AIRFLOW BAFFLE SYSTEM FOR ARTICULATING HOOD WITH MULTIPLE HINGE LOCATIONS
First Claim
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1. An articulating hood assembly, comprising:
- a stationary sealing element having a left side, a right side and a cross member between the left and right sides, the stationary sealing element having a substantially continuous sealing surface;
an articulating hood for mating with the substantially continuous sealing surface of the stationary sealing element, the articulating hood comprising at least two hoods, wherein at least a portion of the articulating hood is moveable in a first direction from the stationary sealing element to an open position and wherein a second portion of the articulating hood is moveable in a second direction from the stationary sealing element; and
a sealing baffle fixed to the articulating hood, wherein a seal is broken and formed between the stationary sealing element and the sealing baffle of the articulating hood when;
1) at least the portion of the articulating hood is moved and returned in the first direction; and
2) the second portion of the articulating hood is moved and returned in the second direction,wherein when the sealing baffle is in a closed position, the stationary sealing element forms a substantially continuous seal at an interface between the stationary sealing element and the sealing baffle.
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Abstract
The present disclosure concerns an airflow baffle system and sealing system which effectively seals an articulating hood, such as for a wheel loader, for more efficient routing of cooling air and exhaust air. The articulating hood may have multiple hinges connecting the hood to the motor vehicle. For example, a rear hinge or set of hinges may allow upward and rearward rotation of the entire hood, while a second set of hinges atop the hood may allow for upward and forward rotation of only a portion of the hood when quicker access to only a portion of the engine compartment is required.
32 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An articulating hood assembly, comprising:
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a stationary sealing element having a left side, a right side and a cross member between the left and right sides, the stationary sealing element having a substantially continuous sealing surface; an articulating hood for mating with the substantially continuous sealing surface of the stationary sealing element, the articulating hood comprising at least two hoods, wherein at least a portion of the articulating hood is moveable in a first direction from the stationary sealing element to an open position and wherein a second portion of the articulating hood is moveable in a second direction from the stationary sealing element; and a sealing baffle fixed to the articulating hood, wherein a seal is broken and formed between the stationary sealing element and the sealing baffle of the articulating hood when;
1) at least the portion of the articulating hood is moved and returned in the first direction; and
2) the second portion of the articulating hood is moved and returned in the second direction,wherein when the sealing baffle is in a closed position, the stationary sealing element forms a substantially continuous seal at an interface between the stationary sealing element and the sealing baffle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A articulating hood assembly, comprising:
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an engine compartment comprising a stationary sealing element, the stationary sealing element having a substantially continuous surface; an articulating hood mounted to the engine compartment for mating with the stationary sealing element, the articulating hood comprising at least two hoods, wherein at least a first portion of the articulating hood is moveable in a first direction from the stationary sealing element to an open position and wherein at least a second portion of the articulating hood is moveable in a second direction from the stationary sealing element; and a sealing baffle fixed to the articulating hood, wherein a seal is broken and formed between the stationary sealing element and the sealing baffle of the articulating hood when;
1) at least the first portion of the articulating hood is rotated and returned in a first direction; and
2) at least the second portion of the articulating hood is rotated and returned in a second direction,wherein when the sealing baffle is in a closed position, the stationary sealing element forms a substantially continuous seal at an interface between the stationary sealing element and the sealing baffle. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A articulating hood assembly, comprising:
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an engine compartment comprising a stationary sealing element having a left side, a right side and a cross member between the left and right sides, the stationary sealing element having a substantially continuous top surface in which at least portions of surfaces of the stationary sealing element on opposite sides of the engine compartment lie in a same plane; an articulating hood mounted to the engine compartment for mating with the stationary sealing element, the articulating hood comprising a radiator hood and an engine hood, wherein at least the radiator hood is rotatable in a first direction from the stationary sealing element to an open position and wherein at least the engine hood is rotatable in a second direction from the stationary sealing element; and a sealing baffle fixed to the radiator hood, wherein a seal is broken and formed between the stationary sealing element and the sealing baffle of the radiator hood when;
1) at least the radiator hood is rotated and returned in a first direction; and
2) at least the engine hood is rotated and returned in a second direction, wherein the sealing baffle includes a stiffer portion for fixing to the articulating hood and a more flexible portion joined to the stiffer portion for mating with the stationary sealing element,wherein when the sealing baffle is in a closed position, the stationary sealing element forms a substantially continuous seal at an interface between the stationary sealing element and the sealing baffle. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification