Abstract: A method to control coolant flow through an engine, especially for a motor vehicle, wherein the coolant is heated by the engine and cooled by a radiator and the coolant flow depends on the number of rotations of the engine. To prevents cavitations and high pressures on heat exchangers and to allow an optimal coolant flow, a magnetic field for controlling magneto rheological fluid to regulate the coolant flow is used.

Abstract: The invention relates to an air-conditioning system for a motor-driven vehicle, having a refrigerant circuit (20) with a plurality of heat exchangers (4, 24) through which a refrigerant can be conducted for an exchange of heat with the air which flows through them, with it being possible for the heat exchangers (4, 24) to be operated as heaters or as evaporators as a function of the operating state of the air-conditioning system, and at least one third heat exchanger (16) is provided in the refrigerant circuit (20), which third heat exchanger (16) serves for an exchange of heat with a coolant circuit (13) which is formed separately from the refrigerant circuit (20). The vehicle can be both a motor vehicle and also a fuel-cell-driven vehicle.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for the control of fans are presented. More specifically, the invention relates to a fan clutch control unit for a vehicle fan. The fan clutch control unit executes a control loop section and a strategy section to provide control functionality. The fan clutch control unit may be provided as a pre-packaged control board or integrated into a fan clutch.

Abstract: The present application relates to auxiliary HVAC systems for vehicles. In some embodiments, an auxiliary climate control system for a vehicle comprises a blower and heat exchanger assembly including a blower, an evaporator, an air flow actuator, and a heater core. The blower and heat exchanger assembly has a generally ‘Z’ shaped configuration.

Abstract: An aspirator with an integral muffler includes a housing having a top, a bottom and a side and an aspirator chamber and a muffler chamber in the housing. The aspirator chamber includes an inlet, an outlet and a venturi section between the inlet and the outlet, and the muffler chamber has an outlet and an inlet in fluid communication with the muffler chamber duct. A duct extends from the muffler chamber outlet into the aspirator chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mounting bracket (10), in particular for mounting a radiator (100). The bracket (10) comprises a stationary member (20) to be attached to the vehicle and a movable member (30) slideably mounted on the stationary member (20), preferably using guide rails (24a, 24b). The movable member (30) is configured to move from a first position to a second position to thereby secure the radiator (100). A ratchet mechanism (42) including teeth (42a) on the stationary member (10) may be provided to lock the movable member (30). An independent claim is included directed to a method for securing a vehicle component.

Abstract: A vehicle HVAC system comprises an evaporator, a heater core, a variable airflow control device, and a baffle positioned downstream of the evaporator. The baffle has a geometrical configuration, e.g., apertures sufficient to prevent the formation of vortex like airflow patterns near the downstream side of the baffle when the HVAC system is in use.

Abstract: A cam and lever system comprising a cam having a side perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the cam and a channel on the side of the cam, the channel having a bottom wherein the channel is at least partially defined by a first wall and a second wall that diverge as the distance from the bottom increases, a lever, having a pin extending into the channel and an axis of rotation that is generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the cam, and having a configuration sufficient to provide point contact with the walls of the channel.

Abstract: A heater core assembly includes a heater core having two tube stubs projecting therefrom. Two heater tubes engage the two tube stubs, respectively, to define respective abutting interfaces therewith. A clamp couples the heater tubes to corresponding ones of the tube stubs. The clamp includes a first bracket half having two arcuately-shaped openings formed therein for accommodating the stub/tube pairs at the abutting interfaces to permit the stub/tube pairs to extend transversely to the clamp. A second bracket half is hinge connected to the first bracket half to permit opening and closing of the clamp. The second bracket half has two arcuately-shaped openings to accommodate the stub/tube pairs when the second bracket half is pivoted onto the first bracket half. A latch latches the first bracket half and the second bracket half to each other when the clamp is closed.

Abstract: A fracture-resistant charge air cooler header is provided. The internal side of the header includes, at select locations most likely to sustain a fracture, a reinforcing weld bead or “nugget” of sufficient height to create a section modulus change. The weld bead is preferably formed from a highly ductile alloy, such as AA 1100 aluminum alloy, and may surround either a portion of the header component associated with a tube or its entire perimeter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mounting bracket (10), in particular for mounting a radiator (100). The bracket (10) comprises a stationary member (20) to be attached to the vehicle and a movable member (30) slideably mounted on the stationary member (20), preferably using guide rails (24a, 24b). The movable member (30) is configured to move from a first position to a second position to thereby secure the radiator (100). A ratchet mechanism (42) including teeth (42a) on the stationary member (10) may be provided to lock the movable member (30). An independent claim is included directed to a method for securing a vehicle component.

Abstract: A device for exchanging heat comprising at least one fluid inlet (2), at least one header pipe (4), a plurality of flat pipes (5) at least at one end being in flow connection with the header pipe (4), a fluid outlet (9) and at least one frame element (21, 23) being in connection with the header pipe (4) wherein said connection between the frame element (21, 23) and the header pipe (4) is a frictional connection due to auxiliary equipment (33).

