Temperature-responsive Patents (Class 123/41.12)
  • Patent number: 12074497
    Abstract: A liquid cooled motor enclosure includes a fluid tight space adapted to contain a coolant fluid. A motor is arranged inside the enclosure and is thermally coupled to the inner side of the enclosure. An inlet manifold is located at one axial end of the enclosure, and an outlet manifold is located at the opposite axial end of the enclosure. The cross-sectional areas of the inlet and outlet manifolds are sized and configured to provide for substantially uniform flow of coolant around the entire circumference of the enclosure and/or so that coolant flowing in the space from the inlet manifold toward the outlet manifold is substantially axial. A plurality of projections extend into the space to increase the surface area in contact with the coolant fluid and increase turbulence in the coolant fluid flowing in the space to increase heat transfer from the motor to the inner shell and from the inner shell to the coolant fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: ZERO MOTORCYCLES, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan Biffard, Eddie Smith, Brian Wismann
  • Patent number: 11891943
    Abstract: A method for controlling a pitch angle of blades of a cooling fan of associated with a radiator of an engine, the blades extending radially from a central hub, the fan having an axis. The method includes regulating a pitch angle of the blades from a first limit value for which a cooling flux of the cooling fan has a first value to a second limit value for which the cooling flux has a second value greater than the first value. The pitch angle is determined based on quantities measured in the engine. The method further includes steps of detecting an engine speed; calculating a first derivative of the engine speed to detect accelerations of the engine; comparing the calculated first derivative with a threshold value and if the calculated first derivative is greater than the threshold value, setting the pitch angle to the first minimum limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Alessandro Benevelli, Marco Lorenzelli
  • Patent number: 11842639
    Abstract: Systems and methods for power and thermal management of autonomous vehicles are provided. In one example embodiment, a computing system includes processor(s) and one or more tangible, non-transitory, computer readable media that collectively store instructions that when executed by the processor(s) cause the computing system to perform operations. The operations include obtaining data associated with an autonomous vehicle. The operations include identifying one or more vehicle parameters associated with the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the data associated with the autonomous vehicle. The operations include determining a modification to one or more operating characteristics of one or more systems onboard the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the one or more vehicle parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: UATC, LLC
    Inventors: David Patrick Rice, Scott Klaus Boehmke
  • Patent number: 11821392
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing ice formation in a charge air cooler. In one example, a method includes, operating a radiator fan of a vehicle in a first direction to cool an engine of the vehicle, and reversing a direction of rotation of the radiator fan to blow heated air towards a charge air cooler, the charge air cooler arranged proximate a radiator of the vehicle. Operating the radiator fan in a first direction may be based on the engagement of one or more gears of a transmission of the vehicle while operating the radiator fan in the reverse direction may be based on an engine temperature condition, one or more ambient weather conditions, and an engine idle condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shawn Spannbauer, Shuya Shark Yamada, Stephen George Russ
  • Patent number: 11808198
    Abstract: To provide such a cooling fan control device, a cooling device, and a cooling fan control method that can cool a heat exchanger appropriately according to an air density. A cooling fan control device controls a rotation speed of a cooling fan being driven by power supplied from an alternator and cooling the heat exchanger. The cooling fan control device comprises a density detection means detecting the air density. The cooling fan control device comprises a controller, where the smaller the air density detected by the density detection means is, the greater an upper limit of target rotation speed of the cooling fan is set, as long as power consumption of the cooling fan does not exceed a power capacity of a power supply source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar SARL
    Inventor: Keigo Hara
  • Patent number: 11781572
    Abstract: A working machine includes a prime mover, a hydraulic pump driven by power of the prime mover, a cooler including a cooling fan rotated by either the power of the prime mover or hydraulic fluid delivered from the hydraulic pump, and a controller configured or programmed to perform a reduction control for reducing a target fan rotation speed that is a target rotation speed of the cooling fan in response to reduction of an actual prime mover rotation speed that is an actual rotation speed of the prime mover, and to perform, after the reduction control, a restoration control for restoring the target fan rotation speed. The controller is configured or programmed to make a difference between a reduction rate of the target fan rotation speed in the reduction control and an increase rate of the target fan rotation speed in the restoration control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daiki Abe, Yuji Fukuda, Hiroaki Nakagawa, Ryota Hamamoto
  • Patent number: 11603113
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, by a remote server, operating parameters regarding one or more components of a vehicle from a vehicle controller of the vehicle; retrieving, by the remote server, at least one of static information or dynamic information regarding one or more parameters ahead of the vehicle; determining, by the remote server, an adjustment for at least one of the one or more components of the vehicle based on (i) the operating parameters and (ii) the at least one of the static information or the dynamic information; and providing, by the remote server, an instruction to the vehicle controller regarding the adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Hoseinali Borhan, Edmund P. Hodzen
  • Patent number: 11499512
    Abstract: Provided is a construction machine capable of collecting foreign matter into a dust collection pocket and preventing the foreign matter from being scattered. The construction machine includes a cooler, an air passage forming member including a curved section, a dust-proof filter, a cooling fan generating a normal wind for cooling and a reverse wind opposite thereto, a dust collection pocket, and a turning member. The dust collection pocket has an opening and collects foreign matter at a position downstream of the inner wall surface of the outer corner of the curved section. The turning member is turned about a turning axis by the normal wind and the reverse wind, thereby being moved between a close position to close the opening and an open position to open the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenjiro Kumitani, Ryota Nakahara
  • Patent number: 11433872
    Abstract: An example method includes making a first determination that a load of a cooling system of a vehicle is expected to increase and become greater than a capacity of the cooling system; operating, in response to making the first determination, the vehicle in a first mode where a combustion engine and an electric motor operate such that a charge level of a power supply of the vehicle increases or is maintained above a threshold charge level; making, after operating the vehicle in the first mode, a second determination that the load of the cooling system has become greater than the capacity of the cooling system; and operating, in response to making the second determination, the vehicle in a second mode where the combustion engine and the electric motor operate such that the charge level of the power supply decreases or is maintained below the threshold charge level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Simon Ellgas, Andrew Warburton
  • Patent number: 11346272
    Abstract: A cooling system is provided to cool an engine of a vehicle, which includes a cooling water passage through which cooling water is supplied to a water jacket formed in the engine, and having an undercover cooling water passage provided in an undercover, a radiator provided in the cooling water passage and configured to cool the cooling water by exchanging heat with air flowing into an engine bay from a grille, a flow rate adjuster configured to adjust a cooling water flow rate supplied to the undercover cooling water passage, and a controller configured to acquire a temperature of the cooling water of the water jacket in the engine and, when the temperature is above a temperature threshold, control the flow rate adjuster to increase the flow rate of the cooling water supplied to the undercover cooling water passage compared to when the acquired temperature is below the temperature threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yuma Yamaga, Yusuke Koike, Takafumi Tanehira, Kanichi Yamaguchi, Katsutoshi Taninaka, Yusuke Mikuni
  • Patent number: 11346271
    Abstract: A cooling system configured to cool an engine of a vehicle is provided, which includes a cooling water passage through which cooling water is supplied to a water jacket in the engine, and having an undercover cooling water passage provided in an undercover and where the cooling water is cooled by exchanging heat with air below the undercover, a radiator provided in the cooling water passage and configured to cool the cooling water by exchanging heat with air flowing into an engine bay from a grille, a flow rate adjuster, a grille shutter provided to the grille and configured to change an effective opening area of the grille, and a controller configured to determine abnormality of the grille shutter and control, when determined as abnormal, the flow rate adjuster to increase the flow rate of the cooling water supplied to the undercover cooling water passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yuma Yamaga, Yusuke Koike, Takafumi Tanehira, Kanichi Yamaguchi, Katsutoshi Taninaka, Yusuke Mikuni, Yusuke Marutani
  • Patent number: 11333060
    Abstract: When a coolant controlled to have a constant target temperature is used regardless of a traveling condition of a vehicle, a fuel efficiency of the vehicle may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Hitachi Astemo, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kengo Kumano, Masayuki Saruwatari
  • Patent number: 11286998
    Abstract: A control device for a clutch, which is provided between an operation machine and a drive shaft of an engine, controls an operation of a valve member for opening and closing an oil supply port through which an oil reservoir chamber and a torque transmission chamber communicate. The control device refers to a desired rotation speed of a rotating body of the operation machine and to an acquired rotation speed of the rotating body of the operation machine, calculates a proportional term manipulated variable based on a deviation between an angular acceleration of the rotating body and a desired angular acceleration, and controls the operation of the valve member on the basis of this calculated proportional term manipulated variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED
    Inventor: Yusuke Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11226139
    Abstract: A reversible flow heat exchange system includes a heat exchanger system that includes a canister configured to receive a first fluid from a machine and a heat exchanger disposed within the canister. The reversible flow heat exchange system also includes a cooling system coupled to the heat exchanger and configured to circulate a second fluid between the heat exchanger system and the cooling system and a reversing valve coupled to the heat exchanger and configured to selectively direct a flow of the first fluid in a first direction through the canister and in a second direction through the canister that is opposite the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Hyfra Industriekuhlanlagen GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Lahnstein, Berthold Adomat
  • Patent number: 11214117
    Abstract: A temperature control system to be installed in an electric vehicle includes a water circuit, a coolant circuit, a radiator, a heat exchanger, a water pump, and a controller. The water circuit circulates cooling water to cool an electric device. The coolant circuit circulates a coolant to control a temperature of a cabin or battery of the electric vehicle. The radiator is disposed in the water circuit. The heat exchanger is disposed in the coolant circuit and receives heat released from the radiator through cooling air delivered from the radiator. The water pump regulates a flow rate of the cooling water circulating in the water circuit. The controller increases the number of rotations of the water pump to a greater value in a condition where an increase in temperature of the cabin or the battery is requested than in a normal condition where the increase in temperature is not requested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobusuke Nagaoka, Yoshihiro Nakazato, Taiki Sakai, Yosuke Kubota
  • Patent number: 11162704
    Abstract: A heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a compressor configured to circulate a fluid through the HVAC system, a first coil configured to establish a first heat exchange relationship between the fluid and a first airflow across the first coil, a second coil configured to establish a second heat exchange relationship between the fluid and a second airflow across the second coil, and a fan configured to direct the first airflow across the first coil, the second airflow across the second coil, or both, and where the first airflow across the first coil is directed to be isolated from the second airflow across the second coil, and the first airflow is blocked from flowing across the first coil when the first coil is inactive and the second airflow is blocked from flowing across the second coil when the second coil is inactive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: John T. Knight, Stephen B. Pickle
  • Patent number: 11091026
    Abstract: A work vehicle including a body, a cooling system with one or more coolers, and a fan disposed adjacent to the coolers. A louver system is disposed adjacently to an inlet of the vehicle body. The louver system includes a first actuator operatively connected to a first plurality of slats and a second actuator operatively connected to a second plurality of slats. A first sensor operatively connected to a first cooler is configured to identify a first temperature of the first cooler and to generate a signal responsive to the identified first temperature. A second sensor operatively connected to a second cooler is configured to identify a second temperature of the second cooler and to generate a signal responsive to the identified second temperature. A position of the first plurality and second plurality of slats is determined respectively by the first and second temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeffery C. Mussack, Alan D. Sheidler, Garrick W. Herbst
  • Patent number: 11078825
    Abstract: A method includes: (a) determining an engine speed of an internal combustion engine, wherein the internal combustion engine has an engine wall, and the engine wall has a wall temperature; (b) determining an engine load of the internal combustion engine; (c) determining a wall-reference temperature as a function of the engine load and the engine speed of the internal combustion engine; and (d) adjusting, using a cooling system, a volumetric flow rate of a coolant flowing through the internal combustion engine to maintain the wall temperature at the wall-reference temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Yiran Hu, David E. Edwards, Min Sun, Michael J. Paratore, Jr., Jun Chen, Eugene V. Gonze, Sergio Quelhas
  • Patent number: 11052798
    Abstract: An air supply device and a method of operating same are provided for a vehicle seat having an air discharge opening provided in the upper region of the vehicle seat, via which opening a head, shoulder, and neck region of the seat occupant can be supplied with an airflow. The airflow is adjustable by a control unit for controlling or regulating a fan rotational speed of a blower and can be heated via a heating element. The control unit is supplied at least one activation signal for activating the air supply device and a temperature signal that provides information about the interior temperature. The control unit activates the heating element and the blower according to the activation signal and then controls at least the blower as a function of the interior temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hendrik Nordalm, Sebastian Geithner
  • Patent number: 11022033
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an output shaft, fan, auxiliary unit, and wraparound drive. The drive has a first wraparound wheel which is drivable by the output shaft and a first wraparound belt which wraps around the first wraparound wheel, which is drivable by the output shaft via the first wraparound wheel, and via which the auxiliary unit is drivable by the output shaft. The drive has a second wraparound wheel, a third wraparound wheel, a second wraparound belt which wraps around the first wraparound wheel and the second wraparound wheel where the second wraparound wheel is drivable by the output shaft via the second wraparound belt and the first wraparound wheel, and a third wraparound belt which wraps around the second wraparound wheel and the third wraparound wheel such that the fan is drivable by the second wraparound wheel via the third wraparound wheel and the third wraparound belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Norbert Dembinski, Attila Solymosi, Thomas Spiess
  • Patent number: 11002175
    Abstract: A system and method of a variable speed cooling fan for a skid mounted compressor. A magnetic variable speed clutch is mounted to the cooling fan drive shaft. The clutch mechanism is driven via by a drive pulley on the crankshaft of the engine driving the compressor. The speed of the fan is varied dependent upon the temperature of the fluids being cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Rusty Kight, Blake Minton, Chris Jungers
  • Patent number: 10947955
    Abstract: A multi-energy power generation system based on a floating type platform which is specifically a wind turbine-oscillating water column type wave energy integrated power generation system based on a TLP floating type platform. The wind turbine-oscillating water column type wave energy integrated power generation system based on the TLP floating type platform includes an offshore wind power generation system and oscillating water column type wave energy power generation devices, and the integrated power generation system which integrates wind energy and an oscillating water column type wave energy system into a whole is established utilizing a TLP platform supporting structure in the ocean.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: DALIAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Wei Shi, Yapo Wang, Lixian Zhang, Ye Tang, Jikun You, Dezhi Ning, Bin Teng
  • Patent number: 10927746
    Abstract: A system and method of a variable speed cooling fan (30) for a skid mounted compressor (22). A magnetic variable speed clutch (38) is mounted to the cooling fan drive shaft (28). The clutch mechanism is driven via by a drive pulley (38) on the crankshaft of the engine (24) driving the compressor (22). The speed of the fan (30) is varied dependent upon the temperature of the fluids being cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Rusty Kight, Blake Minton, Chris Jungers
  • Patent number: 10907529
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for preventing overheating of a power steering system. In one example, a method includes operating an engine cooling fan based on a steering wheel angle and an engine speed. The cooling fan may be operated for a duration based on the steering wheel angle and engine speed, thus eliminating the need for a dedicated power steering coolant temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Roberto Villegas Muriel, Timothy Gerard Offerle, Dale Killins, Darin Charles Petrini
  • Patent number: 10865692
    Abstract: A cooling control system for a working machine includes a fan, a housing to which the fan is attached, a prime mover having an output shall, a rotor to be rotated by a rotating power of the output shaft and to be rotated with the housing by a fluid introduced to a gap formed between the housing and the rotor, a fluid setting circuit to set an introduction amount of the fluid introduced to the gap, and a control device to control the fluid setting circuit to control the fan. The control device includes a setting circuit to set a target rotation speed of the fan based on a responsiveness of an actual rotation speed of the fan at time of changing of the target rotation speed of the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryosuke Kinugawa, Nozomu Minagawa, Hiroshi Tatsumi, Keisuke Miura, Makoto Noguchi
  • Patent number: 10837500
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a fluid friction clutch having a housing, a clutch disc which is arranged at one end of a shaft which is mounted within the housing, a working chamber which is configured between the housing and the clutch disc, a storage chamber for clutch fluid, and at least one feed duct which leads from the storage chamber to the working chamber. Moreover, a pressure relief device for discharging clutch fluid from the feed duct into the storage chamber is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: BorgWarner Ludwigsburg GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Buchholz, Wolfgang U. Sorg
  • Patent number: 10808776
    Abstract: A clutch device for a clutch system has an input member that rotates at a first speed. A friction drive system is disposed between the input member and an output member. The clutch device is selectively movable by a fluid actuator assembly, between an engaged position in which the friction drive system drives the output member to rotate at the first speed, and a disengaged position in which a viscous drive system rotates the output member at a second speed slower than the first speed. A variable viscous fluid supply assembly includes a viscous fluid storage chamber, a valve, and a valve actuator that selectively drives the valve to move between an open position and a closed position to control an amount of viscous fluid available to the viscous drive system, thereby varying the second speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Kit Masters Inc.
    Inventors: Dale Scherman, Daniel Huwe
  • Patent number: 10800361
    Abstract: A circuit body for a vehicle is wired on a vehicle body of the vehicle for performing supply of electric power to an electrical component and communication of various communication signals with the electrical component. The circuit body includes: a plurality of control boxes separately disposed on the circuit body and capable of controlling input and output of at least one of the electric power and the communication signal; a trunk line harness connecting one of the plurality of control boxes and another of the plurality of control boxes; and a branch line harness connecting the control box and the electrical component. The circuit body has a loop structure in which at least part of the plurality of control boxes are annularly connected via the trunk line harness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masashi Nakamura, Masahiro Furukawa, Satoshi Enomoto, Akiyoshi Kanazawa
  • Patent number: 10793133
    Abstract: A system for controlling fluid flow to and from a clutch includes a motor, a pump, and a valve assembly. The valve assembly includes a housing defining an interior. The housing defines a first orifice operably coupled to the pump and a second orifice operably coupled to the clutch. The valve assembly also includes a piston operably coupled to the motor and disposed within the interior of said housing. The piston is movable between a first position for allowing the fluid flow between the first orifice and the second orifice, a second position for obstructing the fluid flow between the first orifice and the second orifice, and a third position for limiting the fluid flow between the first orifice and the second orifice. The valve assembly additionally includes a biasing member coupled to the piston. The biasing member biases the piston toward the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Christian Flandrinck
  • Patent number: 10785389
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which is capable of efficiently cooling itself using a general-purpose ice pack so as to be able to shoot without heating an exterior surface thereof to a high temperature even under a high temperature environment. A cooling unit of the image pickup apparatus has a first duct having an inlet, a second duct connected to the first duct, and a third duct having an outlet and connected to the second duct. The second duct is thermally connected to a first heat source, the third duct is thermally connected to a second heat source that generates a larger amount of heat than the first heat source, and air taken in through the inlet passes through the first duct, the second duct, and the third duct in this order and is discharged through the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Kojima
  • Patent number: 10767342
    Abstract: The work vehicle includes an engine, a radiator; a hydraulic pump; a cooling fan that blows a cooling air to the radiator; a hydraulic motor which is driven by a pressure oil delivered from the hydraulic pump, and rotates the cooling fan; a directional control valve that switches a flow direction of the pressure oil from the hydraulic pump to rotate the hydraulic motor in forward and reverse directions; and a controller that controls the directional control valve so as to cause the repetitive operation of the forward and reverse rotation of the cooling fan to be performed at predetermined time intervals, in which the controller reduces the time intervals more than a normal time initially set when a relationship between the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor and the refrigerant temperature detected by the refrigerant temperature sensor satisfies a predetermined condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Hyodo, Isamu Aoki, Tetsuji Tanaka, Koji Shimazaki
  • Patent number: 10744855
    Abstract: A cooling device for a vehicle includes a mechanical fan configured to be driven by a driving force of the engine, an engine cooling heat exchanger disposed forward of the mechanical fan in a front-rear direction of the vehicle, a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger that are disposed forward of the engine cooling heat exchanger in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, a first electric fan that includes a first motor and cools the first heat exchanger, and a second electric fan that includes a second motor and cools the second heat exchanger. The first motor and the second motor are disposed forward of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, respectively, in the front-rear direction of the vehicle such that the first motor and the second motor do not overlap the coupling when viewed in a front direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ikeda, Kouji Norisada, Masahiro Noguchi, Masataka Minamigawa, Masashi Shibata, Junichi Suematsu
  • Patent number: 10696138
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a compressor of a vehicle capable of turning-on/off a compressor based on coolant pressure of an air conditioner in the winter and a method thereof are provided. The control apparatus includes a compressor that is configured to reduce a temperature by compressing a coolant of an air conditioner and a controller that is configured to operate the compressor, to confirm an operation coolant pressure of the air conditioner after operating the compressor. The controller also operates the compressor based on the operation coolant pressure of a measured coolant pressure of the air conditioner when an ambient temperature of the vehicle is less than a reference temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Yeong Jun Kim
  • Patent number: 10683632
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes: a main hydraulic pump that supplies pressure oil to a hydraulic cylinder; an accessory pump that supplies pressure oil to an auxiliary machine; and a confluence switching valve that merges pressure oil of the accessory pump with pressure oil of the main hydraulic pump. The work vehicle is provided with a control device that, in case atmospheric pressure or air density of outside air is lower than a predetermined value, executes confluence limitation control of reducing a confluence flow rate at the confluence switching valve compared to the time in case the atmospheric pressure or the air density of the outside air is higher than the predetermined value, and canceling the confluence limitation control in case rotation speed of an engine becomes higher compared to a predetermined rotation speed value during the confluence limitation control, and the rotation speed value is higher as the atmospheric pressure or the air density of the outside air is lower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Nakamura, Koji Shimazaki
  • Patent number: 10596879
    Abstract: A plurality of fans is connectable to a heat exchanger arrangement having a plurality of separated cooling loops. At least one of the fans is operable to move air through at least two of the cooling loops, and at least one other fan is operable to move air through at least one of the cooling loops. A control system includes at least one controller and is operable to control each of the at least one fan using a respective control strategy correlating temperature values with fan outputs, and to control each of the at least one other fan using a respective control strategy that is different from each control strategy used to control the at least one fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Engineered Machined Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd M. Steinmetz, Michael P. Lasecki
  • Patent number: 10557508
    Abstract: A viscous clutch includes an input member, an output member, a working chamber defined between the input member and the output member, a reservoir to hold a supply of a shear fluid fluidically connected to the working chamber by a fluid circuit, a valve that is electromagnetically actuatable to selectively control a flow of the shear fluid along the fluid circuit, a control coil assembly, and a securing mechanism. The control coil assembly includes a modular center hub removably attached to the input member, an electromagnetic coil and a coil bearing rotatably supporting the electromagnetic coil on the modular center hub. The securing mechanism is removably attached to the input member radially inward of the working chamber and the reservoir, and includes a radially outwardly extending flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Horton, Inc.
    Inventor: David R. Hennessy
  • Patent number: 10538141
    Abstract: An apparatus for a vehicle includes a cooling fan installed in an engine compartment of the vehicle. A fan motor is connected with the cooling fan to drive the cooling fan. A state detector is configured to detect state data, and a controller is configured to control the cooling fan based on the state data when an intake temperature is within a predetermined range, to determine whether the state data satisfies a decision reference condition, and to lock the fan motor according to a change rate of air conditioner refrigerant pressure during a measurement time when the state data satisfies the decision reference condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Yeong Jun Kim, Taewan Kim
  • Patent number: 10508693
    Abstract: A clutched device can include a differential, a clutch, and a gate. The differential can transmit torque between an input member and first and second output members. A housing can define a sump and a reservoir spaced apart from the sump. A first aperture open to the sump and reservoir can be above a static fluid level of the sump. A second aperture can couple the sump and reservoir below the static fluid level. An outer clutch plate carrier can rotate through the sump and sling fluid through the first aperture. The outer carrier can be coupled for rotation with the second output member and an inner clutch plate carrier can be coupled to a third output member. The gate can be movable between first and second positions. In the first position the gate can block the second aperture. In the second position the second aperture can be open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Robert S. Kleinhardt, Shawn S. Proctor, Paul F. Reichert
  • Patent number: 10494982
    Abstract: A system and method for dissipating vehicle under hood heat accumulated during stationary engine operation at high load or RPM and/or under high temperature ambient conditions is installed in a vehicle having an engine positioned within an engine compartment, and a cooling fan selectively driven by way of a fan clutch. The system includes a controller connected to the engine and to the fan clutch. The controller determines whether the period of stationary engine operation occurs at or above a threshold engine load or RPM, at or above a threshold engine operating temperature, at or above a threshold ambient temperature, and/or for or longer than a threshold stationary engine operation duration. If so, the at least one controller increases a low idle set point of the engine and commands the fan clutch to engage or remain engaged for a cool-down period following the period of stationary engine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Timothy M. Lyons
  • Patent number: 10480391
    Abstract: A coolant control system of a vehicle includes first and second target flowrate modules, a target speed module, and a speed control module. The first target flowrate module determines a first target flowrate of coolant through an engine. The second target flowrate module, when a change in heat input to the engine is greater than a predetermined value, sets a second target flowrate to greater than the first target flowrate. The target speed module determines a target speed of an engine coolant pump based on the second target flowrate. The speed control module controls a speed of the engine coolant pump based on the target speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Yue-Ming Chen, Vijay Ramappan, Ben W. Moscherosch
  • Patent number: 10473127
    Abstract: A fan drive system includes a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor that rotates a fan on the basis of hydraulic oil supplied from the hydraulic pump, a data acquisition unit that acquires an actual fan speed of the fan, a target amount determination unit that determines a target fan speed of the fan on the basis of a state of an object to be cooled of the fan, and an estimating unit that estimates a state of the hydraulic pump or a state of the hydraulic motor on the basis of a change of a feedback amount that indicates a difference between the target fan speed and the actual fan speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Komatsu LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuru Ohshiro, Kenichi Ogasawara, Masahiro Hirano
  • Patent number: 10473210
    Abstract: A transmission sealed low leak controls system includes a controls system having a first fluid for operation of the controls system provided by a first pump at a first pressure. A transmission input shaft is provided. A planetary gear set is connected to the transmission input shaft by a clutch assembly. A second pump provides a second fluid different from the first fluid for cooling and lubrication of the at least one clutch assembly at a second pressure lower than the first pressure. A torque converter is connected to the transmission input shaft. The second pump further provides the second fluid to the torque converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Daryl A. Wilton, James M. Hart, Eric C. Sandstrom
  • Patent number: 10449860
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus may be configured to cool a device mounted in a vehicle. The cooling apparatus may include: a pump configured to circulate a refrigerant between the device and a radiator, and a controller configured to provide an output command value to the pump, and to monitor occurrence of abnormality of the pump. The controller may be configured capable of executing: vehicle-speed-based control including shifting the output command value when a vehicle speed falls below a predetermined vehicle speed threshold value; and monitoring control including: measuring an abnormality duration time during which a rotational speed of the pump is deviating from a predetermined allowable range; and outputting a notification signal notifying the abnormality of the pump when the measured abnormality duration time exceeds a predetermined time threshold value. While the controller is measuring the abnormality duration time in the monitoring control, the controller may inhibit the vehicle-speed-based control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shiro Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10443609
    Abstract: A device for controlling the pitch of fan blades in a turbine engine having an unducted fan including at least one set of adjustable pitch fan blades, each fan blade being coupled, for pitch adjustment purposes, to a radial control shaft constrained to rotate with the set of fan blades and suitable for pivoting about a radial pitch axis of the fan blade, the device including a stationary actuator centered on a longitudinal axis of the turbine engine and driving an outer ring of a load transfer bearing in translation, the outer ring of the load transfer bearing being coupled directly to a lever arm of each control shaft via a respective ball joint connection in order to adjust its pivoting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Emmanuel Pierre Dimitri Patsouris, Olivier Belmonte, Clementine Charlotte Marie Mouton, Thomas Julien Nguyen Van
  • Patent number: 10428723
    Abstract: A method for controlling a water pump for a vehicle includes: determining whether an engine is on; measuring a coolant temperature of the engine and an RPM of the engine when the engine is determined to be operated; determining whether the measured coolant temperature is equal to or greater than a predetermined coolant temperature; determining an RPM of a water pump, which adjusts a coolant flow rate, from the measured coolant temperature and the measured RPM of the engine, when the measured coolant temperature is determined to be equal to or greater than the predetermined coolant temperature; and controlling the water pump such that the water pump is operated according to the determined RPM of the water pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: In-Eok Cho, Hoon Han, Jae-Yun Shim, Il-Kwon Park
  • Patent number: 10393005
    Abstract: Embodiments of a powertrain cooling system and embodiments of a radiator module are provided for deployment onboard a vehicle. In one embodiment, the powertrain cooling system includes a first airflow path, a second airflow path, a primary radiator core positioned in the first airflow path, an auxiliary radiator core position in the second airflow path, and a first airflow valve positioned in the second airflow path upstream of the auxiliary radiator core. The first airflow valve is movable between a closed position wherein the first airflow valve impedes airflow to the auxiliary radiator core and an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Scott P. Charnesky, Gregory J. Fadler, Thomas K. Lockwood, Kevin A. Golsch
  • Patent number: 10273968
    Abstract: Provided is a water supply/drainage pump including: an air-cooled internal combustion engine section; a pump section configured to supply/drain water by being driven by the engine section; and a heat exchanger block arranged between the engine section and the pump section and configured to cool exhaust gas from the engine section. The heat exchanger block is mounted to a body of the pump section through intermediation of a first sealing plate. A fuel tank is mounted above a body of the engine section. Except a part corresponding to the pump section, parts corresponding to the engine section, the heat exchanger block, and the fuel tank are covered with a casing. The heat exchanger block is provided with a cooling passage, an exhaust passage, and a muffler passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: MATSUSAKA ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yasuki Wada
  • Patent number: 10267210
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for preventing overheating of a power steering system. In one example, a method includes operating an engine cooling fan based on a steering wheel angle and an engine speed. The cooling fan may be operated for a duration based on the steering wheel angle and engine speed, thus eliminating the need for a dedicated power steering coolant temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Roberto Villegas Muriel, Timothy Gerard Offerle, Dale Killins, Darin Charles Petrini
  • Patent number: 10240644
    Abstract: A fluid driving device, a motor assembly and a friction clutch thereof are disclosed. The friction clutch includes: a fixing member fixed on a rotary shaft; a connecting member slidable disposed on the rotary shaft, wherein when the rotary shaft starts rotating, an axial distance between the connecting member and the fixing member changes such that a friction force between the fixing member and the connecting member increases until the connecting member rotates synchronously with the fixing member; a loading member slidable disposed on the rotary shaft, the loading member and the connecting member being circumferentially positioned; and a restoring member configured to reduce an amount of change of the axial distance between the fixing member and the connecting member when the rotary shaft stops rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: JOHNSON ELECTRIC INTERNATIONAL AG
    Inventors: Yue Li, Li Sheng Liu, Yong Wang, Ya Ming Zhang
  • Patent number: 10221902
    Abstract: A temperature-sensitive fluid fan clutch device includes an oil reservoir chamber in a case supported by a rotating shaft that has a drive disk fixed thereto. Plural dams are provided outward of the drive disk, and oil circulating flow passages contiguously to the dams extend between a torque transmission chamber and the oil reservoir chamber. A valve opens and closes an oil circulation flow hole of the oil reservoir chamber due to a change in temperature of a temperature-sensitive body. An oil effective contact area in a torque transmission gap between a drive side and a driven side is varied to control rotation torque transmission from the drive side to the driven side. An oil collection valve member independently opens and closes at least one of the oil circulating flow passages. The temperature-sensitive fluid fan clutch device inhibits a cold “drag” phenomenon and reduces fan power loss and fuel consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Usui Kokusai Sangyo Kaisha Limited
    Inventor: Satoshi Kubota