Temperature And Engine Operation Responsive Patents (Class 123/41.05)
  • Patent number: 9247678
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a power electronics device and a coolant circuit thermally coupled to the power electronics device. The coolant circuit includes a fluidic pump and a fluid/air heat exchanger, an air pump configured to transfer air across the fluid/air heat exchanger, and a shutter device configured to control airflow across the fluid/air heat exchanger. A controller controls the fluidic pump to control coolant flow through the fluid/air heat exchanger to reject heat from the power electronics device to the coolant and correspondingly controls the air pump and the shutter device to control airflow across the fluid/air heat exchanger to reject heat from the coolant to achieve a preferred heat rejection from the power electronics device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Christopher D S Ballnik, David J. Liller, Xiaowen Luo
  • Patent number: 9242635
    Abstract: ECU executes a program including a step of driving a fan when a vehicle is in an EV running and an intake air temperature Tair is higher than a threshold value T (0), and a step of stopping driving of the fan when the vehicle is not in the EV running or intake air temperature Tair is lower than or equal to Tair (0).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kuniaki Niimi
  • Patent number: 9222401
    Abstract: A pair of coolant receiving pipes (23) and (24) for respectively receiving a coolant from left and right engine heads of a V-engine are provided on a first body (21) side, and a collecting passage (27) for collecting the coolant, communication opening (30a) towards a radiator via the above-mentioned collecting passage (27) and communication opening (31a) towards a branch passage provided with a heater core part or the like are provided on a second body (22) side and these are individually resin molded. A coolant passage apparatus (10) is formed by joining the above-mentioned first body (21) and second body (22) for example by welding means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignees: NIPPON THERMOSTAT CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Fujio Inoue, Hiroyasu Koyama
  • Patent number: 9174629
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a driving source, a shutter device, and a controller. The driving source is configured to generate a driving force. The shutter device is configured to adjust an amount of air for cooling the driving source. The controller is configured to control the driving source and is configured to restrict an operation of the driving source based on a temperature of the driving source when a failure of the shutter device is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takayuki Asami, Masashi Yoshimi
  • Patent number: 9150097
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustment device for adjusting shutoff strips of an at least partly closable air inlet of a motor compartment of a motor vehicle between at least a first position in which the shutoff strips leave the air inlet at least partly open and a second position in which the shutoff strips at least partly close the air inlet. The adjustment device comprises a drive unit, situated in a housing, which has a motor and a drive train with reduction stage. The drive train comprises an output shaft provided with a first coupling means facing outside the housing and a second coupling means facing outside the housing, opposite with respect to the first coupling means. The coupling means are configured to cooperate with, respectively, a first and a second coupling element of a first and second set of shutoff strips, respectively, for coupling the output shaft on both sides of the housing to the respective set of shutoff strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: MCi (Mirror Controls International) Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Stephen Alexander George Gustavo Boom, Erik Alfred Simeon de Vries
  • Patent number: 9004020
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for expediting warm up of an internal combustion engine cylinder block and engine oil utilizing an existing oil coolant circuit. A method for warming up an internal combustion engine with at least one cylinder, a cylinder block which is formed by an upper crankcase half mounted to a lower crankcase half, said lower crankcase half containing an oil sump which is fed, via a supply line, by a coolant jacket, an inlet side of said coolant jacket supplied in turn with oil via the oil sump by an oil pump, the method comprising: releasing oil from the coolant jacket via gravity to reduce a cooling capacity of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jan Mehring, Moritz Klaus Springer, Bernd Steiner, Thomas Lorenz
  • Patent number: 8991338
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine capable of being intermittently stopped after it is started; a water pump for circulating cooling water, and an ECU. When the cooling water has low temperature the ECU controls the water pump to limit the flow rate of the cooling water to be smaller than when the cooling water has high temperature. When the cooling water has a limited flow rate the ECU sets lower a threshold value of the cooling water's temperature for permitting intermittently stopping the engine than when the cooling water does not have a limited flow rate. When the cooling water has a limited flow rate the engine can nonetheless be intermittently stopped at an appropriate time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryuta Teraya
  • Patent number: 8978596
    Abstract: A powertrain cooling system includes a coolant pump and coolant flow passages. A first three-position valve is operatively connected with an outlet of the coolant pump and has a first, a second, and a third position to at least partially establish different coolant flow modes through the coolant flow passages. Coolant flow from the coolant pump is blocked from both the cylinder head and the engine block in a first coolant flow mode when the three-position valve is in the first position. Coolant flow from the coolant pump is provided to the cylinder head and is blocked from the engine block in a second coolant flow mode when the three-position valve is in the second position. Coolant flows from the coolant pump to the engine block and from the engine block to the cylinder head in a third coolant flow mode when the three-position valve is in the third position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Daniel B. Glassford
  • Patent number: 8967091
    Abstract: A thermostat housing is disclosed. The thermostat housing comprises a housing member. The housing member includes an inlet and an outlet to allow coolant to flow therethrough. The thermostat housing also includes least two thermostats within the housing member. The at least two thermostats have staggered opening temperatures. One of the at least two thermostats opens and controls a flow rate of coolant through the housing when the coolant is within a first predetermined temperature range. A single loop of coolant is being controlled within the housing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Bellinger, Douglas A. Pulskamp
  • Patent number: 8967095
    Abstract: An engine cooling apparatus includes an engine for vehicle traveling, a pump driven by the engine, a heat exchanger, a circulation passage for circulating cooling liquid between the engine and the heat exchanger by driving the pump, a solenoid valve capable of opening/closing the circulation passage, and a controller for controlling operations of the engine. The solenoid valve includes a valve body movable between a position away from a valve seat and a position contacting the valve seat and held to contact the valve seat and a solenoid capable of maintaining contact between the valve body and the valve seat in response to supply of power thereto. When driving of the pump under a non-energized state of the solenoid, the valve body is movable to the position away from the valve seat by the cooling liquid fluid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masanobu Matsusaka, Tadayoshi Sato, Hirohisa Takano
  • Patent number: 8931440
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for adjusting the speed of a cooling system fan. In one example, a method includes adjusting a speed of a cooling system fan based on ambient temperature, engine output, and a desired engine temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Johan Fredrick Mahrs, Kyle E. Schmidt, John Y. Zhang
  • Patent number: 8925527
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing corrosion of a charge air cooler and preventing engine misfire due to condensate formation. In response to a condensate forming region in a charge air cooler, a grille shutter system is adjusted, moving the condensate region to a different location in the charge air cooler. Grille shutter orientation may also be controlled in response to vehicle operating conditions and condensate-forming weather conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph Styles, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Patent number: 8925514
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for heating a liquid supplied to an engine of a motor vehicle by a pump when the temperature of the liquid is low, thereby reducing the operating efficiency of the engine. The method comprises inefficient operation of the pump by constricting flow to create heat that is transferable to the liquid. Inefficient operation of the pump is enacted when service brakes are applied and the vehicle is decelerating to minimize negative impact on fuel economy and overall engine efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Timothy James Bowman
  • Patent number: 8909431
    Abstract: A vehicle comprising a motor-driven air conditioning system comprising a power control device for controlling the temperature in a space inside the vehicle, and an internal combustion engine equipped with a motor management system that is arranged for determining the energy expended by the internal combustion engine, which internal combustion engine is at the same time used for driving the air conditioning system, characterized in that the motor management system is connected to said power control device and arranged for adjusting the power supplied to the air conditioning system in dependence on the load on the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventor: Eeuwe Durk Kooi
  • Publication number: 20140299077
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a dual grille shutter system based on engine operating conditions. A position of a first group of grille shutters may be adjusted by a motor in response to engine temperature, CAC temperature, and driving conditions. A position of a second group of grille shutters may be adjusted based on the position of the first group of grille shutters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Sowards, Jim Raymond Palm, Shuya Shark Yamada
  • Publication number: 20140290599
    Abstract: An active grille shutter controls opening and closing of a variable duct device which uses movable louvers to open and close an opening provided at the front end of a vehicle to introduce moving air. The active grille shutter includes: thermal load state detection units each configured to detect a thermal load state of the vehicle; and an opening and closing control unit configured to set the variable duct device in a closed state in a normal condition, and to set the variable duct device in an open state when it is determined that the thermal load state of the vehicle is a predetermined high thermal load state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keishi Numata, Seiji Kawaguchi, Gentaro Hatanaka, Kazuhiro Hayakawa, Eiji Fujii, Hirotake Nishina, Shinji Fukushima
  • Patent number: 8833313
