Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Bodies – With distinct wind deflector
Reexamination Certificate
2006-12-12
2006-12-12
Patel, Kiran B. (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Bodies
With distinct wind deflector
C296S180500, C244S204000
Reexamination Certificate
active
07147269
ABSTRACT:
An airflow control device comprises a body and an active material in operative communication with the body. The active material, such as a shape memory material, is operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material can change its shape, dimensions and/or stiffness producing a change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness to control vehicle airflow to better suit changes in driving conditions such as the need for increased airflow through the radiator due to increases in engine coolant temperature. As such, the device improves vehicle fuel economy while maintaining proper engine cooling. An activation device, controller and sensors may be employed to further control the change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness of the device. A method for controlling vehicle airflow selectively introduces an activation signal to initiate a change of at least one feature of the device that can be reversed upon discontinuation of the activation signal.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2184798 (1939-12-01), Gracey
patent: 3816774 (1974-06-01), Ohnuki et al.
patent: 4052099 (1977-10-01), Lowery et al.
patent: 4119339 (1978-10-01), Heimburger
patent: 4131308 (1978-12-01), Holka et al.
patent: 4170377 (1979-10-01), Ingram
patent: 4460213 (1984-07-01), Janssen et al.
patent: 4489806 (1984-12-01), Shimomura
patent: 4558897 (1985-12-01), Okuyama et al.
patent: 4659130 (1987-04-01), Dimora et al.
patent: 4660879 (1987-04-01), Kobayashi et al.
patent: 4778212 (1988-10-01), Tomforde
patent: 4810022 (1989-03-01), Takagi et al.
patent: 4902067 (1990-02-01), Sakai et al.
patent: 4976489 (1990-12-01), Lovelace
patent: 5150864 (1992-09-01), Roglin et al.
patent: 5292166 (1994-03-01), Emery
patent: 5454619 (1995-10-01), Haraway, Jr.
patent: 5558304 (1996-09-01), Adams
patent: 5632841 (1997-05-01), Hellbaum et al.
patent: 5662294 (1997-09-01), Maclean et al.
patent: 5692796 (1997-12-01), Yamamoto et al.
patent: 5803409 (1998-09-01), Keefe
patent: 5983944 (1999-11-01), Niv
patent: 5988568 (1999-11-01), Drews
patent: 6033010 (2000-03-01), Preiss
patent: 6139090 (2000-10-01), Stidd
patent: 6174025 (2001-01-01), Henderson et al.
patent: 6196620 (2001-03-01), Haraway, Jr.
patent: 6209947 (2001-04-01), Rundels et al.
patent: 6236139 (2001-05-01), Hill et al.
patent: 6378932 (2002-04-01), Fasel et al.
patent: 6427948 (2002-08-01), Campbell
patent: 6484971 (2002-11-01), Layukallo
patent: 6520564 (2003-02-01), Liang
patent: 6712425 (2004-03-01), Brulhart
patent: 6833656 (2004-12-01), Hooley et al.
patent: 6863242 (2005-03-01), Van De Kreeke et al.
patent: 6926346 (2005-08-01), Wong et al.
patent: 6948910 (2005-09-01), Polacsek
patent: 2004/0197519 (2004-10-01), Elzey et al.
patent: 2005/0198907 (2005-09-01), McKnight et al.
Aase Jan H.
Browne Alan L.
Johnson Nancy L.
Ulicny John C.
General Motors Corporation
Marra Kathryn A.
Patel Kiran B.
LandOfFree
Airflow control devices using current does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Airflow control devices using current, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Airflow control devices using current will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3718516