Tractor hood airflow system

• US 8,347,994 B2
• Filed: 04/13/2011
• Issued: 01/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deere & Company
• Original Assignee: Deere & Company
• Inventors: Bering, Christopher A., Farlow, Scott K., Krogh, Ryan M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shriver, II, J. Allen
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRIGGS, JAMES J
• Application Number:
  US13/085,614
• Publication Number:
  US 20120261202A1
• Time in Patent Office: 636 Days
• Field of Search: 296/193.11, 180/68.1, 180/68.2, 180/68.3
• US Class Current: 180/68.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 11/04 Arrangement or mounting of radiators, radiator shutters, or radiator blinds B60K11/085 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 11/08 Air inlets for cooling; Shutters or blinds therefor radiator or grille guards B60R19/52
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/221 Tractors
• 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 vehicle engine enclosure includes a tractor frame which supports an engine. A cooling system is mounted on the frame. The cooling system has a housing which surrounds cooling components. A hood is mounted on the frame and encloses the engine and the cooling system. The hood includes a top panel and left and right hood side panels. The top panel has outlet vents formed therein. A pair of left and right side plates are mounted on the frame. A rear end plate covers a rear end of the hood. A plurality of seals are placed between these components so that a duct is formed which collects hot air and moves it vertically through the vents to prevent re-ingesting of the hot air.

Claims

1. A vehicle engine enclosure, comprising:

an engine mounted on a tractor frame;

a cooling system mounted on the frame, the cooling system having a housing surrounding cooling components; and

a hood, the hood being mounted on the frame and enclosing the engine and the cooling system, the hood comprising a top panel and left and right hood side panels, the top panel having a vent therein, the hood, the frame, the engine and the cooling system housing cooperating to form a duct which collects hot air and moves it vertically through the vent to prevent re-ingesting of the hot air.

2. The engine enclosure of claim 1, further comprising:

a top seal sealing between the housing and the top panel;

a pair of left and right side plates mounted on the frame; and

a pair of side seals, each side seal sealing between one of the hood side panels and a corresponding one of the side plates.

3. The engine enclosure of claim 2, further comprising:

a pair of lower seals, each lower seal sealing between the frame and a corresponding one of the side plates.

4. The engine enclosure of claim 1, further comprising:

a pair of lower seals, each lower seal sealing between the frame and a corresponding one of the side plates.

5. The engine enclosure of claim 1, further comprising:

a pair of left and right side plates mounted on the frame, the side plates, the hood, the frame, the engine and the cooling system cooperating to form a duct which collects hot air and moves it vertically through the vent and away from the tractor to prevent re-ingesting of the hot air.

6. The engine enclosure of claim 1, further comprising:

a rear end plate covering a rear end of the hood.

7. The engine enclosure of claim 6, further comprising:

a rear seal which seals between the rear end plate and the hood.

8. The engine enclosure of claim 2, further comprising:

a front seal having an upper strip and upper side strips which extend downwardly from the upper strip, the upper strip forming a seal between the housing and the hood top panel, the upper side strips forming a seal between the sides of the housing and the front side plates, respectively.

9. The engine enclosure of claim 8, wherein:

the front seal further comprises lower side strips which connect the upper side strips with a front lower seal strip, the lower side strips sealing between the hood and the front side plates.

10. A vehicle engine enclosure 40, comprising:

an engine mounted on a tractor frame;

a cooling system mounted on the frame, the cooling system having a housing surrounding cooling components;

a hood, the hood being mounted on the frame and enclosing the engine and the cooling system, the hood comprising a top panel and left and right hood side panels, the top panel having a vent therein;

a top seal sealing between the housing and the top panel;

a pair of left and right side plates mounted on the frame;

a pair of side seals, each side seal sealing between one of the hood side panels and a corresponding one of the side plates;

a pair of lower seals, each lower seal sealing between the frame and a corresponding one of the side plates;

a rear end plate covering a rear end of the hood; and

a rear seal which seals between the rear end plate and the hood, the hood, side plates, frame, engine and cooling system housing cooperating to form a duct which collects hot air and moves it vertically through the vent to prevent re-ingesting of the hot air.

11. The engine enclosure of claim 10, further comprising:

a front seal having an upper strip and upper side strips which extend downwardly from the upper strip, the upper strip forming a seal between the housing and the hood top panel, the upper side strips forming a seal between the sides of the housing and the front side plates, respectively.

12. The engine enclosure of claim 11, wherein:

the front seal further comprises lower side strips which connect the upper side strips a front lower seal strip, the lower side strips sealing between the hood and the front side plates.