With Means To Guide And/or Control Air For Power Plant Cooling Patents (Class 180/68.1)
  • Publication number: 20140069732
    Abstract: An interior body trim assembly includes a trim panel and a closure member. The trim panel has an indented panel portion with an outline of part of an outer boundary of a passage. The closure member meets the trim panel with a portion of the closure member extending over the indented panel portion. The portion of the closure member and the indented panel portion complete the outer boundary of the passage and thereby form the passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jason C. Marcath, David Hayes, Beth Ann Dalrymple, Thomas A. Wagner, Jesus Cardoso, Hsiao-An Hsieh, Keith Kearney
  • Patent number: 8667931
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle engine compartment cooling system by cooperatively controlling both a variable grille opening and engine cooling fan based on a number of vehicle inputs. Maximum component cooling demand, vehicle speed, and ambient temperature are inputs to lookup tables that issue grille opening demand and engine cooling fan demand. Additionally, vehicle overall power consumption is considered in the development of the lookup tables. A vehicle computing unit selects grille opening settings and cooling fan speeds that correspond to demands from lookup tables. A control signal is sent to an adjustable grille actuator and to a fan motor. Further, vehicle deceleration events are used to trigger a full open grille opening setting, allowing increased cooling at little or no loss to vehicle efficiency. A benefit of the disclosed method is optimal settings to minimize the grille opening for aerodynamic performance while providing required engine component cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: James Michael Kerns
  • Patent number: 8662230
    Abstract: A cowl structure that is small in size and light, and that is effective in preventing air discharged from a radiator from being applied to the legs of the rider. An upper cowl includes ridges projecting laterally outwardly in the transverse direction of the vehicle, slanted surfaces extending from the ridges in the forward direction of the vehicle and directed toward the center of the vehicle, and rear slanted surfaces extending from the ridges in a rearward direction of the vehicle and directed toward the center of the vehicle. The air discharged from the radiator is not applied to the legs of the rider. Since the action is achieved simply by deforming the upper cowl, the cowl can be reduced in size and weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Tsukui, Masato Nagata
  • Patent number: 8662569
    Abstract: An active grille shutter system comprising a controller, a sensor provides a freeze signal to the controller when a temperature is near or below freezing, and an electric motor that opens and closes a plurality of vanes. The motor receives a low current signal from the controller to operate the system at a first torque level and receives a high current signal to operate the system at a second torque level when the controller receives the freeze signal. A precipitation signal from the windshield wiper system of the vehicle is provided to the controller to provide an indication that there is precipitation present in the vehicle environment. The controller may provide the high current signal to the motor only when the freeze signal and the precipitation signal are provided to the controller. A method is also provided for operating the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aaron Peter Klop
  • Patent number: 8662223
    Abstract: A controller of a work vehicle sets the upper limit of a fan target rotational speed in accordance with an engine rotational speed. The controller reduces an upper limit of the fan target rotational speed further when a lock-up clutch is in an engaged state than when the lock-up clutch is in a released state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Shintani, Tomohiro Nakagawa, Hironori Toda, Hiroshi Nakagami, Kazuki Kure
  • Patent number: 8657048
    Abstract: A hydraulic excavator includes a lower travel body, an upper swiveling body, an exterior door, and a louver. The upper swiveling body has a swiveling platform and a frame with a lower end part of the frame being secured to the swiveling platform, the upper swiveling body being swivelably supported by the lower travel body. The exterior door has a curved part in which an opening is formed. The exterior door is openably/closably supported by the frame of the upper swiveling body. The louver blocks the opening in the exterior door in a closed state, and the louver is mounted in the frame of the upper swiveling body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaaki Uetake
  • Publication number: 20140048346
    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: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLC
    Inventor: Jonathan Eugene Ricketts
  • Patent number: 8651211
    Abstract: A cooling device for a motor vehicle has an internal combustion engine in a rear region of a vehicle body and has a charge air cooler arranged below an extendable rear spoiler. The charge air cooler is arranged in an oblique plane in an air deflection duct of the vehicle body and has inflow air flowing through it. Downstream of the charge air cooler, the air deflection duct is configured as an outflow air nozzle that narrows toward the end and is arranged to achieve a horizontal discharge of the outflow air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thomas Wolf
  • Publication number: 20140041954
    Abstract: In a saddle riding type vehicle in which a connecting tube that connects between an air cleaner placed behind a rear cushion unit extending vertically behind an engine body and a throttle body placed in front of the rear cushion unit is placed to pass by a lateral side of the rear cushion unit, adhesion of an injected fuel to an inner wall surface of an air intake passage is suppressed while a fuel injection valve is placed behind the throttle body, whereby stabilization of an air-fuel ratio is achieved. An air cleaner includes a cleaner element, and a support case supporting the cleaner element while forming a purification chamber together with the cleaner element. Here, a rear end portion of a connecting tube is connected to the support case. A fuel injection valve, whose direction of injection is oriented to the inside of a throttle body, is attached to the support case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD
    Inventor: Naoto Yamagishi
  • Patent number: 8646552
    Abstract: An integrated assembly includes a bumper energy absorber section with crush lobes for abutting a bumper beam, an upper air shutter section with subassembled shutter members movable between closed and open positions, a first actuator mechanism for moving the shutter members between positions, an upper fascia support section with upper leg crush lobe therein above the upper air shutter section, a lower air shutter section with subassembled lower shutter members movable between closed and open positions, a second actuator mechanism for moving the lower shutter members between the positions; and a lower leg energy absorber section attached below the lower air shutter section and configured to abut (or replace) a face of a secondary pedestrian impact bar. The shutter members may be molded to a shutter frame using over molding technology rather than separately, manually assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Shape Corp.
    Inventors: Darin Evans, Dan Ralston, Benjamin R. Zabik
  • Patent number: 8645028
    Abstract: A grille control mechanism for a vehicle includes a movable member being switchable between an opened position for allowing air to flow into a radiator of the vehicle and a closed position for inhibiting the air from flowing into the radiator, an electric motor actuating the movable member, and a control device controlling an electric current to be supplied to the electric motor to execute an opening operation or a closing operation of the movable member in a case where an opening operation condition or a closing operation condition is satisfied, wherein the control device controlling the electric current to be intermittently supplied in response to one of the opening operation condition and the closing operation condition maintained until the other one of the opening operation condition and the closing operation condition is satisfied after the opening operation or the closing operation corresponding to the maintained operation condition is executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroki Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 8640802
    Abstract: A radiator grill (10) for a motor vehicle comprises: a frame (12) for securing the radiator grill (10) to the vehicle, wherein a condition in which the radiator grill (10) is mounted on the vehicle will be designated in the following as the reference condition of the radiator grill (10), and wherein the frame (12) in the reference condition of the radiator grill (10) relative to the motor vehicle is mounted substantially immovably thereon, at least one air-conducting element (20) which extends along an air-conducting element longitudinal axis (L) and at least in sections forms at least one part of an outer side (21) of the radiator grill (10), at least one air-passage opening (30) which is designed to allow cooling air to flow into a motor vehicle interior region (24), which in the reference condition of the radiator grill (10) and during travel operation of the motor vehicle flows on to the outer side (21) of the radiator grill (10) counter to a travel direction (F), as well as at least one air flap (16) wit
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Rochling Automotive AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jurgen Schneider
  • Patent number: 8640803
    Abstract: A hydraulic excavator includes a lower travel body, an upper swivel body, a cooling unit, and first and second exterior members. The cooling unit includes a first cooling device disposed facing the first exterior member, and a second cooling device disposed on a side of the first cooling device towards the second exterior member and in midway in an air channel between the second exterior device and a cooling fan. The second cooling device extends in a direction intersecting a direction in which the first cooling device extends. The first and second exterior members have first and second openings in portions that overlap the first and second cooling devices in a height direction, respectively. A lower edge of one of the first opening and the second opening disposed at a higher position is positioned higher than an upper edge of the other of the first opening and the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobufumi Kinoshita, Osamu Takano
  • Patent number: 8631888
