Claims:We Claim:

1. An air filter assembly (100) for an air intake system (200) of a vehicle, the assembly comprising:
a casing (7), configured to accommodate a filter element (3);
at least one vane housing (11) positioned in the casing (7) between an inner surface of the casing (7) and the filter element (3);
a vane (12), moveably disposed in the at least one vane housing (11), the vane (12) is configured to displace between an actuated condition and a retracted condition; and
an actuator (9) coupled to the vane (12), the actuator (9) is configured to selectively displace the vane (12) between the actuated condition and the retracted condition relative to the at least one vane housing (11) to vary a radial flow path of air between the casing (7) and filter element (3).

2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vane (12) in the retracted condition is housed within the at least one vane housing (11) and in the actuated condition extends from the at least one vane housing (11).

3. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the at least one vane housing (11) is radially spaced apart in the casing (7).

4. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, comprises connectors (10) structured to couple the actuator (9) with the vane (12).

5. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vane (12) in the actuated condition is configured to reduce the radial flow path of air between the casing (7) and the filter element (3) and increase centrifugal force of air within the casing (7).

6. An air intake system for a vehicle, the system comprising:
an inlet conduit (2), adapted to receive air from surroundings;
an air filter assembly (100), fluidly coupled to the inlet conduit (2), the air filter assembly (100) comprising:
a casing (7), configured to accommodate a filter element (3);
at least one vane housing (11) positioned in the casing (7) between an inner surface of the casing (7) and the filter element (3);
a vane (12), moveably disposed in the at least one vane housing (11), the vane (12) is configured to displace between an actuated condition and a retracted condition; and
an actuator (9), coupled to the vane (12), the actuator (9) is configured to selectively displace the vane (12) between the actuated condition and the retracted condition relative to the at least one vane housing (11) to vary a radial flow path of air between the casing (7) and filter element (3);
a sensor (8), associated with the air filter assembly (100) and configured to detect flow rate of air; and
a control unit (CU) communicatively coupled to the sensor (8) and the actuator (9), the control unit (CU) is configured to acuate the actuator (9) to selectively displace the vane (12) between the actuated condition and the retracted condition to vary the radial flow path of air between the casing (7) and the filter element based on an input signal received from the sensor (8).

7. The system as claimed in claim 6, comprises an outlet conduit (5), connectable to the air filter assembly (100) and adapted to receive air from the air filter assembly (100).

8. The system as claimed in claim 6, comprises connectors (10) structured to couple the actuator (9) with the vane (12).

9. A method for operating an air filter assembly (100) of a vehicle, the method comprising:
receiving, by a control unit (CU), a flow rate of air from a sensor (8) associated with the air filter assembly (100);
comparing, by the control unit (CU) the flow rate of air received from the sensor (8) with a predefined flow rate; and
actuating, by the control unit (CU) an actuator (9) connectable to a vane (12) which is movably disposed in at least one vane housing (11), wherein the actuation of the actuator (9) selectively displaces the vane (12) between an actuated condition and a retracted condition to vary a radial flow path of air between the casing (7) and filter element (3) based on the comparison.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the control unit (CU) operates the actuator (9) to selectively displace the vane (12) to the actuated condition from the retracted condition when the flow rate of air received from the sensor (8) is lesser than the predefined flow rate.

11. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the control unit (CU) operates the actuator (9) to selectively displace the vane (12) to the retracted condition from the actuated condition when the flow rate of air received from the sensor (8) is greater than the predefined flow rate.

12. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the vane (12) in the actuated condition is configured to reduce a radial flow path of air between the casing (7) and the filter element (3) and increase centrifugal force of air within the casing (7).

13. A vehicle comprising an air intake system (200) as claimed in claim 6.

Dated this 01st of March 2021

GOPINATH A S
IN/PA – 1852
OF K&S PARTNERS
AGENT OF THE APPLICANT(S)
, Description:FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT 1970

[39 OF 1970]
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

[See section 10; rule 13]

TITLE: “AN AIR FILTER ASSEMBLY FOR AN AIR INTAKE SYSTEM OF A VEHICLE”

Name and Address of the Applicant:
TATA MOTORS LIMITED, an Indian company having its registered office at Bombay house, 24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai 400 001, Maharashtra, INDIA.

Nationality: Indian

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

TECHNICAL FIELD
Present disclosure, in general, relates to the field of automobiles. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to an air intake system of a vehicle. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure disclose an air filter assembly for the air intake system of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Generally, vehicles employing internal combustion engines require air to be mixed with fuel for combustion and in-turn maneuver such vehicles. The air may be drawn from surrounding atmosphere and may be pressurized into the engine to ensure combustion of fuel. The air present in the atmosphere include contaminants such as, particulate matter, dust, smog, and other suspended substances which may affect performance of the internal combustion engine.

To ensure that the air drawn into the internal combustion engine is clean and free from contaminants, an air filter assembly may be employed in the vehicles as a component of an air intake system, through which the air is drawn in. The air filter assembly includes a filter element, which is employed to filter the unwanted particles. Further, vehicles that generally operate in regions having high degree of contaminants, for example, mines, construction sites or agricultural locations, may have to filter more contaminants than those which may be employed for cruising in plain terrain. The high degree of contaminants in the air have a detrimental effect on performance and durability of the air filter element, resulting in higher service downtime as such filter element may require frequent servicing or replacement, which inherently may increase maintenance cost of the vehicle.

With advent of technology, the air filter assemblies in the vehicles have been modified to include a two-stage air filters, having a cylindrical air filter housing. A first stage of the two-stage air filters is a pre-cleaning stage, which is configured to remove coarse contaminants by inducing swirl motion to the air drawn inside the air filter housing. Further, in a second stage, finer particles in the air are filtered by the filter element. With such configuration, quantity of contaminants of the air being deposited or accumulated on the filter element may be minimized, thereby increasing durability of such filter element. However, with conventional filter assemblies, dimensions of the air filter housing is a factor to be considered, as pre-cleaning stage of the two-stage air filters depends on rate at which pressure of the air inside the air filter housing drop. The pressure drop varies inversely with diameter of the air filter housing and directly with velocity of air entering the air filter housing. When the velocity of air flowing into the air filter housing is low, the pressure drop is low due to the high diameter of the air filter housing. The low pressure drop decreases the pre-cleaning efficiency and eventually results in clogging of the filter element, and inherently reduces efficiency of the two-stage air filter.

The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or any other limitations associated with the conventional mechanisms.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by an assembly, a system and a method as claimed and additional advantages are provided through the assembly, the system and the method as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure an air filter assembly for an air intake system of a vehicle is disclosed. The assembly includes a casing that is configured to accommodate a filter element. At least one vane housing is positioned in the casing between an inner surface of the casing and the filter element. Further, a vane is moveably disposed in the at least one vane housing, where the vane is configured to displace between an actuated condition and a retracted condition. Furthermore, an actuator is coupled to the vane, the actuator is configured to selectively displace the vane between the actuated condition and the retracted condition relative to the at least one vane housing to vary a radial flow path of air between the casing and filter element.

In an embodiment, the vane in the retracted condition is housed within the at least one vane housing and in the actuated condition extends from the vane housing.

In an embodiment, each of the at least one vane housing is radially spaced apart in the casing.

In an embodiment, the air filter assembly includes connectors structured to couple the actuator with the vane.

In an embodiment, the vane in the actuated condition is configured to reduce the radial flow path of air between the casing and filter element and increase centrifugal force of air within the casing.

In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, an air intake system for a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes an inlet conduit that is adapted to receive air from surroundings. An air filter assembly is fluidly coupled to the inlet conduit. The air filter assembly includes a casing that is configured to accommodate a filter element. At least one vane housing is positioned in the casing between an inner surface of the casing and the filter element. Further, a vane is moveably disposed in the at least one vane housing, where the vane is configured to displace between an actuated condition and a retracted condition. Furthermore, an actuator is coupled to the vane, the actuator is configured to selectively displace the vane between the actuated condition and the retracted condition relative to the at least one vane housing to vary a radial flow path of air between the casing and filter element. Additionally, the air intake system includes a sensor associated with the air filter assembly which is configured to detect flow rate of air. A control unit is communicatively coupled to the sensor and the actuator. The control unit is configured to acuate the actuator to selectively operate the vane between the actuated condition and the retracted condition to vary the radial flow path of air between the casing and filter element based on an input signal received from the sensor.

In an embodiment, the air intake system includes an outlet conduit which is connectable to the air filter assembly and is adapted to receive air from the air filter assembly.

In yet another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for operating an air filter assembly of a vehicle is disclosed. The method includes a control unit configured to receive a flow rate of air from a sensor which is associated with the air filter assembly. The control unit upon receiving the flow rate of air from the sensor compares the flow rate of air with a predefined flow rate. Further, the control unit actuates an actuator that is connected to a vane which is movably disposed in at least one vane housing. The actuation of the actuator selectively displaces the vane between an actuated condition and a retracted condition to vary a radial flow path of air between the casing (7) and filter element (3) based on the comparison.

In an embodiment, the control unit operates the actuator to selectively displace the vane to the actuated condition from the retracted condition when the flow rate of air received from the sensor is lesser than the predefined flow rate.

In an embodiment, the control unit operates the actuator to selectively displace the vane to the retracted condition from the actuated condition upon the flow rate of air received from the sensor being greater than the predefined flow rate.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of an air intake system of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 2 illustrates a front view of an air filter assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 3a illustrates an internal view of the air filter assembly of Figure 2.

Figure 3b illustrates a vane housing of the air filter assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of the air intake system of Figure 1.

Figures 5a and 5b illustrates schematic view of the air filter assembly showing vane in an actuated condition and a retracted condition respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 6 is a flow chart of a method for operating the air filter assembly of Figure 3a, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the system and method illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, the conception and specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying other assemblies, devices, systems, methods, processes, and mechanisms for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that, such equivalent constructions do not depart from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristics of the disclosure, to its system, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusions, such that a mechanism, an assembly, or a device that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, an air intake system for a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes an inlet conduit that is adapted to receive air from surroundings. An air filter assembly is fluidly coupled to the inlet conduit. The air filter assembly includes a casing that is configured to accommodate a filter element. At least one vane housing is positioned in the casing between an inner surface of the casing and the filter element. Further, a vane is moveably disposed in the at least one vane housing, where the vane is configured to displace between an actuated condition and a retracted condition. Furthermore, an actuator is coupled to the vane, the actuator is configured to selectively displace the vane between the actuated condition and the retracted condition relative to the at least one vane housing to vary a radial flow path of air between the casing and filter element. Additionally, the air intake system includes a sensor associated with the air filter assembly which is configured to detect flow rate of air. The system further includes a control unit which is communicatively coupled to the sensor and the actuator. The control unit is configured to acuate the actuator to selectively operate the vane between the actuated condition and the retracted condition to vary the radial flow path of air between the casing and filter element based on an input signal received from the sensor. The varied radial flow path of air between the casing and filter element increases pre-cleaning and increases the life of the filter element.

Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same numerals will be used to refer to the same or like parts. The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to Figures 1 to 6.

Figure 1 is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure which illustrates an air intake system (200) for a vehicle. The vehicle may be including but not limited to passenger vehicle utility vehicles, commercial vehicles and any other vehicle having an Internal combustion (IC) engine as a prime mover. The air intake system (200) includes an inlet conduit (2) which is adapted to receive air from surrounding atmosphere. An inlet portion of the inlet conduit (2) may be provisioned with a snorkel (1). The snorkel (1) is configured to filter large particles stone pellets, leaves, polythene bags and any other unwanted large particles which need to be restricted from entering the vehicle. Further, the snorkel (1) may be positioned such that, water, and any other liquids in the surrounding of the air intake system (200) are prevented from entering. The inlet conduit (2) may be further connected to an air filter assembly (100) [as seen in Figure 2].

The inlet conduit (2) may be tangentially connected to a casing (7) of the air filter assembly (100). In an embodiment, the casing (7) of the air filter assembly (100) may have a circular profile. The air filter assembly (100) may be configured to filter the air received from the inlet conduit (2) before channelizing the air into the engine. The air filter assembly (100) include a pre-cleaning stage, in which the air tangentially entering the casing (7) from the inlet conduit (2) may be guided in a swirl path, to impart centrifugal force on the contaminants in the air. The centrifugal force channelizes the contaminants against the casing (7) of the air filter assembly (100), causing the contaminants to lose momentum and eventually get filtered from the air by settling on the inner surface of the casing (7). The contaminants filtered from the air in the pre-cleaning stage get collected in a collection portion of the air filter assembly (100) and are suitably dispensed from the air filter assembly (100). The air then passes through a filter element (3) [best shown in Figures 5a and 5b] and post filtering through such filter element (3) may be channelized to an intake manifold or an engine [not shown in figures] of the vehicle. In an embodiment, an outlet conduit (5) may be connectable to the air filter assembly (100) at a clean side (4) of the air filter assembly (100) where the clean air after filtration is collected. The outlet conduit (5) may be adapted to receive and channelize clean air from the air filter assembly (100) to the IC engine.

In an embodiment, the outlet conduit (5) may be connected to a connecting hose (6) that is configured to connect the outlet conduit (5) with the IC engine. The connecting hose (6) may also be connected to supplementary components of the IC engine such as, but not limited to a turbocharger, a supercharger, a carburetor, outlet of an Exhaust gas after treatment device, outlet of a turbocharger, the intake manifold, and any other component suitable for receiving air.

Further, the centrifugal force acting on the contaminants in the air moving in the circular path is inversely proportional to the radius of the circular path. When the flow rate of air within the air filter assembly (100) is low, the centrifugal force acting on the contaminants is low and reduces the pre-cleaning. When the radius is decreased the air velocity or flow rate may increase and the centrifugal force acting on the contaminants may increase to increase the pre-cleaning.

Referring now to Figure 3a and 3b which illustrate an internal view of the air filter assembly (100). The air filter assembly (100) includes the filter element (3) accommodated within the casing (7). Further, at least one vane housing (11) may be positioned in the casing (7). The at least one vane housing (11) may be provisioned between an inner surface of the casing (7) and the filter element (3). The at least one vane housing (11) may be an integral part of or be rigidly attached to the casing (7), while such vane housing (11) may be oriented to extend towards the filter element (3). It should be noted that the number of vane housings (11) being provisioned in the casing (7) may depend on a number of factors including, but not limited to, dimension of the casing (7), position of the vane housing (11) in the casing (7) relative to the inlet conduit (2), vehicle drive mode being operated, and any other parameter affecting velocity of air being supplied into the casing (7). With increase in number of vanes housings (11), each of such vane housing (11) may be radially spaced apart in the casing (7) and as per requirement based on maximum velocity of the air that may be supplied.

As best seen in Figure 3b, a vane (12) may be movably disposed in the at least one vane housing (11). The vane (12) may be configured to displace between an actuated condition and a retracted condition. The vane (12) in the retracted condition may be housed within the at least one vane housing (11), while in the actuated condition may extend out from the at least one vane housing (11). In an embodiment, the vane (12) may be defined with a planar profile or an airfoil profile to radially deflect the air entering the casing (7). Further, in the actuated condition, the vane (12) may be configured to reduce a radial flow path of air between the casing (7) and the filter element (3) due to extending [i.e., overhanging] from the vane housing (11). Such reduction in the radial flow path may increase centrifugal force of the air within the casing (7), which may in-turn increase the pre-cleaning of the air.

Referring again to Figure 3a, an actuator (9) may be coupled to the vane (12) and may be configured to selectively displace the vane (12) between the actuated condition and the retracted condition relative to the at least one vane housing (11). The displacement of the vane (12) between the actuated condition and the retracted condition may vary the radial flow path of air between the casing (7) and filter element (3). The actuator (9) may be configured to displace the vane (12) between the actuated condition and the retracted condition based on flow rate of air flowing through the air filter assembly (100). The flow rate of air through the filter assembly may be detected by a sensor (8) [as seen in Figure 4]. Further, the vane (12) may be connected to the actuator (9) through connectors (10) to selectively displace between the actuated condition and the retracted condition upon operation of the actuator (9). In an embodiment, the connectors (10) may be including but not limited to a shaft, rod, pin, links, and any other element capable of connecting and transmitting motion from the actuator (9) to the vane (12). Also, the connectors (10) may be constructed with two elements connected at an angle according to the connection required to connect the actuator (9) and the vane (12). Furthermore, a hinge (13) may be provisioned in the air filter assembly (100) to connect the connectors (10) with the vane (12). The hinge (13) may be coupled to the vane (12) such that displacement of the connectors (10) may be transmitted on the vane (12) to displace the vane (12) between the actuated condition and the retracted condition. In an embodiment, the hinge (13) may be employed as a reinforcement agent to connect the vane (12) with the connectors (10).

In an embodiment, the at least one vane housing (11) and the vane (12) may be configured to extend fully or partially along a length of the casing (7) based on requirement. Also, multiple vane housings (11) may be provisioned at defined positions along the length of the casing (7) to selectively reduce the radial flow path of air between the casing (7) and the filter element (3). Further, such multiple vane housings (11) may be axially offset, to reduce the flow path about tangential inflow of the air from the inlet conduit (2).

In an embodiment, the vane (12) is defined with a curved profile having a degree of curvature substantially equal to or less than the degree of curvature of the casing (7).

Figure 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of the air intake system (200). The air intake system (200) may include a control unit (CU). The control unit (CU) may be communicatively coupled to the sensor (8) and the actuator (9), where the control unit (CU) may be configured to actuate the actuator (9) for selectively displacing the vane (12) between the actuated condition and the retracted condition, based on an input signal received from the sensor (8). In an embodiment, the sensor (8) may be positioned at the inlet conduit (2) or at the clean side (4) of the air filter assembly (100). The sensor (8) may be a flow rate sensor (8) and may be configured to transmit input signals to the control unit (CU) based on the flow rate of air being detected. The control unit (CU) upon receiving the input signal from the senor may be configured to compare the flow rate of air entering the air filter assembly (100) with a predefined flow rate. The predefined flow rate may be prestored in a memory unit [not shown] associated with the control unit (CU) and may correspond to the minimum flow rate required for pre-cleaning the air within the casing (7). In an embodiment, the predefined flow rate may be selected based on dimensions of the casing (7). For example, the predefined flow rate of air may be selected based on radius of the casing (7) and amount of air flow required to generate centrifugal force on the contaminants for the pre-cleaning. The control unit (CU) upon comparing the flow rate of air determines if the flow rate is lesser than or greater than the predefined defined flow rate.

Further, as seen in Figure 5a the control unit (CU) upon determining the flow rate of air to be lesser than the predefined flow rate may transmit an operational signal to the actuator (9) for displacing in a first direction. Displacement of the actuator (9) in the first direction is configured to displace the vane (12) to the actuated condition. The vane (12) in the actuated condition extends out from the at least one vane housing (11) and towards the filter element (3), to reduce radius of the casing (7). The reduction in the radius of the casing (7) may increase the velocity or flow rate of air within the casing (7) to range of the required predefined flow rate and increase the centrifugal force to the required value for pre-cleaning the air.

In an embodiment, lower radius of the casing (7) due to the extension of vane (12) towards the filter element (3) may impart higher centrifugal force on the air flow within the casing (7) and in-turn on the contaminants. With increase in centrifugal force, the contaminants may be capable for further travel along the flow path between the casing (7) and the filter element (3), due to which deposition or accumulation of the contaminants on the filter element (3) may be minimized or mitigated. Such configuration of the casing (7), the actuator (9) and the vane (12) may increase the pre-cleaning efficiency and durability the filter element (3).

Further, as seen in Figure 5b, the control unit (CU) upon determining the flow rate of air to be equal to or greater than the predefined flow rate, may transmit operational signal to the actuator (9) based on condition in which the actuator (9) is being operated. For example, when the actuator (9) may be in the actuated condition, then the control unit (CU) may transmit the operational signal to the actuator (9) for displacing in a second direction, that may be opposite to displacement from the first direction. The actuation of the actuator (9) in the second direction may retrieve the vane (12) into the at least one vane housing (11), for operating in the retracted condition from the actuated condition. The vane (12) in the retracted condition may not affect the radial flow path, as being positioned away from the filter element (3), whereby maintaining radius of the casing (7) as the flow path between the casing (7) and the filter element (3). The increase in the radius of the casing (7) may reduce the velocity of air within the casing (7) and maintains the velocity of air in the range of the required predefined flow rate and regulates the centrifugal force to the required value for pre-cleaning the air.

In an embodiment, as the required centrifugal force is being developed and imparted to the flow of air, reduction in dimension of the flow path may not be required, due to which no operational signal may be generated to the actuator (9).

In an embodiment, the control unit (CU) may be configured to continuously and in real time operate the actuator (9) based on the input signals received from the sensor (8).

In an embodiment, the control unit (CU) may be configured to actuate the actuator (9) to displace the vane (12) to the actuated condition such that the vane (12) may extend fully into the actuated condition or may extend partially into the extended condition based on the value of the radius of the casing (7) to be reduced. For example, the control unit (CU) may be configured to extend the vane (12) partially based on the amount of flow rate of air that is to be increased to create the required centrifugal force on the contaminants for pre-cleaning. Further, the control unit (CU) may be configured to extend the vane (12) fully when the flow rate of air drops below the predefined limit irrespective of the minimum extension required to create the required centrifugal force on the contaminants for pre-cleaning.

In an embodiment, the control unit (CU) may actuate the actuator (9) by providing a connection between the actuator (9) and a power source (14). The control unit (CU) may be configured to regulate the polarity of the connection with the actuator (9) to actuate the actuator (9) in the first direction and the second direction.

In an embodiment, two actuators (9) may be employed to displace the vane (12), where one actuator (9) may be configured to displace in the first direction and the other actuator (9) may be configured to displace in the second direction. The control unit (CU) may be configured to transmit operational signals to each of the two actuators (9) based on the flow rate of air determined.

In an embodiment, the power source (14) may be including but not limited to a battery, an alternator and any other power storing or generating device that may be suitable to power the actuator (9).

The control unit (CU) may be a centralized control unit (CU) of the vehicle or may be a dedicated control unit (CU) to the air intake system (200) associated with an electronic control unit of the vehicle. The control unit (CU) may also be associated with other control units including, but not limited to, a body control module (BCM), a central control module (CCM), a general electronic module (GEM), and the like. In an embodiment, the control unit (CU) may include a processing unit, where the processing unit may comprise at least one data processor for executing program components for executing user- or system-generated requests. The processing unit may be a specialized processing unit such as integrated system (bus) controllers, memory management control units, floating point units, graphics processing units, digital signal processing units, etc. The processing unit may include a microprocessor, such as AMD Athlon, Duron or Opteron, ARM’s application, embedded or secure processors, IBM PowerPC, Intel’s Core, Itanium, Xeon, Celeron, or other line of processors, etc. The processing unit may be implemented using a mainframe, distributed processor, multi-core, parallel, grid, or other architectures. Some embodiments may utilize embedded technologies like application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), etc.

In an embodiment, the control unit (CU) may be an electronic control unit, disposed in communication with one or more memory devices (e.g., RAM, ROM etc.) via a storage interface. The storage interface may connect to the memory devices including, without limitation, memory drives, removable disc drives, etc., employing connection protocols such as serial advanced technology attachment (SATA), integrated drive electronics (IDE), IEEE-1394, universal serial bus (USB), fiber channel, small computing system interface (SCSI), etc. The memory drives may further include a drum, magnetic disc drive, magneto-optical drive, optical drive, redundant array of independent discs (RAID), solid-state memory devices, solid-state drives, etc.

Referring now to Figure 6 which is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure illustrating a flow chart of a method for operating the air filter assembly (100) of the vehicle.

The order in which the method is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks may be combined in any order to implement the method. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the methods without departing from the scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, the method can be implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof.

At block 201, the control unit (CU) coupled with the air filter assembly (100) is configured to receive the input signal containing information of the flow rate of air from the sensor (8) which is associated with the air filter assembly (100).

At block 202, the control unit (CU) compares the flow rate of air received from the sensor (8) with a predefined flow rate. The predefined flow rate may be prestored in the control unit (CU) and may correspond to the minimum flow rate required for pre-cleaning the air within the casing (7).

The control unit (CU) is then configured to actuate the actuator (9) that is connectable to the vane (12) as shown in block 203. The actuator (9) selectively displaces the vane (12) to an actuated condition from the retracted condition upon the flow rate of air received from the sensor (8) being lesser than the predefined flow rate. The vane (12) in the actuated condition is configured to reduce the radial flow path of air between the casing (7) and the filter element (3) and increases the centrifugal force of air within the casing (7). In an embodiment, the control unit (CU) may operate the actuator (9) to selectively displace the vane (12) to the retracted condition from the actuated condition upon the flow rate of air received from the sensor (8) being greater than the predefined flow rate.

In an embodiment, the actuator (9) may be a rotary actuator. Further, in another embodiment, the actuator (9) may be including but not limited to a stepper motor, servo motor, and any other motor capable of displacing in a single or multiple direction. In an embodiment, the actuator (9) may be a linear actuator that may be disposed in the air filter assembly (100) or housed within the at least one vane housing (11).

In an embodiment, the sensor (8) may be including but not limited to a mass flow sensor, a MAP sensor, and any other sensor configured to detect flow rate of air.

In an embodiment, the filter element (3) may be made of material including but not limited to paper, foam, metal mesh, polymeric mesh, and any other material capable of exhibiting air filtering properties.

In an embodiment, the configuration of the vane (12) in the air filter assembly (100) may increase the operating life of the filter element (3) by increasing the pre-cleaning efficiency of air filter assembly (100).

In an embodiment, the operation of the vane (12) provides a quick and an easy method to increase the effective dust separation efficiency and hence improve the overall life of the filter element (3) and decreases the maintenance cost of the vehicle.

In an embodiment, the air filter assembly (100) increases the quality of air fed to the IC engine and decreases the dust ingress in the IC engine and increases the life and performance of the IC engine.

In an embodiment, the lower dust deposition on filter element (3) due to the vane (12) improves the performance and fuel efficiency of the IC engine.

Equivalents:
Embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within scope of the embodiments as described herein.

Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers, or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers, or steps.

The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.

The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.

While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the particular features of this disclosure, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be made, and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other modifications in the nature of the disclosure or the preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.

Referral Numerals:

Reference Number Description
100 Air filter assembly
200 Air intake system
1 Snorkel
2 Inlet conduit
3 Filter element
4 Clean side of air filter assembly
5 Outlet conduit
6 Connecting hose
7 Casing
8 Sensor
9 Actuator
10 Connector
11 Vane housing
12 Vane
13 Hinge
14 Power source
CU Control unit