US2710665A

US2710665A - Air cleaner

Info

Publication number: US2710665A
Application number: US413275A
Authority: US
Inventors: Cleo C Stratton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1954-03-01
Filing date: 1954-03-01
Publication date: 1955-06-14
Anticipated expiration: 1972-06-14

Description

c. c. STRATTON June 14, 1955 AIR CLEANER 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 1, 1954 6760 C shallot? INVENTOR.

flttorne'y June 14, 1955 qc, STRATTON 2,710,665

AIR CLEANER Filed March 1, 1954 3 Shee tS-Sheet 3 I39 77 as 1 (760 C Strazton I INVENTOR.

2,710,665 Patented June 14, 1955 United States Patent Ofiice AIR CLEANER Cleo C. Stratton, San Bernardino, Calif.

Application March 1, 1954, Serial No. 413,275 6 Claims. (Cl. 183-9) This invention relates generally to filtering devices and relates more particularly to devices for filtering and conditioning gaseous fluids.

While the invention has particular utility in connection with filtering and humidifying devices for internal cornbustion engines and is shown and described herein in connection with such engines, it is to be understood that its utility is not confined thereto.

In providing an air and fuel mixture for internal combustion engines, it is important to remove any abrasive, foreign particles or the like that might be entrained in the air and it has been found that moisture in such air greatly improves the operation of internal combustion engines.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device which will effectively remove undesirable foreign material from gaseous fluid, such as air, passed therethrough.

Another object of the invention is to provide a continuously cleaned filtering element.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which will provide moisture in the air in suitable form and quantities.

A further object of the invetion is to provide a device of this character which will inhibit or prevent moisture droplets from entering the carburetor of the engine.

A still further object of the invention is to provide easy removal from the device of foreign material removed from the air and collected by said device.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention are further sufliciently referred to in connection with the following detailed description of the accompanying drawings which represent several embodiments thereof. After considering these examples, skilled persons will understand that many variations may be made without departing from the spirit and principles disclosed and l contemplate the employment of any structures, arrangements or modes of operation that are properly within the scope of the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only,

Fig. 1 is a side view of an air cleanig and humidifying device embodying the present invention as it is installed on an internal combustion engine.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of said device;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 3-3of Fig. 2; i

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a side view, with portions broken away, of the-mechanism for effecting rotation of the filtering element; and

Fig. 7 is an alternative arrangement of the present device.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1, there is shown an internal combustion engine, indicated generally at 10, having a carburetor 11 with an inlet section 12. Attached to the inlet section 12 is the filtering and humidifying device of the present invention, indicated generally at 14.

The device or mechanism 14 includes a duct, indicated generally at 15, shown as being arranged horizontally and comprising a top wall 16, bottom wall 17 and an end wall 18 at the outlet end. The bottom wall 17 is provided with an opening in which an adapter I? is secured. The adapter has its upper end formed with a flange 20 and an outwardly pressed portion 21 spaced from the flange and forming a recess in which the adjacent edge portion of said opening is secured. The lower end of the adapter 19 is provided with an outturned flange 22 which rests on the inlet end of the inlet section 12 of the carburator. A clamp member 24 embraces the flange 22 and the adjacent flanged end (not shown) and a screw 25 is provided for tightening said clamp 24. A strip 27 of sheet metal extends across the top wall 16 and down one side, as at 28, and outwardly at 29 to provide a bracket for supporting a fan mechanism, indicated generally at 30, the purpose of which will be hereinafter described. The strip 27 is secured to the duct walls by spot welding or by any other suitable means and there is an opening 31 which extends through said strip and top wall 16 in axial alignment with the carburetor adapted 19. The opening 31 is for reception of the upper end of a screw or bolt 32 provided with a single nut 33 for providing additional securing means for the filter and humiditying mechanism.

It. is to be noted that the bottom wall 17 of the duct is provided with depending side flanges 35 and

end flanges

36 and 37 and that the

side walls

38 and 39 of the duct extend to the lower edges of the flanges 35. The

side walls

38 and 39 of the duct may be secured to the flanges 35 by any suitable means such as crimping over the lower edge portions of the flanges 35 as at 39, Figs. 1, 2, and 4. However, any other suitable means may be used to secure these parts together. It is to be noted that the end wall 18 is secured to the flange 36 of the duct bottom by means of screws 49 while the upper edge of said wall 18 may be secured to the top 16 by any suitable means such as soldering, brazing, or the like.

At the inlet end of the duct there is provided a precipitation chamber 42 which has an outer wall 43 which, for convenience, will be termed the outer end wall. The

side walls

44 and 45 and the semicircular bottom wall 46 comprises a single strip or sheet of formed metal. The wall 43 is provided with openings adjacent the upper end thereof which register with openings in the lower edge portion of the side wall 39 of the duct for reception of screws 47 whereby the parts are secured together. The upper edge portion of the wall 44 is provided with openings in the flange S7 of the bottom wall of the duct for reception of screws 48 whereby the wall 44 and flange 37 are secured together. A baffle 49 is provided with a depending flange 50 which also has openings for reception of the screws 48 whereby the baflle is secured in position, said baffle extending from the upper end of the wall 44 inwardly of the chamber 42. Said baflle 49, however, does not extend clear across the top of chamber 42 so that there is a relatively large passage or opening 52 between the upper end of chamber 42 and the interior of the duct 15.

The wall of chamber 42 opposite wall 43 is indicated at 55 and is provided with a relatively large opening 56 with a flange 57 which extends outwardly of the chamber 42 and inwardly of a receptacle 59 which is generally oval in cross-section. The wall 55 has a portion which serves as the inner wall of the receptacle, the outer wall 60 of said receptacle being generally oval in shape with the major axis vertical. the receptacle and the bottom wall 66 are formed of a single sheet of material, the

walls

64 and 65 being in The

side walls

64 and 65 of Livertically spaced relation to each other and the bottom wall 66 being generally semicircular. It is to be noted that the bottom wall 66 and portions of the

side walls

64 and 65 are common with the bottom wall 46 and

side walls

44 and 45 of the precipitation chamber and that the ends thereof are secured to the walls 43 and by folded seams 63 and 69 thereof. Other means, of course may be used for securing these parts together. it is to be noted that an outwardly pressed recess 70 is formed in the sheet of material from which the common portions of the

walls

44, 45, 45 and 64, 65 and 6-6 respectively are formed. The wall 55 is provided with an arcuate flange 71 Which is received in said recess 70.

A filtering and humidifying means, indicated generally at 75, is provided in the upper portion of the receptacle 59, said means being generally cylindrical and having its axis horizontally arranged, there being a cylindrical screen 76 of relatively fine mesh secured at the outer end to an inturned flange 77 of a solid end wall 78 and secured at the opposite end to an inturned flange 79 of the inner end wall 80 having a plurality of relatively large openings 81 therein, said openings being spaced annularly apart. The screen may be of various thicknesses depending upon the installation but it has been found that a screen 511 of an inch thick of copper has proved very satisfactory. The cylindrical screen may be of various areas, depending upon the installation, but it has been found that an area approximately en times greater than the area of the intake of the carburetor to which the device is to be attached provides very satisfactory results. This is to avoid any choke down or any tendency to restrict airflow through the device. Extcriorly of the screen '76 is a reinforcing screen 33 of relatively large mesh which is also secured to the

end walls

78 and 89, said screen 83 being interposed between the screen 76 and the

flanges

77 and 79. The

walls

78 and 80 are provided with

collars

84 and 85 respectively, said collars being secured to their respective walls by soldering or other suitable means and are provided with aligned openings which re ister with openings in the

walls

78 and 39, said openings being arranged axially with respect to the device 75 for reception of a shaft 87 which is rotatably mounted at one end in a bearing 88 secured in the wall or end plate 60 of the receptacle 59 and a bearing 89 secured to a channel member 90 which extends horizontally across the opening 50, the ends of said channel member 90 being secured to the wall 55 by soldering or other suitable means. The unit 75 is secured to the shaft 87 by any suitable means such as, for example, a cotter pin 91 received in aligned openings in said collar 84 and shaft 87. Rotation of the shaft 87 will, therefore, eflect rotation of the filtering and humidifying unit 75. it is to be noted that the inner end of the unit 75 is received within the flanged opening 50. The fit is relatively close to prevent any excessive bypassing of air but is loose enough to permit rotation of the unit.

