Abstract:
A composite plastics structure in the form of two parts of an inlet manifold housing (11) is formed by joining a first component (16) to a second component (17) at a pair of abutting non-planar joint faces (27, 28) indicated by a joint line (18). Lands (37, 38, 39 and 40) on the joint faces define gaps which are substantially eliminated when tongue (29) on the first component is welded to an abutment surface (33) on the second component by vibrating one component relative to the other. Where the joint face is inclined to a clamping force the projecting distance of the tongue is reduced. The first component is more flexible than the second component to permit the joint faces to conform under the clamping load.
Abstract:
The inlet manifold 23 comprises a casing 25 defining a chamber 21 having an air inlet (36, Fig. 3) and air outlets 18. A plurality of spiral shaped members 45 are rotatably mounted in the chamber and define respective passageways 46 for receiving air from the chamber. The members 45 are rotatable in unison between a first position in which air from the chamber 21 flows to the outlets 18 through the passageways 46 to provide long intake ducts, and a second position in which air in the chamber 21 flows directly to the outlets to provide relatively short intake ducts. The members 45 are mounted on a shaft 42 rotated by a vacuum actuator (37, Fig. 3) located between pairs of members on the shaft. A throttle valve (33, Fig. 3) is located in the air inlet (36) which is integral with the plastics casing 25.
Abstract:
An internal combustion engine inlet manifold includes two parts of a housing 11 formed by welding a first plastics component 16 to a second plastics component 17 at a pair of abutting non-planar joint faces (27, 28) indicated by a joint line 18, by vibrating one component relative to the other. The housing 11 includes four inlet tracts (13, Fig.2) each including a curved tract portion defined by a curved duct portion 15. One component 17 is on the inside of the curve and the other component 16 is on the outside, no part of the joint face being inclined at an angle greater than 60 degrees to a plane perpendicular to the direction of a clamping force used in the friction welding. The joint faces may be provided with respective peripheral lands 37, 39 and 38, 41; and a tongue 29 and abutment surface 33, such that there is an initial predetermined gap between the lands which closes when the vibrations and clamping force are applied, the vibrations being ceased when the gap is eliminated.
Abstract:
The manifold section 34 and the throttle body section 35 are formed integrally of plastics to provide an inlet duct 33. An air cleaner housing 38 may be formed as a one piece plastics unit with an intermediate duct 39 and air entry duct 40. The throttle body section (59 Fig. 4) may be arranged in use below a manifold chamber (58) with U-shaped outlet branches (54).
Abstract:
A composite plastics structure in the form of two parts of an inlet manifold housing (11) is formed by joining a first component (16) to a second component (17) at a pair of abutting non-planar joint faces (27, 28) indicated by a joint line (18). Lands (37, 38, 39 and 40) on the joint faces define gaps which are substantially eliminated when tongue (29) on the first component is welded to an abutment surface (33) on the second component by vibrating one component relative to the other. Where the joint face is inclined to a clamping force the projecting distance of the tongue is reduced. The first component is more flexible than the second component to permit the joint faces to conform under the clamping load.
Abstract:
The spring 17 comprises a resilient arm 23 of strip-like material which has a free end for closing a valve 15 mounting portion 24 at its opposite end for mounting on the engine 10. The arm 23 is formed with an elongate deformation 28 projecting out of the plane of the strip which varies the bending stiffness of the arm. A plurality of arms (23a, Figs. 7 and 8) may have a common mounting portion (38). The deformation 28 may be triangular (Fig. 3).