Fan Type Patents (Class 123/41.49)
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Patent number: 6743539Abstract: A control system and method for operating a cooling fan in a coolant system of fuel cell power plant having a high temperature coolant loop and a low temperature coolant loop. The fan controller generates a fan control signal based on a first control signal from the high temperature coolant loop and a second control signal from the low temperature coolant loop. The first control signal is a function of the waste heat energy in the high temperature coolant loop, and the second control signal is a function of the temperature in the low temperature coolant loop. The fan control signal may also be generated based on a third control signal which is a function of a localized ambient temperature such as the under hood temperature of a vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Bruce J. Clingerman, Donald H. Keskula, Victor W. Logan
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Patent number: 6732681Abstract: A modular cooling plant for an internal combustion engine and accessory equipment installed on a motor vehicle provides a joint external frame supporting several heat exchangers and a centrally positioned centrifugal blower. The centrally positioned centrifugal blower is driven by a hydraulic motor through an impeller drive shaft, clutch and impeller. The hydraulic motor and dependent drive assembly are also mounted to the joint external frame to avoid risk of damage to the heat exchangers from the impeller should the vehicle engine shift.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2003Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLCInventor: Melvin A. Hendricks, Sr.
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Publication number: 20040083989Abstract: A fuel cell system is used for on-board power supply in a motor vehicle that is powered by an internal combustion engine. The blower fan that is used to cool the radiator of the engine also cools the fuel cell module and/or it provides the air feed for operating the fuel cell module.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2003Publication date: May 6, 2004Inventors: Rolf Bruck, Joachim Grosse, Manfred Poppinger, Meike Reizig
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Publication number: 20040074454Abstract: A work vehicle cooling system comprises a cooling fan (18) driven by the output from an engine (16), and a flow path for allowing an airflow (27) generated by the cooling fan (18) to be flown between the engine (16) and an operator's seat (14) without having passed through any of a radiator (20) and an oil cooler (21) for the engine (16). With this simple configuration, the heat generated by the engine (16) is prevented from being transmitted to the operator's seat (14).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2003Publication date: April 22, 2004Inventors: Junji Mimuro, Shinichi Itou
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Publication number: 20040069464Abstract: A refrigerating unit including a base, a heat exchanger, and a shroud attached to the base, the shroud provided with integrally formed means for gripping the heat exchanger and mounting the heat exchanger to the base. More particularly, a condensing unit including a base, a heat exchanger having opposite side edges defined by a pair of substantially cylindrical headers, at least one of the headers having an inlet tube or an outlet tube extending from a side surface thereof near one end of the header, and a substantially rectangular shroud attached to the base and being provided with notched corners forming notched corner edges. The shroud has a top surface which is provided with at least one elongate boss, and a plurality of integrally-formed resilient gripping portions which surround and capture the heat exchanger headers.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2002Publication date: April 15, 2004Inventor: Sukru Erisgen
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Patent number: 6708652Abstract: A valve timing transmission apparatus is disclosed that increases the freedom of attachment positions for a pivot pin supporting a one end of timing chain and enables arrangement of a chain tensioner in an optimum position for tensioning of the timing chain. An opening having a diameter greater than a sprocket is provided on the drive sprocket side of an outer side wall of a timing chamber which is formed in one side wall of an engine main body and which accommodates the timing chain. A lid plate is removably secured to the engine main body so as to close the opening. Support bosses supporting both ends of the pivot pin are formed in opposite walls of the engine main body and the lid plate.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2001Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kenji Oki
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Patent number: 6695047Abstract: A temperature control system includes an enclosure having a plurality of adjoining walls. At least one inlet is disposed within at least one of the walls. The at least one inlet has an electrically controlled inlet fan associated with it. A plurality of outlet louver assemblies are disposed within at least an other wall and include a plurality of moveable louvers. An actuator is coupled with each outlet louver assembly to move the plurality of moveable louvers. An ambient air sensor is disposed within the enclosure for sensing the ambient temperature within the enclosure and providing an output signal which is conducted to an electrical processing circuit. Alternatively, the ambient air sensor may be located without the enclosure. Temperature sensors are also coupled with the engine, charge air and transmission cooler for sensing their respective temperatures and providing output signals which are conducted to the electrical processing circuit.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2002Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Inventor: Jon P. Brocksopp
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Publication number: 20040025812Abstract: Apparatus for conveying air to radiators of motor vehicles and the like, comprising a fan (10) having a plurality of blades (12) each radially mounted by means of its own coupling device (31) on a central body (11) and able to be rotationally actuated about its longitudinal axis by means of actuating means (41,42,43) depending on the quantity of air required for correct cooling of the fluid, said apparatus comprising means (60;160;260;360;460) for engaging/ disengaging the transmission of the rotational movement from the means (23,21;321a,21;421a,21) generating said movement to the said fan (10).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2003Publication date: February 12, 2004Applicant: BARUFFALDI S.p.A.Inventor: Pier Carlo Boffelli
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Publication number: 20040020449Abstract: An automotive engine-cooling fan assembly uses pairs of overlapping fans to improve flow uniformity through the heat exchanger cores and to maximize the amount of fan power that can be achieved with limited motor sizes. One fan of each pair has upstream supports and the other has downstream supports, and these supports are so configured to minimize the axial dimension of the assembly. The use of banded fans maximizes fan performance, and blade skew minimizes fan noise.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2003Publication date: February 5, 2004Inventors: William M. Stevens, F. Raymond Cote
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Patent number: 6682319Abstract: By inserting an insertion section provided on a lower end of a motor fan unit into a wedge shaped hole provided in a lower part of a radiator, a motor fan unit is attached to a side of the radiator to the vehicle rear. A vehicle front perpendicular surface and a vehicle rear perpendicular surface are formed on the insertion section. The vehicle front perpendicular surface contacts a perpendicular surface of the wedge shaped hole, while the vehicle rear perpendicular surface contacts a lower end of an inclined surface of the wedge shaped hole. These surfaces will be in contact with one another even if the radiator stretches in the vertical direction due to evacuation and irrigation so that the insertion section slides upwards. As a result, it is possible to prevent rattling of the motor fan unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2002Date of Patent: January 27, 2004Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Toshimi Kobayashi
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Patent number: 6675879Abstract: A compact heat exchanger system including a radial fan directing air flow outwardly away from the fan axis and a plurality of heat exchangers disposed around the radial fan. At least two of the heat exchangers include headers with longitudinal walls extending generally in the same direction as the fan axis with one of the heat exchangers disposed with its outlet header longitudinal wall adjacent the longitudinal wall of the inlet header of a second of the heat exchangers. A flow opening is provided between the adjacent longitudinal walls of the outlet header of the one heat exchanger and the inlet header of the second heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2001Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Assignee: Modine Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Mark G. Voss
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Patent number: 6676371Abstract: A fan shroud includes a barrel portion which surrounds a cooling fan. The barrel portion includes a first cylindrical portion located within a second cylindrical portion about a cooling fan axis of rotation. A multiple of webs are located between the first and second cylindrical portions which strengthen the barrel portion to an extent that a relatively lightweight inexpensive plastic material may be utilized to form the fan shroud without reducing the strength thereof. The webs also provide a multiple of mounting points which may receive a bracket to retain the numerous cables, conduits, hoses, sensors and the like which must be arranged within an engine compartment.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2002Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Assignees: Custom Molders, Inc., Labelle-Suomela, Inc.Inventor: Daniel J. Brown
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Patent number: 6659724Abstract: Front edges 212b of blades 212 are so constituted as to be deviated toward the upstream side in the air stream beyond an axial end surface 211a, as viewed from a direction at right angles to the axial direction of a boss 211, and the blades 212 on the root side thereof are continuous to the axial end surface 211a through smoothly curved surfaces 213. This enables the air to flow from the side of the axial end surface 211a toward the root side of the blades 212. Due to the air flowing from the side of the axial end surface 211a to the root side of the blades 212, therefore, the resistance decreases between the air and the surfaces of the blades 212 on the root side, making it possible to suppress the occurrence of stalling on the root side of the blades 212. The air on the front side of the boss 211 is effectively guided toward the outer direction (toward the blades 212), preventing a drop in the flow rate and in the fan efficiency of a blower 200.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Kazuhiro Takeuchi, Shinichi Oda, Isao Murai
