Fuel efficient powertrain cooling systems and radiator modules
First Claim
1. A powertrain cooling system for deployment onboard a vehicle including an engine compartment, the powertrain cooling system comprising:
- a first airflow path;
a second airflow path;
a primary radiator core positioned in the first airflow path;
an auxiliary radiator core positioned in the second airflow path; and
a first airflow valve positioned in the second airflow path upstream of the auxiliary radiator core, the first airflow valve movable between a closed position wherein the first airflow valve impedes airflow to the auxiliary radiator core and an open position;
wherein the cooling efficiency of the primary radiator core is greater than the cooling efficiency of the auxiliary radiator core such that the primary radiator core rejects a given amount of heat to a reduced volume of airflow as compared to the auxiliary radiator core, and wherein the first airflow path directs the airflow discharged by the primary radiator core around and not into the engine compartment.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of a powertrain cooling system and embodiments of a radiator module are provided for deployment onboard a vehicle. In one embodiment, the powertrain cooling system includes a first airflow path, a second airflow path, a primary radiator core positioned in the first airflow path, an auxiliary radiator core position in the second airflow path, and a first airflow valve positioned in the second airflow path upstream of the auxiliary radiator core. The first airflow valve is movable between a closed position wherein the first airflow valve impedes airflow to the auxiliary radiator core and an open position.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A powertrain cooling system for deployment onboard a vehicle including an engine compartment, the powertrain cooling system comprising:
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a first airflow path; a second airflow path; a primary radiator core positioned in the first airflow path; an auxiliary radiator core positioned in the second airflow path; and a first airflow valve positioned in the second airflow path upstream of the auxiliary radiator core, the first airflow valve movable between a closed position wherein the first airflow valve impedes airflow to the auxiliary radiator core and an open position; wherein the cooling efficiency of the primary radiator core is greater than the cooling efficiency of the auxiliary radiator core such that the primary radiator core rejects a given amount of heat to a reduced volume of airflow as compared to the auxiliary radiator core, and wherein the first airflow path directs the airflow discharged by the primary radiator core around and not into the engine compartment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18)
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14. A powertrain cooling system, comprising:
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a first airflow path; a second airflow path; a primary radiator core positioned in the first airflow path and substantially outside of the second airflow path; and an auxiliary radiator core positioned in the second airflow path and substantially outside of the first airflow path, the cooling efficiency of the primary radiator core greater than the cooling efficiency of the auxiliary radiator core wherein the powertrain cooling system is configured to be deployed aboard a vehicle having an engine compartment, and wherein the powertrain cooling system is configured to direct airflow heated by the primary radiator core around and not into the engine compartment and to direct airflow heated by the auxiliary radiator core into the engine compartment. - View Dependent Claims (15, 19)
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16. A radiator module for deployment within a vehicle including a static airflow opening and a variable airflow opening therein, the radiator module comprising:
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a primary radiator core configured to receive airflow from the static airflow opening when the radiator module is deployed within the vehicle; and an auxiliary radiator core coupled to the primary radiator core and configured to receive airflow from the variable airflow opening when the radiator module is deployed within the vehicle, the auxiliary radiator core having a cooling efficiency less than the cooling efficiency of the primary radiator core. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification