configured to seat in one of the first through sixth perimeter recesses.

### Claim 20 (depends on 15)

The kit of claim 15, further comprising a coolant crossover attachable or integral with the main body of the intake manifold.
