Radiators And Condensers, Mounting Patents (Class 180/68.4)
  • Patent number: 8672396
    Abstract: A vehicle front portion structure of a vehicle is equipped with a radiator and an air conditioner, the vehicle front portion structure includes a vehicle body formed by joining a plurality of structural members, a positioning hole formed in the vehicle body, for fitting therein a jig projecting from a mount frame used to transport the vehicle body in a manufacturing process, and a fitting bracket for supporting the radiator and a condenser of the air conditioner from the lower sides of the radiator and the condenser, and featured in that the fitting bracket is formed integrally with a radiator supporting portion for supporting a lower portion of the radiator, and with a condenser supporting portion for supporting a lower portion of the condenser, and is fastened and fixed at a position which interferes with the jig fitted into the positioning hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Tadashi Homan
  • 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: 8662222
    Abstract: Disclosed is a motor room of an electric vehicle in which parts of the electric vehicle are arranged in a configuration so as to meet characteristics of the parts. The motor room may includes: a motor serving as a driving source of the electric vehicle; a reducer for receiving a driving force of the motor, reducing the driving force of the motor, and transmitting the reduced driving force to wheels of the vehicle; an electric air conditioner compressor for compressing refrigerant of an air conditioner system of the electric vehicle; and a chiller and an accumulator which form a heat pump system of the electric vehicle, wherein the electric air conditioner compressor is disposed in front of the reducer, and the chiller and the accumulator are arranged above the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hei Chang Lee, Won Min Kim
  • Patent number: 8646555
    Abstract: A cooling system apparatus for a vehicle includes a reserve tank and a plurality of legs extending outwardly from the reserve tank. The reserve tank defines a chamber and each of the legs is configured for attachment to a radiator of a vehicle. The reserve tank and the legs are integrally formed as a unitary structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Camas Elaine Reed
  • Patent number: 8646761
    Abstract: An elastomeric isolator has an elastomeric body which incorporates an inner structural member and an outer structural member. The elastomeric body includes a shear hub extending between radial flanges defined by the inner and outer structural members that undergo shearing stresses during deflection of the elastomeric isolator. The inner and outer structural members are designed to provide a travel stop for the elastomeric isolator in order to avoid compression of the shear hub during high loads. The elastomeric bushing can also include an optional integral elastomeric heat shield which protects the shear hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: The Pullman Company
    Inventor: Troy P. Rodecker
  • Patent number: 8646554
    Abstract: In a radiator core support 1 having a hood lock stay member 3, which is provided with a hood lock 14, on a radiator core support 1 of a motor vehicle, a transmission means is provided to connect between the hood 7 of a vehicle body to directly transmit load acting on the hood lock 14 from an engine hood from the hood lock stay member 3 to the side members 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventors: Go Takahashi, Hiroshi Toyoura
  • 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: 8622466
    Abstract: The invention relates to a front module for a motor vehicle, wherein the front module is in one piece and is composed exclusively of plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Faurecia Kunststoffe Automobilsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Pascal Joly-Pottuz, Raphael Mary
  • Patent number: 8616316
    Abstract: A forward structure of a motor vehicle is provided that includes, but is not limited to a drive unit and a radiator arrangement for releasing the heat of the drive unit into the environment. The radiator arrangement encompasses at least two cooling unit, which are spatially separated from one another and which are arranged so as to overlap at least area by area in cross direction of the motor vehicle. An imaginary connecting line between the cooling units crosses at least one component of the drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Dino Demma, Frank Leopold
  • Patent number: 8616317
    Abstract: A vehicle includes at least one cooling circuit for cooling a fuel cell system. The cooling circuit includes at least one cooling heat exchanger, a cooling medium transportation device and a heat exchanger in a fuel cell stack of fuel cell system. Cooling heat exchanger is affected by motion-related air flow as cooling air. The cooling heat exchanger is constructed in at least two stages, which are arranged in such a way that they are serially flowed through, one after another, by motion-related airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventor: Ralf Hoess
  • Patent number: 8616318
    Abstract: A mounting arrangement for mounting a cooler unit to a work machine has a traveling device, a machine body frame, an engine and the cooler unit disposed adjacent the engine. The arrangement includes a support deck provided in the machine body frame for supporting the cooler unit, an attachment unit for releasably fixing the cooler unit to the machine body frame and a movement mechanism provided between the cooler unit and the support deck, the movement mechanism allowing the cooler unit to effect a translational movement to change a distance relative to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Shinsuke Kotani, Toyoaki Yasuda, Kenji Mitsui, Masanori Fujino
  • Patent number: 8613338
    Abstract: A flat plate nose frame design for a tractor in which a thick, flat structural plate is connected to and forwardly extends from the conventional frame rails of the tractor. The flat plate nose frame design increases vertical clearance under the hood without raising the hood height or reducing ground clearance. The nose plate is contoured to match the exterior contours of the tractor grill and hood eliminating the need for a separate aesthetic component covering the nose plate. The nose plate features a pair of vertically aligned short-height frame plates extending forwardly along the axis from the deep-section frame rails to increase strength in the flat nose plate without significantly increasing vertical height of the nose plate assembly. The flat plate nose frame is capable of withstanding operational loads as well as supporting a weight package or front-mounted implements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: John T. Rasset, Russell V. Stoltman, David S. Booth, Bryan J. Garberg, Carl J. Hagele, Chad A. Bautz, Landon J. Fries
  • Patent number: 8608236
    Abstract: The invention relates to a front module for a motor vehicle, wherein the front module is in one piece and is composed exclusively of plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Faurecia Kunststoffe Automobilsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Pascal Joly-Pottuz, Raphael Mary
  • 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: 8585064
    Abstract: A crop sprayer includes a pivoting axle suspension assembly that includes a bolster assembly secured between the frame rails of the main frame of the crop sprayer. The bolster assembly includes formed tube members that support a bearing structure for pivotably coupling a pivot pin of a pivot axle to the main frame. The tube members are curved downwardly from the main frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: ET Works, LLC
    Inventors: Chad A Ringer, Justin Honegger, Ryan Larsh, Jarrett Waters
  • 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
  • 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: 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: 20130284530
    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: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: James S. Robinson, Michael W. Maurer, Christopher D. Meeks, Jason A. Widmer
  • Patent number: 8561741
    Abstract: An air guide structure for guiding outside air in front of the vehicle to equipment to be cooled. Ai air guide duct structure (20) is provided with: left and right side-wall ducts (46, 68) provided to the left and right sides of equipment (16) to be cooled; and left and right seal sections (47, 69) protruding from the inner wall surfaces (46a, 68a) of the left and right side-wall ducts toward the equipment (16) to be cooled. The left and right seal sections (47, 69) are spaced by a predetermined distance (S1) from the equipment (16) to be cooled toward the front of the vehicle body. Air pressure during the travel of the vehicle elastically deforms the right and left seal sections (47, 69) to cause the seal sections to make contact with the equipment (16) to be cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Kurokawa, Tadayuki Uchida, Tomoaki Ichikawa, Toshikatsu Mouri, Hideki Miura, Ryota Abe, Takashi Aoki, Ken Nakane
  • 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: 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
  • Patent number: 8548658
    Abstract: A method for the fail-safe operation of a hybrid vehicle having an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, and additional vehicle assemblies. A substitute measure that then still allows the vehicle to be operated under emergency running conditions is initiated if a vehicle assembly fails. A performance quantity that is characteristic of the driving-dynamics situation in which the vehicle finds itself is recorded prior to initiating the substitute measure, and is compared to at least one limit value. The substitute measure is initiated if the limit value is exceeded or not attained. A device which includes a device for implementing such a method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ute Rollmann, Peter Ahner, Michael Bildstein, Michael Lehner, Felix Reber, Oliver Kaefer
  • 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: 8534402
    Abstract: A motor-vehicle is provided with an auxiliary cooling system, having a low temperature cooling liquid, entirely independent from the cooling circuit of the engine and including a radiator located at the front part of the motor-vehicle facing the radiator of the cooling circuit of the engine. The auxiliary cooling circuit comprises one or more auxiliary radiators which are connected parallel to the radiator of the auxiliary circuit and which are constituted by motor-vehicle body components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Società per Azioni
    Inventors: Riccardo Seccardini, Fabrizio Mattiello, Carloandrea Malvicino, Stefano Re Fiorentin
  • Patent number: 8528677
    Abstract: A cooling assembly is provided for use in a work vehicle. The cooling assembly may comprise a heat exchanger for transferring energy in the form of heat from a coolant fluid to air passing through the heat exchanger, filter structure positioned adjacent a first side of the heat exchanger to filter the air before the air passes through the heat exchanger, and a fan shroud positioned adjacent a second side of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Dean E. Davis, Derek M. Gamertsfelder, Jason R. Kremer, Joerg Nellen, Nicholas J. Stein
  • Patent number: 8523276
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an underbody structure element, a technical front panel, and at least one body shell structure element. The technical front panel includes a central part carrying vehicle cooling elements, opposed parts fixed to opposite vertical edges of the central part, and a top cross member including a top edge. One end of the body shell structure element includes two opposed rails extending along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle and two opposed parts that accept the technical front panel. The technical front panel pivots about a transverse axis of the vehicle on the underbody structure element when being mounted to the body shell structure element. The technical front panel is separated from the underbody structure element when fully mounted to the body shell structure element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventor: Michael Flandin
  • Patent number: 8522860
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fastening and joining element (4) for fixing and connecting heat exchangers of a heat exchanger assembly in a motor vehicle. Said fastening and joining element (4) comprises at least one hole (4b) for positively accommodating a heat exchanger as well as a fastening part (4a) encompassing a profiled fastening member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: HBPO GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Kersting, Andre Schmidt, Walter Korte
  • Patent number: 8511411
    Abstract: A cooling module is provided for motor vehicles with a plurality of modular elements. At least one first modular element is provided for the arrangement in a deformation region of the motor vehicle and at least one second modular element is also arranged. The at least one first modular element is displaceable relative to the at least one second modular element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Claus Steller
  • Patent number: 8505661
    Abstract: In a work vehicle, an engine compartment is disposed forwards of a cab. An exhaust gas treatment device is disposed over an engine in the engine compartment. A radiator is disposed forwards of the exhaust gas treatment device (33) in the engine compartment. A blower is configured to generate an airflow passing through the radiator from back to front of the radiator. The exhaust gas treatment device is slanted with respect to a vehicle width direction for increasing a distance between the exhaust gas treatment device and the radiator towards a first lateral face portion. Further, the first lateral face portion includes air inlets facing a space between the exhaust gas treatment device and the radiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoaki Tsuji, Hiroshi Nakagami
  • Patent number: 8499869
    Abstract: A cooling system for a vehicle with hybrid propulsion, the cooling system including a hydraulic circuit, within which a refrigerant flows, with a main branch to cool of a thermal engine, and a secondary branch to cool electrical components and at least one common radiator, which comprises a first portion, that is normally used by the main branch of the hydraulic circuit and has at least two trays arranged at the ends, and a second portion that is normally used by the secondary branch of the hydraulic circuit and has at least two trays arranged at the ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventors: Franco Cimatti, Fabrizio Favaretto
  • Patent number: 8490730
    Abstract: The crop sprayer includes a cooling system that comprises a plurality of heat exchange units attached to a housing. The housing defines an air chamber. The heat exchange units are mounted over openings defined in the walls of the housing surrounding the chamber. A fan is mounted over fan opening defined in the housing to draw air from the chamber and create a pressure drop in front of the coolers. The pressure drop causes air to be drawn through the heat exchange units into the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: ET Works, LLC
    Inventors: Chad A Ringer, Justin Honegger, Ryan Larsh, Jarrett Waters
  • Patent number: 8494698
    Abstract: A hybrid system control apparatus is provided in which an intercooler is disposed upstream of the motor cooling radiator in a flow path of the ambient air flowing in an engine compartment, and/or is disposed such that at least a portion of the intercooler and a portion of the motor cooling radiator contact each other. The hybrid system control apparatus includes a warm-up portion that increases temperature of the boost air by controlling a load of the engine in cold start of a hybrid system such that the boost pressure from the forced air induction device is equal to or higher than a target boost pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Murata, Isao Matsumoto, Naofumi Magarida, Akira Yamashita, Hiroyuki Haga, Takenori Saoda
  • Patent number: 8491038
    Abstract: An automobile including a front cross-member, an attachment element arranged at the rear of the cross-member, a bonnet that closes off an engine compartment and including one free edge, and a front bumper mounted in front of the front cross-member and including a central portion that extends as far as the bonnet and includes a tab for attaching to the attachment element. The attachment tab includes a frangible area, located to the front of the attachment area and capable of breaking, and the frangible area is arranged next to an empty space formed in the compartment, with a view to having the central portion of the bumper bend into the empty space when the frangible area breaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Inventors: Hicham Challal, Olivier Veuillot
  • Patent number: 8485303
    Abstract: A utility vehicle comprises a vehicle body frame, a first pair of pivot arms provided at right and left sides, respectively, at a front end portion of the vehicle body frame such that the pivot arms extend in a rightward and leftward direction from the front end portion and are vertically pivotable, the first pair of pivot arms being attached to front wheels at tip ends thereof, respectively, and a stabilizer having one end mounted to one of the first pair of pivot arms and an opposite end mounted to the other of the first pair of pivot arms. The stabilizer extends through a front side of the vehicle body frame, outside the vehicle body frame, from the one end thereof to the opposite end thereof, and has an intermediate portion located in front of the vehicle body frame and mounted to the front end portion of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Teruaki Yamamoto, Kazuhiro Maeda, Yoshinori Tsumiyama, Hidetoshi Kaku
  • Patent number: 8485292
    Abstract: In cooling apparatus for a hybrid vehicle having driving apparatus including a generator driven by an engine and an electric motor (12) for driving the vehicle, the driving apparatus, a radiator arranged in a front portion of an engine compartment and an inverter (41) are coupled by a cooling circuit for the motor equipment. An electric water pump (45) for circulating cooling water is arranged in the cooling circuit. Mounting apparatus (15) for supporting the driving apparatus to the vehicle body is arranged laterally in the vehicle width direction of the driving apparatus. The electric water pump (45) is arranged under the mounting apparatus (15). By the use of such a structure, a situation in which the electric water pump (45) gets sandwiched between the engine radiator which has been shifted backwardly in the presence of an external force acting from the front of the vehicle, and the driving apparatus and gets damaged can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Sunao Wakatsuki
  • 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: 8479856
    Abstract: An arrangement for attaching a first cooling group for cooling an internal combustion engine of an automobile, the group including a first device for cooling an engine coolant and a second device for cooling supercharging air. The first device is capable of interacting with the second device through shape cooperation so that the second cooling device assumes an intermediate retaining position on the first cooling device, and the first device can be automatically locked onto the second device by elastic fitting so that the second device assumes a final locked position on the first device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventor: Jean-Louis Leronseur
  • 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: 8479855
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus for a vehicle includes a cooling module connected to the cooling apparatus through a cooling line to cool a driving system. The cooling module includes, according to the amount of heat transfer and operation temperature, an aircon condenser disposed behind of a radiator grill. A radiator for an electromotive device is disposed in parallel under the aircon condenser behind of a bumper hole through which a large amount of outside air is introduced. A radiator for a stack is disposed behind of the aircon condenser, and a radiator for an electromotive device is disposed in parallel. A cooling fan is disposed behind of the radiator for a stack. The cooling apparatus includes an air guide unit mounted in front of the aircon condenser and the radiator for an electromotive device, the air guide unit preventing the bypassing of outside air introduced during operation of a vehicle while distributing and introducing the outside air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jae Yeon Kim, Wan Je Cho, Su Whan Kim, Man Hee Park
