Air induction system having inlet valve

An air induction system for inducing airflow into the intake of an internal combustion engine, the system comprising:

• a centrifugal supercharger presenting an air supply opening and a spaced pressurized air exhaust opening and being operable to pressurize air between the supply and exhaust openings;
• a valve in communication with the supply opening to control air supply thereto;
• and
• a valve control mechanism coupled to the valve to cause the valve to vary the air supply depending upon a condition,
• said control mechanism being connectable to the engine to cause the valve to vary the air supply depending upon air pressure in the intake,
• said control mechanism being operable to cause the valve to progressively restrict the air supply to the supply opening when said condition is an over-boost condition wherein air pressure in the intake is greater than a reference pressure.

An air induction system for inducing airflow into the intake of an internal combustion engine, the system comprising:

• a centrifugal supercharger presenting an air supply opening and a spaced pressurized air exhaust opening and being operable to pressurize air between the supply and exhaust openings;
• and
• a valve in communication with the supply opening to control air supply thereto,
• said valve including a valve body shiftable into and out of an open position wherein the air supply to the supply opening is substantially unrestricted by the valve body.

An air induction system for inducing airflow to the intake of an internal combustion engine including an intake, the system comprising:

• a centrifugal supercharger presenting an air supply opening and a spaced pressurized air exhaust opening and being operable to pressurize air between the supply and exhaust openings;
• a valve in communication with the supply opening to control air supply thereto;
• and
• a valve control mechanism coupled to the valve to cause the valve to vary the air supply depending upon a condition,
• said control mechanism being connectable to the engine and being operable to cause the valve to progressively restrict the air supply to the supply opening when said condition is either a surge condition wherein air pressure in the intake is less than a reference pressure, or an over-boost condition wherein air pressure in the intake is greater than a reference pressure.

In a powered vehicle including an engine, an improved air induction system comprising:

• a turbocharger operable to pressurize air and deliver the pressurized air to the engine and including an inlet operable to receive air;
• a supercharger in communication with said inlet and being operable to pressurize air and deliver the pressurized air to said inlet,
• said supercharger including an air supply opening operable to receive air;
• and
• a valve in communication with the supply opening and being operable to vary air supply thereto so that air pressure of the pressurized air delivered to the inlet remains substantially constant.

In a powered vehicle including an internal combustion engine having an intake, an improved air induction system comprising:

• a centrifugal supercharger presenting an air supply opening and a spaced pressurized air exhaust opening and being operable to pressurize air between the supply and exhaust openings and deliver the pressurized air to the intake;
• a valve in communication with the supply opening to control air supply thereto;
• and
• a valve control mechanism coupled to the valve to cause the valve to vary the air supply depending upon a condition,
• said control mechanism being connectable to the engine to cause valve-controlled variance in the air supply depending upon air pressure in the intake,
• said control mechanism being operable to cause the valve to progressively restrict the air supply to the supply opening when said condition is a surge condition wherein air pressure in the intake is less than a reference pressure.

In a powered vehicle including an internal combustion engine having an intake, an improved air induction system comprising:

• a centrifugal supercharger presenting an air supply opening and a spaced pressurized air exhaust opening and being operable to pressurize air between the supply and exhaust openings and deliver the pressurized air to the intake;
• a valve in communication with the supply opening to control air supply thereto;
• and
• a valve control mechanism coupled to the valve to cause the valve to vary the air supply depending upon a condition,
• said control mechanism being connectable to the engine to cause valve-controlled variance in the air supply depending upon air pressure in the intake,
• said control mechanism being operable to cause the valve to progressively restrict the air supply to the supply opening when said condition is an over-boost condition wherein air pressure in the intake is greater than a reference pressure.

In a powered vehicle including an engine, an improved air induction system comprising:

• a turbocharger operable to pressurize air and deliver the pressurized air to the engine and including an inlet operable to receive air;
• a supercharger in communication with said inlet and being operable to pressurize air and deliver the pressurized air to said inlet,
• said supercharger including an air supply opening operable to receive air;
• and
• a valve in communication with the supply opening to control air supply thereto.