With Means To Guide And/or Control Air For Power Plant Cooling Patents (Class 180/68.1)
  • Patent number: 9016411
    Abstract: An engine encapsulation structure of a vehicle may include an engine room encapsulation member disposed at an upper portion of an engine compartment and covering an upper portion of a power train having an engine and a transmission, an underbody encapsulation member disposed at a lower portion of the engine compartment and covering a lower portion of the power train, wherein the engine room encapsulation member and the underbody encapsulation member form an inner space and enclose the power train in the inner space when being assembled each other, and a front inlet formed at a front portion of the assembly to allow air through the front inlet and to cool the power train while the air passes through the inner space of the assembly, the air being discharged through a rear outlet formed to the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jong Woo Nam, Won Sik Kim, Han Shin Chung, Min Soo Oh, Jae Yeon Kim, Jong Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 9016412
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided including a battery module, a DC/DC converter module portioned from the battery module, a duct, one blower, and a jumper duct. The battery module includes inlet and outlet ports. The DC/DC converter module includes inlet and outlet ports. A duct is arranged to direct cooling air into each of the inlet ports. The blower is arranged to draw cooling air from the duct, through the modules, and out the outlet ports. The jumper duct is arranged up stream of the blower with the converter outlet port, and configured to reduce an effective cross sectional area of the converter outlet port to define a flow rate of the cooling air into the battery inlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Suriyaprakash Ayyangar Janarthanam, LeeAnn Wang, James George Gebbie
  • Patent number: 9010844
    Abstract: A vehicle body front structure is provided. In the vehicle body front structure, a front grille and a bumper extend in the up-and-down direction in a front end portion of the vehicle body, the bumper bends and extends rearwardly from the front grille, a front end edge of a front hood is positioned adjacent to a top end portion of the extending bumper, a frame upper portion that supports a radiator extends in the body width direction and is supported on the back side of a front end portion of the front hood, and a box-like hollow impact absorber, which is made of sheet metal and extends in the body width direction, is provided in a space surrounded by the front grille, the bumper, the front end portion of the front hood, and the frame upper portion, and is supported by the frame upper portion via a plurality of legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masami Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20150101550
    Abstract: An air duct for a vehicle may include a front duct formed forward to take in an exterior air in front of the vehicle, a rear duct formed relatively rearward from the front duct such that the exterior air flowing via the front duct passes therein, and a duct outlet flowing out the exterior air flowed via the rear duct, wherein the air duct may be disposed at both sides of an exterior air intake port taking in the exterior air in front of the vehicle into an engine compartment, and wherein both front ducts may be formed to be bent such that extension lines thereof form a streamlined shape in front of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: JongWoo NAM, Hyun Cho, JoonHo Lee, HanShin Chung
  • Patent number: 8998293
    Abstract: An airflow control device is mounted to the front end of an automotive vehicle and includes an upper air scoop section having a scoop channel disposed rearward of a bumper assembly and oriented to direct airflow entering a bumper intake opening toward an air-receiving powertrain component. A lower air dam section extends downwardly from the upper section to be positioned below a lower extent of the bumper assembly to deflect airflow away from an underside of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: David Brian Glickman
  • Patent number: 8997907
    Abstract: A cowling assembly (10) is installed about the radiator (R) of a vehicle (V). A frame (12) fits about the radiator and defines an opening through which air can flow into the radiator. A rack and pinion drive (600) for moving a sheet (618) over the frame to expose a portion of the opening and allow air to flow into the radiator, the frame and sheet producing a smoother flow of air over and about the front of the vehicle thereby reducing the amount of drag on the vehicle while still allowing air flow into the radiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Aero18, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Rode
  • Patent number: 8997906
    Abstract: A method for reversing an air mover to remove debris from a cooling system of a work vehicle. In one embodiment, the largest required fan speed for cooling the engine coolant, hydraulic oil and the charge air is used as the set point speed for a fan. The fan is operated at the set point speed to generate airflow across each of the heat exchangers. Multiple conditions are evaluated for reversing the direction of the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Rex Schertz, Gerald R. Johnson, Daniel Soldan
  • Publication number: 20150090508
    Abstract: A grille shutter for a vehicle includes a frame, an actuator, a grille flap, and a grille shaft. The actuator includes a casing mounted on the frame, an electric motor received in the casing, an output member having a first end, a second end and a stop projection between the first and second ends, and stop members stationary relative to the casing. The stop members cooperate with the stop projection to limit rotation of the output member. The grille shaft is coupled to the output member and rotatably couples the grille flap to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventor: Yan CHAPPEX
  • Patent number: 8991533
    Abstract: An air cleaner device includes an air cleaner case having a case main unit and a cover. An intake duct is disposed on the cover, and an intake path is disposed on the case main unit. An air cleaner element is formed in a position biased on a side of the cover relative to fastening surfaces of the case main unit and the cover. The cover and the air cleaner element are integrally removable relative to the case main unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryuichi Abe, Takaaki Shomura, Hidetoshi Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 8991534
    Abstract: An air filter arrangement for a work vehicle is disclosed. The air filter arrangement may include a fan shroud extending between a shroud inlet and a shroud outlet and at least one heat exchanger disposed adjacent to the shroud inlet. The air filter arrangement may also include a fan disposed within the fan shroud between the shroud inlet and shroud outlet. The fan may be configured to draw air through the heat exchanger and between the shroud inlet and shroud outlet. Additionally, the air filter arrangement may include an air filter disposed within the fan shroud between the fan and the heat exchanger such that the air flowing through at least one heat exchanger and between the shroud inlet and shroud outlet is directed around the air filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Daniel A. Morey, William H. Adamson, Ronald D. Smith, Nicholas J. Prenger
  • Patent number: 8983735
    Abstract: An opening/closing control device for a shutter of a vehicle is provided which is capable of appropriately opening and closing the shutter according to the traveling conditions of the vehicle, and improving fuel economy while maintaining excellent maneuverability of the vehicle. When the detected vehicle speed is not smaller than a predetermined first reference value and smaller than a second reference value, the shutter is closed to improve fuel economy. On the other hand, when the vehicle speed is not smaller than the second reference value, the shutter is opened. Further, at this time, a condition for opening the shutter is set according to at least one of a grip force of the vehicle and a steering angle. This maintains excellent vehicle maneuverability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takanori Konishi, Hisashi Akizuki, Hideki Takahashi, Yoshitaka Hirose
  • Patent number: 8978803
    Abstract: A divided dual inlet housing for an air-based hybrid battery thermal conditioning system which is configured such that HVAC air entering at the HVAC air inlet is prevented from partly backflowing out the cabin air inlet via a dividing wall disposed therein so that all the HVAC air exits the divided dual inlet housing at the air outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael S. Foos, Ronald A. Swartz, Brooksie J. Pollack, Teresa A Walczyk
  • Patent number: 8978802
    Abstract: An agricultural work vehicle includes a vehicle body having longitudinally extending sides. An enclosed engine compartment is configured within the vehicle body. An air inlet is defined in side of the vehicle body for intake of air into the engine compartment. A grain bin forward of the engine compartment includes a grain bin extension skirt mounted above the grain bin. An intake housing is mounted over the air inlet in the vehicle body side and includes a forwardly extending portion mounted alongside the grain bin extension with an inlet opening oriented so as draw air primarily from an area forward of the engine compartment and above the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Jonathan Eugene Ricketts
  • Patent number: 8983736
    Abstract: A grille shutter control device is provided with a control section configured so as to open and close a shutter adapted to be provided in an air introduction path for introducing air ahead of the vehicle into an engine compartment. The grille shutter control device drives and controls first and second drive units. The grille shutter control device is provided with: an abnormality detecting section configured to detect an abnormality in the operation of the shutter on the basis of the condition of the shutter after the start of operation thereof; and an informing section for informing, on the basis of an abnormality in the operation detected by the abnormality detection section, the user of the abnormality in the operation of the shutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koichi Hirota, Yoshimasa Asano, Hitoshi Takayanagi, Masayuki Nomura, Tatsuya Shimizu, Hironori Kanasaki
  • Publication number: 20150068825
    Abstract: A structural air guide configured to be built into a front of a vehicle in an engine compartment of the vehicle. The air guide forms a substantially rectangular structure including a front surface, a rear surface, and an upper edge, and the structure including at least one built-in radiator and a mechanism securing the radiator to the structure of the vehicle. The rear surface forms a housing for receiving a cooling module including at least the radiator, the module including a sealing mechanism that co-operates with the housing. The upper edge includes at least one zone for securing equipment of the technical front surface. The housing for the cooling module, which is located behind the structural air guide, can receive the module in one of at least two positions, namely forward or rearward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventors: Fabrice Berthevas, Michael Flandin, Yannick Bignon
  • Patent number: 8973607
    Abstract: An air valve arrangement for a motor vehicle, comprising a frame and an air valve provided on said frame so as to be rotatable thereto about an axis of relative movement (R) in opposing directions of relative rotation, the frame comprising an air passage opening, and the air valve is provided in such a way on the frame that it is rotatable between a shut-off position and a passage position, the air valve in the passage position reducing a passage opening area of the air passage opening less than in the shut-off position, and further comprising a drive, which is designed to drive the air valve in at least one first direction of relative rotation about the axis of relative movement (R) for relative rotation, characterized in that the air valve is coupled to a preloading device, which preloads the air valve in a direction of relative rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Röchling Automotive SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Josef Schwarz, Juergen Schneider
  • Publication number: 20150060169
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided including a battery module with front and rear battery cell arrays arranged generally parallel to and spaced apart from one another. The battery module includes a cover having an inlet port proximate to the front battery cell array and arranged obliquely thereto. A blower unit is configured to draw air through the inlet port such that a first portion of the air travels into the front battery cell array. A tray cooperates with the front battery cell array to define a passageway configured to direct a second portion of the air underneath the front battery cell array. The tray also defines a ramp underneath, and extending substantially a length of, the rear battery cell array and is configured to direct the second portion of air into the rear array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Suriyaprakash Ayyangar Janarthanam, Saravanan Paramasivam, Patrick Daniel Maguire, James George Gebbie
  • Publication number: 20150060167
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided including a battery module, a DC/DC converter module portioned from the battery module, a duct, one blower, and a jumper duct. The battery module includes inlet and outlet ports. The DC/DC converter module includes inlet and outlet ports. A duct is arranged to direct cooling air into each of the inlet ports. The blower is arranged to draw cooling air from the duct, through the modules, and out the outlet ports. The jumper duct is arranged up stream of the blower with the converter outlet port, and configured to reduce an effective cross sectional area of the converter outlet port to define a flow rate of the cooling air into the battery inlet port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Suriyaprakash Ayyangar Janarthanam, LeeAnn Wang, James George Gebbie
  • Publication number: 20150060168
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided including a battery pack with an exhaust port, an air extractor spaced away from the exhaust port, and other vehicle components. A cargo tub and one or more trim panels are arranged to define a duct spanning from the exhaust port, across the vehicle and to an air extractor spaced away from the exhaust port. Air flows along the duct en route to outside the vehicle via the air extractor. The vehicle may also include a cabin and an inlet to the cabin spaced away from the exhaust port. The cargo tub and one or more trim panels may also be arranged to define a recirculation path from the duct to the inlet such that a portion of the air exiting the exhaust port flows along the recirculation path to the cabin via the inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Suriyaprakash Ayyangar Janarthanam, David Fabricatore
  • Patent number: 8967308
    Abstract: A grille shutter apparatus includes a shutter mechanism arranged in an grille opening portion positioned at a front portion of a vehicle body of a vehicle to control a flow rate of air flowing from the grille opening portion to an internal portion of the vehicle body, and a frame supporting the shutter mechanism in the grille opening portion, the frame including a fixing portion at one end to be fixed in the grille opening portion, the frame including a protruding portion making contact with a front grille and generating a rotational moment at the frame in a case where the front grille arranged at an opening end of the grille opening portion moves rearward due to an occurrence of a collision of the vehicle, the rotational moment acting about the fixing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Saito, Tatsuya Shimizu, Masayuki Nomura, Hironori Kanasaki
  • Patent number: 8967307
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus for a vehicle, may include an electric air compression pump generating compressed air using battery power of the vehicle, a main compressed air tank storing the compressed air generated by the electric air compression pump, a compressed air control valve fluid-connected to the main compressed air tank and controlling the compressed air to be discharged to a radiator when a temperature of cooling water flowing through the radiator exceeds a predetermined value, and an air amplification induction device disposed in front of the radiator and fluid-connected to the compressed air control valve, wherein the air amplification induction device induces compressed air discharged from the compressed air control valve, along an inner circumference of the air amplification induction device, such that the compressed air discharged from the compressed air control valve may be injected to the radiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Seunggi Kim
  • Patent number: 8967310
    Abstract: An opening through which air is delivered to a radiator for an engine installed in a haulage vehicle is split into separate portions via a support frame. Sound absorbing ducts are each mounted over one of the partitioned opening areas formed by splitting the opening via the support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Ogawara, Shinji Akino
  • Patent number: 8967309
    Abstract: An upper revolving structure (3) includes a revolving frame (5), a floor member (9) which is provided on the revolving frame (5) and a front side of which serves as a footrest section (11) on which an operator rests his or her feet, a cab box (17) which forms an operating room (18) above the floor member (9), and an indoor unit (23) disposed on the floor member (9) to supply sucked air as conditioned air. A lower surface (11B) side of the footrest section (11) of the floor member (9) is formed as a unit mounting surface (12), and, as for the indoor unit (23), a box body (24) is disposed on the lower side of the unit mounting surface (12) and, in this state, the box body (24) is mounted on the unit mounting surface (12) by means of a plurality of bolts (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shogo Kimura, Tomoyuki Tanaka, Hiroshi Tabeta, Hajime Ishii
  • Patent number: 8960342
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided having at least one swing-out cooling assembly. A method of assembling the at least one swing-out cooling assembly on the vehicle is further provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Gregory K. Werner, David R. Didelot, Karl G. Heine, Denis J. Montocchio, David D. Latham
  • Patent number: 8960345
    Abstract: A cooling air supply device (22) for supplying cooling air to an alternator (19) and an electric motor (20) for traveling is provided with a cooling air inlet port (24B) for taking in outside air as cooling air; a cooling air supply line (23) for establishing connection between the cooling air inlet port (24B), and the alternator (19) and the electric motor (20), and an alternator side cooling fan (36) and an electric motor side cooling fan (37) for sucking cooling air from the cooling air inlet port (24B) into the cooling air supply line (23). A dust separator (28) is provided in the halfway section of the cooling air supply line (23) to spirally circulate the cooling air and centrifugally separate the dust from the cooling air, and the dust in the cooling air is separated by the dust separator (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hironori Uozu, Shinji Akino
  • Patent number: 8960350
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a floor panel and an electric storage apparatus fixed to a lower face of the floor panel and outputting an energy for use in running of the vehicle. The electric storage apparatus includes a first electric storage stack including a plurality of electric storage elements, an electronic device used to control charge and discharge of the electric storage apparatus and located below the first electric storage stack in the vehicle, and a case accommodating the first electric storage stack and the electronic device and fixed to the lower face of the floor panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiro Kosaki, Shigeru Fukuda, Shigeto Ozaki, Takanori Kumagai, Yasutoshi Mizuno
  • Patent number: 8960346
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a battery cooling structure of a hybrid industrial vehicle such as a hybrid forklift, the battery cooling structure being capable of sufficiently cooling a battery and also of eliminating the possibility that the battery receives heat from its peripheral devices. To achieve the object, a second cooling air flow passage (35) for battery is provided separately from a first cooling air flow passage (31) in which a radiator (32) is disposed. A battery pack 26 or a battery is disposed in the second cooling air flow passage (35). The second cooling air flow passage (35) is connected to the first cooling air flow passage (31) at a position upstream of a cooling fan (33) disposed in the first cooling air flow passage (31), so that the cooling fan (33) sucks cooling air in the first cooling air flow passage (31) and also sucks cooling air in the second cooling air flow passage (35).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyomitsu Ogawa
  • Patent number: 8960359
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes a cooling fan, an engine, and a diesel particulate filter (DPF) purifying exhaust gas of the engine, placed under a hood in that order, beginning at the front. Exhaust gas from the engine is exhausted through an exhaust passage after passing through the DPF. The cooling fan supplies cooling air to the rear. The DPF is placed such that a length direction thereof follows a width direction of a vehicle body. The exhaust passage includes a first passage, a second passage, and a third passage. The first passage extends forward and upward from the DPF before extending along the length direction thereof on a front side of the DPF. The second passage extends downward from a downstream portion of the first passage. The third passage extends to the rear from a downstream portion of the second passage and also includes an exhaust outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuaki Nogami, Hironori Tsuchihashi, Takahiro Shiraga, Eiji Sato, Akira Minoura, Takafumi Komatsu
  • Patent number: 8960343
    Abstract: Provided is a grill shutter device including a shutter mechanism controlling a flow rate of air flowing into a vehicle body from the grill opening portion of the vehicle body front portion by an opening and closing operation; a frame configured to support the shutter mechanism within the grill opening portion; an actuator that is held in the frame and performs the opening and closing driving of the shutter mechanism; and a holding structure capable of relatively moving the actuator to the front side of the frame, based on the collision load at the time of the vehicle collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshimasa Asano, Kenji Maeta, Kenji Hori, Takashi Saito, Yuji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8960344
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to efficiently mount a fuel cell system below a floor of a vehicle rear portion and to protect the fuel cell system when a forward impact force acts on a vehicle rear portion. To achieve this, a fuel cell vehicle in which a fuel cell system includes a gas tank is configured to store a fuel gas and a fuel cell unit formed by integrating a fuel cell stack, an intake duct, and an exhaust duct, the gas tank is disposed in a space below a rear floor connected to a front floor via a vertical wall portion and adjacent to the vertical wall portion, and the fuel cell unit is disposed behind the gas tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Ozawa, Toru Eguchi
  • Patent number: 8958958
    Abstract: In hybrid construction machine employing a hydraulic motor and an electric motor for the driving of the swing structure, satisfactory operability of a combined operation of the swing structure and other actuators is secured irrespective of the operating status of the electric motor. A control device of the hybrid construction machine executes control selected from: hydraulic/electric complex swing control for driving the swing structure by total torque of the electric motor and the hydraulic motor when a swing operating lever device is operated; and hydraulic solo swing control for driving the swing structure by the torque of the hydraulic motor alone when the swing operating lever device is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Imura, Kouji Ishikawa, Takatoshi Ooki, Shinji Nishikawa, Manabu Edamura, Takako Satake
  • Patent number: 8955631
    Abstract: A hydraulic excavator basically includes a lower traveling unit, an upper revolving unit, a counterweight, a machine compartment, a first handrail, a second handrail and a pair of antenna supporting parts. The upper revolving unit is revolvably mounted on the lower traveling unit. The counterweight is disposed on the upper revolving unit. The machine compartment is disposed in front of the counterweight on the upper revolving unit. The first and second handrails are disposed on the machine compartment. The antenna supporting parts are configured to support a pair of antennas. The antenna supporting parts are respectively connected to the first and second handrails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Minetaka Nishimura
  • Patent number: 8955627
    Abstract: An electric vehicle has simple structure allowing effective cooling of on-board batteries collectively disposed within a swing arm. The electric vehicle includes a swing arm that houses an electric motor that is swingably mounted to a vehicle body and drives a drive wheel WR, and batteries of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. A wide case portion that houses the batteries is formed at a position toward a pivot shaft of the swing arm. Also, a protruding portion for forming an air reservoir space above the batteries is formed at a roof portion of the wide case portion. The batteries are disposed side by side in a front-rear direction of the vehicle body. The protruding portion, in a side view of the vehicle body, is substantially convex protruding upward across the batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kaoru Hatanaka, Yoichi Taniguchi, Atsushi Yonehana
  • Patent number: 8955628
    Abstract: A vehicle comprises front and rear wheels, a passenger cell, and an engine, wherein the engine is located entirely aft of the foremost extent of the passenger cell, the engine having a cooling circuit, further comprising a radiator that is in fluid communication with the cooling circuit, the radiator being located aft of the front wheel centers and in front of the engine, and in an airflow path that extends from an underside of the vehicle to an exit on a rear face of the vehicle, wherein the airflow path is ducted at least in a portion around the radiator. This arrangement succeeds in placing the radiator close to the engine, thereby avoiding long conduit paths and their associated weight. The ducting causes a region of high pressure on the face of the radiator, and the exit on the rear face of the vehicle opens into the low pressure region behind the vehicle, so that air is drawn along the flow path, through the radiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Gordon Murray Design Limited
    Inventor: Ian Gordon Murray
  • Publication number: 20150041229
