With Vehicle Feature Patents (Class 165/41)
  • Publication number: 20080000615
    Abstract: A coolant cooling structure has a skeleton which constitutes a part of a car body, and has a housing space inside, and a radiator core inside of which coolant flows, and which is housed in the skeleton.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: Kazuo Hiroshima, Katsushi Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20070295475
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for improving the fuel economy of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a transmission having a transmission sump that contains transmission fluid, and a heat exchanger disposed within said sump and at least partially submerged in the transmission fluid. The apparatus also includes an engine having a plurality of engine coolant channels. An engine pump is operatively connected to the engine. The engine pump is configured to transfer engine coolant through the plurality of engine coolant channels and then through the heat exchanger. Heat from the engine coolant is transferred to the transmission fluid when the engine coolant passes through the heat exchanger. The heat transferred to the transmission fluid decreases transmission fluid viscosity such that transmission spin losses are reduced and fuel economy is improved. A corresponding method for improving the fuel economy of a vehicle is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Farzad Samie, Richard W. Carlson
  • Publication number: 20070284076
    Abstract: There is disclosed a modular assembly and method of forming the assembly. The assembly is particularly suitable as at least part of a front end of a transportation or automotive vehicle. The assembly preferably includes one or more plastic structures adhesively secured to one or more metal structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventors: Luis Lorenzo, Dave L. Chapman, Ashish Vijay Kotnis
  • Patent number: 7293600
    Abstract: An LNG carrier for transporting LNG from one location to another that includes a vaporizer on board said LNG carrier for vaporizing the LNG to a gaseous state, one or more heat exchangers at least partially submerged in seawater, an intermediate fluid circulating between said vaporizer and said heat exchanger; and one or more pumps for circulating said intermediate fluid is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Excelerate Energy Limited Parnership
    Inventor: Alan B. Nierenberg
  • Patent number: 7290592
    Abstract: A vehicle energy management system relying on the principle of reallocation of existing resources provided by the vehicle manufacture. Engine belt or engine direct driven components are replaced with electrical motors. Since replacement of the main fan unit would involve a prohibitively large fan due to starting currents, the larger component that would have multiple cooling purposes is replaced with smaller single function electrical components. The larger multipurpose heat exchangers such as the vehicle radiator are replaced with smaller single function heat exchangers associated with the smaller electric fans. The energy management system may involve a main vehicle engine crankshaft mounted generator. This simple generator creates high voltage DC electricity that may be converted to household level AC for the operation of customer application equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Gerald L. Larson
  • Patent number: 7290593
    Abstract: A combined radiator and charge air cooler package comprises a radiator for cooling engine coolant, and a charge air cooler for cooling charge air having upper and lower portions. The upper charge air cooler portion is disposed in overlapping relationship and adjacent to the upper end of the radiator, and the lower charge air cooler portion is disposed in overlapping relationship and adjacent to the lower end of the radiator, on the face side thereof. Ambient air may flow in series through the upper end of the radiator and the upper charge air cooler portion, and through the lower charge air cooler portion and the lower end of the radiator. The charge air cooler portions are operatively connected such that the charge air may flow between the lower manifold of the upper charge air cooler portion and the upper manifold of the lower charge air cooler portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Proliance International, Inc.
    Inventor: John A. Kolb
  • Patent number: 7284594
    Abstract: A radiator 9 for electric parts use, which cools an inverter and others relating to the control of an electric motor, and a condenser 12 for condensing refrigerant are arranged in parallel with each other with respect to the direction of an air flow on an upstream side of the air flow of a radiator 8 for engine use. Due to the above arrangement, as the air temperatures at the inlets of the radiator 8 for electric parts use and the condenser 12 are low, a temperature difference between air and cooling water and a temperature difference between air and refrigerant are increased, and it becomes possible to enhance the performance of the radiator 8 for electric parts use and the condenser 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Ryouichi Sanada, Atsushi Hayasaka, Naoki Sugimoto
  • Publication number: 20070227691
    Abstract: A mobile machine, such as an industrial truck, has heat-emitting drive components (K) of a traction drive and a hydraulic work system. The traction drive includes at least one electric traction motor (3) and a traction motor control system (7). The hydraulic work system includes at least one electric pump motor (5) and a pump motor control system (6). At least some of the drive components (K) are located in a cooling circuit. The cooling circuit has a cooling device (1), to which, on the output side, the traction motor (3), the pump motor (5), the traction motor control (7), and the pump motor control system (6) are connected, and which can be connected on the input side, depending on the fluid temperature in a reservoir (9) of the hydraulic work system, to the reservoir (9) or to a return line of the heat-emitting drive components (K).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Applicant: Linda Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Udo Herrmann, Alfred Langen, Klaus Schillings, Volker Schreiber, Bernward Welschof
  • Patent number: 7246658
    Abstract: A heat exchanger extracts heat from a two-phase fluid coolant so that the coolant changes from a vapor state to a liquid state. Two valves have respective inlets which communicate with the coolant in the heat exchanger, and which are physically spaced from each other. Valve control structure responds to the presence of liquid at the inlet to either valve by opening that valve, so that the liquid coolant flows through the valve to a discharge section. A different feature involves a housing with a heat exchanger therein, the heat exchanger having a plurality of coolant conduits that are axially spaced. A flow of air travels axially within the housing, then flows transversely past the conduits to the other side thereof, and then resumes flowing axially on the other side of the conduits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: William Gerald Wyatt, James L. Haws, Richard M. Weber
  • Patent number: 7243703
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to a flexible heal exchanger comprising a pair of flexible multilayer thermoplastic polyimide films each of which comprises an aromatic polyimide substrate film showing no glass transition temperature or a glass transition temperature of 340° C. or higher and a thermoplastic aromatic polyimide surface film showing a glass transition temperature in the range of 190 to 300° C. in which the surface films of the flexible multilayer thermoplastic polyimide films face each other and are in part fused together, whereby producing between the flexible multilayer thermoplastic polyimide films a conduit pattern through which a fluid passes. The flexible multilayer thermoplastic polyimide films preferably have a thickness in the range of 10 to 125 ?m and comprise a linear expansion coefficient of MD, a linear expansion coefficient of TD and an average of linear expansion coefficients of MD and TD, in the range of 10×10?6 to 35×10?6 cm/cm/° C. at 50-200° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Ube Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouji Yamaguchi, Ryoichi Sato, Hideki Ozawa
  • Patent number: 7240725
    Abstract: A device for climate control of a vehicle is provided which includes a coolant circuit in which coolant flows through a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator; a heat transfer medium circuit in which heat transfer medium flows through a heat source and a heat exchanger; and a heat/cold reservoir in which the evaporator and the heat exchanger are located. The device of the present invention provides an improved and comparatively economical approach to climate control in the area of a driver's bed in a motor vehicle interior by, at least in part, using a heating/cooling surface for a driver's bed and/or vehicle interior wall, which is integrated into the heat transfer medium circuit such that the heat transfer medium can flow selectively through the heating/cooling surface, or the heat transfer medium which is conveyed by the heat source can flow through the heating/cooling surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Webasto Thermosysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Oliver Horn, Noureddine Khelifa, Wolfgang Kraemer
  • Patent number: 7231959
    Abstract: A vehicle energy management system relying on the principle of reallocation of existing resources provided by the vehicle manufacture. Engine belt or engine direct driven components are replaced with electrical motors. Since replacement of the main fan unit would involve a prohibitively large fan due to starting currents, the larger component that would have multiple cooling purposes is replaced with smaller single function electrical components. The larger multipurpose heat exchangers such as the vehicle radiator are replaced with smaller single function heat exchangers associated with the smaller electric fans. The energy management system may involve a main vehicle engine crankshaft mounted generator. This simple generator creates high voltage DC electricity that may be converted to household level AC for the operation of customer application equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Gerald L. Larson
  • Patent number: 7231776
    Abstract: In an air-conditioning system for a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine with an engine cooling circuit with a heat exchanger for heating and a heat pump with a refrigerant circuit including a heat exchanger for cooling the interior compartment of the motor vehicle, the refrigerant circuit includes also heat exchanges for heating or for cooling the coolant in the engine cooling circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: DiamlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Roland Cäsar, Jan Gartner, Steffen Geiger, Klaus Harm, Jürgen Wertenbach
  • Patent number: 7216812
    Abstract: A device for conditioning a vehicle includes at least one electrically operated conditioning arrangement, a hot air supply system with a heat source, and a delivery arrangement for delivery of heated air into a vehicle interior, a fuel cell system for providing electrical energy for the at least one conditioning arrangement and the delivery arrangement. The hot air supply system includes the fuel cell system as heat source and also furthermore a heat exchanger arrangement for transferring heat arising in the region of the fuel cell system to the air to be delivered into the vehicle interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: J. Eberspächer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Günter Eberspäch, Bruno Lindl, Andreas Kaupert, Gerd Gaiser, Walter Blaschke
  • Patent number: 7216608
    Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide an engine cooling apparatus that cools an engine according to an operation state of an engine driven work machine. The invention provides an engine cooling apparatus that is adapted to, in an engine drive work machine including an engine and a work machine driven by the engine, cool a radiator of the engine with an electric fan, the engine cooling apparatus including: at least one sensor that senses an operation state of the engine; and a control device that has an inverter, which uses a detection signal of the sensor as an input and the electric fan as a load, and performs operation control for the electric fan according to the operation state of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Denyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsuyuki Fujie
  • Patent number: 7201213
    Abstract: A keel cooler having a standard header with an internal beveled bottom wall, with orifices on the inner wall of the exterior tubes extending into the header, the orifices being in the natural flow path of the coolant flow. The orifices are sufficiently large so as not to restrict the flow of coolant. A fluid flow diverter is additionally provided in the header of the keel cooler for facilitating coolant flow towards both the interior tubes and also towards the exterior tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Duramax Marine, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Leeson, Michael W. Brakey, P. Charles Miller, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7191984
    Abstract: A thermal management system for a spacecraft module includes a baseplate and wall system that is precharacterized to provide a given level of thermal performance regardless of an orientation of the spacecraft relative to a source of solar energy. The system is characterized at a worst-case hot orientation, and at a worst-case cold orientation. The characterization provides a maximum temperature and a minimum temperature of components mounted on the baseplate as a function of the height of the walls. The height of the walls is selected to provide a suitable temperature range for the components, based on the power dissipation of the components. The system is designed to be symmetric, so that this temperature range is assured regardless of the orientation of the spacecraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: AeroAstro, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Carl Barton, Jonathon Miller
  • Patent number: 7178579
    Abstract: A combined radiator and charge air cooler package comprises a radiator for cooling engine coolant, and a charge air cooler for cooling charge air having upper and lower portions. The upper charge air cooler portion is disposed in overlapping relationship and adjacent to the upper end of the radiator, and the lower charge air cooler portion is disposed in overlapping relationship and adjacent to the lower end of the radiator, on the face side thereof. Ambient air may flow in series through the upper end of the radiator and the upper charge air cooler portion, and through the lower charge air cooler portion and the lower end of the radiator. The charge air cooler portions are operatively connected such that the charge air may flow between the lower manifold of the upper charge air cooler portion and the upper manifold of the lower charge air cooler portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Proliance International Inc.
    Inventor: John A Kolb
  • Patent number: 7174950
    Abstract: A heat transfer system includes a heat transfer passage in the vicinity of a source of dissipated heat on a satellite to collect heat dissipated by the source and a fluid loop including an evaporator having over part of its path a maximum surface area of its external walls in contact with external walls of the heat transfer passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventors: Bernard Jacqué, Emmanuel Texier, Gérard Cluzet, Tisna Tjiptahardja, Marcel Amidieu
  • Patent number: 7165513
    Abstract: A multiway valve has a valve housing arrangement (2, 34), in which a valve chamber (8) is formed, at least three main valve connections (3, 4, 5, 6) leading to the valve chamber (8), and a main valve member. The main valve member (1) can be brought into a plurality of valve member positions to interrupt and release the connection between the main valve connections (3, 4, 5, 6) and the valve chamber (8) as desired. At least two of the main valve connections (3, 4, 5, 6) are in connection with the valve chamber (8) in each valve member position of the main valve member (1). At least one auxiliary valve connection (32) leading to the valve chamber (8) and by an auxiliary valve member (28), which is associated with the auxiliary valve connection (32) and is adjustable for interrupting and releasing the connection between the auxiliary valve connection (32) and the valve chamber (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: J. Eberspacher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Michael Humburg
  • Patent number: 7163456
    Abstract: Engine cooling water is charged to a flexible diaphragm member (3d) to expand the flexible diaphragm member (3d) so that the substantial sectional area of an air passage (3b) is decreased when a ventilation resistance, in an air conditioning casing (2) in a maximum heating or a foot mode, is increased. On the other hand, the engine cooling water is discharged from the flexible diaphragm member (3d) to deflate the flexible diaphragm member (3d) so that the substantial sectional area of the air passage (3b) is increased when a ventilation resistance, in the air conditioning casing (2) in maximum cooling or face mode, is decreased. Thus, the property of a fan (3) can be changed into a property suitable for foot mode having a large ventilation resistance, while heating air is being supplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Manabu Miyata
  • Patent number: 7163177
    Abstract: An airship ballast system includes an engine driven propeller and a cooling tube that is positioned coplanar with the propeller and outside its tip path. One end of the cooling tube is connected to receive exhaust gases from the engine while the other end is connected to a ballast tank. In operation, exhaust gases from the engine are cooled as they transit the cooling tube, and water condensed from the cooled exhaust gases is pumped to the ballast tank to maintain a ballast for the airship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Information Systems Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Boschma, Jr., Callum R. Sullivan, Michael McNabb
  • Patent number: 7156055
    Abstract: A system includes a control switch mounted in a tractor cabin and is electrically mated to a power source of the tractor. A first coolant is housed within the tractor's engine and a second coolant is housed within a trailer's heating system. The first and second coolants have unique boiling and freezing temperatures respectively. A mechanism is included for simultaneously transferring heat from the first coolant to the second coolant while maintaining the coolants isolated. The first and second coolants have first temperatures entering and second temperatures exiting the heat transferring mechanism, respectively. The first coolant second temperature is lower than the second coolant second temperature. Mechanism are included for controlling an input flow rate of the second coolant upstream from the heat transfer mechanism and for replenishing the second coolant as heat is transferred between the first and second coolants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Stephen H. Craig
  • Patent number: 7150335
    Abstract: In a front end structure of a vehicle, a front end panel and a fan shroud are provided as separate parts. The front end panel and the fan shroud form labyrinthine gap structure between them. The labyrinthine gap structure restricts air from leaking or entering through a space between the front end panel and the fan shroud. Accordingly, a heat exchanging performance of a heat exchanger is not decreased. Also, the front end panel and the fan shroud are separately exchangeable or repairable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Norihisa Sasano, Yuhei Kunikata
  • Patent number: 7147038
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus of a vehicle includes a single radiator and an air conditioner condenser. The single radiator is sectioned a cooling portion of an engine cooling system and a cooling portion of a second cooling system which is to be kept at a lower temperature than the engine cooling system. The air conditioner condenser includes a condensing portion and a sub-cool portion. The condensing portion of the air conditioner condenser and the cooling portion of the second cooling system of the single radiator are offset to each other in a vertical direction such that the condensing portion of the air conditioner condenser and the cooling portion of the second cooling system of the single radiator are not overlapped when viewed in a front-to-rear direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomonari Taguchi
  • Patent number: 7143813
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a lightweight heat rejection system suitable for spacecraft applications. The apparatus comprises a manifold configured with an array of heat pipes in thermal contact with a manifold coolant. The heat pipes transfer the coolant heat to associated bumper/radiators external to the manifold. The bumper/radiators are fabricated from a lightweight thermally conductive foam material. The bumper portion protects the heat pipe from space debris and the radiator portion dissipates the heat transferred from the heat pipe through the bumper to the radiator portion. The foam bumper/radiator can be cast over the heat pipe in a relatively simple and economical manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Adon Delgado, Jr., Michael P. Moriarty, Alan von Arx
  • Patent number: 7142424
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a tube, and a plurality of fins coupled to the tube having a curved fan-stator shape that facilitates straightening of airflow from a fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Christopher G. Malone, Glenn C. Simon
  • Patent number: 7131484
    Abstract: Equipment (20, 20a) includes at least one electronic module (21) for the payload or the platform of a satellite (50) adapted to be supported by a structure (24) of the satellite, the satellite structure including a heat transfer system (44,10) for transporting dissipated heat to a radiator (51). The equipment includes at least transfer devices (22, 30, 31, 34, 341–345) for transferring heat dissipated by the electronic module and connectors (28, 34, 35, 37) for connecting the transfer devices to the heat transfer system (10) of the structure in such a manner as to enable the supply of heat exchange fluid (16) to the transfer devices and the transfer of heat dissipated by the electronic module to the radiator. A satellite structure includes an arrangement of equipments and a communication system for satellites, with particular application to the new generation of satellites with electrical propulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventors: Jean-Didier Gayrard, Eric Belis, Frédéric Michard
  • Patent number: 7128178
    Abstract: An arrangement of radiators (2–6) for a utility vehicle, e.g., an agricultural tractor, comprising three or more cooling radiators which together define a chamber (7), optionally with some of the walls formed by perforated plates instead of radiator elements. One of the radiator elements may be pivotally mounted with respect to the others to provide access to the chamber. The arrangement of radiators may be mounted on a common support (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: AGCO GmbH & Co
    Inventors: Hans Heinle, Michael Herold, Alois Sprenzel, Walter Wagner
  • Patent number: 7121369
    Abstract: A frame supports heat exchangers one in front of another in the direction of flow of cooling air, and includes two vertical walls interconnected by transverse walls, cross braces between the walls, and fastening points on the walls adapted to fasten the heat exchangers to the frame. Outwardly extending bulging sections in the vertical walls include an outer portion adapted to be secured to the vehicle support members to support the frame thereon, and an inner portion defining a space between vertical wall sections above and below the bulging section for receive projecting components of at least one heat exchanger. Connectors connect each of the fastening openings to the aligned flange openings, with the connectors including a head and a stem with an expandable end opposite the head retaining the connectors in the aligned openings. Hooks support the heat exchangers in the direction of air flow, with the connector stems supporting against at least some forces transverse to the direction of air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Ralf Beck, Werner Nitsche, Roland Strähle, Jens Nies, Heinrich Rockenfeller, Wilfried Bittner
  • Patent number: 7096924
    Abstract: A casing 21 of an automotive air conditioner is formed with a hole TH for accommodating a steering member S extending in a right-left direction of a vehicle. The hole TH extends through the casing 1 in the right-left direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Zexel Valeo Climate Control Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Araki, Hideki Nagano, Eiji Yanagida, Kazuhisa Katchi, Akitoshi Noguchi, Tsutomu Nakamigawa, Katsuichi Yamamoto, Takehide Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7080681
    Abstract: A component of a heat pipe assembly (100) has hollow fluid transport sections (108) communicating with hollow bendable fluid transport sections (110); the bendable fluid transport sections (110) being bendable to deploy the transport sections (108) from a compact volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Thermal Corp.
    Inventor: Kevin L. Wert
  • Patent number: 7070119
    Abstract: In a heater control apparatus for a vehicle and a method for controlling the same, an engine control part controls a cooling water conduit control part so that the opening of a cooling water bypass is variably regulated in proportion to an interior temperature thereby increasing the efficiency of air conditioning of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Dae Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 7063125
    Abstract: A fan penetration fixture consisting of a threaded shaft and a lock nut design. The fixture is designed to take the place of the fan clutch on a fan drive assembly in the vehicle being tested for a desired cooling system performance characteristic at each possible fan penetration. The threaded shaft portion of the fixture bolts to the fan hub. The desired fan is then bolted to the lock nut portion of the fixture. The lock nut can be positioned at any point along the threaded shaft to achieve a desired fan penetration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Tembreull, Benjamin Sprygada
  • Patent number: 7059537
    Abstract: A system for pre-heating an internal combustion engine includes a heated gas generator unit that is connected to water flowing through the engine in a manner to transfer heat from the heated gases to the water. Once the engine is pre-heated, the system embodying the present invention is disconnected from the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Inventors: Randall D. Parker, Vincent D. Parker
  • Patent number: 7055576
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for enhancing the heat transfer efficiency of a keel cooler by increasing the flow rate of coolant through the side tubes. Because the side tubes are exposed to a greater amount of fresh unhindered seawater, increasing the flow rate through the side tubes can have the effect of enhancing the overall heat transfer capability of the keel cooler. The invention relates to using apertures leading to the side tubes from the header and vice versa that are substantially arrow-shaped in design, wherein various benefits that lead to an increased flow rate are provided. The aperture is preferably symmetrically shaped so that a single die can be used to cut the aperture onto both side walls of the header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: R.W. Fernstrum & Co.
