Air ducts for vehicles
US8480166B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 30, 2012 |
| Grant date | Jul 9, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 30, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60H1/246
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An air duct for a vehicle includes a housing and a ductile member. The housing is formed from a first extrudable material having a first elastic modulus, and a second extrudable material having a second elastic modulus that is different from the first. The housing has a central longitudinal axis, defines a cavity therethrough along the axis, and is transitionable from a preform configuration in which the axis is substantially straight, to an installation configuration in which the axis is tortuous. The ductile member is embedded within the housing and is formed from a third extrudable material having a third elastic modulus that is greater than each of the first and second. The ductile member is bendable to transition the housing from the preform configuration to the installation configuration and is configured for retaining the housing in the installation configuration. A vehicle includes the air duct.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.