HIGH PERFORMANCE AIR INTAKE SYSTEM
An apparatus and method for a heat shield with an integrated air filter assembly is disclosed. Wherein the air filter assembly comprising a filter material circumferentially extending such that the filter material surrounds at least a portion of an interior cavity of the air filter, a distal end cap affixed to a distal end of the filter material, and a wire support extending along at least a portion of an exterior surface of the filter material; and wherein the heat shield is configured to direct cooler air into an air intake conduit extending from an intake portion of an automobile engine for combustion.
1 .- 15 . (canceled)
16 . An air filtration system for an internal combustion engine, comprising:
an air filter assembly disposed within an engine bay;
a heat shield partially surrounding the air filter assembly;
a conduit coupled between the air filter assembly and an air intake of the engine;
a first gasket disposed along a top of the heat shield; and
a second gasket disposed along a bottom of the heat shield.
17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the first gasket is configured to contact an inner surface of a hood.
18 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the second gasket is configured to insulate the heat shield from engine bay heat.
19 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the first gasket and the second gasket are configured to hinder heat transfer to the heat shield.
20 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the heat shield comprises a mount portion and a housing portion.
21 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the mount portion is configured for mounting the heat shield to an interior of the engine bay.
22 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the mount portion comprises a plurality of structural supports configured to increase the rigidity of the mount portion.
23 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the plurality of structural supports comprises a plurality of ribs.
24 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the mount portion includes a fastening means for mounting the heat shield.
25 . The system of claim 24 , wherein the first gasket and the second gasket are respectively disposed on upper and lower edges of the heat shield.
26 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the housing portion is configured to support the air filter assembly and provide an interface between the air filter assembly and the conduit.
27 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the housing portion comprises a plurality of structural members configured to increase the rigidity of the housing portion.
28 . The system of claim 27 , wherein the plurality of structural members comprises a plurality of ribs.
29 . A method for filtering an airstream entering an internal combustion engine, comprising:
disposing an air filter assembly within an engine bay;
positioning a heat shield around the air filter assembly;
coupling a conduit between the air filter assembly and an air intake of the engine;
disposing a first gasket along a top of the heat shield; and
disposing a second gasket along a bottom of the heat shield.
30 . The method of claim 29 , wherein positioning the heat shield comprises partially surrounding the air filter assembly by way of the heat shield.
31 . The method of claim 29 , wherein positioning the heat shield includes mounting the heat shield to an interior of the engine bay.
32 . The method of claim 29 , wherein positioning the heat shield includes causing the first gasket to contact an inner surface of a hood.
33 . The method of claim 29 , wherein positioning the heat shield includes coupling the air filter assembly with a flange comprising the conduit.
34 . The method of claim 29 , wherein disposing the first gasket and disposing the second gasket include respectively disposing the first gasket on an upper edge of the heat shield and disposing the second gasket on a lower edge of the heat shield.
35 . The method of claim 29 , wherein coupling the conduit includes disposing portions of the conduit between the air filter assembly and the air intake.