Flow-regulating Means Patents (Class 123/41.58)
  • Patent number: 12173726
    Abstract: A ventilation unit (1) is formed by at least one fan (2), a heat exchanger, axially spaced from the fan (2), and a housing (3). The housing (3) has a first housing section (4), with a constant flow cross-section, where the heat exchanger is arranged. A second housing section (5) adjoins the first section (4) in the axial flow direction. The fan (2) is arranged on the second housing section (5) in the axial flow direction. During operation, the fan conveys air through the heat exchanger, arranged in the first housing section (4), and through the second housing section (5). The flow cross-section of the second housing section (5) is reduced in the flow direction from the first housing section (4) to the fan (2) by an adaptation to the form of housing wall sections (6, 6?) of the second housing section (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: ebm-papst Mulfingen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Engert, Daniel Conrad, Dimitri Mehlmeister
  • Patent number: 11813936
    Abstract: A diverter assembly for a vehicle includes a spacer and a diverter coupled to the spacer; the spacer is configured to couple to a cooling assembly that provides access to an engine compartment of the vehicle, and when the spacer is coupled to the cooling assembly the diverter is aligned with a screen of the cooling assembly. The spacer may include an aperture configured to receive a fastener that secures a screen assembly of the cooling assembly to a frame of the cooling assembly. The fastener may simultaneously secure the diverter assembly to the frame of the cooling assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Inventor: David McCauley
  • Patent number: 11772481
    Abstract: A structural cooling assembly for a vehicle includes a housing defining a first pocket between a front face and a back face. The housing comprising a single integrated part including a fluid reservoir portion, a vane portion, a fan shroud portion, a bolster portion, and at least one mounting portion mountable to a frame of a vehicle. A condenser is mounted within the first pocket, a charge air cooler is mounted in a second lower packet, a fan assembly is mounted within the fan shroud portion and a radiator is mounted to the back face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: David Brian Glickman, Sean Terence Coghlan, James Alan Acre, Darshan Arun Nayak
  • Patent number: 11541990
    Abstract: A magnetic spacer system for a spinner of a rotorcraft includes a first ring of a plurality of magnets secured to the spinner and having an inner surface facing radially inward, and a second ring of a plurality of magnets secured to a nacelle of the rotorcraft and having an outer surface facing radially outward. The first and second rings of multiple magnets are arranged concentrically, and a portion of the inner surface of the first ring of a plurality of magnets and a portion of the outer surface of the second ring of a plurality of magnets have the same polarity to repel one another. In other aspects, the magnetic spacer system may be replaced by a low-friction system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Miller, Ken Shundo, Diana R. Tinlin
  • Patent number: 10752303
    Abstract: An automobile comprising a cooling duct that extends to underneath the automobile to channel cooling air to a component of the automobile when the automobile is in motion is provided. A restriction located within the cooling duct that is moveable from a first position, in which airflow to the component is substantially unimpeded, to a second position in which the airflow to the component is substantially impeded, when the automobile is in motion is further provided. The automobile generates more downforce when the restriction is in the second position versus the first position. A control unit configured to select the position of the restriction to control the downforce generated by the automobile if the temperature of the component is below a predetermined level, and to select the first position for the restriction if the temperature of the component is above the predetermined level, is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: McLaren Automotive Limited
    Inventors: Dan Parry-Williams, Arthur Slight
  • Patent number: 10718221
    Abstract: A system for directing the flow of a fluid which comprises a channel for containing the fluid; an articulating vane positioned within the channel for directing the flow of the fluid, the vane comprising a fixed segment rigidly connected to the channel and a first moveable segment operably connected to the fixed segment by a first hub, the first hub configured to allow relative articulation between the segments; an actuator member operably connected to the moveable segment to articulate the moveable segment about the first hub; and wherein the vane further comprises a second moveable segment operably connected to the vane by a second hub, wherein the actuator member articulates the first and second moveable segments by applying a single moment to the first hubs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: ROLLS ROYCE NORTH AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventor: Edward C. Rice
  • Patent number: 10668958
