Photoluminescent engine indicium

• US 10,047,659 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2016
• Issued: 08/14/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Salter, Stuart C., Dellock, Paul Kenneth, Karmo, Talat
• Primary Examiner(s): Mai, Anh
• Assistant Examiner(s): Farokhrooz, Fatima
• Application Number:
  US15/252,343
• Publication Number:
  US 20180058298A1
• Time in Patent Office: 713 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/26 the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2688 on exhaust pipes
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 20/00 Nanooptics, e.g. quantum optics or photonic crystals
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 40/00 Manufacture or treatment of nanostructures
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 13/008 Mounting or arrangement of exhaust sensors in or on exhaust apparatus sensor arrangements for engine control F02D41/1439
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 13/102 having thermal insulation
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 5/02 the devices using heat
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 2/005 excited by infrared radiation using up-conversion
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/08 Optical arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/20 with luminescent surfaces or parts luminescent compositions C09K11/00; light sources using luminescence F21K2/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/0294 where the change is not permanent, e.g. labels only readable under a special light, temperature indicating labels and the like
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/774 Exhibiting three-dimensional carrier confinement, e.g. quantum dots
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/813 Of specified inorganic semiconductor composition, e.g. periodic table group IV-VI compositions
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/892 Liquid phase deposition
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/95 Electromagnetic energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/955 Of thermal property

Abstract

A vehicle engine is provided that includes an exhaust manifold configured to emit a first emission. A heat shield is positioned proximate the exhaust manifold and has a shield substrate defining an aperture. An indicator is positioned over the aperture with a support substrate and a semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer is configured to absorb the first emission and emit a second emission.

Claims

1. A vehicle engine, comprising:

an exhaust manifold configured to emit a first emission wavelength;

a heat shield positioned to a side of and at a distance from;

the exhaust manifold having a shield substrate defining an aperture; and

an indicator positioned over the aperture and comprising;

a support substrate; and

a semiconductor layer configured to absorb the first emission wavelength and emit a second emission wavelength wherein the exhaust manifold and the indicator are separated only by ambient air.

2. The vehicle engine of claim 1, wherein the support substrate defines an indicium positioned to be illuminated by the second emission wavelength.

3. The vehicle engine of claim 1, wherein the semiconductor layer is positioned between the support substrate and the exhaust manifold.

4. The vehicle engine of claim 1, wherein the support substrate defines an attachment feature and the shield substrate defines a retention feature configured to engage the attachment feature.

5. The vehicle engine of claim 1, wherein the support substrate is substantially transparent.

6. The vehicle engine of claim 1, wherein the semiconductor layer comprises a plurality of quantum dots.

7. The vehicle engine of claim 1, wherein the support substrate comprises silicone.

8. The vehicle engine of claim 6, wherein the plurality of quantum dots are suspended in polymethylmethacrylate.

9. A vehicle, comprising:

an engine component configured to emit a first emission having a wavelength greater than about 800 nm;

a heat shield positioned to a side of and at a distance from;

the engine component; and

an indicator positioned on the heat shield configured to absorb the first emission and emit a second emission wherein the engine component and the indicator are separated only by ambient air.

10. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the first emission has a longer wavelength than the second emission.

11. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the indicator defines an indicium configured to be illuminated by the second emission.

12. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the heat shield defines an aperture over which the indicator is positioned.

13. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the engine component is an exhaust manifold.

14. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the indicator comprises a plurality of quantum dots.

15. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the indicator comprises silicone.

16. A vehicle engine, comprising:

an exhaust manifold configured to emit a first emission;

a heat shield positioned to a side of and at a distance from;

the exhaust manifold; and

a semiconductor layer positioned proximate the heat shield and configured to convert the first emission into a second emission wherein the semiconductor layer and the exhaust manifold are separated only by ambient air.

17. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein the first emission has a longer wavelength than the second emission.

18. The vehicle of claim 17, wherein the second emission has a wavelength of less than about 800 nm.

19. The vehicle of claim 18, wherein the semiconductor layer is positioned on a support substrate defining an indicium.

20. The vehicle of claim 19, wherein the indicium is illuminated by the second emission.