Abstract:
A fan shroud assembly for use with a cooling system of a vehicle, the cooling system comprising at least one of a radiator and a fan, the fan shroud assembly comprising: a shroud having a first surface, a second surface, and a sidewall extending therebetween, the first surface connected to at least a portion of the vehicle such that the shroud is at least partially positioned behind the radiator; a shroud nozzle extending from the second surface of the shroud, wherein the shroud nozzle houses at least a portion of the fan; and wherein the fan shroud assembly provides fluid communication between the fan and the radiator, and further wherein the fluid communicated through the fan shroud assembly is substantially evenly distributed over the radiator.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/168,717 filed Apr. 13, 2009, entitled “FAN SHROUD ASSEMBLY,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, including all references cited therein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates in general to fan shrouds and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to fan shroud assemblies which improve the efficiency and performance of vehicular engines, as well as fan shroud assemblies which provide for efficacious maintenance of various parts of the vehicle. 
         [0004]    2. Background Art 
         [0005]    Fan shrouds have been known in art for years. While the fan shroud is a less than frequently seen part of the cooling system, it is extremely important to the overall performance of the engine and thus the vehicle. Crafted from heavy-duty materials, the shroud efficiently cooperates with the radiator fan in maintaining an ideal range of engine operating temperatures. The fan shroud houses the blades of the fan and substantially prevents the blades from damaging other vital engine components. If installed properly, the fan and the fan shroud will effectively communicate heat energy produced by the engine out the engine compartment by facilitating efficient dispersal of heat released from the coolant traveling through the radiator by forcing air over the radiator. 
         [0006]    Several drawbacks are common to typical fan shrouds, including, but not limited to, fan shroud design deficiencies resulting in inefficient air flow and shroud and/or engine maintenance issues. Some design deficiencies include fan shrouds that are designed such that the fan is not spaced apart from the radiator at a desired distance, which produces even communication of air over the radiator. For example, some shrouds may position the fan too closely to the radiator, which may lead to uneven air distribution across the outer periphery of the radiator. Also, typical shrouds are fabricated as a solid member or constructed from a single piece of material. Such construction methods produce a fan shroud which, when installed, renders maintenance of the fan and/or other components of the engine extremely difficult and/or problematic. Thus, the entire shroud is typically removed from the engine before the fan and/or other components are worked on. 
         [0007]    Therefore the need exists for a fan shroud assembly that allows the fan to be spaced apart from the radiator at a predetermined distance, and a fan shroud assembly that facilitates rapid installation and removal of the same. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention is directed to a fan shroud assembly for use with a cooling system of a vehicle, the cooling system comprising at least one of a radiator and a fan, the fan shroud assembly comprising: (a) a shroud having a first surface, a second surface, and a sidewall extending therebetween, the first surface connected to at least a portion of the vehicle such that the shroud is at least partially positioned behind the radiator; (b) a shroud nozzle extending from the second surface of the shroud, wherein the shroud nozzle houses at least a portion of the fan; and (c) wherein the fan shroud assembly provides fluid communication between the fan and the radiator, and further wherein the fluid communicated through the fan shroud assembly is substantially evenly distributed over the radiator. It will be understood that the term “substantially evenly” is defined herein, regardless of its ordinary meaning, to include enhanced distribution of airflow associated with the fan shroud assembly relative to the same without the shroud nozzle as disclosed herein. 
         [0009]    In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second surface of the shroud and the shroud nozzle each comprise a diameter, wherein the diameter of the shroud nozzle is smaller than the diameter of the second surface of the shroud and wherein the second surface of the shroud and the shroud nozzle are connected via a reduction plate. In this embodiment the reduction plate is preferably angled from the second surface of the shroud to the shroud nozzle. 
         [0010]    In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shroud nozzle is sized and adapted to receive the entire fan of the vehicle. 
         [0011]    In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of the shroud nozzle is provided with a protectant covering. 
         [0012]    The present invention is also directed to a fan shroud assembly for use with a cooling system of a vehicle, the cooling system comprising at least one of a radiator and a fan, the fan shroud assembly comprising: (a) a shroud having a first surface, a second surface, and a sidewall extending therebetween, the first surface connected to at least a portion of the vehicle such that the shroud is at least partially positioned behind the radiator; (b) a shroud nozzle extending from the second surface of the shroud, wherein the shroud nozzle houses at least a portion of the fan; (c) wherein the fan shroud assembly is divided into a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the top portion and the bottom portion are releaseably connectable to one another; and (d) wherein the fan shroud assembly provides fluid communication between the fan and the radiator, and further wherein the fluid communicated through the fan shroud assembly is substantially evenly distributed over the radiator. 
