RECONFIGURABLE BASELINE OPENING FOR UNDER-HOOD AIRFLOW
First Claim
1. A method of establishing a baseline airflow opening into an under-hood compartment of a motor vehicle configured to house a powertrain, the method comprising:
- providing a fascia for the under-hood compartment, wherein the fascia includes;
a first grille opening and a second grille opening configured to admit a first portion and a second portion of an airflow, respectively, into the under-hood compartment from the ambient; and
a selectable position shutter assembly disposed in the second grille opening and configured to control a size of the second grille opening between a minimum and a maximum, wherein the baseline airflow opening into the under-hood compartment is the sum of the size of the first grille opening and the minimum size of the second grille opening;
ascertaining a configuration of the powertrain; and
setting the minimum size of the second grille opening via the shutter assembly in response to the ascertained configuration of the powertrain to establish the baseline airflow opening.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of establishing a baseline airflow opening into an under-hood compartment of a vehicle configured to house a powertrain includes providing a fascia for the under-hood compartment. The fascia includes a first grille opening and a second grille opening configured to admit first and second portions of ambient airflow, respectively, into the under-hood compartment. A selectable position shutter assembly is disposed in the second grille opening and configured to control a size of the second grille opening. The baseline airflow opening into the under-hood compartment is the sum of the size of the first grille opening and the minimum size of the second grille opening. The method also includes ascertaining a configuration of the powertrain and setting the minimum size of the second grille opening in response to the ascertained configuration of the powertrain to establish the baseline airflow opening. A system employing the method is also disclosed.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of establishing a baseline airflow opening into an under-hood compartment of a motor vehicle configured to house a powertrain, the method comprising:
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providing a fascia for the under-hood compartment, wherein the fascia includes; a first grille opening and a second grille opening configured to admit a first portion and a second portion of an airflow, respectively, into the under-hood compartment from the ambient; and a selectable position shutter assembly disposed in the second grille opening and configured to control a size of the second grille opening between a minimum and a maximum, wherein the baseline airflow opening into the under-hood compartment is the sum of the size of the first grille opening and the minimum size of the second grille opening; ascertaining a configuration of the powertrain; and setting the minimum size of the second grille opening via the shutter assembly in response to the ascertained configuration of the powertrain to establish the baseline airflow opening. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for reconfiguring a baseline airflow opening into an under-hood compartment of a motor vehicle configured to house a powertrain, the system comprising:
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a fascia for the under-hood compartment, wherein the fascia includes; a first grille opening and a second grille opening configured to admit a first portion and a second portion of an airflow, respectively, into the under-hood compartment from the ambient; and a selectable position shutter assembly disposed in the second grille opening and configured to control a size of the second grille opening between a minimum and a maximum, wherein the baseline airflow opening into the under-hood compartment is the sum of the size of the first grille opening and a minimum size of the second grille opening; and a controller arranged on the vehicle and configured to; ascertain a configuration of the powertrain; and set the minimum size of the second grille opening via the shutter assembly in response to the ascertained configuration of the powertrain to establish the baseline airflow opening. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A vehicle comprising:
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a powertrain including an internal combustion engine cooled by a circulating fluid; a heat exchanger configured to cool the fluid via an ambient airflow after the fluid cools the engine; an under-hood compartment housing the powertrain and the heat exchanger; a fascia for the under-hood compartment, wherein the fascia includes; a first grille opening and a second grille opening configured to admit a first portion and a second portion of the ambient airflow, respectively, into the under-hood compartment; and a selectable position shutter assembly disposed in the second grille opening and configured to control a size of the second grille opening between a minimum and a maximum, wherein a baseline airflow opening into the under-hood compartment is the sum of the size of the first grille opening and a minimum size of the second grille opening; a mechanism configured to select a position of the shutter assembly between and inclusive of fully opened and fully closed; and a controller arranged on the vehicle and configured to; ascertain a configuration of the powertrain; and set the minimum size of the second grille opening via the shutter assembly via the mechanism in response to the ascertained configuration of the powertrain to establish the baseline airflow opening; wherein the mechanism is regulated by the controller. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification