With Further Means To Utilize Power Plant Cooling Air For Other Purposes Patents (Class 180/68.2)
  • Patent number: 8827021
    Abstract: A bulldozer includes an engine, first and second exhaust treatment apparatuses arranged above the engine, a relay connection pipe connecting the first and second apparatuses, and an engine hood covering upper parts of the first and second apparatuses. The relay connection pipe has a cylindrical shaped main section, a first section connecting the main section and the first apparatus, and a second section connecting the main section and the second apparatus. The lower end of the main section is positioned above upper ends of the first and second apparatuses. The upper surface of the hood has a convex section protruding above the relay connection pipe and a base section formed integrally with the convex section below the convex section. At least a portion of a line segment extending along the upper edge of the main section overlaps an upper surface part of the convex section in a bulldozer top view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakagami, Taira Ozaki, Akhito Ounishi
  • Patent number: 8820452
    Abstract: A vehicle component mounting structure is provided with a vehicle body, a battery, a charger, a high-power electrical component other than the charger. The battery is mounted on the vehicle body. The charger is mounted on the vehicle body and converts a lower-voltage electric power supplied thereto from an external source into a higher-voltage electric power that is supplied to the battery. The high-power electrical component is mounted on the vehicle body with high voltage being supplied to the high-power electrical component. The charger and the high-power electrical component are arranged on longitudinally opposite sides of the battery with respect to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Iwasa, Nobuhiro Mori, Satoshi Shigematsu, Kenji Tamura
  • Patent number: 8812189
    Abstract: An engine cooling device for providing fresh air to an engine includes a first and second fan assembly for producing concentrated airflow, a mounting bracket configured to position the first and second fan assemblies adjacent to the engine jugs, and a wiring harness for providing instructions and power to each of the first and second fan assemblies. A system for monitoring and adjusting the individual temperatures of each jug includes an engine cooling device and a control system that includes a processor, memory, Input/Output devices and a communication medium for communicating commands to the engine cooling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Inventor: David Sandel
  • Patent number: 8802267
    Abstract: A temperature adjusting structure adjusting the temperature of an electric storage module mounted on a vehicle has an intake path which takes in air in the vehicle interior from an intake port and guides the air to the electric storage module located below a horizontal plane on which the intake port is located. A bottom face of the intake path has an inclined face extending upward from a lower end portion of the intake port and facing the intake port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Fujiwara, Junta Katayama
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8783397
    Abstract: A system for optimizing electrical power management in a vehicle. The system includes a HVAC device and a thermal storage device, both configured to provide heating and cooling to an occupant compartment of the vehicle. The system further includes a controller connected to an electrical storage device and an electrical generating device. The controller receives electrical power generated by the electrical generating device and directs the electrical power to satisfy the vehicle's power requirements and/or stores the electrical power in at least one of the electrical storage device and the thermal storage device. Furthermore, the controller directs at least one of the HVAC device and the thermal storage device to provide heating and cooling to the occupant compartment of the vehicle, depending on the available storage of the thermal storage unit or occupant compartment demands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: BSST LLC
    Inventors: Lakhi N. Goenka, Douglas T. Crane, Lon E. Bell
  • Patent number: 8763740
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: 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: 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: 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
  • 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: 8701811
    Abstract: A vehicle including a battery residing in a compartment having at least one vented wall. The vehicle further includes an at least partially hollow frame having an air inlet. A conduit extends between the frame and the battery box providing fluid communication therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: James S. Robinson, Michael W. Maurer, Christopher D. Meeks, Jason A. Widmer
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8689925
    Abstract: A cooling unit that is cooled by heat exchange with air is disposed at a rear side in a vehicle longitudinal direction of a power unit. Further, a cooling fan is disposed at a rear in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the cooling unit. Further, catalytic converters are disposed at a rear side in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the power unit. A periphery of these catalytic converters is surrounded by a heat insulator. A duct portion, that communicates an interior of the heat insulator and a space between the cooling unit and the cooling fan, is provided at this heat insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoshi Ajisaka
  • Patent number: 8684117
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a vehicle with an engine system and a power dissipation system. One example method includes, during directing airflow from an airflow generating device to cool a component of the power dissipation system, and directing the airflow from the airflow generating device to cool a component of the engine system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Todd Adam Ptacek, Scott Leute, Patrick Allen
  • Patent number: 8684118
    Abstract: A cooling structure having a sufficient cooling efficiency in cooling an electricity storage device while securing a living space in a vehicle cabin when installed in a compact vehicle having a short distance from a rear seat to the rear end of the vehicle. A battery is contained in an IPU installed in the vehicle. The cooling structure for the battery has an air inlet opened into the vehicle cabin, an air intake duct extending from the air inlet to the IPU and a cover disposed to cover the air inlet and having a hole communicating the air intake duct with the inner side of the vehicle cabin. The air inlet has an opening inclined toward the inner side of the vehicle cabin in one side section of a rear portion of the vehicle cabin near a C-pillar located obliquely posterior to a rear seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keishi Kosaka, Byoungju Lee, Yoshiaki Takahashi, Tohru Kuribayashi, Hidehisa Mokudai
  • 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
  • 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: 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
  • Patent number: 8646553
    Abstract: Provided is a construction machine comprising: a heat exchanger with a core surface in an engine room; a top wall covering an air inlet chamber in the engine room and having a first air inlet; a duct including a main wall guiding air in the air inlet chamber to draw it through the core surface and a front wall facing the core surface and having a second air inlet; a cooling fan sucking external air onto the core surface through the second air inlet; and an air cleaner extending horizontally and orthogonally to an air guiding direction by the main wall. At least a part of the air cleaner exists in a vertical region where the second air inlet is formed. The air cleaner directs, toward the second air inlet, an air flow farthest from the duct, out of the air flow drawn downward through the first air inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirofumi Watanabe
  • 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20130327581
    Abstract: A divided dual inlet housing for an air-based hybrid battery thermal conditioning system which is configured such that HVAC air entering at the HVAC air inlet is prevented from partly backflowing out the cabin air inlet via a dividing wall disposed therein so that all the HVAC air exits the divided dual inlet housing at the air outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Michael S. Foos, Ronald A. Swartz, Brooksie J. Pollack, Teresa A. Walczyk
  • 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: 8584780
    Abstract: A device for cooling a battery or batteries of a motor vehicle, for example an electric vehicle, includes a temperature regulating unit including an evaporator that is used to cool the passenger compartment of the vehicle and arranged in a housing, the battery or batteries being contained in a case. The housing of the evaporator is connected to a conduit, an outlet of which is oriented towards a heat exchange area on at least one outer surface of the case containing the battery or batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s
    Inventors: Robert Yu, Flavien Dubief, Masato Origuchi
  • Patent number: 8563151
    Abstract: An electric vehicle is provided with a cell voltage sensor (32) and a cell temperature sensor (31) which are mounted to each of a plurality of cells (21); a gas temperature sensor (33), a carbon monoxide gas sensor (34), and a hydrogen gas sensor (35) which are mounted to a chamber (27); a gas temperature sensor (36), a carbon monoxide gas sensor (37), and a hydrogen gas sensor (38) which are mounted to a gas exhaust passage (28); and an air-conditioning fan (17), a channel-switching damper (19), and a driving motor (42) which lowers a window glass (41). When battery state values detected by the sensors (31) to (38) exceed predetermined thresholds, a battery pack (20) is judged to be abnormal. Then, the channel-switching damper (19) and the air-conditioning fan (17) are started and the window glass (41) is lowered to ventilate the vehicle interior. This speedily exhausts smoke generated from a lithium ion battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Junichi Matsumoto, Teruo Ishishita
  • 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: 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: 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: 8544584
    Abstract: A construction vehicle includes a cooling device. The cooling device includes a radiator disposed on a vehicle body frame, an oil cooler disposed adjacent to the radiator with a rear surface side thereof being arranged to face in roughly parallel to a lower part of a front surface of the radiator, and an opening/closing mechanism including a rotary shaft. The rotary shaft is obliquely disposed with a top end portion thereof being arranged closer to the front surface of the radiator than a bottom end portion thereof is. The opening/closing mechanism is configured to pivot the oil cooler about the rotary shaft and simultaneously move the oil cooler with respect to the radiator. Either a counterweight mounted on a rear part of the vehicle body frame or a part of the vehicle body frame is disposed on a line horizontally extended from a bottom end portion of the oil cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuya Takeda, Shingo Hidaka
  • Patent number: 8540042
    Abstract: The construction machine including an engine room having an engine, a radiator ii for cooling the engine, and a hydraulic pump which are arranged therein, and a counterweight area which is located adjacent to the engine room and in which batteries are installed, a ventilation passage for cooling the engine room and a ventilation passage for cooling the batteries are formed separately and independently in the substantially same direction, and a flowing direction of cooling air flowing in the ventilation passage for cooling the engine room and a flowing direction of cooling air flowing in the ventilation passage for cooling the batteries are substantially parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Atarashi, Shuichi Terakado, Shigehisa Funabashi, Shinya Okumura, Shigekazu Kieda, Yasunori Ota
  • Patent number: 8535104
    Abstract: A marine battery provides power to a marine vessel. A cooling system comprises a substantially air-tight housing; at least one battery disposed in the housing; a heat exchanger circulating cooling fluid through the housing; and a fan circulating cooling air along a series of flow paths comprising a first flow path across the heat exchanger and the at least one battery and a second flow path returning to the fan. In one example the cooling fluid comprises seawater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Nicholas E. Nida
  • Patent number: 8485305
    Abstract: An all terrain vehicle includes a vehicle body frame, a steering shaft rotatably supported by the vehicle body frame, a power steering device including an electric motor, the power steering device being configured to exert an auxiliary rotational force to the steering shaft by a driving power generated in the electric motor, a radiator disposed in front of the electric motor, and a shield member mounted to the vehicle body frame and positioned between the radiator and the electric motor to cover the electric motor from a forward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takuma Nozaki, Kazumasa Hisada, Kiyohisa Yoshikawa, Itsuo Takegami, Satoshi Masuda, Takafumi Kumada, Takeshi Tanaka, Sunao Kaihatsu
  • Patent number: 8479852
    Abstract: A vehicle transmission fluid cooler system includes a transmission fluid cooler and an airflow ducting assembly engaged therewith. The airflow ducting assembly is provided to increase the amount of airflow directed toward the transmission fluid cooler so as to improve the cooling performance thereof, and includes a dam member, a duct member, and air guides. The duct member forms a passage communicating an airflow inlet opening with an airflow outlet opening. The dam member operates to scoop and direct airflow into the airflow inlet opening, and the air guides cooperate with the dam member to increase the amount of airflow scooped by the dam member which is directed into the airflow inlet opening. The airflow outlet opening is positioned to direct the airflow which has passed through the duct member to the transmission fluid cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael W. Maurer, Christopher Meeks, Jason A. Widmer, Karl Forster, Sukwon Kim, Andy Praseteo
  • Patent number: 8479853
    Abstract: A system for controlling a flow rate of an airstream through a compartment includes a panel configured to cover the compartment. The system also includes a first opening defined by the compartment and configured to permit the airstream to enter the covered compartment from the ambient when the compartment is covered by the panel. The system also includes a second opening defined by the panel and configured to permit at least a portion of the airstream to exit the covered compartment to the ambient. The system additionally includes a selectable position shutter assembly configured to control the size of the second opening and adjust a flow rate of the airstream through the covered compartment. A vehicle employing the shutter assembly to vary a flow rate of at least a portion of an airstream through the vehicle's under-hood area is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: David J. Verbrugge
  • Patent number: 8474557
    Abstract: An air guiding device is arranged in a front end part of a motor vehicle and has an air guiding duct containing a radiator unit through which fresh air flows. A wheel house grille is arranged in the guiding duct downstream of the radiator unit. The wheel house grille has differently positioned air guiding slats for the passage of radiator outlet air. The air guiding slats are positioned so that part of the radiator outlet air is guided to the vehicle outside and a further part of the radiator outlet air can be supplied to the vehicle inside and via a deflecting blade to a wheel brake for cooling. The air guiding slats may also be closed over subregions by means of a facing such that no outlet air can flow through the slats in the subregions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. H.C. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thomas Wolf
  • Patent number: 8463493
