Air intake device for an engine of a vehicle or transport device

Abstract

An air intake device for an engine of a vehicle equipped with a transport refrigeration unit (TRU) is described herein. The device includes a housing defining a shape of the device. The device is adapted to be fixedly or removably configured at a predetermined location in a vehicle, a TRU, a container or chassis associated with the vehicle, or a trailer associated with the vehicle such that the device facilitates inflow of ambient air in the device and directs the ambient air towards the engine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of air inlet devices, and more particularly to an air inlet device for an engine of a vehicle or transport equipment equipped with a transport refrigeration unit (TRU). Summary of the invention

[0002] An air intake device for an engine of a vehicle equipped with a transport refrigeration unit (TRU) is described herein. The device includes a housing that defines the shape of the device. The device is adapted to be fixedly or removably configured at a predetermined location in a vehicle, a TRU, a container or chassis associated with the vehicle, or a trailer associated with the vehicle so that the device facilitates the inflow of ambient air within the device and directs the ambient air toward the engine.

[0003] In one or more embodiments, the housing includes an inlet in communication with the environment, a first outlet, and an internal cavity enclosed by the housing such that the internal cavity fluidly connects the inlet to the first outlet of the housing.

[0004] In one or more embodiments, the device is configured with a TRU or vehicle such that the first inlet remains exposed to or in fluid communication with the environment to allow inflow of ambient air from the atmosphere within the device and further direct the ambient air toward the engine via the first outlet.

[0005] In one or more embodiments, the interior of the device is configured to restrict the flow of liquid entering the device through the inlet toward the first inlet or the engine.

[0006] In one or more embodiments, the interior of the device is configured to separate liquid that enters the device with ambient air from the ambient air and further restrict the flow of the separated liquid toward the first inlet or the engine.

[0007] In one or more embodiments, the device includes a separator wall of a predefined height configured within the housing, wherein the separator wall is configured to restrict flow of incoming liquid toward the first inlet or the engine while allowing ambient air to flow over the separator wall from the inlet toward the first outlet.

[0008] In one or more embodiments, the bottom side of the housing has a downward slope of a predefined gradient that enables the device to collect incoming or separated liquid.

[0009] In one or more embodiments, the bottom side of the housing has either a substantially V-shaped profile or a curved profile.

[0010] In one or more embodiments, the shell includes a second outlet at the middle of the bottom side of the shell, wherein the separation wall is constructed above the second outlet so that at least a portion of the opening of the second outlet remains on either side of the separation wall to allow liquid collected on either side of the separation wall within the shell to flow out.

[0011] In one or more embodiments, the shell includes at least two second outlets at the bottom side of the shell, wherein the separation wall is configured such that one of the second outlets remains on either side of the separation wall to allow liquid collected on either side of the separation wall within the shell to flow out.

[0012] In one or more embodiments, the second outlet and / or the separating wall is configured at the lowest point of the downward slope on the bottom side of the housing.

[0013] In one or more embodiments, the separation wall extends upward from the lowest point to a predefined height within the housing such that a predefined gap is maintained between a top end of the separation wall and an inner wall of an upper side of the housing.

[0014] In one or more embodiments, the top end of the separation wall has a curved member, wherein the relative edges of the curved member extend in a downward direction, wherein the curved member is configured to: limit the mixing or interaction of the collected water with the ambient air on either side of the separation wall by the bottom side of the curved member when the ambient air flows from the inlet toward the first outlet; promote the separation of the liquid flowing toward the first outlet together with the ambient air from the ambient air; guide the separated liquid toward the bottom side of the shell by the upper surface of the curved member; and minimize the air pressure difference on either side of the separation wall when the ambient air is flowing over the separation wall.

[0015] In one or more embodiments, the opening of the first outlet is at least partially maintained above the highest point or the lowest point of the bottom side of the housing to restrict the flow of the collected liquid toward the first outlet.

[0016] In one or more embodiments, the interior wall of the housing comprises a plurality of grooves or has a predefined texture to limit splashing of incoming liquid, promote separation of incoming liquid from ambient air, and / or direct incoming or separated liquid toward a second outlet of the device.

[0017] In one or more embodiments, the inner wall on the rear side of the housing has a slope that promotes separation of the incoming liquid from the ambient air and further directs the separated liquid towards the second outlet of the device.

[0018] In one or more embodiments, the device includes: a sealing element constructed between a front side of the device and a frame of a TRU or vehicle in which the device is positioned, wherein the sealing element is configured to seal a gap between the device and an air inlet grille and further limit leakage of liquid and / or ambient air through the gap; and one or more mounting elements for facilitating attachment of the device at a predetermined location in the TRU or vehicle.

[0019] In one or more embodiments, the air intake device includes: a first conduit, which is fluidly connected to the first outlet and extends toward the engine to guide ambient air toward the engine; and a second conduit, which is fluidly connected to the second outlet and extends out of the vehicle or into the tank to guide the collected liquid out of the vehicle or toward the tank.

[0020] In one or more embodiments, the device is constructed within a TRU, behind an air inlet grille associated with the TRU, such that the air inlet grille allows ambient air to flow within the device via the air inlet grille and an inlet of the device, wherein the housing has a predefined shape based on the contour of a portion of the TRU, above which the device is positioned, behind the air inlet grille.

[0021] Also described herein is a transport equipment equipped with a transport refrigeration unit (TRU). The transport equipment includes an engine and an air intake device. The device is configured at a predetermined location in the TRU or the transport equipment, wherein the device is configured to: promote the inflow of ambient air into the device and direct the ambient air toward the engine associated with the TRU; and separate liquid that enters the device with the ambient air from the ambient air, and further collect and restrict the flow of the separated liquid toward a first inlet or the engine.

[0022] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be limiting in any way. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, features, and techniques of the subject disclosure will become more apparent from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the subject disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the subject disclosure and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the subject disclosure.

[0024] In the drawings, similar components and / or features may have the same reference number. In addition, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference number with a second reference number that distinguishes between the similar components. If only the first reference number is used in the specification, the description applies to any of the similar components having the same first reference number, regardless of the second reference number.

[0025] Figure 1A An exemplary perspective view of an air intake device is illustrated, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure.

[0026] Figure 1B and Figure 1C An exemplary front view and a top view, respectively, are illustrated of an air intake device according to one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure.

[0027] Figure 1D An exemplary exploded view of an air intake device according to one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure is illustrated.

[0028] Figure 2 An exemplary view of an air intake device configured behind an air inlet grill associated with a TRU of a vehicle is illustrated in accordance with one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The following is a detailed description of an embodiment of the subject disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiment is so detailed as to clearly convey the subject disclosure. However, the amount of detail provided is not intended to limit the intended variations of the embodiment; on the contrary, it is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives that fall within the spirit and scope of the subject disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0030] Various terms are used herein. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.

[0031] In the specification, reference may be made to the spatial relationship between the various components, and the spatial orientation of the various aspects of the components of the equipment as depicted in the drawings. However, as those skilled in the art will recognize after a complete reading of this theme disclosure, the components of the present invention described herein can be positioned in any desired orientation. Therefore, the use of terms such as "above", "below", "upper", "lower", "first", "second" or other similar terms to describe the spatial relationship between the various components or the spatial orientation of the various aspects of such components should be understood as describing the relative relationship between the components or the spatial orientation of the various aspects of such components, because the TRU, inlet, first outlet, second outlet, separating wall and corresponding components described herein can be oriented in any desired direction.

[0032] Engines widely used in various automotive and industrial applications are known to produce harmful emissions such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and soot (particulate matter). These emissions cause serious environmental and health problems and are subject to strict regulations around the world. Reducing NOx and soot emissions is important to meet emission standards and improve overall air quality.

[0033] The temperature of the intake air supplied to the engine can directly affect the formation of NOx and soot. Higher intake air temperatures can be associated with increased NOx emissions as well as the combustion of particulate matter, which can result in elevated soot emissions.

[0034] In existing vehicles and transport equipment such as trailers, containers, etc. that draw hot air from the engine compartment, the intake air temperature may be higher than the ambient temperature, thereby exacerbating the emissions problem. Therefore, a solution is needed to address the above-mentioned challenges by providing an air intake device that directs cool ambient air towards the engine of the transport equipment or vehicle while restricting the flow of water or liquids (with the ambient air) towards the engine.

[0035] refer to Figures 1A to 1D, the air intake device 100 may include a hollow housing 102 that defines the shape of the device 100. The housing may include a front wall 102-1, a rear wall 102-2, a top wall 102-3, a bottom wall 102-4, a left side wall 102-5, and a right side wall 102-6 that define the shape of the device 100. The device 100 may be adapted to be fixedly or removably configured at a predetermined location in a vehicle, a TRU, a container or chassis associated with a vehicle, or a trailer associated with a vehicle, so that the device 100 can promote the inflow of ambient air within the device and further direct the ambient air toward the engine. The housing 102 of the device 100 may include an inlet 104, a first outlet 106 (also referred to herein as an air outlet 106), and one or more second outlets (collectively referred to herein as second outlets or water outlets 108). In one or more embodiments, the device 100 may be configured with a TRU or vehicle so that the inlet remains exposed to the environment or in fluid communication with the environment to allow the inflow of ambient air from the atmosphere into the device 100, and further direct the ambient air toward the engine via the first outlet 106 (air outlet). In addition, the interior of the device 100 may be configured to restrict the flow of liquid (water) entering the device 100 through the inlet 104 toward the first outlet 106 (air outlet) or the engine. Furthermore, the device 100 may be configured to allow the flow of liquid entering the device 100 through the inlet 104 toward the second outlet 108 (water or liquid outlet) of the device 100 to facilitate the removal of liquid from the device 100.

[0036] In one or more embodiments, the interior of the device 100 may be hollow and configured to separate liquid or water entering the device 100 with the ambient air from the ambient air, and further restrict the flow of the separated water toward the first outlet 106 or the engine. In one or more embodiments, the interior wall of the housing 102 (the rear wall 102-2 and / or the wall adjacent to the inlet 104) may include a plurality of grooves (not shown) or may have a predefined texture (not shown) to limit splashing of the incoming liquid, promote separation of the incoming liquid from the ambient air, and / or further guide the incoming or separated liquid toward the second outlet 108 (water outlet) of the device 100. In addition, in one or more embodiments, the interior walls including but not limited to the rear wall and / or the wall adjacent to the inlet 104 of the housing 102 may have a slope, which may promote separation of the incoming liquid from the ambient air, and further guide the separated liquid toward the second outlet 108 (water outlet) or the bottom of the device 100.

[0037] In one or more embodiments, the inlet 104 of the device 100 may be at the front of the housing 102, however, depending on the orientation and mounting location of the device, the inlet 104 may also be at any of the lateral side walls 102-5, 102-6 of the device 100, the rear wall 102-2 of the device 100, the top wall 102-3, or the bottom wall 102-4, as long as the inlet 104 remains exposed to the environment or in fluid communication with the environment. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, based on the orientation and mounting location of the device, the device 100 may also include more than one inlet 104 at any of the sides or walls of the device 100, and all such embodiments are within the scope of the subject disclosure. Figure 1A and Figure 1B The inlet 104 may be disposed at a portion of the front wall 102 - 1 of the housing 102 , wherein the remaining portion of the front wall 102 - 1 remains closed; however, the front wall 102 - 1 may also be completely removed to form the inlet 104 .

[0038] In one or more embodiments, depending on the orientation and installation position of the device 100, the first outlet 106 (air outlet) of the device 100 may be at any of the lateral walls 102-5, 102-6 of the device 100, the rear wall 102-2 of the device 100, the top wall 102-3 or the bottom wall 102-4 of the device 100, as long as the opening (OA) of the first outlet 106 (air outlet) remains above the opening (WO) of the second outlet 108 (water outlet) of the device 100 so that liquid entering or collecting within the device 100 is restricted from flowing toward the first outlet 106 or the engine.

[0039] In one or more embodiments, the device 100 may include a separator wall 110 of a predefined height extending between the front wall 102-1 and the rear wall 102-2 of the device 100 configured within the housing 102. The separator wall 110 may extend upward from the bottom inner wall 102-4 of the housing 102 to a predefined height within the housing 102 such that a predefined gap (G) is maintained between the top end of the separator wall 110 and the top (upper) wall 102-3 of the housing 102 to allow the flow of ambient air from the inlet 104 toward the first outlet 106 (air outlet). The separator wall 110 may be configured to restrict the flow of incoming liquid toward the first outlet 106 or the engine while allowing ambient air to flow from the inlet 104 toward the first outlet 106 above the separator wall 110.

[0040] In one or more embodiments, the housing 102 of the device 100 may include one or more sections 102-A, 102-B that are configured to be removably or fixedly attached to each other to form the housing 102. For example, Figure 1DAs shown in , the housing 102 may include a first section 102-A and a second section 102-B, wherein a portion of the first outlet 106, the second outlet 108, the separation wall 110 and / or the curved member 112 may be part of either or both of the sections 102-A, 102-B. The sections 102-A, 102-B of the housing 102 may be processed or manufactured separately and further attached to form the housing 102. However, the housing 102 may also be made as a single unit using injection molding and techniques known in the art.

[0041] In one or more embodiments, the bottom side or bottom wall 102-4 of the housing 102 may have a downward slope of a predefined gradient, which may enable the device 100 to collect the incoming or separated liquid at the bottom while limiting the flow of the collected water toward the first outlet 106 (air outlet 106). In one or more embodiments, the bottom wall 102-4 of the housing 102 may have any of a substantially V-shaped profile or a curved profile, but is not limited thereto.

[0042] In one or more embodiments, the second outlet 108 and / or the separation wall 110 may preferably be configured at the lowest point (WO) of the downward slope on the bottom side of the housing 102, however, the second outlet 108 and / or the separation wall 110 may also be at any other position in the housing 102 without any limitation. In addition, the separation wall 110 may extend upward from the lowest point (WO) to a predefined height in the housing 102, so that a predefined gap (G) is maintained between the top end of the separation wall 110 and the top wall 102-3 of the housing 102.

[0043] In one or more embodiments, the second outlet 108 (water outlet 108) may be at the middle of the bottom side of the housing 102. In addition, the opening (OA) of the first outlet 106 may be at least partially maintained above the highest point or the lowest point (WO) of the bottom side of the housing 102 to restrict the flow of the collected liquid toward the first outlet 106 (air outlet 106).

[0044] In one or more embodiments, the separation wall 110 may be configured above the second outlet 108 so that at least a portion of the opening (WO) of the second outlet 108 remains on either side of the separation wall 110 to allow liquid collected on either side of the separation wall 110 within the housing 102 to flow out. However, in some embodiments (not shown), the housing 102 may include at least two second outlets at the bottom side of the housing 102, wherein the separation wall 110 may be configured within the housing 102 so that one of the second outlets remains on either side of the separation wall 110 to allow liquid collected on either side of the separation wall 110 within the housing 102 to flow out.

[0045] In one or more embodiments, the top end of separating wall 110 may have a curved profile. Separating wall 110 may include a curved member 112 at the top end, wherein the relative edge of curved member 112 extends in a downward direction. When ambient air flows from inlet 104 toward first outlet 106, the bottom side of curved member 112 can limit the mixing of the ambient air on either side of the water collected with separating wall 110 or interact again. In addition, curved member 112 can promote the separation of liquid and ambient air that flows toward first outlet 106 (air outlet 106) with ambient air. In addition, when ambient air is flowing above separating wall 110, the upper surface extending downward of curved member 112 can reduce air resistance and further minimize the air pressure difference on either side of separating wall 110. In addition, the upper surface extending downward of curved member 112 can guide the separated liquid towards the bottom side of housing 102.

[0046] In one or more embodiments, a sealing element (not shown) such as, but not limited to, a foam seal may be configured between the front side or front wall 102-1 of the device 100 and the frame of the TRU or vehicle in which the device 100 is positioned. However, any other sealing material may also be used based on the gap between the front side of the device 100 and the frame. The sealing element may be configured to seal the gap between the device 100 and the air inlet grille and further limit the leakage of liquid and / or ambient air through the gap. In addition, the device 100 may also include one or more mounting elements 114 to facilitate attachment of the device 100 at a predetermined location in the TRU or vehicle.

