Hybrid mechanical and electrical drive and engine cooling fan arrangement

• US 4,441,462 A
• Filed: 07/28/1982
• Issued: 04/10/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Motors Corporation (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Budinski, John A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Application Number:
  US06/402,751
• Time in Patent Office: 622 Days
• Field of Search: 123/41.14, 123/41.12, 123/41.49, 123/41.65, 123/41.66, 123/195 A
• US Class Current: 123/41.11
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 5/04 Pump-driving arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 7/044 using hydraulic drives

Abstract

A hybrid fan drive system for cooling an internal combustion engine which incorporates (1) an electric motor drive which drives the fan at a predetermined speed independent of engine speed, and (2) an engine driven variable speed drive operatively interconnecting the vehicle engine to the fan for engine drive of the fan at speeds in accordance with engine speed above a predetermined output speed to optimize cooling of the engine.

Claims

1. An automotive engine cooling fan and drive assembly for maintaining airflow through a radiator in which coolant from an associated internal combustion engine is circulated comprising a support, primary motor means comprising an electric motor mounted on said support having a rotatable output, a bladed fan directly supported by said output and directly rotatably driven thereby for inducing the flow of air through said radiator, auxiliary fan drive means having an output drivingly connected to said bladed fan for the rotatable drive thereof, control means interposed in said auxiliary drive means establishing a first condition of operation in which said primary motor means powers said fan and a second condition of operation in which said auxiliary fan drive powers said fan.

2. An automotive engine cooling fan and drive assembly for maintaining airflow through a radiator in which coolant from an associated internal combustion engine is circulated comprising a support adjacent to the radiator, electric motor means mounted on said support having a rotatable output, a bladed fan directly supported by said output and directly rotatably driven thereby for inducing the flow of air through said radiator, engine driven auxiliary fan drive means having an output drivingly connected to said bladed fan for the rotatable drive thereof, clutch means interposed in said auxiliary drive means having a released condition of operation in which said electric motor means powers said fan when said engine is operating at idle speed and an engaged condition of operation in which said engine driven auxiliary fan drive powers the fan for a range of engine speeds greater than idle speed.

3. An automotive engine cooling fan and drive assembly for maintaining airflow through a forward mounted radiator in which coolant from an associated transversely mounted internal combustion engine is circulated comprising a support adjacent to the radiator, electric motor means mounted on said support having a rotatable output, a bladed fan directly and forwardly supported by said output and rotatably driven thereby for inducing the flow of air through said radiator, a flexible cable providing a mechanical drive means from said engine having an output drivingly connected to said bladed fan for the rotatable drive of said fan, overrunning clutch means interposed in said mechanical drive means operative so that said electric motor means powers said fan at low engine speed including idle and said mechanical drive powers the fan for a range of engine speeds above a predetermined engine speed.

4. In a vehicle, an automotive engine cooling fan and drive assembly for establishing a flow of cooling air through a radiator in which coolant from an associated transversely mounted internal combustion engine is circulated, said fan and said engine having rotational axes transverse to one another, said fan having a geared hub, a support adjacent to the radiator, electric motor means mounted on said support having a rotatable output directly connected to said fan for the direct drive thereof, said fan being rotatably driven at a substantially constant speed by said motor and independent of engine speed for inducing the flow of air through said radiator, mechanical drive means comprising a flexible cable originating from said engine and having a rotatable output in parallel with said first mentioned output overrunning clutch means driven by said output of said cable, gear means drivingly connecting the output of said clutch means to the geared hub of said fan so that said electric motor means powers said fan at low engine speeds including idle speed range and said mechanical drive powers the fan for a range of engine speeds above idle engine speeds.