Abstract: A fan module for a vehicle engine cooling system includes a pair of co-axial, counter-rotating, axial flow fans. Each fan is supported on and driven by a dedicated downstream motor, and each motor is supported by a dedicated shroud. The shroud that supports the first motor includes a barrel, a motor carrier that is surrounded by the barrel, and vanes that extend between the barrel and the motor carrier. For each vane, a line that extends between the vane nose and the vane tail is angled relative to the fan rotational axis, and the angle is selected to minimize air flow losses through the shroud.

Abstract: A fan module for a vehicle engine cooling system includes a pair of co-axial, counter-rotating, axial flow fans. Each fan is supported on and driven by a dedicated downstream motor, and each motor is supported by a dedicated shroud. The shroud that supports the first motor includes a barrel, a motor carrier that is surrounded by the barrel, and vanes that extend between the barrel and the motor carrier. For each vane, a line that extends between the vane nose and the vane tail is angled relative to the fan rotational axis, and the angle is selected to minimize air flow losses through the shroud.

Abstract: An airflow assembly, includes a plenum, a barrel, a fan support, a fan assembly, and a plurality of ribs. The plenum includes an opening structure defining a plenum opening. The barrel extends in a downstream direction from the opening structure, and defines a barrel space and a downstream edge. The fan support is at least partially positioned within the barrel space. The fan assembly is supported by the fan support and includes (i) a motor and (ii) a blade assembly configured to rotate about an axis. Each of the ribs extends between (i) the opening structure or the barrel and (ii) the fan support. The downstream direction is parallel to the axis. An upstream direction is opposite of the downstream direction and parallel to the axis. A plane intersects the axis and is perpendicular to the axis.

Abstract: A fan shroud for a cooling fan assembly with a fan that is rotatable about an axis of rotation defines a downstream direction along the axis of rotation. The shroud includes a barrel for containing the fan. The barrel is concentric with the axis of rotation and further includes a base portion. A plenum includes a plenum body extending radially from the base portion. The plenum body defines at least one edge of length L1. A skirt extends proximate the at least one edge of length L1 and substantially parallel to the axis of rotation. An interface joins the at least one edge of length L1 and the skirt and has a length L1. The interface comprises an underside having a transition surface of a length less than length L1.

Abstract: A fan shroud has a panel including a first surface and a second surface substantially opposite the first surface. A first rib extends substantially perpendicularly from the first surface, and the first rib has an area of discontinuity where a height of the first rib is reduced. A second rib extends substantially perpendicularly from the second surface, and the second rib is substantially aligned with the first rib and positioned substantially opposite the area of discontinuity of the first rib.

Abstract: An airflow assembly, includes a plenum, a barrel, a fan support, a fan assembly, and a plurality of ribs. The plenum includes an opening structure defining a plenum opening. The barrel extends in a downstream direction from the opening structure, and defines a barrel space and a downstream edge. The fan support is at least partially positioned within the barrel space. The fan assembly is supported by the fan support and includes (i) a motor and (ii) a blade assembly configured to rotate about an axis. Each of the ribs extends between (i) the opening structure or the barrel and (ii) the fan support. The downstream direction is parallel to the axis. An upstream direction is opposite of the downstream direction and parallel to the axis. A plane intersects the axis and is perpendicular to the axis.

Abstract: A fan includes a hub and blades. A first edge of each blade is proximate an open end of the hub. A first rib is coupled to the hub and substantially aligned with a first plane intersecting the central axis and an intersection of the first edge of the first blade with the hub. The first plane is angularly spaced from a reference plane intersecting the central axis and an intersection of the first edge of the second blade with the hub. An angular spacing between the first plane and the reference plane defines one sector. A second rib is aligned with a second plane angularly positioned between the first plane and the reference plane at a location less than or equal to about (1/nR?0.05) sectors from the first plane, in which nR equals the number of ribs divided by the number of blades.

