With Means To Guide And/or Control Air For Power Plant Cooling Patents (Class 180/68.1)
  • Patent number: 8789498
    Abstract: An engine includes a crankcase, a cylinder block, a cylinder head, a piston, a cooling fan, and a shroud having an inner wall portion and an outer wall portion. A suction port is provided in a region of the outer wall portion facing the cooling fan. The inner and outer wall portions define a duct extending from the suction port to reach at least a portion of the cylinder block and/or at least a portion of the cylinder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoshi Kumagai
  • Patent number: 8789633
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame, a steering assembly, an engine, a seat, an intake assembly, at least two electrical conductors, and an electrical coupler. The intake assembly includes a snorkel and a cover member. The snorkel includes an inlet and outlet port. The inlet port has a neck portion that defines an opening. The cover member is in fluid communication with the inlet port of the snorkel. The electrical coupler is engaged with the at least two electrical conductors and is configured to facilitate selective manual electrical disconnection of the at least two electrical conductors. A first imaginary plane intersects the opening and is substantially horizontal. A second imaginary plane extends laterally across the vehicle, intersects the opening, and intersects the first imaginary plane at a right angle. The electrical coupler is disposed entirely above the first imaginary plane and entirely forwardly of the second imaginary plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromasa Yamaguchi, Rodney M. Frijas, Andrew James Wilson
  • Publication number: 20140202782
    Abstract: An air outlet is formed on each side surface of a front cowl covering a front portion of a vehicle body. The air outlet is located near and on the front side of a middle position defined by the half of the longitudinal length L of the front cowl. Left and right air inlets are formed near a headlight provided on the front surface of the front cowl. A running wind is introduced into the air inlets, passed through the inside of the front cowl, and discharged from the air outlets. The running wind flowing inside the front cowl is disturbed by the running wind discharged from the air outlets, thereby separating the running wind from each side surface of the front cowl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroaki Tsukui
  • Patent number: 8783398
    Abstract: An improved cooling system compartment door for a landfill compactor is provided. The door comprises a door frame and a replaceable screen insert. The screen insert is configured so that it can be used in either a left side or right side cooling system compartment door frame. The screen insert can be easily replaced when the screen is damaged or clogged, thereby saving time, materials and expense. The screen insert is particularly suited for use with landfill compactor machines which operate in debris laden environments which can damage the ventilation screens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Michael Wlezien
  • Patent number: 8783399
    Abstract: In a saddle-riding type vehicle including a shroud, efficiency is achieved by disposing a vehicle component in a space shielded by the shroud, and the vehicle component is suitably protected from, for example, rainwater, while ventilation for the vehicle component is ensured. A regulator is disposed on a first side of the vehicle, at a position at which the regulator does not overlap a fuel tank as seen in a top plan view. The regulator is covered by a right shroud from above and from outside in the vehicle width direction. The right shroud has an opening formed therein at a portion where the regulator faces upwardly. The opening overlaps with, and is covered by from above by part of the right shroud that is different from the portion of the right shroud at which the opening is formed in a top plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Maeda, Kumi Okazaki, Munehiro Sugimoto, Takeshi Kamiyama, Osami Inomata
  • Patent number: 8783400
    Abstract: A fan cover structure for a radiator assembly having a radiator and a cooling fan having a fan motor is provided. The fan cover structure includes a fan cover for surrounding the cooling fan and a support stay releasably mounted to the fan cover and secured to the radiator. The support stay securely holds the fan cover to the radiator. The support stay includes an arm and the fan cover includes a body having channel defined therein and an engagement member. The channel is dimensioned to receive a portion of the arm and the engagement member is configured to engage the arm portion and retain the arm portion in the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Hirukawa
  • Publication number: 20140196965
    Abstract: A vehicle grille assembly is provided with a grille and a close-out assembly. The close-out assembly is adapted to at least partially block an airflow opening in the vehicle grille is moveable to translate and rotate with respect to the airflow opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gordon M. Platto, David Michael Lechkun, Dong Park, Brad Alan Richards, Jonathan Fontaine
  • Patent number: 8776923
    Abstract: An air guide structure for a saddle type vehicle by which influence of exhaust air from a radiator on a fuel tank can be reduced effectively. A fuel tank is formed with a tank extension section extending to above the upper end of the radiator. A front wall of the tank extension section is inclined forward by obliquely extending rearwardly downward. A front lower cover disposed forwardly of the radiator and rearwardly of a front wheel is provided. The front lower cover is provided with a radiator opening section having a plurality of openings for guiding airflow to the radiator, and with a fuel tank opening section for guiding the airflow to the fuel tank inclusive of the tank extension section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanori Nakamura, Hiroyuki Sasazawa
  • Patent number: 8770329
    Abstract: An engine cooling system includes a first heat exchanger receiving a first fluid and a second heat exchanger receiving a second fluid. The second heat exchanger is located adjacent the first heat exchanger, thereby creating a stacked heat exchanger. The engine cooling system also includes a third heat exchanger receiving a third fluid. The third heat exchanger is located apart from the stacked heat exchanger. A venturi is located between the stacked heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger. An air mover is mounted to the venturi and located within the venturi. The air mover is configured to move air through the stacked heat exchanger and through the third heat exchanger. In a specific embodiment, the engine cooling system is incorporated into a vehicle, such as a skidder vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Forest Products Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Spitler
  • Publication number: 20140182956
    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: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Daniel A. Morey, William H. Adamson, Ronald D. Smith, Nicholas J. Prenger
  • Publication number: 20140182957
    Abstract: A vehicular exhaust structure is provided for exhausting gas used for cooling down a battery arranged under a seat in a vehicle into a luggage compartment of the vehicle behind the seat and including an underfloor storage box arranged under a deck board. The structure includes an exhaust duct and an exhaust conduit. The exhaust duct is arranged behind the battery with an inlet thereof located at a first end facing the battery and an outlet thereof located at a second end facing upward. The exhaust conduit includes a box section communicated with the outlet of the exhaust duct and defined by surfaces of a front portion of the underfloor storage box arranged over the outlet of the exhaust duct. One of the surfaces faces a back surface of a backrest of the seat and has a through hole that opens toward a front side of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoshi HONDA, Takashi SUZUKI
  • Patent number: 8763739
    Abstract: An off-road vehicle has a frame, at least four wheels, a left seat and a right seat disposed in a side-by-side configuration, a steering assembly, an engine having an upper portion, and a console mounted between the left seat and the right seat. The console covers at least the upper portion of the engine. The console includes side walls and an upper portion connected to the side walls to define a central cooling tunnel. The central cooling tunnel includes a frontal opening and a rear opening allowing air flow through the central cooling tunnel from the frontal opening to the rear opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
    Inventors: David Belzile, Claude Gagnon, Stephane Sanschagrin
  • Patent number: 8763738
    Abstract: A front end structure for a vehicle includes a fascia member defining a forward end of an engine compartment of the vehicle and a radiator disposed in the engine compartment rearwardly spaced from the fascia member. At least one structural brace extends from a location at or near an underside of the vehicle to a location at or near an upper end of the engine compartment. A duct member is interposed between the fascia member and the radiator. The duct member at least partially blocks the radiator and defines a duct passage extending from an underside opening of the vehicle to the radiator. The duct member has at least one recess defined therein that receives the at least one structural brace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael R. Missig, Jason A. Widmer, Jeremy Paul Lucas, Kyle Stephen Mihok, Ryan L. Kabbes, Michael W. Maurer
  • Patent number: 8757300
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a ram air generator for an automobile, and more specifically to a ram air generator which improves an efficiency of an automobile. In one embodiment, the automobile can have, for example, an engine, a radiator, an ac condenser unit, and/or a ram air generator which can be located in an ambient air flow both of an engine. The automobile can also include a battery and/or a DC-DC converter connected to the ram air generator. The ram air generator receives ambient air in the ambient air flow path and generates energy from the ambient air. The energy generated by the ram air generator can be used to charge a battery and/or supply power to electronic devices through a DC-DC converter. The ram air generator can include a shroud, a fan blade assembly, an energy generation unit, and/or a regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Woodson Wayne Samuel
  • Patent number: 8757304
    Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a plurality of electric devices; and a power control unit having a housing, the power control unit is arranged within a motor room, the housing has an upper case, a lower case, and a heat sink housing, the heat sink housing has a heat sink portion, the electric devices are each arranged at the upper and lower sides of the heat sink housing, the electric devices are covered with the upper case and the lower case, the lower case is formed with a recess, and cables that connect an electric device arranged outside the housing and the electric device covered with the upper case enter inside of the upper case through the recess from the undersurface of the heat sink housing, and the cables are connected to the electric device covered with the upper case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Amano, Ryuta Wakabayashi, Tomoyuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8757313
    Abstract: A saddle type vehicle includes a throttle body arranged while restraining the effect of the exhaust air of a radiator while restraining the vehicle width even though the radiator is large. A radiator includes a mixed flow fan which flows exhaust air from the radiator rearwardly and outwardly in the vehicle width direction and a motor configured to rotate the mixed flow fan on the back surface thereof. A throttle body is arranged rearwardly of the mixed flow fan so as to be overlapped with the mixed flow fan in a front view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Iwata, Manabu Fujii
  • Publication number: 20140166380
    Abstract: The present invention provides a construction machine having an engine room and capable of efficiently collecting air flowing in the engine room thereby improving exhaust efficiency. The construction machine includes an engine room, an engine, a heat exchanger provided at a first side of the engine, a fan provided at the first side and rotating to generate around the engine a flow of cooling air, and an exhaust duct having an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening and provided in the engine room so as to extend in a fan axial direction parallel with a rotation axis of the fan along the engine. The exhaust duct guides the flow of the air to collect the air flowing downstream of the fan in the fan axial direction, in a region extending in the fan axial direction, and discharge the air to an outside of the engine room.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masaru Numasawa
  • Patent number: 8752660
    Abstract: There is obtained a cooling structure for a vehicle that can keep low a temperature of an interior of a power unit chamber in which a power unit is disposed. A cooling structure for a vehicle has: a power unit that is disposed within a power unit chamber disposed at a vehicle front side and at which air intake ports are formed in a front end side in a vehicle front-rear direction; an air-cooling-type heat exchanger that is disposed at a rear side with respect to the power unit, and that is cooled by heat exchange with air that passes from a front side to a rear side; and a communication duct that communicates a rear side portion with respect to the air-cooling-type heat exchanger and a rear side portion of the power unit in the power unit chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoshi Ajisaka
  • Publication number: 20140151139
    Abstract: A screen assembly for a work vehicle is disclosed. The screen assembly may generally include a screen defining a plurality of screen openings for receiving an airflow therethrough. In addition, the screen may define a flap opening. The screen assembly may also include a flap pivotally coupled to the screen at the flap opening. The flap may be configured to be moved to a closed position when the airflow through the screen is in a first direction and to an opened position when the airflow through the screen is in a second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: CNH America, LLC
    Inventors: Dominick Brian Rizzon, Jeffrey Brown Fay, II
  • Patent number: 8744743
    Abstract: Provided is a front structure of a vehicle wherein damage on auxiliary equipment by a millimeter-wave radar is limited at the time of collision, and cooling efficiency for auxiliary equipment using traveling wind is not reduced. A front structure of a vehicle comprises a front right side radar for detecting an obstacle on the front right side of a vehicle by transmitting/receiving a radio wave, a front left side radar for detecting an obstacle on the front left side of a vehicle by transmitting/receiving a radio wave, a bumper reinforcement, right and left crush boxes, and a condenser cooled by traveling wind, wherein the front right side radar is disposed on the outboard side of the right end of the condenser, and the front left side radar is disposed on the outboard side of the left end of the condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoya Kawasaki, Hitoshi Mitsumata, Takashi Kobiki
  • Patent number: 8739752
    Abstract: An intake duct for a vehicle having an inlet port formed so that the open side faces obliquely upward. The intake duct includes an inlet part formed in a flat shape expanding in the lateral direction crossing an air stream direction and a deflector provided in an air stream passage of the inlet part and extending in the left-and-right direction of the air stream passage. The intake duct further includes a first support member, which is provided between the deflector and the lower wall portion of the inlet part, and a second support member, which is provided between the deflector and the upper wall portion of the inlet part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Inoac Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Honzawa, Shinya Makihara, Koichi Hosaka
  • Patent number: 8733484
    Abstract: A shutter system is provided for a grille of an automotive vehicle. A first vane set is disposed at a first grille opening section configured to pivot to a master position. A second vane set is disposed at a second grille opening section configured to pivot to a slave position. An actuator motor is coupled to the first vane set for controllably placing the first vane set to a selected master position. A linkage is coupled between the first and second vane sets for moving the second vane set to the slave position corresponding to the master position of the first vane set. The linkage includes a compensation spring configured to undergo compression when the first and second vane sets are placed in the closed positions and a limit strap for imposing a limit on expansion of the compensation spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aaron P. Klop
  • Patent number: 8727054
    Abstract: A movable grille shutter for a vehicle includes a fin adapted to be provided at a grille opening portion and being operated so as to freely open or close the grille opening portion through which ambient air is taken in, a drive source for driving the fin, a driving force transmitting mechanism for transmitting a driving force from the drive source to the fin and a flexible member being linked to the driving force transmitting mechanism and being deformed for operating the fin to open the grille opening portion in a case where a load that is equal to or more than a predetermined value is acted thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Hori, Hiroshi Watanabe, Yoshimasa Asano, Masumi Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 8720344
    Abstract: A system includes an interior duct, a blower, a vent coupling, and a secondary duct. The interior duct is fluidly coupled with the inlet and with an energy storage device disposed in a vehicle. The blower draws cooling fluid received through the inlet and through the interior duct to cause a first portion of the cooling fluid to flow over and/or through the energy storage device. The vent coupling directs the first portion of the cooling fluid that flowed over and/or through the energy storage device into a vented area. The secondary duct directs a second portion of the cooling fluid from the interior duct into the vent coupling to mix with the first portion of the cooling fluid after the first portion of the cooling fluid flows over and/or through the energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, John D. Butine
  • Patent number: 8720626
    Abstract: System and methods for driving a blower motor of a vehicle such as a mining truck or locomotive are provided. A drive system includes a blower drive circuit configured to receive power from an alternator and use the power from the alternator to drive the blower motor. The blower drive circuit is further configured to receive power from at least one traction motor of the vehicle during a retarding operation of the vehicle and use the power from the at least one traction motor to drive the blower motor. The drive system further includes a bypass circuit configured to electrically isolate the blower motor from the blower drive circuit when a fault is detected in the blower drive circuit and to provide power from the alternator to the blower motor such that the blower motor remains operable without use of the blower drive circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventor: Saeid Mirzaei
  • Patent number: 8720624
    Abstract: A shutter system includes a first louver configured to rotate about a first pivot axis and a second louver configured to rotate about a second pivot axis. The second pivot axis is arranged at an angle that is smaller than 180 degrees with respect to the first pivot axis. The shutter system also includes a dual-drive actuation mechanism configured to rotate the first and the second louvers about the respective pivot axes. The dual-drive mechanism includes a first driven element operatively connected to the first louver and a second driven element operatively connected to the second louver. The dual-drive mechanism also includes a drive element configured to receive a drive torque and apply the drive torque simultaneously to the first and second driven elements. A vehicle having the above shutter system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: John C. Remy, Scott P. Charnesky, Tricia Price
  • Patent number: 8720625
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a cooling system for electric apparatus that includes a lower cell, an upper cell that is disposed above the lower cell, and a converter that is disposed above the lower cell and that converts a voltage of electric power input to or output from the lower cell and the upper cell, in which the lower cell, the upper cell, and the converter are cooled by refrigerant, and the refrigerant inlets of the converter are disposed in the vicinity of a refrigerant outlet of at least one of the upper cell and the lower cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akira Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8714290
    Abstract: A grille shutter device selectively opening and closing a grille opening in the front grille of a vehicle. The grille shutter device includes a fin, a motor, a transmission mechanism, a first switch, and a second switch. The fin has a support shaft, which is rotatably supported by the front grille. When supplied with electricity, the motor rotates its output shaft in one direction. The transmission mechanism converts the rotation of the output shaft to a swinging motion of the fin, thereby swinging the fin between a closed position, where the fin closes the grille opening, and an open position, where the fin opens the grille opening. When the fin is swung to the closed position, the first switch stops the motor. When the fin is swung to the open position, the second switch stops the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Kitashiba, Chiharu Totani, Minoru Shibata, Kazuo Takeda
  • Patent number: 8717761
    Abstract: A high-voltage apparatus includes a battery device, a high-voltage control device, a housing, and a cooling structure. The cooling structure includes a first cooling channel to cool the battery device, a second cooling channel to cool the high-voltage control device, a connection channel connecting the first cooling channel to the second cooling channel, and a ventilator. The connection channel has a first opening portion connected to the first cooling channel, a second opening portion connected to the second cooling channel, and an inner flow path to communicate the first opening portion to the second opening portion. A sectional area of the first opening portion and a sectional area of the second opening portion are each set to be smaller than a sectional area of the inner flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kengo Aoki, Kanae Ohkuma
  • Publication number: 20140116794
    Abstract: In a straddle vehicle such as a motorcycle, a harness in an electric power supply system which is thick, has a great weight, and is not easily mounted can be reduced in length as much as possible so that a weight and cost can be reduced, and assembling work can be made easier. An air cleaner and a fuel tank are disposed at a relatively rearward position such that the air cleaner and the fuel tank are disposed behind and distant from the head pipe to provide an electric component mounting space between the air cleaner and the fuel tank, and the head pipe, and a regulator, a relay box and a fuse box are disposed in the electric component mounting space. The fuel tank is disposed at a relatively rearward position such that its rear end portion is positioned behind and below a rear end of a main frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hideaki Kawai
  • Patent number: 8708075
    Abstract: A front end structure for a vehicle includes a facia member defining a forward end of an engine compartment of the vehicle and a radiator disposed in the engine compartment rearwardly spaced from the facia member. A duct member is interposed between the facia member and the radiator. The duct member at least partially blocks the radiator and defines a duct passage extending from an underside opening of the vehicle to the radiator. At least one duct opening is defined in the duct member for supplementing air flow to the radiator from the underside opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael W. Maurer, Christopher Meeks, Jason A. Widmer, Sukwon Kim, Karl Forster, Jeremy Paul Lucas, Ryan L. Kabbes, Kyle Stephen Mihok
  • Patent number: 8708076
    Abstract: The invention relates to an automobile, comprising an electric engine powered by a power supply module (10) to which a pipe (11) for extracting the hot air generated by said module is connected, and a structure including a floor (2) defining the lower portion of the vehicle passenger compartment. According to the invention, one of the ends (12) of said extraction pipe (11) is in communication with an opening (3) formed in the floor (2) of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventors: Sebastien Hureaux, Flavien Berger, Eric Alpy, Maxime Spehner, Benoit Luc
  • Patent number: 8708077
    Abstract: A grille shutter apparatus arranged at a grille opening portion at a frontal portion of a vehicle body includes a frame shaping a flow path of air flowing into the vehicle body from the grille opening portion, a movable fin rotationally supported by the frame and configured to control a flow amount of the air by providing an opening movement and a closing movement, the movable fin including a fin portion and rotary shafts rotationally supported by the frame, the rotary shafts including exposure portions configured to be arranged on the flow path of the air, at least one first shielding wall extending radially outward of the rotary shaft and provided at the exposure portion and a second shielding wall arranged at an upstream side of the air that flows in relative to the exposure portion extending in a direction intersecting a direction of the air that flows in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenji Hori
  • Patent number: 8701810
    Abstract: A battery pack to be mounted on a vehicle. The battery pack has a battery stack. A cooling fan, a fan relay, and a main relay (?) are disposed on one side of the battery stack. A control module, a register, a main relay (+), and a pre-charge relay are disposed on the other side of the same. As a result of devices being disposed on both sides of the battery stack, the weight of the battery pack is adjusted to the neighborhood of the center of the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic EV Energy Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuhei Marukawa, Toyohiko Eto, Masahiro Misu
  • Publication number: 20140102817
    Abstract: A grille shutter apparatus includes a shutter mechanism including plural of movable fins and at least one connection mechanism independently arranged to connect every two of the movable fins adjacent to one another. Accordingly, the shutter mechanism makes the movable fins operate in conjunction with one another. The grille shutter apparatus further includes a control portion controlling a flow rate of air flowing from a grille opening portion formed at a front portion of a vehicle body into the vehicle body on the basis of opening and closing operations of the shutter mechanism, and a detection device detecting an operational state of the shutter mechanism on the basis of an operation of the movable fins which correspond to a most downstream portion of a serially-arranged driving force transmission path formed at the shutter mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshimasa ASANO, Dai HIDAKA, Shuhei UCHIDA
  • Patent number: 8695741
    Abstract: Overhead pushed airflow for a cooling system of a work vehicle. In one embodiment, a cooling includes an interior defined by upstream faces of heat exchangers. An air mover pushes ambient air downward through said cooling box from overhead of the work and across the heat exchangers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Rex Schertz, Stanley R. Clark, Mark D. Walton
  • Patent number: 8695742
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a body outer panel; a battery; a second seat including a seatback; a seatbelt apparatus including a webbing; and a side trim positioned behind the seatback of the second seat in a vehicle front-rear direction. The side trim includes an insertion opening through which the webbing of the seatbelt apparatus is inserted, an exhaust opening through which exhaust air after cooling the battery is discharged into a space between the side trim and the body outer panel, and an inlet opening which is positioned behind the insertion opening in the vehicle front-rear direction, and through which the exhaust air in the space is drawn into a vehicle room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Motor East Japan, Inc.
    Inventors: Atsuhisa Fujita, Kazuyuki Ueno
  • Patent number: 8692662
    Abstract: A method of determining a failure of an active air flap, including determining whether or not an active air flap is in a non-openable state, if the active air flap is in the non-openable state, continuously checking a variation of the temperature of engine-cooling water, and if the variation is below a reference variation, interrupting the generation of failure-alert, and if the variation of the temperature of engine-cooling water is above the reference variation, processing whether to generate the failure-alert such that if the time taken to reach the variation is above a reference temperature time, interrupting the generation of failure-alert, and if the time is below the reference temperature time, generating the failure-alert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corp., Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hee Sun Shin, Phil Jung Jeong, Jin Ho Kim, Yong Jin Jung, Sang Won Park
  • Patent number: 8689917
    Abstract: A method of monitoring operation of an adjustable shutter adapted for cooling a powertrain in a vehicle includes commanding the shutter to adopt a position and assessing whether the shutter has adopted the commanded position. The method also includes generating a first signal if the shutter has adopted the commanded position, and commanding the shutter to perform a first retry to adopt the commanded position if the shutter has not adopted the commanded position. The method additionally includes generating a second signal if the shutter has adopted the commanded position on the first retry. A vehicle using a controller to perform such a method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Frederick P. Miesterfeld, Brennen R. Waugh, Eric R. Kolm
  • Patent number: 8690192
    Abstract: A saddle riding vehicle includes a vehicle body frame, an engine, a catalytic device, and a catalyst cover. The engine is disposed on the vehicle body frame and includes a cylinder block in a forwardly inclined position. The catalytic device is disposed at a front lower portion of the engine. The catalytic device includes an exhaust gas introducer oriented substantially at right angles, and a catalyst case disposed below the exhaust gas introducer. The catalyst cover is disposed on the vehicle body frame to cover a front portion of the catalytic device from a front downward direction. The catalyst cover is provided in a space between the catalytic device and a front wheel supported by a front fork provided at a front side of the vehicle body frame. The catalyst cover includes an opening portion at a forward portion of the exhaust gas introducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Yanagita
  • Publication number: 20140090911
    Abstract: An adjustable air diffuser is disposed in an airflow channel into which travelling wind is directed through an opening provided in a bumper face. The diffuser substantially opens and closes the airflow channel by using a movable louver blade 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 substantially along a vehicle width direction. A lower part of the diffuser is either one of attached to a vehicle body structural member and a load transmission member projecting forward from the vehicle body structural member. The upper part of the diffuser and the bumper beam are connected with each other with an upper bracket having a weak portion that is configured to be broken in response to pivotal movement of the diffuser relative to the bumper beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhiro OOTA
  • Patent number: 8684116
    Abstract: Disclosed is a construction machine comprising an engine room having first and second exhaust ports, preventing deterioration of air flows due to collision of exhaust airs through the first and the second exhaust ports, and reducing noise transmission on lateral sides of the construction machine. The construction machine comprises an engine guard surrounding an engine room; an engine, a heat exchanger, and a cooling fan, which are installed in the engine room; and an exhaust air guide. The engine guard is formed with exhaust ports including the first and second exhaust ports. The first is opened in parallel to an axial direction of an engine output shaft. The second is formed in proximity to the first exhaust port downstream of the first exhaust port with respect to a direction parallel to the axial direction of the engine output shaft and opened upward below the first exhaust port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hajime Nakashima
  • Publication number: 20140083786
    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: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR PAVING PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: John L. Marsolek, Jeffrey A. Renard
  • Patent number: 8678413
    Abstract: An attachment structure for a resin part of a motorcycle includes an attaching portion with a nut provided on a side of a vehicle main body, a resin part having an attached portion with a bolt insertion hole, and a shoulder bolt for attaching the attached portion to the attaching portion with the nut. The shoulder bolt has a threaded shaft portion, a washer, a head portion, and a large diameter portion arranged between the washer and the threaded shaft portion, the large diameter portion being thicker than the threaded shaft portion and thinner than the washer. A thin guide piece protruding toward a radially inner side for regulating radial movement of the shoulder bolt within a predetermined range is integrally formed on an inner circumferential surface of the bolt insertion hole. The guide piece is configured to be deformed by the large diameter portion of the shoulder bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Takasu, Shuji Shirai
  • Publication number: 20140076645
    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: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Stephen S. McDonald, Michael R. Colville
  • Publication number: 20140076646
    Abstract: An active grille system which is mounted to a fascia, grille, or carrier, or is part of the carrier of an automobile. Two sets of louvers are rotatably mounted to a frame, and a camming mechanism provides selective actuation of both sets of louvers, and an actuator controls the camming mechanism such that the actuator moves the camming mechanism between a first position, a second position, and a third position. When the camming mechanism is in the first position, both the first set and second set of louvers are in a closed position, when the camming mechanism is in the second position, the first set of louvers are in an open position and the second set of louvers are in a closed position, and when the camming mechanism is in the third position both the first set and second set of louvers are in an open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: MAGNA INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Povinelli, Thomas F. Cobb
  • Patent number: 8672072
    Abstract: A construction machine that can limit consumption of battery electric power is provided. The construction machine includes: air-cooled heat exchangers 47, 48; a cooling fan 49 for generating cooling air for the heat exchangers 47, 48; a fan electric drive motor 50 that is driven by electric power of a battery 8 for rotating the cooling fan 49; an inverter unit 30 for drivingly controlling the fan electric drive motor 50; a lock lever 25 disposed at a boarding-alighting port and configured to be operated into an unlocked position and a locked position; and a lock valve 42 for making an operation of an operating device 27 or the like ineffective or the operating device inoperative when the lock lever 25 is operated into the locked position. The inverter unit 30 stops the fan electric drive motor 50 when the lock lever 25 is operated into the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuo Takishita, Katsuyoshi Nasu, Hajime Kurikuma
  • Patent number: 8672071
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes a frame and a cooling package carried by the frame. The cooling package includes a housing with an opening, and a fluid cooler covering the opening. The fluid cooler includes at least one hinge along one side thereof, and at least one latch along another side thereof, whereby the fluid cooler can be pivoted open to access an inner side of the fluid cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Ryan R. Neilson
  • Patent number: 8672073
    Abstract: A construction machine includes an engine disposed in an engine room, a heat exchanger disposed in the engine room, an air intake passage configured to provide a communication between the interior and the exterior of the engine room, and a cooling fan disposed in the engine room. The cooling fan is configured to draw external air into the engine room through the air intake passage by rotation thereof, and to flow the external air for allowing the external air to pass the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger has an air intake surface formed on a side portion thereof. The air intake surface is a surface configured to receive airflow to be drawn into the heat exchanger. The air intake passage is configured to flow the external air drawn to the air intake passage along a route passing a position over the heat exchanger and reaching the air intake surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Ueda, Tomoyuki Tsuchihashi
  • Patent number: 8672067
    Abstract: A vehicle front portion structure is provided which can lengthen a wheel base without increasing the size of a vehicle body. A vehicle front portion structure is provided with a bumper reinforcement of a front bumper, a power unit that drives a front wheel arranged to a vehicle rear of the bumper reinforcement, and a cooling unit which is arranged at a vehicle front of a dash panel, and is arranged at a vehicle rear of the power unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoshi Ajisaka