Device and method for removing heat energy from a compartment

• US 6,302,228 B1
• Filed: 08/23/1999
• Issued: 10/16/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: FILTERWERK Mann & HUMMEL GmbH
• Original Assignee: Solvay SA (Solvac SA)
• Inventors: Cottereau, Marc, Rhoumy, Philippe
• Primary Examiner(s): MAR, MICHAEL Y
• Application Number:
  US09/379,116
• Time in Patent Office: 785 Days
• Field of Search: 454/137, 454/248, 454/250, 454/345, 454/365, 180/68.1, 180/68.5, 180/69.2
• US Class Current: 180/68.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 11/08 Air inlets for cooling; Shutters or blinds therefor radiator or grille guards B60R19/52

Abstract

Removal of heat energy from a compartment containing a heat engine is effected by drawing air in from the compartment through at least one opening made in a duct which passes through the compartment and in which air, entering from one face of the compartment and opening to the outside to a reduced-pressure zone, flows.

Claims

1. A device for removing heat energy from a compartment of a vehicle comprising at least one continuous duct located within the compartment, a portion of said duct being positioned between a heat engine within the compartment and a hood of the vehicle, said portion of the duct including a forward inlet opening positioned at a front end of the vehicle for forcing air into the duct when the vehicle is moving in a forward direction, a suction intake portion having an inlet opening positioned in a path of air flow from a fan within the compartment for directing air into said portion of the duct, at least one aspirator inlet opening which is configured for aspirating air from within the compartment into the duct, and at least one outlet opening for directing air to an outlet of the compartment and out of the vehicle.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein a zone located behind said fan is at a raised pressure compared with the rest of the environment in the compartment.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the duct is equipped with an acoustic silencer.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the duct comprises a plastic material.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the duct includes a second portion positioned between the heat engine and a passenger compartment of the vehicle.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the compartment comprises an engine compartment of a motor vehicle.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein said at least one outlet is located at a base of a windshield of the vehicle.

8. The device according to claim 6, wherein said at least one outlet is located in a lower part of the engine compartment.

9. A method for removing heat energy from a compartment containing a heat engine using a device having at least one continuous duct located within the compartment, a portion of said duct being positioned between a heat engine within the compartment and a hood of the vehicle, said portion of the duct including a forward inlet opening positioned at a front end of the vehicle for forcing air into the duct when the vehicle is moving in a forward direction, a suction intake portion having an inlet opening positioning in a path of air flow from a fan within the compartment for directing air into said portion of the duct, at least one aspirator inlet opening which is configured for aspirating air from within the compartment into the duct, and at least one outlet opening for directing air to an outlet of the compartment and out of the vehicle, said method comprising:

drawing ambient air out of the compartment through the at least one aspirator inlet opening and through the duct; and

directing the air through said at least one outlet opening to the outlet of the compartment where the pressure is lower than or equal to the pressure in the compartment and out of the vehicle.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein said device includes a zone located behind said fan having a raised pressure compared with the rest of the environment in the compartment.