Space optimizing air filter

Abstract

An air filter and methods are provided for optimizing filtration of an airstream passing through a volume within an air cleaner cover of an internal combustion engine. The air filter comprises a base plate that includes an inlet receiver for passing the airstream into an air inlet of the engine. A top plate comprises a receiver for fastening the air cleaner cover onto the air filter. Countersinks in the top plate and sleeves extending through the air filter facilitate fastening the air filter onto the air inlet of the engine. The air filter has a tapering height along a length of the air filter to maximize the total surface area of a filter medium within the volume between the air cleaner cover and the engine, and to take advantage of a relatively greater airflow due to a ram air opening in the air cleaner cover.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An air filter for optimizing filtration of an airstream passing through a volume within an air cleaner cover of an internal combustion engine, comprising:
 a base plate configured to mount to an air inlet of the engine;   a top plate configured to receive the air cleaner cover; and   a filter medium disposed between the base plate and the top plate.   
     
     
         2 . The air filter of  claim 1 , wherein the base plate is comprised of a recessed portion bounded by a peripheral edge that retains a lower portion of the filter medium, and wherein the top plate is comprised of a recessed portion bounded by a peripheral edge that retains a top portion of the filter medium. 
     
     
         3 . The air filter of  claim 2 , wherein the recessed portions are coupled with a wire support of the filter medium. 
     
     
         4 . The air filter of  claim 1 , wherein the filter medium has a height that tapers along a length of the air filter, a maximal height being at a front portion of the air filter and a minimal height being at a rear portion of the air filter. 
     
     
         5 . The air filter of  claim 4 , wherein any one or more of the maximal height, the minimal height, and a degree of tapering of the height are configured to maximize the total surface area of the filter medium that is disposed between the air cleaner cover and the base plate. 
     
     
         6 . The air filter of  claim 4 , wherein the height of the air filter is substantially uniform along a width of the air filter. 
     
     
         7 . The air filter of  claim 4 , wherein the degree of tapering of the height depends upon the volume and shape of the air cleaner cover that will be fastened onto the air filter. 
     
     
         8 . The air filter of  claim 1 , wherein the base plate comprises an inlet receiver that has an opening suitable for receiving the air inlet of the engine. 
     
     
         9 . The air filter of  claim 8 , wherein a curved portion comprising the inlet receiver is joined with the base plate and has a curvature configured to establish an air-tight coupling between the base plate and the air inlet. 
     
     
         10 . The air filter of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet receiver has a configuration and a diameter that are suitable to accept the air inlet of the engine. 
     
     
         11 . The air filter of  claim 1 , wherein multiple countersinks are disposed in the top plate and configured to receive fasteners to mount the air filter onto the air inlet of the engine, each of the multiple countersinks being coupled with a sleeve that extends within an interior cavity of the air filter and through the base plate, the multiple countersinks and the sleeves being configured to receive fasteners suitable for mounting the air filter onto the air inlet such that an air-tight seal is established between the base plate and the air inlet. 
     
     
         12 . The air filter of  claim 11 , wherein the multiple countersinks and the sleeves are disposed in locations of the air filter that are aligned with existing threaded holes of the air inlet. 
     
     
         13 . The air filter of  claim 1 , wherein a receiver for the air cleaner cover is disposed in the top plate to facilitate fastening the air cleaner cover onto the air filter. 
     
     
         14 . The air filter of  claim 13 , wherein the receiver extends above the top plate to a controlled height above the bottom of the base plate, the controlled height being selected to allow an interior surface of the air cleaner cover to contact a pliable seal disposed atop the recessed portion. 
     
     
         15 . A method for an air filter to optimize filtration of an airstream passing through a volume within an air cleaner cover of an internal combustion engine, comprising:
 configuring a base plate to mount onto an air inlet of the engine;   configuring a top plate to receive the air cleaner cover; and   disposing a filter medium between the base plate and the top plate.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein configuring the base plate further comprises forming an inlet receiver that has an opening for receiving the air inlet of the engine. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein configuring the top plate further comprises disposing multiple countersinks in the top plate and coupling each of the multiple countersinks with a sleeve that extends through the base plate, the multiple countersinks and sleeves being configured to receive fasteners to mount the air filter onto the air inlet of the engine. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising forming a recessed portion in each of the base plate and the top plate to retain the filter medium. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising tapering a height of the filter medium from a maximal height at a front portion to a minimal height at a rear portion of the air filter. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein configuring the top plate further comprises disposing a receiver atop the top plate to facilitate fastening the air cleaner cover onto the air filter.