With Vehicle Feature Patents (Class 165/41)
  • Patent number: 8251131
    Abstract: A cooling device including a heat absorbing unit, provided with an inflow port of a coolant medium and a discharge port for discharging the coolant medium, sealing the coolant medium in parts other than the inflow port and the discharge port, wherein the heat absorbing unit includes an upper member having an installation surface where semiconductor elements serving as an object to be cooled are installed and a cooling surface serving as a back surface of installation surface, and a lower member forming a chamber having cooling surface as a part of a inner wall surface together with upper member. Injection ports communicating with inflow port for injecting the coolant medium toward cooling surface are provided and the discharge port is provided at a position lower than opening positions of injection ports in lower member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tadafumi Yoshida, Yutaka Yokoi, Hiroshi Osada
  • Publication number: 20120204589
    Abstract: An operator's cab for a shuttle car including a cab frame, a window assembly, and a pressurization system. The cab frame defines an interior chamber and an opening. The window assembly includes a pane and a pane seal. The pane is coupled to the cab frame such that the pane covers the opening and encloses the interior chamber. The pane seal is positioned between the pane and the cab frame. The pressurization system provides a positive pressure in the interior chamber relative to the surrounding environment. The pressurization system includes a blower and a motor for driving the blower. The blower is in fluid communication with the interior chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: James Krellner, Ronald K. Dickey, David P. Paich
  • Patent number: 8241598
    Abstract: A system may include a urea injection device, first, second and third conduits and a valve. The first conduit may contain a fluid and may be in heat transfer relation with the urea injection device. The second conduit may be in selective fluid communication with the first conduit. The third conduit may be in selective fluid communication with the first conduit and in heat transfer relation with a heat source. The valve may be connected to the first, second and third conduits and may be movable between first and second positions. The first position may allow fluid communication between the first and third conduits and restrict communication between the first and second conduits. The second position may allow fluid communication between the first and second conduits and restrict fluid communication between the first and third conduits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Frederiksen
  • Publication number: 20120199314
    Abstract: An air conditioning system for conditioning air in a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle includes a secondary cell or a fuel cell for driving wheels with a motor. The air conditioning system further includes a catalyst heater, an air conditioning duct, and an air conditioning fan. The catalyst heater generates heat by supplying a fuel and an oxidizing gas to the catalyst. The air conditioning duct is connected with an intake port and a blowing port. The air conditioning fan is provided in the air conditioning duct so that the air in the passenger compartment can circulate. The air in the air conditioning duct is conditioned by utilization of the heat generated with the catalyst heater so that the air in the passenger compartment is conditioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: MIHAMA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Mihama, Kenichiro Yamabe
  • Publication number: 20120193068
    Abstract: A cooling arrangement is disclosed for a vehicle having a first component, a first duct, and a cooling fan configured to deliver air through the first duct to the first component when the cooling fan is operated. The cooling arrangement includes, but is not limited to, a second component, a port coupled to the second component, the port being accessible from a position external to the vehicle, and a second duct having a first end positioned proximate the port and a second end in fluid communication with the first duct. The second duct is configured to deliver air from outside of the vehicle to the second component when the cooling fan is operated while the vehicle is off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Mark D. NEMESH, Wissam IBRI
  • Publication number: 20120193067
    Abstract: A roof heating system for opposing buildup of ice and snow on the roof of a large wheeled vehicle, such as a tractor drawn trailer. The system may comprise a fluid circulation system for transferring heat to the roof, including a first heat exchanger for obtaining heat from the exhaust system of the vehicle or alternatively, a tow vehicle, a second heat exchanger for delivering heat to the roof of the protected vehicle, and a powered system for circulating fluid from the first heat exchanger to the second heat exchanger. The system may comprise an electric motor driven pump to achieve circulation, a battery to power the electric motor of the pump, a recharging system for recharging the battery, and a switch to initiate system operation. The recharging system may be adapted to utilize AC power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventor: Christopher Miller
  • Publication number: 20120186775
    Abstract: A cooling system for a vehicle having an engine and an electric motor, wherein the electric motor is arranged to generate a motor torque for driving the vehicle, the cooling system comprising means for transferring heat energy between the motor cooling means and the engine cooling means upon the occurrence of a predetermined criteria, wherein the motor cooling means is for controlling the temperature of the electric motor and the engine cooling means is for controlling the temperature of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: PROTEAN ELECTRIC
    Inventor: Alexander George Fraser
  • Publication number: 20120169109
    Abstract: A system and method for heating a dump body is disclosed. In particular embodiments, a heated dump body comprises a floor including one or more bolsters formed within the floor. The dump body further includes a pair of side sheets, each of the side sheets coupled to one side of the floor, each of the pair of side sheets including one or more bolsters formed within each respective side sheet. The dump body further includes a front sheet coupled to the floor and the side sheets, the front sheet including one or more bolsters formed within the front sheet. The dump body also includes a canopy coupled to the front sheet, the canopy including one or more bolsters formed within the canopy. The bolsters formed in the floor, the pair of side sheets, the front sheet and the canopy are each operable to channel air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: Trinity Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Rivera, Shriniwas Nayak
  • Publication number: 20120168115
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a surface air-cooled oil cooler (1) in an airplane engine comprising at least one first oil circuit (4) and at least a first (2) and a second (3) exchange surface positioned on either side of the first oil circuit (4) and each able to be swept by an air flow, said second exchange surface (3) being positioned in the cavity (9) provided with an air inlet (6) and an air outlet (7), said inlet (6) and/or said outlet (7) comprising covering means (8) that allow to regulate the air supply on the second exchange surface (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: TECHSPACE AERO S.A.
    Inventors: Nicolas Raimarckers, Cédric Borbouse, Albert Cornet, Denis Bajusz
  • Publication number: 20120160446
    Abstract: An air treatment system for a vehicle includes a first compressor selectively coupled to a first vehicle power source. A second compressor is selectively coupled to a second vehicle power source. A first heat exchanger communicates with an interior space in the vehicle. A second heat exchanger communicates with an environment outside the vehicle. A valve member, in a first position, couples an inlet of each of the first and second compressors to an outlet of the first heat exchanger and an outlet of each of the compressors to an inlet of the second heat exchanger. In a second position, the valve member couples the outlets of the compressors to an inlet of the first heat exchanger and the inlets of the compressors to an outlet of the second heat exchanger. A controller selectively actuates at least one of the first and second compressors and the valve member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: John L. Creed, Steven G. Skinner
  • Publication number: 20120160445
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a cooler for an aircraft cooling system. The cooler includes a matrix body in which a plurality of coolant channels are designed and extend from a first surface of the matrix body to a second surface of the matrix body, allowing a coolant to flow through the matrix body. The matrix body of the cooler is designed to form a section of the outer skin of the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Torben Baumgardt, Ralf-Henning Stolte, Carsten Weber, Remy Reynaud, Christian Mueller
  • Patent number: 8205427
    Abstract: A heat exchange system for use in operating equipment having a plurality of subsystems in each of which one of a plurality of working fluids is utilized to provide selected operations with there being an air and working fluid heat exchanger providing controlled cooling to cool at least one of the plurality of working fluids in its corresponding subsystem. In addition, a coupling heat exchanger is also provided connected to two of the subsystems to pass there working fluids therethrough, including the subsystem with the air and working fluid heat exchanger, to allow one of the connected subsystems to aid in cooling the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick W. Schwarz, Jorn A. Glahn
  • Publication number: 20120145354
    Abstract: A vehicle has a driving apparatus that includes at least one propulsion device, a driving device that applies a force and/or a torque to the propulsion device, and an energy conversion device that receives energy from the driving device. A first energy storage device that stores energy is also included. The driving apparatus assumes a first operating state where a force and/or a torque is applied to the propulsion device by the driving device or a second operating state in which a force and/or a torque are applied to the driving device by the propulsion device. Under predefined conditions, a second energy storage device supplies energy to at least one driving device and the first energy storage device supplies energy to the second energy storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: LI-TEC BATTERY GMBH
    Inventors: Tim Schaeffer, Andreas Gutsch
  • Publication number: 20120138274
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for effectively cooling electric modules such as an inverter and an LDC installed in a hybrid electric vehicle or an electric vehicle. The cooling apparatus for electric modules of a hybrid electric vehicle or an electric vehicle secures a uniform cooling efficiency and achieves an excellent heat radiating efficiency at the same time by realizing a new type of cooling system adapted to separately manage heat transfer in the cooling water passages of first and second electric modules by separating an upper passage of the first electric module and a lower passage of the second electric module using a cooling separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicants: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Dong Min Shin, Woo Yong Jeon, Joon Hwan Kim, Jin Hwan Jung, Min Ji Kim, Jung Hong Joo, In Pil Yoo
  • Publication number: 20120138260
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for cooling a high voltage battery by emitting cooling air from an outlet duct to the interior of a vehicle. More specifically, a battery case is mounted on/within an underfloor area formed within a lower section which extends from a front seat to a back seat. In order to collect air to cool the battery module, an inlet duct is disposed at the front end of the battery case and draws the cooling air from the interior of the vehicle. Once the air has passed through the battery case and/or over the battery module, the air is discharged at the rear end of the battery case through the outlet duct into the trunk of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicants: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Gun-Goo Lee
  • Patent number: 8191618
    Abstract: A thermal management system for a vehicle includes a heat exchanger having a thermal energy storage material provided therein, a first coolant loop thermally coupled to an electrochemical storage device located within the first coolant loop and to the heat exchanger, and a second coolant loop thermally coupled to the heat exchanger. The first and second coolant loops are configured to carry distinct thermal energy transfer media. The thermal management system also includes an interface configured to facilitate transfer of heat generated by an internal combustion engine to the heat exchanger via the second coolant loop in order to selectively deliver the heat to the electrochemical storage device. Thermal management methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin L. Gering, Daryl R. Haefner
  • Patent number: 8191616
    Abstract: The invention relates to a combined thermal protection and surface temperature control apparatus. In one embodiment, a combined thermal protection and surface temperature control apparatus comprises a porous member having an entrance side, a separate exit side, and a plurality of thermally conductive plugs disposed in the porous member. One or more coolant entrance channels extend through the entrance side, extend part-way through the porous member, and end within the porous member before reaching the exit side. Conversely, one or more coolant exit channels begin within the porous member, extend through a portion of the porous member, and extend through the exit side. The coolant entrance and exit channels may be parallel and may alternate. The channels may only extend across a portion of the thickness of the porous member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: William W. Behrens, Andrew R. Tucker
  • Patent number: 8186424
    Abstract: A charge air cooler comprises at least one tubular element with an internal flow duct for guiding compressed air, and a tank for receiving the compressed air before it is led through the flow duct. The compressed air is cooled by a first cooling medium of ambient air as it passes through the flow duct. A cooling element at least partly situated inside the tank provides the compressed air in the tank with a first step of cooling before the air is led to the flow duct wherein the air undergoes a second step of cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Scania CV AB
    Inventor: Zoltan Kardos
  • Publication number: 20120118528
    Abstract: A system is provided for cooling a heat-dissipating device in a vehicle with a fuselage, a passenger cabin, and a region pneumatically communicating with the previously mentioned, which region is situated outside the passenger cabin. At least one heat exchanger is provided for transferring heat of the heat-dissipating device to air, and at least one air conveying device for conveying air through the heat exchanger. The air conveying device is designed to convey air from the passenger cabin to the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is designed to subject the inflowing air to heat of the heat-dissipating device and to dissipate it to the region situated outside the passenger cabin, thus inducing mixing of the air that has been subjected to heat with the air present in the outside region, and inducing a return flow from the outside region to the passenger cabin by way of their pneumatic connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventor: Baker AL-ALI
  • Publication number: 20120118527
    Abstract: A cooling system apparatus for a vehicle includes a reserve tank and a plurality of legs extending outwardly from the reserve tank. The reserve tank defines a chamber and each of the legs is configured for attachment to a radiator of a vehicle. The reserve tank and the legs are integrally formed as a unitary structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventor: Camas Elaine Reed
  • Publication number: 20120111529
    Abstract: A ferritic stainless steel suitable for use as an EGR cooler member, which can be Ni-brazed into an EGR cooler, contains, by mass, C: at most 0.03%, Si: from more than 0.1 to 3%, Mn: from 0.1 to 2%, Cr: from 10 to 25%, Nb: from 0.3 to 0.8%, and N: at most 0.03%, and optionally selectively contains (a) one or more of Mo, Cu, V and W in a total amount of at most 4%, (b) one or more of Ti, Al and Zr in a total amount of at most 0.3%, (c) one or more of Ni and Co in a total amount of at most 5%, and (d) one or more of REMs (rare earth metals) and Ca in a total amount of at most 0.2%, with a balance of Fe and inevitable impurities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: NISSHIN STEEL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Manabu Oku, Sadayuki Nakamura, Yoshiaki Hori
  • Publication number: 20120111528
    Abstract: A cooling duct structure for a battery unit includes a cooling duct which is located above the battery unit, and extends toward an upper portion of an auxiliary mounting space. The cooling duct is separated into an upper duct and a lower duct in a middle portion thereof. The lower duct is fixedly connected to the battery unit, and can be mounted on the vehicle together with the battery unit. The upper duct and the lower duct, which are separated from each other, can be connected to each other when the battery unit is fixed to and mounted on the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Tomokazu TAKEUCHI, Kunihiro NITAWAKI
  • Publication number: 20120103283
    Abstract: A cooling system for an engine is provided. In one embodiment, an internal combustion engine comprises a cabin heat exchanger circuit including a connecting line opening on an inlet side into a cylinder block coolant jacket, a main coolant pump arranged in the cabin heat exchanger circuit, an auxiliary coolant pump arranged in the connecting line, and a check valve. In this way, additional cooling and/or heating may be provided to the engine and associated components by the auxiliary coolant pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jan Mehring, Kai Sebastian Kuhlbach, Bernd Steiner, Michael Tobergte, Hans Guenter Quix
  • Patent number: 8167026
    Abstract: A collector tank for a heat exchanger of an automotive cooling system includes a one-piece tank element comprising a first collecting region and a second collecting region, wherein at least one of the first collecting region and the second collecting region comprises a projection; a base that closes off the collecting regions of the tank element, the base comprising at least one channel; a sealing element disposed within the at least one channel; and a stress generating means located adjacent to the channel and clamping at least a portion of the one-piece tank element to the base such that the sealing element is compressed between the projection and the base within the channel. The stress generating means is a means selected from the group consisting of a tensile stress generating means, a compressive stress generating means, and a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Behr Industry GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jörg Bergmiller, Thomas Seeger
  • Publication number: 20120096886
    Abstract: A personal cooling system, such as for a cabless or other open-cab vehicle, includes a contact cooler that contacts the vehicle user, a forced-air cooler that directs cooled air to the vehicle user, and a recirculating fluid system that is operatively coupled to both the contact cooler and the forced-air cooler to provide cooling to both the contact cooler and the forced-air cooler. Contact cooling may be provided to the upper back of a vehicle user. Forced-air cooling may be provided on any of a number of areas of the user's body. The system may be able to detect the presence of a user in the seat. The detection of a user may trigger an initial relatively high level of cooling, which is followed after a predetermined time by a reduction of the level of cooling to a relatively low level of cooling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: PARKER-HANNIFIN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Roger C. Palmer
  • Patent number: 8162087
    Abstract: A top cover (17) is provided at an upper position of a supporting structure (12) of heat exchange device (11), and an upper opening (20C) is configured to be provided in a detachable type cover (20) for constituting this top cover (17) at a position corresponding to a clearance (16) between a radiator (13) and an intercooler (15) which overlap in the flowing direction (A) of cooling air. Accordingly, when a cooling fan (7B) is rotatively driven, the upper opening (20C) allows cool cooling air to flow into the supporting structure (12) and to be supplied to the radiator (13) through the clearance (16) between the radiator (13) and the intercooler (15). As a result, only the radiator (13) which overlaps with the intercooler (15) can be efficiently cooled by the cool cooling air from the upper opening (20C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tamio Kobayashi, Makoto Matsushita
  • Patent number: 8161770
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle air conditioning system including not less than two evaporators 3, 4, in which internal heat exchangers 5, 6 are provided to the respective evaporator 3, 4, a first evaporator 3 is placed in a front part of a compartment 8A whereas a second evaporator 4 is placed in a rear part of the compartment 8B; and the second evaporator 4 is connected to the internal heat exchanger 6 extended from the engine room 7 to the compartment 8. The internal heat exchanger 6 has a triple tube structure in which a heat insulator 15 is provided between a high-pressure medium passage 13 and a low-pressure medium passage 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventors: Torahide Takahashi, Yoshitomo Fukutomi, Yukitoshi Kobori
  • Publication number: 20120090806
    Abstract: An air-conditioning system is provided for an automobile comprising an interior air-conditioning module, which can be connected in a heat-transporting manner to at least two coolant-carrying cooling circuits of the automobile via valves (e.g., controllable or adjustable valves). A controller is also provided that is configured to control the valves in such a manner that those cooling circuits having the higher coolant temperature can be connected in a heat-transporting manner to the interior air-conditioning module. A method is also provided for operating an air-conditioning system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Vladimir BESCHIERU, Ioannis LAZARIDIS
  • Publication number: 20120085509
    Abstract: A material handling vehicle includes a cyclonic motor cooling system for a motor compartment that accommodates an ergonomically designed operator compartment. Together, the motor compartment and cyclonic motor cooling system include a generally cylindrical housing with a tangentially arranged cooling air injection port at a lower end and exhaust port at a radially and axially opposite end. An air blower directs cooling air into the compartment where a cyclonic cooling air flow and a vortex cooling flow is produced. The cyclonic air flow cools more effectively than conventional linear air flow while also reducing dust contamination and buildup of the motors in the motor compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventor: Michael George Field
  • Publication number: 20120080162
    Abstract: In an attachment portion where a side edge portion of an opening of a trailer and a casing are connected together, a vertically-extending groove is formed in one of the trailer or the casing and a vertically-extending raised portion is formed in the other one of the trailer or the casing so as to be fitted into the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventors: Makoto Ikemiya, Kazuyasu Matsui
  • Publication number: 20120067543
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a thermally conductive ring for a wheel assembly, which is inserted over a stud bolt that fixes a brake drum or disc of a vehicle to a wheel, is provided with a cylindrical main body having a cutaway portion in the lengthwise direction, and a heat-dissipating portion formed on at least one side of a surface and edge of the main body to increase the surface area. The thermally conductive ring of a wheel assembly facilitates the transfer of heat generated during braking and driving to the wheels and enables heat dissipation, to retain the initial design specifications of the vehicle while reducing the uneven wear of tires and one side brake, and improving cornering and ride quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventor: Sung Kyun Yoon
  • Patent number: 8132616
    Abstract: Disclosed is a temperature conditioning system including several thermal transfer blocks, where each is associated with one of several components requiring thermal management. Each of the components is associated with a different time dependent thermal management profile. A fluid path, with a heat transfer fluid, connects one or more transports to the thermal transfer blocks. For each thermal transfer block, at least one thermo-responsive valve is located downstream from the thermal transfer block. The thermo-responsive valve is passive in that it does not require energy other than thermal energy to move from a starting position to an ending position and the thermo-responsive valve is free of any exterior control lines. A method of temperature conditioning components is also disclosed including circulating a heat transfer fluid and optimizing the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid in response to differential changes in temperature of the heat transfer fluid by actuating one or more thermo-responsive valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Brower, Bradley J. Horejsi
  • Patent number: 8127828
    Abstract: A heat exchange system for use in fluid operated equipment to provide air and working fluid heat exchanges to cool the working fluid in airstreams on a stream side of a wall. An actuator is mounted to be substantially located on a side of the wall opposite the stream side thereof having a positionable motion effector. A heat exchanger core having a plurality of passageway structures therein to enable providing the working fluid to, and removal therefrom. The heat exchanger core is mounted on the motion effector so as to be extendable and retractable thereby through the opening for selected distances into that region to be occupied by the airstreams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick M. Schwarz, Frederick L. Elsaesser
  • Publication number: 20120049556
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an external condenser and light assembly and, more particularly, to an improved external air conditioning condenser and housing that is designed to additionally serve as a light assembly for an emergency vehicle. The condenser housing is mounted to the exterior of the emergency vehicle, which improves the performance of the emergency vehicle's air-conditioning system. The design of the condenser housing also allows it to serve as a light assembly on which emergency vehicle lights are mounted. The condenser housing and light assembly structure thereby provides for proper air conditioning functionality without occupying space on the exterior of the vehicle that would more preferably be occupied by emergency lighting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: WHEELED COACH INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Scott L. Barnes, Herschel W. Davis, JR., Matthew W. Grafton, Robert L. Collins
  • Publication number: 20120049664
    Abstract: A drive unit for an electric vehicle comprises a device that electrically drives a vehicle, a heat transport system for transporting heat absorbed from the device into the vehicle interior air, and a heat-radiation adjusting system for adjusting heat radiating from the device into the ambient air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi YOKOYAMA, Tadashi Osaka, Yuto Imanishi, Sachio Sekiya
  • Publication number: 20120048504
    Abstract: The present invention features a thermal management system for a hybrid electric vehicle. Such a system includes a heater core supplies heat for heating the vehicle's interior by heat exchange between a coolant and air of the vehicle's interior, a coolant line fluidly coupling an engine and heater core so the coolant being circulated by a coolant pump passes there through. A bypass valve is located in the coolant line in proximity to the engine and is selectively opened and closed according to the on/off state of the engine and so that the coolant does not pass through the engine but passes through only the heater core in the engine off state. Such a system includes a heat exchanger fluidly coupled to another heat source so the coolant is heated by the heat exchanger and supplied to the heater core when in the off state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicants: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, HYUNDAI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hee Sang Park, Ho Seok Jeon, Hyun Kim, June Kyu Park, Jung Hwan Yun, Jun Mo Ku, Sang Ha Kim
  • Publication number: 20120048505
    Abstract: A device for cooling a battery or batteries of a motor vehicle, for example an electric vehicle, includes a temperature regulating unit including an evaporator that is used to cool the passenger compartment of the vehicle and arranged in a housing, the battery or batteries being contained in a case. The housing of the evaporator is connected to a conduit, an outlet of which is oriented towards a heat exchange area on at least one outer surface of the case containing the battery or batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventors: Robert Yu, Flavien Dubief, Masato Origuchi
  • Publication number: 20120043051
