CA2413378A1 - Blow molded fan shroud - Google Patents
Blow molded fan shroud Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2413378A1 CA2413378A1 CA002413378A CA2413378A CA2413378A1 CA 2413378 A1 CA2413378 A1 CA 2413378A1 CA 002413378 A CA002413378 A CA 002413378A CA 2413378 A CA2413378 A CA 2413378A CA 2413378 A1 CA2413378 A1 CA 2413378A1
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- fan shroud
- fan
- reservoir
- spiders
- shroud
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01P—COOLING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; COOLING OF INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES
- F01P5/00—Pumping cooling-air or liquid coolants
- F01P5/02—Pumping cooling-air; Arrangements of cooling-air pumps, e.g. fans or blowers
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04D29/00—Details, component parts, or accessories
- F04D29/58—Cooling; Heating; Diminishing heat transfer
- F04D29/582—Cooling; Heating; Diminishing heat transfer specially adapted for elastic fluid pumps
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01P—COOLING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; COOLING OF INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES
- F01P11/00—Component parts, details, or accessories not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F01P1/00 - F01P9/00
- F01P11/02—Liquid-coolant filling, overflow, venting, or draining devices
- F01P11/029—Expansion reservoirs
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01P—COOLING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; COOLING OF INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES
- F01P2025/00—Measuring
- F01P2025/08—Temperature
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01P—COOLING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; COOLING OF INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES
- F01P2031/00—Fail safe
- F01P2031/20—Warning devices
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Blow-Moulding Or Thermoforming Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
- Cooling, Air Intake And Gas Exhaust, And Fuel Tank Arrangements In Propulsion Units (AREA)
- Structures Of Non-Positive Displacement Pumps (AREA)
Abstract
A blow molded fan shroud (10) for use with an automotive cooling system is disclosed. The fan shroud (10) integrates a motor mounting ring or plate (20) for supporting a motor for driving the fan. The motor mounting ring or plate (20) is spaced from a front surface of the fan shroud (10) by a plurality of spiders (18). The spiders (18) are formed so as to include at least one portion with a hollow cross-section or chamber (22).
Description
I BLOW MOLDED FAN SHROUD
2 This invention relates generally to a fan shroud assembly for an automotive 3 coolant fan, and more particularly to a blow molded automotive coolant fan shroud 4 which integrates a motor mount into the fan shroud body, wherein said integrated motor mount comprises single-wall or double-wall construction and which attenuates 6 motor vibration transmission. In addition, the present invention relates to a fan 7 shroud that is simultaneously prepared with a separate bottle or container positioned 8 in the center waste-area of the shroud, wherein the precursor parison used to prepare 9 such shroud/bottle combination in a blow-molding operation can be programmed to . form selected thicker wall sections as may be required for selected locations in the 11 shroud construction. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the novel use of a 12 die-trimming procedure as applied to a fan shroud blow-molded assembly which 13 provides improved tolerances in the final product.
14 U.S. Patent No. 5,649,587 discloses a blow-molded radiator fan shroud which provides an improved, compact and efficient blow-molded radiator fan shroud with 16 integral fluid receptacles. Oppositely disposed recesses are formed in the front and I7 rear faces to form a wall for dividing the hollow body into two or more internal 18 chambers.
19 In addition, attention is directed to Tangue et al U.S. Pat. No. 3,692,004 which discloses a fan shroud and fluid receptacle arrangement including a cylindrical band 21 or collar extending away from a radiator, and a radiator fluid receptacle and a 22 windshield washer fluid receptacle integrally molded on opposite side surfaces of the 23 cylindrical band or collar. Furthermore, attention is also directed to the following 24 U.S. Patents: 3,833,054; 4,030,541; 4,709,757; 4,762,244; 4,763,724;
4,947,931 and 5,107,924.
26 Finally, attention is also directed to U.S. Appln. Serial No. 09/177,458, filed 27 October 22, 1998, owned by the assignee herein, which relates to the use of a fan 28 shroud with an air intake arrangement.
