Including Duct Extending Along Roof Patents (Class 454/137)
  • Patent number: 11124043
    Abstract: A sports car provided with a conditioning system comprising a conditioning device for treating environmental air, an internal channel for delivering conditioned air generated by said conditioning device throughout a vehicle cockpit, wherein said conditioning device is arranged at the rear of said vehicle cockpit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: FERRARI S.p.A.
    Inventor: Fabrizio Favaretto
  • Patent number: 10526091
    Abstract: A system for cooling a plurality of electrical equipment components inside a mobile platform may include at least one manifold and a plurality of flexible tubing ducts. The manifold may have an outlet, and a plurality of inlet tubing connections in fluid communication with the outlet. The outlet may be coupled to an interface of a cooling system of the platform by exhaust tubing. Each of the flexible tubing ducts may have a proximal end and a distal end. Each proximal end may be selectively connectable to the inlet tubing connections. Each distal end may have an air intake port that is alternatively positionable in two or more thermal dissipation zones of the electrical equipment components for permitting an exhaust profile inside the platform to the interface to be reconfigured based at least in part on respective positions of the electrical equipment components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mary Eileen Beckman, Mark Steven Kuehn, Robert Herkimer
  • Patent number: 10166840
    Abstract: An air distribution system for the distribution of air to a rear portion of a vehicle includes a housing extending between a first and second end. The housing defines a plurality of first direct air outlets disposed adjacent the first end, a plurality of second direct air outlets disposed adjacent the second end, and a plurality of indirect air outlets disposed between the first and second direct air outlets. An airflow control assembly is configured to interchange airflow of the air distribution system between a first mode in which airflow is open through the direct air outlets but blocked from the indirect air outlets for guiding air directly to occupants situated in the rear portion of the vehicle and a second mode in which airflow is restricted through the direct air outlets and open through the indirect air outlets to create a bloom of air over the rear vehicle occupants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
  • Patent number: 10040332
    Abstract: A vehicle including a vehicle body, an air conditioning unit, and a fairing. The vehicle body includes a roof having a front portion and a rear portion. The air conditioning unit is disposed within the vehicle body and includes a condenser configured to receive air from outside the vehicle body through an opening in the rear portion of the roof. The fairing is disposed over the rear portion of the roof and the opening thereby defining an interior volume between the fairing and the rear portion of the roof. The fairing includes a leading portion oriented toward the front portion of the roof. The leading portion has an air inlet such that when the vehicle moves in a forward direction air from outside the vehicle body enters the interior volume through the air inlet, passes through the opening, and passes through the condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wilson Samuel Jesudason Lawrence, Patil Raju
  • Patent number: 9643662
    Abstract: A center pillar (3) has a pipe structure having a hollow space (3a). In the center pillar (3), a lower end opening (3c) for connecting the hollow space (3a) to an outdoor space and an upper end opening (3b) for connecting the hollow space (3a) to an indoor space (10) are formed. The lower end opening (3c) and the upper end opening (3b) are arranged at a prescribed distance from each other in a longitudinal direction of the center pillar (3). Thus, a cab for work vehicle and a work vehicle capable of preventing dust, water, or the like from entering the cab and realizing an environment in the cab comfortable for an operator are obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Kouji Nagami, Masamichi Miyazaki
  • Publication number: 20150121902
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a zonal conditioning system for a vehicle comprises a headliner assembly configured to be secured to the top surface of a vehicle interior, wherein the headliner assembly comprises a first side positioned away from the vehicle interior and hidden from the vehicle interior, and a second side positioned toward the vehicle interior, the headliner assembly comprising at least two vents through which air selectively passes. The zonal conditioning system further includes at least two fluid modules positioned along the first side of the headliner assembly, wherein each of the fluid modules comprises a fluid transfer device and an outlet. In some embodiments, at least one property of the air discharged through the first and second vents can be selectively regulated to create separate conditioning zones within the interior of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Adam Joseph Steinman, Kenneth James Bunyak, Bruno Antonio Orlando
  • Patent number: 8869547
    Abstract: An air conditioner of a track system vehicle includes two air conditioning units disposed in parallel in a horizontal direction and mounted on the roof of a vehicle, a plurality of outlets of two air conditioning units facing a vehicle center side, a first duct connecting two air conditioning units, and a second duct which bypasses to the vehicle ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masaya Nishino, Toru Kanemori, Osamu Kawaguchi, Ayako Tanabe
  • Patent number: 8764527
    Abstract: At least one aspect of the invention is directed to a ventilation device. The ventilation device includes a frame configured to be mounted to a barrier, and a plurality of air moving devices configured to be coupled to the frame and configured to draw air from a first side of the barrier to a second side of the barrier. The ventilation unit further includes a control device coupled to the plurality of air moving devices and configured to detect an out of tolerance condition of one of the plurality of air moving devices and control another one of the plurality of air moving devices to increase airflow though the another one of the plurality of air moving devices in response to the out of tolerance condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Schneider Electric IT Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Donovan, Gary Ware, Carlo Albano, Michael Falcinelli
  • Patent number: 8764526
    Abstract: An air duct system for vehicles, in particular for passenger rail vehicles, has at least one roof venting duct, which has a component venting duct for warm air and a component venting duct for cold-air. A separating means which is arranged inside the roof venting duct is designed so it can be deformed or is held in a movable fashion in such a way that the cross section of each of the two component venting ducts can be enlarged by making the respective other component venting duct smaller. These changes in cross section are brought about solely by the air pressure and volume flow conditions without external energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Werner Höfler, Rainer Wichmann
  • Patent number: 8616425
    Abstract: A trim panel for an interior upper surface of a roof of a vehicle includes a plurality of hanging features disposed thereon. Each of the hanging features includes a slot defined by the trim panel, and a hanging portion extending across the slot. The hanging portion is configured to support a clothes hanger thereon. The trim panel may extend laterally across a width of the vehicle, transverse to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and may be disposed adjacent a rear closure assembly, such as a hatchback of an SUV or other similar vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: James G. Gobart, Albert H. Butlin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8568209
    Abstract: Air-conditioning systems for vehicles include at least one air-distribution duct and at least one air-return duct. The at least one air-distribution duct is in air flow communication with at least one air-conditioning unit and is adapted to extend along a substantial portion of the interior of the vehicle. The at least one air-distribution duct includes at least one opening through which air conditioned by the at least one air-conditioning unit can be discharged to the interior of the vehicle. The at least one air-return duct also has at least one opening though which air from the interior of the vehicle can pass and be discharged from the air-return duct at a discharge location. The at least one air-return duct is adapted to extend to one or more areas of the vehicle interior so that at least one opening in the air-return duct is substantially removed from the discharge location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Dometic Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce Boxum
  • Publication number: 20130210331
    Abstract: An apparatus for the air conditioning and/or ventilation of an interior compartment and which includes an interior trim element on which are configured outflow openings configured to permit air to flow into the interior compartment, the interior trim element including a multilayered structure having a honeycomb core formed of webs between an inner top layer and an outer top layer, adjacent webs being spaced apart from each other to define cavities configured, the webs and cavities combining to form ducts which guide the air in the interior trim element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: MAGNA STEYR FAHRZEUGTECHNIK AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: MAGNA STEYR FAHRZEUGTECHNIK AG & CO. KG
  • Publication number: 20130203333
    Abstract: A cab of an agricultural vehicle has having a seat for an operator and a console unit arranged forward of the seat for housing an instrument display. The cab is fitted with an HVAC system comprising a heat exchanger unit located within the console unit and a blower located on the floor of the cab beneath or adjacent the seat and serving to blow air by way of a floor-level duct to the heat exchanger unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Mario Amura, Pierre Bugeja, Alessio Cadalora, Tiziano Salvini, Lorena Stanzani
  • Patent number: 8366524
    Abstract: A cabin for a work vehicle comprises: a driver's seat positioned within the cabin; cabin frames including at least a transverse frame located in a rear region of the cabin; a roof supported by at least some of the cabin frames; at least one air-conditioning duct located within the roof an air conditioning unit located rearwardly with respect to a rearward end of a seat portion of the driver's seat and adjacent the transverse frame for conditioning air and for feeding air-conditioned air into the at least one air-conditioning duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Nobushige Ichikawa, Shota Nagasawa, Daisuke Inaba, Hisao Mukai, Aya Motoki, Kenichi Sato
  • Patent number: 8056963
    Abstract: A vehicle roof assembly is coupled to a windshield. The roof assembly includes an outer roof member and an inner roof member which form a duct for conducting conditioned air therethrough. A body panel includes a front panel and a bottom panel which are integrally joined together at a corner. The corner has a plurality of apertures formed therein. An adhesive strip attaches an upper edge of the windshield to the front panel. The apertures receive conditioned air from the duct and form an airflow boundary layer which flows over an inner surface of the windshield. This assembly forms a windshield defogging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Paul Thomas Bruss, Randy Charles Rush
  • Patent number: 8054625
    Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems directed to efficient cooling of data centers. Some embodiments of the invention allow encapsulation of cold rows through an enclosure and allow one or more fans to draw cold air from the cold row encapsulation structure to cool servers installed on the server racks. In other particular embodiments, the systems disclosed can be used to mix outside cool air into the cold row encapsulation structure to cool the servers. In some embodiments, the present invention involves fanless servers installed on the server racks and introduces fan units to draw cooling air from the cold row encapsulation structure through the fanless servers on the racks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Noteboom, Albert Dell Robison
  • Publication number: 20110030406
    Abstract: A cabin for a work vehicle comprises: a driver's seat positioned within the cabin; cabin frames including at least a transverse frame located in a rear region of the cabin; a roof supported by at least some of the cabin frames; at least one air-conditioning duct located within the roof an air conditioning unit located rearwardly with respect to a rearward end of a seat portion of the driver's seat and adjacent the transverse frame for conditioning air and for feeding air-conditioned air into the at least one air-conditioning duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobushige Ichikawa, Shota Nagasawa, Daisuke Inaba, Hisao Mukai, Aya Motoki, Kenichi Sato
  • Publication number: 20110000727
    Abstract: A motor vehicle (2) has a roof (3) with two longitudinal roof members (4, 5). Side windows (9) are under longitudinal roof members (4, 5) and fins (12, 13) extend rearward of the longitudinal roof members (4, 5). An outer skin (16) of a rear deck lid (17) is arranged between the fins (12, 13). Air inlet openings (20, 21) are formed in outer sides of the fins (12, 13) adjacent to the side window (9) are connected by a two-channel air duct (23, 24) to an air outlet opening (25, 26) adjacent the outer skin (16) of the lid on the inner side (15) of the fin (12, 13) and to an assembly compartment (RA) for an assembly (AG) of the motor vehicle (2). A rear air deflection device (32) is arranged behind the air outlet opening (25, 26).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: DR. ING. H.C.F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Mathias Froeschle, Grant Larson
  • Patent number: 7658670
    Abstract: A combined window-screen and ventilation system includes first and second non-corrosive conduits that are conjoined to the vehicle's existing air circulating system. The conduits are in fluid communication with the air circulating system such that air can flow therethrough. The conduits terminate rearward of a vehicle's front window and are provided with spaced apertures so that air is discharged towards side door window openings and a sunroof opening. Window screens are interfitted within the door window and the sunroof openings. A mechanism is included for circulating stagnant air within the vehicle. The air circulating mechanism is seated within the vehicle interior, is conjoined to the sunroof, is independently and contemporaneously operable with the vehicle air-circulating system, and is remotely operable up to 50 feet away, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Inventor: Verrie M. Brown
  • Publication number: 20090038774
