US6318347B1 — Remote mounted air-to-air aftercooler

Claim 1

Independent Claim 222 words

A remote-mounted cooling system being connected to an internal combustion engine, said internal combustion engine having an engine block, an air intake manifold, a turbocharger for providing inlet air to the air intake manifold, and a main radiator heat exchanger, a remote-mounted air-to-air aftercooler heat exchange system for providing cooled inlet air to the air intake manifold, said remote-mounted cooling system comprising: a filter for filtering ambient air; at least one aftercooler heat exchanger, separate from the main radiator heat exchanger and disposed upon the engine at a location remote from the main radiator heat exchanger, and having a first enclosed passageway defined therein which is fluidically connected to said filter for receiving said ambient air which has passed through said filter; a second enclosed passageway defined within said at least one aftercooler heat exchanger adjacent the first enclosed passageway and operative to receive turbocharged air from the turbocharger, conduct said turbocharged air through said at least one aftercooler heat exchanger such that said turbocharged air undergoes a heat exchange process with said ambient air, and conduct said turbocharged air to the engine intake manifold; and a fan for causing said ambient air to pass through said filter and said first passageway of said at least one remote aftercooler heat exchanger, and for causing said ambient air to be discharged to atmosphere.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 222 words

A remote-mounted cooling system being connected to an internal combustion engine, said internal combustion engine having an engine block, an air intake manifold, a turbocharger for providing inlet air to the air intake manifold, and a main radiator heat exchanger, a remote-mounted air-to-air aftercooler heat exchange system for providing cooled inlet air to the air intake manifold, said remote-mounted cooling system comprising: a filter for filtering ambient air; at least one aftercooler heat exchanger, separate from the main radiator heat exchanger and disposed upon the engine at a location remote from the main radiator heat exchanger, and having a first enclosed passageway defined therein which is fluidically connected to said filter for receiving said ambient air which has passed through said filter; a second enclosed passageway defined within said at least one aftercooler heat exchanger adjacent the first enclosed passageway and operative to receive turbocharged air from the turbocharger, conduct said turbocharged air through said at least one aftercooler heat exchanger such that said turbocharged air undergoes a heat exchange process with said ambient air, and conduct said turbocharged air to the engine intake manifold; and a fan for causing said ambient air to pass through said filter and said first passageway of said at least one remote aftercooler heat exchanger, and for causing said ambient air to be discharged to atmosphere.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 22 words

The remote-mounted cooling system of claim 1 , wherein said air-to-air aftercooler heat exchanger system includes: said fan includes a centrifugal fan.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 51 words

The remote-mounted cooling system of claim 1 , wherein said air-to-air aftercooler heat exchanger system includes: said filter and said at least one aftercooler heat exchanger are disposed upstream of said fan such that said fan draws said ambient air through said filter and said at least one aftercooler heat exchanger.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 62 words

The remote-mounted cooling system of claim 3 , wherein said air-to-air aftercooler heat exchanger system includes: a purge line fluidically interconnecting said filter and said fan, and bypassing said at least one aftercooler heat exchanger, for conducting filter purging air from said filter to said fan for discharge of debris collected within said filter along with said ambient air discharged to atmosphere.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 46 words

The remote-mounted cooling system of claim 3 , where said air-to-air aftercooler heat exchanger system includes: an exhaust pipe fluidically connected to said fan for discharging said ambient air to atmosphere such that said discharged ambient air is directed away from the main radiator heat exchanger.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 61 words

The remote-mounted cooling system of claim 1 wherein said air-to-air aftercooler heat exchanger system includes: said fan is interposed said filter and said at least one aftercooler heat exchanger such that said fan draws said ambient air through said filter and forces said ambient air through said at least one aftercooler heat exchanger which is fluidically disposed downstream of said fan.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 35 words

The remote-mounted cooling system of claim 6 , wherein said air-to-air aftercooler heat exchanger system includes: said at least one aftercooler heat exchanger includes two aftercooler heat exchangers disposed upon opposite sides of said fan.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 45 words

The remote-mounted cooling system of claim 7 , wherein said air-to-air aftercooler heat exchanger system includes: an exhaust pipe fluidically connected to each one of said two aftercooler heat exchangers such that said discharged ambient air is directed away from the main radiator heat exchanger.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 64 words

The remote-mounted cooling system of claim 7 , wherein said air-to-air aftercooler heat exchanger system includes: said filter has an axis defined therethrough; and said fan has an axis defined therethrough, said axis of said fan being angularly offset with respect to said axis of said filter so as to facilitate accommodation of said heat exchanger system within space limitations of the vehicular engine.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 38 words

The remote-mounted cooling system of claim 1 , wherein said air-to-air aftercooler heat exchanger system includes: a motor drive operatively connected to said fan for driving said fan independently of the load and speed of the vehicular engine.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 103 words

The remote-mounted cooling system of claim 1 , wherein said remote aftercooler heat exchanger includes a primary surface-type heat exchanger having three sheets of corrugated material defining two interdigitated fluid passageways therebetween for said ambient air and said turbocharged air wherein a portion of a first one of said two fluid passageways is interposed portions of a second one of said two fluid passageways while a portion of said second one of said two fluid passageways is interposed portions of said first one of said two passageways so as to enhance said heat exchange process between said ambient air and said turbocharged air.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 208 words

An internal combustion engine having an engine block, an air intake manifold, a turbocharger for providing inlet air to said air intake manifold, and a main radiator heat exchanger, a remote-mounted air-to-air aftercooler heat exchange system for providing cooled inlet air to said air intake manifold, comprising: a filter for filtering ambient air; at least one aftercooler heat exchanger, separate from said main radiator heat exchanger and disposed upon said engine at a location remote from said main radiator heat exchanger, and having a first enclosed passageway defined therein which is fluidically connected to said filter for receiving said ambient air which has passed through said filter; a second enclosed passageway defined within said at least one aftercooler heat exchanger adjacent to the first enclosed passageway and operative to receive turbocharged air from said turbocharger, conduct said turbocharged air through said at least one aftercooler heat exchanger such that said turbocharged air undergoes a heat exchange process with said ambient air, and conduct said turbocharged air to said engine intake manifold; and a fan for causing said ambient air to pass through said filter and said first passageway of said at least one remote aftercooler heat exchanger, and for causing said ambient air to be discharged to atmosphere.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 208 words

An internal combustion engine having an engine block, an air intake manifold, a turbocharger for providing inlet air to said air intake manifold, and a main radiator heat exchanger, a remote-mounted air-to-air aftercooler heat exchange system for providing cooled inlet air to said air intake manifold, comprising: a filter for filtering ambient air; at least one aftercooler heat exchanger, separate from said main radiator heat exchanger and disposed upon said engine at a location remote from said main radiator heat exchanger, and having a first enclosed passageway defined therein which is fluidically connected to said filter for receiving said ambient air which has passed through said filter; a second enclosed passageway defined within said at least one aftercooler heat exchanger adjacent to the first enclosed passageway and operative to receive turbocharged air from said turbocharger, conduct said turbocharged air through said at least one aftercooler heat exchanger such that said turbocharged air undergoes a heat exchange process with said ambient air, and conduct said turbocharged air to said engine intake manifold; and a fan for causing said ambient air to pass through said filter and said first passageway of said at least one remote aftercooler heat exchanger, and for causing said ambient air to be discharged to atmosphere.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 15 words

The internal combustion engine of claim 12 , wherein: said fan includes a centrifugal fan.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 44 words

The internal combustion engine of claim 12 , wherein: said filter and said at least one aftercooler heat exchanger are disposed upstream of said fan such that said fan draws said ambient air through said filter and said at least one aftercooler heat exchanger.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 55 words

The internal combustion engine of claim 14 , wherein: a purge line fluidically interconnecting said filter and said fan, and bypassing said at least one aftercooler heat exchanger, for conducting filter purging air from said filter to said fan for discharge of debris collected within said filter along with said ambient air discharged to atmosphere.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 39 words

The internal combustion engine of claim 14 , wherein: an exhaust pipe fluidically connected to said fan for discharging said ambient air to atmosphere such that said discharged ambient air is directed away from the main radiator heat exchanger.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 55 words

The internal combustion engine of claim 12 , wherein: said fan is interposed said filter and said at least one aftercooler heat exchanger such that said fan draws said ambient air through said filter and forces said ambient air through said at least one aftercooler heat exchanger which is fluidically disposed downstream of said fan.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 28 words

The internal combustion engine of claim 17 , wherein: said at least one aftercooler heat exchanger includes two aftercooler heat exchangers disposed upon opposite sides of said fan.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 38 words

The internal combustion engine of claim 18 , wherein: an exhaust pipe fluidically connected to each one of said two aftercooler heat exchangers such that said discharged ambient air is directed away from the main radiator heat exchanger.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 57 words

The internal combustion engine of claim 18 , wherein: said filter has an axis defined therethrough; and said fan has an axis defined therethrough, said axis of said fan being angularly offset with respect to said axis of said filter so as to facilitate accommodation of said heat exchanger system within space limitations of the vehicular engine.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 31 words

The internal combustion engine of claim 12 , wherein: a motor drive operatively connected to said fan for driving said fan independently of the load and speed of the vehicular engine.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 103 words

The internal combustion engine of claim 12 , wherein said remote aftercooler heat exchanger includes a primary surface-type heat exchanger having three sheets of corrugated material defining two interdigitated fluid passageways therebetween for said ambient air and said turbocharged air wherein a portion of a first one of said two fluid passageways is interposed portions of a second one of said two fluid passageways while a portion of said second one of said two fluid passageways is interposed portions of said first one of said two passageways so as to enhance said heat exchange process between said ambient air and said turbocharged air.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 220 words

A work machine having an internal combustion engine, said internal combustion engine comprising: an engine block; an air intake manifold; a turbocharger for providing inlet air to said air intake manifold; a main radiator heat exchanger; and a remote-mounted air-to-air aftercooler heat exchange system for providing cooled inlet air to said air intake manifold, said remote-mounted air-to-air aftercooler having a filter for filtering ambient air; at least one aftercooler heat exchanger, separate from said main radiator heat exchanger and disposed upon said engine at a location remote from said main radiator heat exchanger, and having a first enclosed passageway defined therein which is fluidically connected to said filter for receiving said ambient air which has passed through said filter; a second enclosed passageway defined within said at least one aftercooler heat exchanger adjacent to the first enclosed passageway and operative to receive turbocharged air from said turbocharger, conduct said turbocharged air through said at least one after-cooler heat exchanger such that said turbocharged air undergoes a heat exchange process with said ambient air, and conduct said turbocharged air to said engine intake manifold; and a fan for causing said ambient air to pass through said filter and said first passageway of said at least one remote aftercooler heat exchanger, and for causing said ambient air to be discharged to atmosphere.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 220 words

A work machine having an internal combustion engine, said internal combustion engine comprising: an engine block; an air intake manifold; a turbocharger for providing inlet air to said air intake manifold; a main radiator heat exchanger; and a remote-mounted air-to-air aftercooler heat exchange system for providing cooled inlet air to said air intake manifold, said remote-mounted air-to-air aftercooler having a filter for filtering ambient air; at least one aftercooler heat exchanger, separate from said main radiator heat exchanger and disposed upon said engine at a location remote from said main radiator heat exchanger, and having a first enclosed passageway defined therein which is fluidically connected to said filter for receiving said ambient air which has passed through said filter; a second enclosed passageway defined within said at least one aftercooler heat exchanger adjacent to the first enclosed passageway and operative to receive turbocharged air from said turbocharger, conduct said turbocharged air through said at least one after-cooler heat exchanger such that said turbocharged air undergoes a heat exchange process with said ambient air, and conduct said turbocharged air to said engine intake manifold; and a fan for causing said ambient air to pass through said filter and said first passageway of said at least one remote aftercooler heat exchanger, and for causing said ambient air to be discharged to atmosphere.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 17 words

The work machine as set forth in claim 23 , wherein: said fan includes a centrifugal fan.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 46 words

The work machine as set forth in claim 23 , wherein; said filter and said at least one aftercooler heat exchanger are disposed upstream of said fan such that said fan draws said ambient air through said filter and said at least one aftercooler heat exchanger.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 57 words

The work machine as set forth in claim 25 , including: a purge line fluidically interconnecting said filter and said fan, and bypassing said at least one aftercooler heat exchanger, for conducting filter purging air from said filter to said fan for discharge of debris collected within said filter along with said ambient air discharged to atmosphere.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 41 words

The work machine as set forth in claim 25 , including: an exhaust pipe fluidically connected to said fan for discharging said ambient air to atmosphere such that said discharged ambient air is directed away from the main radiator heat exchanger.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 49 words

The work machine as set forth in claim 23 , wherein: said fan is interposed said filter and said at least one aftercooler heat exchanger such that said fan draws said ambient air through said filter and forces said ambient air through said at least one aftercooler heat exchanger.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 30 words

The work machine as set forth in claim 28 , wherein: said at least one aftercooler heat exchanger includes two aftercooler heat exchangers disposed upon opposite sides of said fan.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 40 words

The work machine as set forth in claim 29 , including: an exhaust pipe fluidically connected to each one of said two aftercooler heat exchangers such that said discharged ambient air is directed away from the main radiator heat exchanger.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 59 words

The work machine as set forth in claim 29 , wherein: said filter has an axis defined therethrough; and said fan has an axis defined therethrough, said axis of said fan being angularly offset with respect to said axis of said filter so as to facilitate accommodation of said heat exchanger system within space limitations of the vehicular engine.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 33 words

The work machine as set forth in claim 23 , including: a motor drive operatively connected to said fan for driving said fan independently of the load and speed of the vehicular engine.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 105 words

The work machine as set forth in claim 23 , wherein said remote aftercooler heat exchanger includes a primary surface-type heat exchanger having three sheets of corrugated material defining two interdigitated fluid passageways therebetween for said ambient air and said turbocharged air wherein a portion of a first one of said two fluid passageways is interposed portions of a second one of said two fluid passageways while a portion of said second one of said two fluid passageways is interposed portions of said first one of said two passageways so as to enhance said heat exchange process between said ambient air and said turbocharged air.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 36 words

The work machine as set forth in claim 27 , wherein: said corrugated material including said primary surface-type heat exchanger being a material selected from the group including stainless steel, aluminum, and a thermoplastic resin material.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2004-11-19	2005-05-21	2005-11-20	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2008-11-19	2009-05-21	2009-11-20	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2012-11-19	2013-05-21	2013-11-20	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Remote mounted air-to-air aftercooler

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