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US 5,588,910 AGranted
Air outlet register for an opening in a vehicle
AssigneeFord Motor Company
InventorsRobert J. Hutter, Christopher J. Martin, Thomas W. Roesner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A barrel type air outlet is provided for an opening in an instrument panel or other panel or compartment of a vehicle. The air outlet contains two sets of stationary vanes for directing a stream of air. The first set of stationary vanes is oriented parallel to the longitudinal and transverse axes of the barrel and to one another to direct the stream of air in a jet flow pattern. The second set of stationary vanes is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis and nonparallel to the transverse axis and nonparallel to one another to direct the stream of air in a diffuse pattern to avoid direct impingement of the stream of air on the driver or other occupants of the vehicle.
Claims12
An air outlet for an opening in a vehicle, comprising:
- an elongated body having first and second end portions, a hollow interior, a front outer peripheral surface having a front opening and extending between said first and second end portions, a rear outer peripheral surface having a rear opening and extending between said first and second end portions, a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis;
- a first set of stationary vanes oriented parallel to said longitudinal and transverse axes and to one another and extending in said front opening between said first and second end portions and extending from said outer peripheral surface into said hollow interior of said body;
- a second set of stationary vanes with individual vanes oriented parallel to said longitudinal axis, nonparallel to said transverse axis and nonparallel to one another, said second set of stationary vanes extending in said front opening between said first and second end portions and extending from said outer peripheral surface into said hollow interior of said body;
- and
- means for pivoting said elongated body between a first position at which said first set of stationary vanes is aligned with said rear opening along said transverse axis to receive a direct, linear flow of air exiting said rear opening to direct said flow of air across said first set of stationary vanes and through said from opening in a single direction, and a second position at which said second set of stationary vanes is aligned with said rear opening along said transverse axis to receive a direct, linear flow of air exiting said rear opening to direct said flow of air across said second set of stationary vanes and through said from opening in multiple directions.
2 more elements
An air outlet for a panel of a vehicle, said panel forming an opening, said air outlet comprising:
- an elongated body having first and second end portions, a hollow interior, a front outer peripheral surface having a front opening and extending between said first and second end portions, a rear outer peripheral surface having a rear opening and extending between said first and second end portions, a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis;
- a first set of stationary vanes oriented parallel to said longitudinal and transverse axes and to one another and extending in said front opening between said first and second end portions and extending from said outer peripheral surface into said hollow interior of said body;
- a second set of stationary vanes with individual vanes oriented parallel to said longitudinal axis, nonparallel to said transverse axis and nonparallel to one another extending in said front opening between said first and second end portions and extending from said outer peripheral surface into said hollow interior of said body;
- and
- means for pivoting said elongated body between a first, second and third positions, at the first position said first set of stationary vanes is aligned with said rear opening along said transverse axis to receive a direct, linear flow of air exiting said rear opening to direct said flow of air across said first set of stationary vanes and through said front opening in a single direction, at the second position said second set of stationary vanes is aligned with said rear opening along said transverse axis to receive a direct, linear flow of air exiting said rear opening to direct said flow of air across said second set of stationary vanes and through said from opening in multiple directions, and at the third position said outer peripheral surface openings abut said vehicle panel and said rear outer peripheral surface blocks air flow through said vehicle panel opening.
2 more elements
A vehicle, comprising:
- an instrument panel having an opening with front and rear portions and a middle portion intermediate said front and rear portions;
- an air duct attached to said instrument panel about said rear portion of said instrument panel opening to deliver a flow of air thereto;
- an elongated body having first and second end portions, a hollow interior, a front outer peripheral surface having a front opening and extending between said first and second end portions, a rear outer peripheral surface having a rear opening and extending between said first and second end portions, a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis;
- a first set of stationary vanes oriented parallel to said longitudinal and transverse axes and to one another and extending in said front opening between said first and second end portions and extending from said outer peripheral surface into said hollow interior of said body;
- a second set of stationary vanes with individual vanes oriented parallel to said longitudinal axis, nonparallel to said transverse axis and nonparallel to one another, said second set of stationary vanes extending in said front opening between said first and second end portions and extending from said outer peripheral surface into said hollow interior of said body;
- and
- means for pivoting said elongated body between a first position at which said first set of stationary vanes is aligned with said rear opening to receive a direct, linear flow of air exiting said rear opening to direct said flow of air across said first set of stationary vanes and through said front opening in a single direction, a second position at which said second set of stationary vanes is aligned with said rear opening to receive a direct, linear flow of air exiting said rear opening to direct said flow of air across said second set of stationary vanes and through said front opening in multiple directions, and a third position at which said outer peripheral surface blocks said rear portion of said instrument panel opening thereby blocking said flow of air through said air duct.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.