Heating And Cooling Patents (Class 165/42)
  • Publication number: 20120252342
    Abstract: The invention relates to an air mixing and distribution apparatus (32) and to a vehicle heating or air-conditioning system (10) having an air distribution chamber (30), into which a cold air duct (16) opens with a cold air opening (26) and a warm air duct (20) opens with a warm air opening (28). The warm air opening (28) is formed by the outlet of a heat exchanger (22), the cold and warm air openings (26, 28) lie next to one another and in the same plane (34), and the cold air which flows through the cold air opening (26) and the warm air which flows through the warm air opening (28) flow into the air distribution chamber (30). The air distribution chamber (30) has a mixed air outlet (42) for the windscreen and a mixed air outlet (44) for a front diffuser, the mixed air outlets (42, 44) being spaced apart from one another. The apparatus (32) also includes a first air deflection element (52).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Andreas STANG, Albert GWOSDEK
  • Publication number: 20120241127
    Abstract: To solve this problem, a desiccant humidity control technique is used, in which moisture emitted from passengers is absorbed, so as to suppress rising of an absolute humidity, by a desiccant which absorbs moisture in air or discharges moisture into air by the difference in relative humidity to air, and air with a high temperature is generated by utilization of heat generated by moisture absorption. This air is sprayed to a front window and other areas so as to cause defogging as well as heat the interior of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventor: Takumasa Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20120241126
    Abstract: A two-layer inside/outside air type of vehicular air-conditioning system which takes measures against odor is provided, in particular, a two-layer inside/outside air type of vehicular air-conditioning system which does not require the provision of a new exhaust port or duct in the vehicle for dealing with odor is provided. That is, a two-layer inside/outside air type vehicular air-conditioning system is provided which suppresses odor inside an air-conditioning case or inside a compartment by being provided with an exhaust controlling means which uses one outside air intake port as an air exhaust port, uses compartment-side air discharge port opening/closing means to close all compartment-side air discharge ports, and operates one of the blowing means and does not operate the other of the blowing means so as to make air inside the first air passage and second air passage be exhausted from the air exhaust port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Noriaki Kishi
  • Patent number: 8274379
    Abstract: A remote climate control system is for an electric vehicle without a combustion engine and having a rechargeable electrical power source and an electrical AC unit selectively powered thereby, a sensor associated with the rechargeable electrical power source, and a data communications bus extending throughout the hybrid vehicle. At least one of the electrical AC unit and the sensor is coupled to the data communications bus. The remote climate control system includes a remote transmitter and a receiver to be positioned at the hybrid vehicle for receiving signals from said remote transmitter. A vehicle remote climate controller cooperates with said receiver and to be coupled to the data communications bus extending within the hybrid vehicle for communication thereover to selectively operate the electrical AC unit responsive to the sensor and said remote transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Omega Patents, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Flick
  • Patent number: 8272432
    Abstract: A system and method for providing cool air to a passenger compartment of a hybrid vehicle in an engine off mode is disclosed. This may include operating a HVAC system to provide cold refrigerant flowing through an evaporator while an engine is operating, and forcing air through the evaporator to cool the air. A first portion of the cooled air from the evaporator is directed through a heater core and a second portion around the heater core, and an electric water pump is activated to pump coolant from a thermal storage tank, through the heater core and back to the thermal storage tank to cool the coolant. When the engine operation is ceased, the air flow is directed through the heater core, and the coolant is pumped from the thermal storage tank, through the heater core and back to the thermal storage tank to cool the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gregory A. Major, Mark D. Nemesh
  • Patent number: 8274378
    Abstract: A remote climate control system is for an electric vehicle without a combustion engine and including a rechargeable electrical power source and an electrical heater selectively powered thereby, a sensor associated with the rechargeable electrical power source, and a data communications bus extending throughout the electric vehicle. At least one of the electrical heater and the sensor is coupled to the data communications bus. The remote climate control system includes a remote transmitter and a receiver to be positioned at the electric vehicle for receiving signals from the remote transmitter. A vehicle remote climate controller cooperates with the receiver and to be coupled to the data communications bus extending within the electric vehicle for communication thereover to selectively operate the electrical heater responsive to the sensor and the remote transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Omega Patents, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Flick
  • Patent number: 8267155
    Abstract: In a vehicular air conditioning apparatus, a first blower unit is connected by a connection duct to a side portion of a casing having respective air passages defined therein, and a second blower unit separate from the first blower unit is connected to a lower portion of the casing. In addition, air that is supplied to the interior of the casing from the first blower unit and air that is supplied to the interior of the casing from the second blower unit are prevented from mixing together mutually inside the casing by first and second ribs, and by ribs, which are formed respectively to face toward an evaporator and a heater core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignees: Keihin Corporation, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoji Katsuki, Tsunetoshi Kitamura, Junichi Kanemaru, Shinji Kakizaki
  • Patent number: 8267165
    Abstract: In a vehicular air conditioning apparatus, a connection duct connects a first blower unit having a first blower fan to a side of a casing forming air passages, whereas a second blower unit having a second blower fan, different from the first blower unit, is connected to a lower portion of the casing. By driving the first blower fan and second blower fan simultaneously, air is supplied to a vehicle compartment from the first blower unit and the second blower unit through inside the casing. A controller controls the driving of the first blower fan and the second blower fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignees: Keihin Corporation, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyosuke Nanaumi, Mitsufumi Imasawa, Tsunetoshi Kitamura, Junichi Kanemaru, Shinji Kakizaki, Daniel Yelles
  • Publication number: 20120227932
    Abstract: An axial-flow blower arrangement for the condenser (28) of a roof-mounted air conditioning installation including two evaporator units (3, 4) and a condenser unit (2) arranged between them comprises at least two blower modules (1), each of which has a box-shaped downwardly open hood (10) which has a cover wall (12) and walls (14, 15, 16, 17) which in the mounted condition extend downwardly from the cover wall and which together with the cover wall enclose an air suction chamber (26), out of which an axial-flow blower (23) mounted under the cover wall sucks air and discharges it into the atmosphere through an air outlet opening (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: SPHEROS GMBH
    Inventors: Ralph Schaller, Helmut Scheid, Klaus Ellinger, Uwe Berger
  • Publication number: 20120205088
    Abstract: A vehicle air-conditioning system includes: an HVAC unit that blows air whose temperature has been adjusted by a refrigerant evaporator and a second refrigerant condenser; a heat pump cycle in which a refrigerant compressor, a refrigerant circuit changeover section, a first refrigerant condenser, a first expansion valve, and the refrigerant evaporator are sequentially connected, in which a second expansion valve and a refrigerant/coolant heat exchanger are connected in parallel with the first expansion valve and the refrigerant evaporator, and in which the second refrigerant condenser is connected in parallel with the first refrigerant condenser; and a coolant cycle in which a coolant circulating pump, a ventilation-exhaust-heat recovery unit, a motor/battery, an electric heater, and the refrigerant/coolant heat exchanger are sequentially connected, and in which the ventilation-exhaust-heat recovery unit, the motor/battery, and the electric heater can be selectively used as a heat source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Masatosi Morisita, Hideki Suetake, Toshihisa Kondo, Akira Katayama
  • Publication number: 20120199315
    Abstract: Described is an anti-condensation method for an aircraft (13), wherein part of a stream of cold air is withdrawn, the part of a stream of cold air is heated, and the part of the stream of hot air is introduced into the crown (19) of the aircraft (13) through an air introduction duct (8). Also described is an anti-condensation device called “Air Dryer System”.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: LIEBHERR-AEROSPACE TOULOUSE SAS
    Inventors: Laurent BARREAU, Michel EGLEM, Philippe HERAUD
  • Publication number: 20120180980
    Abstract: One examples provides an automotive air-conditioning system provided with: a thermal unit having a condenser and an evaporator configured to be traversed by a refrigerant fluid and a hydraulic circuit, which is configured to be traversed by a carrier fluid and has a first portion provided with a first heat exchanger, a second portion provided with a second heat exchanger, a hot portion extending through the condenser, and a cold portion extending through the evaporator, a valve device being configured to connect selectively either the hot portion or the cold portion to the first portion and the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Carloandrea Malvicino, Matteo Rostagno
  • Patent number: 8209073
    Abstract: A climate control system and method for optimizing energy consumption in a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is provided. By varying evaporator temperatures based on occupant settings and environmental conditions, electric compressor speed can be optimized to provide the necessary cooling capacities resulting in energy savings. Determining the impact that increasing or decreasing engine cooling fan speed has on the overall energy consumption of the climate control system without affecting target discharge air temperature provides for energy saving opportunities. Optimizing energy consumption according to the provided strategy provides for improved fuel economy without sacrificing passenger comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Halim Wijaya, Gerhard A. Dage, Wayne Frank Buescher, Christopher Mark Greiner
  • Publication number: 20120132392
    Abstract: Disclosed is a temperature control apparatus for a vehicle, including an electric device that is cooled by circulating cooling fluid; a heater core that is disposed adjacent to an interior heat exchanger of a heat pump to receive the cooling fluid that has cooled electric device; and a first valve that controls supply of the cooling fluid from electric device to heater core. According to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to improve air-conditioning performance of vehicles, using heat generated from electric devices, together with a heat pump, when the vehicles are equipped with the electric devices, such as a motor, an inverter, and a converter, such as hybrid vehicles or electric vehicles, and are air-conditioned by the heat pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicants: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Heesang Park, Junmo Ku, Junekyu Park, Junghwan Yun, Hyun Kim
  • Publication number: 20120096885
    Abstract: A solar powered vehicle air-conditioning system for air conditioning a vehicle includes an air conditioning subsystem and a solar power subsystem. The air conditioning subsystem includes a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator and a plurality of valves and sensors, and is configured for air conditioning the vehicle. The solar power subsystem includes a solar photovoltaic module configured for generating electric power when being illuminated by sunlight, a battery module configured for providing electric power to the air conditioning subsystem, and a solar power control module configured for receiving the electric power from the solar photovoltaic module and charging the battery module thereby. The solar power control module is configured to regulate the charging current flowing from the solar power control module to the battery module to be equal to or less than a predetermined current value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: Shui Hung MAK, Ka Wai Eric Cheng
  • Patent number: 8151917
    Abstract: A cooling system is equipped with a circulation flow path arranged to flow a coolant into an engine, a motor drive system flow path branched off from the circulation flow path and arranged to flow the coolant into a motor drive system, a flow rate distribution regulator provided at a junction of the circulation flow path and the motor drive system flow path, and an electric pump configured to pressure-feed the coolant through the circulation flow path. In the cooling system, the procedure of flow rate control sets an engine flow rate demand Vwe based on a rotation speed Ne and a torque te of the engine and a coolant temperature Te (step S110), while setting a motor flow rate demand Vwm based on an inverter current Iinv of the motor drive system and the coolant temperature Te (step S120).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8141622
    Abstract: A console air conditioner includes an evaporator, a heater, a face vent, a floor vent, and a vent door for controlling the opening degrees of the face vent and the floor vent and is installed in the console space between front seats of a vehicle. Both sides of the air mixing zone where a cool air passageway meets a warm air passageway in the console air conditioner are connected to a pillar duct extending toward the middle pillar of the vehicle. A temperature control door controls the opening degrees of a cool air passageway and a warm air passageway of the air conditioner case and is installed such that rotational trace of the temperature control door is overlapped with a pillar vent area that is defined between the pillar ducts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Halla Climate Control Corp.
    Inventors: Seong-Ho Kang, Yong Eun Seo, Sang-Chul Byon, Yong Sang Kim
  • Publication number: 20120060522
    Abstract: An air conditioning method is provided. The method comprises when a refrigerant circuit is in operation and a temperature of an evaporator of the refrigerant circuit is lower than a temperature of a heat exchanger of a heating circuit, transferring heat from the heat exchanger to air passing through the heat exchanger, and when the refrigerant circuit is not in operation and the temperature of the evaporator is higher than the temperature of the heat exchanger, transferring heat from the air passing through the heat exchanger to the heat exchanger. In this way, the heat exchanger functions to augment the cooling capabilities of the evaporator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Markus Markowitz, Dietmar Fischer
  • Patent number: 8113268
    Abstract: An air conditioning system of the present invention for an automotive vehicle includes a housing having at least two sections connected by two side by side air passage. A blower device of the air conditioning system discharges air into the housing. An evaporator is disposed in one of the sections for taking heat from the air discharged from the blower device to produce cool air. A heater is disposed in the other section positioned downstream of the evaporator for adding heat to the cool air to produce warm air. First and second sliding valve plates mechanically communicating with a driving mechanism of the present invention are supported by the housing for selectively closing the two side by side air passages thereby regulating air flow of cool and warm air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark W. Stevenson
  • 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: 8091623
    Abstract: The invention relates to an air mixer vent (5), designed in particular for a motor vehicle air conditioning system (1). Said vent comprises an air deflector element (15), which is located on the air mixer vent (5) and protrudes from a surface of said vent (5), the latter (5) being configured as a partially cylindrical vent or having a curved cross-section in relation to the pivoting axis (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Behr GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Roland Hackl, Thorsten Möllert, Thomas Zeller
  • Patent number: 8091622
    Abstract: The present relates to a system for cooling a vehicle engine compartment having a blowing device provided on a dash panel of a vehicle and configured to be able to send external air to the engine compartment and a cabin of the vehicle; a control unit to control the blowing device such that the external air may flow into the engine compartment through the blowing device if the temperature of the engine compartment is higher than or equal to a limit temperature above which components in the engine compartment can be heat damaged; a door consisting of an engine compartment door rotatably installed between the opening and the cabin air supplier and a cabin door rotatably installed on the same line as the engine compartment door; and an actuator for opening and/or closing the engine compartment door and the cabin door, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Byung Jin Ahn