Abstract: A fan includes a hub and blades. A first edge of each blade is proximate an open end of the hub. A first rib is coupled to the hub and substantially aligned with a first plane intersecting the central axis and an intersection of the first edge of the first blade with the hub. The first plane is angularly spaced from a reference plane intersecting the central axis and an intersection of the first edge of the second blade with the hub. An angular spacing between the first plane and the reference plane defines one sector. A second rib is aligned with a second plane angularly positioned between the first plane and the reference plane at a location less than or equal to about (1/nR?0.05) sectors from the first plane, in which nR equals the number of ribs divided by the number of blades.

Abstract: A fan shroud for a cooling fan assembly with a fan that is rotatable about an axis of rotation defines a downstream direction along the axis of rotation. The shroud includes a barrel for containing the fan. The barrel is concentric with the axis of rotation and further includes a base portion. A plenum includes a plenum body extending radially from the base portion. The plenum body defines at least one edge of length L1. A skirt extends proximate the at least one edge of length L1 and substantially parallel to the axis of rotation. An interface joins the at least one edge of length L1 and the skirt and has a length L1. The interface comprises an underside having a transition surface of a length less than length L1.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic system for operating a cooling fan and providing hydraulic fluid to a power steering system of the vehicle includes a hydraulic pump unit including first and second fixed displacement pumps and a common drive shaft for these pumps. A hydraulic fluid reservoir is connected to the inlet of each of the pumps. A priority valve is operatively connected to the outlet of the first pump and has an outlet connectible to the power steering system. This valve also has a second outlet connectible to a hydraulic motor for the cooling fan. This valve is arranged to provide a constant flow of hydraulic fluid to the power steering system. A hydraulic line connects an outlet of the second pump to the hydraulic motor. Hydraulic fluid flow through this line is combined with hydraulic fluid flow from the first pump to drive the motor.

Abstract: An automotive engine-cooling fan assembly uses pairs of overlapping fans to improve flow uniformity through the heat exchanger cores and to maximize the amount of fan power that can be achieved with limited motor sizes. One fan of each pair has upstream supports and the other has downstream supports, and these supports are so configured to minimize the axial dimension of the assembly. The use of banded fans maximizes fan performance, and blade skew minimizes fan noise.

Abstract: An automotive engine-cooling fan assembly uses pairs of overlapping fans to improve flow uniformity through the heat exchanger cores and to maximize the amount of fan power that can be achieved with limited motor sizes. One fan of each pair has upstream supports and the other has downstream supports, and these supports are so configured to minimize the axial dimension of the assembly. The use of banded fans maximizes fan performance, and blade skew minimizes fan noise.

Abstract: An inside perimeter hemming machine is disclosed having a base adapted to be supported by a ground surface. A nest adapted to support the part to be hemmed is vertically movably mounted relative to the base between predetermined vertical positions while at least one actuator vertically moves the nest relative to the base. A die assembly housing is mounted to the base, and this die assembly housing extends through the-opening on the part to be hemmed. At least two die sets are horizontally slidably mounted to the housing so that the die sets are movable between an extended and a retracted position. In their extended position, the die sets overlay the part to be hemmed so that, upon vertical displacement of the nest, a prehem or hem is performed. Conversely, when the die sets are in their retracted position, the nest together with the part to be hemmed is freely vertically movable. A wedge drive member is utilized to simultaneously move the die sets between their extended and retracted positions.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved snowmobile drive train configuration arrangement that incorporates a fixed ratio speed reduction mechanism directly coupled to the engine crankshaft. This mechanism is in turn coupled to the driving pulley of a variable ratio belt drive system, the driven pulley of which is mounted on the axle of the sprocket wheels that drive the snowmobile track. Interposing the reduction drive between the engine and the belt drive system reduces the operational speed of both the pulleys and the belt, which proves beneficial from several aspects: the mechanical efficiency of the global system is increased, the dynamic response of the transmission to throttle modulation is improved; aerodynamic losses are reduced; the bending vibrations of the crankshaft are no longer transmitted to the drive clutch; and the engine can be run at higher RPM without decreasing the efficiency of the belt drive system.

