Ducted cooling system for an automotive vehicle

• US 5,588,482 A
• Filed: 09/26/1994
• Issued: 12/31/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Inventors: Holka, Thomas C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ford, John K.
• Application Number:
  US08/311,975
• Time in Patent Office: 827 Days
• Field of Search: 165/122, 165/41, 165/44, 165/51, 165/126, 165/127, 165/903, 123/41.49, 123/41.48, 180/68.1, 180/68.4
• US Class Current: 165/44
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 11/04 Arrangement or mounting of radiators, radiator shutters, or radiator blinds B60K11/085 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 11/06 with air cooling
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2001/005 Cooling engine rooms
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 5/06 Guiding or ducting air to, or from, ducted fans

Abstract

A duct apparatus for drawing a flow of air into a heat exchanger assembly of an automotive vehicle and directing the flow of air exiting the heat exchanger assembly away from the vehicle engine is disclosed. The apparatus includes a generally rectangular body extending across the entire length of the heat exchanger assembly and partially enclosing it. The apparatus further includes a plurality of vanes disposed in the body adjacent the heat exchanger assembly, the vanes directing the flow of air exiting therefrom, a pair of generally curvilinear plenums each in fluid communication with the body and extending longitudinally therefrom. Each of the plenums includes an exit end for directing air exiting therefrom to ambient air and a fan assembly for drawing air through the heat exchanger assembly.

Claims

1. A cooling apparatus for cooling an engine of an automotive vehicle, comprising:

a radiator in fluid communication with the engine and having a coolant flowing therethrough for cooling the engine, said radiator having a front face for receiving ambient air therethrough and a rear face disposed proximate the engine;

a duct assembly for drawing a flow of air into said radiator and directing the flow of air exiting the radiator away from said vehicle engine, said assembly comprising;

a generally rectangular body partially enclosing said radiator and sealably secured thereto, said body including a selectably openable bleed port disposed proximate said vehicle engine for allowing RAM air to pass therethrough;

a pair of generally curvilinear plenums formed integrally with said body, each of said pair in fluid communication with said body and extending longitudinally from said body, each of said plenums including an engine inlet opening disposed proximate said vehicle engine for drawing engine compartment air therein and an exit end for directing air exiting therefrom to ambient air;

a plurality of generally arcuate, comb-shaped vanes disposed in said body immediately adjacent said rear face of radiator, each of said vanes having a predetermined length and a predetermined radius of curvature depending upon its location relative to a centerline of said radiator, wherein the length of each vane decreases from a larger of two predetermined values for a vane adjacent the centerline of said radiator to a smaller of two predetermined values for a vane adjacent the side edge thereof, wherein approximately half of said plurality of vanes is generally curved toward the plenum disposed on a respective side of said radiator, said plurality of vanes being operative to direct the flow of air exiting said radiator;

a fan assembly disposed in each of said engine inlet openings in said plenums for drawing air through said radiator, said body and said pair of plenums and away from said engine compartment.

2. A cooling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said fan assembly comprises an electric motor driven fan.

3. A cooling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said body, said plurality of vanes and said pair of plenums are fabricated from a synthetic polymeric material.