There is means for supplying water to the receptacle 59 and chamber 42 and for automatically maintaining a predetermined water level therein, indicated at 109a. The water level is above the lower portion of the cylindrical filtering and humidifying element so that the screen is immersed in the water. An immersion of approximately a quarter of an inch has been found to give very good results. it is to be noted that the chamber 4?. and 59 are connected together by a notch '93 which depends from the opening 50 so that water may readily pass between said chambers. The source of water comprises a tank 94 secured to the outlet end portion of the duct 15. The tank is provided with brackets 95 which are spaced apart and secured to the cylindrical all of the tank 9d by means of rivets 96 or any other suitable means. The brackets 95 are secured to extension portions 96 of the

side walls

38 and 39 of the duct 15 and the top wall 16 of said duct has an extension 97 with an end portion 93 soldered or otherwise suitably secured to the cylindrical wall of said tank. The tank may be filled through an opening 99 at the top thereof is closed by a fiip cap 190 hinged at one end to a bracket 101 and provided with a spring 102 which normally maintains the cap in a closed position. A finger engageable car 103 provides means whereby the cap may be raised so that the tank may be filled with water. Within the receptacle 59 is a valve 105 which has an outwardly projecting externally threaded portion 106 received in an opening provided therefor in the wall 60. A nut 107 secures the valve 105 to said wall and said valve is connected to the tank by means of a pipe or conduit 108. The valve 105 is controlled by a float 109 disposed within the precipitation chamber 42 and connected with said valve by means of an arm 110 and a link 111, the arm 110 being operably received within the notch 93 in wall 55. The valve 105 is disposed beneath the unit 75 and there is drain means for draining water from the device. This drain means comprises a tube 112 received in an opening in the wall 60 at the bottom of said receptacle 59, said tube being soldered or otherwise suitably secured within said opening. A flexible tube or hose 113 is received on the tube 112 and the free end of said hose is provided with a short metal nozzle 114 which is inserted in the free end of said hose and is removably received in a bracket 115 secured to the wall 6%) adjacent the upper end thereof by means of spot welding or other suitable means.

Means for rotating the filter unit or element 75 comprises a fan, located generally at 120. The fan is provided with a plurality of blades 121 having body portions 122 of corresponding pitch. Each blade is provided with a tip portion123 having a pitch opposite that of the body portion 122. The fan has a hub 124 secured to a shaft 125 projecting from a gear reduction mechanism, indicated generally at 126, by means of a set screw 127. The shaft 126 has a worm gear 128 within the housing 129 of the gear reduction mechanism 126, said worm gear 128 being meshed with a worm Wheel 130 having a shaft 131 to which one end of a flexible cable 132 is operably connected. The opposite end of said cable 132 is connected to the shaft 87 of the filtering and humidifying unit. The housing 129 is provided with an arm 134 having an opening 135 therein for reception of a bolt 136 received in an opening provided therefor. in the arm 29. The fan mechanism is thereby attached to the support arm 129. The fan is so located as to be exposed to the airstrcam flowing beneath the hood of the car and air passing over the blades cause the fan to rotate but the speed of the air has little efiect on the tip portions 123. However, when the air speed increases, the rate of rotation of the fan increases. Because the portions 123 are at the outer extremity of the fan blades, they move a greater distance than the rest of the blades and cause a counteraction to the rotating fan due to the fact that the pitch of said portions 123 is the opposite from the main body portions 122. This arrangement is elfective to limit the speed of rotation of the fan which will reach a maximum which the fan cannot exceed. In other words the blade arrangement is such as to act as a governor limiting the speed of the fan blades. The speed reduction gear system, including the worm 128 and worm Wheel 130 reduces the output of the device and the obtuse angular arrangement of the fan with respect to the airstream, the direction of which is indicated by the arrow 145 (Fig. 2). aids in keeping the speed of the fan within the desired limits. It has been found that a speed of from two to six revolutions per minute of the element 75 provides efficient and effective filtering and humidifying action.

The receptacle 59 is provided with an arcuate shaped cover having the frame .138 to ahich a relatively large mesh screen 139 is marginally secured. The frame 138 is hinged at 140 to the wall 64 of the receptacle and at the opposite side of said frame there is provided a rolled edge 142 adapted to be engaged by spring latch 143 secured to the wall 65 for releasably retaining the cover in the closed position.

When the mechanism is installed and in operation airflow under the hood is caused by the fan of the engine and, when the vehicle is in motion, but the movement of said vehicle will effect rotation of the fan 120, which in turn, will cause rotation of the filter and humidifying element 75. Air will be drawn through the screen 139 of the cover and through the screen 83 and thence through the fine-mesh screen 76 by operation of the engine. As the element 75 rotates through the water in the bottom of the receptacle 59, the interstices of the screen 76 will pick up water and retain same and air drawn through the screen 76 will have foreign particles therein entrapped by the water in the screen mesh and a portion of this water will fall into the water in the bottom of said receptacle. Also some will be carried around as the device rotates and be deposited in the water in the bottom of said receptacle. Some of the moisture will be carried from the interior of the device 75 through the openings 81 and into the precipitation chamber 42. This chamber is substantially larger than the eifective area of the filtering element 75 and it has been found that by having the precipitation chamber approximately twice the effective area of said filter element, which makes it approximately twenty times the size of the carburetor inlet opening, particles of water entrained in the air entering said precipitation chamber will fall to the bottom of the chamber and into the body of water located there. Thus damp air will be drawn from the precipitation chamber into the duct 15, adapter 19, carburetor 11, and thence into the engine without carrying water droplets or globules along.

This humidifying air increases the efiiciency of the engine and helps smooth out its operation.

Should it be desired to clean the device, the receptacle may be flushed out by turning a stream of water onto the cylindrical element 75. Prior to this washing action, the nozzle 114 is removed from the bracket 115 and lowered to a position whereat the water will run out of the receptacle. After the device has been flushed out, the nozzle 114 is replaced in the bracket 115. This drain mechanism has been found to be more satisfactory than petcocks, valves or the like which tend to stop up.

The arrangement shown in Fig. 7 is similar to that hereinabove described except that the precipitation chamber is provided with an adapter 19a which may be connected directly to a carburetor inlet where the carburetor has a horizontal inlet or to a further adapter which will provide a down draft outlet. It may be noted that the precipitation chamber may have an upward opening should the installation require same. The duct is thus not used and the tank and fan mechanism may be secured to any suitable convenient support means.

It is to be understood that while the fan mechanism is used to operate the cylindrical filtering and humidifying element 75 at a predetermined, governed speed, other suitable means for effecting rotation of said element 75 and regulating or governing the speed thereof within the desired limits, may be used.

I claim:

1. An air filtering and humidifying device for internal combustion engines, comprising: a horizontal duct; an adapter depending from said duct for connection with the carburetor intake of an internal combustion engine; walls defining a casing providing a receptacle, elliptical in cross section, having an outer end wall and an inner end wall with an opening therein with a flange about said opening turned inwardly relative to said receptacle, said inner end wall also having a notch depending from the openings therein; a shaft rotatably mounted in said walls and having a portion extending outwardly of the outer end wall; a cylindrical filtering and humidifying element in the upper portion of said receptacle and comprising an outer circular end wall and an inner circular end wall having openings therein for the passage of air therethrough; a

thin cylindrical screen of relatively fine mesh mounted on said walls of the filtering and humidifying element, said screen having a thickness of approximately of an inch, the effective area of the screen being approximately ten times the area of the intake of said carburetor; a screen of relatively large mesh about the first mentiond screen, said filtering and humidifying element being secured to said shaft and having its inner end extending into the fianged opening of the inner Wall of the receptacle, said element being rotatable in said opening but having a relatively close fit therein; a precipitation chamber in said casing at the inner end of the receptacle, said chamber being connected to the inlet of said duct and being approximately twenty times the size of said carburetor inlet; means providing a supply of water including a tank attached to said duct adjacent the outlet end thereof beyond the adapter; a conduit connecting said tank with said receptacle; a valve controlling said conduit; an arm for controlling said valve, said arm extending through the notch in the inner Wall of said receptacle, said notch providing communication for water between said chamber and said receptacle; a float attached to the free end of said arm, said float being located in said precipitation chamber and adapted to maintain a Water level in the lower portion of said chamber and receptacle above the lower part of said filtering and humidifying element so that said lower portion of said element is always in said Water; means for rotating said shaft comprising a fan having pitched blades, each of said blades having a tip portion pitched in the opposite direction from the remaining portion of the respective blades for limiting the speed of said fan; speed reduction gearing, said fan being op erably connected to said speed reduction gearing; a support for said fan, said fan being disposed at an oblique angle with respect to the airstream to which said fan is subjected; means connecting said gearing to said shaft, said shaft being operated at from two to six revolutions per minute; and drain means for said housing comprising a flexible tube having one end connected to the bottom portion of the housing, and means for removably retaining the opposite end of said tube in an elevated position relative to the bottom of said housing.

2. An air filtering and humidifying device for internal combustion engines, comprising: a horizontal duct having an inlet; an adapter depending from said duct for connection with the carburetor intake of an internal combustion engine; walls defining a casing providing an aligned receptacle and precipitation chamber, said receptacle including an outer end wall and an inner end wall having an opening therein with a flange about said opening turned inwardly relative to said receptacle, said inner end wall also having a notch depending from the openings therein providing communication between said receptacle and said chamber; a shaft rotatably mounted in said walls; a cylindrical filtering and humidifying element including an outer end wall and an inner end wall having openings therein for the passage of air therethrough; a thin cylindrical screen of relatively fine mesh mounted on said walls of the filtering and humidifying element, the cylindrical area of the screen being approximately ten times the area of the intake of said carburetor; said filtering and humidifying element being secured to said shaft and having its inner end extending into said flanged opening of the inner wall of said receptacle, said element being rotatable in said opening but having a relatively close fit therein, the precipitation chamber being connected with the inlet of said duct and being approximately twenty times the size of said carburetor inlet; means providing a water supply including a tank attached to said duct adjacent the outlet end thereof beyond the adapter; a conduit connecting said tank with said housing; a valve controlling said conduit; an arm for controlling said valve and extending, through the notch in the inner wall of the housing; a fioat attached to the free end of said arm, said float being located in said precipitation chamber and adapted to maintain a water level in the lower portion of the receptacle above the lower part of said filtering and humidifying element; means connected with said shaft for rotating said shaft and element, said means comprising a fan having pitched blades, each of said blades having a tip portion pitched in the opposite direction from the remaining portion of said blades; speed reduction gearing, said fan being operably connected to said speed reduction gearing; a support for said fan, said fan being disposed at an oblique angle with respect to the airstream to which said fan is subjected; and drain means for said housing comprising a flexible tube having one end connected to the bottom portion of the housing, and means for removably retaining the opposite end of said tube in an elevated position relative to the bottom of said housing.

3. An air filtering and humidifying device for internal combustion engines, comprising: a duct having an inlet adjacent one end and an outlet adjacent the other end;

an adapter for said duct for connection with a carburetor ,5

inlet; walls defining a casing providing a receptable and a precipitation chamber connected with the duct inlet, said receptacle including an inner wall having an opening therein, said inner end wall also having a notch depending from the opening therein and providing communication between said receptacle and said chamber; a rotatable shaft in said receptacle; a cylindrical filtering and humidifying element including an outer end wall and an inner end wall having openings therein for the passage of air therethrough; a cylindrical screen of relatively fine mesh mounted on said walls of the filtering and humidifying element, the cylindrical area of the screen being approximately ten times the area of the intake of said carburetor, said filtering and humidifying element being secured to said shaft and having its inner end extending into said opening of the inner wall of said receptacle, said element being rotatable in said opening but having a relatively close fit therein, the precipitation chamber being approximately twenty times the size of said carburetor inlet; means providing a water supply including a tank attached to said duct; a conduit connecting said tank with said receptacle; a valve controlling said conduit; an arm for controlling said valve and extending through the notch in the inner wall of the housing; a float attached to the free end of said arm, said float being located in said precipitation chamber and adapted to maintain a water level in the lower portion of the receptacle above the lower part of said filtering and humidifying element; means connected with said shaft for rotating said shaft and element, said means comprising a fan having pitched blades, each of said blades having a tip portion pitched in the opposite direction from the remaining portion of said blades; speed reduction gearing, said fan being operably connected to said speed reduction gearing; a support for said fan, said ,3.

fan being disposed at an oblique angle with respect to the airstream to which said fan is subjected; and drain means for said housing.

4. An air filtering and humidifying device for internal combustion engines having a carburetor, comprising: a duct having an inlet and an outlet for connection with the inlet of said carburetor; walls defining a casing providing an aligned receptacle and precipitation chamber connected with the duct inlet, said receptacle including a wall between said chamber and receptacle, said Wall having an opening therein and a notch depending from the openings providing communication between said receptacle and said chamber; a cylindrical filtering and humidifying element comprising a thin cylindrical screen of relatively fine mesh rotatably mounted in said receptacle, the area of the screen being substantially greater than the area of the intake of said carburetor; said filtering and humidifying element extending into said opening of said wall of the receptacle, said element being rotatable in said opening but having a relatively close fit therein, the precipitation chamber being approximately substantially greater than said carburetor inlet; means providing a water supply including a tank; a conduit connecting said tank with said receptacle; a valve controlling said conduit; an arm for controlling said valve and extending through the notch in the inner wall of the housing; a float attached to the free end of said arm, said float being located in said precipitation chamber and adapted to maintain a water level in the lower portion of the receptacle above the lower part of said filtering and humidifying element; means for rotating said element at a predetermined relatively slow speed; and drain means for said housing.

5. An air filtering and humidifying device for internal combustion engines having a carburetor, comprising: a duct adapted to be connected to the inlet of said carburetor, walls defining a casing providing a receptacle and a precipitation chamber connected with said duct, said receptacle including a wall having an opening therein communicating with said chamber; a cylindrical filtering and humidiiying element rotatably mounted in said receptacle and including a cylindrical screen of relatively fine mesh, the area of the screen being substantially greater than the area of the intake of said carburetor; said filtering and humidifying element operably extending into said opening in said wall of said receptacle, said precipitation chamber being substantially greater than said carburetor inlet; means providing a water supply including a tank; a connection between said tank with said housing; a valve controlling said conduit; an arm for controlling said valve and extending through the notch in the inner wall of the housing; a fioat attached to the free end of said arm, said float being located in said precipitation chamber and adapted to maintain a water level in the lower portion of the receptacle above the lower part of said filtering and humidifying element; and means for rotating said filtering and humidifying element.

6. An air filtering and humidifying device for internal combustion engines having a carburetor, comprising: a duct adapted to be connected with the inlet of said carburetor; walls defining a casing providing a receptacle,

and a precipitation chamber, the latter being connected with said duct; a cylindrical filtering and humidifying element rotatably mounted in said receptacle, said element including a thin cylindrical screen of relatively fine mesh, the area of the screen being substantially greater than the area of the intake of said carburetor, the interior of said filtering and humidifying clement communicating with said precipitation chamber, said chamber being approximately twice the size of said screen area; means providing a water supply including a water source; a conduit connecting said source with said receptacle; a valve controlling said conduit; means for controlling said valve, said means including a float located in said precipitation chamber and adapted to maintain a water level in the lower portion of the receptacle above the lower part of said filtering and humidifying element; and means connected with said element for rotating said element at a predetermined rate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 885,905 Averall Apr. 28, 1908 1,409,593 Schram Mar. l4, 1922 1,578,611 Sanborn Mar. 30, 1926 1,899,504 Hanson Feb. 28, 1933