Drag reducing cooling system for a vehicle

• US 4,726,326 A
• Filed: 09/26/1983
• Issued: 02/23/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/1983
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Siemens Bendix Automotive Electronics Ltd (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Bendix Electronics SA
• Inventors: Charles, Herbert N., Schaub, Uwe W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Application Number:
  US06/536,022
• Time in Patent Office: 1,611 Days
• Field of Search: 123/41.31, 123/41.49, 123/41.57-41.59, 123/41.62, 123/41.65, 123/41.7, 123/41.11, 123/195 C, 180/68.1, 180/68.4
• US Class Current: 123/41.49
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 11/08 Air inlets for cooling; Shutters or blinds therefor radiator or grille guards B60R19/52
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 11/10 Guiding or ducting cooling-air, to, or from, liquid-to-air heat exchangers

Abstract

A cooling system for a vehicle engine includes a shroud directing air flow to a heat exchanger or radiator in a direction horizontally transverse to the forward direction of movement for the vehicle. The shroud leads to an opening on a side portion of the vehicle body so that a top portion can extend from a leading edge to an operator compartment in a wedge shape manner to cover an engine compartment. The top portion is free of openings to permit uninterrupted air flow over the vehicle body.

Claims

1. An automotive vehicle including an engine forwardly disposed within an engine compartment, the vehicle including a top portion, which forms the upper extreme of a fully enclosed engine compartment, and extends forwardly in a decreasing height dimension to a leading edge, the engine compartment further formed by a pair of side body portions which extend downward of said top portion and rearward of said leading edge, and a belly pan which joins said leading edge and said side portions to enclose said engine, at least one opening in one of said side portions to permit non-ram air to enter therein, said at least one opening providing the only means for which air enters said engine compartment, a transveserly extending duct, positioned proximate a cowl of said vehicle, having one end opening into said engine compartment,

an engine driven blower having an inlet and an adjustable flow outlet, said outlet positioned to exhaust air through a cooperating opening within said belly pan,

a heat exchanger positioned in direct engagement with said inlet to receive the air drawn therethrough by operation of said blower.

2. The vehicle as defined in claim 1 wherein said engine driven blower includes a movable damper for adjusting the air flow through said outlet.