    Abstract: An air guide structure for guiding outside air in front of the vehicle to equipment to be cooled. Ai air guide duct structure (20) is provided with: left and right side-wall ducts (46, 68) provided to the left and right sides of equipment (16) to be cooled; and left and right seal sections (47, 69) protruding from the inner wall surfaces (46a, 68a) of the left and right side-wall ducts toward the equipment (16) to be cooled. The left and right seal sections (47, 69) are spaced by a predetermined distance (51) from the equipment (16) to be cooled toward the front of the vehicle body. Air pressure during the travel of the vehicle elastically deforms the right and left seal sections (47, 69) to cause the seal sections to make contact with the equipment (16) to be cooled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Kurokawa, Tadayuki Uchida, Tomoaki Ichikawa, Toshikatsu Mouri, Hideki Miura, Ryota Abe, Takashi Aoki, Ken Nakane
  • Patent number: 8118087
    Abstract: A vehicle air conditioning device having first and second fans for forcing air through a heat exchanger, and a fan controller for controlling an operation of the first and second fans. On receiving a signal indicating that the shutter is closed, the fan controller controls the first and second fans such that the first fan is turned into an operating state and the second fan is turned into a stopped state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Saida, Choji Sakuma
  • Patent number: 8109108
    Abstract: A ventilation flow path through which air present in an internal space at an instrument panel is drawn and discharged to the outside of the cabin as a blower fan operates is formed in a ventilation mode without forming an air-conditioning flow path for blowing inside air or outside air into the cabin and the air-conditioning flow path is formed without forming the ventilation flow path in a mode other than the ventilation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Nagayama, Hajime Kato, Teruaki Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8111980
    Abstract: A water heater including a water inlet line having an inlet opening that introduces cold water to a tank, a water outlet line having an outlet opening that withdraws heated water from the tank, and a heating element. The water heater further includes a control circuit. The heating element can be an electrical resistance heating element, a gas heating element, or a combination thereof. In one construction, the gas heating element includes a first combustive section and a second combustive section separately controlled from the first combustive section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: AOS Holding Company
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Bradenbaugh
  • Publication number: 20120018118
    Abstract: A cooling system for a vehicle with hybrid propulsion, the cooling system including a hydraulic circuit, within which a refrigerant flows, with a main branch to cool of a thermal engine, and a secondary branch to cool electrical components and at least one common radiator, which comprises a first portion, that is normally used by the main branch of the hydraulic circuit and has at least two trays arranged at the ends, and a second portion that is normally used by the secondary branch of the hydraulic circuit and has at least two trays arranged at the ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventors: Franco Cimatti, Fabrizio Favaretto
  • Publication number: 20120018119
    Abstract: An air conditioner for vehicles in which the probability of executing pre-air conditioning is increased so that it may be prevented that the inside of the vehicle cannot be often in a comfortable state before the driver gets into the vehicle. The air conditioner performs air conditioning of a vehicle having a traveling motor and an engine as drive sources and comprises a pre-air conditioning main switch. The crew permits operation of pre-air conditioning by turning the switch on. When the pre-air conditioning main switch is set on, an engine control section performs charge preference control where battery charge takes precedence of engine fuel consumption and performs normal control where engine fuel consumption takes precedence when the pre-air conditioning main switch is set off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventor: Toshihiko Kojima
  • Patent number: 8100168
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for reheating the water of the windscreen washers of a motor vehicle comprising, in the engine compartment thereof, a degassing box (1) forming part of the engine cooling system, and at least one tank (3) for pressurised washing water, said tank being associated with a circulation pump which pumps water therefrom and supplies said water to nozzles for spraying the same over the windscreens. The inventive device is characterised in that the tank (3) at least partially surrounds the degassing box (1), leaving a separation space of a determined thickness thereinbetween, and a double-walled hollow body (4) is integrated into said space, defining a closed thermal insulating volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventor: Gerard Jeuffe
  • Patent number: 8096347
    Abstract: A cooler block for an agricultural tractor comprising a cooler assembly mounted on a radiator and coupled to the radiator by upper and lower linkages. The cooler assembly can be moved between a first position in which the cooler assembly lies parallel to the radiator and a second position in which the cooler assembly is inclined relative to the radiator. The cooler assembly is pivotable about a pivot in the upper linkage that is itself movable relative to the radiator. The lower linkage allows the entire cooler assembly to rise and the pivot of the upper linkage to move away from the radiator as the cooler assembly is pivoted from the first to the second position. A detent is incorporated into one of the two linkages to retain the cooler assembly in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: William P. Starkey, Timothy Oldland, Todd Richard
  • Patent number: 8091624
    Abstract: A radiator element in a motor vehicle is disclosed, the motor vehicle including a body, a driver's space with at least one door for access to the driver's space, and a step element with at least one step and situated below the door. An engine cooling system includes a radiator element in which a circulating coolant is cooled by an airflow flowing through the radiator element. The radiator element is positioned close to the step element. An air inlet aperture is positioned between or behind the steps. The radiator element is a second radiator element of the vehicle, operable when the first radiator element cools insufficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Scania CV AB (Publ)
    Inventors: Zoltan Kardos, Tomas Alsterdal, Johan Åkeson
  • Publication number: 20110308763
    Abstract: Embodiments of a powertrain cooling system and embodiments of a radiator module are provided for deployment onboard a vehicle. In one embodiment, the powertrain cooling system includes a first airflow path, a second airflow path, a primary radiator core positioned in the first airflow path, an auxiliary radiator core position in the second airflow path, and a first airflow valve positioned in the second airflow path upstream of the auxiliary radiator core. The first airflow valve is movable between a closed position wherein the first airflow valve impedes airflow to the auxiliary radiator core and an open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: SCOTT P. CHARNESKY, GREGORY J. FADLER, THOMAS K. LOCKWOOD, KEVIN A. GOLSCH
  • Patent number: 8079405
    Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus has a blower, a unit case, a cooling heat exchanger and a heating heat exchanger. The heat exchangers are disposed in the unit case such that ends thereof are adjacent to the blower. The unit case has a side opening on its side wall and a tubular part between the end of the heating heat exchanger and a casing of the blower. The tubular part has a communication portion for allowing communication between a hollow space provided therein and a space downstream of the second heat exchanger. The unit case has a passage opening at an end of the tubular part and adjacent to the side opening for allowing the air introduced in the hollow space to flow out from the hollow space. Further, a door is provided in the unit case to open and close the side opening and the communication portion simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Tomohide Shindoh
  • Patent number: 8074709
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a center mounting type air conditioner for a vehicle, which can reduce size and noise of a blower, and enhance installation efficiency and reduce an installation space of the air conditioner installed in the vehicle. At least one bypass passageway is formed in a dead space located between the scroll case and the air conditioning case, whereby some of air sucked from the intake duct is bypassed and sucked toward the second wheel of the dual blower wheel, to which the motor is connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Halla Climate Control Corporation
    Inventors: Minwoo Park, Jongsuk Yun, Hahkkyu Kim, Sungje Lee, Seongseok Han
  • Publication number: 20110298241
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a cabin, a high voltage traction battery, an electric motor powered by the traction battery, and a charger connected to the traction battery. The charger converts alternating current (AC) to high voltage direct current (DC) to charge the traction battery when the charger is plugged into an alternating current (AC) power supply. A forced air system includes an air inlet duct, a first air outlet duct directing exhaust air to the outside of the cabin, a second air outlet duct directing exhaust air to the inside of the cabin, a fan, and a valve for controlling air flow through the first and second air outlet ducts. The forced air system is arranged such that forced air flows through the air inlet duct, removes heat from the charger, and flows through at least one of the first and second air outlet ducts to assist with vehicle preconditioning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Howard Varns, Marc Jonathon Lucas, Christopher Adam Ochocinski