29 In a fan shroud and receptacle arrangement for use adjacent a vehicle radiator and around one or more engine cooling fans, the improvement which comprises an 31 integrated motor mount in the fan shroud body, wherein said integrated motor mount 32 comprises double-wall construction, optionally compressed into a single layer, and 1 wherein said double-wall construction can be adjusted by programmed parison 2 formation in a corresponding blow-molding operation. In alternative embodiment, 3 the present invention relates to the preparation of a fan-shroud assembly wherein the 4 center waste-area of the shroud is simultaneously prepared with a separate bottle/container which bottle/container is not part of the final fan shroud, and which 6 bottle may contain ribs or weirs to ultimately assist in dissolved gas removal to 7 thereby improve the heat-transfer efficiency of the fluid to be contained therein.
14 U.S. Patent No. 5,649,587 discloses a blow-molded radiator fan shroud which provides an improved, compact and efficient blow-molded radiator fan shroud with 16 integral fluid receptacles. Oppositely disposed recesses are formed in the front and I7 rear faces to form a wall for dividing the hollow body into two or more internal 18 chambers.
19 In addition, attention is directed to Tangue et al U.S. Pat. No. 3,692,004 which discloses a fan shroud and fluid receptacle arrangement including a cylindrical band 21 or collar extending away from a radiator, and a radiator fluid receptacle and a 22 windshield washer fluid receptacle integrally molded on opposite side surfaces of the 23 cylindrical band or collar. Furthermore, attention is also directed to the following 24 U.S. Patents: 3,833,054; 4,030,541; 4,709,757; 4,762,244; 4,763,724;
4,947,931 and 5,107,924.
26 Finally, attention is also directed to U.S. Appln. Serial No. 09/177,458, filed 27 October 22, 1998, owned by the assignee herein, which relates to the use of a fan 28 shroud with an air intake arrangement.
29 In a fan shroud and receptacle arrangement for use adjacent a vehicle radiator and around one or more engine cooling fans, the improvement which comprises an 31 integrated motor mount in the fan shroud body, wherein said integrated motor mount 32 comprises double-wall construction, optionally compressed into a single layer, and 1 wherein said double-wall construction can be adjusted by programmed parison 2 formation in a corresponding blow-molding operation. In alternative embodiment, 3 the present invention relates to the preparation of a fan-shroud assembly wherein the 4 center waste-area of the shroud is simultaneously prepared with a separate bottle/container which bottle/container is not part of the final fan shroud, and which 6 bottle may contain ribs or weirs to ultimately assist in dissolved gas removal to 7 thereby improve the heat-transfer efficiency of the fluid to be contained therein.
8 Finally, in alternative embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of 9 additives in the plastic of the shroud which additives are designed to change color/shape based upon liquid temperature to thereby indicate coolant levels.
Finally, 11 the present invention also relates to all of the above embodiments, wherein the shroud 12 is simultaneously designed to contain engine coolant liquid, and wherein the shroud 13 contains air flow-through ducting, to thereby channel air for engine combustion and 14 to improve the cooling of the engine coolant contained therein.
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the blow molded fan shroud of the 16 present invention.
17 FIG. 2 illustrates in perspective view a second embodiment of the present 18 invention.
19 FIG. 3 illustrates in exploded view the blow molded fan shroud and a reinforcing member.
21 FIG. 4 illustrates in cross-section high section modulus profiles of spiders.
22 FIG. 5 illustrates in perspective view a separate spider assembly.
23 FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a collapsible post and socket attachment 24 means.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the dovetail-twist lock attachment means.
26 FIG. 8 illustrates in perspective a third embodiment of the present invention.
27 With reference to FIG. 1, the present invention comprises a fan shroud 10 for 28 use with an automotive cooling system. The fan shroud IO comprises a hollow, 29 double walled body of generally rectangular shape having a generally planar front face 12 and an opposed generally planar rear face. The fan shroud 10 contains an 31 opening 14 through the body of the fan shroud 10 defined by a cylindrical wall.
32 Alternately, the opening 14 may have a rectangular geometry on the front face that 1 transitions to a circular opening on the rear face. The double walled construction of 2 fan shroud 10 attenuates vibration transmission from the fan assembly. In the context 3 of the present invention, vibration attenuation has reached levels of about 40%.
4 As shown in FIG. 2, preferably, the hollow, double-walled body of the fan shroud 10 is configured as a chamber, as for holding fluid. Alternately, the body of 6 fan shroud 10 may be configured into multiple chambers through the use of pinch 7 lines 16 sealing opposed walls together. Each chamber preferably includes 8 appropriate openings and fittings necessary for filling, draining, and/or plumbing 9 requirements depending upon the end use application of the chamber.
The opening 14 in fan shroud 10 may be configured to direct the flow of air 11 from the fan 26 to the engine, to be employed, for example, for additional engine 12 cooling or forced induction feed for engine combustion. The air stream from opening 13 14 maybe directed by means of diffusers or deflectors positioned about the periphery 14 of the opening 14. Alternately, the opening 14 may be Etted with ducting to communicate the air flow to appropriate secondary uses.
16 As illustrated in FIGS. 2-3, the fan shroud 10 further contains spiders 18 17 extending radially from the circumference of the opening 14 toward the normal axis 18 of the opening 14. Spiders 18 are connected to a fan motor mounting ring or plate 20 19 that is positioned concentrically with opening 14. The fan motor mounting ring 20 preferably includes a reinforcing member 40. The reinforcing member may be 21 disposed on the forward face of the fan motor mounting ring 20, on the rearward face 22 of the fan motor mounting ring 20 as illustrated in FIG. 3, or it may be an insert-23 molded, integral component of the fan motor mounting ring 20. Preferably, 24 reinforcing member 40 comprises a metallic member. Alternately, reinforcing member 40 may comprise a reinforcing structure, such as fiber reinforced plastic.
26 Preferably, spiders 18 are integral with fan shroud 10 as shown in FIG. 1, and 27 are formed in the same blow molding operation as fan shroud 10. The concept of 28 parison programming, i.e. forming the parison for the part with varying, and 29 controlled, thickness about the length and circumference of the parison, is herein used to control the final thickness of the fan shroud 10 and of the spiders 18 formed 31 therewith.
1 When spiders 18 are integrally molded with the fan shroud 10, spiders 18 may 2 be formed as solid, or single walled members. Alternately, the strength of spiders 18 3 may be increased by forming the spiders 18 as hollow, double-walled members 4 having at least one longitudinal hollow chamber 22 extending at least a portion of the length of the spider 18 by modifying the blow molding process. The structural 6 integrity of spiders 18 may be further improved by molding spiders 18 in a high 7 section modulus profile, for example a "V" or "I" cross-section, as shown in FIGS.
8 4A-4C. The high modulus profiles may therefore comprise a single continuous 9 hollow chamber 22, or a plurality of hollow chambers 22 joined by regions of a pinch off 24, Preferably the profile or shape of spiders 18 is also configured to provide 11 maximum aerodynamic flow through fan shroud 10.
12 When spiders 18 are formed integrally with fan shroud 10, the region defined 13 by the perimeter of the opening 14 and adjacent spiders 18 will comprise a plurality 14 of webs of material. To ensure proper removal of the webs, and concentric placement of fan assembly 26 within opening 14, it is preferred that all of the webs be removed 16 in a single step trimming operation using a V-die trimming process. This trimming 17 process allows exact placement of the fan within opening 14, therein allowing 18 minimal clearance between the tip of the fan and the wall of opening 14, The reduced 19 clearance achievable through die trimming provides overall increased efficiency of the cooling fan.
21 Stated another way, it has been found that die-cutting has a primary advantage 22 in "relative" rather than "absolute" dimensioning. In the case of a fan-shroud, what is 23 important is that the tip clearance of the fan be minimized to maximize cooling.
24 Accordingly, it is more important to center the fan in the shroud than to consider where the fan is in space. This is best accomplished by referencing off the center of 26 the fan motor mount for trimming. With water jet or laser, the trimming is relative to 27 an absolute locator somewhere on the holding fixture (all indirect referencing subject 28 to variation).
29 In an alternative embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 5, spiders 18 may comprise a separately molded component 28 attached to fan shroud 10 during a secondary 31 operation. Preferably, separately molded component 28 is injection molded from a 32 reinforced plastic material, such as glass fiber reinforced nylon. In the interest of 1 minimizing assembly parts, separately molded component 28 may be attached to fan 2 shroud 10 using molded in securement means, for example collapsible post 30 and 3 socket 32, or dovetail twist lock 34 fastening, as illustrated in cross-sectional views in 4 FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 respectively. Corresponding male and female components of the molded in securement means are molded to the spiders 18 and the fan shroud 10 6 respectively. The joint may be further strengthened by assembling spiders 18 to the 7 fan shroud 10 promptly after the fan shroud 10 is removed from the mold. As the fan 8 shroud 10 shrinks during cooling the molded in securement means will tighten 9 together providing a secure joint.
When the fan shroud 10 is to be provided with separately molded spider 11 component 28 a web, or waste area, of material will be molded over opening 14 of fan 12 shroud 10 as a natural product of the blow molding operation. The waste inherent in 13 blow molding the fan shroud 10 may be reduced by molding a separate bottle 36 or 14 reservoir, preferable a hot or pressurized bottle, in the center of the waste area or the fan shroud 10, as illustrated in FIG. 8. The size and shape of the bottle 36 is 16 constrained only by the dimensions of opening 14, as illustrated in broken lines in 17 FIG. 8. Furthermore, the thickness of the bottle 36 can be controlled using parison 18 programming as described above. As an additional feature, if desired the bottle 36 19 may be molded with flow disrupters, such as ribs or weirs, to assist deaeration of the fluid in the bottle, and thereby increase the heat transfer efficiency of the fluid. After 21 the fan shroud 10, containing the bottle 36, has been molded, the bottle 36 will be 22 removed, as by V-die trimming, as a secondary process.
23 A final aspect of the present invention is the incorporation of a fluid level 24 indicator integrated into at least one of the chambers of the fan shroud 10 or into the bottle 36 molded into the waste area of the fan shroud 10. The level of a fluid above 26 ambient temperature, such as coolant, can be indicated using a reversible heat 27 activated colorant. When the temperature of the coolant, and therefore the plastic, 28 exceeds a predetermined magnitude the colorant is activated and the color of the 29 plastic changes. The reversible nature of the colorant is such that when the coolant, and therefore the plastic, falls below the predetermined level the coloration reverses.
31 In this manner, when the chamber or bottle is partially filled with fluid above the 32 predetermined temperature, the portion of the chamber or bottle in contact with the 1 fluid will appear as a different color than the portion of the chamber or bottle not in 2 contact with the fluid above the predetermined temperature.
3 Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular 4 embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present 6 invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended 7 claims.
Finally, 11 the present invention also relates to all of the above embodiments, wherein the shroud 12 is simultaneously designed to contain engine coolant liquid, and wherein the shroud 13 contains air flow-through ducting, to thereby channel air for engine combustion and 14 to improve the cooling of the engine coolant contained therein.
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the blow molded fan shroud of the 16 present invention.
17 FIG. 2 illustrates in perspective view a second embodiment of the present 18 invention.
19 FIG. 3 illustrates in exploded view the blow molded fan shroud and a reinforcing member.
21 FIG. 4 illustrates in cross-section high section modulus profiles of spiders.
22 FIG. 5 illustrates in perspective view a separate spider assembly.
23 FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a collapsible post and socket attachment 24 means.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the dovetail-twist lock attachment means.
26 FIG. 8 illustrates in perspective a third embodiment of the present invention.
27 With reference to FIG. 1, the present invention comprises a fan shroud 10 for 28 use with an automotive cooling system. The fan shroud IO comprises a hollow, 29 double walled body of generally rectangular shape having a generally planar front face 12 and an opposed generally planar rear face. The fan shroud 10 contains an 31 opening 14 through the body of the fan shroud 10 defined by a cylindrical wall.
32 Alternately, the opening 14 may have a rectangular geometry on the front face that 1 transitions to a circular opening on the rear face. The double walled construction of 2 fan shroud 10 attenuates vibration transmission from the fan assembly. In the context 3 of the present invention, vibration attenuation has reached levels of about 40%.
4 As shown in FIG. 2, preferably, the hollow, double-walled body of the fan shroud 10 is configured as a chamber, as for holding fluid. Alternately, the body of 6 fan shroud 10 may be configured into multiple chambers through the use of pinch 7 lines 16 sealing opposed walls together. Each chamber preferably includes 8 appropriate openings and fittings necessary for filling, draining, and/or plumbing 9 requirements depending upon the end use application of the chamber.
The opening 14 in fan shroud 10 may be configured to direct the flow of air 11 from the fan 26 to the engine, to be employed, for example, for additional engine 12 cooling or forced induction feed for engine combustion. The air stream from opening 13 14 maybe directed by means of diffusers or deflectors positioned about the periphery 14 of the opening 14. Alternately, the opening 14 may be Etted with ducting to communicate the air flow to appropriate secondary uses.
16 As illustrated in FIGS. 2-3, the fan shroud 10 further contains spiders 18 17 extending radially from the circumference of the opening 14 toward the normal axis 18 of the opening 14. Spiders 18 are connected to a fan motor mounting ring or plate 20 19 that is positioned concentrically with opening 14. The fan motor mounting ring 20 preferably includes a reinforcing member 40. The reinforcing member may be 21 disposed on the forward face of the fan motor mounting ring 20, on the rearward face 22 of the fan motor mounting ring 20 as illustrated in FIG. 3, or it may be an insert-23 molded, integral component of the fan motor mounting ring 20. Preferably, 24 reinforcing member 40 comprises a metallic member. Alternately, reinforcing member 40 may comprise a reinforcing structure, such as fiber reinforced plastic.
26 Preferably, spiders 18 are integral with fan shroud 10 as shown in FIG. 1, and 27 are formed in the same blow molding operation as fan shroud 10. The concept of 28 parison programming, i.e. forming the parison for the part with varying, and 29 controlled, thickness about the length and circumference of the parison, is herein used to control the final thickness of the fan shroud 10 and of the spiders 18 formed 31 therewith.
1 When spiders 18 are integrally molded with the fan shroud 10, spiders 18 may 2 be formed as solid, or single walled members. Alternately, the strength of spiders 18 3 may be increased by forming the spiders 18 as hollow, double-walled members 4 having at least one longitudinal hollow chamber 22 extending at least a portion of the length of the spider 18 by modifying the blow molding process. The structural 6 integrity of spiders 18 may be further improved by molding spiders 18 in a high 7 section modulus profile, for example a "V" or "I" cross-section, as shown in FIGS.
8 4A-4C. The high modulus profiles may therefore comprise a single continuous 9 hollow chamber 22, or a plurality of hollow chambers 22 joined by regions of a pinch off 24, Preferably the profile or shape of spiders 18 is also configured to provide 11 maximum aerodynamic flow through fan shroud 10.
12 When spiders 18 are formed integrally with fan shroud 10, the region defined 13 by the perimeter of the opening 14 and adjacent spiders 18 will comprise a plurality 14 of webs of material. To ensure proper removal of the webs, and concentric placement of fan assembly 26 within opening 14, it is preferred that all of the webs be removed 16 in a single step trimming operation using a V-die trimming process. This trimming 17 process allows exact placement of the fan within opening 14, therein allowing 18 minimal clearance between the tip of the fan and the wall of opening 14, The reduced 19 clearance achievable through die trimming provides overall increased efficiency of the cooling fan.
21 Stated another way, it has been found that die-cutting has a primary advantage 22 in "relative" rather than "absolute" dimensioning. In the case of a fan-shroud, what is 23 important is that the tip clearance of the fan be minimized to maximize cooling.
24 Accordingly, it is more important to center the fan in the shroud than to consider where the fan is in space. This is best accomplished by referencing off the center of 26 the fan motor mount for trimming. With water jet or laser, the trimming is relative to 27 an absolute locator somewhere on the holding fixture (all indirect referencing subject 28 to variation).
29 In an alternative embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 5, spiders 18 may comprise a separately molded component 28 attached to fan shroud 10 during a secondary 31 operation. Preferably, separately molded component 28 is injection molded from a 32 reinforced plastic material, such as glass fiber reinforced nylon. In the interest of 1 minimizing assembly parts, separately molded component 28 may be attached to fan 2 shroud 10 using molded in securement means, for example collapsible post 30 and 3 socket 32, or dovetail twist lock 34 fastening, as illustrated in cross-sectional views in 4 FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 respectively. Corresponding male and female components of the molded in securement means are molded to the spiders 18 and the fan shroud 10 6 respectively. The joint may be further strengthened by assembling spiders 18 to the 7 fan shroud 10 promptly after the fan shroud 10 is removed from the mold. As the fan 8 shroud 10 shrinks during cooling the molded in securement means will tighten 9 together providing a secure joint.
When the fan shroud 10 is to be provided with separately molded spider 11 component 28 a web, or waste area, of material will be molded over opening 14 of fan 12 shroud 10 as a natural product of the blow molding operation. The waste inherent in 13 blow molding the fan shroud 10 may be reduced by molding a separate bottle 36 or 14 reservoir, preferable a hot or pressurized bottle, in the center of the waste area or the fan shroud 10, as illustrated in FIG. 8. The size and shape of the bottle 36 is 16 constrained only by the dimensions of opening 14, as illustrated in broken lines in 17 FIG. 8. Furthermore, the thickness of the bottle 36 can be controlled using parison 18 programming as described above. As an additional feature, if desired the bottle 36 19 may be molded with flow disrupters, such as ribs or weirs, to assist deaeration of the fluid in the bottle, and thereby increase the heat transfer efficiency of the fluid. After 21 the fan shroud 10, containing the bottle 36, has been molded, the bottle 36 will be 22 removed, as by V-die trimming, as a secondary process.
23 A final aspect of the present invention is the incorporation of a fluid level 24 indicator integrated into at least one of the chambers of the fan shroud 10 or into the bottle 36 molded into the waste area of the fan shroud 10. The level of a fluid above 26 ambient temperature, such as coolant, can be indicated using a reversible heat 27 activated colorant. When the temperature of the coolant, and therefore the plastic, 28 exceeds a predetermined magnitude the colorant is activated and the color of the 29 plastic changes. The reversible nature of the colorant is such that when the coolant, and therefore the plastic, falls below the predetermined level the coloration reverses.
31 In this manner, when the chamber or bottle is partially filled with fluid above the 32 predetermined temperature, the portion of the chamber or bottle in contact with the 1 fluid will appear as a different color than the portion of the chamber or bottle not in 2 contact with the fluid above the predetermined temperature.
3 Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular 4 embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present 6 invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended 7 claims.
Claims (28)
1. A fan shroud reservoir for holding a fluid, comprising:
a hollow structure formed of a moldable material having a reversible heat activated colorant.
a hollow structure formed of a moldable material having a reversible heat activated colorant.
2. The reservoir of claim 1, wherein the moldable material comprises a plastic.
3. The reservoir of claim 1, wherein the colorant causes the material to change color when the fluid in the reservoir exceeds a first predetermined temperature.
4. The reservoir of claim 3, wherein the colorant causes the material to return to an original color when the fluid temperature falls below a second predetermined temperature.
5. The reservoir of claim 4, wherein the first predetermined temperature is greater than the second predetermined temperature.
6. The reservoir of claim 1, further comprising air flow-through ducting in said fan shroud to channel air for engine combustion.
7. The reservoir of claim 1, further comprising air flow-through ducting in said fan shroud to improve the cooling of engine coolant contained within the reservoir
8. A fan shroud for a vehicle engine, comprising:
a fan shroud body 10 having an opening 14 extending from a front face 12 of the body to a rear face of the body, and a plurality of radially spaced spiders 18 having first ends intergrally formed with and extending outwardly from the front face 12 of the fan shroud body about the periphery of the opening 14, the spiders 18 having second ends terminating in a motor mounting plate 20 displaced from the front face 12 of the body away from the rear face, wherein at least a portion of the spider 18 has a hollow cross section.
a fan shroud body 10 having an opening 14 extending from a front face 12 of the body to a rear face of the body, and a plurality of radially spaced spiders 18 having first ends intergrally formed with and extending outwardly from the front face 12 of the fan shroud body about the periphery of the opening 14, the spiders 18 having second ends terminating in a motor mounting plate 20 displaced from the front face 12 of the body away from the rear face, wherein at least a portion of the spider 18 has a hollow cross section.
9. The fan shroud of claim 8, further comprising a plurality of deflectors positioned about the periphery of the opening 14 to direct the flow of air to the engine.
10. The fan shroud of claim 8, wherein the hollow cross section extends from the first ends to the second ends.
11. The fan shroud of claim 8, wherein the fan mounting plate 20 further comprises a metallic reinforcing member 40.
12. The fan shroud of claim 8, wherein the opening 14 allows air to pass from the first face to the second face.
13. The fan shroud of claim 8, wherein the spiders 18 comprise "V" cross-section.
14. The fan shroud of claim 13, wherein the spiders 18 comprise a hollow double-wall member having at least one hollow chamber.
15. The fan shroud of claim 14 comprising a plurality of chambers.
16. The fan shroud of claim 8, wherein the spiders 18 are formed having an "I"
cross section.
cross section.
17. The fan shroud of claim 16 wherein the spiders comprise a hollow double-wall member having at least one hollow chamber.
18. The fan shroud of claim 17 comprising a plurality of chambers.
19. The fan shroud of claim 8, wherein the motor mounting plate 20 is concentric with the opening 14.
20. The fan shroud of claim 8, wherein a chamber is formed between the first face and the second face.
21. The fan shroud of claim 8, wherein a plurality of chambers are formed between the first face and the second face.
22. The fan shroud of claim 6, wherein the opening 14 extending from the front face of the body to the rear face of the body is substantially circular.
23. A fan motor mount comprising:
a plurality of radially spaced spiders 18 having first ends extending forward and radially outwardly from a motor mounting plate 20, at least a portion of the spider 18 having a hollow cross section, the motor mounting plate 20 having an opening for a motor shaft to extend therethrough, the spiders 18 having second ends terminating in a generally circular band, the motor mounting plate 20 displaced rearwardly from said circular band.
a plurality of radially spaced spiders 18 having first ends extending forward and radially outwardly from a motor mounting plate 20, at least a portion of the spider 18 having a hollow cross section, the motor mounting plate 20 having an opening for a motor shaft to extend therethrough, the spiders 18 having second ends terminating in a generally circular band, the motor mounting plate 20 displaced rearwardly from said circular band.
24. The fan motor mount of claim 23, wherein the circular band is generally concentric with an axis of the motor shaft.
25. The fan motor mount of claim 23, wherein the spiders 18 conform generally to an arc between the first end and the second end.
26. The fan motor mount of claim 23, further comprising a securement means to secure said fan motor mount to a fan shroud.
27. A method of forming reservoirs, comprising the steps of:
inserting a parison in a mold cavity;
sealing the parison at opposing ends to form a central cavity;
supplying a pressurized fluid to the central cavity, whereby the parison conforms to a shape of the mold cavity;
forming a pinch line delineating a first reservoir 36 from a second reservoir 10, the first reservoir 36 formed within a perimeter of the second reservoir.
inserting a parison in a mold cavity;
sealing the parison at opposing ends to form a central cavity;
supplying a pressurized fluid to the central cavity, whereby the parison conforms to a shape of the mold cavity;
forming a pinch line delineating a first reservoir 36 from a second reservoir 10, the first reservoir 36 formed within a perimeter of the second reservoir.
28. The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of separating said first and second reservoirs.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US21239500P | 2000-06-19 | 2000-06-19 | |
| US60/212,395 | 2000-06-19 | ||
| PCT/US2001/019623 WO2001098099A1 (en) | 2000-06-19 | 2001-06-19 | Blow molded fan shroud |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2413378A1 true CA2413378A1 (en) | 2001-12-27 |
Family
ID=22790822
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002413378A Abandoned CA2413378A1 (en) | 2000-06-19 | 2001-06-19 | Blow molded fan shroud |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP1292461A2 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2003535764A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU2001268583A1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2413378A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2001098099A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6871697B2 (en) * | 2002-01-18 | 2005-03-29 | Clark Equipment Company | Integrated fluid reservoir and heat exchanger ducts |
Family Cites Families (20)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE2221971C2 (en) | 1972-05-05 | 1974-04-11 | Buderus'sche Eisenwerke, 6330 Wetzlar | Thermoplastic radiator |
| US4030541A (en) | 1974-06-08 | 1977-06-21 | Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft | Multi-element type radiator of plastic material |
| US4164492A (en) * | 1978-03-14 | 1979-08-14 | Alco Standard Corporation | Novel catalyst for curing polyester resins and method for determining the degree of cure in polyester and epoxy resin systems |
| DE3210260C1 (en) * | 1982-03-20 | 1983-10-13 | Ford-Werke AG, 5000 Köln | Containers for equipment in motor vehicles |
| DE3444273C1 (en) | 1984-12-05 | 1985-11-28 | Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, 8000 München | Water box made of plastic for a cross-flow cooler for internal combustion engines |
| US4709757A (en) | 1986-11-24 | 1987-12-01 | Johnson Service Company | Method of injection molding and plastic part formed thereby |
| US4762244A (en) | 1987-09-23 | 1988-08-09 | Thermo King Corporation | Radiator overflow container |
| US4947931A (en) | 1989-12-28 | 1990-08-14 | Vitacco Richard L | Plastic vehicular radiator-condenser with metal cooling inserts |
| DE9002438U1 (en) | 1990-03-02 | 1990-04-12 | Sueddeutsche Kuehlerfabrik Julius Fr. Behr Gmbh & Co Kg, 7000 Stuttgart, De | |
| US5244347A (en) * | 1991-10-11 | 1993-09-14 | Siemens Automotive Limited | High efficiency, low noise, axial flow fan |
| US5180279A (en) * | 1992-03-31 | 1993-01-19 | General Motors Corporation | Heat shield and deflector for engine cooling fan motor |
| JP3338124B2 (en) * | 1993-05-31 | 2002-10-28 | 三菱化学株式会社 | Propylene-based heat-resistant resin molding material and molded article thereof |
| US5341871A (en) * | 1993-06-21 | 1994-08-30 | General Motors Corporation | Engine cooling fan assembly with snap-on retainers |
| JP3409496B2 (en) * | 1995-03-30 | 2003-05-26 | 日産自動車株式会社 | Radiator structure |
| US5932309A (en) * | 1995-09-28 | 1999-08-03 | Alliedsignal Inc. | Colored articles and compositions and methods for their fabrication |
| US5671803A (en) * | 1995-10-23 | 1997-09-30 | General Motors Corporation | Modular condenser and fan shroud assembly |
| US5649587A (en) | 1996-02-23 | 1997-07-22 | Mccord Winn Textron, Inc. | Fan shroud and receptacle arrangement |
| JP3293546B2 (en) * | 1997-06-16 | 2002-06-17 | 株式会社デンソー | Engine shroud fan shroud |
| JP3917269B2 (en) * | 1997-10-07 | 2007-05-23 | パイロットインキ株式会社 | Reversible thermochromic composition |
| US6189492B1 (en) * | 1999-04-07 | 2001-02-20 | Custom Molder, Inc. | Automotive fan shroud and method of making |
-
2001
- 2001-06-19 CA CA002413378A patent/CA2413378A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-06-19 JP JP2002503553A patent/JP2003535764A/en active Pending
- 2001-06-19 WO PCT/US2001/019623 patent/WO2001098099A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2001-06-19 AU AU2001268583A patent/AU2001268583A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-06-19 EP EP01946555A patent/EP1292461A2/en not_active Withdrawn
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU2001268583A1 (en) | 2002-01-02 |
| EP1292461A2 (en) | 2003-03-19 |
| JP2003535764A (en) | 2003-12-02 |
| WO2001098099A8 (en) | 2002-04-04 |
| WO2001098099A1 (en) | 2001-12-27 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |