ACTIVE ENGINE HOOD VENTING SYSTEMS AND CONTROL LOGIC FOR OPERATING ACTIVE HOOD VENTS

• US 20190023101A1
• Filed: 07/20/2017
• Published: 01/24/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Del Gaizo, Steven A., Fang, William, McMillan, Ethan A.
• Granted Patent: US 10,457,114 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00828 Ventilators, e.g. speed control B60H1/00864 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00864 Ventilators and damper doors
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 11/085 with adjustable shutters or blinds
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2023/08 Microprocessor; Microcomputer
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2025/32 Engine outcoming fluid temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2025/48 Engine room temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 7/026 Thermostatic control
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 7/048 using electrical drives
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 7/08 by cutting in or out of pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 7/088 actuated in response to driving speed, e.g. by centrifugal devices
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 7/10 by throttling amount of air flowing through liquid-to-air heat exchangers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/88 Optimized components or subsystems, e.g. lighting, actively controlled glasses

Abstract

Disclosed are active engine compartment venting systems, methods for making and using such systems, and vehicles equipped with an active engine compartment vent and control logic for operating the vent. A method is disclosed for regulating operation of an active venting device fluidly coupled to a vent in an engine hood of a motor vehicle. The method includes a vehicle controller determining if a calibrated vehicle venting condition exists, and determining if a calibrated vehicle speed condition exists. Responsive to determining that the calibrated vehicle venting condition exists, the controller commands the active venting device to transition to an open state and thereby unobstruct the vent and allow venting fluid flow therethrough. Conversely, in response to determining that the calibrated vehicle speed condition exists, the controller commands the active venting device to transition to a closed state to thereby obstruct the vent and restrict venting fluid flow therethrough.

Claims

1. A method for regulating operation of an active venting device fluidly coupled to a vent in an engine hood of a motor vehicle, the active venting device being switchable between closed and open states to respectively obstruct and unobstruct the vent, the method comprising:

determining, via a vehicle controller, if a calibrated vehicle venting condition exists;

determining, via the vehicle controller, if a calibrated vehicle speed condition exists;

responsive to a determination that the calibrated vehicle venting condition exists, transmitting a first command signal to the active venting device to transition to the open state and thereby allow venting fluid flow through the vent; and

responsive to a determination that the calibrated vehicle speed condition exists, transmitting a second command signal to the active venting device to transition to the closed state and thereby restrict the venting fluid flow through the vent.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the calibrated vehicle venting condition includes the motor vehicle executing a hard turn operation.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the motor vehicle includes an accelerometer operable to detect lateral vehicle acceleration, and wherein a determination that the motor vehicle is executing the hard turn operation, such that the calibrated vehicle venting condition exists, includes the vehicle controller receiving a sensor signal from the accelerometer indicating the lateral vehicle acceleration exceeds a baseline hard-turn acceleration value.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the motor vehicle includes a steering wheel sensor operable to detect steering wheel position, and wherein a determination that the motor vehicle is executing the hard turn operation, such that the calibrated vehicle venting condition exists, includes the vehicle controller receiving a sensor signal from the steering wheel sensor indicating the steering wheel position is within a calibrated hard-turn position range.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the motor vehicle includes an engine compartment and a radiator fan located within the engine compartment, and wherein the calibrated vehicle venting condition includes the electric cooling fan being in an on state.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the motor vehicle includes a radiator and a fan sensor located within the engine compartment, the fan sensor being operable to detect radiator operating temperature, and wherein a determination that the electric cooling fan is in the on state, such that the calibrated vehicle venting condition exists, includes the vehicle controller receiving a sensor signal from the fan sensor indicating the radiator operating temperature exceeds a calibrated nominal radiator temperature value.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the motor vehicle includes an internal combustion engine (ICE) assembly, and wherein the calibrated vehicle venting condition includes an engine operating temperature of the ICE assembly exceeding a calibrated nominal engine temperature.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the ICE assembly includes an engine temperature sensor mounted to an engine block and operable to detect engine coolant temperature, and wherein a determination that the engine operating temperature exceeds the calibrated nominal engine temperature, such that the calibrated vehicle venting condition exists, includes the vehicle controller receiving a sensor signal from the engine temperature sensor indicating the engine coolant temperature is above a calibrated nominal coolant temperature.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the calibrated vehicle venting condition includes both the engine operating temperature exceeding the calibrated nominal engine temperature and the motor vehicle driving at a current speed above a calibrated highway cruise speed.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the motor vehicle includes an engine compartment, and wherein the calibrated vehicle venting condition includes an engine compartment temperature exceeding a calibrated nominal engine compartment temperature.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the motor vehicle includes a temperature sensor operable to detect engine compartment air temperature, and wherein a determination that the engine operating temperature exceeds the calibrated nominal engine temperature, such that the calibrated vehicle venting condition exists, includes the vehicle controller receiving a sensor signal from the temperature sensor indicating the engine compartment air temperature is above a calibrated nominal air temperature.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the calibrated vehicle speed condition includes the motor vehicle driving at and maintaining a calibrated highway cruise speed.

