Patent ID: 6146092
Filing Date: 2000-11-14
Classification: B60H,F04D,F05D,Y10S

Abstract:
A heat exchange system for an automotive vehicle, comprising:a heat exchanger disposed in a casing;a centrifugal blower disposed upstream from said heat exchanger for producing a flow of directed air to said heat exchanger, said centrifugal blower being disposed in a generally scroll-shaped housing including an air inlet side, a bottom side opposite said air inlet side and a generally cylindrical, curved wall extending between the air inlet side and the bottom side and thereby defining a volute chamber through which a volume of air passes, said chamber terminating in an exit end defining a blower cut-off edge; anda diffuser extending between said exit end of blower housing and said casing, said diffuser including a top wall, a bottom wall, a first side having a generally convex-shaped portion immediately adjacent said blower cut-off edge and a generally concave-shaped portion a predetermined distance therefrom, and a second side having a generally concave-shaped portion disposed across from said cut-off edge and a generally convex-shaped portion a predetermined distance therefrom;said first side of said diffuser including an expanded section disposed opposite said convex-shaped portion of said second side of said diffuser; andwherein said diffuser includes a transverse diameter coplanar with said inlet side of said blower casing, the transverse diameter of said diffuser being greatest at said expanded section and decreasing from said expanded section to said casing,whereby the centrifugal blower produces a stream of non-uniform air flow through the blower housing toward the casing and said diffuser minimizes separation of the air flow to said casing and substantially eliminates the impact of the air flowing in a non-linear motion to reduce noise.