Patent US3854459A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3854459A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fan shroud for an engine cooling system
Assignee: Mack Trucks Inc
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Filing: 1973-12-28
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Granted: 1974-12-17
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Expires: 1993-12-28
Abstract
Abstract A cooling system for an internal combustion engine includes a radiator, a fan, and a plurality of closable shutters. The shutters regulate the flow of air through the system and thereby control the cooling effected by the system. A shroud encircles the fan and defines at least a portion of a passageway between the shutters and the fan. The shroud has a central opening that affords a free path of flow for air exhausted from the fan after being drawn through the radiator. At least one closable vent formed in the shroud is normally closed when the shutters are open and the fan is operating and normally open when the shutters are closed and the fan is operating. The vent thus reduces the noise generated by the fan in the passageway when the shutters are closed.
Inventors
- 👤 D Stimeling
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 16:00
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01P; F01P7/00; F01P7/02; F01P7/10; B; B60; B60K; B60K11/00; B60K11/08; B60K11/085; F01P11/00; F01P11/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
In a cooling system for an internal combustion engine including a fan and closable shutter means for controlling a flow of air to the fan, the improvement comprising: a fan shroud defining at least a portion of a passageway extending from the shutter means to the fan, the shroud encircling the fan and including an opening affording a free path of flow for air moving through the passageway from the shutter means and being exhausted from the fan, at least one vent being formed in the shroud, and automatic means for closing the vent when the shutter means is open and the fan is operating and for opening the vent when the shutter means is closed and the fan is operating.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a cooling system for an internal combustion engine including a fan and closable shutter means for controlling a flow of air to the fan, the improvement comprising: a fan shroud defining at least a portion of a passageway extending from the shutter means to the fan, the shroud encircling the fan and including an opening affording a free path of flow for air moving through the passageway from the shutter means and being exhausted from the fan, at least one vent being formed in the shroud, and automatic means for closing the vent when the shutter means is open and the fan is operating and for opening the vent when the shutter means is closed and the fan is operating.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The improvement of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the shroud extends radially outwardly of the fan and lies in a plane generally parallel to the fan, said portion of the shroud having the vent formed therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improvement of claim 1, wherein the cooling system further includes a radiator located between the fan and the closable shutter means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The improvement of claim 1, wherein the closing and opening means includes a pivotable flap for closing the vent and spring means for biasing the flap into a closed position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improvement of claim 1, wherein the closing and opening means includes a pivotable flap for closing the vent and linkage means coupling the flap to the shutter means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improvement of claim 1, wherein the closing and opening means includes a flexible diaphragm covering the vent and having a slit therein aligned with the vent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The improvement of claim 6, whErein the closing and opening means further includes stop means disposed on one side of the diaphragm to prevent flexing of the diaphragm in one direction beyond the stop means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The improvement of claim 7, wherein the stop means includes a strip on the shroud and extending across the vent lengthwise of the slit in the diaphragm and laterally across the slit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The improvement of claim 7, wherein the stop means includes a strip on the diaphragm adjacent one side of the slit, the strip extending lengthwise of the slit and laterally across the slit to overlap the diaphragm on the other side of the slit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improvement of claim 1, wherein the cooling system further includes a radiator located ahead of the shutter means on a side thereof opposite the fan.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
144 words
In a cooling system for an internal combustion engine including a fan and closable shutter means for controlling a flow of air through the system, the improvement comprising: a. a fan shroud defining at least a portion of a passageway extending from the fan to the shutter means, the shroud encircling the fan and including an opening affording a free path of flow for air moving through the passageway from the fan to the shutter means, a portion of the shroud extending radially outwardly of the fan and lying in a plane generally parallel to the fan, at least one vent being formed in said portion of the shroud; and b. automatic means for closing the vent when the shutter means is open and the fan is operating and for opening the vent when the shutter means is closed and the fan is operating.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
144 words
In a cooling system for an internal combustion engine including a fan and closable shutter means for controlling a flow of air through the system, the improvement comprising: a. a fan shroud defining at least a portion of a passageway extending from the fan to the shutter means, the shroud encircling the fan and including an opening affording a free path of flow for air moving through the passageway from the fan to the shutter means, a portion of the shroud extending radially outwardly of the fan and lying in a plane generally parallel to the fan, at least one vent being formed in said portion of the shroud; and b. automatic means for closing the vent when the shutter means is open and the fan is operating and for opening the vent when the shutter means is closed and the fan is operating.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improvement of claim 11, wherein the closing and opening means includes a pivotable flap for closing the vent and linkage means coupling the flap to the shutter means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-16 | 1978-06-17 | 1978-12-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-16 | 1982-06-17 | 1982-12-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-16 | 1986-06-17 | 1986-12-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |