Internal-combustion engines – Intake manifold
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-01
2001-07-17
Wolfe, Willis R. (Department: 3747)
Internal-combustion engines
Intake manifold
C123S184420, C123S184470, C123S184610
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260527
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention relates to reservoirs for holding power steering fluid and an automotive vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to an intake manifold with an integral power steering fluid reservoir.
In the most recent quarter century, there has been a major effort to increase fuel economy of automotive vehicles. To achieve an increase fuel economy, several technical trends have developed. The first technical trend is a change from rear wheel drive to front wheel drive vehicles. Front wheel drive vehicles tend to increase fuel economy by placing the weight of the engine over the traction wheels of the vehicle. Another technical trend to increase fuel economy is to make the vehicle lighter and smaller and to diminish its aerodynamic drag. To lower the aerodynamic drag, the hood region of many vehicles has been lowered. The front end of the vehicle is made more round or pointed instead of the box front end which was common on many prior vehicles. Additionally, the grill area is typically made smaller. The aerodynamic changes which have occurred on the front of the vehicle have resulted in a smaller volumetric space under the vehicle hood.
In front wheel drive vehicles, it is a common practice to mount the engine and transmission transverse to the major axis of the vehicle. Typically, transverse mounted vehicles require an electrically powered radiator fan rather than a radiator fan which is powered from the crankshaft of the vehicle engine. The utilization of an electric fan versus the prior crankshaft powered fans and the transverse mounting of the engine and the smaller engine compartments have all resulted in less air flow around the engine. The lower air flow around the engine has resulted in higher underhood temperatures being realized.
In prior vehicles with (in line) engines wherein the engine is positioned generally longitudinally with respect to the major vehicle axis, it is typically more convenient to place a power steering reservoir directly over a power steering pump. The power steering pump is typically also powered off of the crankshaft of the vehicle engine via a pulley and belt arrangement. However, when the engine is mounted transversely placing the power steering reservoir over the power steering pump is sometimes not possible since it is not in an accessible area to a vehicle operator who wishes to add fluid to the power steering system. To address the above-noted problems, many power steering fluid reservoirs are now remotely located from the power steering pump. Another problem which has been generated by the higher underhood temperatures is that in certain locations the power steering fluid can become too hot and degrade or not function properly. Therefore, an automotive designer must look for a cool spot under the hood to place the power steering reservoir. Often the cool spot is not in an area which is readily accessible to a vehicle operator. The further the cool spot is from the power steering pump, the greater is cost for the hose routing between the reservoir and the power steering pump inlet. The cost of a hose between the power steering reservoir and the steering gear actuator outlet must also be considered. Additionally, there is additional costs which are generated by the mounting fixture which will hold the power steering fluid reservoir in its desired location.
In certain premium vehicles with very high powered engines, the temperature under the hood can get so hot that the power steering fluid must have its own separate cooler which further adds to the expense of the vehicle.
It is desirable to provide a power steering reservoir which can minimize the length hoses between the power steering reservoir and the power steering pump and power steering actuator. It is also desirable to provide a power steering reservoir which is easily accessible for maintenance by the vehicle operator. It is also desirable to provide a power steering reservoir which aids the lowering of the temperature of the power steering fluid even in a hot engine compartment environment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To make manifest the above-noted and other desires, the revelation of the present invention is brought forth. The present invention brings forth the freedom of providing a power steering fluid reservoir which is formed integrally with the intake manifold of the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a vehicle intake manifold which has an inlet channel for allowing ambient air into the manifold. A plenum is fluidly connected with the inlet channel and the plenum provides a gaseous reservoir. A plurality of runners are fluidly connected with the plenum for distributing air to the cylinders of the engine. Integrally formed with the inlet channel, plenum, and runners is a power steering fluid reservoir. The power steering fluid reservoir is fluidly separated from the intake plenum by a common wall. The common wall allows for continuous cooling of the power steering fluid by the induced flow ambient air which is in almost all occasions cooler than the underhood temperature of the vehicle.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a power steering reservoir which is integrally formed with an engine intake manifold of a vehicle.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a power steering fluid reservoir which is integral with the engine intake manifold of the vehicle and is cooled by ambient air passing through the intake manifold.
The above noted and other objects of the present invention would become apparent to those skilled in the art from a review of the invention as it is provided in the accompanying drawings and detailed description of the preferred embodiment.
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DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Huynh Hai
Shurupoff Lawrence J.
Wolfe Willis R.
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