Abstract: In a snowmobile drive train the variable ratio belt drive is not directly coupled to the engine crankshaft as in the prior art, but rather the driving pulley of the variable ratio belt drive is carried on one end of a jackshaft and the engine power is applied to the opposite end of the jackshaft. The jackshaft is supported in a fixed bearing in the vehicle frame, this bearing being immediately adjacent to the driving pulley so that the influence on the belt drive of vibrations generated by the engine is vastly diminished. Therefore the engine mounts can be arranged to fully absorb vibrations of the engine. Previously, when the driving pulley was directly coupled to the engine crankshaft it was necessary to include a tie restraint to limit movements of the engine housing in the direction of separation between the axes of the driving and driven pulleys.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a carton for containing and protecting a single, wedge-shaped piece of dessert-type pie is provided. The carton comprises generally parallel, triangular top and bottom panels each having a base edge and converging side edges. A trapezoidal rear wall is foldably coupled to the base edges and extends between the top and bottom panels. An inner side wall panel is foldably coupled to each of the converging edges of the bottom panel and extends generally straight upwardly therefrom. An outer side wall panel is foldably connected to each of the converging edges of the top panel and extends generally straight downward therefrom. The outer side panels are closely adjacent to, overlying and affixed along one edge to the inner side wall panels. Each outer side wall panel has an opening structure comprised of a generally central, deflectable, finger-receiving opening tab and a line of weakness generally collinear with the opening tab.

Abstract: An improved reclosable slide top dispensing carton is provided. The top dispensing end of the carton includes a top support panel including an aperture through which the contents can be dispensed. A movable slide panel overlies the top support panel to enable the selective opening and closing of the aperture. Opening and closing is facilitated and controlled by an integral tab extension and a slide top. Inner and outer top closure flaps are secured over the slide panel.The invention encompasses a blank for forming the carton. The blank uses a minimum of paperboard material, yet provides a properly supported dispensing end that is durable and can easily and repeatedly be opened and closed.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a reclosable package for receiving and holding a stack of flat articles, such as developed photographic prints, is provided. The package comprises an open-top, generally rectangular box having a length and height substantially greater than its thickness when erected. The carton includes a top closure panel having a generally free edge. One of a pair of sealing tabs is removably attached adjacent each of the ends of the free edge of the closure panel. A generally central reclosing tab is located along the free edge between the sealing tabs. The front panel of the package has a relieved access area cut out therefrom for facilitating access to the package contents. Additionally, the front panel includes a reclosure tab slit for receiving the reclosure tab so that the carton can be lockably reclosed. The invention also encompasses a flat blank for forming into the package.

Abstract: Disclosed is a carton especially adapted to package single servings of pie. The carton has a triangular shape due to a triangular top closure and a bottom support panel. A trapezoidal end wall connects the top and bottom panels at the bases of the respective triangles and slants outwardly from bottom to top. The bottom panel has inner side wall panels attached to it. The inner side wall panels are secured in a vertical upright position by means of corner flaps which are preferably secured to the outer surfaces of the inner side wall panels. The top closure panel has downwardly extending outer side walls which telescope over the inner side wall panels. The fragile pie crust is protected by the slanted end wall, overlapping corner flaps, and arcuate or rounded surfaces as required, at the juncture of the end wall and/or outer side wall panels with the top closure panel.

Abstract: A composite packaging system is disclosed including a plurality of inner wedge shaped cartons each having a slanted rear wall thereby conforming to the configuration of a piece of pie. An outer carton is disclosed, having a generally parallelogram configuration in plan, which is adapted to hold an even number of inner wedge shaped cartons. The unique configuration of the outer carton permits the loading of the inner wedge shaped cartons therein in an array such that each panel of the inner wedge shaped cartons is in abutting relationship with either a wall of the outer carton or with a panel of an adjacent wedge shaped carton. By this arrangement, the inner cartons are prevented from shifting within the outer carton thereby preventing damage thereto.