Patent ID: 8800524
Filing Date: 2014-08-12
Classification: F02M

Abstract:
1. An intake manifold assembly for mounting to a cylinder head and configured to deliver combustion air thereto comprising: a zip tube defining an opening at an inlet end for receipt of combustion air from a throttle body and for communication of the combustion air to a common intake manifold plenum; a plurality of outlet ports disposed along a length of the intake manifold assembly for receiving combustion air from the common intake manifold plenum and delivering the combustion air to the cylinder head, the plurality of outlet ports form a sealing flange for mating the intake manifold assembly to the cylinder head; and a fastener for fastening the intake manifold assembly to the cylinder head; said common intake manifold plenum defining a plenum longitudinal axis that is disposed along the length of the intake manifold assembly, the common intake manifold plenum defining axially remote ends that are disposed along the plenum longitudinal axis at opposing ends of the common intake manifold plenum; the inlet end of said zip tube being positioned centrally along said longitudinal axis and bifurcating at an outlet end to define first and second air flow runners diverging from a central axis of the inlet end of the zip tube and terminating at axially remote ends of the common intake manifold plenum for delivery of combustion air thereto; the first and second air flow runners defining a centrally located access opening between the first and second air flow runners so as to provide access to the fastener; and the fastener being disposed through the common intake manifold plenum between the first and second air flow runners for mechanically coupling the intake manifold assembly to the cylinder head and for causing the sealing flange to mate with the cylinder head with a consistent sealing force between the sealing flange and the cylinder head along the length of the intake manifold assembly so as to thereby provide a reliable seal between the intake manifold assembly and the cylinder head.