Engine control unit cooling air box

Abstract

An apparatus and a method are provided for an air box configured to cool an engine control unit (ECU) by way of an airstream being communicated to an air intake system of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle. The air box is comprised of a housing to support an air filter within an interior of the housing. An opening in the housing fixedly receives at least one surface of the ECU to transfer heat from the ECU to the airstream. A mount portion within the housing receives the air filter. A conduit to a clean side of the air filter is configured to be coupled with the air intake system. An inlet to the housing is configured to couple with an air inlet duct of the vehicle so as to direct the airstream into the interior of the housing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An air box configured to cool an engine control unit (ECU) by way of an airstream being communicated to an air intake system of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, comprising:
 a housing configured to support an air filter within an interior of the housing;   an opening in the housing configured to fixedly receive at least one surface of the ECU;   a mount portion disposed within the housing and configured to receive an air filter;   a conduit comprised of an opening to a clean side of the air filter and configured to be coupled with the air intake system; and   an inlet to the housing that is configured to couple with an air inlet duct of the vehicle so as to direct the airstream into the interior of the housing.   
     
     
         2 . The air box of  claim 1 , wherein the mount portion is comprised of a flat surface that is configured to receive a seal disposed at a base of the air filter, a multiplicity of suitable fasteners being used to compress the seal and establish an airtight connection between an interior of the air filter and the mount portion. 
     
     
         3 . The air box of  claim 1 , wherein the mount portion is comprised of a flange that extends into the interior of the housing and is configured to be received into an opening in a base of the air filter. 
     
     
         4 . The air box of  claim 1 , wherein the conduit is comprised of a transition and a flange that is configured to receive the air intake system, the transition comprising a molded connection between the flange and the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The air box of  claim 4 , wherein the transition positions a longitudinal dimension of the flange at an offset relative to the housing, a value of the offset depending upon the particular vehicle, as well as the specific configuration of the engine, for which the ECU cooling air box is to be utilized. 
     
     
         6 . The air box of  claim 4 , wherein the transition positions a longitudinal dimension of the flange at an angle relative to the housing, a value of the angle depending upon the particular vehicle, as well as the specific configuration of the engine, for which the ECU cooling air box is to be utilized. 
     
     
         7 . The air box of  claim 1 , wherein the opening comprises an edge portion that is configured to receive and place the at least one surface into direct contact with the airstream. 
     
     
         8 . The air box of  claim 7 , wherein the edge portion is configured to receive a multiplicity of fasteners so as to fixedly attach the ECU to the housing. 
     
     
         9 . The air box of  claim 8 , wherein a multiplicity of threaded holes are disposed in suitable locations within the edge portion to receive the multiplicity of fasteners. 
     
     
         10 . The air box of  claim 8 , wherein the edge portion is configured to receive feet of the ECU, such that a portion of the at least one surface between the feet effectively encloses the interior of the housing. 
     
     
         11 . The air box of  claim 10 , wherein a gasket is disposed between the at least one surface and the edge portion so as to provide an airtight coupling between housing and the ECU. 
     
     
         12 . A method for an air box configured to cool an engine control unit (ECU) by way of an airstream being communicated through an air filter to an air intake system of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, comprising:
 configuring a housing that is comprised of a mount portion to support the air filter within an interior of the housing;   extending a conduit from the mount portion to couple with the air intake system, the conduit comprising an opening to an interior of the air filter;   forming an inlet to the interior of the housing to couple with an air inlet duct of the vehicle; and   forming an opening in the housing to receive at least one surface of the ECU, such that the at least one surface substantially encloses the interior of the housing.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein forming an opening further comprises configuring an edge portion of the opening to receive the at least one surface, such that the at least one surface is placed into direct contact with the airstream. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein configuring the edge portion further comprises disposing a multiplicity of threaded holes in suitable locations within the edge portion to receive a multiplicity of fasteners to fixedly attach the ECU to the housing. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein configuring the edge portion further comprises fabricating a gasket to be disposed between the at least one surface and the edge portion to provide a suitably airtight coupling between housing and the ECU.