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a body having a front apron, and an underbody. The body forms at least one left and one right front wheel house for receiving one front wheel each. The air-guiding devices have at least one left flow duct and at least one right flow duct. The at least one left flow duct opens in the underbody in front of the left wheel house. The at least one right flow duct opens in the underbody in front of the right wheel house. The respective exit opening is arranged in front of that region of the respective wheel house which is adjacent to the inner side, which faces the vehicle central plane, of the respective vehicle wheel in the straight-ahead position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Christian Seitz
  • Patent number: 10578364
    Abstract: A vehicle heat exchange apparatus, including: a heat-exchanger provided rearward of a front-bumper formed with an air-intake-port, and having an air-inlet-member on a front-face of the heat-exchanger; and a passage-forming-member provided between the front-bumper and the heat-exchanger, and forming a passage for passing cooling-air from the air-intake-port of the front-bumper to the air-inlet-member of the heat-exchanger, wherein the heat-exchanger is provided inclined so that an upper-end-portion is positioned rearward of a lower-end-portion, the passage-forming-member has: a duct-member having: a top-member; a bottom-member facing the top-member; and a pair of side-members interconnecting the top-member and the bottom-member, and forming a part of the passage with a space enclosed by the top-member, the bottom-member and the pair of side-members; and a closing-member provided to close a gap between the top-member of the duct-member and the upper-end-portion of the heat-exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Takaishi, Masami Watase, Tatsuya Yoneyama, Tatsuya Igarashi
  • Patent number: 10196925
    Abstract: An actuation arrangement for effecting actuation of a variable stator vane pivotally mounted on a tubular casing. The actuation arrangement includes: an actuator connector connected to the variable stator vane via an actuating lever; an anchor fixedly mounted relative to the circumference of the tubular casing; an actuator; and a belt extending from the actuator to the fixed pulley. The actuation arrangement further includes a movable pulley movable relative to the tubular casing and connected to the actuator connector. The belt has a loop portion provided between the proximal and distal ends which loops around the movable pulley, the loop portion for transferring forces generated in the belt by the actuator to the movable pulley to effect movement of the movable pulley and actuator connector towards the anchor to effect actuation of the variable stator vane via the actuating lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Annegret W. Siebert
  • Patent number: 10184423
    Abstract: A two-stroke engine is provided that has a cylinder, in which a combustion chamber is formed, and a piston, which delimits the combustion chamber and which drives a crankshaft rotatably mounted in a crankcase. The piston controls an inlet window for fuel/air mixture into the crankcase interior. A flow guide element is arranged in the crankcase interior which extends adjacent to the inlet window. The flow guide element has at least one first inflow surface by which at least a first partial quantity of the fuel/air mixture flowing in through the inlet window is diverted in the direction of the crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Richter, Gordon Groskopf
  • Patent number: 10106211
    Abstract: An automobile comprising a cooling duct that extends to underneath the automobile to channel cooling air to a component of the automobile when the automobile is in motion is provided. A restriction located within the cooling duct that is moveable from a first position, in which airflow to the component is substantially unimpeded, to a second position in which the airflow to the component is substantially impeded, when the automobile is in motion is further provided. The automobile generates more downforce when the restriction is in the second position versus the first position. A control unit configured to select the position of the restriction to control the downforce generated by the automobile if the temperature of the component is below a predetermined level, and to select the first position for the restriction if the temperature of the component is above the predetermined level, is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: McLaren Automotive Limited
    Inventors: Dan Parry-Williams, Arthur Slight
  • Patent number: 10099731
    Abstract: An automobile comprising first and second flaps provided on either side of a centerline on the underside of the automobile is provided. Each flap is deployable from first positions that extend minimally into the flow to respective second positions where each flap extends maximally into the flow of air when the automobile is in motion to reduce the downforce generated by the automobile. A control unit adapted to receive inputs that indicate the dynamic state of the automobile is further provided. The control unit select positions of the first and second flaps depending on the dynamic state to control the downforce generated by the automobile. If the inputs indicate that the automobile is cornering, the positions of the first and second flaps are selected so as to counter roll of the automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: McLaren Automotive Limited
    Inventors: Dan Parry-Williams, Arthur Slight
  • Patent number: 10059306
    Abstract: A defroster and a vehicle are provided. The defroster includes: a housing defining an air outlet; a heating device disposed in the housing; an air blower defining a blowing outlet and disposed in the housing; and an air duct defining a duct inlet and a duct outlet, the air duct being disposed between the blowing outlet and the heating device so that air blown out from the blower outlet enters the air duct via the duct inlet and goes out of the air duct via the duct outlet, then passes through the heating device to exchange heat with the heating device, and is discharged out of the housing via the air outlet, wherein an area of the duct inlet is different from that of the duct outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: BYD Company Limited
    Inventors: Qing Gong, Xinping Lin, Shuming Zhao, Zhihai Li, Shumin Wang, Changcai Zhang, Maolin Ren, Liuping Tang, Guocong Chen, Xiaofang Li
  • Patent number: 9995189
    Abstract: An engine-driven working machine has an engine unit, a housing, and a vaned rotor. An air passage is defined between a crankcase of the engine unit and a bottom wall of the housing. The air passage has an inlet opening provided near an oil seal on a drive-side shaft, and an outlet opening provided in a magnet-side wall so as to face the vaned rotor. Rotations of the vaned rotor cause airflow from the inlet opening through the air passage to the outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: YAMABIKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Yamazaki, Ken Shirai, Shunsuke Ueda, Kenta Ito
  • Patent number: 9885369
    Abstract: A turbomachine includes a vane, a rotation support coupled to an end of the vane, and a spindle coupled to the rotation support. The spindle, the vane, and the rotation support are rotationally aligned. An annular sleeve defines the spindle. The annular sleeve contacts the rotation support at a radially inward extent and contacts a turbine casing at a radially outward extent. A first rolling element engages the annular sleeve substantially near the radially outward extent. The first rolling element is coupled to the turbine casing. A second rolling element engages the annular sleeve substantially near the radially inward extent. The second rolling element is coupled to an outer endwall ring. A center of mass of the annular sleeve is positioned between the first and second rolling elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE NORTH AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Robert A. Ress, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9587601
    Abstract: An outboard motor includes an engine, a flywheel magnet generator, a fan, and a cover member. The engine includes a crankshaft extending in a vertical direction. The flywheel magnet generator includes a flywheel rotor, a core, and a coil. The flywheel rotor is attached to an end of the crankshaft. The core and the coil are disposed between the flywheel rotor and the engine. The fan is attached onto the flywheel rotor. The cover member is disposed above the fan. The cover member includes a first suction port that sucks in air from above the cover member. The flywheel rotor includes a second suction port that sucks in air from below the flywheel rotor. The fan includes a first ventilation path and a second ventilation path. The first ventilation path radially outwardly releases the air sucked in through the first suction port, whereas the second ventilation path radially outwardly releases the air sucked in through the second suction port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Katsumi Ochiai
  • Patent number: 9561827
    Abstract: A vehicle comprising a flap that is attached to the vehicle in such a way as to permit movement of the flap from a first position to a second position, wherein the flap is configured to alter the downforce generated by the vehicle when the vehicle is in motion by affecting the airflow underneath the vehicle, the effect of the flap on the airflow being dependent upon the second position of the flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: McLaren Technology Centre
    Inventors: Dan Parry-Williams, Arthur Slight
  • Patent number: 9534569
    Abstract: A working vehicle includes: an air cleaner provided with a vacuator; a planar portion located below the air cleaner; an emission receiver provided to the planar portion at a position right under the vacuator, the emission receiver being recessed downward while having an upper opening, the emission receiver including a bottom surface; and a discharge channel having a base end that is in communication with the emission receiver through a communication opening and a distal end that is opened to an outside of the working vehicle through a discharge port, the discharge channel having an inclined surface inclined downward from the communication opening toward discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisato Kitaoka, Toshimitsu Honda, Toshiyuki Ohta
  • Patent number: 9381970
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric propulsion unit (10) and torque transmission group (11) for operating the rear wheel (13) of an electric scooter (1) with body (2) of the step-through type and with upright sitting portion (6). The electric propulsion unit (10) comprises at least one synchronous electric motor (30) of the type comprising internal stator (32) and external rotor (29) with a cup-shaped form rotating on a fixed shaft (33) rigid with the stator (32); the motor is installed in a barycentric position substantially at the base of the upright sitting portion (6) with the fixed shaft (33) transverse to the longitudinal axis (X-X) of the scooter (2), and the transmission group (11) comprises at least one first and one second reduction stage (24, 26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Askoll Eva S.r.l.
