The embodiments herein relates generally to heat shield for exhaust systems of vehicles, more particularly to a heat shield for protecting an operator from hot engine exhaust and convection heat coming towards operator legs while moving/operating the vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[002] Vehicles with internal combustion engines typically include an exhaust system with a plurality of exhaust pipes, a catalytic converter, a muffler and/or a turbocharger. All of these components operate most efficiently at high temperatures. For example, the exhaust system typically is responsible for the oxidation of unburned hydrocarbons in the exhaust gas from the combustion process. Exhaust system, in particular catalytic converters becomes very hot during the operation whereby heat is released into the environment through radiation and convection. In agricultural vehicles, the engine exhaust arrangement is such that exhaust is in near vicinity of an operator pedals operating zone i.e., when the operator is running the vehicle, his legs are exposed to hot air coming from engine exhaust. A fan/blower which is placed at front of the engine forces the ambient air from the front of the vehicle to combustion chamber for cooling. Eventually, the air blown by the fan carries heat from the engine exhaust and dispenses the hot air towards the operator's legs. A continuous flow hot air towards operator's leg for a long duration is undesirable and causes unpleasant work condition. Moreover, the temperature on an exhaust grill over a period reaches nearly 350° C which is very unsafe if for human body. Thus, heat shielding is necessary to ensure that an operator is not exposed to such high temperature.
[003] Therefore, there exists a need for a heat shield for protecting an operator from hot engine exhaust and convection heat coming towards operator legs while moving/operating the vehicle, which eliminates the aforementioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS
[004] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a heat shield for protecting an operator from hot engine exhaust and convection heat coming towards operator legs while moving/operating the vehicle.
[005] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide the heat shield which is adapted to block and channel (or guide) the heat from the engine exhaust system away from the operator's feet (or leg).
[006] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide the heat shield which is adapted to guide the heat from the engine exhaust system to ambient or towards a ground surface.
[007] Still another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide the heat shield which includes a layer of foam which is adapted to reduce/prevent heat flow (or temperature) to an outer face of the heat shield.
[008] Yet another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide the heat shield which is simple in construction, easy to assemble and inexpensive.
[009] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0010] The embodiments herein are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better

understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0011] Fig. 1 depicts a schematic view of conventional engine exhaust system assembled towards an operator's leg in an agricultural vehicle;
[0012] Figs. 2a, 2b and 2c depict perspective view, another perspective view, and side view of a heat shield, respectively, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and
[0013] Fig. 3 depicts a schematic view of the heat shield assembled between the engine exhaust system and the operator's leg, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0015] The embodiments herein achieve a heat shield for protecting an operator from heat of engine exhaust system. Further, the embodiments herein achieve the heat shield which is adapted to block and channel (or guide) the heat from the engine exhaust system away from the operator's feet (or leg). Furthermore, the embodiments herein achieve the heat shield which is adapted to guide the heat from the engine exhaust system to ambient or towards a ground surface. Additionally, the embodiments herein achieve the heat shield which includes a layer of foam which is adapted to reduce/prevent heat flow (or temperature) to an outer face of the heat shield. Moreover, the embodiments herein achieve the heat shield which is simple in construction, easy to assemble and inexpensive. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 3, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0016] Fig. 1 depicts a schematic view of conventional engine exhaust system assembled towards an operator's leg in an agricultural vehicle. Conventionally, an agricultural vehicle or a farm vehicle includes an engine block which is disposed at a frond end of the vehicle. In agricultural vehicles, the engine exhaust arrangement is such that exhaust is in near vicinity of an operator pedals operating zone i.e., when the operator

(200) is running the vehicle, his legs are exposed to hot air coming from engine exhaust. A fan/blower which is placed at front of the engine forces the ambient air from the front of the vehicle to combustion chamber for cooling. Eventually, the air blown by the fan carries heat from the engine exhaust, and dispenses the hot air towards the operator's legs. Thus the embodiments provided herein prevent exposure of the operator's leg (200) to the heat of the engine exhaust system.
[0017] Figs. 2a, 2b and 2c depict perspective view, another perspective view, and side view of a heat shield, respectively, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the heat shield (100) includes a first member (104), a first guide member (106) and a second guide member (108), a first mounting member (110) and a second mounting member (112). The heat shield (100) is disposed parallel to a vertical axis A of the engine exhaust system (102) as shown in Fig. 3. The first member (104), the first guide member (106) and the second guide member (108) are adapted to channel a heat flow from the engine exhaust system (102) towards a ground surface, and thereby protect the operator (200) from heat of the engine exhaust system (102).
[0018] The heat shield (100) includes the first member (104) which is mounted adjacent to the engine exhaust system (102) in a spaced relationship i.e., a predetermined gap is provided between the first member (104) and the engine exhaust system (102). In an embodiment, the first member (104) is at least a flat plate having a predetermined thickness. Further, the first member (104) is square shaped flat plate. The first member (104) includes an inner surface facing the engine exhaust system (102) and an outer surface facing the operator (200) (or operator's leg). The first member (104) is mounted towards an upper end of the engine exhaust system (102).
[0019] The heat shield (100) further includes the first guide member (106) which extends downwards from the first member (104). In an embodiment, the first guide member (106) is at least a conical shaped

member having a wide opening (106a) towards an upper end and a small opening (106b) at a lower end of the first guide member (106). The wide opening (106a) of the first guide member (106) is substantially transverse to a vertical axis A of the engine exhaust system (102), while the small opening (106b) of the first guide member (106) is co-axial to the vertical axis A of the engine exhaust system (102).
[0020] The heat shield (100) further includes the second guide member (108) which extends downwards from the first guide member (106). In an embodiment, the second guide member (106) is at least a U-shaped tube extending for a predetermined distance from the lower end of the first guide member (106). The second guide member (106) extends beyond a lower end of the engine exhaust system (102) for a predetermined distance. In an embodiment, the first member (104), the first guide member (106) and the second guide member (108) are made up of cold reduced low carbon steel sheet.
[0021] Further, the heat shield (100) includes the first mounting member (110) which extends transversely from one of the side of the first member (104). The first mounting member (110) defines at least two apertures (110a) which are configured to receive corresponding fastening means. In an embodiment, the fastening means is at least bolt. The first mounting member (110) is affixed to a frame (not shown) of the vehicle at a predetermined position through the fastening means to mount the heat shield (100) adjacent to the engine exhaust system (102) in the spaced relationship as shown in Fig. 3.
[0022] Furthermore, the heat shield (100) includes second mounting member (112) which extends transversely from the lower end of the first guide member (106). The second mounting member (112) defines at least one opening (112a) to receive a corresponding fastening means. In an embodiment, the fastening member is at least a bolt. The second mounting member (112) is affixed to the frame of the vehicle at a predetermined position through the fastening means to fixedly mount the heat shield (100)

adjacent to the engine exhaust system (102) in the spaced relationship as shown in Fig. 3.
[0023] Further, the heat shield (100) includes at least one layer of foam (or insulator) (not shown) affixed to the inner surface of the first member (104). The layer of foam is adapted to reduce (or prevent) heat flow from the engine exhaust system (102) to the outer surface of the first member (104). In an embodiment, the heat shield foam is made up three layers, namely, a PU foam layer, a layer of glass fiber cloth, and a layer of foil. The glass fiber has a temperature resistance of 350 °C-450 °C and a thickness of 0.5 mm maximum. Further, layer of foil has a thickness of 70+/- 8 micron and a temperature resistance of 200 °C for a time period of 8hrs.
[0024] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

CLAIMS We claim

1. A heat shield (100) for protecting an operator (200) from heat of an
engine exhaust system (102) of a vehicle, comprising:
a first member (104) mounted adjacent to said engine exhaust system (102) in a spaced relationship therewith;
a first guide member (106) extending below said first member (104); and
a second guide member (108) extending downwards from said first guide member (106), wherein,
said first member (104), said first guide member (106) and said second guide member (108) are adapted to channel a heat flow from said engine exhaust system (102) towards a ground surface, and thereby protect said operator (200) from heat of said engine exhaust system (102).
2. The heat shield (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heat shield (100) is disposed parallel to a vertical axis A of said engine exhaust system (102).
3. The heat shield (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first member (104) is at least a flat plate having a predetermined thickness, said first member (104) includes an inner surface facing said engine exhaust system (102) and an outer surface facing said operator (200), said first member (104) is mounted towards an upper end of said engine exhaust system (102).
4. The heat shield (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first guide member (106) is at least a conical shaped member having a wide opening (106a) towards an upper end and a small opening (106b) at a lower end, said wide opening (106a) is substantially transverse to said vertical axis A

of said engine exhaust system (102) and said small opening (106b) is co-axial to said vertical axis A of said engine exhaust system (102).
5. The heat shield (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second guide member (106) is at least a U-shaped tube extending for a predetermined distance from said lower end of said first guide member (106), said second guide member (106) extends beyond a lower end of said engine exhaust system (102).
6. The heat shield (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heat shield (100) includes a first mounting member (110) which extends transversely from one side of said first member (104), said first mounting member (110) defines at least two apertures (110a) to receive corresponding fastening means, said first mounting member (110) is affixed to a frame of said vehicle at a predetermined position through said fastening means to mount said heat shield (100) adjacent to said engine exhaust system (102) in said spaced relationship.
7. The heat shield (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heat shield (100) includes a second mounting member (112) which extends transversely from said lower end of said first guide member (106), said second mounting member (112) defines at least one opening (112a) to receive a corresponding fastening means, said second mounting member (112) is affixed to said frame of said vehicle at a predetermined position through said fastening means to fixedly mount said heat shield (100) adjacent to said engine exhaust system (102) in said spaced relationship.
8. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heat shield (100) includes at least one layer of foam (or insulator) affixed to said inner surface of said first member (104), said layer of foam is adapted to reduce (or prevent) heat flow from said engine exhaust system (102) to said outer

surface of said first member (104), said foam layer includes a PU foam layer, a layer of glass fiber cloth, and a layer of foil.
9. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heat shield (100) includes at least one stopper (114) mounted away from said outer surface of said first member (104), said stopper (114) extends from said upper end to said lower end of said heat shield (100), said stopper (114) is configured to prevent contact of said operator (200) from said first member (104) and said first guide member (106).