FORM 2


THE PATENTS ACT 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10; rule 13)
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
A Novel Water Separator Cum Air Pre Cleaner Device For An Internal Combustion Engine
APPLICANTS
TATA MOTORS LIMITED, an Indian company
having its registered office at Bombay House,
24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk,
Mumbai 400 001 Maharashtra, India
INVENTORS
Mr. Amar S. Bakare and Mr. Ajeet K. Shriwastava both Indian nationals
of TATA MOTORS LIMITED, an Indian company having its registered office
at Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk,
Mumbai 400 001 Maharashtra, India

PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION

26 SEP 2008
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to an internal combustion engine and more particularly this relates to a water separator cum air pre cleaner device for an internal combustion engine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Internal combustion engines are provided with water separator to prevent the entry of water along with air and also to avoid failures including the most severe hydraulic lock in the rainy season. Air pre cleaners are provided to separate the dust and other material particles entrained within the air before entry of the air into the air filter.
Generally vehicles have side air entry intake system, in which the air intake point is very near to the wheel arch and is prone to high dust and mud ingress. To overcome this problem, air intake system is shifted in the front side of the vehicle, wherein said air intake system becomes susceptible to the water entry. A novel water cum air pre cleaner device for internal combustion engine has been developed in order to address both problems like high dust and mud ingress and water entry in air intake system.
OBJECT OF THIS INVENTION
The main object of this invention is to provide a novel water separator cum air pre cleaner device for an internal combustion engine which prevents the entry of water along with air stream.
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Another object of this invention is to provide a novel water separator cum air pre cleaner device which will prevent dust and other material particles from entering into the air filter system.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a novel water separator cum air pre cleaner device which prevents hydraulic lock during the rainy season.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel water separator cum air pre cleaner device which is simple in construction and cost effective.
STATEMENT OF INVENTION
Water separator cum air pre cleaner device for an internal combustion engine comprises; an air inlet housing having a first opening for entry of air inside the said air inlet housing and a second opening provided on a side wall of said air inlet housing; a water guard means provided at the vicinity of the first opening for preventing the entry of water into said air inlet housing; an air pre-cleaner housing configured to be connected with the said air inlet housing, wherein said second opening of said air inlet housing is adapted to house a first end of said air pre-cleaner housing and a second end of said air pre-cleaner housing is connected co-axially with a clean air discharge tube; said air pre-cleaner housing comprises plurality of vanes mounted inside the said air pre-cleaner housing for imparting centrifugal motion to the entrant air which is entering into the said air pre-cleaner housing; and a dust evacuator provided for allowing the separated dust and material particles to be taken out from the said air pre cleaner.
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Water separator cum air pre cleaner device for an internal combustion engine, in accordance with this invention, wherein said plurality of vanes are fixed circumferentially inside the said air pre-cleaner housing.
Water separator cum air pre cleaner device for an internal combustion engine, in accordance with this invention, wherein said air inlet housing comprises an opening provided on the top portion for entry of the air.
Water separator cum air pre cleaner device for an internal combustion engine, in accordance with this invention, wherein said water guard means are provided on the top portion of the said air inlet housing.
Water separator cum air pre cleaner device for an internal combustion engine, in accordance with this invention, wherein said air pre cleaner housing is cylindrical in shape.
Water separator cum air pre cleaner device for an internal combustion engine, in accordance with this invention, wherein said clea^ air discharge tube is cylindrical in shape.
Water separator cum air pre cleaner device for an internal combustion engine, in accordance with this invention, wherein said (lust evacuator is mounted at a bottom portion at the vicinity of the second end of the said air pre-cleaner housing.
Water separator cum air pre cleaner device for an internal combustion engine, in accordance with this invention, wherein the plurality of vanes are arranged in vortex fashion.
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Water separator cum air pre cleaner device for an internal combustion engine, in accordance with this invention, wherein a drain hole is provided at the bottom portion of said air inlet housing.
Water separator cum air pre cleaner device for an internal combustion engine, in accordance with this invention, wherein said air inlet housing is made of sheet metal.
Water separator cum air pre cleaner device for an internal combustion engine, in accordance with this invention, wherein mounting brackets are provided on said air inlet housing for mounting the said device to the vehicle.
Water separator cum air pre cleaner device for an internal combustion engine, is used in the vehicles.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
In accordance with this invention, water separator cum air pre cleaner device for internal combustion engine comprises; an air inlet housing or vessel (1) made up of sheet metal having first opening (6) provided on the top portion of the said vessel for the entry of air inside the said vessel, water guard (3) provided on the top portion of the said vessel to prevent the entry of water in to the said vessel, drain hole (7) provided at bottom portion of said vessel to drain out the water collected in the said vessel, second opening provided on one of side wall of said vessel, pre cleaner housing configured to be connected (8) with the said vessel, wherein said second opening of said vessel is adapted to house the first end of
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said pre cleaner housing (8) and second end of said housing is connected with the clean air discharge tube (2), said pre cleaner housing (8) comprises plurality of vortex fixed vanes (4) mounted circumferentially inside the said housing, dust evacuator (5) which is provided at bottom portion of the distal end of the said housing (8) for allowing the separated dust and material particles to be taken out from the said pre cleaner.
The main benefit of the said water separator cum air pre cleaner device comes from the fact that, it saves the engine from getting damaged due to water entry via air intake system and at the same time it also provides the air pre cleaning function.
Said water separator cum air pre cleaner unit also saves the engine from getting hydraulically locked in rainy seasons, especially in floods.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Figure-01 shows isometric view of the water separator cum air pre cleaner device. Figure-02 shows the flow path though the novel water separator cum air pre cleaner unit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
Referring to the drawing, wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only, and not for the purpose of limiting the same.
Referring to figure 1, In accordance with this invention, water separator cum air pre cleaner device for internal combustion engine comprises; vessel (1) made up
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of sheet metal having first opening (6) provided on the top portion of the said vessel for the entry of air inside the said vessel, water guard (3) provided on the top portion of the said vessel to prevent the entry of water in to the said vessel, drain hole (7) provided at bottom portion of said vessel to drain out the water collected in the said vessel, second opening provided on one of side wall of said vessel, pre cleaner housing configured to be connected (8) with the said vessel, wherein said second opening of said vessel is adapted to house the first end of said pre cleaner housing (8) and second end of said housing is connected with the clean air discharge tube (2), said pre cleaner housing (8) comprises plurality of vortex fixed vanes (4) mounted circumferentially inside the said housing, dust evacuator (5) which is provided at bottom portion of the distal end of the said housing (8) for allowing the separated dust and material particles to be taken out from the said pre cleaner.
The said clean air discharge tube (2) is connected with the distal end of the said housing (8).The said pre cleaner housing (8) and clean air discharge tube (2) are cylindrical in shape.
Wherein the said vessel (1) is a sheet metal vessel having top cover which comprises first opening (6) has been provided for the entry of air inside the said vessel or container. A water guard (3) has also been provided on the top portion of said vessel to prevent the entry of water into the said vessel (1). A drain hole (7) is provided at the bottom portion of the said vessel for draining out the water collected, in case if water enters into the said vessel. Said pre cleaner housing (8) which comprises plurality of vortex fixed vanes (4) mounted circumferentially inside said pre cleaner housing, thus imparting the centrifugal motion to the intake air. Said pre cleaner housing (8) comprises clean air discharge tube (2) housed at the distal end of the of said pre cleaner housing (8) for discharging the clean air to
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the internal combustion engine. Said clean air discharge tube (2) is in turn connected to the air filter of said internal combustion engine. Said clean air discharge tube (2) comprises dust evacuator (5) which is provided at the bottom of the said clean air discharge tube (2) for allowing the separated dust and material particles to be taken out from the said pre cleaner.
Now referring to figure-02, where flow path through the water separator cum air pre cleaner device is illustrated, air enters into the said water separator cum air pre cleaner device through the said first opening (6) provided on the top cover of said vessel (1). Said water guard (3) provided on top portion of the said vessel (1) to prevent the entry of water with air. In spite of this provision, if the water passes through the said water guard provided on the said vessel(l), then that water is drained out through the said drain hole (7) provided at the bottom portion of the said vessel. Then the air is allowed to pass through the said pre cleaner housing (8) through plurality of vortex fixed vanes (4) provided circumferentially inside the said pre cleaner housing which imparts centrifugal motion to the entrant air which is entering into the said pre cleaner housing (8), thus separating the dust and other material particles from the air. Thus water and dust free air coming out of the said pre cleaner housing (8) is drawn by the engine suction system into the air filter through said air discharge tube (2) provided therein.
Said vessel comprises mounting brackets (9) at the top cover and side wall face for mounting the said device to the vehicle.
The water separator cum air pre cleaner device prevents the entry of water along with air into the intake system and separates water particles if at all it enters inside the said device.
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It also improves the removal of the heavier than air particles across a broad spectrum of intake air demand. It maximizes the use of the centrifugal force while minimizing the airflow restriction thus offering a flat performance curve over the entire airflow range.
The main advantage of this device in accordance with this invention is a combination of:
-Air intake unit that places the air intake system in low dust concentration area in front of the vehicle.
-A dust pre cleaner that also helps to separate water.
-Unique construction of the air intake unit that helps in water separation by air flow reversal and impact separation mechanism.
The said water separator cum air pre cleaner device helps to achieve extended service life of air cleaner system reduces engine oil consumption, longer life time of engines due to reduced wear of critical engine components.
The foregoing description is a specific embodiment of the present invention. It should be appreciated that this embodiment is described for purpose of illustration only, and that numerous alterations and modifications may be practiced by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended that all such alterations and modifications be included in, so far as they come within the scope of the invention as claimed or the equivalents thereof.
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WE CLAIM
1. A water separator cum air pre cleaner device for an internal combustion engine comprising:
an air inlet housing having a first opening for entry of air inside the said air inlet housing and a second opening provided on a side wall of said air inlet housing;
a water guard means provided at the vicinity of the first opening for preventing the entry of water into said air inlet housing;
an air pre-cleaner housing configured to be connected with the said air inlet housing, wherein said second opening of said air inlet housing is adapted to house a first end of said air pre-cleaner housing and a second end of said air pre-cleaner housing is connected co-axially with a clean air discharge tube;
said air pre-cleaner housing comprises plurality of vanes mounted inside the said air pre-cleaner housing for imparting centrifugal motion to the entrant air which is entering into the said air pre-cleaner housing; and
a dust evacuator provided for allowing the separated dust and material particles to be taken out from the said air pre cleaner.
2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of vanes are fixed circumferentially inside the said air pre-cleaner housing.
3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said air inlet housing comprises an opening provided on the top portion for entry of the air.
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4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said water guard means are provided on the top portion of the said air inlet housing.
5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said air pre cleaner housing is cylindrical in shape.
6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said clean air discharge tube is cylindrical in shape.
7. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said dust evacuator is mounted at a bottom portion at the vicinity of the second end of the said air pre-cleaner housing.
8. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of vanes are arranged in vortex fashion.
9. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a drain hole is provided at the bottom portion of said air inlet housing.
10. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said air inlet housing is made of sheet metal.
11. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein mounting brackets are provided
on said air inlet housing for mounting the said device to the vehicle.
12. A vehicle with the water separator cum air pre-cleaner device as claimed in
any one of the preceding claims..
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13. A water separator cum air pre cleaner device for an internal combustion engine substantially as herein described with reference to accompanying drawings.
Dated this 26th day of September 2008
TATA MOTORS LIMITED By their Agent & Attorney

(Karuna Goleria) of DePENNING & DePENNING
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