With Means To Guide And/or Control Air For Power Plant Cooling Patents (Class 180/68.1)
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8905169
    Abstract: An exterior cover (shroud) for a saddle-type vehicle is formed by integrally uniting a plurality of resin members including a front cover section and a rear cover section. The shroud is insert molded to form an overlapping part where the front cover section and the rear cover section overlap with each other. The front cover section has an external-appearance-surface side at the overlapping part. The rear cover section has a non-external-appearance-surface side, which overlaps with the front cover section at the overlapping part. The rear cover section has a rib extending on the non-external-appearance-surface side. Such exterior cover prevents a sink mark from being generated in the external appearance surface of the front cover section, and improves the external appearance of vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shiro Yama, Yusuke Inoue
  • Patent number: 8893834
    Abstract: The present disclosure concerns an airflow baffle system and sealing system which effectively seals an articulating hood, such as for a wheel loader, for more efficient routing of cooling air and exhaust air. The articulating hood may have multiple hinges connecting the hood to the motor vehicle. For example, a rear hinge or set of hinges may allow upward and rearward rotation of the entire hood, while a second set of hinges atop the hood may allow for upward and forward rotation of only a portion of the hood when quicker access to only a portion of the engine compartment is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry Edward Berkeland
  • Patent number: 8895171
    Abstract: Prior to loading into a vehicle, a duct is attached to a battery such that the duct is moveable between a loading position and a post-loading position. Before the battery and duct are loaded into the vehicle, the duct is positioned in the loading position. After the battery and duct are loaded into the vehicle, the duct is positioned in the post-loading position and secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Daniel Maguire, Sarav Paramasivam, Jeffrey Joseph Omichinski
  • Patent number: 8893835
    Abstract: An engine room layout using a wind flux concentration guiding device, may include an intake system having an air intake, a turbocharger, and an intercooler, and may be disposed in an engine room, a cooling module having a condenser and a radiator, a main duct that introduces wind passing through a front end part forming the front of the engine room and discharges the wind to the air intake and the intercooler, a sub-duct that introduces the wind passing through the front end part from different positions and discharges the wind to the intercooler, and a diverging duct that may be connected to a wind channel of the main duct to diverge some of the wind introduced into the main duct before the wind passes out of the main duct, and send the wind to the air intake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jongwoo Nam, Jonghoon Lee, Wonsik Kim, Jongwan Han
  • Patent number: 8887847
    Abstract: A servo drive for the set ring of a louver for a motor vehicle has a self-locking gear motor, the output shaft of which is coupled with a control crank. The end of the control crank turned away from the output shaft is connected by way of a link in a toggle-like manner with a positioning rod that is longer by a multiple of its length, of which the end turned away from the control crank is coupled with the set ring. A housing that protects the crank drive extends along the circumference of the set ring and is fastened on the radiator frame together with a servo drive housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Kunststoff Schwanden AG
    Inventor: Joseph Kuesperth
  • Patent number: 8887846
    Abstract: An active air flap for a vehicle can absorb shock energy by a wing of a housing which pivots in a collision with a pedestrian and can minimize the pedestrian injury as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Gil Sang Yoo
  • Patent number: 8887848
    Abstract: A forklift includes a wheel driving device that includes a traveling motor and drives a wheel; and a cargo handling device that includes a cargo handling motor and drives a cargo handling mechanism. The cargo handling motor includes a wind generating mechanism that generates wind by the rotation of a motor shaft of the cargo handling motor; and a discharge port that discharges the wind generated by this wind generating mechanism. The cargo handling motor is arranged in a vehicle body of the forklift so that wind discharged from the discharge port reaches the wheel driving device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Ishizuka, Masato Ikegami
  • Patent number: 8892314