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8061626
    Abstract: A remote climate control system is for an electric vehicle without a combustion engine and having a rechargeable electrical power source and an electrical Ventilation blower selectively powered thereby, a sensor associated with the rechargeable electrical power source, and a data communications bus extending throughout the hybrid vehicle. At least one of the electrical Ventilation blower and the sensor is coupled to the data communications bus. The remote climate control system includes a remote transmitter and a receiver to be positioned at the hybrid vehicle for receiving signals from said remote transmitter. A vehicle remote climate controller cooperates with said receiver and to be coupled to the data communications bus extending within the hybrid vehicle for communication thereover to selectively operate the electrical Ventilation blower responsive to the sensor and said remote transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Omega Patents, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Flick
  • Patent number: 8056617
    Abstract: An HVAC system for work vehicle having an operator compartment for an operator is disclosed. The HVAC system includes a pressurizer blower and an air-conditioning system coupled to an electronic circuit. The electronic circuit is configured to reduce the output of the pressurizer blower when the operator selects a high output from the air-conditioning system. The HVAC system is also configured to provide defog operation in both a manual mode and an automatic mode of operation. The HVAC system is configured to reset the defog operation when the vehicle ignition is turned off or turned back on. The HVAC system is also configured not to reset the defog operation when the operator switches rapidly between the automatic mode and the manual mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Mark D. Klassen, Leonid Chernyavsky, Alan G. Leupold, Paul E. Wibbels, Michael C. Bunnell, M. Javaid Arshad
  • Patent number: 8051904
    Abstract: The vehicular temperature control device includes an external housing, a pair of internal compartments and a mechanism in each compartment that allows the device to either cool off or warm up an interior area within a vehicle. One of the internal compartments includes a belt, a rotating fan attached to the belt, and a volume of water for evaporative cooling. This chamber will help cool down surrounding air. The other internal compartment also includes a belt and a rotating fan attached to the belt and, furthermore, a heating coil. This second compartment is designed to assist an individual in heating up the surrounding air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Inventor: Michael Whiting
  • Patent number: 8047274
    Abstract: An air conditioner for a vehicle includes a main heater for heating air in a vehicle compartment using coolant of an engine of the vehicle as a heat source, and an auxiliary heater for heating air in the vehicle compartment using a heat source other than exhaust heat of the engine. In the air conditioner, a requirement signal for requiring startup of the engine is output when a temperature of the coolant of the engine is determined to be lower than a threshold, and the threshold is adjusted based on an operating state of the auxiliary heater such that as an amount of heat generated by the auxiliary heater increases, the threshold decreases. Accordingly, as the heating capacity of the auxiliary heater is increased, the startup of the engine becomes more difficult.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsuyo Oomura
  • Publication number: 20110259546
    Abstract: A ram air system for an aircraft fluid system includes a ram duct, a diffuser, a fan and a modulating valve. The ram duct has an inlet for receiving ambient air and an outlet for discharging ambient air overboard. The diffuser is positioned within the ram duct to define a fan duct and a bypass duct. The fan is positioned within the fan duct. The modulating valve is positioned in the bypass duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory L. DeFrancesco, Donald E. Army, JR., Erin G. Kline
  • Patent number: 8042609
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Farzad Samie, Richard W. Carlson
  • Patent number: 8042746
    Abstract: When there arises a need to change an air conditioner capability, a vehicular air conditioner capable of easily meeting this need is achieved. Also, even if some of a plurality of air conditioner units break down, a vehicular air conditioner capable of properly air conditioning a vehicular space using other air conditioner units, is achieved. This vehicular air conditioner includes a controller 20 for calculating a total heat supply amount, based on a target temperature and an actual room temperature; at least one heater 5 and/or at least one cooler 6; a controller 20 that sets generated heat amounts of the heater 5 and/or the cooler 6 of each of the air conditioner units 30, based on a calculated total heat supply amount and the number of used air conditioner units 30; and a drive controller that controls operations of the heater 5 and/or the cooler 6, based on the generated heat amounts that have been set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shinsuke Ise, Masatoshi Urakawa
  • Publication number: 20110232890
    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: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Kevin L. Gering, Daryl R. Haefner
  • Patent number: 8025096
    Abstract: A door actuating device for an air conditioner of a vehicle can efficiently prevent separation of a link member after the link member is coupled to a rotating member when operating two doors simultaneously by using one door actuator, and the rotating member has a simple structure, thereby increasing facility of fabrication and reducing the fabricating cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Halla Climate Control Corp.
    Inventors: Sung Ho Kang, Sang Chul Byon, Yong Eun Seo, Yong Sang Kim, Yun Cheol Park
  • Patent number: 7997096
    Abstract: A vehicle HVAC system comprises an evaporator, a heater core, a variable airflow control device, and a baffle positioned downstream of the evaporator. The baffle has a geometrical configuration, e.g., apertures sufficient to prevent the formation of vortex like airflow patterns near the downstream side of the baffle when the HVAC system is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Behr America, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip Stephenson
  • Publication number: 20110192565
    Abstract: The present application describes an arrangement and a method for utilizing the heat of waste air for heating the bilge area of aircraft, wherein the bilge area is connected to a heat transfer unit via a first air supply pipe, through which a bilge air flow drawn in from the bilge area flows into the heat transfer unit, wherein the heat transfer unit comprises a second air supply pipe, through which a waste air heat flow to be cooled that is created at another location in the aircraft flows into the heat transfer unit in order to heat the drawn-in bilge air flow, wherein the heat transfer unit comprises a first air discharge pipe, through which the cooled waste air heat flow is discharged, and a second air discharge pipe with a bilge inlet section, and wherein at least a portion of the heated bilge flow is returned to the bilge area via the air discharge pipe and the bilge inlet section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventors: Michael MARKWART, Thomas SCHERER, Oliver SCHAUMANN
  • Patent number: 7992629
    Abstract: In an air amount control for controlling an air amount to be blown into a vehicle compartment, a water temperature control map in which the air amount is set based on a water temperature of cooling water for the vehicle is stored, and the air amount is determined based on control characteristics of the water temperature control map. The water temperature control map is learned and changed based on a set air amount, and the air amount to be blown into the vehicle compartment is determined based on the learned water temperature control map in a case where the set air amount is changed by a passenger and the water temperature is in a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Takeda, Yasufumi Kojima, Hiroyuki Tomita
  • Patent number: 7984752
    Abstract: A double-tube heat exchanger that is easy to produce, the entire part of which is smoothly bent so that the heat exchanger works as a part of piping, and that has high pressure resistance. In the cross-section perpendicular to the axis of an inner tube (1), there are bag-like or ballon-like bulged sections (7a) directing radially from the center, and openings of the bulged sections (7a) are closed and the head of each bulged section (7a) is in contact with the inner surface of an outer tube (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: T. Rad Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Yusa
  • Patent number: 7975501
    Abstract: An auxiliary air conditioning system (7) for a motor vehicle (1), comprising a first heat exchanger (17) adapted to be installed inside a passenger compartment (4) of the motor vehicle and an external unit (43) comprising an auxiliary engine (8), an auxiliary compressor (12) driven by the auxiliary engine (8) and a second exchanger (17). The system comprises a switching valve (20) for selectively setting a first refrigerating cycle operating mode in which the first heat exchanger (17) serves as an evaporator and the second heat exchanger (14) serves as a condenser, and a second heat pump operating mode, in which the first heat exchanger (17) serves as a condenser and the fluid of the second heat exchanger (14) is cut off and the operative fluid is allowed to flow through a heating device (30) to receive thermal power independently from the outside environment temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Lombardini S.R.L. a Socio Unico
    Inventor: Gianni Borghi
  • Patent number: 7975757
    Abstract: A HVAC and RESS thermal management system and a method of operation for a vehicle having a passenger compartment, a power plant and a battery pack is disclosed. The system comprises a RESS coolant circuit and a power plant coolant circuit. The RESS coolant circuit directs a coolant through the battery pack and includes a pump, a coolant heating branch has a coolant-to-coolant heat exchanger, and a coolant routing valve that will selectively direct the coolant through the coolant heating branch. The power plant coolant circuit includes a heater core branch having a HVAC pump, a coolant heater, a heater core located in a HVAC module to provide heat to the passenger compartment, and the coolant-to-coolant heat exchanger, with the coolant-to-coolant heat exchanger providing heat transfer between the coolant in the coolant heating branch and the coolant in the heater core branch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Mark D. Nemesh, Matthew J. Martinchick, Kulwinder Singh, Wissam Ibri
  • Patent number: 7967063
    Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus has a cool-side door device and a heating-side door device between an evaporator and a heater core. The cool-side door device is configured to open and close a cool air passage through which a cool air generated by the evaporator flows. The heating-side door device is configured to open and close a heating air passage through which the cool air flows to be heated by the heater core. At least one of the cool-side door device and the heating-side door device is constructed of a plurality of doors. The plurality of doors is configured to begin to open successively when being opened from a fully closed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Sato, Toshihiko Muraki
  • Publication number: 20110146942
    Abstract: The invention relates to a distribution unit (22) that is able to manage the circulation of a cooling fluid FR in an A/C loop (4). The distribution unit (22) comprises nine inlets E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6, E7, E8, E9 of the cooling fluid FR inside the distribution unit (22) and four outlets S1, S2, S3, S4 of the cooling fluid FR outside the distribution unit (22). Each outlet S1, S2, S3, S4 is linked with at least two inlets E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6, E7, E8, E9.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Klaus WITTMANN, Mohamed YAHIA, Bertrand NICOLAS
  • Patent number: 7963315
    Abstract: A vehicle with an air conditioner comprises an instrument panel center member disposed vertically behind an evaporator and fixed to a vehicle structure. The evaporator is disposed obliquely in such a manner that its maximum-area face has a crossing angle relative to a horizontal face and a distance between its front and rear ends is a specified length or greater. The evaporator is configured so as to be rotated between a vehicle dash panel being moved rearward and the instrument panel center member at a frontal crash of a vehicle in such a manner that the distance between its front end and rear end becomes shorter. Accordingly, the evaporator can be prevented from being pushed into a vehicle cabin at the vehicle frontal crash, thereby ensuring the safety of the passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Masanori Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7963316
    Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus has a case, a heat exchanger rotatable about a rotation axis in the case, and a pipe unit in communication with the heat exchanger. The pipe unit has a first section fixed to the case and a second section coaxially coupled to the first section. The second section is coupled to the heat exchanger and rotatable with the heat exchanger. The first section has a first annular portion, a second annular portion, a cylindrical portion, and a support member. The second section has a flange portion disposed between the first annular portion and the support member. An O-ring is disposed in a groove provided by the first annular portion and the cylindrical portion, and is in contact with a surface of the first annular portion and the flange portion in a direction parallel to the rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Tokai Riki Mfg. Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Takahiro Tokunaga, Koichi Ito, Yoshio Miyata, Nobuyuki Hashimura, Akihisa Kurokawa
  • Publication number: 20110138850
    Abstract: In an evaporator constituting part of a vehicular air conditioning apparatus, a first cooling section that faces a first front passage, and a second cooling section that faces a first rear passage are provided. At a boundary portion between the first cooling section and the second cooling section, a partition member constituted by a filled and hardened packing agent is formed. The partition member is formed so as to fill spaces, which are located between first fins that constitute the first cooling section and second fins that constitute the second cooling section. Air that flows through the first cooling section and air that flows through the second cooling section do not mix together in the interior of the evaporator by the partition member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: KEIHIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroto Suzuki, Tatsunori Arai
  • Patent number: 7954540
    Abstract: A HVAC assembly includes a temperature mixing valve that comprises a shaft, an upper paddle, a lower paddle, and a yielding means. The upper paddle and the lower paddle attach to the shaft. The yielding means applies a force to keep the upper paddle sealed to prevent cold air in a cold air inlet from entering a mixing zone and the lower paddle moves away from a shared sealing boundary over a predetermined angle of rotation before the upper paddle initially moves to allow cold air to enter the mixing zone. Movement of the lower paddle away from the shared sealing boundary allows cold air to enter a hot air inlet and admix with hot air to mix in the mixing zone to produce non-stratified air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Garrett Wade Hoehn
  • Patent number: 7950444
    Abstract: An automotive air conditioning system is disclosed. At the foot mode position of a rotary door 25, a gap T is formed along the door diameter between a circumferential end of a door surface 25c of the rotary door 25 and a seal rib 28 of a case 11. The flow path of a foot opening 22 communicates with a defroster opening 20 through the gap T. At the defroster mode position of the rotary door 25, on the other hand, the other circumferential end of the door surface 25c comes into contact with the seal rib 28 and closes the gap T, and the door surface 25c closes up the foot opening 22. Even upon slight rotation of the foot rotary door under the air pressure of the foot mode, therefore, the defroster blowout air amount and the foot blowout air amount are kept in a predetermined proportion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Masatsugu
  • Publication number: 20110114283
    Abstract: A heating and air conditioning device for motor-vehicles, comprises a unit for suctioning and supplying air (13) and a heating and air conditioning unit (1), including a heater (2) and an evaporator (3) and a mixing lid (4) for distributing the airflow coming from the supply unit (13) between said heater (2) and said evaporator (3). The heating and air conditioning unit comprises a single moveable element for distributing the conditioned airflow between one or more outlets arranged along a dashboard of a motor-vehicle, respectively adjacent to the windscreen, at the front on the dashboard or adjacent to the floor of the cabin of the motor-vehicle, to respectively actuate the DEFROST, VENT, FLOOR functions or their combination. At least part of the air supply unit (13), preferably at least one air intake (14) and one pipe (15) for supplying air including an air filter (16), and borne by a bodywork connected to a front bonnet (22) of the motor-vehicle which closes the engine compartment at the upper part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Fabrizio Mattiello, Angelo Storgato, Chiara Vicari, Giuseppe Chiabotto, Alessio Sarcoli
  • Patent number: 7942192
    Abstract: In an air conditioner constructed to pass an air introduced into an air conditioning unit through an evaporator and a heater core both arranged in the unit, cooler pipes for the evaporator and heater pipes for the heater core are arranged to extend from the same side wall of the air conditioning unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Japan Climate Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Takehiro Yamamoto, Tadashi Okamoto, Hideaki Yasuda, Hiroshi Mayumi, Morihito Tsukuda, Kenichiro Higashi, Keiji Koga, Yoshinori Aono
  • Patent number: 7942000
    Abstract: A rotary vane engine system for using exhaust heat energy of a fuel-based heat engine. The heat engine includes a crankshaft being driven by a combustion cycle, and the heat engine generates exhaust gases by combustion. The system comprises an independent air system, wherein the independent air system contains air separate to the exhaust gases. A heat exchanger system is provided for transferring exhaust heat energy from the exhaust gases to the air contained in the independent air system to generate pressurized air. A rotary vane engine is also provided having a housing, a rotor contained within the housing and coupled to the crankshaft of the heat engine, and a plurality of vanes extending radially from the rotor. The pressurized air is expanded within the rotary vane engine for rotation of the rotor thereby providing drive to the crankshaft of the heat engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Engine-Uity Limited
    Inventor: Barry T. Crate
  • Patent number: 7938215
    Abstract: A tractor cooling installation has an engine cooling radiator (11) fixed relative to the tractor (16), a first inner bank of one or more coolers (12,13) pivoted on the radiator on a first frame (17) for upward pivoting movement away from the radiator about a first generally horizontal pivot axis (18) transverse to the tractor and a second outer bank of one or more coolers (14) also pivoted on the radiator on a second frame (20) for upward pivoting movement away from the first inner bank of coolers about a second generally horizontal pivot axis transverse to the tractor. A first cooler (12) from the first bank of coolers is mounted on the first frame (17) for pivoting upwardly with the first frame away from the radiator and a second cooler (13) which also forms part of the first bank of coolers is pivotally supported at its upper end by the first frame about a third generally horizontal axis (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: AGCO SA
    Inventor: Valentine Daniel Joel Leconte