    Inventor: Todd S. Fernstrum
  • Patent number: 7051786
    Abstract: A non-rail off-road vehicle, such as an agricultural tractor having an engine with a horizontally oriented rotation axis and a hood covering the engine, includes a cooling system. The cooling system includes an engine cooling radiator positioned above the engine and between the engine and the hood and a fan unit with electric motor-driven fans blowing air upwardly through the radiator. The fan unit is positioned above the engine and between the engine and the radiator. An engine charge air cooler is also positioned above the engine and between the engine and the hood, and a charge air cooler fan unit has electric motor-driven fans which blow air upwardly through the cooler. The hood has openings in its upper surface through which passes air blown by the radiator fan unit and the charge air cooler fan unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Carl Thomas Vuk
  • Patent number: 7051947
    Abstract: A heat generator for a motor vehicle comprises a rotor (1), a stator (13) in which the rotor (1) induces by rotation electrical currents that generate heat in the stator (13), and a coolant duct (16) adjacent to the stator (13) through which flows a liquid for extracting the heat generated in the stator (13). A device for regulating the working temperature of a liquid-cooled internal combustion engine comprises such a heat generator and an actuator (19) for the stator (13) for regulating the heat generated by the stator (13) by changing the distance between the stator (13) and the rotor (1). The stator (13) is mounted to be pivotal relative to the rotor (1) for changing the distance between them and thus for regulating the heat generated in the stator (13) and regulating the working temperature of the internal combustion engine (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Konstruktions-Bakelit AB
    Inventor: Odd Hielm
  • Patent number: 7051787
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus of a vehicle includes a single radiator and an air conditioner condenser. The single radiator is partitioned into a cooling portion of an engine cooling system and a cooling portion of a second cooling system which is to be kept at a lower temperature than the engine cooling system. The air conditioner condenser includes a condensing portion and a sub-cool portion. The condensing portion of the air conditioner condenser and the cooling portion of the second cooling system of the single radiator are offset from each other in a vertical direction such that the condensing portion of the air conditioner condenser and the cooling portion of the second cooling system of the single radiator are not overlapped when viewed in a front-to-rear direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomonari Taguchi
  • Patent number: 7048233
    Abstract: A system dedicated to dissipating heat produced by amplifier tubes of a spacecraft comprises a radiating panel installed substantially parallel to the amplifier tubes and thermally coupled to them to radiate to the outside a portion of the heat that they produce, a radiating receptacle whose walls define a housing adapted to receive the collectors of the amplifier tubes, and preferably a heat distributor that is preferably interleaved between the collectors and one wall of the receptacle to distribute the heat that the collectors produce between the collectors and the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventors: Charles Combes, Jean-Luc Foucher, Pierre Jaubert
  • Patent number: 7044194
    Abstract: A header for a heat exchanger, the header having a beveled closed end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Duramax Marine, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Leeson, Eric K. Peoples, Michael W. Brakey
  • Patent number: 7040545
    Abstract: A viscous fluid-type heat generating apparatus comprises a conveying rotor in communication with at least one channel for conveying a tempering fluid through it. The conveying rotor is mounted on a driven shaft. A shearing arrangement provides shearing forces onto viscous liquid situated in a chamber. This chamber is immediately formed within a hollow space of the conveyor rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Christian Tilly
  • Patent number: 7036746
    Abstract: A hot water heating system for use in a boat or vehicle which utilises the engine of the vehicle or boat, an AC power source or a fuel powered heater to heat a living area and to heat potable water. Each of the power sources can be utilised independently or in combination depending on the location and operation of the vehicle or boat. A valve is automatically controlled by a thermostat to allow heated fluid to circulate through the living area or to bypass the area. Aquastats are provided to automatically allow potable water to be heated. A display is provided for displaying textual and numerical information in user friendly format relating to the operation of the hot water heating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: International Thermal Investments Ltd.
    Inventors: Cristian Murgu, William John Haklander, Edgar C. Robinson
  • Patent number: 7028915
    Abstract: A layover heating system (89) for a locomotive is provided. The layover heating system (89) is adapted to be used in conjunction with a conventional locomotive cooling systems. The layover heating system (89) includes a water tank and pump (90). A layover heater (92) heats fluid in the layover heating system (89). An orifice (98) is provided to control the flow Of fluid in the layover system (89) to generally balance the pressure on either side of the locomotive radiator. In this manner, fluid flow through the radiator is minimized, minimizing heat loss at the radiator. A variable orifice may be used that is adjustable in response to a signal generated from pressure sensors on each side of the radiator and processed by a central processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.
    Inventor: Teoman Uzkan
  • Patent number: 7025121
    Abstract: A refrigeration/rethermalization food service system includes a food service cart having hot and cold chambers for receiving pre-plated foods. A hot air plenum is provided along a sidewall of the cart in the hot chamber, and a cold air plenum is provided along a sidewall of the cold chamber. To rethermalize foods in the hot chamber, heated air is forced into the hot air plenum from a docking station, and the heated air is evenly distributed from the plenum into the hot chamber. To refrigerate foods in the cold chamber, chilled air is forced into the cold air plenum from the docking station, and the chilled air is evenly distributed from the plenum into the cold chamber. The substantially uniformly distributed convective air currents provide substantially even heating and cooling of foods located in all portions of the hot and cold chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Aladdin Temp-Rite, LLC
    Inventors: Lara Lee Whitehead, Natalia V. Johnson, Rodger Dale Crocker, David Riley Gordon, Gary C. DeGrow, William Curt Griggs, W. Burk Wyatt
  • Patent number: 7013951
    Abstract: The invention relates to a front part of a motor vehicle having a fender unit which comprises a front fender which is covered on the outside by a fender covering, and which is connected in its lower region to a bottom supporting structure of the motor vehicle, an air guiding part being arranged underneath the fender. According to the invention, in the event of a head-on impact the air guiding part interacts with the fender covering and stiffens it in a region which is positioned in front of the fender, the air guiding part being supported on the bottom supporting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Ralph Bauer, Garry Brown, Thomas Frank, Klaus Rathje
  • Patent number: 7007856
    Abstract: An extended engine off passenger climate control system utilizes an advanced temperature control module in combination with modifications to the conventional heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) system to provide occupants in the passenger cabin of a hybrid electric motor vehicle with adequate heat or air conditioning for up to two minutes after the gasoline engine is turned off. A two stage orifice between the condenser and the evaporator of the air conditioning system slows the equilibration of the pressures on the high pressure side and low pressure side of the air conditioning system when the air conditioner compressor is turned off, allowing the passenger cabin to continue receiving cooling air even when the gasoline engine, and thus the compressor, is off. An auxiliary engine coolant pump circulates heated engine coolant through the heater core when the gasoline engine is turned off, thus providing heat when conditions require passenger cabin heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Guy E. La Falce, James R. Yurgil, Joel J. Anderson
  • Patent number: 7007494
    Abstract: A portable food storage container as heated and cooled by an automobile heater or air conditioner. The storage container includes an outer structure, an inner metal chamber and a layer of insulation between the outer structure and inner metal chamber. The container also includes a cover with a light, fan, one or more battery packs and one or more switches on the inner surface of the cover. The switches are operable from the outside of the container. A conduit such as a flexible hose connects the chamber to an air vent from the automobile's heater and air conditioning system. A valve is also provided to isolate the container from the automobile heating and cooling system. Further, a filter may be installed between the container and heater in order to filter air entering the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Inventor: Falah M. Al Rashidi
  • Patent number: 7007857
    Abstract: A compact vehicle heating system and method is provided which includes mechanisms to selectively shut down heating systems. For example, when domestic hot water is required, space heating and engine preheating systems can be shut down in order to provide priority heating to the domestic hot water. When the demand for domestic hot water is lower, the space heating and engine preheat systems can be reactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Vehicle Systems Incorporated
    Inventors: Harold R. Enander, Thomas A. Acree
  • Patent number: 7004240
    Abstract: A system includes a heat transfer system and a priming system coupled to the heat transfer system. The heat transfer system includes a main evaporator having a core, a primary wick, and a secondary wick, and a condenser coupled to the main evaporator by a liquid line and a vapor line. A heat transfer system loop is defined by the main evaporator, the condenser, the liquid line, and the vapor line. The priming system is configured to convert fluid into a liquid capable of wetting the primary wick of the main evaporator. The priming system includes a priming evaporator coupled to the vapor line, and a reservoir in fluid communication with the priming evaporator and coupled to the secondary wick of the main evaporator by a secondary fluid line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Swales & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Kroliczek, James Seokgeun Yun