US5660149A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Total cooling assembly for I.C. engine-powered vehicles
Assignee: Siemens Canada Ltd
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Filing: 1995-12-21
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Granted: 1997-08-26
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Expires: 2015-12-21
Abstract
Abstract A heat exchanger module, a cooling fan module, a pump/fan module, and an electronics system control module are joined together in assembly to form a total cooling assembly for an automotive vehicle that is powered by an internal combustion engine. The cooling fan module is disposed directly behind the rear face of the radiator, and contains an electric motor-driven fan that draws ambient air across the radiator. At time of installation in a vehicle, the assembly is "dropped into" the vehicle engine compartment and secured in place. An electric motor-driven coolant pump module that pumps engine coolant through the engine and radiator, and an electronics system control module that controls the operation of the fan and pump motors also mount on the cooling fan module. When the vehicle has an air conditioning system, and/or turbo-charged engine, one and/or two additional heat exchangers form part of the heat exchanger module. The cooling fan module may comprise an axial flow fan or a ducted radial flow fan.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew Lakerdas
- 👤 Peter A. Kershaw
- 👤 Alexander Joseph
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 17:33
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28D; F28D1/00; F28D1/02; F28D1/04; F28D1/0408; F28D1/0426; F28D1/0435; F01; F01P; F01P3/00; F01P3/18; B; B60; B60K; B60K11/00; B60K11/02; B60K11/04; F01P11/00; F01P5/00; F01P5/02; F01P5/06; F01P5/10; F01P11/10; F01P2005/025; F01P5/04; F01P2005/046; F01P2005/105; F01P5/12; F01P2005/125; F01P2025/00; F01P2025/08; F01P2025/52; F01P2050/00; F01P2050/30; F01P2060/00; F01P2060/02; F01P2060/10; F01P2070/00; F01P2070/50; F01P7/00; F01P7/02; F01P7/10; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S165/00; Y10S165/228; Y10S165/302; Y10S165/303; Y10S165/304; Y10S165/306; Y10S165/316
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
232 words
A total cooling assembly adapted for installation in an engine compartment of an automotive vehicle containing an internal combustion engine comprising means defining an air flow path through the assembly, and said assembly further comprising: a heat exchanger module for transferring heat from fluid to air entering said flow path and comprising front and rear faces via which air can pass in heat exchange relation across said heat exchanger module to absorb heat from fluid flowing through said heat exchanger module thereby creating an effluent; a cooling fan module disposed downstream of said heat exchanger module and comprising a fan/motor combination for drawing air across said heat exchanger module from said front face to said rear face of said heat exchanger module to create the effluent, said fan/motor combination comprising a fan and a first electric motor for operating said fan; means joining said cooling fan module and said heat exchanger module together preparatory to installation of the assembly in an engine compartment of an automotive vehicle; said assembly further comprising prior to its installation in an engine compartment of an automotive vehicle, a) a pump/motor combination comprising a fluid pump and a second electric motor for operating said pump, b) a fluid passage providing fluid communication between said heat exchanger module and said pump for fluid flow, and c) a controller for controlling operation of said first and second electric motors.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
232 words
A total cooling assembly adapted for installation in an engine compartment of an automotive vehicle containing an internal combustion engine comprising means defining an air flow path through the assembly, and said assembly further comprising: a heat exchanger module for transferring heat from fluid to air entering said flow path and comprising front and rear faces via which air can pass in heat exchange relation across said heat exchanger module to absorb heat from fluid flowing through said heat exchanger module thereby creating an effluent; a cooling fan module disposed downstream of said heat exchanger module and comprising a fan/motor combination for drawing air across said heat exchanger module from said front face to said rear face of said heat exchanger module to create the effluent, said fan/motor combination comprising a fan and a first electric motor for operating said fan; means joining said cooling fan module and said heat exchanger module together preparatory to installation of the assembly in an engine compartment of an automotive vehicle; said assembly further comprising prior to its installation in an engine compartment of an automotive vehicle, a) a pump/motor combination comprising a fluid pump and a second electric motor for operating said pump, b) a fluid passage providing fluid communication between said heat exchanger module and said pump for fluid flow, and c) a controller for controlling operation of said first and second electric motors.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A total cooling assembly as set forth in claim 1 in which said cooling fan module comprises panel structure that comprises a walled through-passage within which said fan is disposed such that operation of said fan by said first electric motor causes effluent to be drawn through said through-passage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
A total cooling assembly as set forth in claim 2 in which said walled through-passage comprises a circular walled opening concentric with an axis of rotation of said fan, and said panel structure comprising a panel portion forming a motor mount mounting said first electric motor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
A total cooling assembly as set forth in claim 3 in which said panel portion comprises a configuration of struts disposed transverse to said circular walled opening and said motor mount is disposed centrally of said configuration of struts, and in which said configuration of struts, said motor mount, are said panel portion are an integral one-piece construction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A total cooling assembly as set forth in claim 2 in which said controller is also disposed on said panel structure, and electric wiring extends from said controller to each of said first and second electric motors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
A total cooling assembly as set forth in claim 2 in which said panel structure comprises a panel portion confronting said rear face of said heat exchanger module, said panel portion comprises a walled opening circumscribing said through-passage and means mounting said pump/motor combination and said controller on said panel portion laterally of said walled opening.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A total cooling assembly as set forth in claim 6 in which said panel portion further includes flapper door means disposed on said panel portion spaced from said walled opening.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
A total cooling assembly as set forth in claim 2 in which said panel structure has an expanse corresponding generally to that of said heat exchanger module and comprises a perimeter flange having a substantially sealed fit to said heat exchanger module.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A total cooling assembly as set forth in claim 1 in which said pump comprises an inlet and an outlet, and said fluid passage couples an outlet of said heat exchanger module to said pump inlet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
A total cooling assembly as set forth in claim 1 further including such an internal combustion engine having a coolant passage system, a second fluid passage providing fluid communication between said coolant passage system and said heat exchanger module, and a third fluid passage providing fluid communication between said pump and said coolant passage system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
78 words
A total cooling assembly as set forth in claim 10 in which said heat exchanger module comprises a radiator that is fluid-communicated to said engine and said pump by said second and third fluid passages respectively, and said heat exchanger module further comprises a heat exchanger disposed in assembly relation with said radiator, and said radiator and heat exchanger are disposed in tandem such that said fan draws ambient air across both said radiator and said heat exchanger.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
A total cooling assembly as set forth in claim 1 in which said cooling fan module comprises duct means, and in which said fan is a radial flow fan disposed within said duct means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
186 words
In a front engine compartment of an automotive vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine, a total cooling assembly comprising means defining an air flow path through the assembly, and further comprising: a heat exchanger module for transferring heat from fluid to air comprising front and rear faces via which air can pass in heat exchange relation across said heat exchanger module to absorb heat from fluid flowing through said heat exchanger module thereby creating an effluent; a cooling fan module disposed proximal of said heat exchanger module and comprising a fan/motor combination for drawing air across said heat exchanger module from said front face to said rear face of said heat exchanger module to create the effluent, said fan/motor combination comprising a fan and a first electric motor for operating said fan; said assembly further comprising a) a pump/motor combination comprising a fluid pump and a second electric motor for operating said pump, b) a fluid passage providing fluid communication between said heat exchanger module and said pump for fluid flow, and c) a controller for controlling operation of said first and second electric motors.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
186 words
In a front engine compartment of an automotive vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine, a total cooling assembly comprising means defining an air flow path through the assembly, and further comprising: a heat exchanger module for transferring heat from fluid to air comprising front and rear faces via which air can pass in heat exchange relation across said heat exchanger module to absorb heat from fluid flowing through said heat exchanger module thereby creating an effluent; a cooling fan module disposed proximal of said heat exchanger module and comprising a fan/motor combination for drawing air across said heat exchanger module from said front face to said rear face of said heat exchanger module to create the effluent, said fan/motor combination comprising a fan and a first electric motor for operating said fan; said assembly further comprising a) a pump/motor combination comprising a fluid pump and a second electric motor for operating said pump, b) a fluid passage providing fluid communication between said heat exchanger module and said pump for fluid flow, and c) a controller for controlling operation of said first and second electric motors.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
A cooling assembly as set forth in claim 13 in which said cooling fan module comprises panel structure that comprises a walled through-passage within which said fan is disposed such that operation of said fan by said first electric motor causes effluent to be drawn through said through-passage.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
A cooling assembly as set forth in claim 14 in which said walled through-passage comprises a circular walled opening concentric with an axis of rotation of said fan, and said panel structure comprising a panel portion forming a motor mount mounting said first electric motor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
A cooling assembly as set forth in claim 15 in which said controller is disposed on said panel structure, and electric wiring extends from said controller to each of said first and second electric motors.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
57 words
A cooling assembly as set forth in claim 15 in which in which said panel structure comprises a panel portion confronting said rear face of said heat exchanger module, said panel portion comprises a walled opening circumscribing said through-passage and means mounting said pump/motor combination and said controller on said panel portion laterally of said walled opening.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
41 words
A cooling assembly as set forth in claim 14 in which said panel structure has an expanse corresponding generally to that of said heat exchanger module and comprises a perimeter flange having a substantially sealed fit to said heat exchanger module.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
54 words
A cooling assembly as set forth in claim 13 further including such an internal combustion engine having a coolant passage system, a second fluid passage providing fluid communication between said coolant passage system and said heat exchanger module, and a third fluid passage providing fluid communication between said pump and said coolant passage system.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
A cooling assembly as set forth in claim 13 in which said cooling fan module comprises duct means, and in which said fan is a radial flow fan disposed within said duct means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
169 words
A cooling fan module for use in a front engine compartment of an automotive vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine in association with a heat exchanger module having front and rear faces via which air can pass in heat exchange relation across such heat exchanger module to absorb heat from fluid flowing through such heat exchanger module, said cooling fan module comprising: panel structure for disposition in confrontation to a rear face of such heat exchanger module; a fan/motor combination mounted on said panel structure for drawing air across such heat exchanger module to create the effluent that passes through said panel structure, said fan/motor combination comprising a fan and a first electric motor for operating said fan; a pump/motor combination mounted on said panel structure and comprising a pump having a port for fluid communication with such heat exchanger module and a second electric motor for operating said pump; and a controller disposed on said panel structure for controlling operation of said first and second electric motors.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
169 words
A cooling fan module for use in a front engine compartment of an automotive vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine in association with a heat exchanger module having front and rear faces via which air can pass in heat exchange relation across such heat exchanger module to absorb heat from fluid flowing through such heat exchanger module, said cooling fan module comprising: panel structure for disposition in confrontation to a rear face of such heat exchanger module; a fan/motor combination mounted on said panel structure for drawing air across such heat exchanger module to create the effluent that passes through said panel structure, said fan/motor combination comprising a fan and a first electric motor for operating said fan; a pump/motor combination mounted on said panel structure and comprising a pump having a port for fluid communication with such heat exchanger module and a second electric motor for operating said pump; and a controller disposed on said panel structure for controlling operation of said first and second electric motors.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
A cooling fan module as set forth in claim 21 in which said panel structure comprises duct means, and in which said fan is a radial flow fan disposed within said duct means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
51 words
A cooling fan module as set forth in claim 22 in which said panel structure further comprises second duct means laterally adjacent said first duct means and a second radial flow fan disposed within said second duct means and driven by a third electric motor under the control of said controller.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
41 words
A cooling fan module as set forth in claim 21 in which said panel structure comprises a circular walled opening concentric with an axis of rotation of said fan, and within which said fan is disposed as an axial flow fan.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
222 words
A method of assembling an internal combustion engine and a cooling system for such an engine comprising: first, making a total cooling assembly that defines an air flow path through the assembly by assembling together, 1) a heat exchanger module for transferring heat from fluid to air entering said air flow path and that comprises front and rear faces via which air can pass in heat exchange relation across said heat exchanger module to absorb heat from fluid flowing through said heat exchanger module thereby creating an effluent, 2) a cooling fan module disposed proximal of said heat exchanger module and comprising a fan/electric motor combination for drawing air across said heat exchanger module from said front face to said rear face of said heat exchanger module to create the effluent, 3) a pump/electric motor combination, 4) a fluid conduit for placing said heat exchanger module and said pump in fluid communication, and 5) a controller for controlling operation of said electric motors; and then, operatively associating said total cooling module with an internal combustion engine by, 1) assembling a second fluid conduit to place said heat exchanger module and a coolant passage system of said engine in fluid communication, and 2) assembling a third fluid conduit to place said pump and the coolant passage system of said engine in fluid communication.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
222 words
A method of assembling an internal combustion engine and a cooling system for such an engine comprising: first, making a total cooling assembly that defines an air flow path through the assembly by assembling together, 1) a heat exchanger module for transferring heat from fluid to air entering said air flow path and that comprises front and rear faces via which air can pass in heat exchange relation across said heat exchanger module to absorb heat from fluid flowing through said heat exchanger module thereby creating an effluent, 2) a cooling fan module disposed proximal of said heat exchanger module and comprising a fan/electric motor combination for drawing air across said heat exchanger module from said front face to said rear face of said heat exchanger module to create the effluent, 3) a pump/electric motor combination, 4) a fluid conduit for placing said heat exchanger module and said pump in fluid communication, and 5) a controller for controlling operation of said electric motors; and then, operatively associating said total cooling module with an internal combustion engine by, 1) assembling a second fluid conduit to place said heat exchanger module and a coolant passage system of said engine in fluid communication, and 2) assembling a third fluid conduit to place said pump and the coolant passage system of said engine in fluid communication.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
242 words
A method of assembling an internal combustion engine and a cooling system for such an engine in an engine compartment of an automotive vehicle comprising: first, making a total cooling assembly that defines an air flow path through the assembly by assembling together, 1) a heat exchanger module for transferring heat from fluid to air entering said flow path and that comprises front and rear faces via which air can pass in heat exchange relation across said heat exchanger module to absorb heat from fluid flowing through said heat exchanger module thereby creating an effluent, 2) a cooling fan module disposed proximal of said heat exchanger module and comprising a fan/electric motor combination for drawing air across said heat exchanger module from said front face to said rear face of said heat exchanger module to create the effluent, 3) a pump/electric motor combination, 4) a fluid conduit for placing said heat exchanger module and said pump in fluid communication, and 5) a controller for controlling operation of said electric motors; then, assembling said total cooling module into an engine compartment of such a vehicle, and operatively associating said total cooling module with said internal combustion engine by, 1) assembling a second fluid conduit to place said heat exchanger module and a coolant passage system of said engine in fluid communication, and 2) assembling a third fluid conduit to place said pump and the coolant passage system of said engine in fluid communication.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
242 words
A method of assembling an internal combustion engine and a cooling system for such an engine in an engine compartment of an automotive vehicle comprising: first, making a total cooling assembly that defines an air flow path through the assembly by assembling together, 1) a heat exchanger module for transferring heat from fluid to air entering said flow path and that comprises front and rear faces via which air can pass in heat exchange relation across said heat exchanger module to absorb heat from fluid flowing through said heat exchanger module thereby creating an effluent, 2) a cooling fan module disposed proximal of said heat exchanger module and comprising a fan/electric motor combination for drawing air across said heat exchanger module from said front face to said rear face of said heat exchanger module to create the effluent, 3) a pump/electric motor combination, 4) a fluid conduit for placing said heat exchanger module and said pump in fluid communication, and 5) a controller for controlling operation of said electric motors; then, assembling said total cooling module into an engine compartment of such a vehicle, and operatively associating said total cooling module with said internal combustion engine by, 1) assembling a second fluid conduit to place said heat exchanger module and a coolant passage system of said engine in fluid communication, and 2) assembling a third fluid conduit to place said pump and the coolant passage system of said engine in fluid communication.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-08-25 | 2001-02-24 | 2001-08-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-08-25 | 2005-02-24 | 2005-08-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-08-25 | 2009-02-24 | 2009-08-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |