Forced Recirculation Alone Or Agitating Fan Patents (Class 454/140)
  • Patent number: 11279206
    Abstract: A heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system may effectively provide and/or substantially maintain adjacent thermal zones that have different temperatures and/or humidities from one another. The HVAC system may include a duct network including zonal ducts each having a zonal duct exit configured to create aerodynamic profiles that result in a thermal zone. A thermal zone may be characterized by a volume having a temperature and/or humidity which may differ from an adjacent thermal zone, such that a temperature and/or humidity gradient exists at a thermal zone boundary between adjacent thermal zones, and such that diffusion of the temperature and/or humidity between the adjacent thermal zones is aerodynamically inhibited, or otherwise minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Zoox, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Raymond Mueller, Jaime Andres Ocampo Villegas, Goutham Shanmuga Sundaram, Rahul Subramanian
  • Patent number: 9586460
    Abstract: An air purification device for a vehicle comprises an air inlet, an air outlet, and an air conduction volume between the air inlet and the air outlet. At least one reaction surface element is provided in the air conduction volume. At least one light source for ultraviolet light is arranged in the air conduction volume. A surface of the at least one reaction surface element comprises a catalytic material, and the at least on reaction surface element is arranged substantially in the entire air conduction volume or occupies at least 50% of the inner surface of the air purification device. The air purification device comprises a base element and a cover element. The at least one reaction surface element is integrally connected to the base element or to the cover element and comprises surface-coated rod-shaped elements protruding into the air conduction volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Bernd Gross, Hans-Georg Werner, Joshua Hesterberg, Man Loong Leong
  • Patent number: 9343785
    Abstract: A vehicular battery cooling device in which a rear seat is disposed on the upper surface of a rear floor panel, a battery pack is disposed on the upper surface of the rear floor panel at the rear of the rear seat, and an air intake duct extending from the battery pack to the vehicle front is installed between the cushion part of the rear seat and the rear floor panel. A concave part extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction is formed in the lower surface of the cushion part in the central portion in the vehicle width direction, an opening is formed at the front end of the air intake duct, and the air intake duct is formed so as to have a strength capable of supporting the weight of a passenger and is brought into contact with the lower surface of the cushion part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Seiji Bito
  • Patent number: 9266405
    Abstract: A system for regulating the cabin temperature of an automobile features an automobile having a roof and a passenger cabin. The roof features a ventilation housing aperture located therein. The system features a ventilation housing having a hollow housing chamber located therein. A housing bottom side features a fan aperture located therein. The housing bottom side is located on the ventilation housing aperture thereon. A housing rear side features an exterior vent aperture located therein. The system features an anterior chamber and a posterior chamber located in the hollow chamber. A chamber divider is located between the anterior chamber and the posterior chamber. The system features a fan located in the fan aperture operatively connected to a power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Inventor: Stephen R. Blanchard
  • Publication number: 20140256244
    Abstract: An air conditioning device for a vehicle, comprising an intake portion that is provided at a cabin side at a vehicle ceiling portion, and that takes-in air; a blow-out portion that is provided at the cabin side at the vehicle ceiling portion, and that blows out, into the cabin, air that has been taken-in from the intake portion; and a blower device that is provided at the vehicle ceiling portion and that, by operating, blows air from the intake portion toward the blow-out portion, the blower device being disposed at a vehicle front-rear direction rear side of a bulging portion that bulges toward the cabin side and that accommodates a sunroof that opens and closes a roof opening portion that is formed in the vehicle ceiling portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideyuki Sakurai, Takao Sato
  • Publication number: 20120108156
    Abstract: A utility vehicle (10) comprising a ventilation system (30) which receives air from the environment, filters the air and supplies the filtered air into a cab (18). The system comprises a fan (54) to drive air through a channel from the environment to the cab, and a main air filter arranged within a roof section (24) of the cab and downstream of a pre-filter. The pre-filter (32;72) rotates about a rotation axis which is substantially parallel to the air flow through the pre-filter so as to reduce the particulate matter which reaches the main filter. The rotation of the pre-filter (32;72) creates a centrifugal force which forces the particulate matter radially outwardly to reduce the build-up of matter on the filter, thus reducing the frequency of servicing. The pre-filter can be integrated into a cab ventilation system or provided in a module which can be added to a vehicle having a conventional ventilation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: VALTRA OY AB