    Abstract: A cowling structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle for cooling an engine and providing a windshield for a rider. The cowling structure includes a seat for a rider to sit thereon, the seat is arranged behind and above an engine suspended from a vehicle body frame. An under cowl covers at least part of a lower portion of the engine. The under cowl is formed to cover at least part of a side surface of the engine. A guide portion is provided in an upper portion of the under cowl, the guide portion extending inward in a vehicle width direction and toward the side surface of the engine. An opening is provided in front of the guide portion, the opening introducing a flow of air into the under cowl. The guide portion has a slope surface which slopes downward from the front to the rear of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Omi Iida, Jun Hirose, Shigeto Inami, Nobutaka Ban
  • Patent number: 8631889
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a body that defines an opening in a forward end thereof. A heat exchanger and an inlet of a brake duct are each positioned rearward of the opening to receive a flow of air through the opening. A shutter system is movable between an open position to allow airflow through the opening and a closed position to block airflow through the opening. The shutter system controls the airflow to both the heat exchanger and to the inlet of the brake duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Inventors: David Begleiter, Steven J. Weber
  • Patent number: 8631890
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an electric construction machine capable of efficiently cooling the battery mounted on the swing structure. To achieve the object, there is provided an electric construction machine in which a battery storage room 11 is formed in the swing structure 3 and a plurality of batteries 231 as electric power sources are arranged in the battery storage room 11, comprising: a battery storage structure 23 storing the batteries 231 and having an air flow channel through which air can flow upward from a lower part of the battery storage structure 23; a covering sheet 26 entirely covering the top and side faces of the battery storage structure 23; and a duct 27 for discharging the air, one end of which is arranged in an upper part of the covering sheet 26.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Noguchi, Masayuki Yunoue
  • Publication number: 20140014426
    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: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: DEERE AND COMPANY
    Inventors: John C. Lauper, JR., Scott W. Zimmerman, Anthony Jon Knepper, Steven Richard Sass
  • Patent number: 8627911
    Abstract: A roller shutter device is mounted in front of a radiator of a motor vehicle for regulating air flow entering into the engine compartment and traversing the radiator. The shutter is wound on a transverse roller which is received in an additional space defined in front of the radiator by a reinforcement crosspiece of the body having a substantially C-shaped outwardly projecting cross-section, which divides the front opening of the body into at least one lower opening and into at least one upper opening. The roller shutter is provided in one of said upper and lower openings; while an auxiliary shutter device which can be of the tilting louver type or even of the roller shutter type is associated to the other opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: C.R.F. Società Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Roberto Tregnago, Silvano Sandri, Irene De Puri
  • Patent number: 8622162
    Abstract: An engine compartment cooling system includes an axial fan assembly and a remote mount fluid cooler assembly. The axial fan assembly and the remote mount fluid cooler assemblies are mounted in clear holes in at least one of the quarter panels. The axial fan assembly exhausts engine heat outwardly from the engine compartment through the quarter panel. The fluid cooler assembly receives ambient air through the quarter panel into the engine compartment. The axial fan and fluid cooler assembles are controlled using, sensors, signal data, and a controller. The controller is programmed with the operation data so that the cooling system optimizes engine cooling while varying operation of the engine's cooling system, and the axial fan and the remote mount fluid cooler assemblies according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Inventor: Thomas Karl
  • Patent number: 8616322
    Abstract: Since a stand including a plurality of supports and a top plate is built in on one side of a rear part of an upper frame of an upper rotating body as seen from an operator in a cabin, and a power storage device is installed on the top plate of this stand, the power storage device is arranged at the highest position among all the devices mounted in the upper rotating body. The power storage device is made up of a main body and a casing, and cooled down by taking cooling air into the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keisuke Shimomura, Koichi Nishimura, Shinji Katsuhara
  • Publication number: 20130341110
    Abstract: A system for controlling airflow through an under-hood compartment of a vehicle body includes a folding air dam assembly configured to control an airflow from the ambient to the under-hood compartment. The air dam assembly includes an extendable portion having a pleat configured to fold when the extendable portion is retracted. The air dam assembly also includes an actuator configured to selectively extend and retract the extendable portion. The system also includes a controller configured to regulate the actuator. A vehicle employing the system is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Albert H. Butlin, JR.
  • Patent number: 8613335
    Abstract: A vehicle may include a CVT unit or a power source which requires ambient air. An air inlet 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: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    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, Jeffrey M. Maher, Kevin A. McNutt, Jerome J. Rubatt, Adam J. Schlangen
  • Patent number: 8607744
    Abstract: An active air intake adapted for selectively regulating fluid flow into an engine generally includes a housing defining an opening, a covering member disposed relative to the opening and translatable between opened and closed conditions, an actuator including an active material element operable to effect movement of the member, a load limit protector configured to present a secondary output path for the element, an overheat protection mechanism for preventing unintentional activation and stress loads in the element, a biasing mechanism for returning the member to the original condition, and a latching mechanism for retaining the member in the closed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Alan L. Browne, Xiujie Gao, Thomas H. Froling, Richard J. Skurkis, Matthew D. Scrase, Clifford Jason Yee, Evan P. Joranlien, Mark D. Dickens, Arnold G Warner, Laurence M Lemaire
  • Patent number: 8607916
    Abstract: A vehicle shroud can have an opening formed so as to extend in a substantially front-to-rear direction. A substantially horizontal portion of a front fender of the vehicle can be located frontward of the opening. The vehicle can be a motorcycle, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takane Mitomi, Satoshi Oohashi, Takayoshi Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 8602150
    Abstract: A cowl covers a steering handle and a body frame from upper and front sides of the steering handle to the right and left sides of the body frame. The cowl is mounted to the body frame. The cowl includes an upper portion for covering the upper side of the steering handle and a screen mounting recess opened at its rear end. A windscreen inclined rearwardly and upwardly is mounted to the screen mounting recess. Side surfaces of the cowl are each provided with an air guide groove wherein an airflow is directed toward the airflow guiding-in port while being straightened. In addition, slits through which the airflows are directed to upper portions of the airflow guiding-in ports are each provided between those opposed edge portions of the windscreen and the cowl which front on the screen mounting recess. The battery is cooled without depending on an electric fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Martin Petersson
  • Publication number: 20130319778
    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: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Don MacGregor, Jann Peter Garbald
  • Patent number: 8599554
    Abstract: A power converter is installed in a casing attached beneath the floor of an electric vehicle. The power converter includes a capacitor unit and a power semiconductor module housed in a hermetically sealed part of the casing closed by a cover for closing an access port, and a cooler installed in an exposed part, the cooler cooling heat generated from the power semiconductor module. The power converter includes a bus bar that electrically connects the power semiconductor module and the capacitor unit, and a conductive bar that electrically connects the capacitor unit and the bus bar. The conductive bar is drawn from the upper surface of the capacitor unit, and is bent into a crank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Ryotaro Harada, Tetsuya Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8596396
    Abstract: An agricultural work vehicle includes an enclosed engine compartment within the vehicle body, with the engine compartment having a top cover that extends generally between opposite sides of the vehicle body. A vertically oriented air inlet is defined in the vehicle body for intake of air into the engine compartment. An intake housing is configured over the air inlet and includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening in communication with the engine compartment air inlet. The inlet opening extends above the top cover and is oriented relative to a vertical plane such that an angled air flow path is defined between the inlet opening and the outlet opening wherein air is drawn from an area above the top cover of the engine compartment and is directed into the air inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventor: Jonathan Eugene Ricketts
  • Patent number: 8590650
    Abstract: A cooling package assembly for a work vehicle. A plurality of heat exchangers cooperate with one another to define an interior of a cooling box. Single pass airflow is pushed across the heat exchangers. In one embodiment, the heat exchangers cooperate with one another to define a v-shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Rex Schertz, Stanley R. Clark, Mark D. Walton
  • Patent number: 8590651
    Abstract: In an intake system of an engine of a vehicle, an intake duct includes a horizontal portion having a front end and a rear end in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and located to extend in the front-rare direction of the vehicle to be opposite to a top face of a battery, and a vertical portion extending curvedly from the front end of the horizontal portion and extending downward in a height direction of the vehicle along a front face of the battery. The vertical portion is formed with an air intake at a bottom thereof in the height direction of the vehicle. The air intake is located at a front side of the battery in the front-rear direction of the vehicle to be higher in the height direction of the vehicle than a bottom edge of the front face of the battery. An opening of the air intake is directed downward in the height direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Daigo Shigematsu, Akira Fukushima
  • Patent number: 8584778
    Abstract: A rear spoiler of a motor vehicle is coupled to a charge air cooler that is arranged vertically in the transverse direction of the vehicle. The rear spoiler together with the charge air cooler is adjustable into an inoperative and an operative position. The charge air cooler has an active position when the rear spoiler is in the operative position so that cooling air can flow through the charge air cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Wolf, Timo Lemke, Joachim Paul, Maarten Brink
  • Publication number: 20130299256
    Abstract: A hybrid construction machine includes: an electric storage device temperature adjustment circuit; an engine cooling circuit including a first coolant and switchable between a state the first coolant after cooling the engine is introduced into the electric storage device temperature adjustment circuit and a state stopping introduction of the first coolant into the electric storage device temperature adjustment circuit; an equipment cooling circuit that cools, with a second coolant, equipment needing cooling, and switchable between a state the second coolant is introduced into the electric storage device temperature adjustment circuit and a state stopping introduction of the second coolant into the electric storage device temperature adjustment circuit; and a controller controlling the engine cooling circuit, the equipment cooling circuit, and a lead-out switching valve such that the first coolant or second coolant selectively flows, according to whether the electric storage device needs to be warmed or cooled
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Koji Yamashita
  • Patent number: 8579060
    Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to a heat exchanger apparatus having first and second heat exchangers arranged in a parallel configuration to receive a first fluid (e.g., a hot fluid) to be subjected to a heat exchange operation (e.g., cooling of the hot fluid). The first and second heat exchangers are further configured in a series configuration with respect to the flow of a second fluid to be used as a heat exchange medium (e.g., a cold fluid to be heated by the first, hot fluid). The heat exchanger apparatus can be used as a radiator (e.g., engine coolant heat exchanger) for a motorized vehicle, in particular a heavy vehicle intended for use in relatively hot ambient environments (e.g., an armored fighting vehicle adapted for desert use at ambient temperatures above about 100° F.). The disclosure also relates to methods of using the heat exchanger apparatus, for example in the motorized vehicle setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Demmer Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph M. George, Scott R. Cooper
  • Patent number: 8573342
    Abstract: A harvesting machine is provided with a chassis, that includes at its rear an enclosed engine compartment in which an internal combustion engine is arranged. A screen arrangement can be positioned at the forward side of the engine compartment that includes a perforated filter element through which a blower can draw air through it and to the rear into the engine compartment. The screen arrangement is arranged to slide in a direction extending horizontally and transverse to the forward operating direction of the harvesting machine between an operating position of the engine compartment and a maintenance position outside the engine compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Detlef Jüptner
  • Patent number: 8573343
    Abstract: An object is to provide a vehicle heat-exchange module capable of optimizing the whole of a stator blade that deflects a flow in the swirling direction produced by a cooling fan, thereby reducing the work performed by the cooling fan and eventually reducing the input power to the cooling fan, and to provide a vehicle having the vehicle heat-exchange module. According to the vehicle heat-exchange module (10), the stator blade (30) arranged on the downstream side of the cooling fan (16) is divided by an intermediate ring (31) into inner-circumference-side stator blade members (32A) and outer-circumference-side stator blade members (32B), and the number of the inner-circumference-side stator blade members (32A) for installation is made smaller than that of the outer-circumference-side stator blade members (32B), thus setting the pitch/chord ratio within an appropriate range at each of the inner circumference side and the outer circumference side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinao Komatsu, Tsuyoshi Eguchi, Atsushi Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20130284529
    Abstract: A cooling system for a mobile machine having a heat-sensitive component is provided. The cooling system may include a first coolant tank and a pump configured to circulate coolant from the first coolant tank through the heat-sensitive component. The cooling system may also include a heat exchanger configured to receive coolant from the heat-sensitive component and transfer heat to ambient air passing through the heat exchanger, and a blower configured to direct ambient air through the heat exchanger. The cooling system may further include a first temperature sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a temperature of ambient air, and a controller in communication with the blower and the first temperature sensor. The controller may be configured to selectively deactivate the blower based on the first signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: John Franklin Kral, Hector Marcel Matthys
