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:
Mar. 06, 2018
Filed:
Aug. 05, 2014
Ford Global Technologies, Llc, Dearborn, MI (US);
Nancy Gagnon, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Vince Paul Solferino, Dearborn, MI (US);
William Taylor, Ypsilanti, MI (US);
Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for cooling an alternator using a fan that is operationally independent of the alternator and a duct system that at least partially surrounds the alternator. Example vehicles include an alternator cooling system that comprises a fan configured to be operationally independent of the alternator and disposed adjacent to an end of the alternator, and a duct system encasing the end of the alternator. The vehicles further include a control module configured to control operation of the fan based on one or more inputs related to operation of the alternator. Example methods include receiving, at a processor, an input related to operation of the alternator; determining, based on the input, that a preset condition has been met, using the processor; and responsive thereto, generating a control signal to adjust an operating speed of the fan.