Precleaner arrangement for use in air filtration, method of operation of precleaner and air cleaner comprising the precleaner arrangement

Abstract

A precleaner arrangement for use in separating a portion of entrained material in air from air entering an air cleaner, is provided. The precleaner arrangement includes a vane structure positioned to direct air into a circular or cyclonic pattern, to facilitate material separation. The vane structure includes one or more adjustable air deflection vanes. Each adjustable air deflection vane is constructed: to have a first position under no air flow or low air flow rate conditions; and, to deflect to import a more open, lower restriction, orientation under increased air flow rates. Preferred precleaner arrangement constructions, assemblies utilizing in the precleaner arrangement and methods are described.

1 . A precleaner arrangement for separating a portion of entrained material from air flow air entering an engine air cleaner; the precleaner arrangement comprising: 
 (a) a vane structure arrangement including at least a first, adjustable, air deflection vane; 
 (i) the first, adjustable, air deflection vane having a flexible portion deflectable between a first orientation and a second orientation;  
 (ii) the flexible portion having a memory bias toward the first orientation; and,  
 (iii) the flexible portion being configured to deflect toward the second orientation, in response to a sufficient air flow rate increase through the precleaner arrangement, in use.  
   
   
   
       2 . A precleaner arrangement according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 (a) the vane structure arrangement comprises a plurality of adjustable air deflection vanes positioned around a central hub; 
 (i) each adjustable air deflection vane having a flexible portion deflectable between a first orientation and a second orientation;  
 (ii) each flexible portion having a memory bias toward a first orientation; and,  
 (iii) each flexible portion being configured to deflect toward the second orientation in response to a sufficient air flow rate increase through the precleaner arrangement, in use.  
   
   
   
       3 . A precleaner arrangement according to  claim 2  wherein: 
 (a) each adjustable air deflection vane comprises: 
 (i) a flexible member; and,  
 (ii) a rigid structural member.  
   
   
   
       4 . A precleaner arrangement according to  claim 3  wherein: 
 (a) the vane structure arrangement includes at least three adjustable air deflection vanes.    
   
   
       5 . A precleaner arrangement according to  claim 4  wherein: 
 (a) the vane structure has a first axial total vane length X and a first vane perimeter size Y;    (b) the precleaner being configured such X<Y.    
   
   
       6 . A precleaner arrangement according to  claim 5  wherein: 
 X<0.7Y    
   
   
       7 . A precleaner arrangement according to  claim 6  wherein: 
 X<0.3Y    
   
   
       8 . A precleaner arrangement according to  claim 4  wherein: 
 (a) the vane structure includes a perimeter rim: 
 (i) each adjustable air deflection vane being secured in extension between the central hub and the perimeter rim; and  
 (ii) a perimeter edge portion of each flexible portion being spaced from the perimeter rim, to define a flexible, downstream, outer ear in the associated flexible portion.  
   
   
   
       9 . A precleaner arrangement according to  claim 8  wherein: 
 (a) each adjustable air deflection vane has: a lead, upstream, edge; and, a tail, downstream, edge; and    (b) the flexible member has a concave upstream surface in extension between the lead edge and the tail edge, when in the first orientation.    
   
   
       10 . A precleaner arrangement according to  claim 9  having: 
 (a) a projection angle A between the lead upstream edge of each adjustable air deflection vane and a tail edge of a next adjacent air deflection vane of at least 17°.    
   
   
       11 . A precleaner arrangement according to  claim 8  wherein: 
 (a) the vane structure arrangement is secured to a perimeter housing structure having a dust drop tube.    
   
   
       12 . An air cleaner comprising: 
 (a) a precleaner arrangement comprising a vane structure arrangement including a plurality of adjustable, air deflection vanes; 
 (i) each adjustable air deflection vane having: 
 (A) a flexible member; and,  
 (b) a rigid structural member;  
 
 (ii) each flexible member being deflectable between a first orientation and a second orientation;  
 (iii) each flexible member having a memory bias toward the first orientation; and  
 (iv) the flexible member being configured to deflect toward the second orientation, in response to a sufficient air flow rate increase through the precleaner arrangement, in use; and  
   (b) a main air cleaner positioned to receive air from the precleaner arrangement; 
 (i) the main air cleaner having a serviceable air filter element therein.  
   
   
   
       13 . An air cleaner arrangement according to  claim 12  wherein: 
 (a) the serviceable air filter element comprises z-filter media.    
   
   
       14 . A method of operating a precleaner to separate a portion of entrained material from air flow entering an engine air cleaner; the method including steps of: 
 (a) directing air through air deflection vanes of a vane structure of the precleaner at a first flow rate; and    (b) increasing air flow from the first flow rate to a second, higher, flow rate while adjusting configuration of selected vanes in the vane structure by deforming flexible portions of the vanes toward a downstream direction in response to the second, higher, flow rate.    
   
   
       15 . A method of manufacturing a vane structure arrangement of a precleaner; the method including steps of: 
 (a) injecting a first material into a mold arrangement, to form a support structure; and,    (b) injecting a second moldable material, into contact with the first material, to form flexible vane portions configured to deflect toward a downstream direction in response to a sufficient air flow rate increase through the vane structure arrangement of the precleaner.