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Patent number: 6622668Abstract: The present invention relates to a construction machine, which is equipped with an engine (22), a first cooling unit group (R) consisting of a plurality of cooling units, and a second cooling unit group (R1) where some cooling units in the first cooling unit group (R) are disposed in parallel. The remaining cooling unit (RN) of the first cooling unit group (R) is disposed with a gap (D) between itself and the second cooling unit group (R1), or is disposed in parallel with the second cooling unit group (R1). The construction machine is further equipped with a cooling fan (20) disposed so that it faces the cooling units disposed as described above. With this arrangement, the construction machine is capable of easily cleaning the cooling units, enhancing the cooling efficiency, and reducing the leakage of noise from the machine to the outside.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2002Date of Patent: September 23, 2003Assignee: Shin Caterpillar Mitsubishi Ltd.Inventor: Hideyuki Izumi
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Patent number: 6622783Abstract: A self-fixturing fan shroud (12) for use with a heat exchanger assembly (13), the heat exchanger assembly (13) includes an upper horizontal surface (16), a lower, upwardly opening, horizontal channel (18), and at least one core (14 or 15) extending between the upper horizontal surface (16) and the channel (18). Each of the cores (14 and 15) has a front face (24), a back face (26), and air flow passages extending from the front face (24) to the back face (26). The fan shroud (12) comprises a covering portion (28) having an opening (30) disposed therethrough. The opening (30) is of a predetermined size sufficient to receive a fan. An upper horizontal flange (38) extends from the covering portion (28) to rest on the upper horizontal surface (16) of the heat exchanger assembly (13) to vertically locate the fan shroud (12) relative to the heat exchanger assembly (13).Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2001Date of Patent: September 23, 2003Assignee: Modine Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Jonathan M. Hitt, Gregg D. Olson
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Patent number: 6619379Abstract: A heat exchange arrangement for a vehicle has at least two heat exchangers exposed to the action of ambient air. One of the heat exchanger is coolant cooler and the other one is a charge-air coolant. Each of these coolers has tubes through which liquid or gas flows and heat dissipating ribs connected to the tubes. The coolant cooler is positioned upstream of the charge-air cooler in the air-flow direction. The charge-air cooler has an overlapping region in which the coolant cooler and the charge-air cooler overlap one another and a non-overlapping region in which the coolant cooler projects substantially perpendicularly to the cooling air flow direction. The non-overlapping region is formed at least in the charge-air outlet region and is cooled directly by ambient cooling air. The overlapping region is cooled by the ambient cooling air that has passed through the coolant cooler, which is positioned immediately upstream of the overlapping region of the charge-air cooler.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1999Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Assignee: Behr GmbH & Co.Inventors: Peter Ambros, Peter Griesheimer, Reinhard Kuli, Eberhard Pantow
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Patent number: 6601546Abstract: The invention is based on a cooling fan (10) with a frame (12), having a baffle apparatus (14) with an electric motor (16) fastened to it which drives a fan propeller (18). The invention proposes that a control unit (20) for the electric motor (16) be integrated into the frame (12).Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2001Date of Patent: August 5, 2003Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Thomas Mohr, Juergen Prestel, Jens Ulrich, Jochen Goehre, Joachim Makowsky
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Publication number: 20030141050Abstract: A temperature control system includes an enclosure having a plurality of adjoining walls. At least one inlet is disposed within at least one of the walls. The at least one inlet has an electrically controlled inlet fan associated with it. A plurality of outlet louver assemblies are disposed within at least an other wall and include a plurality of moveable louvers. An actuator is coupled with each outlet louver assembly to move the plurality of moveable louvers. An ambient air sensor is disposed within the enclosure for sensing the ambient temperature within the enclosure and providing an output signal which is conducted to an electrical processing circuit. Alternatively, the ambient air sensor may be located without the enclosure. Temperature sensors are also coupled with the engine, charge air and transmission cooler for sensing their respective temperatures and providing output signals which are conducted to the electrical processing circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2002Publication date: July 31, 2003Inventor: Jon P. Brocksopp
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Patent number: 6600249Abstract: A cooling system for a vehicle includes a shroud attachable to a fixed portion of the vehicle. A stator assembly for a brushless DC ring motor is attached to at least one mounting support of the shroud. A cooling fan is piloted on the stator assembly, and includes a ring supporting a plurality of fan blades for sweeping an area inside the shroud. A rotor assembly for the brushless DC ring motor is attached to the ring of the cooling fan. The rotor assembly confronts the stator assembly around an outer diameter of the stator assembly. The cooling system is controlled by an electronic controller to rotate the cooling fan to provide appropriate cooling for the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2001Date of Patent: July 29, 2003Assignee: Horton, Inc.Inventors: Christopher A. Nelson, Bradford K. Palmer
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Publication number: 20030121638Abstract: Motor vehicle comprising a passenger compartment (12), a front compartment (14), which is arranged in the front of the passenger compartment (12), and a heat exchanger unit (16), comprising an engine cooling radiator arranged in the area separating the passenger compartment (12) from the front compartment (14). The motor vehicle comprises a manifold for conveying a flow of air (22), with an air flow inlet section (28) arranged in the front part of the motor vehicle and an air flow outlet section (30) arranged in the rear part of the front compartment (14), in correspondence to said heat exchanger unit (16).Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2002Publication date: July 3, 2003Applicant: DENSO THERMAL SYSTEMS SPAInventors: Aurelio Molari, Domenico Vitali
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Patent number: 6585035Abstract: A transmission drives a radial fan about a fan axis in a vehicle cooling unit including a plurality of heat exchangers arranged to surround the radial fan to receive a radial air flow therefrom. A driving pulley, a driven pulley, and a idler pulley of the heat exchangers.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2001Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: Modine Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Werner Zobel, Michael Ehlers, Frank Vetter, Jorg Soldner, Roland Strähle, Wolfgang Knecht, Mark G. Voss, Andreas Willman
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Patent number: 6564857Abstract: A compact cooling system includes a mounting panel adapted to receive a plurality of at least three cooling units, a cooling fan, and a fan drive mechanism. The mounting panel supports the fan and drive mechanism in a manner allowing rotation of the fan about the axis of rotation. A front side of the mounting panel is adapted for receiving and supporting the cooling units in a pattern defining a cantilevered, tubular polygonal solid disposed about the fan. The mounting panel includes a convex central region extending into the tubular polygonal solid and receiving the drive mechanism in operative connection to the fan. By virtue of this arrangement, a very compact cooling system is provided. The tubular polygonal shape of the cooling units, when mounted on the mounting panel, forms an air duct for directing a flow of cooling air induced by the fan through the cooling units.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2000Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Modine Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Werner Zobel, Michael Ehlers, Frank Vetter, Jörg Soldner
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Patent number: 6561141Abstract: A water-cooled magnetorheological fluid controlled combination fan drive and water pump (60) used in a cooling system. Introducing a magnetic field within a working chamber (91) between a drive ring (74) and a driven ring (84) increases the viscosity of a magnetorheological fluid by changing the state of the magnetorheological fluid from a free flowing liquid to a semi-solid state. The shear rate of the magnetorheological fluid in an activated state creates additional torque to drive an output shaft (108), and coupled fan (110), at a higher rotational speed to cool the engine coolant flowing through a closely coupled radiator. The rotation of the drive ring (74) also rotates an attached impeller assembly (112) having impellers (114) to move engine coolant through the cooling system.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2001Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: Borg Warner, Inc.Inventors: Dale A. Stretch, Wade A. Smith, David Turner, Thomas A. Gee
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Patent number: 6557627Abstract: A blow-molded plastic carrier for a motor vehicle radiator fan has at least one opening for cooling air to pass therethrough, means for fixing at least one fan thereto and at least one integrated liquid container or the like. The carrier has a preferably metal reinforcing insert around which the plastic material of the carrier is molded and at least partially penetrates therethrough. The reinforcing insert has fixing means for fixing the carrier in position and for mounting further functional components thereto.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2002Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: Kautex Textron GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Jurgen Moltzheim, Axel Birk, Malcom Claydon
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Patent number: 6546919Abstract: A cooling system has an air-to-air or first heat exchanger and a fluid or second heat exchanger mounted remotely from a main radiator for cooling an internal combustion engine. A filter filters a recipient fluid, such as an ambient air, before the recipient fluid passes through the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. A cooled fluid is conducted to a flow of intake air for the internal combustion engine. A fan causes the recipient fluid to pass through the filter and the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. The spent recipient fluid is discharged to atmosphere.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2002Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventors: James J. Callas, Ronald L. Dupree, Donald W. Heston
