초록 ▼

An air intake system for a vehicle, having a hood that defines at least one intake aperture therethrough. The hood may be configured such that the intake apertures have substantially zero exposed area in the upper surface of the hood, such that debris cannot fall from directly above the hood into th

An air intake system for a vehicle, having a hood that defines at least one intake aperture therethrough. The hood may be configured such that the intake apertures have substantially zero exposed area in the upper surface of the hood, such that debris cannot fall from directly above the hood into the intake apertures. A screen is engaged with the hood. The screen may define at least one screen aperture therethrough. A screen mount may be disposed within the screen aperture, and is engaged with the lower surface of the hood and with the screen. The air flow path may be shaped such that air must rise near the intake apertures and fall near the outflow aperture. The air intake system may include an air plenum adapted to supply air to an engine.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An air intake system for a vehicle, said air intake system comprising:a first hood member positioned between a front end and a steering member of said vehicle, said steering member being operable from a user seating positioned on the vehicle;a second hood member positioned over a portion of a top

1. An air intake system for a vehicle, said air intake system comprising:a first hood member positioned between a front end and a steering member of said vehicle, said steering member being operable from a user seating positioned on the vehicle;a second hood member positioned over a portion of a top primary surface of said first hood member;at least one air intake;an engine air inlet in communication with said at least one air intake, said engine air inlet being positioned frontward of an engine of said vehicle;an air flow path from said at least one air intake to said engine air inlet, said airflow path extending in a direction from said steering member towards a front end of said vehicle;a screen layer interposed between said at least one air intake and said engine air inlet such that all air flowing through said air flow path must pass through said screen layer;wherein said air flow path rises between said at least one air intake and said screen layer, such that all air passing through said screen must rise while passing through said screen layer.2. The air intake system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one air intake is defined between said first and second hood members.3. The air intake system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one air intake is defined around a portion of a peripheral edge of said second hood member.4. The air intake system according to claim 1, wherein wherein said at least one air intake includes an air intake defined between said second hood member and a windshield of said vehicle.5. The air intake system according to claim 1, wherein said first and second portions comprise a single, integral piece.6. The air intake system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one air intake is configured such that said at least one air intake defines substantially zero area of projection on a plane above said first and second hood members as viewed from above said hood members.7. The air intake system according to claim 1, wherein said second hood member extends horizontally beyond said at least one air intake.8. The air intake system according to claim 1, wherein said second hood member further comprises a lower surface, and wherein said screen layer is engaged with said lower surface of said second portion such that said screen layer and said lower surface cooperate to define a cavity therebetween, said cavity defining at least a portion of said air flow path.9. The air intake system according to claim 8, wherein said screen layer is removably engaged with said lower surface of said second portion.10. The air intake system according to claim 8, wherein said screen layer comprises an outer edge, said outer edge being in contact with said lower surface of said second portion.11. The air intake system according to claim 9, further comprising an edge mounting mechanism engaged with an outer edge of said screen layer.12. The air intake system according to claim 8, wherein said screen layer defines a screen aperture therethrough.13. The air intake system according to claim 12, further comprising a screen mount engaged with said screen aperture.14. The air intake system according to claim 2, further comprising an air plenum defining at least a part of said air flow path, said air plenum being in communication with said engine air inlet.15. The air intake system according to claim 13, further comprising an air plenum defining at least a part of said air flow path, said air plenum being in communication with said engine air inlet, wherein said screen mount and said air plenum are removably engaged.16. The air intake system according to claim 1, wherein said screen extends along substantially an entire length of said second hood member.17. The air intake system according to claim 1, wherein the screen is arranged such that debris filtered from air flowing through said screen layer along said air flow path is pulled away from said screen layer by gravity.18. The air intake system according to claim 3, wherein said first and second hood members are removably secured to each other.19. A method for drawing air into an engine of a vehicle, said vehicle including first and second hood members, at least one air intake, a screen layer, a steering member, and an engine air inlet, said method comprising the steps of:positioning said first and second hood members between a front end of said vehicle and said steering member;positioning said engine air inlet in said vehicle frontward of said engine;defining an air flow path-between said first and second hood members, said air flow path extending from said at least one air intake to said engine air inlet;positioning said screen layer in said air flow path between said at least one air intake and said engine air inlet; anddrawing air through said at least one air intake and said screen layer into said air flow path, and from said air flow path into said engine air inlet, said screen layer being configured such that all air flowing into said air flow path must pass through said screen layer, said screen layer being configured such that all air passing through said screen layer must rise while passing through said screen layer.20. The method of claim 19, further comprising positioning a portion of said at least one air intake on the vehicle rearward of said engine.21. The method of claim 19, wherein said engine air intake is closer to a front end of said vehicle tat said at least one air intake.22. The method of claim 19, further comprising providing said at least one air intake along a top primary surface of said first hood member.23. A snowmobile, comprising:a chassis;an engine supported in front end of the chassis;handlebars positioned rearward of the engine; andan air intake system for the engine, the air intake system comprising:a first hood member covering a portion of the engine and extending from the front end of the snowmobile towards the handlebars;a second hood member secured to a top primary surface of the first hood member;at least one air intake at least partially defined between the first and second hood members;an engine air inlet in communication with the engine and the at least one air intake, the engine air inlet being positioned frontward of the engine; anda screen layer interposed between the at least one air intake and the engine air inlet such that air entering the engine air inlet through the at least one air intake passes through the screen layer;wherein air passing the screen layer rises while passing through said screen layer.