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US 8,893,834 B2Granted
Airflow baffle system for articulating hood with multiple hinge locations
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorJerry Edward Berkeland
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present disclosure concerns an airflow baffle system and sealing system which effectively seals an articulating hood, such as for a wheel loader, for more efficient routing of cooling air and exhaust air. The articulating hood may have multiple hinges connecting the hood to the motor vehicle. For example, a rear hinge or set of hinges may allow upward and rearward rotation of the entire hood, while a second set of hinges atop the hood may allow for upward and forward rotation of only a portion of the hood when quicker access to only a portion of the engine compartment is required.
Claims20
An articulating hood assembly, comprising:
- a stationary sealing element having a left side, a right side and a cross member between the left and right sides, the stationary sealing element having a substantially continuous sealing surface;
- an articulating hood for mating with the substantially continuous sealing surface of the stationary sealing element, the articulating hood comprising at least two hoods, wherein at least a portion of the articulating hood is moveable in a first direction from the stationary sealing element to an open position and wherein a second portion of the articulating hood is moveable in a second direction from the stationary sealing element;
- and
- a sealing baffle fixed to the articulating hood, wherein a seal is broken and formed between the stationary sealing element and the sealing baffle of the articulating hood when:
- 1) at least the portion of the articulating hood is moved and returned in the first direction;
- and 2) the second portion of the articulating hood is moved and returned in the second direction,
- wherein when the sealing baffle is in a closed position, the stationary sealing element forms a substantially continuous seal at an interface between the stationary sealing element and the sealing baffle.
4 more elements
A articulating hood assembly, comprising:
- an engine compartment comprising a stationary sealing element, the stationary sealing element having a substantially continuous surface;
- an articulating hood mounted to the engine compartment for mating with the stationary sealing element, the articulating hood comprising at least two hoods, wherein at least a first portion of the articulating hood is moveable in a first direction from the stationary sealing element to an open position and wherein at least a second portion of the articulating hood is moveable in a second direction from the stationary sealing element;
- and
- a sealing baffle fixed to the articulating hood, wherein a seal is broken and formed between the stationary sealing element and the sealing baffle of the articulating hood when:
- 1) at least the first portion of the articulating hood is rotated and returned in a first direction;
- and 2) at least the second portion of the articulating hood is rotated and returned in a second direction,
- wherein when the sealing baffle is in a closed position, the stationary sealing element forms a substantially continuous seal at an interface between the stationary sealing element and the sealing baffle.
4 more elements
A articulating hood assembly, comprising:
- an engine compartment comprising a stationary sealing element having a left side, a right side and a cross member between the left and right sides, the stationary sealing element having a substantially continuous top surface in which at least portions of surfaces of the stationary sealing element on opposite sides of the engine compartment lie in a same plane;
- an articulating hood mounted to the engine compartment for mating with the stationary sealing element, the articulating hood comprising a radiator hood and an engine hood, wherein at least the radiator hood is rotatable in a first direction from the stationary sealing element to an open position and wherein at least the engine hood is rotatable in a second direction from the stationary sealing element;
- and
- a sealing baffle fixed to the radiator hood, wherein a seal is broken and formed between the stationary sealing element and the sealing baffle of the radiator hood when:
- 1) at least the radiator hood is rotated and returned in a first direction;
- and 2) at least the engine hood is rotated and returned in a second direction, wherein the sealing baffle includes a stiffer portion for fixing to the articulating hood and a more flexible portion joined to the stiffer portion for mating with the stationary sealing element,
- wherein when the sealing baffle is in a closed position, the stationary sealing element forms a substantially continuous seal at an interface between the stationary sealing element and the sealing baffle.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.