Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc.

Itt Automotive Electrical Systems, Inc.

Other

Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Hydracharge LLC

Jeffrey J Buschur

Richard Scott Leemhuis

John Samuel Hill

Harry C Buchanan, Jr

Donald G Shiloff

Bruce Allen Bryson

Michael J Mientus

Roy C Schoen

William S Shufflebarger

Kerry A Machesney

Christopher H Craft

David R Paulick

Ronald C Roberts

Donald G Shloff

Robert V Eyink

Vinod Nanda

Ernest G Franklin

Use of the hydraulically driven device in a series configuration with a minimally restrictive turbocharger is defined which will allow a very responsive and powerful boosting system to reach boost levels of 4-5 pressure ratio (PR) to support and enable OEM engine downsizing trends. An electric supercharger is also considered. A hydraulic drive assists to increase the acceleration rate of a turbocharger impeller/turbine shaft assembly and provide a secondary means of driving the compressor impeller at lower engine speeds where exhaust gases alone does not generate adequate shaft speeds to create significant induction boost. The hydraulic circuit includes a dual displacement motor, which provides high torque for acceleration yet converts to a single motor for high-speed operation. When the exhaust driven turbine function allows compressor speeds, beyond which the hydraulic system can contribute, a slip clutch allows disengagement of the hydraulic drive. In an alternative embodiment, the hydraulic drive provides means of forced induction air alone.

High performance turbo-hydraulic compressor

A power conversion device in the form of a compressor drive constitutes a three channel power sharing transmission which allows power input and/or output from shafts on two of the channels along with hydraulic, electric or potentially pneumatic power input and/or output from the third channel. Varying the input and/or output of hydraulic, electric or pneumatic flow provides a continuously variable transmission function. Several embodiments of the power conversion device are described to drive a supercharger for an internal combustion engine providing a variable ratio coupling allowing effective use of a centrifugal type compressor across a broad range of operational engine speeds.

Power conversion device

A hydraulic drive assists to increase the acceleration rate of a turbocharger impeller/turbine shaft assembly and provide a secondary means of driving the compressor impeller at lower engine speeds where exhaust gases alone does not generate adequate shaft speeds to create significant induction boost. The hydraulic circuit includes a dual displacement motor, which provides high torque for acceleration yet converts to a single motor for high-speed operation. When the exhaust driven turbine function allows compressor speeds, beyond which the hydraulic system can contribute, a slip clutch allows disengagement of the hydraulic drive. The hydraulic circuit is integrated with the power steering circuit to conserve energy and supportive components such as lines and reservoir. In an alternative embodiment, there is no turbocharger and the hydraulic drive provides means of forced induction air alone.

Hydraulic turbo accelerator apparatus

Apparatus and Method for accelerating the warm-up of a heater/defroster in a passenger compartment of an automotive vehicle. A working fluid, such as power steering oil is rapidly heated by pumping it through a small orifice. An oil-to-coolant heat exchanger transfers heat from the working fluid to a liquid coolant. A blower generates an air stream and directs it across heat exchange surfaces of a coolant-to-air heat exchanger. Meanwhile the heated coolant is circulating through the interior of the coolant-to-air heat exchanger. This transfers heat from the liquid coolant and warms the air stream.

Heater/defroster for an automobile

An improved hydraulic motor system, suitable for driving an automotive cooling fan or the like. The system is driven by grade gerotor set and an idle gerotor set which are stacked between a center plate and against a rear wall of a cylindrical cavity in a front face of a manifold. A fluid-tight chamber is established by securing an end frame can around the stacked gerotor sets and against the perimeter of the manifold cavity. Tightness of the seal is controlled by positioning a resilient cover plate against the end frame can from a position opposite the manifold, and adjustably clamping the resilient cover against the manifold until the resilient cover has undergone a predetermined amount of elastic deformation.

Hydraulic motor system

A hydraulically powered fan system for the cooling system of a vehicle. Two hydraulic motors, powered by a hydraulic pump, drive a common fan which cools a radiator. When hydraulic flow in excess of that required to power a single motor is present, a second motor is placed in parallel with the single motor, thereby reducing system pressure, and reducing the power consumed by the pump.

Hydraulically powered fan system for vehicles

Under the invention, collection surfaces are provided in a vehicle. The invention uses the collection surfaces to collect rainwater for a windshield washing system. The collection surfaces become contaminated by agents such as road salt. The invention uses initial rainwater to flush the collection surfaces, and discards this initial rainwater. Then, the invention uses the flushed surfaces to collect subsequent rainwater.

Replenishment of vehicle windshield washer solvent using rainwater

An apparatus for detecting moisture on the windscreen of a motor vehicle has an illumination source and a light sensor mounted within the motor vehicle. The light sensor detects light rays from the light source reflected off the windscreen via a diffusion surface within the motor vehicle. Based upon the sensed reflected light, an image processor in communication with the light sensor creates an image of a portion of the windscreen that the processor analyzes to determine the moisture condition of the windscreen. A method for controlling the operation of the windscreen wiper system monitors light reflected from a portion of a windscreen and creates an image of the moisture condition of the windscreen based on the reflected light. The image is analyzed to determine the configuration of light intensities in predetermined zones. From the light intensity configuration, the moisture condition of the windscreen is determined. The sensed moisture condition parameters are compared to a threshold array and a signal based upon this comparison is communicated the wiper, defogger, or headlight control system.

Windscreen sensing and wiper control system

A fluid supply system provides hydraulic fluid to a series combination of an automotive fan motor and a power steering unit. There is a bypass line around the fan motor for prioritizing the operation of the power steering unit. A normally closed pressure sequencing valve opens the bypass line when the pressure across the overall series combination exceeds a predetermined limit. Optional second and third bypass lines are disclosed for respectively bypassing either the power steering unit or the fan motor in case of abnormal conditions therein.

Automotive hydraulic system and method

A hydraulic system for use in an automotive vehicle. A source of hydraulic pressure selectively operates in two modes. In one mode, it feeds a radiator cooling fan and a power steering system in parallel when a system pressure or flow exceeds a predetermined pressure rate. In another mode, it feeds the radiator cooling fan and the power steering system in series when the system pressure or flow is less than the predetermined pressure or flow.

Hydraulically powered fan and power steering in vehicle

A fluid control system for powering vehicle accessories includes a pump for generating a supply flow of hydraulic fluid, and a supply line for receiving the supply flow of hydraulic fluid. The system further includes a fan control circuit in fluid communication with the supply line, wherein the fan control circuit includes (1) a hydraulic motor and a bypass valve, and (2) the hydraulic motor is positioned in parallel with the bypass valve. The system also includes a steering control circuit in fluid communication with the fan control circuit, wherein (1) the steering control circuit requires a first predetermined flow of hydraulic fluid from the fan control circuit for proper operation thereof, and (2) the bypass valve and the hydraulic motor cooperate so as to create a second predetermined flow of hydraulic fluid. Moreover, the system includes a sensor for detecting operational pressure within the fluid supply line and generating pressure status signals in response thereto. In addition, the system includes an electronic control unit for generating valve control signals. The electronic control unit controls the bypass valve so that the second predetermined flow of hydraulic fluid is greater than or equal to in magnitude than the first predetermined flow. Moreover, operation of the bypass valve is dependent on the pressure status signals generated by the sensor.

Fluid control system for powering vehicle accessories

A fluid control system for powering vehicle accessories includes a pump for generating a supply flow of hydraulic fluid. The system also includes a fluid valve assembly having a housing which includes an inlet, a first outlet, a second outlet, and a third outlet defined therein. The inlet is in fluid communication with the supply flow of fluid. The fluid valve assembly provides (1) a first fluid path between the inlet and the first outlet, (2) a second fluid path between the inlet and the second outlet, and (3) a third fluid path between the inlet and the third outlet. The system also includes a fan motor for rotating an engine cooling fan. The fan motor is in fluid communication with the first outlet. Moreover, the system includes a steering control circuit which is in fluid communication with the second outlet. The system further includes a reservoir which is in fluid communication with the third outlet. A method of controlling fluid flow between a plurality of vehicle components is also disclosed.

Growing community of inventors

Bellbrook, OH, United States of America

Jeffrey J Buschur