[0047] refer to Figure 2 In one or more embodiments, the device 100 may be configured within a TRU 200, behind an air inlet grille 202 associated with a transport refrigeration unit (TRU) 200, such that the air inlet grille 202 may allow ambient air to flow within the device 100 via the air inlet grille 202 and the inlet 104 of the device 100. The housing 102 may have a predefined shape based on the contour of a portion of a frame 204 of the TRU, behind the air inlet grille 202, over which the device 100 is positioned. In addition, the device 100 may include a first conduit 206 (also referred to herein as an air conduit 206), which is fluidly connected to the first outlet 106 and extends toward the engine to direct the ambient air toward the engine. In addition, the device 100 may include a second conduit (also referred to herein as a drain conduit 208), which is fluidly connected to the second outlet 108 and extends out of the vehicle or TRU 200 or into a tank to direct the collected liquid out of the vehicle or toward the tank or to the outside.

[0048] In addition, a sealing element (not shown) such as, but not limited to, a foam seal may be configured between the front side or front wall of the device 100 and the frame 204 of the TRU in which the device 100 is positioned. However, any other sealing material may be used based on the gap between the device 100 and the frame 204 of the TRU. The sealing element may be configured to seal the gap between the device 100 and the air inlet grille 202 and further limit the leakage of liquid and / or ambient air. In addition, the mounting element ( Figures 1A to 1D 114) may facilitate attachment of the device 100 to the frame 204 of the TRU.

[0049] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that, while various embodiments of the subject disclosure have been described in detail with respect to a device configured behind an air inlet grille associated with a TRU for purposes of simplicity and better explanation, the teachings of the subject disclosure are equally applicable to devices mounted at any location on a vehicle or transport equipment, including but not limited to trucks, containers, tractors, trailers, and chassis, so long as the device receives ambient air and directs the ambient air toward an engine associated with the vehicle or transport equipment, and all such embodiments are fully within the scope of the subject disclosure.

[0050] In one or more embodiments (not shown), the device 100 may be constructed on or in a container, tractor, trailer, or chassis associated with a transport device or vehicle so that the inlet 104 of the device 100 remains fluidly connected or exposed to the ambient atmosphere to allow ambient air to flow in the device 100 via the inlet 104. In addition, the first outlet 106 of the device 100 may be connected to a conduit extending upward to the engine or extending toward the engine. This may allow the device 100 to guide cold ambient air toward the engine of the transport device or vehicle while limiting the flow of water toward the first outlet 106 or the engine together with the ambient air. In one or more embodiments, the device 100 may be constructed on the front of the transport device, but is not limited thereto. The device 100 may also be constructed on the top, bottom, rear side, left side, and / or right side of the transport device. In addition, in some embodiments, more than one device 100 may also be constructed with the transport device.

[0051] Therefore, the present invention (air intake device) overcomes the shortcomings, defects and deficiencies associated with the engine of a vehicle or transportation equipment by providing an air intake device, which can direct cold ambient air towards the engine of the transportation equipment or vehicle while restricting the flow of water with the ambient air towards the first outlet or the engine.

[0052] Although the subject disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the subject disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Modifications may be made to adapt specific circumstances or materials to the teachings of the subject disclosure without departing from the scope of the subject disclosure. Therefore, it is intended that the subject disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but rather that the subject disclosure includes all embodiments that fall within the scope of the subject disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0053] In interpreting the specification, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" should be interpreted as referring to elements, parts or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, parts or steps may be present, utilized or combined with other elements, parts or steps not explicitly referenced. In the case where the specification claims refer to at least one selected from the group consisting of A, B, C... and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, rather than A plus N or B plus N, etc.

Claims

1. An air intake device for an engine of a vehicle equipped with a transport refrigeration unit (TRU), the device comprising: a housing defining a shape of the device, the device being adapted to be fixedly or removably configured at a predetermined location in the vehicle, the TRU, a container or chassis associated with the vehicle, or a trailer associated with the vehicle so that the device facilitates an inflow of ambient air within the device and directs the ambient air toward the engine.

2. The air inlet device according to claim 1, wherein: The housing includes an inlet in communication with an environment, a first outlet, and an interior cavity enclosed by the housing such that the interior cavity fluidly connects the inlet to the first outlet of the housing.

3. The air inlet device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein: The device is configured with the TRU or the vehicle such that the first inlet remains exposed to or in fluid communication with the environment to allow inflow of the ambient air from the atmosphere within the device and further direct the ambient air toward the engine via the first outlet.

4. The air inlet device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The interior of the device is configured to restrict the flow of liquid entering the device through the inlet toward the first inlet or the engine.

5. The air inlet device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The interior of the device is configured to separate liquid that enters the device with the ambient air from the ambient air and further restrict the flow of the separated liquid toward the first inlet or the engine.

6. The air inlet device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The device includes a separation wall of a predefined height configured within the housing, wherein the separation wall is configured to restrict flow of the incoming liquid toward the first inlet or the engine while allowing the ambient air to flow over the separation wall from the inlet toward the first outlet.

7. The air inlet device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The bottom side of the housing has a downward slope of a predefined gradient, which enables the device to collect the liquid that enters or separates.

8. The air inlet device according to claim 7, wherein: The bottom side of the housing has either a substantially V-shaped profile or a curved profile.

9. The air inlet device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The shell includes a second outlet at the middle of the bottom side of the shell, wherein the separation wall is constructed above the second outlet so that at least a portion of the opening of the second outlet remains on either side of the separation wall to allow the liquid collected on either side of the separation wall within the shell to flow out.

10. The air inlet device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The housing comprises at least two second outlets at a bottom side of the housing, wherein the separation wall is configured such that one of the second outlets remains on either side of the separation wall to allow the liquid collected on either of the sides of the separation wall within the housing to flow out.

11. The air inlet device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: The second outlet and / or the separating wall is configured at the lowest point of the downward slope on the bottom side of the housing.

12. The air inlet device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein: The separation wall extends upward from the lowest point to the predefined height within the housing so that a predefined gap is maintained between a top end of the separation wall and an inner wall of an upper side of the housing.

13. An air inlet device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein: The top end of the separation wall has a curved member, wherein opposite edges of the curved member extend in a downward direction, wherein the curved member is configured as follows: limiting, by the bottom side of the curved member, mixing or interaction of the collected water with the ambient air on either side of the separation wall as the ambient air flows from the inlet toward the first outlet; promoting separation of the liquid flowing with the ambient air toward the first outlet from the ambient air; guiding the separated liquid toward the bottom side of the housing by an upper surface of the curved member; and When the ambient air is flowing over the separating wall, the air pressure difference on either side of the separating wall is minimized.

14. An air inlet device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein: The opening of the first outlet is at least partially maintained above the highest point or the lowest point of the bottom side of the housing to restrict the flow of the collected liquid toward the first outlet.

15. An air inlet device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein: The inner wall of the housing comprises a plurality of grooves or has a predefined texture to limit splashing of the incoming liquid, promote separation of the incoming liquid from the ambient air and / or direct the incoming or separated liquid towards the second outlet of the device.

16. An air inlet device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein: An inner wall on the rear side of the housing has a slope which promotes separation of the incoming liquid from the ambient air and further directs the separated liquid towards the second outlet of the device.

17. An air inlet device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein: The device comprises: a sealing element configured between the front side of the device and a frame of the TRU or the vehicle in which the device is positioned, wherein the sealing element is configured to seal a gap between the device and the air inlet grille and further limit leakage of the liquid and / or the ambient air through the gap; and One or more mounting elements for facilitating attachment of the device at the predetermined location in the TRU or the vehicle.

18. An air inlet device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein: The air intake device comprises: a first conduit fluidly connected to the first outlet and extending toward the engine to direct the ambient air toward the engine; and A second conduit is fluidly connected to the second outlet and extends out of the vehicle or into a tank to direct the collected liquid out of the vehicle or toward the tank.

19. An air inlet device according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein: The device is constructed within the TRU, behind an air inlet grille associated with the TRU, such that the air inlet grille allows the ambient air to flow within the device via the air inlet grille and the inlet of the device, wherein the housing has a predefined shape based on the contour of a portion of the TRU, behind the air inlet grille, over which the device is positioned.

20. A transport equipped with a transport refrigeration unit (TRU), the transport comprising: engine; and An air inlet device according to any one of claims 1 to 19, the device being configured at a predetermined location in the TRU or the transport equipment, wherein the device is configured to: facilitating the inflow of ambient air within the device and directing the ambient air toward the engine associated with the TRU; and Liquid entering the device with the ambient air is separated from the ambient air, and the flow of the separated liquid toward the first inlet or the engine is further collected and restricted.

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