Thermal shield for system for generating electric power

Abstract

A thermal shield for a system for generating electric power may include a sheet of material configured to be operably associated with an engine of the system for generating electric power such that heat from the engine is deflected back toward the engine. The sheet of material may define a generally rectangular shape defining a length dimension and a width dimension, and the length dimension may be configured to generally correspond to a length defined by the engine.

1 . A thermal shield for a system for generating electric power, the thermal shield comprising:
 a sheet of material configured to be operably associated with an engine of the system for generating electric power such that heat from the engine is deflected back toward the engine,   wherein the sheet of material defines a generally rectangular shape defining a length dimension and a width dimension, and   wherein the length dimension is configured to generally correspond to a length defined by the engine.   
   
   
       2 . The thermal shield of  claim 1 , further including at least one portion configured to increase the stiffness of the sheet of material. 
   
   
       3 . The thermal shield of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one portion includes a flange operably associated with the sheet of material. 
   
   
       4 . The thermal shield of  claim 3 , wherein the flange is integrally formed with the sheet of material. 
   
   
       5 . The thermal shield of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet of material is configured to be operably coupled to the engine. 
   
   
       6 . The thermal shield of  claim 5 , wherein the sheet of material is configured to be operably coupled to a block of the engine. 
   
   
       7 . The thermal shield of  claim 5 , wherein the sheet of material is configured to be operably coupled to intake passages of the engine via at least one bracket. 
   
   
       8 . The thermal shield of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet of material defines a thickness ranging from about 14 gage to about 16 gage. 
   
   
       9 . The thermal shield of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet of material defines at least one of an edge configuration and a portion cut-out from an interior portion of the rectangular shape. 
   
   
       10 . The thermal shield of  claim 1 , wherein the width dimension is configured to generally correspond to a distance between a lower edge of a cylinder head of the engine and an intake passage of the engine. 
   
   
       11 . A system for generating electric power, comprising:
 an engine;   an electric machine configured to convert mechanical power into electric power, the electric machine being operably coupled to the engine;   a housing defining an area containing the engine and at least one air passage configured to provide flow communication between an exterior of the housing an the area; and   at least one panel operably associated with the engine and configured to deflect heat associated with operation of the engine.   
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one panel includes two panels operably associated with the engine, wherein each of the two panels is associated with opposite sides of the engine. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one panel includes a sheet of material defining a generally rectangular shape defining a length dimension and a width dimension. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the sheet of material defines at least one of an edge configuration and a portion cut-out from an interior portion of the rectangular shape. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the length dimension generally corresponds to a length defined by the engine. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the width dimension generally corresponds to a distance between a lower edge of a cylinder head of the engine and an intake passage of the engine. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one panel includes a sheet of material, and the sheet of material is operably coupled to the engine. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the sheet of material is operably coupled to a block of the engine. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the sheet of material is operably coupled to an intake passage of the engine via at least one bracket. 
   
   
       20 . A method for increasing the effectiveness of a heat exchanger associated with a system for generating electric power, the method including:
 operably associating at least one panel with an engine of the system such that the at least one panel is provided between the engine and a wall of a housing containing the engine and the heat exchanger,   flowing air to the heat exchanger between the at least one panel and the wall.