Method and apparatus for air-intake cooling in an internal combustion engine
AssigneePFM Products, Inc.
InventorJohn E. Pelkey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus for decreasing the temperature of the air entering the carburetor or throttle body of an internal combustion engine to increase the volume and efficiency of the air. A device which combines an air-to-liquid cooling surface and an air filtering system is installed as a replacement for the standard air filter. Cooling is provided by circulation through the cooler of a coolant. In automotive applications, this is accomplished by means of a closed system including a pump, reservoir, cooling tank which utilizes a standard air-conditioning dryer and/or a radiator. In marine applications, a constant supply of fresh water is supplied as the coolant using an open system. A limiting device is employed in all applications to disable the coolant circulation system when it is not needed.
Claims21
A method for air-intake cooling in an internal combustion engine, which comprises:
- (a) connecting a modular intercooler air filter assembly to an air intake of the internal combustion engine, the modular intercooler air filter assembly being configured to reduce a temperature of substantially all air entering the air intake by having a cylindrical air filter element concentrically surround a cylindrical fluid coolant tube and heat transfer fin structure positioned between the cylindrical air filter element and the air intake;
- (b) cooling a fluid coolant;
- (c) passing the cooled fluid coolant through the modular intercooler air filter assembly;
- and
- (d) allowing heat transfer to take place in the modular intercooler air filter assembly between the cooled fluid coolant and substantially all of the air prior to entry to the internal combustion engine through the air intake.
An apparatus for air-intake cooling in an internal combustion engine, which comprises:
- (a) an internal combustion engine having an air intake;
- (b) a modular intercooler air filter assembly coupled to the air intake of the internal combustion engine, said modular intercooler air filter assembly being configured to provide heat transfer coupling between a fluid coolant and substantially all of the air supplied to the air intake to reduce a temperature of substantially all of the air entering the air intake by having a cylindrical air filter element concentrically surrounding a cylindrical fluid coolant tube and heat transfer fin structure positioned between the cylindrical air filter element and the air intake.
A modular intercooler air filter assembly for air-intake cooling of an internal combustion engine, which comprises:
- (a) a housing defining a chamber;
- (b) at least one fluid coolant tube within the chamber;
- (c) a fluid coolant inlet connected to the at least one fluid coolant tube;
- (d) a fluid coolant outlet connected to the at least one fluid coolant tube;
- (e) a plurality of heat transfer fins in heat transfer coupling relationship with the at least one fluid coolant tube;
- (f) at least one entrance for air into the chamber;
- (g) an exit for cooled air connected between the chamber and an air intake of the internal combustion engine, and
- (h) an air filter element positioned in said housing between said at least one entrance for air and said exit for cooled air, said air filter element defining a sidewall of the chamber, and the at least one entrance for air into the chamber comprising said air filter element, said air filter element sidewall being cylindrical in shape and laterally surrounding the at least one fluid coolant tube and the plurality of heat transfer fins, said at least one fluid coolant tube and plurality of heat transfer fins being configured and positioned within the chamber to reduce the temperature of substantially all air entering the air intake by together forming a cylinder concentrically disposed within the air filter element sidewall between the air filter element sidewall and said exit for cooled air;
- said at least one fluid coolant tube and said plurality of heat transfer fins being configured and positioned within the chamber to reduce a temperature of substantially all air entering the air intake.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.