13. A motor vehicle comprising:

a vehicle body defining an engine compartment with an access opening;

a prime mover mounted inside the engine compartment;

an engine hood assembly covering the access opening and including a vent;

an active venting device fluidly coupled to the vent in the engine hood assembly, the active venting device being automated to selectively switch between closed and open states to respectively obstruct and unobstruct the vent; and

a vehicle controller communicatively connected to the active venting device, the vehicle controller being programmed to;

determine if a calibrated vehicle venting condition exists;

determine if a calibrated vehicle speed condition exists;

responsive to a determination that the calibrated vehicle venting condition exists, command the active venting device to transition to the open state and thereby allow venting fluid flow through the vent; and

responsive to a determination that the calibrated vehicle speed condition exists, command the active venting device to transition to the closed state and thereby restrict the venting fluid flow through the vent.

14. A non-transitory, computer readable medium storing instructions executable by an onboard vehicle controller of a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle including an engine hood with a vent and an active venting device fluidly coupled to the vent, the active venting device being switchable between closed and open states to respectively obstruct and unobstruct the vent, the instructions causing the vehicle controller to perform steps comprising:

determining if a calibrated vehicle venting condition exists;

determining if a calibrated vehicle speed condition exists;

responsive to a determination that the calibrated vehicle venting condition exists, transmitting a first command signal to the active venting device to transition to the open state and thereby allow venting fluid flow through the vent; and

responsive to a determination that the calibrated vehicle speed condition exists, transmitting a second command signal to the active venting device to transition to the closed state and thereby restrict the venting fluid flow through the vent.

15. The non-transitory, computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the calibrated vehicle venting condition includes the motor vehicle executing a hard turn operation.

16. The non-transitory, computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the motor vehicle includes an engine compartment and an electric cooling fan located within the engine compartment, and wherein the calibrated vehicle venting condition includes the electric cooling fan being in an on state.

17. The non-transitory, computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the motor vehicle includes an internal combustion engine (ICE) assembly, and wherein the calibrated vehicle venting condition includes an engine operating temperature of the ICE assembly exceeding a calibrated nominal engine temperature.

18. The non-transitory, computer readable medium of claim 17, wherein the calibrated vehicle venting condition includes both the engine operating temperature exceeding the calibrated nominal engine temperature and the motor vehicle driving at a current speed above a calibrated highway cruise speed.

19. The non-transitory, computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the motor vehicle includes an engine compartment, and wherein the calibrated vehicle venting condition includes an engine compartment temperature being above a calibrated nominal engine compartment temperature.

20. The non-transitory, computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the calibrated vehicle speed condition includes the motor vehicle driving at and maintaining a calibrated highway cruise speed.