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US3961605A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Engine cooling arrangement

Assignee: Volkswagen AG
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Filing: 1975-01-31
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Granted: 1976-06-08
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Expires: 1995-01-31
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Abstract

Abstract In a vehicle having an internal combustion engine enclosed in an engine housing, two vertically spaced openings in the housing permit the passage of cooling air around the engine. The lower opening has a movable cover which is normally closed when the vehicle is moving. When the vehicle is stationary, however, an automatic actuating device moves the cover to an open position. The actuating device is responsive to a condition of the vehicle normally indicating that the vehicle is stationary, e.g. the temperature in the engine housing or the pressure in the engine intake manifold.

Inventors

  • 👤 Hermann Kaltner

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-28 23:51
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01P; F01P7/00; F01P7/02

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim 157 words
In combination with a vehicle having a primary cooling system for an engine, a fuel system cooling arrangement supplemental to and distinct from the primary cooling system of the engine comprising: a. means defining a first opening in said housing, at least a portion of said first opening being located higher than said fuel system; b. means defining a second opening in said housing, at least a portion of said second opening being located lower than said fuel system; c. movable closure means for selectively covering said second opening; and d. an automatic actuating means coupled to said closure means and operative to open said closure means only in response to a predetermined condition of the vehicle normally indicative of a heated condition within said housing conducive to the vaporization of fuel, thereby to permit convection cooling of the fuel system with air being drawn in through said second opening and flowing out through said first opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 157 words
In combination with a vehicle having a primary cooling system for an engine, a fuel system cooling arrangement supplemental to and distinct from the primary cooling system of the engine comprising: a. means defining a first opening in said housing, at least a portion of said first opening being located higher than said fuel system; b. means defining a second opening in said housing, at least a portion of said second opening being located lower than said fuel system; c. movable closure means for selectively covering said second opening; and d. an automatic actuating means coupled to said closure means and operative to open said closure means only in response to a predetermined condition of the vehicle normally indicative of a heated condition within said housing conducive to the vaporization of fuel, thereby to permit convection cooling of the fuel system with air being drawn in through said second opening and flowing out through said first opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 64 words
An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the actuating means includes temperature sensitive means responsive to temperature within the housing, the temperature sensitive means causing the actuating means to move the closure means so as to uncover the second opening in response to temperatures of a predetermined range within the housing, said temperatures of a predetermined range being the predetermined condition of the vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 25 words
An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the closure means includes a rotatable disc-like cover and wherein the temperature sensitive means includes a bimetal spiral.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 68 words
An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the actuating means includes pressure sensitive means responsive to pressure in a pipe associated with the engine, the pressure sensitive means causing the actuating means to move the closure means so as to uncover the second opening in repsonse to pressures of a predetermined range within the pipe, said pressures of a predetermined range being the predetermined condition of the vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 22 words
An arrangement according to claim 4, wherein the pipe is an intake manifold and the pressure sensitive means includes a vacuum box.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 52 words
An arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the closure means includes a flap and wherein the actuating means further includes a linkage, responsive to the pressure sensitive means, coupling the pressure sensitive means to the flap and spring means biasing the flap toward a position in which the second opening is uncovered.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 29 words
An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the actuating means includes electromagnetic drive means electrically coupled to a contact point which carries voltage only when the engine is running.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 20 words
An arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the contact point forms a part of an ignition circuit for the engine.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 13 words
An arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the ignition circuit includes a generator.
Claim 11
Independent Claim 145 words
A method of providing cooling for a fuel system of a vehicular engine having a primary cooling system to prevent fuel vaporization, which cooling is supplemental to and distinct from the engine cooling and which fuel system is located within a housing, said method comprising the steps of: a. providing a first opening in the housing, at least a portion of said first opening being opening being located higher than the fuel system; b. providing a second opening in the housing, at least a portion of said second opening being located lower than the fuel system; c. sensing a heated condition capable of inducing vaporization of fuel in the fuel system; and d. opening said second opening in the housing only if said heated condition is present, whereby fuel vaporization will be prevented by a cooling convection flow of air induced around the fuel system.
Claim 12
Independent Claim 145 words
A method of providing cooling for a fuel system of a vehicular engine having a primary cooling system to prevent fuel vaporization, which cooling is supplemental to and distinct from the engine cooling and which fuel system is located within a housing, said method comprising the steps of: a. providing a first opening in the housing, at least a portion of said first opening being opening being located higher than the fuel system; b. providing a second opening in the housing, at least a portion of said second opening being located lower than the fuel system; c. sensing a heated condition capable of inducing vaporization of fuel in the fuel system; and d. opening said second opening in the housing only if said heated condition is present, whereby fuel vaporization will be prevented by a cooling convection flow of air induced around the fuel system.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2358663A Cited
US2434090A Cited
US3318524A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1979-06-08 1979-12-08 1980-06-08 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1983-06-08 1983-12-08 1984-06-08 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1987-06-08 1987-12-08 1988-06-08 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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