Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
An internal combustion engine inlet manifold comprising a housing defining a plenum (11) and at least one inlet tract (12) having first and second lengths (13 and 14) one of which extends away from the plenum (11) for connection to an engine (50) and at least one rotary valve member supported by the housing, characterised in that the or each valve member (15) is rotatable from a first position in which the first and second lengths (13 and 14) are connected in series between the plenum (11) and the engine (50) via the or each valve member (15) and a second position in which connection is made between the plenum (11) and the engine (50) solely by means of the first length (13) of the or each inlet tract (12) via the or each valve member (15).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
An internal combustion engine inlet manifold comprising a housing defining a plenum (11) and at least one inlet tract (12) having first and second lengths (13 and 14) one of which extends away from the plenum (11) for connection to an engine (50) and at least one rotary valve member supported by the housing, characterised in that the or each valve member (15) is rotatable from a first position in which the first and second lengths (13 and 14) are connected in series between the plenum (11) and the engine (50) via the or each valve member (15) and a second position in which connection is made between the plenum (11) and the engine (50) solely by means of the first length (13) of the or each inlet tract (12) via the or each valve member (15).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
An internal combustion engine inlet manifold as claimed in claim 1 in which the housing is formed by a first half (25) and a second half (26) secured together.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
An internal combustion engine inlet manifold as claimed in claims 1 or 2 in which each rotary valve member (15) is located in a valve chamber (30) formed as an integral part of at least one of said first and second halves (25 and 26).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
An internal combustion engine inlet manifold as claimed in claim 3 in which each first length (13) extends from a respective valve chamber (30) for connection to said engine (50) and each second length (14) extends from the valve chamber (30) to the plenum (11).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
An internal combustion engine inlet manifold as claimed in claims 3 or 4 in which each valve chamber (30) is connected to the plenum (11) via a bellmouth shaped inlet (31).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
An internal combustion engine inlet manifold as claimed in any preceding claim in which the second length (14) is connected to the plenum (11) via a bellmouth entry portion (16).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
An internal combustion engine inlet manifold as claimed in any of claims 2 to 6 in which at least part of the or each first length (13) is formed by a passageway (23) in the first half (25).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
An internal combustion engine inlet manifold as claimed in any of claims 2 to 7 in which at least part of the or each second length (14) is formed by a passageway (24) in the second half (26).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
An internal combustion engine inlet manifold as claimed in any of claims 2 to 8 in which at least part of the or each second length (14) is formed by a fabricated tube (34).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
An internal combustion engine inlet manifold as claimed in any of claims 2 to 9 in which the first half (25) is cast from an aluminium alloy.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
An internal combustion engine inlet manifold as claimed in any of claims 2 to 10 in which the second half (26) is made of a plastics material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
An internal combustion engine inlet manifold as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11 in which the or each rotary valve member (15) is made of plastics material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
An internal combustion engine inlet manifold as claimed in claim 11 in which the or each rotary valve member (15) is made of the same plastics material as the second half (26).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
An internal combustion engine inlet manifold as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13 in which the rotary valve member (15) has the same number of transverse ducts (40) formed in it as there are inlet tracts (12).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
An internal combustion engine inlet manifold as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13 in which each inlet tract (12) has an independent valve member (15) associated with it.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
An internal combustion engine inlet manifold as claimed in any of claims 1 to 15 in which the or each valve member (15) is moveable from said first position to said second position by an actuator (17) when a pre-determined engine speed has been reached.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
43 words
An internal combustion engine inlet manifold as claimed in any preceding claim in which the or each valve member (15) is moveable from said second position to said first position by an actuator (17) when the engine speed falls below a pre-determined speed.