Self-cleaning air filter assembly
A self-cleaning air filter assembly is provided and includes a filter housing having an upper portion and a lower portion that together define an internal volume. An air filter element is disposed in the internal volume. The upper portion of the filter housing includes a canister port adapted for fluid connection with an evaporative emissions canister. The lower portion of the filter housing includes a first port adapted for fluid connection with an atmospheric vent, and a second port adapted for fluid connection with a source of low pressure air. During a cleaning mode, air is pulled from the first port and along the filter element to the second port in order to remove particulate matter from the filter element. A vehicle evaporative emissions control system including the air filter assembly and a method of cleaning an air filter assembly are also provided.
1 . A self-cleaning air filter assembly for a vehicle evaporative emissions control system, the air filter assembly comprising:
a filter housing having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper and lower portions together define an internal volume;
an air filter element disposed in the internal volume of the filter housing, the filter element including a first side facing the upper portion of the filter housing and an opposite second side facing the lower portion of the filter housing;
the upper portion of the filter housing including a canister port adapted for fluid connection with an evaporative emissions canister;
the lower portion of the filter housing including a first port adapted for fluid connection with an atmospheric vent; and
the lower portion of the filter housing further including a second port adapted for fluid connection with a source of low pressure air;
wherein during a cleaning mode in which there is nominal airflow through the filter element from one side of the filter element to the other side, air is pulled from the first port and along the second side of the filter element to the second port in order to remove particulate matter from the filter element, the particulate matter being expelled out the second port.
2 . The air filter assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first port is disposed at one end of the lower portion of the filter housing, and the second port is disposed at an opposite end of the lower portion of the filter housing.
3 . The air filter assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first and second ports are both formed in a bottom surface of the lower portion of the filter housing.
4 . The air filter assembly of claim 1 , wherein the filter element is adjacent to a division between the upper and lower portions of the filter housing.
5 . The air filter assembly of claim 1 , wherein the filter element is disposed in the lower portion of the filter housing.
6 . The air filter assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second side of the filter element facing the lower portion of the filter housing is a pleated side of the filter element.
7 . The air filter assembly of claim 1 , wherein the upper and lower portions of the filter housing are connected by one of a hinge or clip.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the low pressure air is at a pressure that is lower than a pressure of air at the atmospheric vent.