    Abstract: A system for controlling airflow through an under-hood compartment of a vehicle includes a first grille opening and a second grille opening each disposed at an entrance to the under-hood compartment. The first and second grille openings are configured to admit a first portion of the airflow and a second portion of the airflow, respectively, to the under-hood compartment from the ambient. The system also includes a selectable position shutter assembly disposed at the second grille opening and configured to control the second portion of the airflow admitted to the under-hood compartment. The system additionally includes a vent opening at least partially defined by the body and configured to exhaust at least a fraction of the first portion of the airflow from the under-hood compartment to the ambient. A vehicle employing the system and housing an internal combustion engine and a heat exchanger in the under-hood compartment is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Scott P. Charnesky, Gregory J. Fadler, Thomas K. Lockwood
  • Patent number: 8887844
    Abstract: A vehicle having an electric drive device and an energy storage device which is arranged in a housing is disclosed. The energy storage device is formed from a plurality of cells. The housing includes a plurality of partitioning devices, with the result that at least one partitioning device is positioned between two cells. The housing of the energy storage device is connected both to a cooling air intake duct, having an inlet opening, and to a cooling air outflow duct, having an outlet opening. At least one partitioning device is configured in such a way that a plurality of cooling ducts are formed between the cells, and cooling air can flow through the cooling ducts in order to cool the energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Guan Chew, Miroslaw Oslislok, Hartmut Chodura, Patrik Gisch, Steffen Maurer, Ralf Bauer
  • Patent number: 8887845
    Abstract: A system for controlling airflow through an under-hood compartment of a vehicle body includes a stow-away air dam assembly disposed on the body and configured to control the airflow between the body and a road surface from outside the vehicle to the under-hood compartment. The air dam assembly includes a retractable portion and a drive shaft configured to shift the retractable portion between a stowed position and a deployed position. The retractable portion is set at a first height in the stowed position and at a second height in the deployed position, wherein the first height is greater than the second height relative to the road surface. The air dam assembly also includes an actuator configured to operate the driveshaft. The system additionally includes a controller configured to regulate the actuator. A vehicle employing the system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Stephen S. McDonald, Michael R. Colville
  • Patent number: 8881859
    Abstract: An air guiding structure introduces a cooling air to be supplied to a radiator, positioned forwardly of a combustion engine, and an engine intake air from a single opening in a fairing. The fairing encloses at least an area forwardly of a head pipe and an area laterally outwardly of the radiator. A portion of an inner peripheral face of the opening is formed by an inner cowl. An intake air inlet for introducing the engine intake air is disposed above the radiator. The inner cowl is extended rearwardly to form a cowl extension confronting at least a lower portion of the head pipe and a lower bracket of a front fork assembly from outside. A side wall of the inner cowl including the cowl extension is formed with a guide for guiding an incoming air towards the intake air inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kozo Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8875824
    Abstract: A radiator grill is mounted on a work vehicle and includes a frame and a plate member. The plate member is supported by the frame and having a plurality of through-holes aligned in a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. Each of the through-holes has a pair of circular parts aligned in the first direction, and an interconnecting part having a width in the second direction that is smaller than diameters of the circular parts, the interconnecting part interconnecting the circular parts. The through-holes are disposed alternately so that one of the circular parts of one of two adjacent ones of the through-holes adjacent to each other in the second direction is aligned with the interconnecting part of the other of the two adjacent ones of the through-holes in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Hironori Yamamitsu, Kazuki Kure, Hiroshi Nakagami, Taira Ozaki
  • Patent number: 8875827
    Abstract: A vehicle has an electric storage unit having a plurality of electric storage elements and outputting energy for use in running of the vehicle, a blower placed closer to the exterior of a vehicle body relative to the electric storage unit and supplying the electric storage unit with air for adjusting the temperature of the electric storage element, and a pedestal supporting the blower. The pedestal has a bend portion allowing movement of the blower to a position off the electric storage unit through deformation in response to an external force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masayuki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8875822
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing air flow in a vehicle that uses a cooling fan for an engine of the vehicle. The cooling fan has plurality of blades, which define an outer perimeter of the fan. The apparatus also includes a housing surrounding at least a portion of the outer perimeter of the fan and a plurality of vanes between the housing and the fan. The vanes are revolved around the outer perimeter of the fan to direct air into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventor: Kevin R. DeWeerdt
  • Patent number: 8875832
    Abstract: A straddle-type vehicle having an air cleaner disposed in front of a down tube that funnels running wind to a funneled wind target member like an engine that is disposed beneath the air cleaner. The air cleaner has an air cleaner cap that faces a front fender. Side end sections of the air cleaner cap protrude further toward the front of the motorcycle than a central section of the air cleaner cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yu Kitamura
  • Patent number: 8875823
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a chassis; a plurality of ground-engaging members; and an engine that cooperates with the plurality of ground-engaging members to move the chassis of the vehicle. The engine is positioned within an engine compartment. The vehicle further includes a cooling system including a baffle having a first side and a second side; a battery positioned on the first side of the baffle; and a heat exchanger positioned on the second side of the baffle. The baffle defines a first air pathway to cool the battery and a second air pathway to cool the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: John C. Lauper, Jr., Scott W. Zimmerman, Anthony Jon Knepper, Steven Richard Sass
  • Patent number: 8863875
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Kojima Press Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kawahira
  • Patent number: 8857553
    Abstract: A radiator hose layout structure for a saddle type vehicle by which radiator hoses can be arranged while enhancing cooling efficiency of a radiator. Longitudinal wall parts projecting forward are provided at vehicle-width-directionally both end portions of an exhaust air guide. The front ends of the longitudinal wall parts are provided rearwardly of the radiator. An exhaust air passage for letting exhaust air from the radiator flow therethrough is provided between the longitudinal wall parts. A lower radiator hose and an upper radiator hose are arranged on the vehicle-width-directionally outer side of the longitudinal wall parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanori Nakamura, Hiroyuki Sasazawa
  • Patent number: 8861202
    Abstract: A thermal management component for a Rechargeable Energy Storage Systems (RESS) assembly and a method of managing the temperature of a RESS battery module using the component are disclosed. The thermal management component comprises (i) a frame having a chamber defined therein; and (ii) a heat exchange plate in mechanical communication with at least a portion of the frame. The method comprises (a) providing a thermal management component as described herein; and (b) circulating at least one heat transfer fluid through said component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Mathew L. Nassoiy
  • Publication number: 20140299396
    Abstract: To provide a vehicle front portion structure that can sufficiently ensure an amount of cooling wind that is introduced into a cooling unit disposed at a rear of a power unit. A vehicle front portion structure has: a power unit that is fixed to an interior of a power unit room; a cooling unit provided at a rear of the power unit; an undercover that adjusts a flow of air flowing through a lower portion of a vehicle; a cooling wind introducing hole that is provided in the undercover at a rear of the power unit and in front of the cooling unit; and a cooling wind introducing passage that blows out air, that has been introduced from a front side opening end portion, toward the cooling unit from a rear side opening end portion that is provided above the cooling wind introducing hole, at a flow velocity that is faster than a flow velocity of the air flowing through the lower portion of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masao Tajima
  • Publication number: 20140301816
    Abstract: A cooling fan (12) generating a cooling air in a suctioning direction, a radiator (20) provided by facing the cooling fan (12) and cooling an engine coolant by passage of the cooling air, and an oil cooler (21) arranged in parallel with the radiator (20) so as to be in parallel with respect to a flow direction of the cooling air and cooling a hydraulic oil by passage of the cooling air are provided. On a suction side of the cooling air with respect to the radiator (20) and the oil cooler (21), a cooling-air adjusting member (26) for adjusting a ratio of a cooling air amount to be supplied to the radiator (20) and a cooling air amount to be supplied to the oil cooler (21) is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Osamu Kokuryo, Junya Kawamoto
  • Patent number: 8851220
    Abstract: An air cleaner device can include an air cleaner case including a case main unit and a cover. An intake duct can be disposed on the cover, and an intake path can be disposed on the case main unit. An air cleaner element can be accommodated in the air cleaner case. When the air cleaner device is mounted in a vehicle and viewed from a vehicle side, the air cleaner case is formed to be vertically long. The intake duct is formed to have an upstream-side opening portion thereof oriented toward a first side of the air cleaner case, and a downstream-side opening portion thereof can be oriented downwardly. The intake path is formed to have an upstream-side opening portion thereof oriented upwardly to face the downstream-side opening portion of the intake duct, and a downstream-side opening portion thereof is oriented toward a second side of the air cleaner case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryuichi Abe, Takaaki Shomura, Koki Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20140291056
    Abstract: A grill shutter unit comprises a shutter unit provided in back of a traveling-air introductory port formed at a front end of a vehicle body and including shutter members, and a traveling-air guide member including a guide frame portion provided at an outer peripheral edge portion of the shutter unit and a seal portion provided to extend forward continuously from a front end of the guide frame portion and be made from soft synthetic resin having more flexibility than the frame portion, wherein the grill shutter unit is configured such that when the shutter members are closed, a seal portion of the traveling-air guide member is pressed against an outer peripheral wall face of the traveling-air introductory port by pressure of traveling air shut off by the shutter members closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuhki TAKANAGA, Kazuma KONDOU, Manabu YAMAOKA
  • Publication number: 20140284123
    Abstract: An actuator for opening and closing grille shutters includes a drive unit, a wheel driven by the drive unit, and a pair of shafts attached to the wheel and configured for driving the grille shutters to open or close. At least one of the shafts is pivotally coupled to the wheel so that an angle formed between the shafts and the wheel is adjustable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Johnson Electric S.A.
    Inventors: Yvan Bourqui, Yan Chappex, Nick Grivas
  • Patent number: 8840496
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cooling air intake structure for a V-belt drive continuously variable transmission, which is disposed beside the rear wheel of a small vehicle and which does not permit muddy water and dust to enter therein. A cooling air inlet through which cooling air is taken in is formed at a position beside a transmission case and above a cooling fan side opening formed in the transmission case opposite to a drive pulley. A cooling air passage extending from the cooling air inlet to the side opening is formed so as to surround the side opening. Cooling air taken in through the cooling air inlet is guided so as to flow upward first and then flows downward along a U-shaped cooling air passage to the side opening of the transmission case beside the cooling fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teruhide Yamanishi, Hirokazu Komuro, Ryuji Tsuchiya, Nobutaka Horii, Hideo Kashima
  • Patent number: 8839756
    Abstract: An intake air routing device for an engine having a plurality of cylinders, includes a pair of half case bodies forming an air chamber, an air filter arranged in the air chamber and configured to purify outside air received via an intake duct, and a plurality of intake passages extending from the air chamber. The plurality of intake passages are connected with respective intakes ports of the engine. A partition plate is disposed in the air chamber, and is formed separately from the case bodies. The partition plate is arranged in the air chamber such that it extends in the air chamber by a predetermined length in a direction intersecting with a direction where the intake passages are lined up so as to partition the intake passages from each other. Such intake air routing device reduces intake interference while maintaining a small size of the intake air routing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Ozaki, Akihiko Hamazaki
  • Patent number: 8833313
    Abstract: A method of controlling airflow through a grille on a front end of a vehicle comprising the steps of: detecting vehicle operating conditions; determining a desired percentage of airflow through the grille based on the desired operating conditions; actuating grille airflow shutters to an open position for the determined desired percentage of a predetermined time interval; and actuating the grille airflow shutter to a closed position for a remaining percentage of the predetermined time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Thomas K. Lockwood, Darren L. Bohne, Michael G. Leffert, Rajneesh K. Singh, Jason W. Guenzel
  • Patent number: 8833498
    Abstract: A method of controlling operation of an adjustable shutter adapted for varying an amount of airflow to cool a powertrain in a vehicle includes monitoring the ambient temperature. The method also includes sensing an increase in the ambient temperature up to a threshold temperature value. The method additionally includes changing a position of the shutter after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed following the increase in the ambient temperature up to the threshold temperature value. A vehicle using a controller to perform such a method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Scott P. Charnesky, Terry C Bishop, David A Schoener
  • Patent number: 8827019
    Abstract: A vehicle may include a CVT unit or a power source which requires ambient air. An air net for an air intake system coupled to the CVT unit or the power source which requires ambient air may be provided in a side of a cargo carrying portion of the vehicle. The vehicle may include a rear radius arm suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron D. Deckard, Phillip A. Nowacki, Brian R. Gillingham, Tracy S. Kofstad, Mark A. Smith, Curtis R. Kjaer, Stephen L. Nelson, Keith A. Hollman, Jerome J. Rubatt, Adam J. Schlangen
  • Patent number: 8827018
    Abstract: A first cooling device is disposed in an engine room at the upstream side in the air flow direction with respect to an engine. A second cooling device is disposed at the upstream side in the air flow direction with respect to the first cooling device. A third cooling device is disposed at the upstream side in the air flow direction with respect to the second cooling device. An air pipe connects the engine and the third cooling device. The air pipe passing above the first cooling device and the second cooling device. A blocking member closes off periphery of a space between the first cooling device and the second cooling device. The blocking member includes an opening. A cover member is configured to selectively open and close the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyoshi Fujimori
  • Patent number: 8827020
    Abstract: A side-by-side vehicle comprising a frame and a plurality of ground engaging members is provided. The side-by-side vehicle further includes an operator area having seating and operator controls, and a cargo carrying portion located rearward of the operator area. A floor of the cargo carrying portion includes a movable cover to provide access underneath the cargo carrying portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron D. Deckard, Kevin A. McNutt
  • Patent number: 8827021
    Abstract: A bulldozer includes an engine, first and second exhaust treatment apparatuses arranged above the engine, a relay connection pipe connecting the first and second apparatuses, and an engine hood covering upper parts of the first and second apparatuses. The relay connection pipe has a cylindrical shaped main section, a first section connecting the main section and the first apparatus, and a second section connecting the main section and the second apparatus. The lower end of the main section is positioned above upper ends of the first and second apparatuses. The upper surface of the hood has a convex section protruding above the relay connection pipe and a base section formed integrally with the convex section below the convex section. At least a portion of a line segment extending along the upper edge of the main section overlaps an upper surface part of the convex section in a bulldozer top view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakagami, Taira Ozaki, Akhito Ounishi
  • Patent number: 8825308
    Abstract: An opening/closing control device for a grille shutter is capable of appropriately opening and closing the grille shutter according to a vehicle outside environment and an operating state of an aircon while ensuring the operation of the aircon, and is capable of sufficiently improving vehicle operating efficiency. An aircon operating time ratio as a ratio of operation time of an aircon to overall time is calculated. When the calculated aircon operating time ratio is larger than the sum of a threshold value calculated according to an ambient air temperature and a hysteresis constant, the grille shutter is opened to promote cooling of refrigerant in the aircon and reduce motive power consumed by the aircon. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately open and close the grille shutter depending on the ambient air temperature and the operating ration of the aircon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eijiro Nishimura, Ryoji Ehara
  • Patent number: 8824876
    Abstract: An exhaust apparatus includes a lower side exhaust duct and an upper side exhaust duct which are branched vertically, and in that the lower side exhaust duct is extended toward the lower side of the vehicle from an exhaust outlet portion of the air-cooled fuel cell stack, and the downstream end portion of the lower side exhaust duct is opened at a lower portion of the front compartment, while the upper side exhaust duct is extended toward the upper side of the vehicle from an upper portion of an outer wall of the lower side exhaust duct, the outer wall extending toward the lower side of the vehicle, and the downstream end portion of the upper side exhaust duct is opened between the rear end portion of the front hood and the front end portion of the front window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Ryuji Ohtsuka, Yoshimasa Matsumoto, Tohru Ohta, Kengo Ikeya
  • Patent number: 8820451
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to increase the vehicle compartment space of a fuel cell vehicle, to reduce the air-flow resistance by extending an exhaust duct straight, and to improve the cooling performance on an air-cooled fuel cell stack by increasing the amount of air introduced into the air-cooled fuel cell stack. For this purpose, an air-cooled fuel cell vehicle includes, at a rear portion of the fuel cell vehicle: a motor configured to drive a rear wheel: an air-cooled fuel cell stack including an air intake section configured to take in air used as a reacting gas and also as a cooling medium, and an air exhaust section configured to discharge an excess reacting gas containing air and hydrogen; an intake duct mounted on the air intake section; and an exhaust duct mounted on the air exhaust section and extending to a rear end portion of the fuel cell vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Shiro Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8820450
    Abstract: A wheel loader includes a cooling chamber, which houses a cooling fan and a cooling device, and a grill through which a cooling air obtained by the cooling fan passes. The grill includes a frame, which is provided by framing four side components, and a ventilation portion, which is made of a punching metal and which also has a plurality of air intakes. The ventilation portion is provided inside the frame, and it is a stepwise member with vertically arranged steps that are created by plastic working the punching metal. The ventilation portion has a three-dimensionally curved surface that bulges bidirectionally toward an outside of the cooling chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Naito, Yutaka Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20140238759
    Abstract: Provided is a construction machine including a guard panel with an air suction port and capable of ensuring a required intake opening area with suppressed disadvantages of the air suction port. The construction machine includes an engine, a cooling fan, and a heat exchanger which are accommodated in a device accommodation space in an upper slewing body, and a guard panel covering the device accommodation space. The guard panel includes a first panel with an opening edge defining an opening and a second panel that opens and closes the opening and has a peripheral portion to be supported by the opening edge with the opening closed. Respective parts of the peripheral portion and the opening edge are shifted from each other in an inward-outward direction to form an air suction port bringing the device accommodation space into communication with outside, between the second panel and the first panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY, CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroshi KANAMARU
  • Publication number: 20140231161
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a product comprising: an active hood extractor including a plurality of louvers, and actuator operatively connected to at least one louver, the plurality of louvers being constructed and arranged for sealing engagement with another vehicle component. A number of variations may include a product comprising: an active hood extractor including a plurality of louvers, the plurality of louvers being constructed and arranged for sealing engagement with another vehicle component when the plurality of louvers are in a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael Lehti, Mark D. Dickens
  • Patent number: 8812189
    Abstract: An engine cooling device for providing fresh air to an engine includes a first and second fan assembly for producing concentrated airflow, a mounting bracket configured to position the first and second fan assemblies adjacent to the engine jugs, and a wiring harness for providing instructions and power to each of the first and second fan assemblies. A system for monitoring and adjusting the individual temperatures of each jug includes an engine cooling device and a control system that includes a processor, memory, Input/Output devices and a communication medium for communicating commands to the engine cooling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Inventor: David Sandel
  • Patent number: 8807255
    Abstract: An engine hot air deflector for a work machine having an articulated frame pivotally coupled to a main body by a hitch assembly having a hitch link includes a resilient hot air deflector panel mounted proximate to and overlaying an open end of the main body. The deflector panel includes upper and lower panel portions separated by a panel slot. The panel slot receives the hitch link so that the panel portions conform to the shape of the hitch link as it moves within the deflector opening during rotation of the articulated frame to substantially prevent hot air from the internal combustion engine from passing through the deflector opening. The deflector may also include a support bracket mounting the deflector panel to the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Marsolek, Jeffrey A. Renard
  • Patent number: 8807113
    Abstract: An air induction device for a vehicle comprises an air cleaner integrated into a radiator fan shroud; an air inlet configured to direct air into the air cleaner; and an air outlet configured to receive air from the air cleaner for distribution to an engine of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hovie Jarrett Cassell, Jr., Roger Joseph Khami
  • Patent number: 8802267
    Abstract: A temperature adjusting structure adjusting the temperature of an electric storage module mounted on a vehicle has an intake path which takes in air in the vehicle interior from an intake port and guides the air to the electric storage module located below a horizontal plane on which the intake port is located. A bottom face of the intake path has an inclined face extending upward from a lower end portion of the intake port and facing the intake port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Fujiwara, Junta Katayama
  • Publication number: 20140216835
    Abstract: A covering for a truck covers a bottom of the engine compartment, and includes a covering element displaceable from a covering position into at least one further position. A clear opening in relation to a vertical direction of the vehicle is exposed in the at least one further position of the covering element. An additional covering for a driver's cab of the truck can cover the rear of the engine compartment. The additional covering has at least one covering element that is displaceable from a covering position into at least one further position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Daimler AG
    Inventor: Juergen Bartl
  • Publication number: 20140216833
    Abstract: A first cooling device is disposed in an engine room at the upstream side in the air flow direction with respect to an engine. A second cooling device is disposed at the upstream side in the air flow direction with respect to the first cooling device. A third cooling device is disposed at the upstream side in the air flow direction with respect to the second cooling device. An air pipe connects the engine and the third cooling device. The air pipe passing above the first cooling device and the second cooling device. A blocking member closes off periphery of a space between the first cooling device and the second cooling device. The blocking member includes an opening. A cover member is configured to selectively open and close the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Komatsu Ltd
    Inventor: Hiroyoshi Fujimori
  • Publication number: 20140216834
    Abstract: An active grille shutter assembly includes a frame adapted to be connected to a portion of a vehicle and forming at least one opening therein and a plurality of shutters disposed in and extending across the at least one opening and being pivotally connected to the frame. The active grille shutter assembly also includes at least one linkage connected to the shutters and an actuator supported by the frame and being connected to one of the shutters to move the at least one linkage to open and close the shutters as a unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventors: Jeffrey Elliott, Sascha Klausen, Andrew Kowalski
  • Patent number: 8794363
    Abstract: A motor vehicle has at least one adjustable air-guiding device on the underbody. The air-guiding device has a cross-sectionally U-shaped duct and is adjustable between a closed position and an open position. The motor vehicle also has a radiator device with a radiator and a radiator shutter with adjustable flaps for controlling the air flow through the radiator. A control device actuates the air-guiding device depending on the position of the radiator shutter so that, irrespective of the position of the flaps of the radiator shutter, an at least approximately identical pitching moment is obtained at the motor vehicle and at the same time the aerodynamic drag is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thomas Wolf
  • Patent number: 8794360
    Abstract: A shutter unit for a vehicle, capable of properly determining failure of a shutter without using a sensor which directly detects a position of the shutter. The shutter unit includes a return spring for returning the shutter to a predetermined initial position by urging the shutter, and a rotating machine configured to be capable of converting input motive power to electrical power and input electrical power to motive power by electromagnetic induction action. The rotating machine drives the shutter by the motive power obtained by conversion. The shutter unit executes return control that stops supply of electric power to the rotating machine to return the shutter to the initial position by urging of the shutter by the return spring, and determines failure of the shutter based on a rotating machine induced voltage of the rotating machine, detected during execution of the return control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirotomi Nemoto
  • Patent number: 8794362
    Abstract: An active air flap apparatus for a vehicle in which upon the generation of a failure whereby an air flap is not able to be activated with power from an actuator, the connection between a guide frame and a flap loader is manually released, enabling the air flap to automatically be opened by wind produced by the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Seung Hyeob Lee
  • Patent number: 8794361
    Abstract: Disclosed is a battery cooling structure for an environmental-friendly vehicle. The battery cooling structure for the environmental-friendly vehicle includes a plurality of battery packs that supply power to a motor and are arranged in parallel so as to be spaced a predetermined distance from each other inside a tire well. An inflow duct is disposed to provide fluid communication and connection with the interior of the vehicle so that the air inside the vehicle is sucked into the inflow duct. A plurality of diverging ducts independently supply the air to the respective battery packs which are arranged and spaced a predetermined distance from each other on the downstream side of the inflow duct. A lower duct is disposed under the battery pack and joins diverging air flows, and a cooling fan is disposed on downstream side of the lower duct and is configured to discharge the air to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Haekyu Lim, Yooncheol Jeon, Yongjin Lee