Patent ID: 8607744
Filing Date: 2013-12-17
Classification: F02B,F02M,Y02T

Abstract:
1. An active air intake adapted for use with an internal combustion engine, said intake comprising: a housing defining an opening in fluid communication with an ambient environment and the engine; at least one covering member translatable, so as to be caused to move between opened and closed conditions, relative to the opening, wherein the member covers at least a portion of the opening in the closed condition, and does not obstruct the portion, so as to allow an increase in fluid flow between the environment and the engine in the opened condition; and at least one actuator drivenly coupled to the member, and including an active material element operable to undergo a reversible change in fundamental property when exposed to an activation signal, said actuator being configured such that the change is operable to cause or enable the member to move to one of the opened and closed conditions; wherein the member includes a ratchet interface and the actuator includes a pawl in biased engagement with the interface, the pawl and interface being cooperatively configured so as to allow relative rotation only in one direction.