US5018484A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cooling fan controlling apparatus
Assignee: Subaru Corp
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Filing: 1990-05-17
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Granted: 1991-05-28
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Expires: 2010-05-17
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for controlling an electric cooling fan of an automotive vehicle with an engine, having a radiator facing the electric cooling fan for cooling the engine coolant, comprising a device for generating an engine start signal, a coolant temperature sensor for sensing the engine coolant temperature, a judgement device responsive to the engine start signal for comparing the coolant temperature with a preset temperature, and generating a first judgement signal when the coolant temperature is lower than the preset temperature, a cooling fan control temperature setting device responsive to the first judgement signal for setting a cooling fan control temperature in accordance with the coolant temperature, the cooling fan control temperature being set higher with lower coolant temperature at the engine start, a temperature judging device for comparing the cooling fan control temperature with the coolant temperature after engine start and for outputting a second judgement signal, and a device responsive to the second judgement signal for driving the cooling fan.
Inventors
- 👤 Takao Naitoh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 11:03
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02N; F02N19/00; F02N19/02; F02N19/04; F02N19/10; F01; F01P; F01P7/00; F01P7/02; F01P7/04; F01P7/048; F01P2023/00; F01P2023/08; F01P2025/00; F01P2025/08; F01P2025/13; F01P2025/60; F01P2025/66; F01P7/14; F01P7/16; F01P7/167
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
An apparatus for controlling an electric cooling fan of an automotive vehicle with an engine, having a radiator facing the electric cooling fan for cooling a coolant of the engine, comprising: generating means for generating an engine start signal; sensing means for sensing a first coolant temperature at the engine start and a second coolant temperature after the engine start; judgment means responsive to said engine start signal for comparing said first coolant temperature with a preset temperature, and generating a first judgment signal when said first coolant temperature is lower than said preset temperature; setting means responsive to said first judgment signal for setting a cooling fan control temperature, said cooling fan control temperature being set higher as said first coolant temperature becomes lower; temperature judging means for comparing said cooling fan control temperature with said second coolant temperature and for outputting a second judgment signal; and driving means responsive to said second judgment signal for driving said cooling fan.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
161 words
An apparatus for controlling an electric cooling fan of an automotive vehicle with an engine, having a radiator facing the electric cooling fan for cooling a coolant of the engine, comprising: generating means for generating an engine start signal; sensing means for sensing a first coolant temperature at the engine start and a second coolant temperature after the engine start; judgment means responsive to said engine start signal for comparing said first coolant temperature with a preset temperature, and generating a first judgment signal when said first coolant temperature is lower than said preset temperature; setting means responsive to said first judgment signal for setting a cooling fan control temperature, said cooling fan control temperature being set higher as said first coolant temperature becomes lower; temperature judging means for comparing said cooling fan control temperature with said second coolant temperature and for outputting a second judgment signal; and driving means responsive to said second judgment signal for driving said cooling fan.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
85 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a coolant circuit for circulating the coolant between the engine and the radiator; value means, provided on the coolant circuit near a coolant inlet of the engine, for opening said coolant circuit in response to a coolant temperature downstream thereof; a heater circuit in communication with the coolant circuit at the downstream of the valve means and downstream of a coolant outlet of the engine; and a heater mounted on the heater circuit for performing heat exchange.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said generating means is an ignition switch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
80 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, said setting means comprises: memory means for storing an initial value of said cooling fan driving temperature; a map for storing a plurality of correction values in dependency on the first coolant temperature; detector means for retrieving one of the correction values from the map in accordance with the first coolant temperature; and calculator means for calculating the coolant fan control temperature by correcting the initial value with said one of the correction values.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means for permitting the next operation of said setting means when a predetermined time has elapsed after engine stop.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means for prohibiting the next operation of said setting means to keep a previous cooling fan control temperature when the engine is restarted within a predetermined time after engine stop.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said comparing means is capable of generating a first result signal when said first coolant temperature is higher than said preset temperature, and said setting means is capable of setting a predetermined initial value as the cooling fan control temperature.
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) | 1994-05-27 | 1994-11-26 | 1995-05-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-05-27 | 1998-11-26 | 1999-05-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-05-27 | 2002-11-26 | 2003-05-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |