Air ducts formed in automotive structural members
US8641134B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 2, 2012 |
| Grant date | Feb 4, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 15, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60H1/246
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An air duct for an automotive vehicle is blow molded with an elongated, hollow structural member to be used as a portion of a body of the vehicle. The structural member has an inner wall defining an elongated cavity communicating with first and second access holes at respective longitudinal positions along the structural member. A parison comprised of a thermally insulating material is inserted into the internal cavity. A source of inflation gas is connected to a mouth portion or the parison. The parison is heated and inflated within the internal cavity to an expanded shape to form the air duct disposed against the inner wall and spanning the first and second access holes. The air duct at one of the access holes is configured as an air inlet. The air duct at the other one of the access holes is configured as an air outlet.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.