    Inventor: Elio Marioni
  • Patent number: 9365106
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for regulating an air flow to a cooler device of a vehicle, wherein the air flow is directed through at least one opening (21) in a bumper cover (20) onto the cooler device, and a shutter element (10) is provided which can be adjusted between a first (11) and at least one second position (12), wherein the shutter element (10) releases the opening (21) in the first position (11) and at least partially closes it in the at least one second position (12). According to the invention, a supporting element (22) is provided on and/or in the opening (21) which supports the shutter element (10) in the at least one second position (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: HBPO GmbH
    Inventor: Reinhold Brückner
  • Patent number: 9297144
    Abstract: A work machine includes a machine body, the machine body includes a bottom plate having an air outlet, and an exhaust air duct, the air outlet includes a major opening portion and a wide portion that is disposed with the major opening portion side by side in a left and right direction, the wide portion including a portion located immediately under an engine and having a greater width in a front and rear direction than a width of the major opening portion in the front and rear direction, the exhaust air duct includes a duct base portion including a lower opening that communicates with the air outlet, and an extension portion having an upper opening that is provided at an upper end thereof, and the duct base portion includes a wide-portion covering portion that covers the wide portion at a position immediately under the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eiichi Hanada, Hiroshi Kanamaru
  • Patent number: 9243383
    Abstract: An upper slewing body includes a rear wall portion covering an engine room from a rear side, a bottom plate disposed so as to cover the engine room from a lower side and having an exhaust opening, and a pair of vertical plates standing upright on the bottom plate. A rear end portion of the vertical plate has proximate rear end surfaces disposed adjacent to the rear wall portion and a cutout portion formed by recessing the rear end surface of the vertical plate toward the front side with respect to the proximate rear end surfaces. A distal end portion of a tail pipe is introduced between the vertical plates and through the cutout portion from the outer position of the vertical plates and extends along the exhaust opening in a state where the distal end portion of the tail pipe faces the exhaust opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Inada, Asuka Ushiroguchi
  • Patent number: 9027687
    Abstract: A first blowing section is arranged inside a cab body on a right side, and blows cool air or warm air. A second blowing section is arranged inside a cab body on a left side, and blows cool air or warm air. An inlet, a first vent, and a second vent are formed in a box body of a distribution box. The inlet opens toward the left side and introduces cool air or warm air from an air-conditioning unit. The first vent opens toward the right side. The second vent opens downward. A first duct, which is connected to the first vent, supplies the first blowing section with cool air or warm air. A second duct, which is connected to the second vent and extends beneath a seat, supplies the second blowing section with cool air or warm air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Tokiwa, Naoki Kimura, Masahiko Hamaguchi
  • Patent number: 9010284
    Abstract: The cooling effect of an engine is improved. An engine, which rotationally drives a saw chain serving as a rotating tool, is provided with a crankcase, in which a crankshaft is rotatably built, and a cylinder, in which a piston coupled to the crankshaft via a connecting rod is reciprocatably built. Atop part of the cylinder is covered with a cylinder cover, and a cooling wind toward the cylinder is generated by a cooling fan attached to a projecting end of the crankshaft. The cooling wind is guided by heat-dissipating plates extending along the crankshaft. Exposing parts bulged to outside than a lateral side of the cylinder cover are provided to tips of the heat-dissipating plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoto Ichihashi
  • Publication number: 20150083074
    Abstract: Self-cooled engine including a cylinder, a cylinder head and a turbo-piston which freely reciprocates inside the cylinder. The cylinder head has a valve that achieves circumferential suction of air-fuel mixture into the cylinder. The valve mechanism is closed and opened by cylindrical cam by means of cam shaft. Circumferential suction of air-fuel mixture enables the cylinder to cool itself and to burn the fuel at the energy center effectively. The force of incoming stream of air-fuel mixture rotates the impeller on the piston which acts as a fan to cool the cylinder walls. The impeller blades deflect the flame from reaching the cylinder walls and acts as a thermal barrier between the energy center and cylinder walls. The high intensity compression swirl (HICS) created at the end of the compression stroke to ensure that the fuel combustion is efficient and instantaneous release of maximum energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventor: Sundararajan Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 8973537
