Automotive air intake utilizing a vortex generating airflow system
First Claim
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1. An automotive airflow system comprising:
- a vortex generator, said vortex generator comprising;
an elongated duct defining an axial centerline;
a primary inlet and at least one outlet, wherein a first outlet of said at least one outlet corresponds to a first end of said elongated duct, wherein said primary inlet is elongated and defined by a primary inlet length and a primary inlet height, wherein a first axis corresponding to said primary inlet length is parallel with said axial centerline of said vortex generator, wherein ambient air flows into said vortex generator through said primary inlet; and
at least one automotive heat exchanger, wherein said ambient air flows out of said vortex generator through said at least one outlet and into said at least one automotive heat exchanger.
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Abstract
An airflow system is provided that utilizes a vortex generator to efficiently draw ambient air into one or more automotive heat exchangers. Due to the use of the vortex generator, the air intake may be much smaller than that used in a conventional system and may have a significantly different aspect ratio from that of the heat exchanger, thus providing additional vehicle design flexibility. The vortex generator may use a single outlet or multiple outlets, and may be coupled directly or via a transition duct(s) to the heat exchanger(s).
40 Citations
29 Claims
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1. An automotive airflow system comprising:
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a vortex generator, said vortex generator comprising; an elongated duct defining an axial centerline; a primary inlet and at least one outlet, wherein a first outlet of said at least one outlet corresponds to a first end of said elongated duct, wherein said primary inlet is elongated and defined by a primary inlet length and a primary inlet height, wherein a first axis corresponding to said primary inlet length is parallel with said axial centerline of said vortex generator, wherein ambient air flows into said vortex generator through said primary inlet; and at least one automotive heat exchanger, wherein said ambient air flows out of said vortex generator through said at least one outlet and into said at least one automotive heat exchanger. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification