U.S. patent application number 12/068183 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-16 for engine cooling structure having fan module sandwiched between condenser and radiator.
This patent application is currently assigned to Continental Automotive Canada Inc.. Invention is credited to Alex Gubbles.
Application Number | 20080251040 12/068183 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39852570 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080251040 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gubbles; Alex |
October 16, 2008 |
Engine cooling structure having fan module sandwiched between
condenser and radiator
Abstract
An engine cooling structure (20) includes a condenser (22)
constructed and arranged to be disposed on a grille side of a
vehicle, a radiator (24) constructed and arranged to be disposed on
an engine side of a vehicle, and an engine cooling fan module (26)
sandwiched directly between the condenser and radiator. The module
has at least one motor (28) driving at least one fan (30) such that
when the fan moves air, air is pulled through the condenser and
pushed through the radiator.
Inventors: |
Gubbles; Alex; (Mt. Brydges,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CARLSON, GASKEY & OLDS, P.C.
400 WEST MAPLE ROAD, SUITE 350
BIRMINGHAM
MI
48009
US
|
Assignee: |
Continental Automotive Canada
Inc.
Chatham
CA
|
Family ID: |
39852570 |
Appl. No.: |
12/068183 |
Filed: |
February 4, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60911153 |
Apr 11, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
123/41.49 ;
180/68.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F01P 3/18 20130101; F01P
2003/187 20130101; F01P 2070/50 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
123/41.49 ;
180/68.1 |
International
Class: |
F01P 11/10 20060101
F01P011/10 |
Claims
1. An engine cooling structure comprising: a condenser constructed
and arranged to be disposed on a grille side of a vehicle, a
radiator constructed and arranged to be disposed on an engine side
of a vehicle, and an engine cooling fan module sandwiched directly
between the condenser and radiator, the module having at least one
motor driving at least one fan such that when the fan moves air,
air is pulled through the condenser and pushed through the
radiator.
2. The engine cooling structure of claim 1, wherein the fan module
includes a shroud having an opening therein, the fan and motor
being carried by the shroud within the opening.
3. The engine cooling structure of claim 2, wherein the shroud has
a first side and an opposing second side with the opening
there-between, the condenser substantially covering the first side
and the opening, and the radiator substantially covering the second
side and the opening.
4. The engine cooling structure of claim 3, wherein the first and
second sides are generally rectangular and the radiator and
condenser are each generally rectangular.
5. An engine cooling structure comprising: a condenser constructed
and arranged to be disposed on a grille side of a vehicle, a
radiator constructed and arranged to be disposed on an engine side
of a vehicle, and means, sandwiched directly between the condenser
and radiator, for moving air, such that air is pulled through the
condenser and pushed through the radiator.
6. The engine cooling structure of claim 5, wherein the means for
moving air includes a fan module including a shroud having an
opening therein, and a fan and motor carried by the shroud within
the opening.
7. The engine cooling structure of claim 6, wherein the shroud has
a first side and an opposing second side with the opening
there-between, the condenser substantially covering the first side
and the opening, and the radiator substantially covering the second
side and the opening.
8. The engine cooling structure of claim 7, wherein the first and
second sides are generally rectangular and the radiator and
condenser are each generally rectangular.
9. A method of isolating an engine cooling fan module of a vehicle,
the method comprising: providing a condenser, providing a radiator,
and locating an engine cooling fan module directly between the
condenser and the radiator so that when a fan of the engine cooling
module moves, air is pulled through the condenser and pushed
through the radiator.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the fan module includes a shroud
having an opening therein, the fan and a motor driving the fan
being carried by the shroud within the opening.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the shroud has a first side and
an opposing second side with the opening there-between, the method
including substantially covering the first side and the opening
with the condenser and substantially covering the second side and
the opening with the radiator.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first and second sides are
generally rectangular and the radiator and condenser are each
generally rectangular.
Description
[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application No. 60/911,153, filed on Apr. 11, 2007, the
contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference into this
specification.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] With reference to FIG. 1, an engine cooling "puller" fan
module 10 is configured for mounting behind a radiator (not shown)
in front of a vehicle's engine (not shown). The module 10 includes
the conventional motor 12 that drives a fan 14.
[0003] The motor 12 and fan 14 are carried by a shroud 16. It can
be appreciated that the puller fan module 10 can include a duel
fan/motor configuration. Air, moved by the fan 14, is pulled
through both of the heat exchangers (condenser and radiator, not
shown) associated therewith. The heat exchangers protect the module
from environmental exposure such as moisture, salt and ingress of
debris through the openings in the vehicle's grille. As ambient air
passes through the heat exchangers, the air temperature increases.
A typical puller fan module operation is 100 degrees Celsius. Thus,
the engine cooling fan motor 12 of the module 10 operates in a high
temperature environment that limits motor durability. The higher
the operating temperature, the larger the motor needs to be in
order to meet the durability requirements. This adds cost and mass
to the engine cooling puller fan module 10.
[0004] With reference to FIG. 2, an engine cooling "pusher" fan
module 10' is configured for mounting in front of an air
conditioning condenser (not shown) and in front of the engine of a
vehicle (not shown). The module 10' includes the conventional motor
12' that drives a fan 14'. The motor 12' and fan 14' are carried by
a shroud 16'. It can be appreciated that the pusher fan module 10'
can include a duel fan/motor configuration. Air, moved by the fan
14' is pushed through both of the heat exchangers (condenser and
radiator, not shown). A pusher fan module requires a finger guard
18, as an additional part, in order to protect an individual from
incurring injury if they were to place their fingers through the
openings in the front grille of the vehicle. In addition, the motor
12' of the module 10' is subject to the elements of salt, moisture
and debris form ingression into the openings in the vehicle grill.
This limits the motor's performance over the life of the motor.
[0005] There is a need to provide an engine cooling structure that
addresses the disadvantages of the puller and pusher type modules
described above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] An object of the invention is to fulfill the need referred
to above. In accordance with the principles of the present
invention, this objective is achieved by providing an engine
cooling structure including a condenser constructed and arranged to
be disposed on a grille side of a vehicle, a radiator constructed
and arranged to be disposed on an engine side of a vehicle, and an
engine cooling fan module sandwiched directly between the condenser
and radiator. The module has at least one motor driving at least
one fan such that when the fan moves air, air is pulled through the
condenser and pushed through the radiator.
[0007] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an
engine cooling structure includes a condenser constructed and
arranged to be disposed on a grille side of a vehicle, a radiator
constructed and arranged to be disposed on an engine side of a
vehicle, and means, sandwiched directly between the condenser and
radiator, for moving air, such that air is pulled through the
condenser and pushed through the radiator.
[0008] In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention a
method of isolating an engine cooling fan module of a vehicle
provides a condenser and a radiator. An engine cooling fan module
is located directly between the condenser and the radiator so that
when a fan of the engine cooling module moves, air is pulled
through the condenser and pushed through the radiator.
[0009] Other objects, features and characteristics of the present
invention, as well as the methods of operation and the functions of
the related elements of the structure, the combination of parts and
economics of manufacture will become more apparent upon
consideration of the following detailed description and appended
claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which
form a part of this specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0010] The invention will be better understood from the following
detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference
numerals refer to like parts, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a view of a conventional engine cooling puller fan
module.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a view of a conventional engine cooling pusher fan
module.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a view of an engine cooling structure provided in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention, including an engine
cooling sandwich fan module between a radiator and a condenser.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the engine cooling sandwich fan
module of FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
[0015] With reference to FIG. 3, engine cooling structure is shown,
generally indicated at 20, in accordance with the principles of an
embodiment of the present invention. The engine cooling structure
20 includes a condenser 22 that is constructed and arranged to be
disposed on a grille side of a vehicle. The engine cooling
structure 20 includes a radiator 24 that is constructed and
arranged to be disposed on an engine side of a vehicle. In
accordance with the embodiment, the engine cooling structure 20
also includes engine cooling sandwich fan module, generally
indicated at 26, sandwiched directly between the condenser 22 and
radiator 24 and coupled to the condenser 22 or radiator 24 or both.
The module 22 is thus behind the condenser 22 and in front of the
radiator 24. The three parts 22, 24 and 26 of the engine cooling
structure 20 can be considered to be a single unit.
[0016] With reference to FIG. 4, the engine cooling sandwich fan
module 26 includes a motor 28 driving a fan 30 in the conventional
manner. The motor 28 and fan are carried by a shroud 32 within
opening 33 in the shroud. Thus, air, moved by the fan 30, is pulled
through the condenser 22 and pushed through the radiator 24 (FIG.
3). The module 26 is generally rectangular and is constructed and
arranged such that a first surface 36 and the opening 33 are
substantially covered by the generally rectangular condenser 22. An
opposing second surface 38 and the opening 33 are substantially
covered by the generally rectangular radiator 24. Thus, the module
26 is not subjected to the elements of salt, moisture, and debris
from ingression through the vehicle grill.
[0017] An advantage of the engine cooling structure 20 is that the
engine cooling sandwich fan module 26 is isolated and thus operates
in a 60 degree Celsius environment, which is 40 degrees Celsius
lower than the puller fan module of FIG. 1. This reduces the fan
module cost and mass significantly. In addition, the engine cooling
sandwich fan module 26 is not subjected to the elements of salt,
moisture, and debris from ingression through the vehicle grille and
no finger guard is required.
[0018] The foregoing preferred embodiments have been shown and
described for the purposes of illustrating the structural and
functional principles of the present invention, as well as
illustrating the methods of employing the preferred embodiments and
are subject to change without departing from such principles.
Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed
within the spirit of the following claims.
* * * * *