    Abstract: An engine system may include a thermostat casing connected to a first, second, third, and fourth flow channels, a valve guide in which a main valve that opens and closes the first flow channel is formed at one side, a closing valve that opens and closes the second flow channel is formed at the other side, and a bypass valve is formed adjacent to the closing valve, an elastic member that elastically supports the valve guide to enable the main valve to block the first flow channel and the closing valve to block the second flow channel, a driver that moves the valve guide so that the main valve opens the first flow channel and the closing valve opens the second flow channel according to a temperature of a coolant, and a control unit that controls the temperature and a flow of the coolant by controlling the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Philgi Lee, Gyuhwan Kim, Jae Suk Park, Yong Jeong Kim
  • Patent number: 8944023
    Abstract: A method of modifying the oil cooling system of a diesel engine includes the steps of removing the original equipment liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger and installing a manifold having a configuration adapted to match the mounting configuration of the oil passages of the original equipment liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger. The manifold has an oil outlet port directed to a remotely mounted oil cooler. The manifold also has a water passage having a configuration that is adapted to match the mounting configuration of the water passages of the original equipment liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger. The water passage causes the entirety of the flow of water to be discharged back to the water cooling system of the engine where it is circulated by the water pump through the water cooling passages in the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Inventors: Gene Neal, Kennieth Neal
  • Patent number: 8919300
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a heat exchanger which is disposed in a cooling system, and a fan unit which forms part of a radiator grille and is constructed to generate an air flow through the heat exchanger. The fan unit has at least one fan which is constructed to generate a primary air flow, and a ring element which is constructed to generate from the primary air flow an amplified secondary air flow to the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Carsten Klinkert, Sebastian Schwartze, Eduard Main, Siegfried Karmann
  • Patent number: 8857384
    Abstract: A construction machine includes a main body portion that has an engine compartment formed therein, a cooling unit arranged in the engine compartment, an inlet formed as opening in a side surface of the main body portion so that the cooling air is drawn into the engine compartment by the cooling fan through the inlet, an exhaust gas after-treatment device arranged on an upper side relative to the engine on the downstream side relative to the cooling fan on a flow path of the cooling air, an engine hood that covers the exhaust gas after-treatment device, and an upper outlet arranged immediately above the exhaust gas after-treatment device and formed in at least one of a top surface of the engine hood and a side surface of the engine hood in a front-and-rear direction of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Hironori Yotsuzuka
  • Patent number: 8757111
    Abstract: An engine assembly includes a coolant pump, an engine structure, a radiator supply feed and a radiator bypass feed. The engine structure defines a first set of cylinders, a first coolant return gallery and a first cooling jacket. The first coolant return gallery extends in a longitudinal direction from a first longitudinal end to a second longitudinal end of the engine structure. The first cooling jacket is in communication with the coolant pump and with the first coolant return gallery. The first coolant return gallery forms a radiator bypass passage providing the coolant fluid to the coolant pump and bypassing the radiator during a first operating condition and forms a radiator supply passage providing the coolant fluid to the radiator during a second operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Akram R. Zahdeh, Kevin M. Luchansky, Jan Andrzej Gatowski
  • Patent number: 8739752
    Abstract: An intake duct for a vehicle having an inlet port formed so that the open side faces obliquely upward. The intake duct includes an inlet part formed in a flat shape expanding in the lateral direction crossing an air stream direction and a deflector provided in an air stream passage of the inlet part and extending in the left-and-right direction of the air stream passage. The intake duct further includes a first support member, which is provided between the deflector and the lower wall portion of the inlet part, and a second support member, which is provided between the deflector and the upper wall portion of the inlet part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Inoac Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Honzawa, Shinya Makihara, Koichi Hosaka
  • Publication number: 20140090610
    Abstract: Provided is a grill shutter configured to selectively open and close an external air intake opening formed in a front part of a vehicle body. The grill shutter includes: a frame surrounding the external air intake opening; a plurality of blades rotatably supported by the frame and driven to rotate between a closed position for closing the external air intake opening and an open position for revealing the external air intake opening; a drive unit for rotationally driving the blades; and a power transmission mechanism transmitting a drive force of the drive unit to the blades, the power transmission mechanism configured to cause the blades to start an opening movement one after another with a predetermined time lag between successive opening movements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Yachiyo Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: YYoshitaka HIGUCHI, Masahiro TASHIRO
  • Patent number: 8646417
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus for an internal combustion engine is provided in which a temperature detecting tip of a temperature sensor is arranged in a position where flow of a coolant is smooth, to thereby improve a measurement accuracy of coolant temperature. A thermoelement assembly 13 and the temperature sensor 17 which detects the temperature of the coolant are accommodated in the housing 11 arranged at a return channel of the coolant which flows from a radiator to a coolant inflow part of the engine. The temperature detecting tip 17a of the temperature sensor 17 is arranged to face the inside of a circulation hole 12 of the housing 11 between a valve body 23 which constitutes the thermoelement assembly and a frame support part formed in the circulation hole 12 of the housing 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignees: Nippon Thermostat Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuji Watanabe, Fujio Inoue
  • Patent number: 8635771
    Abstract: A method of modifying the oil cooling system of a diesel engine an engine oil supply outlet located in a horizontal plan includes the steps of removing the original equipment liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger and installing a manifold having an oil outlet port directed to a remote oil cooler and a bypass water passage providing an un-branched flow of water, whereby the flow of oil is directed to a remote oil cooler and the entirety of the flow of water in the bypass water passage is discharged back to the water cooling system of the engine without passing through an oil cooling or water cooling heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Inventors: Gene Neal, Kennieth Neal
  • Publication number: 20130312676
    Abstract: A thermocompression motor includes a piston dividing a cylinder into a first and a second chamber and includes a heat exchanger having at least one air channel and at least one exhaust gas channel. In a first cycle, the first and second chamber are connected via the air channel, whereby air from the first chamber is pushed into the heat exchanger and heated air is conveyed from the heat exchanger into the second chamber. In a second cycle, fuel is burned in the second chamber. In a third cycle, only the connection of the second chamber to the exhaust gas channel is open during a subsequent volume increase of the first chamber. In a fourth cycle, fresh air is sucked into the first chamber during a further volume increase of the first chamber, while the connection between the first and second chamber via the air channel is interrupted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventor: Christian Daublebsky von Eichhain
  • Patent number: 8505512
    Abstract: A method of modifying the oil cooling system of a diesel engine an engine oil supply outlet located in a horizontal plan includes the steps of removing the original equipment liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger and installing a manifold having an oil outlet port directed to a remote oil cooler and a bypass water passage providing an un-branched flow of water, whereby the flow of oil is directed to a remote oil cooler and the entirety of the flow of water in the bypass water passage is discharged back to the water cooling system of the engine without passing through an oil cooling or water cooling heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Inventors: Gene Neal, Kennieth Neal
  • Patent number: 8490585
    Abstract: The invention relates to a portable, hand-held work apparatus such as a chain saw, a cut-off machine, a brush cutter or the like with an air cooled combustion engine. A cooling air blower (4) which includes a cooling air spiral (6) and a fan wheel (5), moves a cooling air flow (13) for cooling the combustion engine. Further a combustion air channel (30) leads from the cooling air blower (4) to the combustion engine (2) and branches off from an air output window (20) provided in the base (14) of the cooling air spiral (6). The diverting device (21) includes a guide wall (22) which extends into the cooling air spiral (6) between the fan wheel (5) and the air output window (20). In order to divert a large volume of combustion air (19) with minimal disruption to the cooling air flow, the pass-through cross-section of the air output window (20) tapers in the direction of the diverted combustion air (19) from a first pass-through area (29) to a second pass-through area (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Kienzle, Martin Rieber
  • Publication number: 20130068177
    Abstract: A construction machine includes a main body portion that has an engine compartment formed therein, a cooling unit arranged in the engine compartment, an inlet formed as opening in a side surface of the main body portion so that the cooling air is drawn into the engine compartment by the cooling fan through the inlet, an exhaust gas after-treatment device arranged on an upper side relative to the engine on the downstream side relative to the cooling fan on a flow path of the cooling air, an engine hood that covers the exhaust gas after-treatment device, and an upper outlet arranged immediately above the exhaust gas after-treatment device and formed in at least one of a top surface of the engine hood and a side surface of the engine hood in a front-and-rear direction of the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventor: Hironori Yotsuzuka
  • Patent number: 8347830
    Abstract: A motor vehicle is provided with a conveyor structure that conveys the entire flow of air that traverses the radiator downwards and then longitudinally underneath the floor panel of the motor vehicle, preventing said flow from traversing the engine compartment and obtaining a consequent reduction in the aerodynamic resistance of the motor vehicle. Associated to the aforesaid conveyor structure are active and passive fins for enabling an adequate cooling of the components of the engine unit or electronic components associated thereto during given operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Roberto Tregnago, Oreste Bertini, Enrico Ribaldone
  • Patent number: 8261701
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a cylinder (2) and a crankcase (4). A combustion chamber (3) is formed in the cylinder (2) and is delimited by a piston (5). The piston (5) rotationally drives a crankshaft (7) in a rotational direction (21) via a connecting rod (6). The crankshaft (7) is arranged in a crankcase interior space (17). A mixture inlet (9) is provided in the crankcase interior space (17). In the crankcase interior space (17), at least one flow conducting element (23, 33, 43, 53, 63, 73) is provided which is spatially fixed and this flow conducting element projects into the crankcase interior space (17) and lies opposite to the rotational direction (21) of the crankshaft (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jörg Amann, Eberhard Bohnaker, Ricardo Hojczyk, Ulrich Kapinsky, Mark Reichler, Martin Rieber
  • Patent number: 8079434
    Abstract: A motorcycle including a frame and an engine and transmission assembly coupled to the frame. The engine and transmission assembly includes at least one cylinder head assembly having a cooling port and defining a cooling passageway in fluid communication with the cooling port and passing through at least a portion of the cylinder head assembly. The motorcycle also includes a conduit coupled to the cooling port and a fan in fluid communication with the conduit and operable at an operating speed to draw air from the cooling passageway, and move air through the cooling port and through the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew J. Mueller
  • Patent number: 7938214
    Abstract: A vehicle motor system includes a motor that receives cooling fluid flow from two different cooling sources. A control, such as a valve, selectively changes the cooling flow between the two cooling sources in response to an operational state of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Telakowski
  • Publication number: 20100126440
    Abstract: When a cooling airflow used for cooling an engine etc. is discharged to a side of a machine as a discharge airflow, the airflow can be prevented from blowing to trees located at the side of the machine and to walkers passing the side of the machine. A rotary working machine has, inside a bonnet (10), an engine (8) and a discharge type cooling fan (45). An opening (10b) for discharging cooling airflow is provided in a side of the bonnet (10), and a movable louver (50) having blades (52, 52, . . . ) is provided in a duct (48) placed between the opening (10b) and the cooling fan (45).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventor: Kazuya Hokimoto
