Movable filter assembly for automotive air handling assembly
OwnerPatrick J. Briceinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A filter assembly for an automotive air handling system includes a frame adapted for demountable attachment to the engine side of the automotive firewall, and a filter slidably received in the frame. Springs are provided at the bottom of the frame for ejecting the filter partially out of the frame so that air can bypass the filter when the filter is clogged. A latchable door covers the access opening of the frame, holding the filter down against the bias of the springs until clogging is detected by a pressure-sensitive diaphragm. The diaphragm controls a release mechanism which unlatches the door when clogging of the filter causes an increase in the differential pressure across the filter.
Claims27
A filter assembly for use in an automotive air handling system, said filter assembly comprising:
- (a) frame means for mounting in the air handling system, said frame means defining an air flow path and having an air inlet face and an air outlet face;
- (b) a filter element means mounted in said frame means for movement in a plane transverse to the air flow path defined by said frame means, said filter element means being movable from a first position wherein it completely spans the air flow path of said frame means to a second position wherein it is at least partially out of the air flow path defined by said frame means;
- (c) biasing means mounted in said frame means for yieldably urging said filter element means to its second position;
- (d) latching means on said frame means for releasably holding said filter element means in its first position against the bias applied thereon by said biasing means;
- and
- (e) sensor means on said frame means and coupled to said latching means for releasing said latching means upon sensing of a clogged condition of said filter element means.
An automotive air handling system comprising in combination:
- (a) an automotive vehicle having a firewall with an air intake opening and an air delivery opening formed therein;
- (b) a portion of the automotive air handling system being mounted on the engine compartment side of said firewall, said portion including an air moving mechanism having an inlet which is coupled to the air intake opening of said firewall and having an outlet which is coupled to the air delivery opening of said firewall;
- (c) an air filter assembly interposed between the inlet of said air moving mechanism and said air intake opening of said firewall, said air filter assembly including.
- i. a frame means defining an air flow path and having an air inlet face and an air outlet face.
- ii. a filter element means in said frame means for movement in a plane transverse to the air flow path of said frame means between a first position wherein it spans the air flow path of said frame means and a second position wherein it is at least partially out of the air flow path of said frame means,
- iii. biasing means in said frame means for yieldably urging said filter element means to its second position,
- iv. latching means on said frame means for releasably holding said filter element means in its first position against the bias applied thereon by said biasing means,
- v. sensor means on said frame means for releasing said latching means upon sensing of a clogged condition of said filter element means.
An automotive air handling system comprising in combination:
- (a) an automotive vehicle having a firewall with an air intake opening and an air delivery opening formed therein;
- (b) a portion of the automotive air handling system being mounted on the engine compartment side of said firewall, said portion including an air moving mechanism having an inlet coupled to the air intake opening of said firewall and having an outlet coupled to the air delivery opening of said firewall;
- (c) an air filter assembly interposed between the outlet of said air moving mechanism and air delivery opening of said firewall, said air filter assembly including.
- i. a frame means defining an air flow path and having opposed planar faces,
- ii. a filter element means in said frame means for movement in a plane transverse to the air flow path of said frame means between a first position wherein it spans the air flow path of said frame means and a second position wherein it is at least partially out of the air flow path of said frame means,
- iii. biasing means in said frame means for yieldably urging said filter element means to its second position,
- iv. latching means on said frame means for releasably holding said filter element means in its first position against the bias applied thereon by said biasing means,
- v. sensor means on said frame means for releasing said latching means upon sensing of a clogged condition of said filter element means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.