Multiple inlet filtration system

Abstract

An apparatus and a method are provided for a multiple inlet air box to communicate an airstream through an air filter to an air intake duct of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle. The multiple inlet air box is comprised of a housing that supports the air filter within an interior of the housing. A mount portion within the housing fixedly receives a base of the air filter. Multiple air inlets couple with corresponding air inlet ports of the vehicle to direct the airstream into the multiple inlet air box. A duct directs the airstream from the multiple air inlets to the interior of the housing. A conduit communicates the airstream from an interior of the air filter to the air intake duct of the internal combustion engine.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An air box configured to communicate an airstream through an air filter to an air intake duct of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, comprising:
 a housing configured to support the air filter within an interior of the housing;   a duct configured to direct the airstream to the air filter;   one or more air inlets to the duct that are configured to couple with one or more corresponding air inlet ports of the vehicle; and   a conduit configured to communicate the airstream from an interior of the air filter to the air intake duct.   
     
     
         2 . The air box of  claim 1 , wherein either of the one or more air inlets may be blocked to the airstream so as to facilitate coupling and operation of the air box with the engine of a vehicle comprising only one corresponding air inlet port. 
     
     
         3 . The air box of  claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more air inlets comprises an opening having a size, shape, and orientation that substantially matches the size, shape, and orientation of the one or more corresponding air inlet ports to which each of the one or more air inlets is to be coupled. 
     
     
         4 . The air box of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more air inlets are configured to be slightly larger than the one or more corresponding air inlet ports, such that the one or more air inlets may receive the one or more corresponding air inlet ports. 
     
     
         5 . The air box of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more air inlets are configured to be substantially the same size as the one or more corresponding air inlet ports, such that the one or more air inlets may be aligned with, and pressed against the one or more corresponding air inlet ports. 
     
     
         6 . The air box of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more air inlets are configured to be slightly smaller than the one or more corresponding air inlet ports, such that the one or more air inlets may be inserted into the one or more corresponding air inlet ports. 
     
     
         7 . The air box of  claim 3 , wherein a specific configuration of the air inlets may be varied so as to accommodate a particular make, model, and configuration of the engine for which the air box is to be utilized. 
     
     
         8 . The air box of  claim 1 , wherein a seal is disposed around a perimeter edge of each of the one or more air inlets so as to establish a substantially air-leak resistant junction between the one or more air inlets and the one or more corresponding air inlet ports. 
     
     
         9 . The air box of  claim 8 , wherein the seal is comprised of a molded pliable strip including a recess that is configured to receive the perimeter edge. 
     
     
         10 . The air box of  claim 9 , wherein the molded pliable strip is comprised of a cross-sectional shape that is suitable to establish the substantially air-leak resistant junction. 
     
     
         11 . The air box of  claim 8 , wherein the seal is comprised of pliable stripping that is configured to be disposed around an interior of the perimeter edge, such that the pliable stripping fills a space between an interior of each of the one or more air inlets and an exterior of the one or more corresponding air inlet ports. 
     
     
         12 . The air box of  claim 8 , wherein the seal is comprised of pliable stripping that is configured to be disposed on an exterior of each of the one or more air inlets, such that the pliable stripping fills a space between the exterior of each of the one or more air inlets and an interior of the one or more corresponding air inlet ports. 
     
     
         13 . A method for an air box to communicate an airstream through an air filter to an air intake duct of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, comprising:
 configuring a housing to support the air filter within an interior of the housing;   configuring a duct to direct the airstream to the air filter;   forming one or more air inlets to the duct;   providing a configuration and orientation to each of the one or more air inlets to facilitate coupling with one or more corresponding air inlet ports of the vehicle; and   extending a conduit from an interior of the air filter to the air intake duct.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein forming one or more air inlets further comprises disposing a seal around a perimeter edge of the one or more air inlets so as to establish a substantially air-leak resistant junction between the one or more air inlets and the one or more corresponding air inlet ports. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein providing a configuration and orientation further comprises configuring either of the one or more air inlets to be blocked to the airstream so as to facilitate operation of the air box in a vehicle that lacks either of the one or more corresponding air inlet ports.