Cooling system for a machine

Abstract

A mining machine is provided. The machine includes a frame and an engine mounted on the frame. The machine also includes a heat exchanger and an aftertreatment system mounted on the frame. The machine further includes a cooling system disposed between the heat exchanger and the aftertreatment system. The cooling system includes a shroud member and a plurality of fans mounted on the shroud member. Each of the plurality of fans is adapted to provide a flow of air across the heat exchanger and around at least a portion of the aftertreatment system. The shroud member is split into a plurality of sections and each of the plurality of sections includes at least one of the plurality of fans therein.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present disclosure relates to a cooling system for a machine. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to the cooling system for a heat exchanger and an aftertreatment system associated with the machine.BACKGROUND[0002]An internal combustion engine generally employs an aftertreatment system in order to treat exhaust gas generated by the engine prior to release into the atmosphere. The aftertreatment system may include a number of components that may be required to be maintained within an operating temperature range in order to achieve optimum performance and limit premature deterioration thereof. In the engine, or a machine employing the engine, operating on or above ground or water surface, the aftertreatment system may be typically cooled by surrounding air due to heat transfer and natural convection.[0003]However, in a hot environment, such as in underground mining applications or enclosed spaces, forced ventilation may be employed in order to ac...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a cooling system for a mining machine that includes a heat exchanger and an aftertreatment system. The system includes a splitted shroud member with multiple fans mounted inside to provide air flow across both the heat exchanger and the aftertreatment system. This helps to keep the machine cool and prevents damage to the aftertreatment system caused by high temperatures. The technical effect is improved cooling efficiency for mining machines.

Problems solved by technology

Known remote mounted secondary heat exchangers and / or the hydraulically driven fan may add extra complexity to the system, in turn, resulting in increased system cost, increased maintenance cost and effort, increased labor cost, and so on.

Also, such secondary heat exchanger may be cooled using a single fan, which, if it fails, may limit operation of the aftertreatment system and / or the engine and increase a risk of overheating the components of the aftertreatment system, and so on.

Also, in some situations, such known systems may be less than ideal during an automatic shutdown of the engine due to overheating, because the forced cooling of the secondary heat exchanger may be stopped.

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