Patent Application Details the C8 Corvette’s Engine Compartment Cooling Vents

We have seen from the spy shots of the C8 Mid-Engine Corvette at the Nurburgring earlier this year that showed the coupe version with a rear hatch that will most likely contain a window for viewing the engine compartment.

It seems that rear window will have a dual purpose based on this new GM patent application that was unearthed over at Road and Track.

The patent application is called “Venting Module for Vehicle Compartment Cover Assembly” and the drawings and summary detail a mesh vent that surrounds and supports the rear window’s frame. This engine hood for mid-engine and rear-engine vehicles provides structural support for a back glass panel and provides “improved radiative and convective cooling for the engine bay.”

The shape of the design in the patent application is very consistent with what we’ve seen with the spy shots as shown above. There is even a gap at the top which looks to be filled in the spy photos by the C8’s rear-facing camera.

According to the summary description, these “venting glass modules” can provide 200-250% more venting than other traditional designs and there are other positives including reduced design complexity and the elimination of the bridging structure from prior glass hood designs. One other advantage in the design seems to indicate mass reduction which aids fuel economy.

Included are several diagrams from the application. Click the link to view or download the patent application publication for the Venting Module for Vehicle Compartment Cover Assembly.

Source:
USPTO via Road and Track

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