    Abstract: A front end arrangement and airflow control method for a vehicle includes a radiator disposed in an engine compartment of the vehicle and a damper disposed below the radiator for selectively controlling recirculation through the radiator. The damper is movable between an open position wherein airflow from behind the radiator recirculates by passing forwardly under the radiator and again through the radiator, and a closed position wherein the airflow from behind the radiator is substantially prevented from passing forwardly under the radiator and recirculating through the radiator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael W. Maurer, Jesse Black, Brian Richard Reynolds
  • Patent number: 8950534
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for improving the aerodynamic efficiency (e.g., reduce drag) on vehicles, such as class 8 tractors. In some disclosed examples, the systems and methods utilize exhausted gases from an internal combustion engine of the vehicle to direct a stream of gas forwardly of the vehicle. In other disclosed examples, the systems and methods utilize generated air flow from, for example, electric fans, engine driven or pneumatically/hydraulically driven pumps, etc., to direct a stream of gas forwardly of the vehicle for reducing the aerodynamic drag on vehicles. In yet other disclosed examples, the systems and methods utilize a unique configuration of the vehicle's radiator fan(s) in order to direct a stream of gas forwardly of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventor: Jeffrey P. Smith
  • Patent number: 8950533
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Mark D. Nemesh, Wissam Ibri
  • Patent number: 8939495
    Abstract: A spoiler where when a weld face is inclined with respect to a pressurization direction, a weld rib is uniformly welded, and an outer member and an inner member are welded and fixed to each other at a stable strength. An inner member is welded and fixed to on an interior face side of an outer member by a vibration welding method. The outer member and/or the inner member before being welded has a weld rib formed on a face inclined with respect to a pressurization direction at the time of welding; a cross section of the rib is formed in a triangular or quadrangular shape; and in the cross section, two corners at both ends of a bottom edge each form an angle of 90 degrees or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takenori Kurata
  • Patent number: 8939243
    Abstract: A bumper module including a body portion that is positioned between a front bumper cover and a heat exchanger in a vehicle front-and-rear direction and is disposed extending in a vehicle width direction and the vehicle front-and-rear direction; plural longitudinal ribs that are integrally formed on a lower surface of the body portion, extend toward a vehicle lower side, are disposed extending in the vehicle front-and-rear direction, and are lined up at intervals apart from each other in the vehicle width direction; and an air guide rib that is integrally formed on an upper surface of the body portion, extends toward a vehicle upper side, guides cooling air from a vehicle front to the heat exchanger, and whose front end is unaligned in at least one direction of the vehicle width direction and the vehicle front-and-rear direction with respect to front ends of the plural longitudinal ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Keita Ito
  • Patent number: 8936123
    Abstract: A vehicle comprising a vehicle body frame (11), a front cowl (72) provided in front of the vehicle body frame, and a headlight unit (59) mounted within the width, in the vehicle's lateral direction, of the front cowl. The headlight unit has, on the opposite sides thereof, recesses (115L, 115R) recessed inward in the vehicle's lateral direction. Air intake openings (111L, 111R) for introducing air in front of the front cowl into the inner side of the front cowl are formed between the headlight unit and the front cowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Kogo, Eiji Toriyama, Kenji Morita, Gen Tanabe, Toru Ukawa, Hajime Soda
  • Patent number: 8936121
    Abstract: A heat exchange block (1) for a motor vehicle, includes at least one heat exchanger (2, 3, 4), wherein the block (1) is intended to be disposed behind a front grille (6) of a vehicle and to be traversed by air originating from an opening in the grille. The block includes a group of louvers (13) that can move between an open position and a closed position in order to modulate the flow of air (A) passing through the heat exchanger (2, 3, 4) and a channel (9) that can be disposed between the opening in the grille and the heat exchange block (1). The heat exchange block is suitable for any motor vehicle, but, in particular, hybrid and electric vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques
    Inventors: Frederic Vacca, Ngy Srun Ap, Jacques Sigonneau, Manuel Henner, Bruno Demory
  • Patent number: 8936122
    Abstract: An agricultural tractor having its engine longitudinally spaced along its frame from the operator cabin features at least two heat exchangers carried on the frame at a position located longitudinally between the operator cabin and the engine to perform air-cooling of at least one fluid associated with the engine. The two heat exchangers are arranged in parallel so as to each accept an intake stream of ambient air that is independent of a discharge stream of exhaust air from the other heat exchanger. Accordingly, each heat exchanger uses the coolest air possible to maximize the cooling potential of the system. The discharge stream of air from the heat exchangers is exhausted rearward to avoid recirculation of this heated air as the machine moves forward, and to direct the exhaust air past the engine for further cooling effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: MacDon Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Don MacGregor, Jann Peter Garbald
