VEHICLE AIR FLOW CONTROL SYSTEM
An air flow control system for use with a vehicle including a hood, a grille and a heat exchanger comprises a shaft having an axis of rotation disposed behind the grille and in front of the heat exchanger. The axis of rotation is perpendicular to a direction of air flow from the grille to the heat exchanger. A blade is mounted to the shaft. A mover is operatively connected with the shaft to rotate the shaft about the axis of rotation thereby moving the blade between a first position where air is permitted to flow from the grille to the heat exchanger, and a second position air is restricted from flowing from the grille to the heat exchanger.
1 . An air flow control system for use with a vehicle including a hood, a grille and a heat exchanger, the air flow control system comprising:
a shaft having an axis of rotation disposed behind the grille and in front of the heat exchanger, the axis of rotation is perpendicular to a direction of air flow from the grille to the heat exchanger;
a blade mounted to the shaft; and
a mover operatively connected with the shaft to rotate the shaft about the axis of rotation thereby moving the blade between a first position where air is permitted to flow from the grille to the heat exchanger, and a second position where air is restricted from flowing from the grille to the heat exchanger.
2 . The air flow control system as defined in claim 1 further comprising
a duct disposed adjacent the hood of the vehicle;
an entrance disposed at one end of the duct that allows air to flow into the duct; and
an exit disposed at an end of the duct opposite to the entrance to allow air to flow out of the duct.
3 . The air flow system as defined in claim 1 wherein the blade comprises an injection molded plastic.
4 . The air flow system as defied in claim 1 further comprising:
the mover moving the blade and the shaft to a third position between the first position and the second position.