    Abstract: A vehicle air conditioner has an air conditioning unit for generating conditioned air, first and second roof outlets for blowing the air toward heads of passengers on second and third seat rows, rear face outlets for blowing the air toward an upper body of the passenger on the second seat row, a first rear foot outlet for blowing the air toward feet of the passenger on the second seat row, a second rear foot outlet for blowing the air toward calves of the passenger on the second seat row, a third rear foot outlet for blowing the air toward feet of the passenger on the third seat row, first and second pillar outlets for blowing the air toward side window glasses on sides of the second and third seat rows, and a rear side outlet for blowing the air toward upper legs of the passenger on the second seat row.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicants: DENSO CORPORATION, Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akio Ogiso, Hayato Kamigashima, Yasuhiro Akahori, Takahiro Mizuno
  • Publication number: 20090036046
    Abstract: An air duct outlet includes a housing that defines an air passageway with an inlet and outlet, and a porous layer of material that overlies the air passageway outlet and hides the air duct outlet from view. The porous layer of material is configured to soften and diffuse an air stream flowing through the air passageway outlet and/or to cause an air stream flowing through the air passageway outlet to be directed in one or more directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas Franz Josef Gehring, Ireneusz Jankowski, Dejan Havidic
  • Publication number: 20080264070
    Abstract: A device for ventilating and cooling the interior of a vehicle with at least one air guide channel (7) having air inlet openings (8) located in the rear of a solar cell equipped vehicle roof (5a, 5b), the air guide channel (7) being restricted to the rear area (3) of the vehicle roof (5a, 5b) and having at least one fan (15) for taking in outside air (10) and at least one coolng element (14) for cooling the air taken in. The bottom of the air guide channel (7) is formed by a first section (12) of a roof portion (5b) which extends from the vehicle rear toward the vehicle front (3, 1) and the top of the air guide channel (7) is formed by a second section (13) of a roof portion (5a) which extends from the vehicle front toward the vehicle rear (1, 3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: Webasto AG
    Inventors: Helmut Teschner, Michael Kolbl, Martin Pollak, Sven Vilsmayer, Rupert Kogler
  • Patent number: 7377848
    Abstract: A variable air circulation system for the cab enclosure of an off-highway vehicle is disclosed and described. The system provides for adjustment of the ratio between fresh air circulation and recirculation of cab air. Fresh air is introduced into the cab through a fresh air inlet having a fresh air filter therein. The air inlet leads to a circulation conduit. When a cab door is opened, a valve to the conduit is opened. When the door is closed, the air pulse created in the cab is effective, through the valve, to dislodge dust and dirt from the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Hugh Richard Voit, II, Robert D. Doescher, Alan G. Leupold, Marvin D. Pepper
  • Publication number: 20080096481
    Abstract: Described is a motor vehicle ventilating device equipped with a housing (3), fastening elements (4) for attaching the housing (3) to the roof of the cabin of a motor vehicle (2) and a fan (5) positioned in the housing (3); the housing (3) defines a closed chamber (9) equipped with an air inlet opening (10) and at least one air outlet opening (11) for delivering to the vehicle cabin through the outlet opening (11) the air that is drawn into the housing (3) by the fan (5) through the inlet opening (10); the housing (3) is defined by two half-shells (12, 13) joined to each other in airtight manner, the first half-shell (12) being designed to be attached to the cabin roof and being equipped with a seat (18) for mounting the motor (6) of the fan (5) impeller (7), and the second half-shell (13) having the air inlet and outlet openings (10, 11) made in it; in an alternative embodiment, the motor (6) of the fan (5) impeller (7) is made in the second half-shell (13); the fan is of the axial-flow type and the air outle
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventor: Alessandro Spaggiari
  • Patent number: 7338357
    Abstract: A fixed air circulation system for the cab enclosure of an off-highway vehicle is disclosed. Fresh air is introduced into the cab through a fresh air inlet having a fresh air filter therein. The air inlet leads, through a manifold or fresh air duct, to the inside of the operator's compartment. When a cab door is opened, a bypass valve to the conduit is opened. When the door is closed, the air pulse created in the cab is effective, through the bypass valve or normal openings with the blower off, to dislodge dust and dirt from the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Hugh Richard Voit, II, Robert D. Doescher, Alan G Leupold, Marvin D. Pepper
  • Patent number: 7334834
    Abstract: A tractor cab roof with integral HVAC air ducts includes an upper roof member and a lower roof member. The upper roof member includes a top panel, downwardly depending side edges, and a downwardly depending rear edge. The lower roof member includes a central panel, left and right side panels below the central panel, a rear panel below the central panel, sloping side walls, and a sloping rear wall. Conditioned air ducts are between the upper roof member and the left and right side panels, with conditioned air outlet apertures in the sloping side walls. An evaporator/heater core is mounted on the rear panel, with an air mixing chamber to the rear and a conditioned air discharge cavity in front. Recirculating air intake apertures are provided where the sloping rear wall joins the rear panel. A pair of blowers move conditioned air from the conditioned air chamber into the conditioned air ducts. The flow of conditioned air crosses over the recirculating air in a figure eight pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Thomas Chilton Hill, Paul Michael Elhardt, Michael David Caudill
  • Patent number: 7252585
    Abstract: A work-vehicle cabin having an air-conditioning unit is disclosed. The cabin includes a roof unit, a downwardly bulging ceiling portion constituting a part of the roof unit, a heater provided in the ceiling portion, an evaporator provided in the ceiling portion and arranged adjacently rearwardly of the heater, and a pair of forward air-supply openings provided in the ceiling portion and respectively disposed laterally of the heater for feeding conditioned air to the inside of the cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Nobushige Ichikawa, Kentaro Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6932693
    Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus 1 for a vehicle has an air supply duct 6 for supplying air and a vent 40 communicating with the air supply duct 6 for blowing the air into a compartment of the vehicle. The direction of the air blown from the vent 40 is adjustable. The air supply duct 6 includes a branch chamber 14, 16 for reducing flow speed of the air flowing through the air supply duct 6 so that the speed-reduced air in the branch chamber 14, 16 is blown from the vent 40.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuya Nakagawa, Tetsuo Tominaga, Hajime Izumi, Toshihisa Kondo
  • Patent number: 6899381
    Abstract: A headliner assembly for a vehicle. The headliner assembly includes a headliner body and a flexible air duct. The headliner body includes a vent aperture and first and second surfaces. The first surface is disposed adjacent to a roof of the vehicle and the second surface is disposed opposite the first surface. The flexible air duct includes an inlet for receiving pressurized air and a duct portion that channels pressurized air from the inlet to the vent aperture. The flexible air duct is attached to the first surface and inflates when air is provided through the inlet and at least partially deflates when air is not provided through the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Mark W. Fero, David J. Prince, Justin Putti, Randall A. Gage
  • Patent number: 6808450
    Abstract: A solar powered heating and ventilation system maintains an unoccupied vehicle at a more comfortable temperature relative to the outside temperature using both heating and cooling as appropriate. The system uses an air duct having a fan, heating element, vents, flaps, a selector switch, power control circuitry, a thermostat, and a clock/timer. The system also uses an electronic solar power panel and battery as power sources. The thermostat senses air temperature and causes the power control circuitry to regulate the temperature. The clock/timer may be manually set to activate and/or deactivate the power control circuitry at predetermined times. The system provides power to the fan and heating elements via a selector switch and power control circuits. The power control circuitry is connected to the vehicle battery and electronic solar power cells. The duct is located on the interior ceiling of the vehicle and has at least three vents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Inventor: Christopher E. Snow
  • Patent number: 6758741
    Abstract: A vehicle interior structure includes an air vent wall. The air vent wall has a nonpermeable layer, a nonpermeable surface layer and a permeable layer. The permeable layer has a three-dimensional net construction and is disposed between the nonpermeable layer and the nonpermeable surface layer. The permeable layer has two welded nonpermeable portions, which are extended linearly. An air passage is formed between the welded nonpermeable portions. The vehicle interior structure is applied to a vehicle temperature control system including an air conditioning unit and an air blower unit. The interior of the vehicle is ventilated through the air passage of the air vent wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Aoki, Kazushi Shikata
  • Patent number: 6749255
    Abstract: A seamless plastic tubular air duct is formed by a blow molding process. The air duct is attached to upper surface of a vehicle headliner and controls the flow of air between the vehicle air circulation system and vents to the passenger compartment. Attachment points may be formed upon the outer surface of the air duct for securing other vehicle components to the headliner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Mike Dykman, Jim Mestemaker, David M. Fox
  • Publication number: 20040110459
