Ford Taurus SHO Intake System Patent Article - SHO & Tell Summer 2001, Page 11

This is page 11 of the Summer 2001 issue of the 'SHO & tell' newsletter, reproducing text and a drawing from a patent describing an improved induction/intake system for multi-cylinder internal combustion engines. The text references copending patent application Ser. No. 002,730, filed Jan. 14, 1987, by Iwao Masumoto et al., titled 'Intake System For Multi Cylindered Engine.' It discusses compound intake systems using plenum chambers with plural air inlets, noting their potential drawbacks such as torque valleys in the mid-range, and states the invention's objectives: an improved induction system with compound intake passages that improves performance throughout the entire engine load and speed range. Key features described include a variable volume chamber with intake ports, plenum chambers with first and second atmospheric air inlets, and throttle valve means controlling flow into each plenum chamber independently. A 'Brief Description of the Drawings' section lists FIG. 1 (top plan view of the engine), FIG. 2 (enlarged cross-sectional view), FIG. 3 (schematic top plan view of the induction system), FIG. 4 (another embodiment), and FIG. 5 (torque graph). The page includes the FIG. 1 drawing, a top plan view of the engine with numbered reference callouts (11, 32, 45-49, 51-53, 58, 59, 64-69, 74-77). Readers learn the design principles behind this dual-plenum, dual-throttle intake concept relevant to the Ford Taurus SHO community.