# US 11,305,639 B2 · Body structure with integrated air channel > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,305,639 B2 - Document ID: US11305639B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/514,160 - Filed: 2019-07-17 - Published: 2021-01-21 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2019-07-17 - Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Inventors: Edward D. Moss; Christopher G. Basela; John Ivan Freeburg; Ulhas Grover; Joshua Holder; Thomas James Toft - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11305639B2 ## CPC - B60K 11/06: with air cooling - B60K 11/08: Air inlets for cooling; Shutters or blinds therefor - B60K 13/02: concerning intake - F01P 1/06: Arrangements for cooling other engine or machine parts - F01P 2001/005: {Cooling engine rooms} - F02M 35/10091: {characterised by details of intake ducts: shapes; connections; arrangements (ducts within or on the plenum chamber F02M35/10039)} - F02M 35/10111: {Substantially V-, C- or U-shaped ducts in direction of the flow path} - F02M 35/10118: {with variable cross-sections of intake ducts along their length; Venturis; Diffusers} - F02M 35/10124: {Ducts with special cross-sections, e.g. non-circular cross-section} - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES - F01P: COOLING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; COOLING OF INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES (arrangements in connection with cooling of propulsion units in vehicles B60K11/00; heat-transfer, heat-exchange or heat-storage materials C09K5/00; {cooling of gas-turbine engines F02C7/12}; heat exchange in general, radiators F28) - F02M: SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF ## Abstract A body structure includes a generally trough-shaped first structural member having a floor, two opposed side walls having respective top edges, and an open top along a length of the first structural member defining a generally U-shaped cross-section. The first structural member has a first portion with a first flow direction therethrough and a second portion with a second flow direction therethrough different from the first flow direction, the first portion having opposed first and second ends with a first opening in the first end, the second portion having opposed third and fourth ends with a second opening in the fourth end, wherein the second and third ends are in fluid communication with each other. The first portion has a first average depth and the second portion has a deepened portion having a second average depth larger than the first average depth. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A body structure for inducting air into an airbox of an automotive vehicle, comprising: a generally trough-shaped first structural member operable as an airflow channel and having a floor, two opposed side walls having respective top edges, and an open top along a length of the first structural member defining a generally U-shaped cross-section, the cross-section having a depth as measured from a center of the floor to a midpoint between the top edges; the first structural member having a first portion with a first flow direction therethrough and a second portion with a second flow direction therethrough different from the first flow direction, the first portion having opposed first and second ends with a first opening in the first end, the second portion having opposed third and fourth ends with a second opening in the fourth end, wherein the second and third ends are in fluid communication with each other; wherein the first portion has a first average depth and the second portion has a deepened portion having a second average depth, the second average depth is larger than the first average depth, the first opening is configured for receiving air into the airflow channel, and the second opening is configured for attachment to the airbox of the automotive vehicle and for providing air from the airflow channel to the airbox. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A body structure according to claim 1, wherein the deepened portion is disposed closer to the fourth end than to the third end. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A body structure according to claim 1, further comprising a duckbill valve disposed in the floor of the deepened portion, wherein the duckbill valve permits egress of liquid from inside the deepened portion to outside the first structural member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A body structure according to claim 1, wherein the generally U-shaped cross-section varies in shape along the length of the first structural member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A body structure according to claim 1, wherein the generally U-shaped cross-section varies in depth along the length of the first structural member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A body structure according to claim 1, further comprising: a second structural member attached to the top edges of the first structural member so as to cover at least a portion of the open top and form an enclosed duct along at least a portion of the length of the first structural member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A body structure according to claim 1, wherein the floor includes a transition portion wherein the depth transitions from the first average depth to the second average depth. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A body structure according to claim 7, wherein the transition portion includes an access port configured for at least one of cleanout and attachment to a resonator. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A body structure according to claim 1, wherein the first structural member includes a plurality of attachment points for interfacing with at least three of the airbox, a wheel liner, an engine control module harness, an electrical system component and a rear fender. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A body structure according to claim 1, wherein the first structural member is molded from at least one of a plastic material and a composite material. ### Claim 11 A body structure for inducting air into an airbox of an automotive vehicle, comprising: a generally trough-shaped first structural member having a floor, two opposed side walls having respective top edges, and an open top along a length of the first structural member defining a generally U-shaped cross-section, the cross-section having a depth as measured from a center of the floor to a midpoint between the top edges; the first structural member having a first portion with a first flow direction therethrough and a second portion with a second flow direction therethrough different from the first flow direction, the first portion having opposed first and second ends with a first opening in the first end, the second portion having opposed third and fourth ends with a second opening in the fourth end, wherein the second and third ends are in fluid communication with each other; wherein the first portion has a first average depth and the second portion has a deepened portion having a second average depth larger than the first average depth; and a second structural member attached to the top edges of the first structural member so as to cover at least a portion of the open top and form an enclosed air duct along at least a portion of the length of the first structural member; wherein the first opening is configured for receiving air into the enclosed air duct; and wherein, proximate the second opening, the enclosed air duct is configured for attachment to the airbox of the automotive vehicle and for providing air from the enclosed air duct to the airbox. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A body structure according to claim 11, further comprising a duckbill valve disposed in the floor of the deepened portion, wherein the duckbill valve permits egress of liquid from inside the deepened portion to outside the first structural member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) A body structure according to claim 11, wherein the generally U-shaped cross-section varies in shape and depth along the length of the first structural member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) A body structure according to claim 11, wherein the floor includes a transition portion wherein the depth transitions from the first average depth to the second average depth, and wherein the transition portion includes an access port configured for at least one of cleanout and attachment to a resonator. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) A body structure according to claim 11, wherein the first structural member includes a plurality of attachment points for interfacing with at least three of the airbox, a wheel liner, an engine control module harness, an electrical system component and a rear fender. ### Claim 16 An air induction system for inducting air into an airbox of an automotive vehicle, comprising: a generally trough-shaped first structural member having a floor, two opposed side walls having respective top edges, and an open top along a length of the first structural member defining a generally U-shaped cross-section, the cross-section having a depth as measured from a center of the floor to a midpoint between the top edges; the first structural member having a first portion with a first flow direction therethrough and a second portion with a second flow direction therethrough different from the first flow direction, the first portion having opposed first and second ends with a first opening in the first end, the second portion having opposed third and fourth ends with a second opening in the fourth end, wherein the second and third ends are in fluid communication with each other; wherein the first portion has a first average depth and the second portion has a deepened portion having a second average depth larger than the first average depth, wherein the deepened portion is disposed closer to the fourth end than to the third end, and wherein the floor includes a transition portion wherein the depth transitions from the first average depth to the second average depth; and a second structural member attached to the top edges of the first structural member so as to cover at least a portion of the open top and form an enclosed air duct along at least a portion of the length of the first structural member; wherein the first opening is configured for receiving air into the enclosed air duct; wherein, proximate the second opening, the enclosed air duct is configured for attachment to the airbox of the automotive vehicle and for providing air from the enclosed air duct to the airbox; and wherein the first structural member includes a plurality of attachment points for interfacing with at least three of the airbox, a wheel liner, an engine control module harness, and electrical system component and a rear fender. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) An air induction system according to claim 16, further comprising a duckbill valve disposed in the floor of the deepened portion, wherein the duckbill valve permits egress of liquid from inside the deepened portion to outside the first structural member. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) An air induction system according to claim 16, wherein the generally U-shaped cross-section varies in shape and depth along the length of the first structural member. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) An air induction system according to claim 16, wherein the transition portion includes an access port configured for at least one of cleanout and attachment to a resonator. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) An air induction system according to claim 16, wherein the airbox is configured for attachment to the engine.