The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 20, 1994
Filed:
Oct. 04, 1993
John L Johnson, Brimfield, IL (US);
Roger A Stapf, Dunlap, IL (US);
Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US);
Abstract
The design of past vehicles having internal combustion engines has focused attention toward aerodynamic principles. However, present day vehicles have done little to reconfigure the vehicle's engine systems in order to enhance the aerodynamics of the vehicle. The present invention allows for enhancements of the aerodynamics of the vehicle by utilizing a dry sump means 60 within a dry sump lubricated engine 36 which eliminates a conventional oil pan and allows a replacing cover 46 to be smaller and more shallow thereby lowering the overall profile of the engine 36. The additional use of a separately mounted oil cooler 76 reduces the heat load to a radiator 80 thereby decreasing the necessary size for the radiator 80. The smaller radiator 80 decreases the vertical spatial requirements for the engine 36. By lowering the overall profile of the engine 36, with both the more shallow cover 46 and the smaller radiator 80, a vehicle hood 18 can be manufactured with an increased slope. The increased slope of the vehicle's hood 18 enhances the aerodynamics of the vehicle 12 by reducing air drag.