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US 8,708,078 B2Granted
Flexible drive element for an angled active shutter
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsScott P. Charnesky, Brain D. Van Buren, Richard J. Skurkis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A shutter system includes a first louver element having a first pivot axis and a second louver element having a second pivot axis. The first louver element is configured to rotate about the first pivot axis, and the second louver element is configured to rotate about the second pivot axis. The shutter system additionally having a flexible drive element connecting the first louver element and the second louver element to thereby substantially synchronize the rotation of the first and second louver elements.
Claims13
A shutter system comprising:
- a first louver element having a first pivot axis, wherein the first louver element is configured to rotate about the first pivot axis;
- a second louver element having a second pivot axis, wherein the second louver element is configured to rotate about the second pivot axis and the second pivot axis is disposed at an angle that is other than 180 degrees relative to the first pivot axis;
- and
- a flexible drive shaft operatively connecting the first louver element and the second louver element to thereby substantially synchronize the rotation of the first and second louver elements.
1 more element
A vehicle comprising:
- an internal combustion engine cooled by a circulating fluid;
- a heat exchanger configured to cool the fluid via an airstream after the fluid cools the engine;
- a grille opening positioned to permit the airstream to pass through on the way to the heat exchanger;
- and
- a shutter system for controlling an airstream through the grille opening, the shutter system including:
- a first louver element having a first pivot axis, wherein the first louver element is configured to rotate about the first pivot axis;
- a second louver element having a second pivot axis, wherein the second louver element is configured to rotate about the second pivot axis and the second pivot axis is disposed at an angle that is other than 180 degrees relative to the first pivot axis;
- and
- a flexible drive shaft connecting the first louver element and the second louver element to thereby substantially synchronize the rotation of the first and second louver elements.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.