Motor vehicles – Power – Radiators and condensers – mounting
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-03
2001-10-30
Johnson, Brian L. (Department: 3618)
Motor vehicles
Power
Radiators and condensers, mounting
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308795
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to radiators, and more particularly to a radiator mounting arrangement for a work machine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A work machine, such as a telescopic handler, typically includes a cab assembly and an engine enclosure attached to a main frame. The engine enclosure houses the radiator and the engine of the work machine. In addition, the engine enclosure is attached to the main frame such that the engine enclosure is adjacent to the cab assembly and interposed between a front and rear wheel of the work machine. The above described arrangement results in the work machine having a relatively compact size. Having a relatively compact size facilitates the ability of the work machine to work and maneuver in close quarters (e.g. when the work machine is being utilized to handle hay bales in a barn).
However, a draw back of the aforementioned arrangement is that the engine enclosure must be large enough to accommodate the engine and the radiator therein. Having a relatively large enclosure tends to obstruct the view of an operator positioned within the cab assembly when operating the work machine For example, if the engine enclosure is positioned on the right hand side of an operator located in the cab assembly, then the view of the operator in that direction will be obstructed by the enclosure to a certain degree. Obstructing the view of the operator is an annoyance and decreases the efficiency of the work machine in performing various work functions.
Some work machines may utilize smaller radiators in an attempt to address this draw back. However, this approach suffers from the draw back that relatively small radiators do not have the cooling capacity of full size radiators.
What is needed therefore is a radiator mounting arrangement for a work machine which overcomes the above-mentioned drawback.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a work machine. The work machine includes a main frame and an operator seat supported by the main frame. The work machine also includes a radiator supported by the main frame and including a cooling core, wherein (i) the cooling core defines a fluid flow-through surface which is vertically oriented when supported by the main frame, (ii) the cooling core includes a substantially linear upper edge which defines a first line L
1
, (iii) a line L
2
is defined by a horizontal line, (iv) an angle &sgr; is defined between the first line L
1
and the second line L
2
, and (v) 2.0°≦&sgr;≦88.0°.
In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a work machine having a forward end, a rearward end, and a lateral sidewall interposed between the forward end and the rearward end. The work machine includes a main frame and an operator seat supported by the main frame. The work machine also includes a radiator having a cooling core. The cooling core has an inner side edge. The inner side edge has an upper end and a lower end, wherein the radiator is supported by the main frame such that (i) the cooling core defines a fluid flow-through surface which is vertically orientated, (ii) the upper end of the inner side edge is positioned a distance D
1
from the lateral sidewall, (iii) the lower end of the inner side edge is positioned a distance D
2
from the lateral sidewall, and (iv) the distance D
1
is greater than the distance D
2
.
In accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention there is provided a work machine having a forward end, a rearward end, and a wall portion. The work machine also includes a support member extending outwardly from the wall portion. The work machine also includes a radiator having a cooling core. The cooling core has (i) a fluid flow-through surface and (ii) a lower side edge, the lower side edge has an inner end and an outer end, wherein the radiator is secured to the work machine such that (i) the cooling core defines a fluid flow-through surface which is vertically orientated, (ii) the inner end of the lower side edge is positioned a distance D
3
from the support member, (iii) the outer end of the lower side edge is positioned a distance D
4
from the support member, and (iv) the distance D
3
is greater than the distance D
4
.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1263543 (1918-04-01), Fageol
patent: 1357397 (1920-11-01), Gerber
patent: 1406163 (1922-02-01), Alborn
patent: 2228550 (1941-01-01), Young
patent: 2626783 (1953-01-01), Fritzberg
patent: 2650799 (1953-09-01), Fritzberg
patent: 3406751 (1968-10-01), Kreul et al.
patent: 3540540 (1970-11-01), Schwab
patent: 3616871 (1971-11-01), West
patent: 3786891 (1974-01-01), Vogelaar et al.
patent: 3865205 (1975-02-01), Swanson
patent: 3964458 (1976-06-01), Strauss et al.
patent: 4071009 (1978-01-01), Kraina
patent: 4121683 (1978-10-01), Kohriyama
patent: 4182404 (1980-01-01), Beveridge et al.
patent: 4226217 (1980-10-01), Haslbeck et al.
patent: 4579090 (1986-04-01), Konrath et al.
patent: 4590891 (1986-05-01), Fujikawa et al.
patent: 4696361 (1987-09-01), Clark et al.
patent: 4730664 (1988-03-01), Forsthuber et al.
patent: 4744433 (1988-05-01), Takeuchi et al.
patent: 4815550 (1989-03-01), Mather et al.
patent: 4898318 (1990-02-01), Shiga et al.
patent: 4938303 (1990-07-01), Schaal et al.
patent: 5042602 (1991-08-01), Nakatani et al.
patent: 5129446 (1992-07-01), Beamer
patent: 5341870 (1994-08-01), Hughes et al.
patent: 5490574 (1996-02-01), Ishiizumi et al.
patent: 5499690 (1996-03-01), Shearn et al.
patent: 5613551 (1997-03-01), Rhodes
patent: 5678648 (1997-10-01), Imanishi et al.
patent: 5695007 (1997-12-01), Fauconnier et al.
patent: 5105114 (1993-04-01), None
JC Whitney Catalog 578C, pp. 196 and 197, Mar. 1995.
Addison Bradford G.
Caterpillar Inc.
Fischmann Bryan
Johnson Brian L.
LandOfFree
Radiator mounting arrangement for a work machine does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Radiator mounting arrangement for a work machine, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Radiator mounting arrangement for a work machine will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2602434