    Inventors: Henry Himanen, Totte Virtanen
  • Publication number: 20110165830
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle has a passenger cabin, an HVAC system adjustable between a fresh air mode and a recirculate mode, a compartment containing a heat-producing electrical component, and a non-passenger compartment that is ventilated to outside of the vehicle. A duct has an inlet end adjacent the compartment and an outlet end adjacent an air intake of the HVAC system. A valve controls whether cooling air exiting the compartment is directed into the duct or into the non-passenger compartment. The valve is operated to direct a majority of the cooling air into the duct when the HVAC system is in the recirculate mode, and into the non-passenger compartment when the HVAC system is in the fresh air mode. Air from the non-passenger compartment may be vented out of the vehicle through an air extractor vent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Mark G. Smith
  • Publication number: 20110105004
    Abstract: A fan system includes a first fluid region having a first temperature and a second fluid region having a second temperature that is different from the first temperature. An energy harvesting system is disposed in contact with each of the first fluid region and the second fluid region. A fan is driven by an energy harvesting system in response to the temperature difference between the first fluid region and the second fluid region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Jan H. Aase, Nancy L. Johnson, James Holbrook Brown
  • Patent number: 7903414
    Abstract: An air volume control module for use with a vehicular air conditioning apparatus includes a circuit board including a control circuit for controlling the rotational speed of the blower of the vehicular air conditioning apparatus, a heat sink connected to the circuit board and including a fin for radiating heat generated by the circuit board, and a base housing surrounding the circuit board, the heat sink being inserted in the base housing with the fin projecting from the base housing. The base housing is mounted on the heat sink only by a locking finger. Either one of the base housing and the fin of the heat sink has a protective projection having a heightwise dimension greater than that of the locking finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignees: Keihin Corporation, Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Nishiyashiki, Michinori Hatada
  • Publication number: 20100304654
    Abstract: An HVAC system for a vehicle includes a housing, a front HVAC unit housed in the housing and having a front blower, a first airflow path, and a front air mix door, a rear HVAC unit housed in the housing and having a rear blower, a second airflow path, and a rear air mix door. The HVAC system further includes an evaporator having a first portion disposed in the first airflow path and a second portion disposed in the second airflow path, and a heating core having a first portion disposed in the first airflow path and a second portion disposed in the second airflow path. An airflow directional door is disposed between the first airflow path and the second airflow path to regulate airflow from the rear blower to the first airflow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinji Kakizaki, Junichi Kanemaru
  • Publication number: 20100248605
    Abstract: An apparatus for a heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system may employ a blower case that houses a fan and a motor to drive the fan, an air intake case that houses an air filter, a grill that contacts and supports the filter, a fresh air intake and a recirculation air intake. The grill may be located directly over the fan to protect the fan and motor from debris. The air intake case may employ a fresh air inlet and a recirculation air inlet such that air entering either may have an airflow path through the HVAC system in the order of: the fresh air intake, the filter, the grill, the fan, and the blower case. An intermediate grill panel and the grill may be integrally molded together as one single piece to improve NVH, reduce overall part count and save manufacturing time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajeev Sharma, Simon Hotte
  • Publication number: 20100190429
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the air flow entering a passenger compartment of an automotive vehicle. The position of a valve or door in the vehicle air duct system is varied between a full-fresh air position and a full-recirculated air position to produce a controlled relationship between a fan speed selected by a vehicle occupant and a desired air flow rate into the passenger compartment over a wide range of vehicle speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Gerhard A. Dage
  • Publication number: 20100048118
    Abstract: An HVAC system for work vehicle having an operator compartment for an operator is disclosed. The HVAC system includes a pressurizer blower and an air-conditioning system coupled to an electronic circuit. The electronic circuit is configured to reduce the output of the pressurizer blower when the operator selects a high output from the air-conditioning system. The HVAC system is also configured to provide defog operation in both a manual mode and an automatic mode of operation. The HVAC system is configured to reset the defog operation when the vehicle ignition is turned off or turned back on. The HVAC system is also configured not to reset the defog operation when the operator switches rapidly between the automatic mode and the manual mode of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Mark D. Klassen, Leonid Chernyavsky, Alan G. Leupold, Paul E. Wibbels, Michael C. Bunnell, M. Javaid Arshad
  • Patent number: 6491578
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Yoshinori, Kouji Sakai, Shinji Aoki, Yuichi Kajino
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6098023
    Abstract: A monitoring device and a driving control system for a fan filter unit in a semiconductor clean room for monitoring the operating state of the fan filter unit. The monitoring device includes a switching section in each fan filter unit which alternately applies electrical power to one of a plurality of terminals. The switching section is responsive to a force from an air stream introduced therein via rotation of a fan in the fan filter unit. A display section in each fan filter unit is connected to the plurality of terminals which provide different signals, indicative of an on or off state of the fan, according to which of the plurality of terminals is electrically connected to the electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-sung Hwang, Jae-heung Choi, Yo-han Ahn, Dong-joo Lee
  • Patent number: 6007420
    Abstract: An operating element in a motor vehicle having a hollow gripping section which can be gripped by an occupant, is arranged above the leg space of the motor vehicle and is provided in a ventilatable manner with air outlet openings to which air is guided through an air guiding duct which flows through air outlet openings into the occupant compartment. The air guiding duct starts in the leg space of the occupant compartment, and, from the gripping section heated by the effect of the sun, warmer air can flow off through the air outlet openings into the occupant compartment. By way of the air guiding duct, cooler air from the leg space is taken into the gripping suction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Klaus Harm, Thomas Schwarz
  • Patent number: 5562539
    Abstract: A clean space system prevents pollution of clean surroundings in a processing space. Pollution is avoided which could otherwise occur when a worker comes in contact with the processing space while carrying out processes and operations in the clean surroundings. The apparatus includes a clean processing space, in which the processes and operations are carried out, and a preparing space coupled with an opening for work in the processing space. The preparing space is used by the worker prior to entering the processing space. In the preparing space, the worker performs preliminary actions such as changing his clothes and cleaning himself using an air shower to remove particles from his body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoyuki Hashimoto, Sakae Kobayashi, Youichi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5501634
    Abstract: A cover assembly for a roof mounted air conditioner unit which allows an increased output air volume to flow from a roof mounted air conditioner into a cooling volume; the assembly comprises a cover, return air grills, side diffuser assemblies, and a register having frame, directional control louvers, volume control louvers, a throttle and mounting screws; the register is substantially in alignment with the output blower of a roof mounted air conditioner and sized to allow a maximum output air volume to flow into the cooling volume. The register's volume control louvers and directional control louvers control the amount of air passing through the register and the direction of air flow respectively. Additionally, a method for retro-fitting existing covers with a register aligned with the output blower of a roof mounted air conditioner thereby producing the same effect of the improved cover assembly is shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Inventor: Timothy S. Wilder
  • Patent number: 5111738
    Abstract: The air blower unit includes a casing having a lower wall, and upper wall and two opposed side walls, which together define two open and opposed end faces of the same profile. The casing also includes a mounting frame, together with an air blower which is mounted within the casing and which comprises a blower rotor, a drive motor for the blower rotor, and two symmetrical half shells which are mated together to define a volute chamber in which the blower rotor and the motor are mounted.This unit is readily adaptable to two different configurations, according to whether the vehicle in which it is to be installed is of the left hand drive or right hand drive type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: Valeo Thermique Habitacle
    Inventor: Michel Becquerel
  • Patent number: 5099752
    Abstract: A cooling device for an enclosure, specifically parked automotive vehicles, mountable in a window comprising an air channel for introducing normally cool ambient air from outside the vehicle into the vehicle passenger compartment. The atmospheric air channel is positioned so as to cause the ambient air to be forced to the bottom of the vehicle compartment. This introduction of new atmospheric air increases the internal pressure of the vehicle compartment causing the interior air to seek escape by the easiest means possible, such as, the open portion of the window surrounding the inlet of the device. Additionally during days of cooler ambient temperatures the device has a heating member (52) such that it can perform area heating. Further a coanda nozzle (16) is attached to the outlet (14) of the air channel which acts to speed the velocity of the air being forced to the bottom of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: Dynamic Educational Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: David C. Bosley