    Abstract: A method of powertrain thermal control in a vehicle having grille airflow shutters. The method comprises the steps of: detecting vehicle operating conditions including at least a temperature condition for an engine cooling loop and engine load; pumping engine coolant through the engine cooling loop including pumping the engine coolant through a radiator under all temperature conditions of the engine cooling loop; and adjusting the grille airflow shutters relative to a grille to selectively block a portion, none or all airflow through the grille to thereby control airflow through the radiator based upon the detected vehicle operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Thomas K. Lockwood, Michael G. Leffert
  • Publication number: 20130140103
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for improving the aerodynamic efficiency (e.g., reduce drag) on vehicles, such as class 8 tractors. In some disclosed examples, the systems and methods utilize exhausted gases from an internal combustion engine of the vehicle to direct a stream of gas forwardly of the vehicle. In other disclosed examples, the systems and methods utilize generated air flow from, for example, electric fans, engine driven or pneumatically/hydraulically driven pumps, etc., to direct a stream of gas forwardly of the vehicle for reducing the aerodynamic drag on vehicles. In yet other disclosed examples, the systems and methods utilize a unique configuration of the vehicle's radiator fan(s) in order to direct a stream of gas forwardly of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: PACCAR INC
    Inventor: Jeffrey P. Smith
  • Patent number: 8446023
    Abstract: A cogeneration apparatus having a ventilation-introducing channel communicating an electrical-equipment compartment with a ventilation fan is disclosed. Driving the ventilation fan causes air to be led from an exterior of a cogeneration case through the electrical-equipment compartment to the interior of the ventilation-introducing channel. The air led to the interior of the ventilation-introducing channel is led to an electrical generator. The air led to the electrical generator is exhausted through a power-generation compartment to the exterior of the cogeneration case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Takita, Atsumu Naoi
  • Patent number: 8443921
    Abstract: A method of increasing operating efficiency of a powertrain includes unrestricting a grille opening by fully opening a shutter at or below a first predetermined vehicle speed, and turning a fan off. The method also includes unrestricting the grille opening by fully opening the shutter above the first predetermined vehicle speed and at or below a second predetermined vehicle speed under a high powertrain cooling load, and turning the fan on. The method additionally includes partially restricting the grille opening above the second predetermined vehicle speed via an intermediate position of the shutter, and turning the fan off. A specific size of the fan together with the selected positions for the shutter at the respective vehicle speeds provides sufficient airflow through the grille opening to cool the powertrain, and provides increased powertrain operating efficiency. A system for increasing operating efficiency of a powertrain and a vehicle are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Scott P. Charnesky, Gregory J. Fadler, Andreas Wilhelm, Reiner Weidemann, Terry C. Bishop
  • Publication number: 20130118821
    Abstract: A work vehicle with a vehicle cooling system that cools a vehicle engine. The work vehicle also includes a service pack cooling system configured to cool a service pack engine of a service pack. The work vehicle includes valving fluidly coupling the vehicle cooling system to the service pack cooling system. The valving is configured to allow independent or integrated operation of the vehicle cooling system and the service pack cooling system. The valving is also configured to permit the vehicle cooling system and the service pack cooling system to operate at different pressures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin Gene Peotter
  • Patent number: 8439141
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes: a muffler which flows exhaust from an engine and extends in a transverse direction so as to allow the exhaust from the engine to flow in the transverse direction; and a CVT case for covering a belt-type CVT positioned frontward of the muffler in a longitudinal direction. The CVT case includes a cooling structure for introducing cooling air from outside, cooling the belt-type CVT, and discharging the cooling air from a discharge part. An exhaust duct includes an inflow opening to be connected to the discharge part for allowing the cooling air to flow into the exhaust duct, and an exhaust opening for allowing the cooling air to flow out rearward. The exhaust opening is elongated in an extending direction of the muffler and oriented in a direction that allows the cooling air flowing out to hit the muffler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Bessho, Ryouzou Imanishi, Shoichiro Kawamura, Masatake Murakawa
  • Patent number: 8430193
    Abstract: A side diffuser for a vehicle front surface structure, the vehicle front surface structure, and a method for assembling such a structure. The side diffuser guides air entering through air inlets from bumpers of the vehicle to heat exchangers located in front of the engine. The diffuser includes a plate, the back edge of which supports the heat exchangers and the front edge of which supports the bumpers and includes a recess capable of receiving the front crosspiece end of the vehicle. The back side of the diffuser includes: a pivoting axis capable of engaging with a corresponding receiving part provided on the heat exchangers, and an attaching part capable of engaging with a corresponding attaching part provided on the heat exchangers after one rotation of the side diffuser around pivoting axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Renault s.a.s.
    Inventors: Angel Ve Lasco, Matthieu Carron, Juliette Massoulie
  • Patent number: 8418790
    Abstract: An air flow system is disclosed. The system is for use with a vehicle including an internal combustion engine, a heat exchanger, a cover, and a compartment baffle separating an engine compartment from a cooling compartment. The system includes a side air intake including a side air intake baffle. The side air intake baffle configured to inhibit air heated by the engine from mixing with ambient air used with the heat exchanger. In another embodiment, the system includes a side air duct. The side air duct includes a side air duct, wherein the side air duct tubing is at least partially located within the engine compartment. The side air duct tubing is configured to inhibit air heated by the engine from mixing with ambient air used with the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Bradley Dauderman, Erich Vierkant
  • Patent number: 8403089
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to ventilate an engine compartment of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Kevin G. Braun, Steven R. Sass, Andrew J. Quinn
  • Patent number: 8397851
    Abstract: A swiveling work machine includes: a swivel deck; an engine disposed rearward of the swivel deck; a suction type radiator disposed rearward of the swivel deck; a bonnet covering the engine and the radiator and forming an engine room; a cabin disposed frontward of the engine room; a partition wall standing on the swivel deck between the cabin and the engine room and forming a front portion of the bonnet; an air conditioner main body disposed frontward of the partition wall and in a lower portion of the cabin; an ambient air inlet for supplying ambient air to the air conditioner main body, the ambient air inlet being formed in a portion of the partition wall facing a radiator suction space; and a filter provided in the ambient air inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventor: Masaaki Ueda
  • Patent number: 8387733
    Abstract: The battery pack of the present invention includes a bipolar secondary battery used as a power source of a vehicle, and a cooling passage allowing flow of a cooling medium. The cooling passage is integrated with a casing. The cooling passage includes an inlet passage provided along that one of a plurality of battery modules which is positioned at one end of the plurality of battery modules for introducing the cooling medium from an input port, an outlet passage provided along that one of the plurality of battery modules which is positioned at the other end of the plurality of battery modules for discharging the cooling medium from an outlet port, and a direction changing portion provided between the inlet passage and the outlet passage changing the flow direction of cooling medium coming from the inlet passage and passing the cooling medium to the outlet passage. According to the present invention, the cooling medium is discharged to the same side as the introducing side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8381854
    Abstract: An all terrain vehicle contains a partition wall which partitions a passenger space and a hood which is arranged ahead of the partition wall. When viewed from the side of the vehicle, an air outlet of an exhaust passage is opened in an upper space located between the partition wall and the hood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Yamamura, Satoshi Kubota, Yoshitaka Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8347994
    Abstract: A vehicle engine enclosure includes a tractor frame which supports an engine. A cooling system is mounted on the frame. The cooling system has a housing which surrounds cooling components. A hood is mounted on the frame and encloses the engine and the cooling system. The hood includes a top panel and left and right hood side panels. The top panel has outlet vents formed therein. A pair of left and right side plates are mounted on the frame. A rear end plate covers a rear end of the hood. A plurality of seals are placed between these components so that a duct is formed which collects hot air and moves it vertically through the vents to prevent re-ingesting of the hot air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Christopher A. Bering, Scott K. Farlow, Ryan M. Krogh
  • Patent number: 8336656
    Abstract: An engine controller structure for a vehicle, can include a duct cover having a box-like portion on a vehicle body front side thereof. The box-like portion can include an opening formed therein, and can be configured to have an intake duct of an engine connected thereto. The duct cover can be configured to be positioned sidewardly of an engine. An engine control unit can be disposed on the inside of the duct cover. The opening, configured to be connected to the intake duct, can be configured such that the intake duct is connected to an air cleaner box attached to a vehicle body rear side of the engine. The intake duct can shaped so as to be extended to a vehicle body front side from the air cleaner box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Shiratori, Tomohiko Yashiro, Sho Yamamoto, Yuichiro Tsuruta
  • Patent number: 8316805
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooler arrangement in a vehicle powered by a combustion engine. The cooler arrangement comprises a first cooling element for cooling a first medium in the form of a circulating coolant, and a radiator fan adapted to generating an air flow through the first cooling element for cooling the coolant when it circulates through the first cooling element. The cooler arrangement comprises also a tubular casing adapted to serving as a flow passage for the air which passes through the first cooling element and at least one further cooling element for cooling a second medium, which further cooling element is arranged in the flow passage at a position downstream of the first cooling element with respect to the intended direction of flow of the cooling air through the flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Scania CV AB
    Inventors: Zoltan Kardos, Erik Söderberg, Hans Wikström