    Abstract: A method of controlling airflow through a grille on a front end of a vehicle comprising the steps of: detecting vehicle operating conditions; determining a desired percentage of airflow through the grille based on the desired operating conditions; actuating grille airflow shutters to an open position for the determined desired percentage of a predetermined time interval; and actuating the grille airflow shutter to a closed position for a remaining percentage of the predetermined time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Thomas K. Lockwood, Darren L. Bohne, Michael G. Leffert, Rajneesh K. Singh, Jason W. Guenzel
  • Publication number: 20140251239
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a charge air cooler fan or charge air cooler coolant pump and an engine cooling fan and/or vehicle grille shutters based on a target manifold charge air temperature. In one example, the grille shutter position and/or engine cooling fan speed may be adjusted based on a difference between a target manifold charge air temperature and a temperature of the charge air cooler cooling medium. Further, the charge air cooler fan speed or charge air cooler coolant pump speed may be adjusted based on a difference between a charge air cooler inlet charge air temperature and the target manifold charge air temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Adam J. Richards, John Eric Rollinger
  • Patent number: 8825285
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for operating a drive device. According to the invention, it is provided that the lower speed limit and the upper speed limit of a critical speed range of the drive device are determined when operating the drive device, that the target speed of the drive device is determined and that the operation of the drive device is done at one of the speed limits if the target speed is within the critical speed range. Through this procedure, it is for example avoided that the drive device is operated in a speed range in which the environment of the drive device or the device itself is excited into characteristic vibrations that are undesirable noise and/or vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Yannick Mougey, Trudpert Meier
  • Patent number: 8820271
    Abstract: A method for controlling flow of a cooling liquid in a combustion engine, including a casing and a water pump. A material temperature estimate, corresponding to the hottest point in the casing, is carried out from a stored power calculation calculated by a restored power integral corresponding to power restored to the cooling liquid if the cooling liquid were set in motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: RENAULT S.A.S.
    Inventor: Frederic Benet
  • Patent number: 8813692
    Abstract: A system includes a temperature determination module and a flow determination module. The temperature determination module determines an engine coolant temperature based on input received from an engine coolant temperature sensor and determines an engine material temperature based on input received from an engine material temperature sensor. The engine coolant temperature is a temperature of coolant in an engine, and the engine material temperature is a temperature of at least one of an engine block and a cylinder head. The flow determination module selectively determines coolant flow through the engine based on the engine coolant temperature and the engine material temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Inventors: Daniel A. Bialas, Igor Anilovich, Morena Bruno, Michele Bilancia
  • Patent number: 8814638
    Abstract: A variable duct apparatus that controls outside air flowing in to a radiator includes a variable louver that is provided so as to extend in the vehicle width direction between a grille opening and a radiator of a vehicle, and regulates the amount of outside air admitted to the radiator, a lower louver that is provided so as to extend in the vehicle width direction between an air inlet and the radiator, and regulates the amount of outside air admitted to the radiator, and a link mechanism that coordinates and synchronizes the variable louver and the lower louver with each other, and interrupts the coordination between the variable louver and the lower louver upon application of an external force to the lower louver to thereby permit swinging of the lower louver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masami Hasegawa, Hiroyuki Yoshimoto
  • Publication number: 20140230760
    Abstract: A freeze detecting device for an active shutter of a vehicle includes an engine control unit that outputs an opening signal, opens an active shutter, takes in travelling wind to an engine compartment, and inhibits heat damage when an external air temperature is at or below a freezing determination temperature and also a load state is high. On the other hand, when an opening signal is output from the engine control unit but the active shutter does not perform an opening action, a determination of being frozen solid is made, a warning is displayed on the display to warn the vehicle driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yohei Okamoto
  • Patent number: 8763376
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a coolant circuit that circulates a flow of an engine coolant therethrough. The coolant circuit includes an Exhaust Gas Heat Recover (EGHR) system for transferring heat from a flow of exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine to the flow of the engine coolant. A control valve is disposed downstream of the EGHR system, and directs the flow of the engine coolant along either a first fluid flow path back to the internal combustion engine to heat the internal combustion engine, or a second fluid flow path including a transmission fluid warming system to heat a supply of transmission fluid to reduce transmission spin loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Gopala K. Garnepudi
  • Patent number: 8746185
    Abstract: A control device is provided for an engine equipped with an electric oil pump for circulating coolant, and having a flow rate of the coolant restricted, when a temperature of the coolant is lower than a threshold value, as compared to a case where the temperature of the coolant is equal to or higher than the threshold value, and the engine control device includes a coolant temperature sensor detecting a temperature of the coolant, and a control unit stopping the engine in accordance with the temperature to be detected by the coolant temperature sensor after the pump is driven so as to increase the flow rate of the coolant, in a case where the flow rate of the coolant is restricted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryuta Teraya
  • Patent number: 8739744
    Abstract: A compound shutter system includes a first shutter assembly having at least one louver operable to selectively open and close the first shutter assembly. The compound shutter system also includes a second shutter assembly disposed remotely from the first shutter assembly. The second shutter assembly includes at least one louver operable to selectively open and close the second shutter assembly. The compound shutter system additionally includes a drive element. The drive element operatively connects the first shutter assembly and the second shutter assembly and automatically coordinates operation of the first and second shutter assemblies. A vehicle employing the compound shutter system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Scott P. Charnesky, Kyle C. Smith, Jeffrey L. Konchan
  • Publication number: 20140137815
    Abstract: A thermal management module includes a motor with an output shaft, and a gear train connecting the output shaft to a driven gear connected to a valve for controlling coolant flow in a coolant system. At least one grille shutter is movable between an open position allowing air through the grille shutter and a dosed position preventing air through the grille shutter. A linkage connects the at least one grille shutter to the output shaft or the gear train, so that the motor is operable to control a valve operating position of the valve and a shutter operating position of the at least one shutter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jeffrey HEMPHILL, Philip GEORGE
  • Publication number: 20140130753
    Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide a technique which makes effective use of a phase transition temperature zone of cooling water by controlling a control valve for changing the temperature of the cooling water in an appropriate manner. The present invention resides in a cooling water temperature control apparatus for an internal combustion engine in which cooling water is caused to circulate, said cooling water having variable specific heat, said apparatus comprising: a received heat amount calculation unit configured to calculate an amount of received heat which is received by said cooling water, a control valve that is controlled to open and close according to a command so as to change a circulation route or an amount of circulation of said cooling water and to change the temperature of said cooling water, and a control unit configured to control said control valve based on the amount of received heat which is calculated by said received heat amount calculation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Koyama, Koichiro Nakatani, Akira Yamashita
  • Patent number: 8689741
    Abstract: The present invention features a thermal management system for a hybrid electric vehicle. Such a system includes a heater core supplies heat for heating the vehicle's interior by heat exchange between a coolant and air of the vehicle's interior, a coolant line fluidly coupling an engine and heater core so the coolant being circulated by a coolant pump passes there through. A bypass valve is located in the coolant line in proximity to the engine and is selectively opened and closed according to the on/off state of the engine and so that the coolant does not pass through the engine but passes through only the heater core in the engine off state. Such a system includes a heat exchanger fluidly coupled to another heat source so the coolant is heated by the heat exchanger and supplied to the heater core when in the off state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Corporation, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hee Sang Park, Ho Seok Jeon, Hyun Kim, June Kyu Park, Jung Hwan Yun, Jun Mo Ku, Sang Ha Kim
  • Patent number: 8683961
    Abstract: A fluid system for an intercooler has a fill level defining a maximum volume of liquid in the fluid system, a main fluid circuit and a secondary fluid volume. The main fluid circuit includes the intercooler, and one or more passages through which fluid is circulated with operation of the engine, and at least a portion of the main fluid circuit is located above the fill level. The secondary fluid volume has at least a portion located below the fill level that communicates with the main fluid circuit to receive liquid from the main fluid circuit at least when the engine is not operating to drain at least some of the liquid from the portion of the main fluid circuit that is located above the fill level. This reduces the volume of liquid that remains above the fill level when the engine is not operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Gregory P. Prior, E. Timothy Pawl
  • Patent number: 8667931
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle engine compartment cooling system by cooperatively controlling both a variable grille opening and engine cooling fan based on a number of vehicle inputs. Maximum component cooling demand, vehicle speed, and ambient temperature are inputs to lookup tables that issue grille opening demand and engine cooling fan demand. Additionally, vehicle overall power consumption is considered in the development of the lookup tables. A vehicle computing unit selects grille opening settings and cooling fan speeds that correspond to demands from lookup tables. A control signal is sent to an adjustable grille actuator and to a fan motor. Further, vehicle deceleration events are used to trigger a full open grille opening setting, allowing increased cooling at little or no loss to vehicle efficiency. A benefit of the disclosed method is optimal settings to minimize the grille opening for aerodynamic performance while providing required engine component cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: James Michael Kerns
  • Patent number: 8656889
    Abstract: The control apparatus for a vehicle having a prime mover is applied to a vehicle having an air conditioning mechanism which performs the air conditioning in the vehicle interior by using the cooling water of the internal combustion engine. The engine stop permitting unit permits stopping the internal combustion engine based on the requested load of the internal combustion engine, when the cooling water temperature becomes equal to or higher than the engine stop permitting water temperature. The engine activating unit activates the internal combustion engine when the cooling water temperature becomes lower than the engine activation requesting water temperature, which is set to be lower than the engine stop permitting water temperature. The correcting unit corrects the engine stop permitting water temperature to be higher in the case that the vehicle speed is high, than in the case that the vehicle speed is low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koichiro Muta
  • Patent number: 8645028
    Abstract: A grille control mechanism for a vehicle includes a movable member being switchable between an opened position for allowing air to flow into a radiator of the vehicle and a closed position for inhibiting the air from flowing into the radiator, an electric motor actuating the movable member, and a control device controlling an electric current to be supplied to the electric motor to execute an opening operation or a closing operation of the movable member in a case where an opening operation condition or a closing operation condition is satisfied, wherein the control device controlling the electric current to be intermittently supplied in response to one of the opening operation condition and the closing operation condition maintained until the other one of the opening operation condition and the closing operation condition is satisfied after the opening operation or the closing operation corresponding to the maintained operation condition is executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroki Mochizuki
  • Publication number: 20140026831
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for adjusting the speed of a cooling system fan. In one example, a method includes adjusting a speed of a cooling system fan based on ambient temperature, engine output, and a desired engine temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventors: Johan Fredrick Mahrs, Kyle E. Schmidt, John Y. Zhang
  • Patent number: 8616160
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus for a water-cooled engine includes a radiator that cools coolant that has been circulated in the engine; a radiator fan that delivers air to the radiator; a determination portion that determines whether the engine is operated under a high load; and a setting portion. If the determination portion determines that the engine is operated under a high load, the setting portion sets an operation rate of the radiator fan at a time point at which the determination portion determines that the engine is operated under a high load, to a value higher than a normal operation rate at the same coolant temperature as a coolant temperature at the time point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tatsuaki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8607744
    Abstract: An active air intake adapted for selectively regulating fluid flow into an engine generally includes a housing defining an opening, a covering member disposed relative to the opening and translatable between opened and closed conditions, an actuator including an active material element operable to effect movement of the member, a load limit protector configured to present a secondary output path for the element, an overheat protection mechanism for preventing unintentional activation and stress loads in the element, a biasing mechanism for returning the member to the original condition, and a latching mechanism for retaining the member in the closed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Alan L. Browne, Xiujie Gao, Thomas H. Froling, Richard J. Skurkis, Matthew D. Scrase, Clifford Jason Yee, Evan P. Joranlien, Mark D. Dickens, Arnold G Warner, Laurence M Lemaire
  • Patent number: 8571749
    Abstract: A grille control mechanism for a vehicle includes a movable member being switchable between opened and closed positions, an electric motor actuating the movable member, and a control device controlling a supply of electric current until detecting a lock current value to execute an opening operation or a closing operation, wherein the control device executes a checking operation for returning the movable member to an initial position and executing once again the opening or closing operation in a case where a detecting time of the lock current value since the opening or closing operation is started exceeds a predetermined time, and the control device determines that the movable member is in an abnormal state in a case where a detecting time of the lock current value after the operation is started from the initial position in the checking operation exceeds the predetermined time for a predetermined number of times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Kawato
  • Patent number: 8555826
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cooler arrangement for a drive train (21) in a motor vehicle (23). Said cooler arrangement comprises a first coolant circuit (3) with a first coolant cooler (7) as well as a second coolant circuit (5) with a second coolant cooler (9). The invention is characterized in that there is a connection between the first coolant circuit (3) and the second coolant circuit (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Behr GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Georg Feldhaus, Eberhard Pantow
  • Publication number: 20130180477
    Abstract: [Problem] To obtain a thermostat device with which it is possible to dull the thermosensitivity of a thermo-element thermosensitive component to coolant water and better control the opening and closing of a main valve at a selected timing by means of an electrical heater. [Solution] A thermostat device (1) comprises: a piston (3); a cylinder container (4) which operates forward and reverse with respect to the piston and further comprises a flange valve which opens and closes a main flow path of coolant water; a thermal expansion body (W) which causes the cylinder container to operate forward and reverse upon the piston with a volumetric change commensurate with a temperature change within said cylinder container; and a thermo-element assembly body (10) which is disposed within the piston and further comprises a heat emitting element (H) which applies heat to the thermal expansion body by a supply of electricity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: NIPPON THERMOSTAT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tadao Nakajima, Toshitaka Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8418931
    Abstract: A system for cooling an engine is described. The system includes a heat exchanger having a first heat exchange portion that removes heat energy from coolant fluid flowing therein, and a second heat exchange portion that removes heat energy from coolant fluid flowing therein; a first thermostat integral to the heat exchanger and fluidically and mechanically coupled to at least one of the first and second heat exchange portions; and a second thermostat, integral to the heat exchanger and fluidically and mechanically coupled to at least one of the first and second heat exchange portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Hornblower Meyer
  • Patent number: 8408165
    Abstract: A method for controlling a cooling system for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine permits rapid warm-up of the engine by the use of two electrically-operated valves in addition to a conventional thermostat. The method includes controlling a bypass valve and a heater valve to both remain closed at low coolant temperatures and engine speed to inhibit coolant flow through the engine. A control unit opens the bypass valve to prevent cavitation in the water pump if engine speed and/or load exceeds a certain value. The heater valve is opened when a threshold engine coolant temperature is reached permitting warming of the heater matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Moffat, Chris James Leck
  • Patent number: 8387599
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to various embodiments of systems and methods for reducing the production of harmful emissions in combustion engines. One method includes correlating combustion chamber temperature to acceleration of a power train component, such as a crankshaft. Once the relationship between acceleration/deceleration of the component and combustion temperature are known, an engine control module can be configured to adjust combustion parameters to reduce combustion temperature when acceleration data indicates peak combustion temperature is approaching a harmful level, such as a level conducive to the formation of undesirable oxides of nitrogen. Various embodiments of the methods and systems disclosed herein can employ injectors with integrated igniters providing efficient injection, ignition, and complete combustion of various types of fuels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Roy E. McAlister
  • Patent number: 8365527
    Abstract: A cooling circuit and an independent heat recovery circuit are associated with an internal combustion engine. A coolant is circulated a pump in a first and a second cooling sub-circuit. An increase in pressure in a work medium is achieved within the heat recovery circuit by a pump. This work medium is changed from liquid aggregate state to vaporous aggregate state and back to the liquid aggregate state in heat exchangers. This work medium is divided after the pump into two parallel partial flows and is changed into vaporous state in a first parallel branch in an EGR heat exchanger through which recycle exhaust gas flows and in a second parallel branch in an exhaust gas heat exchanger through flow exhaust gas downstream of the low-pressure turbine flows. This vaporous work medium is then fed to an expander and is then conducted through a cooled condenser and, liquefied again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: MAN Nutzfahrzeuge Oesterreich AG
    Inventors: Gottfried Raab, Markus Raup, Josef Klammer
  • Patent number: 8347830
    Abstract: A motor vehicle is provided with a conveyor structure that conveys the entire flow of air that traverses the radiator downwards and then longitudinally underneath the floor panel of the motor vehicle, preventing said flow from traversing the engine compartment and obtaining a consequent reduction in the aerodynamic resistance of the motor vehicle. Associated to the aforesaid conveyor structure are active and passive fins for enabling an adequate cooling of the components of the engine unit or electronic components associated thereto during given operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Roberto Tregnago, Oreste Bertini, Enrico Ribaldone
  • Patent number: 8302715
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for opening and closing an air flap for a vehicle. The apparatus for opening and closing an air flap may include a coolant temperature sensor provided at an engine to measure a coolant temperature of the engine, a control unit comparing a measurement value input from the coolant temperature sensor with a reference value stored therein, thus outputting a control signal, an actuator rotating in response to the control signal of the control unit, a power transmission unit connected to the actuator to transmit rotating force of the actuator, and a flap unit installed in an opening of a front end module carrier, and being selectively movable in a vertical direction in the opening by power transmitted from the power transmission unit to the flap unit to open or close the opening, thus permitting or preventing an inflow of air into the cooling module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Kia Motors Corp.
    Inventors: Seung Hyeob Lee, Jun Ho Cha, Jin Young Yoon, Jeong Gil Park, Hun Soo Kim, Yun Seok Kim, Yong Suk Shin, Bo Hwan Cha
  • Patent number: 8291882
    Abstract: A cooling system of an internal combustion engine is provided that can improve flexibility of arrangement of peripheral machinery included in the engine. A cooling system of an internal combustion engine includes a crankcase; a cylinder block disposed on an upper portion of the crankcase and having a plurality of cylinder bores; a cylinder head disposed on an upper portion of the cylinder block; and an oil passage formed in a rear surface portion of the cylinder block so as to extend along a cylinder-arrangement direction. The oil temperature sensor is attached to the oil passage from the axial direction of the oil passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Sugiura
  • Patent number: 8291870
    Abstract: A cooling system for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine permits rapid warm-up of the engine by the use of two electrically-operated valves in addition to a conventional thermostat. A bypass valve and a heater valve both remain closed at low coolant temperatures and engine speeds, thereby inhibiting coolant flow through the engine. A control unit opens the bypass valve to prevent cavitation in the water pump if engine speed and/or load exceeds a certain value. The heater valve is opened when a threshold engine coolant temperature is reached permitting warming of the heater matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Moffat, Chris James Leck
  • Patent number: 8256387
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling airflow to and a temperature of an engine may employ a radiator with liquid coolant, a first roller positioned parallel to an inlet tank and a second roller positioned parallel to an outlet tank, and a single film shutter that winds upon each roller. Thin strip leaders define gaps for airflow to reach the radiator. A method of controlling an open position of the film shutter may entail calculating a first film shutter open position based upon an engine coolant temperature, calculating a second film shutter open position based upon an air conditioning output pressure, comparing the first film shutter open position to the second film shutter open position, determining the larger open position, and moving the film shutter to the larger open position to expose a greater radiator surface area than the smaller open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventor: Dwayne Robert Taylor
  • Patent number: 8215381
    Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a method to control excessive temperature changes in a coolant circuit includes providing a coolant circuit including a bypass flow pathway bypassing a heat exchanger, said coolant circuit at an elevated operating temperature; providing an adjustable coolant flow through said bypass flow pathway and said heat exchanger; providing a coolant pump in said coolant circuit; determining a temperature change in said coolant circuit in response to initiating a coolant flow from said heat exchanger into said coolant circuit, said temperature change greater than a predetermined limit; and in response to said determined temperature change, adjusting at least one or more of said coolant pump speed and said coolant flow to maintain said coolant circuit within a predetermined temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William Samuel Schwartz, Brian D. Rutkowski
  • Publication number: 20120167842
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for an apparatus forming at least a portion of a cooling circuit for a fluid source. In one example, the apparatus includes a first radiator system having a parallel flow path configuration, a second radiator system having a series flow path configuration, and at least one shutter system for adjusting airflow to one or more of the first radiator system or the second radiator system. The apparatus further includes a controller configured to adjust operation of the shutter system responsive to an operating condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Mark Thomas Zysk, Gregory Alan Marsh, Andrew Johnson, Philip Hake