Mailing List flyrotary@lancaironline.net Message #20525
From: Ed Anderson <eanderson@carolina.rr.com>
Subject: Re: [FlyRotary] Re: Area calcuation for Cone air filters was [FlyRotary] Re: Air filters
Date: Tue, 19 Apr 2005 20:48:46 -0400
To: Rotary motors in aircraft <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
Message
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2005 7:59 PM
Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: Area calcuation for Cone air filters was [FlyRotary] Re: Air filters

Rusty, some of the cones have an opening on the intake in and another smaller cone that is inside the large cone for increased filtering area.  They don't specify the dimensions of this inner cone so I conservatively just make it 10% of the total filter area of the larger cone. 
 
That makes sense Ed.  I later saw what they called an inverted top that had that sort of arrangement.  With the size I could use, I don't think there could be much of an inside cone.     
 
That filter should give you approx 352 square inches of  filter space.  For a 13B at 7000 rpm K&N area calculation says 53 sq inches is sufficient, so yes, I think I can safely say you have more than enough filter area.  So thats good as it will give more filtering and less airflow obstruction. 
 
I have to admit that I'm still having trouble with your spreadsheet.  When you calculate 53 sq inches using their formula, this seems to indicate that you need 53 sq in of "filter element" surface area.   It looks like they're assuming all their filter elements to be the same thickness by eliminating that parameter.  From that standpoint, I think you can drop the X4 factor to estimate the pleat area, because they've already built that into their recommended area formula.  
 
Well, you could be correct about that - but they do not explicitedly state that fact.  However, since they do infer that you should look for one of their filters of comparable area - I can understand someone viewing it that way.  But then they nowhere give you the filter area of their filters (at least not the cone ones).  I'll blame it on Jerry for bring the accordion pleats to my attention {:>)
 
Anyhow, you's gots your choice,  The formula first computes the area of the truncated cone, if you feel that already has the factor of x4 in it then you get their area and can disregard the X4 multiplication I do.
 
 
If all we care about is the filter element surface area, then your "filter area" (i15) seems to give the number we need to compare to their formula.  This would be assuming that you have one of their more normal filters that doesn't have the end open. 
 
Sounds reasonable to me Rusty.  In anycase, I think this gives you a somewhat better idea than a wide A__ guess {:>)
 
Back to the filter I had mentioned, 4.5 base x 3.5 top x 5.75 length.  In their sizing info, it appears that they want you to reduce the height by .75", because the ends of the filter are sealed in rubber, and don't pass any air.  That makes my example 5" tall.  using those numbers, I get 63 sq in for filter area.  Since I will run 7500, that makes the requirement 57 sq in, rather than 53.   Sounds like it will still work up to about 8200 rpm, which should be sufficient :-)  
 
You are undoubtedly correct, Rusty, but I think we are the point of marking with a paint brush and cutting with a chain saw.  This should put you close enough.
 
Heck, I'll order one and see how it works.  Easy to test on the ground before going to the trouble of making a box for it to live in.     
 
I'm looking at a filter made by S&B, they have a base which is shaped more like a funnel than a square end which should help the air turn better from the filter to the intake.  Its call Absolute Air Flow  AAF and is used with the cone type filters.
 
Ed A
 
 
Rusty (almost deleted this since it was getting out of control) 
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