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Patent number: 6543396Abstract: An electronically controlled magnetorheological fluid based fan drive assembly 60 used to increase the rotational speed of a coupled radiator cooling fan. Introducing a magnetic field within a working chamber 99 between a drive ring 74 and an output member 86 increases the viscosity of a magnetorheological fluid by changing the state of the fluid from a free flowing liquid to a semi-solid state. The shear rate of the magnetorheological fluid can be increased to create additional torque to drive the output member 86 and coupled radiator fan at a higher rotational speed to cool the engine coolant flowing through a closely coupled radiator. The magnetic field is induced by directing a flow of electrical current through an electronic coil 62 coupled within the fan drive assembly 60, and an electronic control unit coupled to the electronic coil 62 controls the amount of electrical current flowing through the coil 62.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2001Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.Inventors: Dale A. Stretch, William Eybergen, Wade A. Smith, David Turner, Thomas A. Gee
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Publication number: 20030047151Abstract: The motor vehicle cooling system (10) contains a fan (12) with which at least one cooler (13) is associated. Provision is made for the fan (12) to be in the form of a centrifugal blower with an air guiding housing (18).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2002Publication date: March 13, 2003Applicant: BEHR GmbH & CO.Inventors: Matthias Banzhaf, Wolfgang Kramer, Reinhard Kull, Eberhard Pantow, Wolfgang Reeb, Annegret Tillmann
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Publication number: 20030019606Abstract: An engine cooling module 10 which includes a shroud 12, a heat exchanger 18, a fan 14, a motor 13 for driving fan 14, and a plurality of air dams 1. Shroud 12, circumscribing the fan, has a main opening to allow air to pass through the fan to or from a heat exchanger 18. Fan 14 is associated with the shroud 12 to be adjacent to the fan opening to permit air moved by the fan to pass through the heat exchanger. Air dams 1 allow air to flow more easily in one direction than the opposite direction. In the fan flow direction, air dams 1 provide relatively little resistance to the flow. In the direction opposite to fan flow direction, air dams 1 provide more resistance than as compared to the resistance when air flows in the fan flow direction. Under ram air conditions (e.g., when the vehicle is moving), the use of air dams can reduce the load on the fan's motor by cooling properties of ram air, while reducing recirculation, thereby increasing efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2001Publication date: January 30, 2003Inventors: Frank A. Stauder, Alexander Graham Hunt
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Publication number: 20020195069Abstract: The present invention provides a fan installation for a cooling system of a motor vehicle, comprising at least two fans which respectively have an electric fan motor arranged in a separate housing and a fan wheel which can be driven by the fan motor. The fan installation also comprises a control unit for operating the fan motors. The invention provides for an improved fan installation with a simple and cost-effective design, which is achieved by arranging the control unit in the housing of one of the fans for operating both fan motors.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2002Publication date: December 26, 2002Applicant: AFL Germany Electronics GmbHInventors: Dirk Herke, Thomas Kanamueller
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Publication number: 20020162520Abstract: The invention relates to a coolant circuit as well as to a method of operating a coolant circuit for a multi-cylinder internal-combustion engine having a cooling jacket (16, 18, 20, 22) which surrounds a cylinder head housing (14) and a cylinder block and which is supplied with cooling liquid by way of a pump. It is suggested that the cylinder cooling jacket (16, 18) and the cylinder head cooling space (20, 22) be provided with a connection (36, 38) for feeding the cooling liquid and that the cooling liquid flow parallel through the cylinder head housing (14) and the cylinder block.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2002Publication date: November 7, 2002Inventor: Manfred Batzill
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Patent number: 6474274Abstract: A flywheel energy storage system for maintaining fan speed of a cooling fan on an internal combustion engine. The flywheel energy storage system allows a fan to rotate independent of the internal combustion engine and use energy stored in a flywheel for the continued rotation of the fan when a speed of the internal combustion engine falls below a predetermined speed. In this manner, the fan can provide an adequate air flow to cool the components of the internal combustion engine regardless of the speed of the internal combustion engine. To accomplish this, a fan is coupled to a clutch and a flywheel.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2000Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: David L. Lehman
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Patent number: 6463893Abstract: A cooling fan drive system for connecting a charge pump to an output of a cooling fan motor. This arrangement allows hydraulic fluid to be suctioned into the charge pump when the charge pump is remote from a hydraulic tank. The cooling fan drive system has a hydraulic tank that stores hydraulic fluid. A cooling fan pump is connected between the hydraulic tank and a cooling fan motor. A connector is connected between the cooling fan motor, the charge pump and the hydraulic tank. This arrangement allows flow of hydraulic fluid from the cooling fan motor to the charge pump.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2000Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventors: James A. Foster, Jeffrey L. Slunder, Scott M. Longhurst
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Patent number: 6463891Abstract: A control system and method for controlling the speed of a plurality of fans for cooling a plurality of fluids in a work machine in accordance with the heat dissipation requirements of the particular heat transfer cores, the present control system including a plurality of sensors positioned to sense the temperature of each of the plurality of fluids, each sensor being operable to output a signal indicative of the temperature of that particular fluid. An electronic controller coupled to the sensors receives signals indicative of the temperature of each of the plurality of fluids, determines therefrom a desired fan speed for each fan, and outputs a signal to individually control the speed of each fan. Each output signal is based upon a comparison of at least some of the temperature error signals determined from the plurality of sensor signals.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2000Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Marcelo C. Algrain, Paul A. Dicke
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Patent number: 6453853Abstract: Various control strategies and techniques for controlling a variable speed fan in an internal combustion engine are provided. The various control techniques improve fuel economy by operating the fan at a speed sufficient to cool the engine, while avoiding unnecessarily higher speeds that result in poor fuel economy. Further, the fan may be completely disabled at cold start up to avoid over cooling, particularly in an engine using a charge air cooling system.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2000Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: Detroit Diesel CorporationInventors: Jeffery Scott Hawkins, Charles C. Blake, Ronald William Mikulik, Steve Miller Weisman
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Patent number: 6450133Abstract: The container or trailer is separated into three inner compartments: a rear compartment in which the motor of the power generator is located, a front compartment in which the radiators for cooling the motor are located, with the radiators being operatively linked to the motor in a conventional fashion with cooling fluid pipes, and an intermediate compartment between the front and rear compartments. Air channels link the front compartment with the intermediate compartment, and the rear compartment with the intermediate compartment. A first fresh air intake port is provided in the trailer side wall in the rear compartment, for cooling the flywheel of the motor, and a second fresh air intake port is provided in the trailer side wall in the front compartment, for cooling the radiators. A warm air outlet port is provided in the trailer ceiling in the intermediate compartment.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2000Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: Solutions Jupiter Inc.Inventors: Pierre Bernard, François Gélinas, Stéphane Gagnon
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Patent number: 6446026Abstract: A method and system for identifying or determining degradation in performance of an engine cooling subsystem having an electric motor for powering a fan in a locomotive is provided. The method allows for monitoring a signal indicative of an electrical imbalance in one or more phases in the fan motor of the cooling subsystem, and for adjusting the value of the monitored signal for deviations from an estimated nominal phase signal value due to predetermined external variables so as to generate an adjusted phase signal value. The method further allows for comparing the value of the adjusted phase signal value against the nominal phase signal value to determine the performance of the cooling subsystem.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1999Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jason A. Dean, Myron L. Smith, William Roy Schneider
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Publication number: 20020112680Abstract: A vehicle radiator device having a radiator with a first tank and a second tank coupled through a heat radiation core. The radiator is mounted onto an engine in a power unit supported by a vehicle body frame. The first and second tanks of the radiator are made of synthetic resin. The radiator is mounted onto the engine through a shroud made of elastic material for conducting cooling wind of the radiator in such a manner that vibrations of the engine are absorbed by the elasticity of the shroud to thereby prevent excitation to the radiator. The resulting radiator device is a simple, low-priced structure with reduced weight, which is supported by the engine in such a manner as to isolate vibrations.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2001Publication date: August 22, 2002Inventors: Kenji Oki, Shin Nabeya, Yoshiyuki Sekiya
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Patent number: 6435264Abstract: A cooling system that is capable of cooling a working vehicle, such as a wheeled loader, at a good efficiency and at a reduced level of noise. Plural radiators are arranged in a V-shaped form within a plane behind an engine mounted in the rear of the engine compartment of the vehicle. The radiators are spread a part rearwardly to form a space between them. A cooling fan is mounted in this space. The side surfaces of the radiators are provided with intake ports that are covered by openable side covers. The top of each intake ports is covered by a hood whose top surface can be tilted rearwardly and downwardly.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 1999Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.Inventors: Osahiro Konno, Kazuyuki Sagara, Yutaka Tanaka
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Publication number: 20020104491Abstract: The present invention relates to a construction machine, which is equipped with an engine (22), a first cooling unit group (R) consisting of a plurality of cooling units, and a second cooling unit group (R1) where some cooling units in the first cooling unit group (R) are disposed in parallel. The remaining cooling unit (RN) of the first cooling unit group (R) is disposed with a gap (D) between itself and the second cooling unit group (R1), or is disposed in parallel with the second cooling unit group (R1). The construction machine is further equipped with a cooling fan (20) disposed so that it faces the cooling units disposed as described above. With this arrangement, the construction machine is capable of easily cleaning the cooling units, enhancing the cooling efficiency, and reducing the leakage of noise from the machine to the outside.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2002Publication date: August 8, 2002Inventor: Hideyuki Izumi
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Patent number: 6427766Abstract: A compact cooling system for a vehicle includes an assembly of heat exchangers (10), (12), (14) and (16) connected to each other to provide a box-like configuration. Each heat exchanger (10), (12), (14), (16) includes a core with headers (20), (22) at each end in fluid communication with spaced, flattened tubes (18) with fins (24) extending between the tubes in each of the cores. One of the cores (10) is generally horizontal and located at the upper side of the box-like configuration. A radial discharge fan (42) is located within the box-like configuration and receives cooling air and directs the same radially outwardly through the cores to cool fluid passing through the tubes (18) of the cores. An equalization tank (60), (80) is mounted on the box-like configuration in overlying, spaced relation to a substantial portion of the surface of the heat exchanger (18) so as to be in the path of cooling air merging from the heat exchanger (10) to divert the same.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2001Date of Patent: August 6, 2002Assignee: Modine Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Werner Zobel, Michael Ehlers, Frank Vetter, Jorg Soldner, Roland Strähle, Wolfgang Knecht, Mark G. Voss, Andreas Willman
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Patent number: 6427103Abstract: An information processing apparatus (S) of an on-vehicle type is provided with a fan (18) and a detecting device (4, 5, 6, 8, 17, 19) for detecting an operation status of a vehicle. The information processing apparatus is also provided with a controlling device (1), for controlling a rotation speed of the fan in accordance with the detected operation status.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2001Date of Patent: July 30, 2002Assignee: Pioneer CorporationInventors: Hiroshi Kobayashi, Hideki Odachi, Hiroaki Fujita, Masashi Kawamoto
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Publication number: 20020088411Abstract: An electronically controlled magnetorheological fluid based fan drive assembly 60 used to increase the rotational speed of a coupled radiator cooling fan. Introducing a magnetic field within a working chamber 99 between a drive ring 74 and an output member 86 increases the viscosity of a magnetorheological fluid by changing the state of the fluid from a free flowing liquid to a semi-solid state. The shear rate of the magnetorheological fluid can be increased to create additional torque to drive the output member 86 and coupled radiator fan at a higher rotational speed to cool the engine coolant flowing through a closely coupled radiator. The magnetic field is induced by directing a flow of electrical current through an electronic coil 62 coupled within the fan drive assembly 60, and an electronic control unit coupled to the electronic coil 62 controls the amount of electrical current flowing through the coil 62.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2001Publication date: July 11, 2002Inventors: Dale A. Stretch, William Eybergen, Wade A. Smith, David Turner, Thomas A. Gee
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Publication number: 20020069840Abstract: The present invention is a double-walled tank for a generator set including an integral mounting assembly. The tank is formed of an outer basin having an open top, a bottom wall and a number of side walls that define an interior within the basin and form the exterior of the tank. An enclosed inner member having a top panel, a bottom panel and a number of side walls connecting the top and bottom panels is attached within the interior of the basin and provides a double-walled construction that serves to retain fuel within the tank when the external walls of the tank are damaged. An integral mounting assembly is attached to and extends across the basin over the inner member between the side walls of the basin and is configured to receive and support a generator, engine, and radiator to form a complete generator set.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2000Publication date: June 13, 2002Inventor: John A. Bohm
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Patent number: 6401801Abstract: A fan cooling system for cooling heat transfer devices associated with a particular work machine, the system including a plurality of fans positioned and located in the same plane preferably one on top of the other, a first heat transfer device positioned upstream relative to the plurality of fans, a second heat transfer device positioned downstream and adjacent to one side of the fans, a third heat transfer device positioned downstream and adjacent the opposite side of the fans, and suitable shrouds or other separating members positioned around the plurality of fans so as to guide the flow of air into and expelled by each respective fan, the fans being operable to as to create air flow through the first, second and third heat transfer devices.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2000Date of Patent: June 11, 2002Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Paul A. Dicke
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Publication number: 20020066422Abstract: Various control strategies and techniques for controlling a variable speed fan in an internal combustion engine are provided. The various control techniques improve fuel economy by operating the fan at a speed sufficient to cool the engine, while avoiding unnecessarily higher speeds that result in poor fuel economy. Further, the fan may be completely disabled at cold start up to avoid over cooling, particularly in an engine using a charge air cooling system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2000Publication date: June 6, 2002Applicant: Detroit Diesel CorporationInventors: Jeffery Scott Hawkins, Charles C. Blake, Ronald William Mikulik, Steve Miller Weisman
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Patent number: 6394045Abstract: A device for regulating the cooling of a motor-vehicle internal-combustion engine has a fluid-cooling circuit coupled to a fluid pump feeding an installation for heating and/or air conditioning the passenger compartment of the vehicle, with adjustable air-heating parameters, including an air heater. It also has a device for establishing an engine-starting state on the basis of chosen conditions and a device which acts in this starting state for either stopping the pump if the heating demand is below a certain threshold or else for driving the pump as a function of a saturation rotational speed.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2000Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Assignee: Valeo Thermique MoteurInventor: Denis Perset
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Patent number: 6385968Abstract: The invention concerns an arrangement for a discharge system for combustion gases from a motor-driven vehicle which gives the vehicle a low IR signature. According to the invention, the gas outflow channel (28), at least in an area of the channel adjacent to the discharge aperture (32), has a boundary wall (34) which is perforated right up to the open discharge aperture (32) and surrounded by a cooling air channel (38). The arrangement is such that cooling air can sweep over the inner side as well as the outer side of the perforated wall (34).Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2000Date of Patent: May 14, 2002Assignee: Hagglunds Vehicle ABInventors: Tore Gustafsson, Alfons Falk, Orjan Olsson
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Publication number: 20020038634Abstract: A cooling air system for motor vehicles has a radiator that is arranged in a front-end area of a motor vehicle and through which a cooling air stream flows. The exhaust air stream exiting from the radiator is directed beneath the motor vehicle by outlets that are arranged on the bottom of the motor vehicle. The outlets can be covered by an air guide element. In order to create a cooling air system for motor vehicles that has a simple design and simultaneously ensures favorable guidance of the cooling air, in the case of a motor vehicle whose outlets for cooling air can be covered by an air guide element, to arrange the air guide element in such a way that the exhaust air stream flowing out of the air guide element is directed basically parallel to one of the air streams flowing around the front end of the car.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2001Publication date: April 4, 2002Applicant: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG.Inventor: Michael Preiss
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Patent number: 6363892Abstract: Fan efficiency problems are substantially reduced in a cooling system having a plurality of heat exchangers (10), (18), (20), (22) positioned with respect to each other to define a housing in the form of a polygonal solid with certain of the heat exchangers being employed in heat exchange fluid while others may be utilized to cool one or more other heat exchange fluids different from the first. A radial fan (42) is disposed within a space (26) within the housing and provided with blades (52) for flowing air generally radially outward through the heat exchangers (10), (18), (20), (22). The ratio of the location of the center line (d) of the fan blade outer edges (56) with respect to the front (30) of the heat exchanger to the diameter (D) of the fan (42) at the outer edges (56) is in the range of about 0.20 to about 0.36.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2000Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: Modine Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Werner Zobel, Michael Ehlers, Frank Vetter, Jörg Soldner
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Publication number: 20020035973Abstract: A first cooling system is formed in a motor-assist device for a vehicle such that a motor housing including a motor is provided with a cooling path communicating with a cooling path in an engine, and the former cooling path is connected to a radiator, a water pump and the engine in that order. A second cooling system for cooling an inverter, which is separate from the first cooling system, is provided in the rear of the vehicle. The second cooling system includes a water pump and a radiator mounted on a lateral rod brace. Accordingly, the size of the second cooling system can be determined based on the amount of heat generated only in the inverter.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2001Publication date: March 28, 2002Inventor: Daisaku Takahashi