  • Patent number: 8571749
    Abstract: A grille control mechanism for a vehicle includes a movable member being switchable between opened and closed positions, an electric motor actuating the movable member, and a control device controlling a supply of electric current until detecting a lock current value to execute an opening operation or a closing operation, wherein the control device executes a checking operation for returning the movable member to an initial position and executing once again the opening or closing operation in a case where a detecting time of the lock current value since the opening or closing operation is started exceeds a predetermined time, and the control device determines that the movable member is in an abnormal state in a case where a detecting time of the lock current value after the operation is started from the initial position in the checking operation exceeds the predetermined time for a predetermined number of times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Kawato
  • Patent number: 8561740
    Abstract: An HVAC system for a work vehicle having an operator cab includes a first chamber having an for receiving airflow exterior of the cab. The inlet is adjacent to a first source for moving air for use independent of the HVAC system, the inlet arranged to cause a first change of direction of airflow inside the first chamber. The first chamber resulting in both a first air pressure reduction and a first reduction of airflow velocity while inside the first chamber sufficient to reduce an amount of particles entrained in the airflow while the particles are within the first chamber. A second chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber and configured to cause both a second change of direction and a third change of direction of airflow while inside of the second chamber prior to reaching a third chamber for mixing air flow with recirculated air from the cab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Lance A. Taylor, Alan G. Leupold
  • Patent number: 8561739
    Abstract: A movable grille shutter for a vehicle, which is provided at a grille opening portion through which ambient air is taken into an engine room, includes a first fin, a second fin provided along a lengthwise direction of the first fin in a manner that a predetermined angle is formed between the first fin and the second in a manner that the first fin and the second fin are arranged to match a shape of the grille opening portion. The movable grille shutter for the vehicle also includes a driving source for driving the first fin and the second fin for opening and closing the grille opening portion, and a universal joint provided between the first fin and the second fin for transmitting a driving force from the driving source to the first fin and the second fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenji Hori
  • Patent number: 8561738
    Abstract: A compound shutter system includes a plurality of shutter assemblies. Each of the shutter assemblies has at least one louver operable to selectively open and close the respective shutter assembly. The compound shutter system additionally includes a mechanism operatively connected to each of the plurality of shutter assemblies. The mechanism is also configured to actuate each of the shutter assemblies independently and non-sequentially relative to each other. A vehicle employing the compound shutter system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Scott P. Charnesky, Paul W. Alexander, Nilesh D. Mankame, Alan L. Browne
  • Publication number: 20130270019
    Abstract: The louver for a motor vehicle radiator has radially arranged fins (4) mounted in a circular channel (2) of a radiator frame (3) so they can be swiveled around their longitudinal axis, which are linked in the area of their radial outer ends with a set ring (5) surrounding the channel (2) for the execution of a swiveling motion between an open and closed position of the louver. A servo drive (6) for the set ring (5) has a self-locking gear motor, the output shaft (10) of which is coupled with a control crank (11). The end of the control crank (119 [sic: (11)] turned away from the output shaft (10) is connected by way of a link (12) in a toggle-like manner with a positioning rod (13) that is longer by a multiple of its length, of which the end turned away from the control crank (11) is coupled with the set ring (5). Such a housing (18) that protects the crank drive (11, 13) extends along the circumference of the set ring (5) and is fastened on the radiator frame (3) together with a servo drive housing (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: KUNSTSTOFF SCHWANDEN AG
    Inventor: Joseph KUESPERTH
  • Patent number: 8556013
    Abstract: A system for removing heat from the engine compartment (9) of a heavy duty truck. A first ventilating system removes heat from the radiator. It is isolated from a second ventilating system that removes heat from the engine compartment. The first system takes heat from the radiator through a plenum by centrifugal squirrel cage blowers, and is directs it out to ambient by ductwork. The second system draws ambient air generally from back to front of the engine compartment, preferably by cowl induction, without the use of ram air from the vicinity of the radiator. The exits of the two systems are into a slip stream of the heavy duty truck, and the exit of the second ventilating system is into a slip stream of the first, to scavenge air out of the engine compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Enviro-Cool, Inc.
    Inventors: George R. Sturmon, Edward M. Murray
  • Patent number: 8556017
    Abstract: A vehicular power supply system is provided in which the interior of a waterproof case is partitioned into a first cooling air passage on the lower side and a second cooling air passage on the upper side, a battery module is cooled with cooling air that is introduced from an intake passage part of a duct member and flows through the first cooling air passage on the lower side, and high voltage electrical components are then cooled by guiding the cooling air to the second cooling air passage on the upper side via an intermediate duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Kubota, Masao Kawata
  • Patent number: 8556015
    Abstract: A utility vehicle is provided. The utility vehicle may comprise a vehicle body frame; a dash panel having a first duct port in a substantially center portion widthwise; a hood located in front of the dash panel; a driving power source mounted to a substantially center portion of the vehicle body frame widthwise and positioned behind the dash panel; a transmission joined to the driving power source; and a first air-intake duct provided in a substantially center portion of the vehicle body frame widthwise such that it extends in a substantially forward and rearward direction and passes through the first duct port. Further, an outlet provided at a downstream end portion of the first air-intake duct is coupled to the transmission; and an inlet provided at an upstream end portion of the first air-intake duct is positioned in an upper rear portion of the space above the first duct port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Itoo, Hideaki Kii
  • Patent number: 8556014
    Abstract: A skid steer machine includes an operator cage supported on a skid steer machine frame, a pair of lift arms pivotably attached to the skid steer machine frame behind the operator cage and extending longitudinally on both sides of the operator cage, and a rear mounted engine compartment supported on the skid steer machine frame. The rear mounted engine compartment includes an internal combustion engine, a diesel particulate filter fluidly connected to the internal combustion engine and positioned between the internal combustion engine and the operator cage, and a cooling package having a predominantly horizontal orientation. The cooling package is at a higher location within the rear mounted engine compartment than the diesel particulate filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Sage Frederick Smith, John Edward Preble, Jr., Kimberly Melissa Stanek
  • Publication number: 20130264134
    Abstract: An installing structure of an electric storage device in an electric car which includes an electric motor for traveling and a plurality of the electric storage devices configured to store power supplied to the electric motor, wherein a traveling wind passage extending in forward and rearward direction, through which a traveling wind, generated with traveling of the electric car, passes, is formed in an electric storage device group including the plurality of the electric storage devices, and connection terminals of the electric storage devices and a power cable that connects the connection terminals to each other are disposed in a manner of facing the traveling wind passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshimoto Matsuda
  • Publication number: 20130264133
    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: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: John C. Remy, Scott P. Charnesky, Tricia Price
  • Patent number: 8550198
    Abstract: In a heat exchanger cover (17) covering upper sides of heat exchanger (13), an inlet port (21) is provided on a left side which is an upstream side of cooling air, and one exhaust port (22) for exhausting the cooling air which has passed through the heat exchanger (13) is provided on a right side opposite to this inlet port (21). An engine cover (15) is provided with another exhaust port (23) at a position opposing the one exhaust port (22) in a left-right direction. The cooling air which has passed through the heat exchanger (13) can be exhausted horizontally from the exhaust port (22) provided in the heat exchanger cover (17) toward the exhaust port (23) provided in the engine cover (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wataru Isaka, Nozomu Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20130256044
    Abstract: In a cooling system structure for a vehicular water-cooled internal combustion engine with a cylinder section and a cylinder body and a cylinder head. The cooling system structure having water jackets formed in the cylinder body and the cylinder head, respectively, with a radiator disposed forwardly of the engine main unit. A water pump performs forced circulation of coolant through the radiator and the water jackets, to permit routing of pipes with enhanced appearance. Water jackets are formed, respectively, in a cylinder body and a cylinder head such that coolant flows through the cylinder body and the cylinder head independently of each other. A thermostat is mounted on a front wall surface of a cylinder section and is capable of selecting a condition in which the water jackets directly communicate with each other or a condition in which the water jackets communicate with each other via a radiator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki SUGIURA
  • Patent number: 8544582
    Abstract: A utility vehicle includes an engine accommodated in an engine room below a seat; an engine room side wall defining the engine room and covering the engine from rightward or from leftward; and a cooling fan disposed at one of right and left sides of the engine or and configured to supply cooling air to an interior of the engine room via the engine room side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Kaku, Tyler Furman, Yoshinori Tsumiyama, Kazuhiro Maeda