Fender-accessible air filter

• US 8,376,820 B2
• Filed: 08/26/2004
• Issued: 02/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Stough, Andrew J., Laffan, Patrick W., Spangler, John C. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): McAllister, Steven B
• Assistant Examiner(s): MILLER, SAMANTHA A
• Application Number:
  US10/925,969
• Publication Number:
  US 20060046634A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,099 Days
• Field of Search: 454/158, 454/147, 454/149, 553/852, 554/82, 554/821, 554/93, 555/05
• US Class Current: 454/158
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00378 for tractor or load vehicle cabins
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2003/065 Details for holding filter elements in position
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 3/0641 near ventilating openings in the vehicle exterior

Abstract

An air induction system is provided for a work machine having at least one fender. The air induction system has an air inlet flow member and an air filter. The air filter is disposed within the at least one fender and accessible from outside of the work machine. The air filter is fluidly connected to and disposed downstream of the air inlet flow member. The air induction system also includes a conduit fluidly connected to and disposed downstream of the air filter.

Claims

1. A fender for a machine having an air induction system and a ceiling portion, the fender comprising:

an outer shell forming an internal cavity, the outer shell forming an exterior surface of the machine and partially surrounding at least one traction device of the machine;

a recess disposed within an internal wall of the outer shell, the recess being configured to receive and allow removal of an air filter of the air induction system;

an opening through the outer shell providing access to the internal cavity and the recess from outside of the machine;

a cover hinged to the outer shell and configured to close off the opening; and

an air inlet flow member extending upward from the outer shell to a point above the outer shell and below the ceiling portion of the machine, the air inlet flow member being configured to direct a flow of air to an operator cabin of the machine via the air filter and via an air treatment device configured to thermally treat the flow of air.

2. The fender of claim 1, further including a sealing member configured to seal the internal cavity from the atmosphere.

3. The fender of claim 1, further including an opening extending from the recess through the outer shell and configured to fluidly connect the air inlet flow member to the air filter.

4. The fender of claim 3, further including an opening extending from the recess through the outer shell and configured to fluidly connect the air filter to the air treatment device.

5. The fender of claim 3, further including a retaining member configured to retain the air filter within the recess.

6. A machine, comprising:

an operator cabin;

at least one traction device;

at least one fender partially surrounding the traction device and positioned between the traction device and the operator cabin on an exterior surface of the machine, the fender having;

an outer shell forming an internal cavity;

a recess disposed within an internal wall of the outer shell;

an opening though the outer shell providing access to the internal cavity and the recess from outside of the work machine; and

a cover hinged to the outer shell and configured to close off the opening; and

an air induction system having;

an air inlet flow member;

an air filter disposed within the recess of the fender and removable from outside of the machine, the air filter being fluidly connected to and disposed downstream of the air inlet flow member;

a conduit fluidly connected to and disposed downstream of the air filter, and

an air treatment device disposed downstream of the conduit, the air treatment device being fluidly connected to the air inlet flow member and configured to thermally treat a flow of air and direct the thermally treated flow of air into the operator cabin,

wherein the air inlet flow member extends from the at least one fender to a point between the at least one fender and a ceiling portion of the operator cabin.

7. The work machine of claim 6, wherein the fender further includes a sealing member configured to seal the internal cavity from the atmosphere.

8. The work machine of claim 6, wherein the fender further includes an opening extending from the recess through the outer shell to the air inlet flow member.

9. The work machine of claim 8, wherein the opening is a first opening and the fender further includes a second opening extending from the recess through the outer shell to the conduit.

10. The work machine of claim 6, wherein the fender further includes a retaining member configured to retain the filter within the recess.

11. The machine of claim 6, wherein the air inlet flow member extends upward from the at least one fender such that an inlet of the air inlet flow member is located above the at least one fender.

12. The machine of claim 6, wherein the air inlet flow member is disposed within a portion of a frame of the operator cabin.

13. The machine of claim 6, wherein the air treatment device includes at least one of a fan, a heat exchanger, or a heating coil.