    Abstract: A solar powered heating and ventilation system maintains an unoccupied vehicle at a more comfortable temperature relative to the outside temperature using both heating and cooling as appropriate. The system uses an air duct having a fan, heating element, vents, flaps, a selector switch, power control circuitry, a thermostat, and a clock/timer. The system also uses an electronic solar power panel and battery as power sources. The thermostat senses air temperature and causes the power control circuitry to regulate the temperature. The clock/timer may be manually set to activate and/or deactivate the power control circuitry at predetermined times. The system provides power to the fan and heating elements via a selector switch and power control circuits. The power control circuitry is connected to the vehicle battery and electronic solar power cells. The duct is located on the interior ceiling of the vehicle and has at least three vents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventor: Christopher E. Snow
  • Publication number: 20040102151
    Abstract: In an initial stage of a cool down operation of a vehicle air conditioner, a rapid cooling operation is performed while cool air is directly blown to a passenger from direct air outlets. In a later stage of the cool down operation of the vehicle air conditioner, a temperature of an inner wall portion of a passenger compartment is reduced while cool air is indirectly supplied to the passenger of the passenger compartment from the indirect air outlet. Accordingly, cool air can be locally blown to the passenger in the initial stage, and cool air can be supplied to the entire passenger compartment while restricting an adverse effect due to heat radiation of the inner wall portion in the later stage. Thus, operation performance of the air conditioner can be improved while comfortable air conditioning feeling can be given to the passenger in the passenger compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Kazushi Shikata, Tomohiro Kamiya, Makoto Umebayashi, Tomohiro Inada
  • Publication number: 20040089007
    Abstract: In a ceiling air-blowing device for a vehicle air conditioner, a ceiling wall is disposed along a vehicle ceiling portion to define an air passage so that air from an air conditioner unit is introduced into the air passage through a pillar duct. The ceiling wall is formed with a plurality of holes having openings on a lower surface of the ceiling wall, so that the air in the air passage is blown off into the passenger compartment through the holes. Further, the holes are formed such that a total area of the openings of the holes per unit area at a position that is proximate to the end of the duct is smaller than that at a second position that is farther from the end of the duct than the first position. Therefore, the air is uniformly blown into the passenger compartment over a wide range of the ceiling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Makoto Umebayashi, Tomohiro Inada
  • Patent number: 6685262
    Abstract: A headliner assembly for an automotive vehicle is provided. The headliner assembly utilizes a pre-formed headliner and a preformed inflatable permanent air duct liner which is molded in place using foam to substantially surround and adhere said air duct liner to said headliner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Tiesler, Bari W. Brown, George B. Byma
  • Publication number: 20030199243
    Abstract: A motor vehicle with elements for changing the air inside the cabin, comprising, at the roof of the cabin, a box-like body that affects most of the roof and has, on a face directed toward the cabin, a grilled portion that forms a chamber inside the box-like body, the chamber being connected to suction ducts that lead outside the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventor: Giuseppe Castiglione
  • Patent number: 6616523
    Abstract: Air-accumulating chamber of a roof air duct has a non-branched configuration and is located substantially centrally in a widthwise direction of a vehicle. Air emission port sections emit conditioned air from the air-accumulating chamber toward respective rear seats. In each of the air emission port sections, a sawtooth-like surface is formed on each port base member and a resilient locking protrusion is provided on a grill for meshing engagement with the sawtooth-like surface. Air emission port, air-conditioner operating section and room lamp are provided together as a unit on the port base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihiko Tani, Yasuyuki Koma
  • Patent number: 6616522
    Abstract: A ventilating, heating, and air conditioning device for a motor vehicle passenger compartment which includes air intake orifices and an associated air intake conduit which supplies at least one fan which forces an intake air stream through two heat exchangers towards a distributor. Outlets are connected by discharge pipes to associated orifices distributed inside the passenger compartment. The fan, heat exchanger, and distributor are controlled to selectively diffuse air streams inside the passenger compartment with variable flow rate and temperature. The distributor is transversely arranged in a central position and longitudinally behind a row of seats, and the distributor outlets are at the vehicle floor level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Renault
    Inventor: Andre Colinet
  • Publication number: 20030162490
