US5871001A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for air-intake cooling in an internal combustion engine
Assignee: PFM Products Inc
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Filing: 1997-02-05
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Granted: 1999-02-16
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Expires: 2017-02-05
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 John E. Pelkey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 20:53
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02B; F02B29/00; F02B29/04; F02B29/0406; F02B29/0437; F02B29/0443; F01; F01P; F01P3/00; F01P3/12; F01P3/20; F02B29/045; F02B29/0462; F02B29/0475; F02M; F02M31/00; F02M31/20; F02M35/00; F02M35/02; F02M35/04; F28; F28D; F28D1/00; F28D1/02; F28D1/04; F28D1/047; F28D1/0471; F01P2060/00; F01P2060/02; F01P2070/00; F01P2070/32; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
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.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
135 words
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.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 in which the fluid coolant is cooled by means of a radiator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 in which the fluid coolant is cooled by means of heat transfer coupling with an air conditioning system coupled to the internal combustion engine.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 3 in which the heat transfer coupling with the air conditioning system is with an air conditioning fluid accumulator of the air conditioning system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 3 in which the heat transfer coupling with the air conditioning system is with a low pressure line of the air conditioning system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 in which the fluid coolant is ambient cooled water.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
110 words
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.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
110 words
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.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 7 additionally comprising: (c) a cooler for the fluid coolant coupled to the modular intercooler air filter assembly.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 8 in which the cooler is a radiator.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 8 in which the cooler comprises an air conditioning system coupled to the internal combustion engine.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 10 in which the cooler comprises a heat transfer coupling with an air conditioning fluid accumulator of the air conditioning system.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 10 in which the cooler comprises a heat transfer coupling with a low pressure line of the air conditioning system.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 7 in which the internal combustion engine is a marine engine, the apparatus additionally comprising: (c) a water intake connected to supply water from a body of water to the modular intercooler air filter assembly; and (d) a water outlet connected to supply water from the modular intercooler air filter assembly to the body of water.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
275 words
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.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
275 words
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.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The modular intercooler air filter assembly of claim 14 additionally comprising: (h) a supercharger or turbocharger connected to the at least one entrance for air into the chamber.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The modular intercooler air filter assembly of claim 14 coupled to an air intake of an internal combustion engine.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
The modular intercooler air filter assembly coupled to an air intake of an internal combustion engine of claim 16 additionally comprising a cooler for the fluid coolant coupled to the modular intercooler air filter assembly.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The modular intercooler air filter assembly coupled to an air intake of an internal combustion engine of claim 17 in which the cooler is a radiator.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
The modular intercooler air filter assembly coupled to an air intake of an internal combustion engine of claim 17 in which the cooler comprises an air conditioning system coupled to the internal combustion engine.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
The modular intercooler air filter assembly coupled to an air intake of an internal combustion engine of claim 19 in which the cooler comprises a heat transfer coupling with an air conditioning fluid accumulator of the air conditioning system.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
78 words
The modular intercooler air filter assembly coupled to an air intake of an internal combustion engine of claim 17 in which the internal combustion engine is a marine engine, in which the fluid coolant inlet is a water intake connected to supply water from a body of water to the modular intercooler assembly; and in which the fluid coolant outlet is a water outlet connected to supply water from the modular intercooler assembly to the body of water.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-02-15 | 2002-08-17 | 2003-02-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-02-15 | 2006-08-17 | 2007-02-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-02-15 | 2010-08-17 | 2011-02-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |