Technical field
US5871412A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 4, 1997 |
| Grant date | Feb 16, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 4, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16H9/04
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An automotive cooling assembly including a radiator and a cooling fan for forcing air over the radiator. A multiple speed fan drive interconnects the cooling fan to an engine of a vehicle. The multiple speed fan drive includes a fan shaft for supporting the cooling fan and a drive shaft running parallel to the fan shaft. A number of pulleys having associated belts couple the fan shaft to the drive shaft. An engagement device allows the fan shaft to remain stationary while the drive shaft is rotating. The engagement device also selectively engages one of the belts and their respective associated pulleys into driving relationship for rotating the fan shaft in response to rotation of the drive shaft. The rotational speed of the cooling fan can be faster, slower or in sync with the rotational speed of the engine. The cooling fan can also remain stationary while the drive shaft of the engine is still rotating. Hence, the cooling fan effectively forces air over the radiator of the engine when necessary, irrespective of the rotational speed of the engine.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.