    Abstract: A ventilation cap (3) for a motor vehicle roof (1) for ventilation of the motor vehicle interior (4) and a roof with such a ventilation cap, in which the ventilation cap (3) is formed to be oblong having an air duct with a front air opening (6) and with a rear air opening (7) which discharge above the motor vehicle roof (1), the air duct being flow-connected to the motor vehicle interior (4) via a flow path which is formed in the ventilation cap (3). The motor vehicle roof (1) is formed preferably as a glass roof with at least two glass surfaces (2a, 2b), on which the ventilation cap (3) is mounted essentially a central longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Applicant: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Klesing, Michael Kolbl, Martin Pollak, Bernd Schleicher, Wolfgang Seifert, Helmut Teschner, Bernhard Vecchioni
  • Patent number: 6598665
    Abstract: A system for supplying air to first and second regions of a vehicle passenger compartment, has a first fan, a heater device, and first and second air conduits. The heater device has a first air inlet and outlet for air from the first fan and a second air inlet and outlet for recirculating air within the passenger compartment. The first and second outlets of the heater device supply air through the first and second air conduits to the first and second regions of the said vehicle. The second air conduit is connected to said second air outlet of said heater device via a second fan operable in use to selectively supply air through the second conduit to the second region of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Valeo Climate Control, Inc.
    Inventor: Stefan Schwarz
  • Patent number: 6530831
    Abstract: A ventilating, heating, and air conditioning device for a motor vehicle passenger compartment which includes air intake orifices and an associated air intake conduit which supplies at least one fan which forces an intake air stream through two heat exchangers towards a distributor. Outlets are connected by discharge pipes to associated orifices distributed inside the passenger compartment. The fan, heat exchanger, and distributor are controlled to selectively diffuse air streams inside the passenger compartment with variable flow rate and temperature. The distributor is transversely arranged in a central position and longitudinally behind a row of seats, and the distributor outlets are at the vehicle floor level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Renault
    Inventor: Andre Colinet
  • Patent number: 6508076
    Abstract: A removable modular duct system for conducting air in a temperature-controlled cargo container. Temperature-controlled air produced and propelled by a refrigeration unit, is conducted along the modular duct system by one or more duct sections and a transition section that conducts air from the refrigeration unit to the duct sections. The air may be discharged laterally via lateral discharge openings in the duct sections. An end section may be coupled to the duct sections to discharge air at the end of the duct system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Randal Gast, David B. Ziegler, Doug Lenz, Ming Zhang, Verlin Wirth
  • Patent number: 6397942
    Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus for a vehicle includes a front air-conditioning unit for adjusting a temperature of air blown toward a front seat side in a passenger compartment, and a rear air-conditioning unit for adjusting a temperature of air blown toward a rear seat side in the passenger compartment. In the front air-conditioning unit, a ratio between an amount of air passing through a front heater core and an amount of air bypassing the front heater core is adjusted by an air mixing door, and the temperature of air blown toward the front seat side in the passenger compartment is adjusted by the rotation of the air mixing door. On the other hand, in the rear air-conditioning unit, a flow control valve for controlling a flow rate of hot water flowing into a rear heater core is provided, and the temperature of air blown toward the rear seat side in the passenger compartment is adjusted by the flow control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Ito, Hikaru Sugi, Takashi Toyoshima, Kenji Suwa, Yuichi Shirota
  • Patent number: 6361428
    Abstract: A vehicle ventilation system mounted to the upper portion of the exterior structure of a vehicle's occupant cabin. The components of the exterior structure of the occupant cabin define an opening through the exterior structure of the occupant cabin in the upper portion of the occupant cabin. A duct is mounted to the exterior structure of the occupant cabin and has a first end in fluid communication with the opening in the exterior structure of the occupant cabin. A second end of the duct is positioned below the first end of the duct and is open to and in fluid communication with the outside atmosphere. A fan is mounted to the exterior structure of the occupant cabin and is positioned such that when in operation it can be operated to move air through the opening in the exterior structure of the occupant cabin. The fan is controllable to change the rate and direction of the flow of air which it creates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: International Truck and Engine Corp.
