US1458593A - Shutter apparatus for radiators - Google Patents

Description

J. F. RALEIGH SHUTTER APPARATUS FOR RADIATORS June 12, 1923. 1,458,593

Filed March 1, 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 zz HI I Drb IIIII 31 1-- a Inurflor James FRoAmgh g (I 1., a

June 12, 1923. 1,458,593

J. F..RALEIGH SHUTTER APPARATUS FOR RADIATORS Filed March 1, 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inuenfov Jamas FRcfleigh June 12, 1923. 1,458,593

' J. F. RALEIGH SHUTTER APPARATUS FOR RADIATORS Filed Marh 1, 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Inuerflor James Ffialeigh June 12, 1923. 1,458,593

J. F. RALEIGH SHUTTER APPARATUS FOR RADIATORS Filed March 1, 1 920 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Inue n for JQmesFRQXeugh.

reamed June 12, 1923. v 1,458,593 n rao STATES PATENT OFFICE;

JAMES r; RALEI H; or Hmmo',.m1 ms, assrenoa ro rmns murac'runme comrm, or cnrcneo, rLLmoIsA conroaarxon or nnnawann;

SHUTTER APPARATUS FOR BADIATOBS.

Application filed March 1, 1920. Serial No. 882,515,

To allwhomit ma concern: manner of attaching the shutter apparatus Be it known tl'i at I, JAMEs F. RALEIGH, to the radiator;

a citizen of the United States, residin at Figure 3 is a view in perspective of the Chicago, in the county of Cook and Silate shell or main frame forming part of the 5 of Illinois, have invented a'certain new and shutter apparatus, the same being consider- 60 useful Improvement in Shutter Apparatus ablybroken away to conserve space on the for Radiators, of which the following is a drawings, and to illustrate certain parts full, clear, concise, and exact description, which would otherwise be concealed; reference beinghad to,the accompanying Figure at is a vertical sectional view of drawings, forming a part of this specifithe shutter apparatus and the adjacent 65 cation. p p arts of the radiator, certain parts being My invention relates to a shutter apparoken away to conserve space on the drawratus adapted to be used in connection with in the radiator of an internal combustion enigure 5 is a view in perspective of the gine, more particularly an automobile enshutter carrying sub-frame of the shutter 70 Hgine, for the purpose of regulating the apparatus, the same being shown as paramount of air. that may pass through the tially disassembled; radiator core," a 1 Figure 6 is a rear elevation of the shutter Among-its salient objects my invention apparatus removed from the radiator, cercontemplates: tain parts being broken away; i '76 First: The provision of an improved Figure 7 is a fragmentarysectional view unitary radiator shutter apparatus that taken on either of the lines 7-7 of Fig readily may be applied toand removed ure 6;

from the radiator when desired; Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view Second: A radiator shutter apparatus of taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 6; =80 this class so constructed and arranged that Figure 9 is a fragmentary sectionalv view its application to and subsequent removal taken on line'9-9 of Figure 6;

from the radiator in no way impairs the Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional view usefulness or appearance of the radiator; taken on the line 10-10 of Figure 6; and Third: An apparatus of this class com- Figure 11 is a front elevational viewed '85 prising shutter bearings that are silent in the shell or main frame prior to triing [their operation and not at all apt to get out and beading the same to fit any particular of order, due to corrosion or oxidization of radiator, as will be hereinafter explained. the bearing elements or the failure of the Similar characters of reference refer to user to lubricate the same; similar parts throughout the several news.

Fourth; An apparatus of this class that In Figures 1 and 2 l have illustrated a presents a neat appearance and is of sturdy conventional form of automobile engine and economical construction; radiator, comprising frame 20 and core 21,

Fifth: An apparatus of this class that is and applied thereto by means of long to capable of being adapted to and applied to slender bolts 22 is the unitary self-contained t5 paratus being broken away to disclose the shell is conformed provide the -1 all forms ofautomobile engine radiators. shutter apparatus of my invention. The Uther features of novelty will appear as shutter apparatus consists of two rmcipal this description progresses. parts,.namely, the shell or main rame 23, In the accompanying drawings illustrat which is the part which is attached to the 45 ing my invention: radiator, and which encloses and supports Figure 1 is a front elevational view illusthe other parts of the shutter apparatus, trating the shutter a paratus of my invenand the sub-frame 2A, which carries the 'tion ap lied to a radiator, certain parts of shutters, the shutter operating mechanism,

the shel or main frame of the shutter appa-- the thermostat, and parts appurtenant 5e ratus being broken away to reveal the parts thereto.

therebehind; i As is perhaps most clearly illustra in Figure 2 is a side elevational view of Figures 1, 3 and 6,, the main e 23 conthe same, certain parts of the radiator and sists of a shell pressed a single pi the shell or main frame of the shutter ap of comparatively heavy: sheet metal. 1w

flange 23*, the forwardly dished central portion 23*, which receives and supports the sub-frame, and the forwardly dished upper central portion 23, which constitutes a receptacle for the thermostat and thermostat heat insulation presently to be described. The flanged portion 23 of the shell is provided with a continuous bead 25, which provides a. correspondingly continuous groove for the reception of cushioning material, which is preferably in the form of the braided cord 26. I may say at this point that I prefer to have no other parts of the shutter apparatus than the retaining bolts 22. the so-called heat conducting plate presently to be described. and the braided cord 26 engage the radiator or any part thereof. A plurality of apertures 22 are formed. in the marginal flange of the shell 23 to accommodate bolts 22, as is clearly shown in Figures 1 and 3. The forwardly dished central portion 23 of the shell is provided with a rectangular opening or window 27. As will presently appear, all of the air which may flow through the radiator core must find its way through this opening or window 27, which is adapted to be variably restricted by the shutters hereinafter described.

The metal of the shell is preferably turned rearwardly at the upper and lower margins of the opening 27 to provide the flanges 28 and 29, whereon the sub-frame is mounted and secured. Soldered, welded or otherwise secured to the under surface of the flange 28 is a. strip 30 provided at its forward edge I with a downwardly turned lip, which is arranged to interlock with the top edge of the uppermost shutter when the shutters, presently to be described, are in closed position. It will be seen that the shell or main frame is adapted to be secured to' the radiator wit-h the cushioning material 26 lying in immediate engagement with the radiator frame 21. All air which can pass through the radiator core must therefo e find its way through the opening or window 27 of the shell.

The sub-framec24, illustrated in detail in Figure 5, is rectangular in form and consists of the outwardly facing upper and lower channel members 31 and 32, and the inwardly facing lateral channel members 33, The upper and lower ends of the lateral channel members 33 are secured to the upper and lower channel members 31 and 32 by screws 34, which pass through openings in the ears 31, 31 and 32 32. turned inwardly from the ends of the said upper and lower channel members, as is clearly shown iii Figure 5. The rear vertical side of the upper channel member 31 serves to carry the thermostat devices, and for that reason, except at its central point, where it is cut away to accommodate the thermostat housing, is considerably higher than the forward vertical side of the said upper channel member.-

Disposed within each of the lateral channel members 33 of the sub-frame is a nonmetallic bar 35, having a plurality of apertures 35 formed therein for the reception of the shutter trunnions presently to be described. Bars 35 are held in position by the screws 34, which serve to secure thesub-frame channel'members together, each of the bars 35 being notched at its upper and lower ends to accommodate the ears 31 and 32 of the upper and lower channel members. This arrangement is clearly shown at the left hand side of Figure 5. The bars 35 are formed of one of the nonmetallic synthetic sub-stances, one of which, the material known in the trade as condelnsite has been found to give excellent resu ts.

Supported by the sub-frame are the shut-,

in F igure 10. Each trunnion comprises a solid cylindrical bearing portion, a shoulder which bears against the end of the shutter. and a hollow inner end which extends through an opening in the shutter and is riveted in position. I have, found that these brass trunnions 38 and the condensite hearing bars 35 constitute a very effective means for pivoting the shutters.

The operation of the shutters is practically noiseless. The bearing elements are unaffected by moisture and exposure to the weather, and require practically no lubrication to keep them in working condition.

Carried by the sub-frame is a thermostat device, the details of which form no part of my present invention, the same being described and claimed in a co-pending application of Charles A. Pipenhagen, Serial No. 362,251, filed of even date herewith. I shalltherefore describe just so much. of the thermostat as seems necessary to a complete understanding of the construction and purposes of the devices of the present invention.

Secured to the rear vertical side of the upper sub-frame channel member 31. is a heat conducting plate 39 of aluminum or other good heat conducting material, which is spaced from the channel member by heat insulating material in the form of a wooden strip 40, and is secured in position by screws clockwisedirection (Figure 41, 41. The heat conducting plate is so disposed that it lies against the front face of the radiator core when the shutter apparatus is secured in position, as shown in Figure 4. Carried by the forward face of the heat conducting plate is a drawn steel thermostat housing 42, the annular flange of which is secured to the heat conducting plate by screws 43, 43, and is spaced therefrom by heat conducting material, preferably in the form of an annulus 44. Since the details of the thermostat per se constitute no part of the present invention,-I will say. that the thermostat housing contains heat responsive elements to which heat is conducted from the radiator core by heat conducting plate 39. The heat responsive elements of the thermostat control a crank 45. which is mechanically connected with the short arm of a bell crank lever 46, mounted upon the upper sub-frame of the channel member 31, as shown in Figure 5. The details of this mechanical connection between the crank 45 46 form the subject matter of a co-pending application of Charles A. Pipenhagen, Serial No. 362.250. filed of even date herewith. It will suiflce to say that when the heat responsive elements of the thermostat expand under heat conducted thereto by plate 39, movement crank 46 to turn the latter in a counter- 5). The longer arm of bell crank lever 46 is connected by link 47 with the shutter operating bar 37, the lower end of said link being offset and having a ball and socket connect-ion with a stud 48, which shutter operating bar.

The shutters are normally held in-closed position by a coiled spring 49. the lower end of which engages in an annular groove in stud 48. and the upper end of which is attached to the lower end of a rod 50, which in turn has its upper end formed to provide a hook engaging in the upper channel member 31, as is clearly shown at the left hand side of Figure 5. Thus it will be understood that spring 49 normally retains the shutters closed. and that expansion of the heat responsive elements (not shown) of the thermostat causes opening of the shutters in opposition to the tension of spring 49.

The sub-frame is preferably retained in the main frame or shell without utilizing screws, bolts or other similar fastening means. A plurality of ears 51, 51, conveniently two are struck from the lower sub-frame channel 32 and turned upward- 1y, as shown in Figure 5. A plurality of corresponding ears 52, 52, preferably three, are struck from the upper sub-frame channel 31, and turned downwardly, as is clearly and the bell crankis imparted to crank '45, and this movement is transmitted to bell projects laterally from theillustrated in Figures 4 and 6. When the sub-frame is assembled within the shell or main frame, .the bottom channel member 32 lies beneath the shell flange 29 and the ears 51, 51 project freely through correspondingly shaped apertures in the flange 29. This interlocking relation of channel 32 and shell flange 29 is clearly illustrated in Figure 8. Similarly, when the subframe is secured in the main frame, the upper sub-frame channel 31 lies above the shell flange 28 and the ears 52. 52 of the said upper sub-frame channel extend freely through correspondingly shaped apertures in the flange 28 and its associated weather strip 30. The interlocking relation of these parts is clearly shownin Figure 7.

As an additional precaution I prefer to prevent the lower sub-frame channel 32 and the shell flange 29 from being sprung apart by providing a clip 53, the lower end of which engages over the rear side of the channel 32. and the upper end of which passes freely through an aperture in the flange 29, and is turned upon itself securely to hold channel 32 and flange 29 together. all as is clearly shown in Figures 6 and-9.

It will be noted that when the sub-frame has been assembled within the shell or main frame in the manner hereinbefore described, the thermostat housing 42 lies within the shell receptacle 23. I prefer thoroughly to insulate the thermostat housing 42 from the shell by means of a wooden cap 54. which snugly fits the outer surface of the the'rmostat housing and lies within the space between thehousing and the shell. and is held against displacement bythc shell.

It thus appears from the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings that all of the air which may pass through the radiator core must find its way through the shell window 27. This window is controlled by the shutters-36. which in turn are controlled by the thermostat devices through a mechanically operating connection. The main frame supports the sub-frame and holds the sub-frame and every part'thereof. except the heat conducting plate. out of contact with the radiator. This arrangement and the heat insulation of the thermostat devices insures that the thermostat device will respond only to changes in temperature of the radiator core as such changes in radiator core temperature are communicated thereto by the heat conducting plate. The main frame and the sub-frame and parts carried bv the latter. when assembled and secured together. as herein shown and described. constitute a self-contained radiator shutter apparatus that may be applied to and removed from an automobile radiator as.

a unit, without in any way impairing the usefulness of the radiator or detracting from the appearance thereof when the shutter apparatus is removed. The particular form of shutter bearings herein shown and described is particularly advantageous in that they require little or no attention, are practically noiseless in operation, and render the shutters exceedingly easy to operate, thus placing little or no stress upon the heat responsive elements of the thermostat when the latter are caused to expand by heat con ducted thereto from the radiator core.

In Figure 11 I have illustrated the main frame or shell in the form in which I prefer to have it prior to being trimmed and bead ed to meet the requirements of any particular type or size of radiator. The shell. as shown in Figure 11, is practically identical with the finished shell as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, except that, as shown in Figure 11, the marginal flange 23* has not been cut to size or beaded for the reception of cushioning material 26.

In quantity manufacture of the shutter apparatus of my invention I prefer to form up the shell, as shown in Figure 11, and to build up the sub-frame, as shown in Figure 5. When this has been done, it is but a simple matter to finish a shutter apparatus suitable for application to any style or size of radiator. The marginal flange 23 of the shell can readily be cut to proper size and sha e, and then beaded and provided with cushioning material 26. Since the sub-frame and all of the parts carried thereby and all of the parts of the shell except the marginal flange are the same for all types and sizes of radiator, a shell of the type shown in Figure 11 may be trimmed and beaded to meet the requirements of any particular radiator frame, may be provided with cushioning material 26, any one of the sub-frames may be assembled therein, and the unitary shutter apparatus of my invention is ready to be applied to the radiator.

While I have illustrated but asingle embodiment of my invention, I do not limit myself to this specific construction. but wish to have my invention limited only by the terms and spirit of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is: c

1. In a detachable front for an automobile radiator. a shell consisting of a single piece of metal having a fenestrated dished central portion bounded by a marginal flange adapted to lie wholly in front of, parallel with, and in immediate proximity to the forward face of an automobile radiator: said frame being wholly located within the margins of the radiator front and being supported solely by the radiator, a shuttersupporting means disposed in the dished central portion of said shell and concealed thereby, shutters mounted in said'shuttersupporting means and adapted to control the flow of air through the shell fenestration, and means for securing said flange in front of and in immediate proximity to the front face of the radiator so that allof the air flowing rearwardly through the radiator must enter through the shell fenestration.

2. In combination with an automobile radiator comprising a core and frame therefor, a. detachable front for said radiator including a sheet metal shell having a fenestrated dished central portion bounded by a marginal flange lying parallel with the forward face of said core and wholly in front of the radiator, said flange bridging contiguous margins of the radiator frame and core, a shutter-supporting means rigidly mounted within the dished central portion of said shell and concealed thereby, shutters mounted in said shutter-supporting means and adapted to control the flow of air through the shell fenestration, and a plurality of bolts extending through said marginal flange and the radiator core adapted to hold said detachable front upon and in front of said radiator.

.3. In combination with an automobile radiator, a detachable front therefor comprising a shell formed from a single piece of sheet metal lying wholly in front of said radiator, and within the margins of the radiator front said shell including a marginal flange'disposed parallel with and in immediate proximity to the front face of the radiator, and a forwardly dished central portion provided with a fenestration 1ooated directly in front of theradiator core, shutter supporting means in the said dished central portion, shutters carried thereby adapted to control the flow of air through the shell fenestration, and a plurality of bolts extending through said flange and the radiator core affording a firm, detachable connection between said core and said shell. 4. In combination with an automobile radiator, a detachable front lying wholly in front of and Within the margins of the front face of the radiator, said detachable front comprising an integral shell having a fenestration, the effective area of which is subject to regulation, and a marginal flange which is disposed parallel with and in immediate proximity to the front face of the radiator, said flange being beaded at its outer edge to provide a rearwardly opening channel, a cushioning strand disposed in said channel, and a plurality of bolts extending through said flange and the radiator core adapted to clamp said strand between said flange and the front face of the radiator.

5. A detachable front for an automobile to lie parallel with, in immediate proximity to and wholly within the margins of the ginal flange adapted to lie wholly in front of and in immediate proximity to the front face of an automobile radiator, anda forwardly dished central portion provided with a rectangular opening having the metal at two opposite margins thereof turned rearwardly to provide reinforcing flanges, together with a shutter unit comprising a plurality of shutters and a rectangular frame by which said shutters are carried,

' the said shutter frame being attached to I said reinforcing flanges, and means for moving the shutters.

7. In combination with an automobile radiator, a shutter attachment comprising a -mar inal flange of sheet metal disposed who ly in front of, substantially parallel with, and in immediate proximity to the forward face of the radiator, and lyin wholly within the margins of the forwar face of the radiator, a cushioning strip of yielding material extending along the rear surface of said mar inal flan e at the edge thereof, and a plura ity of b0 ts which constitute the means for holding the attachment to the radiator, said bolts extendin through the radiator core and through said flange at points spaced from said cushioning strip.

8. A shutter attachment for an automobile engine radiator comprising a marginal flange adapted to lie in front of, parallel with, and wholly within the margins of the front face of the radiator, and a strip of cushioning material extending along the rear surface of said flange at the edge thereof, said flange being provided with a plurality of apertures for the reception of bolts which extend through the core of the radiator and serve to; clamp said flange to said cushioning strip and the latter to the front face of I the radiator.

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 23 day of February, 1920.

JAMES F. RALEIGH. Witnesses:

ANDREW Wmranoonn, EDNA V. GUsrArsoN;

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