  • Publication number: 20150008056
    Abstract: The air guide plate includes a plate body formed of a resin material and deformable skirt portions which are formed of the same resin material as the plate body and integrally formed on an outer periphery of the plate body. The air guide plate is arranged such that the plate body is disposed at a front of an automobile without connecting to automobile parts, thereby forming a gap between the outer periphery of the plate body and the automobile parts arranged around the plate body. The deformable skirt portions are disposed so as to be in contact with the automobile parts under flexural deformation, thereby closing the gap by the deformable skirt portions to prevent the air from leaking through the gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: Hiroshi KAWAHIRA
  • Patent number: 8925510
    Abstract: An air induction system for an engine of a vehicle, comprising of a conduit configured to convey intake air to the engine; and a fitting arranged at an inlet end of the conduit, the fitting formed from a different material than the conduit, the fitting configured to interface with a structural support element of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Randall Alan Stec, Michael R. Miller, Ha To Chung
  • Patent number: 8919470
    Abstract: A grille shutter device adapted to be arranged at a front portion of a vehicle body, the grille shutter device including a main air inlet taking air to flow the air to a specific heat exchanger arranged in the vehicle body, a shutter mechanism arranged at the main air inlet, the shutter mechanism opening and closing to control a flow rate of the air flowing from the main air inlet to the specific heat exchanger, and a bypass air inlet allowing the air to bypass the shutter mechanism to guide the air to the specific heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenji Hori
  • Patent number: 8919469
    Abstract: A ventilation system for a machine including an engine, an engine compartment having an interior, a secondary compartment having an interior, and a sensor. The ventilation system has a ventilation fan having a fan outlet, and a duct configured to direct air from the fan outlet to at least two of the interior of the engine compartment, the interior of the secondary compartment, and the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dale Shatters, Ryan Mann, Scott Pozzie, Sean McCurdy, Christopher Wiley, Manoj Kumar Bada Ghar Wala
  • Patent number: 8919300
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a heat exchanger which is disposed in a cooling system, and a fan unit which forms part of a radiator grille and is constructed to generate an air flow through the heat exchanger. The fan unit has at least one fan which is constructed to generate a primary air flow, and a ring element which is constructed to generate from the primary air flow an amplified secondary air flow to the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Carsten Klinkert, Sebastian Schwartze, Eduard Main, Siegfried Karmann
  • Patent number: 8919864
    Abstract: An adjustable air diffuser is disposed in an airflow channel into which a travelling wind is directed through an opening provided in a bumper face. The diffuser opens and closes the channel by movable louver blades driven by an actuator. An upper part of the diffuser is disposed to face a rear wall of the bumper face and is attached to a bumper beam extending along a vehicle width direction. A lower part of the diffuser is attached to a vehicle body structural member. The attachment structure includes a column that is disposed behind the adjustable air diffuser. A lower end of the column is attached to a lower end of the adjustable air diffuser. Weak portions are provided on the column such that the column breaks when the column interferes with another member behind the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki Kojima, Shinji Fukushima, Takashi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8915320
    Abstract: A shutter system for controlling a flow of fluid through an entryway includes a plurality of louvers, wherein each louver includes a pivot axis and an actuating portion. The shutter system also includes a mechanism configured to select a position for the system between and inclusive of fully opened and fully closed by rotating each of the plurality of louvers about the respective pivot axis. The mechanism is configured to engage each actuating portion and rotate each louver at a variable rate. A vehicle employing the shutter system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Balakrishna Chinta
  • Patent number: 8905182
    Abstract: A board-like division member is provided that extends in a vehicle body transverse direction so as to divide a portion of the engine room into an upper region and a lower region along in an engine room height direction. An engine is mounted downwardly of the division member. An exhaust treatment apparatus is mounted upwardly of the division member for treating exhaust gas from the engine. An air discharge portion is formed in a lateral face region of the hood which corresponds to a position of the division member in the engine room height direction. Air present inside the engine room is discharged to the outside through this air discharge portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Masumoto, Katsumi Yanagihara, Makoto Kubota