Watertight Vehicle Airduct System

Abstract

A duct for a vehicle includes an inlet fluidly coupled to an interior of the vehicle and an outlet fluidly coupled to the inlet. A buoyant closure member is disposed between the inlet and the outlet and is movable between an open position permitting flow between the inlet and the outlet and a closed position preventing flow between the inlet and the outlet. The buoyant closure member is normally in the open position and is movable from the open position to the closed position in response to a predetermined volume of water entering the outlet.

1 . A duct for a vehicle, the duct comprising:
 an inlet fluidly coupled to an interior of the vehicle;   an outlet fluidly coupled to said inlet; and   a buoyant closure member disposed between said inlet and said outlet and movable between an open position permitting flow between said inlet and said outlet and a closed position preventing flow between said inlet and said outlet, said buoyant closure member normally in said open position and movable from said open position to said closed position in response to a predetermined volume of water entering said outlet.   
     
     
         2 . The duct of  claim 1 , wherein said buoyant closure member is pivotably attached at one end to a wall of the duct. 
     
     
         3 . The duct of  claim 1 , wherein said buoyant closure member includes a ball float supported within the duct between said inlet and said outlet and movable from said open position to said closed position. 
     
     
         4 . The duct of  claim 1 , further comprising a debris screen disposed between said buoyant closure member and said outlet to prevent debris from entering the duct via said outlet. 
     
     
         5 . The duct of  claim 1 , further comprising a door disposed proximate to said inlet and movable between an open position permitting flow from said inlet to said outlet and a closed position preventing flow from said outlet to said inlet, said door normally in said closed position. 
     
     
         6 . The duct of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one check valve disposed between said inlet and said outlet. 
     
     
         7 . The duct of  claim 6 , wherein said check valve is movable between an open position permitting fluid to exit the duct and a closed position preventing entry of fluid into the duct. 
     
     
         8 . The duct of  claim 7 , wherein at least one check valve is movable from said open position to said closed position under fluid pressure applied to an exterior surface of the duct. 
     
     
         9 . The duct of  claim 1 , wherein the duct includes at least one bend between said inlet and said outlet defining a torturous path between said inlet and said outlet. 
     
     
         10 . The duct of  claim 1 , wherein said inlet is attached and fluidly coupled to a floor pan of the vehicle. 
     
     
         11 . A vehicle comprising:
 a floor pan defining at least one cavity;   a heat exchanger disposed within said at least one cavity;   a passageway directing air through said heat exchanger and toward a wall of said at least one cavity; and   a duct fixedly attached to said wall of said at least one cavity and including a closure member movable between an open position permitting air received from said heat exchanger to exit said at least one cavity and a closed position preventing fluid from entering said at least one cavity.   
     
     
         12 . The vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein said closure member is buoyant and is movable from said open position to said closed position in response to said duct being submerged in a predetermined volume of water. 
     
     
         13 . The vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein said duct includes at least one check valve. 
     
     
         14 . The vehicle of  claim 13 , wherein at least one check valve is movable from said open position to said closed position under fluid pressure applied to an exterior surface of the duct. 
     
     
         15 . The vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein the duel includes at least one bend between said inlet and said outlet defining a torturous path between said inlet and said outlet. 
     
     
         16 . The vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein said duct includes said inlet and an outlet fluidly coupled to said inlet, said duct defining a torturous path between said inlet and said outlet. 
     
     
         17 . The vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein said closure member is pivotably attached to said duct. 
     
     
         18 . The vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein said closure member includes a ball float. 
     
     
         19 . The vehicle of  claim 11 , further comprising a door disposed proximate to said inlet for permitting fluid to exit said at least one cavity in an open position and to restrict fluid from entering said at least one cavity in a closed position, said door normally in said closed position.