  • 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: 8459388
    Abstract: An evaporation cycle heat exchange system for a vehicle is provided. The evaporation cycle heat exchange system is a new type of cooling system that cools vehicle electronic components, a fuel cell stack, an internal combustion engine, an automatic transmission, a turbocharger, etc. using an evaporative heat exchanger, thus improving cooling efficiency and reducing the size of components such as a radiator. The evaporation cycle heat exchange system cools coolant circulating through a vehicle cooling system by employing an evaporative heat exchanger in which a working fluid flows by a pressure difference caused by volume expansion and capillary phenomenon. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the cooling efficiency of the entire cooling system, reduce the size of components to comply with pedestrian protection regulations, improve fuel efficiency, and ensure the stability of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jae Yeon Kim
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8459389
    Abstract: A coolant flow control management system includes an integrated pump coolant flow control and heat exchange device for delivering engine coolant to and from the engine. According to the system, coolant flows from the engine and is delivered back to the engine after passing through various coolant branches while flow is regulated by a control valve part of said device, then passes through a heat exchanger part before being returned to the engine by a pump part. Systems of the invention are particularly useful with all-electric and hybrid vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Myers, Mark A. Bourcier
  • Patent number: 8453776
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided having at least one swing-out cooling assembly. A method of assembling the at least one swing-out cooling assembly on the vehicle is further provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Ryan R. Neilson
  • Patent number: 8443871
    Abstract: A temperature control apparatus, for radiating heat from a side door to a vehicle interior, includes components which are provided inside each of the vehicle body and side door, respectively. A heat source is disposed within a peripheral edge part of an opening in a vehicle body. A heat pipe is provided in the side door. When the door opening is closed by the side door, the heat source and heat pipe come into contact, and are thermally connected by a heat transmission mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kengo Hayashi, Daisuke Yamaoka
  • Publication number: 20130118822
    Abstract: A radiator structure includes a radiator body having a core composed of radiating fins and cooling water passing tubes alternately laminated and a bracket disposed at one end of the core. The bracket includes an extension portion disposed at a vehicle widthwise inner end of the core and extending along a vehicle front-rear direction. The extension portion has a fixing portion on a leading end thereof, the fixing portion being fixed to a mounting portion of a body frame. An indentation is provided in a portion of an opposed sidewall where a front end of the core and the opposed sidewall of the bracket overlap each other when the vehicle is viewed from the side and which overlaps the fixing portion at least in the vehicle front-rear direction. The indentation is formed by bending the opposed sidewall in a direction away from the front end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
  • Patent number: 8439143
    Abstract: A vehicle air intake system includes a grille disposed along a forward end of a vehicle. The grille has one or more inlet apertures for admitting airflow. A bulkhead extends laterally across the vehicle rearwardly of the grille. An intake enclosure having an intake port is disposed over the bulkhead. A bulkhead cover extends from the bulkhead to the grille. The bulkhead cover has louvers defining airflow passages therebetween for allowing the airflow admitted by the grille to pass to the intake port while inhibiting the passage of particles entrained in the airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Anthony John Leanza, Patrick M. Shafer
  • Patent number: 8424589
    Abstract: An oil cooler for a motorcycle includes a heat exchanger residing within a primary drive between an engine pulley and a clutch pulley. A fan within the primary drive pushes or pulls air through the heat exchanger. The fan may be electrically or mechanically operated and mounted to one of a base plate or a cover plate of the primary drive. Alternatively, the fan may be formed as a mechanical portion of one of the primary drive components. Vectoring blades may assist in directing an air flow within the primary drive to the heat exchanger, and vents may be formed in the cover plate for air intake and/or exhaust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Inventors: George Erik McMillan, Scott L. Lowe