Integrated active noise control with self-cleaning filter apparatus
AssigneeSiemens VDO Automotive Corporation
InventorsJames K. Vanderveen, Ian R. McLean
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An air induction system with active noise control includes a self-cleaning air filter that is integrated within an air intake housing. The self-cleaning air filter filters out contaminants such as dust and dirt particulates from air flowing through the intake housing. The self-cleaning filter is powered and controlled by the same electronic unit that is used to power the active noise control system.
Claims19
An air induction system for a vehicle engine comprising:
- an air intake housing having an inlet and an outlet and defining an airflow passageway between said inlet and said outlet;
- an active noise control assembly for reducing noise levels mounted within said housing adjacent to said inlet;
- and
- an air filter mounted within said housing to filter particulates from air flowing through said airflow passageway wherein said filter includes a self-cleaning mechanism selectively actuated to remove particulates trapped within said filter under predetermined conditions.
An air induction system for a vehicle engine comprising:
- an air intake housing having an inlet and an outlet and defining an airflow passageway between said inlet and said outlet;
- an active noise control assembly for reducing noise levels mounted within said housing adjacent to said inlet;
- an air filter mounted within said housing to filter particulates from air flowing through said airflow passageway wherein said filter includes a self-cleaning mechanism selectively actuated to remove particulates trapped within said filter under predetermined conditions;
- a dust dumping valve mounted underneath said filter for removing particulates from said air intake housing upon activation of said self-cleaning mechanism;
- and
- an electronic controller for simultaneously controlling said active noise control assembly and said self-cleaning mechanism.
A method of cleaning an air filter in an air induction housing with an active noise control system for a vehicle engine comprising the steps of:
- (a) initiating a filter check diagnostic cycle to determine a filter dirt level;
- (b) comparing the filter dirt level to a predetermined limit;
- (c) automatically actuating a self-cleaning mechanism when the filter dirt level exceeds the predetermined limit to remove particulates from the filter;
- and
- (d) removing the particulates from the air induction housing after the self-cleaning mechanism has been activated.
A method of cleaning an air filter in an air induction housing with an active noise control system for a vehicle engine comprising the steps of:
- (a) initiating a filter check diagnostic cycle to determine a filter dirt level when a key control is moved to a key-off position
- (b) comparing the filter dirt level to a predetermined limit;
- and
- (c) automatically actuating a self-cleaning mechanism when the filter dirt level exceeds the predetermined limit to remove particulates from the filter.
A method of cleaning an air filter in an air induction housing with an active noise control system for a vehicle engine comprising the steps of:
- (a) initiating a filter check diagnostic cycle to determine a filter dirt level;
- (b) comparing the filter dirt level to a predetermined limit;
- (c) automatically actuating a self-cleaning mechanism when the filter dirt level exceeds the predetermined limit to remove particulates from the filter and vibrating the air filter to remove the particulates.
A method of cleaning an air filter in an air induction housing with an active noise control system for a vehicle engine comprising the steps of:
- (a) initiating a filter check diagnostic cycle to determine a filter dirt level;
- (b) comparing the filter dirt level to a predetermined limit;
- (c) automatically actuating a self-cleaning mechanism when the filter dirt level exceeds the predetermined limit to remove particulates from the filter and simultaneously vibrating the air filter and directing air pulses at the air filter to remove particulates.
A method of cleaning an air filter in an air induction housing with an active noise control system for a vehicle engine comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing an air intake housing;
- mounting an active noise control system within the air intake housing to reduce noise levels;
- mounting an air filter within the air intake housing downstream of the active noise control system, and measuring particulate concentration level within the air intake housing prior to step (b);
- (b) initiating a filter check diagnostic cycle to determine a filter dirt level;
- (c) comparing the filter dirt level to a predetermined limit;
- (d) automatically actuating a self-cleaning mechanism when the filter dirt level exceeds the predetermined limit to remove particulates from the filter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.