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Here is a detail that is very interesting. A couple of us had heard of something like this a couple of month ago on the condition it not be shared, but now that Road and Track has fully outed it, here it is, with one additional note that the little birdie who told us that info shared that “it looks really special when you are standing next to it.” Thanks and credit to Road and Track.
https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-car...-hatch-patent/
Originally posted by roadandtrack
The Mid-Engine Corvette's Hatch Has a Unique Design to Aid Cooling
Chevrolet's patent application for the new supercar's engine cover is worth analyzing.
BY BOZI TATAREVIC
DEC 5, 2018
R&T
Most spy shots of the upcoming mid-engined Corvette show a mesh cover over the center of the rear hatch. Now, a recently uncovered GM patent application might explain why. Titled “Venting Module for Vehicle Compartment Cover Assembly,” it shows a center piece for the rear hatch of a vehicle that is described as “vented engine hood assemblies for motor vehicles with a rear-engine or a mid-engine layout.“
The hatch cover is described as a glass module surrounded by a carrier frame that is perforated to allow the engine to vent. This would explain why the prototypes we’ve seen have had a mesh cover over that area or even left it completely open: so the engine wouldn't overheat.
PATENT IMAGE
The application explains that that this hatch cover–described as an engine hood–can combine a back glass panel with a supportive frame that can enable improved radiative and convective cooling of the engine bay. It states that in some configurations, the venting assembly could be composed of magnesium mesh. The current generation Corvette employs magnesium for strength and weight savings, so it's not surprising that Chevy would use it on the next generation car.
PATENT IMAGE
According to the operational description of the hatch, the design described in the patent can provide more than a 200 percent increase in venting over some traditional designs. It also states that there are other advantages to it, such as the ability to eliminate the bridge structure used in other glass rear hatches which reduces weight and aids in manufacturing.
PATENT IMAGE
Included drawings and diagrams show a mid-engined vehicle but it is only used to show the location of the hatch for the purpose of this patent application. The drawing of the actual hatch itself is likely similar to what we could see in a production version of the car.
PATENT IMAGE
A gap exists at the top of the hatch in the drawing, but if we look at the spy shots, we can see that this is the spot where what appears to be a camera module is mounted. A similar gap exists at the bottom and the triangular shape might point to the location where a Corvette badge might be placed.
It now seems less and less like a question of 'if' we'll get a mid-engine Corvette, but when we'll see the mid-engine Corvette.
Chevrolet's patent application for the new supercar's engine cover is worth analyzing.
BY BOZI TATAREVIC
DEC 5, 2018
R&T
Most spy shots of the upcoming mid-engined Corvette show a mesh cover over the center of the rear hatch. Now, a recently uncovered GM patent application might explain why. Titled “Venting Module for Vehicle Compartment Cover Assembly,” it shows a center piece for the rear hatch of a vehicle that is described as “vented engine hood assemblies for motor vehicles with a rear-engine or a mid-engine layout.“
The hatch cover is described as a glass module surrounded by a carrier frame that is perforated to allow the engine to vent. This would explain why the prototypes we’ve seen have had a mesh cover over that area or even left it completely open: so the engine wouldn't overheat.
PATENT IMAGE
The application explains that that this hatch cover–described as an engine hood–can combine a back glass panel with a supportive frame that can enable improved radiative and convective cooling of the engine bay. It states that in some configurations, the venting assembly could be composed of magnesium mesh. The current generation Corvette employs magnesium for strength and weight savings, so it's not surprising that Chevy would use it on the next generation car.
PATENT IMAGE
According to the operational description of the hatch, the design described in the patent can provide more than a 200 percent increase in venting over some traditional designs. It also states that there are other advantages to it, such as the ability to eliminate the bridge structure used in other glass rear hatches which reduces weight and aids in manufacturing.
PATENT IMAGE
Included drawings and diagrams show a mid-engined vehicle but it is only used to show the location of the hatch for the purpose of this patent application. The drawing of the actual hatch itself is likely similar to what we could see in a production version of the car.
PATENT IMAGE
A gap exists at the top of the hatch in the drawing, but if we look at the spy shots, we can see that this is the spot where what appears to be a camera module is mounted. A similar gap exists at the bottom and the triangular shape might point to the location where a Corvette badge might be placed.
It now seems less and less like a question of 'if' we'll get a mid-engine Corvette, but when we'll see the mid-engine Corvette.
https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-car...-hatch-patent/
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