Abstract: A system and method for sensing and controlling the temperature of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system utilizes an infrared sensor. The infrared sensor is used to detect temperature over several different areas on an evaporator surface on which a cold spot may occur. More preferably, the infrared sensor continuously scans the whole surface on the air outlet side of the evaporator. The sensed temperature is used to detect any cold spots that may dynamically form on the evaporator surface. The system is controlled in response to the detected temperature.

Abstract: A vapor recovery canister is provided and includes an inlet port, an outlet port, and a first and second valve. The first and second valves are operable to restrict fluid flow into the canister, whereby the first valve is operable to selectively close the inlet port and the second valve is operable to selectively close the outlet port. In addition, the second valve includes at least one orifice formed therethrough for continuous fluid communication with an ambient air stream. In this manner, if both the first and second valves are in a closed position, an ambient air stream will be in fluid communication with an interior volume of the canister during a purging process through interaction of the orifice. The interaction of the orifice causes a high vacuum pressure within the canister, thereby increasing working capacity and reducing diurnal breathing loss.

Abstract: A system and method for sensing and controlling the temperature of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system utilizes an infrared sensor. The infrared sensor is used to detect temperature over several different areas on an evaporator surface on which a cold spot may occur. More preferably, the infrared sensor continuously scans the whole surface on the air outlet side of the evaporator. The sensed temperature is used to detect any cold spots that may dynamically form on the evaporator surface. The system is controlled in response to the detected temperature.

Abstract: A viscous clutch of the magnetorheological fluid type includes an input drive member and an output driven member. A selectively energizable magnetorheological fluid is disposed in a working gap between one cylindrical member on the input member and two cylindrical members on the output shaft. A slip ring configuration on the output member is provided to permit the introduction of electrical energy to a coil assembly disposed on the output member, which coil is energized to establish a magnetic field in the working gap, thereby energizing the magnetorheological fluid. Wiper structures on the input and output members prevent the accumulation and/or centrifugal packing of the iron particles in the magnetorheological fluid adjacent the axial ends of the cylindrical members. A cavity for excess magnetorheological fluid or fluid draining from the working gap is provided between opposed members of the output member.

Abstract: An EGR system for an internal combustion engine has a separate, secondary high-temperature cooling loop, in addition to a primary cooling loop. In the secondary cooling loop, coolant flows through a secondary high-temperature exhaust gas cooler, which is located upstream of the primary exhaust gas cooler. A large amount of heat is transferred from the exhaust gases to the coolant in the secondary high-temperature cooling loop. The heat absorbed by the high-temperature coolant is rejected in a secondary high-temperature radiator. Heat absorbed by the primary coolant is rejected in a primary radiator. The two radiators occupy the same amount of frontal area as a single radiator used in a conventional single-stage EGR cooling system, but overall reject more heat to the ambient. In an alternate arrangement, the EGR system for a liquid-cooled internal combustion engine has a single exhaust gas cooler which is cooled by an EGR cooling loop that is independent of the engine cooling system.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of driving a plurality of plastic fan blades (14) integrally molded with a band (16) about and engaging a metal driving hub (12) at an interface by rotating the fan blades (14) in unison with the hub (12) up to a predetermined rotational speed at which the band (16) flows or expands radially to create a space between the band (16) and the hub (12) whereby the fan blades (14) are allowed to rotate at a slower rotational speed than the hub (12) to prevent the fan blades (14) from bursting in response to centrifugal force. The drive connection may optionally include band projections (24) and/or male projections (26) which shear before or as the separation occurs. A film may be disposed at the interface to prevent the plastic of the fan blades (14) and band (16) from bonding to the metal hub (12).

Abstract: A method of fabricating a fluid coupling assembly (20, 120, 220, 320 and 420) of the type including a housing having spaced side walls (24, 124, 224 and 434) extending radially relative to an axis (A) and defining a fluid chamber surrounding a disc (30, 130) supported by a shift (26) extending through and rotatably supported by one of the side walls with cooling fins for cooling the fluid chamber. The invention is characterized by fabricating a cooling sub-assembly (44, 46, 48, 144, 244, 246, 248, or 444) of cooling fins connected to a ring (50, 54, 58, 150, 250, 350, 450 and 472) having an axis with the cooling fins extending radially and axially of the ring. Subsequently, the cooling sub-assembly is secured to the housing by placing the ring axially between the side walls so as to transmit heat from the housing to the cooling fins. The housing and/or the disc may be fabricated from sheet metal.

Abstract: A viscous fluid clutch includes a rotor attached to an output from an engine, a stator attached to a fan assembly and a coil assembly having at least a portion attached to the stator. A first gap is defined between the rotor and the stator and a second gap is defined between the rotor and the coil assembly. The first and second gaps are filled with a magneto rheological (MR) fluid. The coil assembly creates a magnetic field in the first and second gaps to vary the viscosity of the MR fluid to produce a variable speed viscous fluid clutch. The coil assembly includes coil windings which are supplied with power through a slip ring assembly. Both the coil windings and the wiring between the slip ring assembly and the coil windings are isolated from the magneto rheological fluid.