Ford Motor Company Limited

Gene R Burnham

James M Cummins

James D Boka

John I Snoke

William A Oestreich

A windshield heating system includes a heating element installed in the defroster ductwork of a motor vehicle. An electrical driver provides electrical power to heat the heating element, thereby immediately providing heated air to the windshield of the vehicle when the vehicle is started in cold weather. The electrical power provided to the heating element can be modulated based on (1) temperature of the air before the heating element, (2) temperature of the heating element, and (3) system voltage of the vehicle.

Electric windshield defroster

An electronic engine fan control device is disclosed. The control device includes means for detecting engine coolant temperature, operation of the vehicle air conditioning load, and vehicle road speed. The control device also includes means for generating first and second temperature signals in response to engine coolant temperature. The control device further includes override signal generating means for generating first and second override signal under certain temperature, or certain load and speed conditions. The control device finally includes means for comparing the first and second temperature signals and the first and second override signals for generating a control signal to operate the vehicle fan. A method for controlling an engine fan is also disclosed including the steps of detecting engine coolant temperature, air conditioning load and road speed and generating corresponding signals. The method further includes the steps of comparing the temperature, load and speed signals to preselected values and generating a control signal to operate the engine fan.

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Lincoln Park, MI, United States of America

Gene R Burnham