FIELD OF INVENTION
[001] This invention is related to snorkel for improving vehicle
5 performance.
BACKGROUND/PRIOR ART
[002] Vehicle air intake system typically consists of an air filter (1), air
intake hose (2), air outlet hose (3) and an intak.e snorkel (4). The intake
snorkel is placed in front of the vehicle just behind the front grille
10 opening (5) of front bumper (6) for fresh air (ram air) (A) entry. This is
then connected to the air filter through an intake ·hose. The air filter is
then in connection with an air outlet hose which is connected to the
intake manifold/ engine as shown in fig.l.
15 f0031 In general, the air intake snorkel is typically placed in the front of
the vehicle just behind the front grille opening so as to provide fresh
atmospheric air (ram air) to the engine.
20 fQ04] Currently available snorkels are having regular shape of inlet,
which includes circular, oval, rectangular, delta, square etc. However,
the disadvantage is that the intake air temperature is very high since
there is no provision to reduce temperature or air entering from front
bumper to air cleaner snorkel. Further, the heated air fr.om radiator fan
25 exit flows to the air cleaner through said snorkel. Thus, the existing
snorkel admits intake air of higher temperature (IAT),that is significantly
higher than the . allowable limit, which leads to deteriorated engine
performance.
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rPD DELHI .. 27-04-2916. 11"50
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[005] Further, the high temperature ambient a1r carnes dust particles
there along, which is admitted into the engine together with hot radiator
5 fan air through the snorkel.
[006] Eventually this adversely affects engme performance. Also, the
existing de.sign of the snorkel does not have optimized air velocity.
10 [007] According to another prior technology, a snorkel is known to be .
available which allows 90° turn of intake air therethrough.
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[008] The shortcomings of the aforesaid technology can be listed herein
below:-
No smooth flow of air.
Involves pressure drop thereby affecting engine performance.
Shorter length of air travel.
Insufficient reduction in temperature of intake air.
[009] In view of the above, it is required to introduce a novel design of
snorkel, which can address to the prior issues and serve the purpose
efficiently as well.
25 OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
30
(0010] A primary object of the present invention is to propose snorkel for
improving vehicle performance which .obviates drawbacks of prior arts.
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5 [0011] Another object of the present invention is to propose snorkel for
improving vehicle performance which helps in bypassing hot radiator fan
air.
[0012] Further object of the present invention is to propose snorkel for
10 improving vehicle performance which prevents entry of dust, water and
other foreign materials into the engine.
[0013] Yet another object of the present invention is to propose snorkel for
improving vehicle performance which results in reduction of air intake
15 temperature.
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[0014] Still another object of the present invention is to propose snorkel
for improving engine performance which results in improvement of
vehicle performance and maintains sufficient/ optimized air velocity.
(0015] Still another object of the present invention is to propose snorkel
for compact engine layout.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
(0016] According to this invention, there is provided snorkel for improving
. .
vehicle performance comprising a single elongated structure, inlet of
which includes a substantially flat part integral to a curved part forming
a curved structure involving multiple turning points for intake air flow.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
5 [0017] Further objects and advantages of this invention will be more
:9-pparent from the ensuing description when read in conjunction with the
accompanying·drawings of the exemplary embodiments and wherein:
Fig. 1 shows: Air intake system.
Fig. 2 shows: Isometric view of snorkel of present invention.
10 Fig. 3 shows: Two directional flow of intake air through inlet of
snorkel according to present invention.
Fig. 4 shows: Air flow path through snorkel m accordance with
present invention.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION WITH
15 REFERENCE TO THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
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[0018] The instant invention imparts teaching regarding a novel design of
snorkel to enhance vehicle performance.
f0019] In respect of this, reference may be made to fig. 2.
(0020] The snorkel of invention constitutes a single elongated structure,
~nlet (I) of which includes a substantially flat part (F) integral to a curved
part (C). Said inlet is having sufficient opening for intake air (ram air)
flow therethrough and possessing non uniform profile as shown.
(0021] The inlet of snorkel comprises an elongated opening, one end (1') of
which is in proximity to the front grill opening of front bumper and other
end (2') is adjacent to.outlet (0) of snorkel.
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[0022] Due to the provision of elongated shape of inlet opening, the air
5 flow takes place in two directions as illustrated in the figure 3 ..
