Rotary kinetic fluid motors or pumps – With sound or vibratory wave absorbing or preventing means...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-12
2001-10-30
Look, Edward K. (Department: 3745)
Rotary kinetic fluid motors or pumps
With sound or vibratory wave absorbing or preventing means...
C415S170100, C415S173600, C415S213100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06309176
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to cooling systems of an internal combustion engine and more particularly to sound absorption resonators incorporated into a fan shroud of the cooing system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Noise, particularly blade passing tone, produced by an axial flow fan of an engine cooling system has been a concern in the automotive industry. The term “axial flow fan” used herein refers to any fan of the general type in which the flow of air or other gas is in a direction parallel to the axis about which the fan blades rotate.
A technique for reducing noise in axial flow fans includes employing noise absorption material in regions near the fan or otherwise adjacent to the fluid flow. This technique is helpful but the effectiveness is limited in certain frequency ranges such as absorbing the passing blade tonal frequency.
Accordingly, there is a need to provide a cooling structure including at least one resonator thereon so as to reduce or eliminate blade passing tonal noise.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to fulfill the need referred to above. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, this objective is obtained by providing a cooling structure for cooling an engine. The cooling structure includes an axial flow fan having a plurality of blades. A shroud is spaced from and is generally adjacent to the blades. A plurality of Helmholtz resonators is carried by the shroud. Each of the resonators has an opening disposed substantially perpendicular with respect to a direction of air flow resulting from rotation of the fan. The resonators are disposed at locations on the shroud which are generally adjacent to tips of the blades. The resonators are tuned to reduce the blade passing tone of the fan.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of absorbing the blade passing tone noise produced from an axial flow fan for cooling an engine includes providing a shroud spaced from and generally adjacent to blades of the fan. A plurality of Helmholtz resonators are provided and carried by the shroud. Each of the resonators has an opening disposed substantially perpendicular with respect to a direction of air flow resulting from rotation of the fan. The resonators are disposed at locations on the shroud which are generally adjacent to tips of the blades. The resonators are tuned to reduce the blade passing tone of the fan.
Other objects, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and the functions of the related elements of the structure, the combination of parts and economics of manufacture will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification.
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Horski Marek
Periyathamby Haran K.
Look Edward K.
Siemens Automotive Inc.
Woo Richard
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