LONG LIFE ENGINE AIR CLEANER TECHNOLOGY FOR AUTOMOTIVE PASSENGER CARS, SUVs AND LIGHT TRUCKS

摘要

A new Patented Long Life Filter (LLF) technology has been developed for automotive passenger cars, SUVs and light trucks. The LLF technology provides a unique approach and advantages over the traditional serviceable engine air filters. The LLF technology has been designed and developed to exceed 100K miles or beyond service life under normal driving conditions. This new technology will be in production on a mid sized passenger car application in spring of 2003. The new LLF technology is a fully sealed air cleaner assembly designed to remove contaminants from engine intake air, provides engine noise control, negligible power loss and provides accurate metering of clean airflow into the engine. The air cleaner utilizes a multi-layered reticulated foam media to trap and remove contaminants. This paper discusses the performance of the LLF system and the production design. Performance and durability data on the new LLF system will be reviewed including field evaluation data that supports the LLF development. This new LLF technology also supports and compliments the new PZEV [partial zero emission vehicle] under-hood evaporative emission control, developed for the same vehicle. The new PZEV standard is being dictated by the CARB board and will be required for all green states by 2006. A separate technical paper by Leffel J., et al. 'Development of Evaporative Emissions Filters for Automotive Applications', covers details on the PZEV development. This technical paper is an introduction to a new generation of LLF engine air cleaner designs.