         [0013]    In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the top portion and the bottom portion each include an interfacing surface having at least one seal member, wherein when the top portion and the bottom portion are joined together and the interfacing surfaces are disposed in a face-to-face relationship to substantially seal the connection therebetween. 
         [0014]    The present invention is also directed to a fan shroud assembly for use with a cooling system of a vehicle, the cooling system comprising at least one of a radiator and a fan, the fan shroud assembly comprising: (a) a shroud having a first surface, a second surface, and a sidewall extending therebetween, the first surface connected to at least a portion of the vehicle such that the shroud is at least partially positioned behind the radiator; (b) a shroud nozzle extending from the second surface of the shroud, wherein the shroud nozzle houses at least a portion of the fan; (c) wherein the second surface of the shroud and the shroud nozzle each comprise a diameter, wherein the diameter of the shroud nozzle is smaller than the diameter of the shroud and wherein the second surface of the shroud and the shroud nozzle are connected via a reduction plate; (d) wherein the fan shroud assembly is divided into a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the top portion and the bottom portion each include an interfacing surface having at least one seal member, wherein when the top portion and the bottom portion are joined together and the interfacing surfaces are disposed in a face-to-face relationship to substantially seal the connection therebetween; and (e) wherein the fan shroud assembly provides fluid communication between the fan and the radiator, and further wherein the fluid communicated through the fan shroud assembly is substantially evenly distributed over the radiator. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    Certain embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by the accompanying figures. It will be understood that the figures are not necessarily to scale and that details not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may be omitted. It will be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein. 
           [0016]    The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  of the drawings is an exploded, perspective view of a fan shroud assembly in association with a portion of a cooling system of a vehicle; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  of the drawings is a front elevation view of the fan shroud assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  of the drawings is a rear elevation view of the fan shroud assembly of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  of the drawings is a perspective view of the fan shroud assembly of  FIGS. 1-3 ; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  of the drawings is a perspective view of a top portion and a bottom portion of the fan shroud assembly in association with attachment elements. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail several specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated. 
         [0023]    It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components, referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings with like reference characters. 
         [0024]    Referring now to the drawings, and to  FIG. 1  in particular, shown therein is a fan shroud assembly  10  for use with a portion of a cooling system  14  of a vehicle. More specifically, the cooling system  14  includes at least a radiator  18  and a fan  22 . The radiator  18  is disposed proximate the front of the vehicle and is provided with a series of tubes  26  that retain a coolant liquid. The fan  22  communicates air through the fan shroud assembly  10  and over the tubes  26  of the radiator  18  to reduce the temperature of the coolant stored within the tubes  26  of the radiator  18 . The fan  22  is disposed at least partially within the fan shroud assembly  10  and in one embodiment, the fan  22  is completely housed within the fan shroud assembly  10 . 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-4  collectively, the fan shroud assembly  10  includes a shroud  30  and a shroud nozzle  34 . The fan shroud assembly  10  is provided to enclose the blades of the fan  22  to protect the various components of the engine (not shown) and/or to protect an individual performing maintenance on the same. The shroud  30  may be formed by injection molding of a plastic and/or plastic polymer, although any one of a number of other suitable manufacturing methods and/or materials, for example, a metal or metallic alloy, that would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art having the present disclosure before them are likewise contemplated for use in accordance with the present invention. In one embodiment, the shroud  30  includes a first surface  38 , a second surface  42  and a sidewall  46  extending therebetween. The first surface  38  defines a substantially rectangular frame having one or more slots  50  configured to receive one or more fasteners for joining the fan shroud assembly  10  to at least a portion of the vehicle. Examples of fasteners include, but are not limited to, threaded fasteners, nut and bolt fasteners, clips, rivets, adhesives, and the like. The sidewall  46  is formed having a fluid flow passage  52  adapted to direct air flowing from the fan  22  across the radiator  18 . The sidewall  46  may be offset from the first surface  38  such that at least a portion of the sidewall  46  is disposed above the first surface  38 . The sidewall  46  may preferably include a plurality of flared portions  54  constructed to direct air flowing through the fluid flow passage  52  outwardly towards the outer periphery of the radiator  18  to provide a substantially even distribution of airflow over the radiator  18 . 
         [0026]    The shroud nozzle  34  is provided with a first surface  58 , a second surface  62  and a sidewall  66  extending therebetween forming a substantially tubular fluid flow passage  70  which is preferably disposed in axial alignment with the fluid flow passage  52  of the shroud  30 . The shroud nozzle  34  is also preferably sized and adapted to house at least a portion of the fan  22 . The shroud nozzle  34  may be fabricated separately from the shroud  30  or formed integrally with shroud  30 . 
         [0027]    In one embodiment, the shroud nozzle  34  is a substantially tubular cylinder, although it will be understood that shroud nozzles  34  may be constructed having various shapes and cross sectional areas provided the shroud nozzle  34  house the fan  22  and direct air flowing from the fan  22  through and/or to the radiator  18 . For example, a shroud nozzle  34  that increases in angle from the second surface  62  to the first surface  58 . It will be understood that other shapes and/or configurations that would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art with the present disclosure before them are likewise contemplated for use in accordance with the present invention. Additionally, shroud nozzles  34  with different lengths may be provided to extend the fan  22  at a distance further away from the radiator  18  than with the shroud  30  only. 
         [0028]    The second surface  62  of the shroud nozzle  34  is provided with a protectant covering  74  to protect the tips of the blades of the fan  22 , for example, a rubber or other durable material that would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0029]    The fan shroud assembly  10  may also comprise a reduction plate  78  connected to the second surface  42  of the shroud  30 . The reduction plate  78  operates to reduce the diameter of the second surface  42  to change the fluid flow passage  52  of the shroud  30  to more efficiently diffuse the air flowing through the fluid flow passage  52  from the fan  22 . In one embodiment, the shroud nozzle  34  is connected to the shroud  30  via the reduction plate  78 . It will be understood that the reduction plate  78  may be disposed substantially perpendicular to the radiator  18  and the fan  22 . It will be further understood that the reduction plate  78  may also be angled, for example, sloping from the shroud nozzle  34  to the shroud  30 . 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5  collectively, in another embodiment, the fan shroud assembly  10  may be divided into a top portion  82  and a bottom portion  86  for ease of installation and maintenance of various parts of the engine including the fan  22 . Both the top portion  82  and the bottom portion  86  each comprise an interface surface  90 . The interface surfaces  90  are disposed in a face-to-face relationship when the top portion  82  and the bottom portion  86  are joined together. In one embodiment, the interface surfaces  90  of both the top portion  82  and the bottom portion  86  comprise a seal member  94  disposed along the length of each of the interface surfaces  90 . The seal members  94  operate to form a substantially air-tight seal between the top portion  82  and the bottom portion  86  when they are joined together. 
         [0031]    The top portion  82  and the bottom portion  86  may be joined together with attachment members  98 . In one embodiment, the attachment members  98  include a strap portion  102  having opposing tabs  106  for engaging fasteners  110 . The strap portion  102  is preferably constructed of a durable yet resilient material that may be fabricated of a partially elastomeric material, for example, a rubber or plastic polymer. To install the attachment members  98 , the top portion  82  and the bottom portion  86  are each provided with apertures (not shown) which permit the insertion of the fasteners  110  therethrough. The top portion  82  and the bottom portion  86  are joined together and the tabs  106  of the attachment members  98  are aligned with the apertures of the top portion  82  and the bottom portion  86 . Fasteners  110  are inserted through the apertures and tabs  106  and secured, thereby securing the top portion  82  and the bottom portion  86  together. In another embodiment, although not shown, the attachment members  98  may include clamps that join the top portion  82  and the bottom portion  86  together, although any means for joining the top portion  82  and the bottom portion  86  together that would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art with the present disclosure before them are likewise contemplated for use in accordance with the present invention. 
         [0032]    The fan shroud assembly  10  is installed by securing the first surface  38  of the shroud  30  to at least a portion of a vehicle (not shown) such that the shroud  30  is disposed between the radiator  18  and the fan  22 . The fan  22  is disposed at least partially within the shroud nozzle  34  of the fan shroud assembly  10 . To service the fan  22  or other parts of the vehicle, the top portion  82  of the fan shroud assembly  10  is removed by removing the fasteners  110  that join the attachment members  98  to the top portion  82  and the bottom portion  86  of the fan shroud assembly  10 . The removal of the top portion  82  allows for safe and efficient access to the fan  22  and other various parts of the fan shroud assembly  10  without necessitating the complete removal of the fan shroud assembly  10 . 
         [0033]    The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the invention and the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.