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[0023] The inlet is devised in such away that, it forms a curved structure
involving several turning points there along, for which reference may be
made to fig. 3 and 4 reflecting air flow path through said snorkel.
[0024] The prov1s1on of multitude of turning points along the curved
strt:tcture of inlet leads to more travel time of air. This in turn helps in
reducing intake air temperature by the time it reaches the distal end (2').
15 This low temperature air flows into the engine via outlet (0). The outlet
comprises a regular shape corresponding to the intake hose. Here; in the
exemplary embodiment of the invention, the outlet is oval in shape.
[0025] The curved part (C) comprises a plurality of curved portions (P1, P2,
20 P3) confirming to undulated surface giving rise to multiple turning points
in the air flow path along the curved structure.
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[0026) The curved part creates an obstruction, which prevents entry of
hot radiator fan air and foreign materials through the inlet of snorkel.
[0027] Thus, the radiator fan an- hits against the outer surface of the
curved part and thereafter the air is bypassed over the curved part.
[0028] The foreign materials including dust, water entering the vehicle
30 alongwith ram air are also obstructed by the curved part. As a result,
entry of the foreign materials into the snorkel is prohibited.
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[0029] The snorkel structure of invention is sleek and curvy to counter
5 the location constraints and provide smooth flow of air through a 90+
degree (obtuse angle) turn causing a turning effect, which leads to
improvement in air velocity.
[0030] Further, there is availability of sufficient fresh air in front of intake
10 snorkel, entry of which into the engine reduces the intake air and air
cleaner temperature. As a result, significant improvement in intake air
temperature was found, which is within the allowable limit.
[0031] The snorkel is integrated to two mounting points (M1, M2) for
15 mounting of the same on body panel of vehicle.
[00321 The snorkel is preferably made of any polymer of plastic by
injection molding, blow molding or plastic molding without restricting
scope of the invention to the same. Thus, other materials and methods
20 readily apparent to a person skilled in the art are understood to be
within scope of the invention.
f0033] Restricting entry of water and dust, the snorkel in an automobile is
rightly engineered to deliver adequate amount of air to boost the engine's
25 capabilities. The placement of the snorkel enables the car to have a
cooler and cleaner source of air. The relatively cleaner air helps to extend
air filter effectiveness, therefore reducing wear of vital components and
leading to extended engine life and reliability.
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IPO DELHY 21-04-2.91£
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Advantageous Features
[00341 -Compact in design maintaining sufficient inlet opening.
Facilitates intake air flow in dual directions.
Improvement in air velocity through twist and turn.
Reduced intake air temperature.
Smooth flow of air through a 90+ degree turn leading to
improvement in air velocity.
Enhancement in engine and vehicle performance.
Suitable for small cars with compact engine room.
15 [0035) It is to be noted that the present invention is susceptible to
modifications, adaptations and changes by those skilled in the art. Such
variant embodiments employing the concepts and features of this
invention are intended to be within the scope of the present invention,
which is further set forth under the following claims:-

WE CLAIM:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Snorkel for improving vehicle performance comprising a single
elongated structure, inlet of which includes a substantially flat
part integral to a curved part forming a curved structure
involving multiple turning points for intake air flow.
Snorkel for improving vehicle performance as claimed in claim
1, wherein said inlet is having sufficient opening for intake air
flow and possessing non uniform profile.
Snorkel for improving vehicle performance as claimed in claim 1
or 2, wherein the inlet comprises an elongated opening, one end
of which is in proximity to the front grill opening of front
bumper and other end is adjacent to the outlet having a regular
shape corresponding to the intake hose.
Snorkel for improving vehicle performance as claimed in any of
the preceding claims, wherein the curved part comprises a
plurality of curved portions confirming to undulated surface
giving rise to multiple turning points in the air flow path along
the curved structure.
5. Snorkel for improving vehicle performance as claimed in any of
the preceding claims, wherein the curved part constitutes an
obstruction, which prevents entry of hot· radiator fan air and
foreign materials through the inlet.
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5 6.
10 7.
8.
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Snorkel for improving vehicle performance as claimed in any of
the preceding claims, wherein the curved structure forms a
longer air flow path with multitude of turning points for reduction in intake air temperature at the other end of inlet. Snorkel for improving vehicle performance as claimed in any of
the preceding claims, is associated with the advantageous features such as herein described.
Snorkel for improving vehicle performance substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.