    Inventors: James J. Tosconi, Patrick J. Mattes
  • Publication number: 20020019213
    Abstract: A sitting position of a vehicle occupant in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle is detected, an outlet close to the sitting position of the occupant from plural outlets and is selected based on the detected sitting position, and air is blown out from the selected outlet toward the occupant's sitting position. Thus, since an outlet close to the occupant's sitting position is selected, it becomes easier for air to reach the vehicle occupant to sufficiently cool or warm the occupant with a small amount of blown out air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventors: Takeshi Yoshinori, Shinji Aoki, Yuichi Kajino, Kouji Sakai
  • Patent number: 6328369
    Abstract: An automobile in which an external appearance of a body of the automobile is formed to assume substantially identically shaped front and rear portions, and in which visors are provided at a front head portion and a rear head portion of a roof of the body. There is obtained an automobile of high utility value capable of decreasing manufacturing costs through rationalization of manufacturing operations, and of securing safety during driving and comfort within the automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Yugenkaisha Paramount Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Nagai
  • Patent number: 6318102
    Abstract: A vehicle air conditioning apparatus, provided in a vehicle where plural rows of seats are arrayed in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle, comprises a cooler duct for guiding cool air from a cooler unit of an air conditioning unit to a portion above and between a first rear seat positioned on a second row of seats from a vehicle front and a second rear seat positioned behind the first rear seat. The cooler duct has a first outlet for ejecting cool air to the first rear seat side and a second outlet for ejecting cool air to the second rear seat side, and the first outlet is arranged in a position away from a seated portion of the first rear seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Asou, Katsumi Sakane, Shintaro Hosoda
  • Patent number: 6315354
    Abstract: A portion 12a of a side duct 12 which is closer to a quarter glass 61 is formed into a convex cross-sectional portion protruding outwardly of the duct 12, and a rear garnish 63 is wrapped around the convex cross-sectional portion, whereby an end portion 63b of the rear garnish 63 which is closer to a quarter glass 61 is made closer to a rear pillar 62.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihiko Tani, Yasuyuki Koma
  • Publication number: 20010029162
    Abstract: In a vehicle air conditioner, each of cool air outlets is provided at an upper side of each seat at second and third seat lines from a most front seat so that cool air from an air conditioning unit is blown from the cool air outlets toward upper sides of the seats, respectively, and each of warm air outlets is provided at a lower side of each seat at the second and third seat lines so that warm air from the air conditioning unit is blown from the warm air outlets toward lower sides of the seats, respectively. In addition, each of suction ports is provided for each corresponding seat at the second and third seat lines so that air inside a passenger compartment is sucked from the suction ports to be returned to the air conditioning unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Inventors: Takeshi Yoshinori, Kouji Sakai, Shinji Aoki, Yuichi Kajino