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:
Apr. 04, 2000
Filed:
Jan. 08, 1998
Mary L Till, Manchester, NH (US);
Erik M Widdifield, Indianapolis, IN (US);
Cummins Engine Company, Inc., Columbus, IN (US);
Abstract
A method for controlling a vehicle engine coolant fan. Because operation of the engine coolant fan creates a power drain upon the engine, it is undesirable to operate the coolant fan when the engine is fueled. Conversely, a power drain upon the engine is desirable when an attempt is being made to slow the vehicle. Consequently, the present invention requests activation of the coolant fan whenever a power drain upon the engine is desirable. Not only is this desirable in order to slow the vehicle, but it also lowers the coolant temperature, thereby reducing the chance that the coolant fan will have to be operated in the future when such operation is undesirable.