  • Publication number: 20090272342
    Abstract: A cooling air conduit for motorcycle engine which is particularly suitable for V-twin cylinders is provided which is constructed of a conduit body of elongated, tapered shape formed by a top panel, a bottom panel and two side panels such that a cool air passageway is formed inbetween the panels to direct cool air, away from the first cylinder, and onto the second or rear cylinder for efficient cooling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Raymond D. DuQuette, Kenneth DuQuette
  • Publication number: 20090139474
    Abstract: An air-to-air aftercooler is disclosed. The air-to-air aftercooler includes at least one core assembly and two inlet lines connected to the core assembly. The air-to-air aftercooler may also include a single outlet line configured to direct cooled charge air to an intake manifold of an engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventor: Mahesh Kumar Mokire
  • Publication number: 20090114172
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a cylinder (2) and a crankcase (4). A combustion chamber (3) is formed in the cylinder (2) and is delimited by a piston (5). The piston (5) rotationally drives a crankshaft (7) in a rotational direction (21) via a connecting rod (6). The crankshaft (7) is arranged in a crankcase interior space (17). A mixture inlet (9) is provided in the crankcase interior space (17). In the crankcase interior space (17), at least one flow conducting element (23, 33, 43, 53, 63, 73) is provided which is spatially fixed and this flow conducting element projects into the crankcase interior space (17) and lies opposite to the rotational direction (21) of the crankshaft (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: Jorg Amann, Eberhard Bohnaker, Ricardo Hojczyk, Ulrich Kapinsky, Mark Reichler, Martin Rieber
  • Patent number: 7516806
    Abstract: A system (30) and method for removing heat from a confined space such as from engine compartment or service brake of a motor vehicle where heat is generated by operation of a heat engine (12) that propels the vehicle or application of a friction brake. The system and method do not use engine or electrical power because natural aspiration is used to remove heated air and Curie Temperature of a ferromagnetic material is used to selectively allow and disallow natural aspiration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: James C. Bradley, Scott A. Wooldridge, Rodney J. Klinger
  • Patent number: 7498926
    Abstract: An active grille comprises a plurality of blades and an active material in operative communication with the blades. The active material is in operative communication with the blades and is operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal, wherein fluid flow through the grille changes with the change in the at least one attribute of the active material. By way of example, in vehicle applications, the blades of a grille disposed in front of an engine compartment can be selectively positioned to provide increased airflow through the radiator due to increases in engine coolant temperature. As such, the active grille can be configured to improve vehicle fuel economy while maintaining proper engine cooling. An activation device, controller and sensors may be employed to further control the change in at least one feature of the active grille.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7461617
    Abstract: An engine-driven work machine is provided in which an engine/work machine unit (5) and an exhaust muffler (23) are housed in a box (30), the box (30) is provided with a cooling air passage (44) that passes the area around the engine/work machine unit (5) and the exhaust muffler (23), and a cooling fan (15) driven by the engine (2) is disposed in the cooling air passage (44), wherein the box (30) is provided with blocking means (51) for blocking the cooling air passage (44) between the engine (2) and the exhaust muffler (23) when running of the engine (2) is stopped. The heat of the high temperature exhaust muffler can thus be prevented from affecting the engine/work machine unit even when running of the engine is stopped, while maintaining the soundproofing of the box housing the unit, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Taiyo Onodera, Hitoshi Yuki
  • Patent number: 7395788
    Abstract: In a method for controlling at least one fan (13) for the regulation of the cooling demand of at least two cooling elements (12) included in a drill rig (1), the cooling demand of each one of the cooling elements (12) being determined, that the determined cooling demands are weighted together and that the fan (13) is controlled based on the weighting together. At least one cooling element is equipped with a safety thermostat, which, if required, prevents undercooling by the fact that the fluid in question is not allowed to circulate in this cooling element. Also described is a drill rig for the execution of the above-mentioned method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Rock Drills AB
    Inventor: Henrik Jacobsson